BTW? where did this fishery go to? did it go out with the 1900's too?
HORSESHOE BAY
This is one of the best places for salmon within easy reach of Vancouver. It is situated just round in Howe Sound and is best reached by launch, a run of about twelve miles. You can also get there by going across on the ferry to North Vancouver and then it is three-quarters of an hour's run on the P. G. E. line to Whytecliffe Station which is less than ten minutes walk down a hill to the water. Allow twenty minutes for the walk back to the station. There is a boat-house there, where boats can be hired at reasonable rates, and a small hotel, excellently run. The P.G.E. trains only run morning and evening in the winter, leaving North Vancouver at 9 a.m. and Whytecliffe at 6:30. (Times liable to alteration.) The salmon in this bay run more or less all the year round though there are, of course, some months better than others. In December and January there is always a good run of small "Spring" fish, running from nine to twenty-five pounds. In March, while you may always get an odd fish, they are less plen tiful, but come again in April and May, usually running a bit smaller in size. In June and July the grilse come in; they are very small, only going from one-half to a pound. Towards the latter end of June and all through July and part of August you get a run of big Springs and anybody who has not time to go to Campbell River or Alberni Canal and wants the chance of a really big fish should try this place. Every year fish over forty pounds in weight are landed and probably much bigger ones hooked and lost as, so far, few people have gone there with suitable tackle.
The record catch was made by two anglers, Mr. Elderton and Mr. Forsythe, both of Vancouver. One day they were fishing together from the same boat and both hooked big fish at the same instant. There was great excitement for half an hour as time after time there were narrow escapes of fouling one another but eventually they both landed their fish, one weighed fortyseven pounds, the other thirty-eight pounds. That same week three springs over forty-five pounds were caught at Horseshoe Bay, one of forty-six pounds by Mr. Hamilton, of the firm who publish this book. Mr. Forsythe, who was the first man to exploit this splendid water, has caught salmon of all weights, besides cod, whiting, etc., but not only that, he has twice had sport of a most unique kind. On two different occasions he hooked cohoe salmon and had them taken by seals. On one occasion the seal was not actually hooked but got the trace (which was strong piano wire) foul in its teeth and after considerable amount of play got away. On the second occasion the seal was well hooked and there was a regular battle royal for several hours. Time after time the seal would apparently give in and lie on the surface making a grunting row; but every time the boat got near him he would recover enough to make another dive. Once or twice the boat was manoeuvred almost close enough to hit him but eventually just as both Mr. Forsythe and the seal were equally exhausted the trace parted and the fight was at an end. By the time the big salmon stop running cohoes make their appearance and when they are done the springs commence again. Not only is this a good place for trolling, but at certain stages of the tide, it is excellent for spinning and should be for fly-fishing, too. I have only heard of the fly being tried once or twice and that was when there was a good run of cohoes. Several fish were taken. For spinning, you want to get a high tide in the evening. The salmon then come close in to the beach, this applies to both springs and cohoes. In this particular, bay fishing is not so much governed by the tide as in other places, as there is practically no current at any stage of the tide. During the day you may get fish at any time; but the best sport is nearly always in the evening just before dark. Early morning fishing is good but not equal to the evening.
VANCOUVER HARBOUR
The harbour itself has at times fishing, which, in many parts of the world would be considered something wonderful. Spring Salmon can be caught from the middle of November pretty 'well on until May, the best months being December, January and February. The best water is off Brockton Point, opposite the Woodman's Arch in the Park and off West Vancouver Pier. There is also some good water just off the first point this side of Hastings. Except off West Vancouver, the best water is on the south side of the inlet, though an occasional fish may be caught off the mouth of the Capilano and also on the north side just inside the Narrows. In July a small run of cohoes comes in. The fish are usually of small size. They are generally caught just outside the Nar rows on the Lighthouse side.
In August the main run of cohoes begins, but it is seldom many fish arrive before September. The best water for these fish is on the north shore going well outside on the ebb and coming in as soon as the flood starts. If you want good spinning, go up with the first flood and andhor near the mouth of Seymour Creek. It is a four and half mile row, but with a strong tide to help you, does not take long. You can then fish until it again starts to ebb and have a fair tide to help yon home. For cohoe fishing a tide with long run out is essential. The last three hours of the ebb are best for the Narrows. For spring salmon the long run out tide is not so important, but you should always endeavour to fish the last of the ebb and not more than an hour of the flood.
