UK Angler Fly fishing options Vancouver Island September

[AnglingMad]

I had a great time fly fishing the beaches last Sept so my wife and I am back again this year staying in Comox for the month of September and I was hoping this time to get some experience of fly fishing the freshwater venues. From my limited research this year it appears many river systems are in drought again. I would welcome any feedback from anyone on the status of things and places I should try. I guess maybe the lakes which I did not get a chance to try yet. Also regarding flies, I have tied up several flies for the beach but can anyone recommend any must have patterns and sizes for the freshwater. Thanks

 

[chris73]

If you dont want to go too far the Campbell/Quinsam River would be a logical choice. Pretty crowded though. Conuma or Gold River might be a good choice. Anywhere further south the rivers are still closed to fishing except for the Qualicums.

 

[Big Green Machine]

Here are the basic patterns for lake fishing in BC. The rivers might come up a bit with the forecasted rains which may in turn open some up. The Big Q is open but the Little Q remains closed.
http://flyguys.net/fly-tying/bc-best-fly-patterns

 

[Birdbrain]

If you dont want to go too far the Campbell/Quinsam River would be a logical choice. Pretty crowded though. Conuma or Gold River might be a good choice. Anywhere further south the rivers are still closed to fishing except for the Qualicums.

Uh, better not fish the Conuma, Gold, or Little Q.....

Vancouver Island river closures were updated by the province on Aug.4, expanding the south island closure to virtually the entire island. Now, every river on the island is closed until Sept.30, except the Campbell, Quinsam, and Big Qualicum. In addition, the feds added a (redundant) closure to salmon angling on the same rivers.

Provincial law:
https://news.gov.bc.ca/stories/fishing-closures-part-of-comprehensive-drought-response
https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2015FLNR0220-001232
From that last link:
"Combined with the order that came into effect July 4, 2015, for South Vancouver Island, virtually all fishing in Vancouver Island streams is now prohibited.

The Campbell, Qualicum (known as “Big Qualicum”) and Quinsam rivers are now the only rivers or streams on Vancouver Island exempt from the closure. "

Federal law:
http://notices.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fns-sap/index-eng.cfm?pg=view_notice&DOC_ID=173925&ID=all
(Which is a link from the main page at http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/rec/fwmap-carte-eng.asp )

 

[Birdbrain]

(Darn double post....again. Seems to be a glitch. Whenever I make a quoted post, I get a message about waiting 30 seconds to post. So I do, and then hit reply again, and then 2 identical posts appear. Strange.)

 

[Aces]

(Darn double post....again. Seems to be a glitch. Whenever I make a quoted post, I get a message about waiting 30 seconds to post. So I do, and then hit reply again, and then 2 identical posts appear. Strange.)

Just ignore the message

 

[AnglingMad]

Now I have arrived and got a new password as forgot the original so able to log on wanted to say thanks to all for the info.

I am planning on going to the comox valley fishers meet next week and have already had a few sessions of Pink therapy on the Campbell - even got my wife casting a fly and catching til her legs got to cold.
Unfortunately didn't meet a Spring or a Coho - yet.

I am hoping to Coho start to show along the beaches before i have to head back to the UK and will be heading up to Port hardy way to try and find some also will be going to Tofino way but no idea where to fish at this point.

The Tofino trip may have to wait until next week as it looks very wet over there this coming week which I know does not make it bad for fishing necessarily but I have to blend my time and this is holiday so have to do the tourist
stuff with the wife.