Fishing around Vancouver

[fishhead990]

I am going to be in the Vancouver area the first two weeks in April and am looking for some places to get a fly bit. I've been fly fishing for decades and want to help my brother get started catching some steelhead, salmon, trout, whatever I can while there. He's been fly fishing for a few months but unable to connect with anything other than very small fish. I have the knowledge and equipment but don't know where to go. Any advice/help would be greatly appreciated. Rivers, flies, techniques are ALL welcome.

I was out with him last summer (June) and accidently connected with a steelie but broke off immediately. I had no idea how powerful these things are, I'll be more prepared this time around for how tough they are. We only had a very small amount of time to fish then but will be without our wives this go-round so we can fish til we drop this year.

I have some limitations on how much time I may be able to spend wading due to an uncooperative knee replacement (a long story) and will be bringing a tube for relief when the leg gives out on me, and it will, so we will also be doing some tubing for trout, bass, or whatever, all suggestions welcomed here too. I am a prolific tyer and would like to whip up a bunch of flies for whatever we might encounter in the local lakes. I already have the standard assortment of damsels, midges, nymphs for caddis and mayflies, leeches, streamers, etc. that are successful here in the Yellowstone country of Wyoming but specific patterns would be of a great help.

I just want to help him have some good success with a flyrod because he is about ready to give up on it. HELP!!!!

Thanks in advance for your .

John

[Steelie Mike]

April is the worst month out of the year to fish for steelhead in our rivers down here. Basically because the winter fish are spawning or close to it and most of the rivers are closed. The first two weeks of April leave you the Lower Kalama and Spring Salmon traffic and the Lower North Fork Lewis, which has the same problem with less fly friendly water. Both rivers get a push of early summers, but you got traffic and spawners to contend with. Personally I would fish the Sandy or Clack in Oregon if you are looking for early summers.

In regards to trout, there are better people to ask, but I think the only real option that has nothing to do with a stocking truck is Merrill Lake. I fish it once a year, and can't help you much other then think alder flies and soft hackles. To me April is about spring carp fishing before the spawn. But that is a secret. Silver lake may be a viable option and some of the ponds on the Columbia as well.

[fishhead990]

Mike,
Thanks for the info. I was afraid this might be the case in April but it is the only time I can get out. I will see what I can dig up on the Clack and Sandy. As far as Merrill goes we've got that one on the list to try. I have also been looking at some of the ponds on the Columbia for carp and smallmouth, courtesy of Northwest Fly Fishing magazine. Having grown up in Texas carp are one of my favorite fly rod targets and the prospect of smallmouth is pretty exciting too.

Thanks for your input. I'm looking forward to any other information that anybody can provide.