Fishing with Kelso

Queen Charlotte's Fishing Trip August 7 - 10, 2009

2009-08-13T08:29:00.008-07:00

I want to start this post while everything is still fresh in my mind. I do, however, doubt that the details will ever fade from memory.

Amazing. Simply amazing. I cannot use a more accurate word to adequately describe the experience.

Updated! Photos below.

Blue Lake, Ontario

2009-06-13T12:40:00.002-07:00

Here are some more photos from the second day of fishing, this time on Blue Lake for Trout. Trout - 1 : Us - 0

Indian Lake Pickerel

2009-06-13T12:21:00.003-07:00

After a few hours on the lake we were rewarded with our limit of pickerel. I've never fished a lake in Western Ontario so this was a first for me.

Uncle Al cleaned up while Vic and I caught a few to round out the numbers. Uncle Al filleted the haul and we had a tasty feast that evening.

If Vic had maybe put on some weight (and I'm not talking Blueberry pie here) to get down closer to the bottom, the numbers would have been more even but that's another story. If not for the excellent guide we have been skunked for sure.

Thanks again to Al and Marg for the hospitality and opportunity to enjoy their home and company. Hope to see you again next year in BC.

Indian Lake Musky, Ontario

2009-06-13T12:14:00.006-07:00

Uncle Al catches a Musky in the first 5 minutes. Out of season and too small, this one has a quick photo taken and hits the water to live another day.

Let's get this fishing party started

2009-06-04T18:19:00.005-07:00

I am sitting in Winnipeg right now and just installed a new monitor (HP 2009M). It looks really great and I'm impressed. What does this have to do with fishing? Well, Winnipeg does have some good fishing spots or so I'm told and perhaps tomorrow, I'll have something to report. Maybe even a photo or two.

Port Alberni, November 23, 2008

2008-12-05T08:05:00.004-08:00

After a year or so of telling my best pal about all the great fishing trips I've taken with Nick at West Coast River Charters I finally managed to get him out for a day, and what a day it was. We managed to hook about 16 fish between the two boats, one coho (ummm yeah nice hook up) and the rest were steelies. Pics and video below. Enjoy.

Whoaaa morning

Wuzzzzzup?!?!

Yes ! I am fishing again !

Lets go get 'em boys

Nice fish, one of many for the day

The Stamp River, Sept 20, 2008

2008-09-22T11:24:00.002-07:00

I fished The Stamp on Saturday with Nick from West Coast River Charters and did really well. We hooked over twenty five fish and kept four really nice Coho for the freezer. Yum !

The Stamp River, Sept 8, 2008

2008-09-11T15:48:00.002-07:00

I had a great chance to get over to The Stamp and fish with Nick at West Coast River Charters and am certainly glad I did. Between the two of us we caught 4 really nice and chrome Coho and 2 beautiful Steelhead. The weather was amazing, blue sky, sunny, one of the best days I've had on the river. Tight lines !

I want one !

2008-07-29T11:50:00.002-07:00

These are absolutely amazing reels and they're hard to find. If you don't mind waiting weeks to months you'll end up with one of the best reels out there.

saracione

Fishin' time !

2008-07-25T11:34:00.003-07:00

Well its that time again, arguably my favorite time of the year. Fishing time ! Fly fishing, river fishing, drift fishing, mooching, trolling. Bring it on !

I am starting to line up a few trips now for the last week of July, a couple in August, September and November. Included in one of these trips will be a run in the salt for some big Springs.

Keep ya posted as always and of course pics to follow each trip.

Tight lines,

Kelso

The Stamp River November 8th and 9th, 2007

2007-12-11T09:52:00.001-08:00

I went over to Port Alberni and fished with Nick from West Coast River Charters. It was awesome as usual but man was it cold. We fished Saturday which was really cold and then Sunday which was warmer and had a nice dusting of snow. Enjoy the photos.

The Stamp River November 25th, 2007

2007-11-26T10:56:00.000-08:00

I fished The Stamp on Sunday with "Old Trout" who happens to work with me (small world). We went over Saturday night and crashed in Port Alberni after scarfing back some pizza and a few beers. Got up at six am and were fishing by seven. We fished with Nick at West Coast River Charters and though it was cold, it did not rain or snow.

We got into about 10 or 11 fish and limited out by 1:00 pm with both of us bringing home one summer run and one 10 or 11 Lb absolutely chrome winter run each. I thought the trip two weeks ago was the best one of the year but this one trumped it. Before landing my last fish of the day I lost a monster and I was totally pumped.

Thanks to Nick for a great trip and great fish as always.

The Stamp River November 10th and 11th, 2007

2007-11-13T09:41:00.000-08:00

I went over for two days of fishing with Nick at West Coast River Charters. Saturday was awesome, it was sunny and warm for most of the day and we had at least 20 hook-ups. I bonked one hatchery towards the end of the day and then headed in around 3:00 pm.

Sunday was great also except for the rain but hey that's what rain gear is for right? Not as many fish on Sunday but I still ended up bonking two nice hatchery fish (which are about to be marinated and cooked). I was nearly spooled on my first fish which had us chase it in the boat, put my rod in the water to get around a tree only to have it run again. This fish was by far the best fish in my last five trips with Nick and it totally made my day.

I have two more trips to The Stamp booked for Nov / Dec and I'm pretty excited to be going again. They should be great trips.

Squamish, Chekamus Rivers October 27th, 2007

2007-10-28T14:42:00.000-07:00

Four of us drove up and hit the Squamish River for some Chums or Coho's this morning and got there before first light. We fished until Noon with only three of us getting one hook-up each which was pretty disappointing compared to last year at this time.

It was a great day though as Teo got his first Chum on the fly and had a blast by the look of the grin on his face. We ran into Stefan and chatted for a bit before deciding to drive up and see some of the upper Squamish.

Stopped at the Cheakamus on the way back for about an hour or so with no luck and decided to call it a day at about three pm. Headed into Squamish for a few beer and some much needed lunch. Photos below.

October 20, 2007 Spey fishing with Dana Sturn

2007-10-20T20:37:00.000-07:00

The Ice bear and I embarked upon an awesome adventure today when we signed up for the Spey course with Dana Sturn through Pacific Angler. Please see the pics posted below as I am too tired to do much more tonight. I will update with all the happenings of the day in a couple of days.

The Squamish River October 14th, 2007

2007-10-19T10:38:00.000-07:00

The Ice Bear, Teo and myself hit the "Squish" for a day of fly fishing on the Spey rods. It was Teo's first day out on the fly in many years and all told he had an awesome time. The day was bright and Sunny and warm with the exception of the wind that was blasting down the river.

The water temperature was a lot cooler than previous trips and toes were chilled but spirits were not. Not a single fish to speak of all day. The only ones catching were the seals.

A quick trip to Big D's for some lunch and then made our way back to Van. Spey class next Friday night and then some Spey fishing on Saturday.

I left the camera at home so no pics of this trip.

The Stamp River September 29, 2007

2007-10-01T16:40:00.000-07:00

My brother Shaun and I made the trip over to Port Alberni to fish The Stamp with Nick at West Coast River Charters and we had a great time.

It rained like crazy on the Saturday we arrived and continued through the night without letting up. The river must have come up at least one foot or more over night but we still got into about 10 fish on Sunday. See photos below.

The Harrison September 9th 2007

2007-09-11T16:13:00.000-07:00

Well, if you read the previous post you already know that I spent almost the entire day fishing in Cate's Park and the Mamquam in Squamish on Saturday, so for those of you that know me well, it should come as no surprise that I went fishing the next day too.

Woke up 4:00 am and got ready before going to pick up The Ice Bear and making the drive out to the river. It took us about one hour and twenty five minutes to get there but we stopped at Tim's (who are now back in my good books for the moment) and grabbed some Flies from the great guys at Reaction Fly and Tackle.

A total of six of us including our guide and captain hopped onto the jet boat that was waiting for us and we made the twenty five minute trip to the spot we would remain in for the day.

I think that we were into fish (some nice clean Pinks) within the first 5 minutes and between all of us we must have pulled in sixty fish, maybe more.

Highlites of the day include:

1) Getting my cast near perfected.
2) Fishing with Borat.
3) Watching The Ice Bear launch the canon.
4) Smacking many fish and releasing them.
5) The scenery was amazing (pics below)
6) The weather was also amazing.
7) Having fun, making lasting memories and;
8) Fishing with Borat ;)

Cates Park / Squamish Trip September 9th, 2007

2007-09-11T15:52:00.000-07:00

Got up at 4:00 am as I couldn't sleep (as usual) the night before a fishing trip. Made the drive across the bridge and used the handy dandy GPS option on my Blackberry 8800 to find and pick up Gwyn at his new place. We headed off to Cates Park to see if we could smack some Coho on the fly. Met up with with Scott, aka Scottfish and Mark.

We could see the Coho surfacing off of the beach but they were just too far out for us reach unless of course we'd brought the zodiac sitting in Gwyn's driveway. A call was quickly made to make the drive up to Squamish and by 8:30 am were fishing the Squamish River.

We all got into a lot of fish, maybe 25 or 30 between us but it was Scotty who really had a great day of it. He was on fire. Thanks for the tips guys and look forward to heading out again soon.

Sturdies Bay, Galiano Island. What's with the Poachers?

2007-09-04T16:01:00.001-07:00

This weekend marked the wedding of my younger (and only brother), a momentus occasion. While talking to my brother this morning he told me that he had witnessed a boat jigging for cod in the "No Fishing Zone".

This boat was filled with mostly the same group or members of the same group every weekend. These guys (and one girl) come over as foot passengers almost every weekend, rent two or three boats from a guy on Galiano and the go fishing for the day.

For at least five years now, probably more, I have seen this same group or members of the group, go home on the Saturday evening Ferry from Sturdies Bay to Tsawwassen. They have with them one of those rolling coolers that are undoubtably packed with fish.

With the limitations that have been put on in the Galiano, Mayne Island area, one wonders what they are catching and bringing home.

More to follow .....

Fishing Report Sunday August 19, 2007

2007-08-21T16:15:00.000-07:00

Woke up at 3:30 am and got ready to head out to Squamish. Picked up The Ice Bear at 4:0o am and made it to Squamish by 4:50 am. We hit Tim's (which completely sucked, the place was dirty, the service was awful and the breakfast was complete crap) and then headed up to secure a spot. We managed to find the road to drive in instead of walking and geared up with the fly rods and brought along the drift gear just in case.

The day started out with some light rain and slowly got better. The bite was on between 6:00 am and about 11:00 am and we hooked about 11 fish between us. We headed home at about 4:00 pm. A good day all-in-all.

Fishing time !

2007-06-17T17:55:00.000-07:00

Is coming soon :) I can't wait to get back out there and enjoy the rivers.

Contact

2007-03-09T16:57:00.001-08:00

&amp;lt;a href="http://www.icebrrg.com/Public/ViewForm.aspx?formID=3055" title="Contact Me"&amp;gt;Fill out my form!&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;

Abu Garcia 6500 C3 Upgrade

2007-02-13T20:34:00.000-08:00

Dave, who is one of my fishing friends suggested I modify my trusty Abu 6500 C3 with an upgrade kit from Mikes Reel Repair in Abbotsford. I'm going to pick-up the kit and then take photos of the entire process for others to see. Of course I'll provide a report on the improvements afterwords. Stay tuned .....

The Stamp River February 4th, 2007

2007-02-05T16:58:00.000-08:00

We went out with Nick from West Coast River Charters in Port Alberni on Sunday. The day was pretty wet and cold to begin with and I was glad of the propane heater in the boat. Second cast, wham ! Steelie, on and gone. The day was awesome, the water was low and clear and the other traffic on the river was minimal. The fishing dropped off in the afternoon but I had already caught my limit so I proceeded to smoke a cigar and pray to the fish Gods that my buddy would get another one.

9 for the day, I hooked 8, landed 3, kept 2 nice does, my buddy hooked and landed his first Steelhead but she was wild and was released. Oh yeah, my first Steelhead as well.

Nick was awesome as always. Check out West Coast River Charters if you're thinking of heading over.

Here is a pic of my first ever Steely.