So The other big event for Saturday other than the Spey Days was Adrienne’s birthday. We had planned A party barge, 3 boats anchored together for Sturgeon fishing, for the night. Adrienne had no idea and was actually a little pissed because we all left the clave quickly near the end instead of staying to have a bonfire. We were actually heading down stream to anchor up and wait for her and Curtis to come meet us. There were 14 of us fishing until about 2 in the morning. It wasn’t hot fishing as the tide was high slack most of the time but,I think, everyone landed a fish. The theme was Mexican and we barbequed Quesedillas, Chili Bites, and Taquitos. A blender was on board one boat for the Margaritas and there were plenty of Coronas on hand. It was quite a gong show trying to land Sturgeon in the dark with 9 rods and 3 anchors in the water. Lots of fun though.
The Birthday Girl Arrives
Sarah Fights The First Fish
NICE!!!!
Taquitos on the Habatchi
Bent Rods And Double Headers Were Plentiful
Yours Truly With One
The Big One Of The Night
Yesterday was the annual Michael and Young Spey Day. This year was the 5th installment of a growing event that attracts Spey rod enthusiasts from all over the Pacific North West. It’s a free, one day event that allows those who enjoy two handed rods to try out gear from many different manufacturers. Held at Peg Leg, a large gravel bar on the Fraser river, this years event had the biggest turnout yet. Companies such as Scott, Sage, Loomis, Winston, T&T, Echo, Guideline, Rio, Airflo and Scientific Anglers, and others put their wares on display to the public. Special guests included Steve Rajeff, Steve Choate and Chris Sepio. Anglers were able to watch scheduled demonstrations and get a free Barbque lunch while chatting with each other. The pros and local Spey gods also provided one on one instruction for those who needed a little help. A raffle near the end handed out prizes which included a Hatch reel and a couple of pairs of Maui Jim sunglasses. I myself didn’t pick up any of the rods and spent the entire time talking with people I haven’t seen in a long time as well as meeting some new folks, sipping Coronas and smoking a cuban or two. It was a great event that keeps getting better and bigger each year.
Sascha and Anna picked me up at Fort Langley and we headed there by boat
Coleman and Isis came along
The Casting Gauntlet reminds me of Summer Sockeye Fishing
Plenty of Rods on Display
Chef Ryan
One of the many casting demos
Raffle Time
Here’s a little video taken with my point and shoot during our recent trip to the Lilooet river. Sorry About The Finger
It is one of the remote rivers accessible from the Valley by jet boat. At this time of year there are Cutthroat, Bulltrout, Springs and Steelhead in the system. I was most interested in catching one of the big Cutties that call the river home. A 20 incher isn’t uncommon in the Lilly. Cutthroat that size are huge in most rivers. 7 of us met at the boat launch and jumped in the 22 footer. A big boat is always best to make the 1.5 hour trip across Harrison lake. When the wind picks up it can be like the ocean and can double the length of the ride. Everyone managed to catch a fish. I was able to get a Bulltrout and 4 Cutties, one in the high teens. I haven’t received any pictures of fish from the crew and I’ll post some when I do. It wasn’t as productive as we had expected but just being there is the point.
Here are some of my pics from the day.
Sarah and I spent an afternoon crabbing with Sascha and Anna. It wasn’t fast and furious but we managed to get plenty.
Mmmmmmmm, crab……………………
As winter gives way to spring we are getting out of the cave more often. This winter was a wet one and it seemed that every time I had a chance to fish there were monsoon conditions. Recently I fished a Fraser Valley lake, a little early mind you. The fish were there, down deep. I managed a couple of strikes but no takers. Since then a couple of trips to the squamish river were in order. I was pretty confident with our chances this year. The water conditions were perfect. The river was on the drop and low enough that alot of spots usually reserved for floats could be reached by hiking. I fished some new areas and worked my new Simms boots pretty hard but no luck. I expected to at least hook a Bull trout but it wasn’t in the cards. Maybe next year. Here are a few of the pictures.
Watch for falling rock
