I have been fortunate to experience many different fly-fishing destinations and also to have learned many different techniques while fishing at these destinations. I first learned to fly fish in the Lake District of the UK, which is in the north of England, close to Scotland. Mostly I was fishing still waters (i.e. lakes) with indicators and buzzers (nymphs). And while not a very dynamic form of fly fishing, I actually enjoy this relaxation associated with watching and waiting for a ‘take’. My preferred guide there taught me to set the hook on a strike by reciting “God Save the Queen” only after the indicator went down – it was a flawless technique.
Not long after that, I was introduced to fly fishing in British Columbia (BC), the westernmost province of Canada, where I learned the technique of tight line nymphing. This method is called many things – most commonly Euro nymphing, but also Czech nymphing or Polish nymphing and ‘contact nymphing’ according to George Daniel. Whatever you call the technique, my favorite guide in BC sells his clients on this method as a very effective approach to fly-fishing for trout on the rivers and streams near Squamish and Vancouver in BC.
The advantage to tight line nymphing is that it gets the fly down deep faster and facilitates a longer drift, as well as more time in the strike zone. This is particularly effective in bouldery streams where fish are holding in tight locations on the bottom. This certainly characterizes many of the waters in the vicinity of Squamish, including the Cheakamus, the Ashlu and the Mamquam.
What constitutes a specific outfit designed for tight line nymphing? To start with, a longer rod of at least 10 feet in length. The longer rod gives a much greater reach and allows you to cover more water – it also gives you better control in ‘leading’ the fly. These nymphing rods also have a softer tip, to accommodate the thinner fly line and tippet. The butt section of these rods is stiffer (called a ‘fighting butt’) which some anglers believe takes the pressure off your forearm when high-sticking. Tight lining set ups also call for a much longer tippet and a colored sighter/leader, which acts as your indicator while fishing.
As I mentioned previously, the rivers and streams near to Squamish are ideal for this approach. And the ideal time is in late winter / early spring before the ‘freshet’, aka the snow melt in the mountains. Upstream of Squamish along Squamish Valley Road are some very wild and scenic stretches of the river that experience minimal fishing pressure and the nymph fishing for trout is amazingly productive. What I love about this area is that there are so many waters to target for nymphing – but it is also the wilderness – and it is important to have bear spray and to bring along a companion or, alternatively, let others know where you will be.
Every odd year, when the season turns and the waters warm, the pink salmon will fill the tributaries around Squamish and Whistler, usually in August and September. My trips to target ‘pinks’ usually encompass the tributaries that stem from the estuary (or inlet) of the Squamish River but include wading the rocky beaches around Furry Creek. Here you can see large groupings of fish idling in the gentle surf and awaiting accommodating tides to facilitate their migration into Squamish.
It is more advantageous to find yourself at the Squamish River or one of the tributaries as the ‘run’ evolves and also at the outgoing (or ebb) tide. The fish generally are holding down river for the most advantageous point of entry (prior to low tide) and then migrate in waves upriver to find the appropriate spawning locations.
While fishing the pink salmon run, I will switch from nymphing to streamer fishing. For this, I favor a 6/7 weight rod with a floating line and short leader from which a trailing streamer (purple, mauve or pink) is very productive. This is particularly effective if the water is slightly discolored or if the fish are moving upriver in shallow water. If the water is deeper, it may take a sinking tip line to get to the fish.
When I visit BC for fishing, I tend to use Whistler as my base as it is close to both Squamish and Pemberton and, as such, my go to water is Green Lake. The scenic views from this lake are abundant with Blackcomb and Whistler Mountains as a backdrop. The wildlife viewing is also impressive with opportunities to see osprey and eagles, various other waterfowl, beavers, otters and occasional bears.
Wading in the areas where the River of Golden Dreams and Fitzsimmons River enter Green Lake is very productive. I have had some excellent days catching Kokanee salmon in the current of the River of Golden Dreams, as well bull trout off the beach that abuts the outflow of the Fitzsimmons. Here, I generally fish with a sinking tip line with a slow retrieval of a pink or purple leech pattern.
Lost Lake to the north of the Village of Whistler is a hidden gem. This is a very picturesque spot surrounded by countless hiking and mountain bike trails, and the lake is stocked with rainbow trout in the Spring. Wading here is generally limited to the area of the sand beach, so using a float tube will get you to more spots where the fish are hanging out.
When visiting Whistler to fly fish, be sure to check in with fly shops in Pemberton or Vancouver regarding river conditions and effective fly patterns. Tim at Michael & Young in Vancouver was very helpful in providing guidance as were the guys at Spud Valley in Pemberton. You will also need a BC fishing license, which can be purchased online.
