Spring is finally here. I, for one, hope the recent warm weather is not another false start to the season and the prolific fishing for which we've been waiting.
Now is the time to give the boat and motor a once over and, while you are at it, check the axel bearing on that boat trailer.
When is the last time you cleaned and lubed your reels, or checked the eyelets on your rods for wear? A small amount of preventative maintenance now could save disappointment when you have that trophy fish on the line.
And how is your tackle supply? There are some good sales out there right now.
It is also time to renew that fishing licence, which means we are looking at the best weekend of the year to go hunting steelhead.
Here's an inside tip; many anglers don't bother to renew there licence and tags until the May long weekend, leaving our rivers less congested until freshet.
Spring is also the time to start thinking about local fishing derbys and family-related sport fishing activities.
Mark your calendars for the Greg Clark Memorial, then the Cultus Lake Family Fishing Derby on Father's Day weekend.
A tentative date of June 11 is set for the annual Alouette Lake Fishing Derby.
Meanwhile, the West Coast Bass Anglers open tournament is April 16 at the Marsh (contact the West Coast Bass Anglers Free Forum for details).
Lastly, he Maple Ridge, Outdoor Life Styles and Adventure Show goes April 29-30 and May 1 at Maple Ridge Planet Ice.
THE REPORT
Fishing on our Lower Mainland lakes is good. Late mornings through mid-afternoon are best.
Try Chironomid, Bloodworm, Big Black, Woolly Bugger, Micro Leach, Sixpack, Dragonfly Nymph, Halfback, Doc Spratley, Baggy shrimp or Zulu.
The Fraser River is good for cutthroat and dolly varden.
For cutthroat try Rolled Muddler, Mickey Finn, Eggo, Tied Down Minnow, Epoxy Minnow, Flesh Fly, Professor, Lioness, Coachman, Zulu or Chez Nymph.
For dolly Varden try Large (#4 to #1) Eggo, Dolly Whacker, Bucktail, Epoxy Minnow, Big Black, Muddler or Zonker.
The Vedder River is good for steelhead, dolly varden and rainbow.
The Stave River is fair to good for rainbow and cutthroat.
The Chehalis River is good for steelhead and cutthroat.
The Harrison River is good for cutthroat and rainbow.
Hatch Match'r Fly and tackle is hosting fishing seminars for all anglersthis spring. Call 604-467-7118 for details.
