Other:    Shiners   |  Sculpins   |  Sticklebacks    |  Snails

Red Sided Shiners

The mere mention of Red Sided Shiners sends fly fishers packing, shoulders drooped, faces contorted in disgust, another lake written off to shiner infestation. With improved management practices and angler awareness this reaction is changing. Knowledgeable anglers seek out lakes where piscivous trout such as Gerrard, Tenzicut or Blackwater rainbows coexist with Red Sided Shiners. These trout learn at an early age about the benefits of fish for dinner. On these waters a four-inch shiner stuffed into the belly of a fourteen-inch trout is common.

A natural species to many British Columbia waters shiners are one of the most studied forage fish due to their inaction with other species, most notably rainbow trout. With locust like efficiency an unchecked shiner population out competes other species in short order. Rooting deep into the weeds and bottom structure shiners feed where larger species seldom venture, laying waste to scuds, mayflies and other desired trout fare in the process. The dark olive to brown backs, large yellow eyes, distinct red stripe and skittish swimming nature make the shiner easy to spot. Fly patterns displaying a large surface area and a distinct lateral line such as Zonker style dressings are the seasoned fly fisher's pattern of choice. Amongst the shiner fraternity there is a definite pecking order with the smaller members relegated to upper reaches of the school and the security of shallower water so vary the sizes from a large #2 down through #8. Keep in mind, big streamers require the backbone of a heavy calibre rod.

Scouring the lake in large schools shiners spread onto the shoals as the water temperature rises making the summer doldrums prime shiner time. Diving birds such as loons target these shiner balls, fracturing the shiners into smaller splinter groups. Trout working in squads hang around the edges singling out stragglers with wolf pack precision. Structure such as large weed beds and fallen or sunken timber are shiner magnets. Target steep shorelines with deadfall using an intermediate or slow sinking fly line, as shiners congregate amongst the out stretched sunken branches. Marauding trout secure in the depths vault skyward whenever the need for food arises. Shiners frolicking at the surface one-minute leap clear of the water as trout knife through the bounty with startling ferocity. It is a savage scene that leaves the angler awestruck when seen for the first time. Don't be shy throw a cast into the fray. A fast paced, panic-stricken retrieve results in rod shattering strikes. During the calm spells fan cast around the boat using a lazy, random strip retrieve to imitate the meandering of a single shiner. During the morning or evening calms large trout venture into the shallows feeding under the security of low light, the thrill of latching into one of these obese fish is tough to beat for both the strike and the shallow water battle, ample backing is a must.

Sculpins

As trout and other game fish grow their attention switches from low calorie food sources to big-ticket items such as sculpins. Once the pursuit of youngsters with hand lines and baloney, sculpins are an important consideration for any serious fly fisher. Capable of living in diverse habitats sculpins are found in lakes, rivers, streams even the ocean. A number of interior lakes boast healthy sculpin populations that resident trout happily put on their menus, often in alarming numbers. Any trout, char or bass wouldn't think twice about making them a meal.

Denizens of the basement successful sculpin presentations require the fly to be on or near the bottom. Mottled masters of camouflage sculpins dart or crawl with their enlarged pectoral fins throughout the bottom rubble and debris. In rivers and streams sunken timber, rocks and boulders are prime habitat, in lakes search out similar areas including weed beds. Probe undercut banks with vigor. A parallel or perpendicular presentation lures some of the largest fish from their prime lairs for the chance to snap a fleeing sculpin. Primarily nocturnal feeders, sculpins scuttle along the bottom feeding on what ever they can over power including fish eggs, insects and the young of others including trout and bass. A sculpin worked near the bottom in the spring can be dynamite on early season smallmouth bass. Aggressive, pre spawn smallmouth chase any would be competitor from their sights and sculpins are efficient egg and offspring nappers. Beach fishing for coastal cutthroat is another great time to toss a sculpin imitation. At the hand prior to release it is common to see cutthroat regurgitate a number of sandy, speckled sculpins.

Full sinking lines and sink tips are the lines of choice for lakes and streams respectively. Weighted patterns presented on or near the bottom and swum down and across to present a broad silhouette work best. Be sure to cast upstream and make mends as necessary to sink the fly, additional split shot on the leader may be necessary. As with any sinking line presentations keep the overall leader length short to offset the natural buoyancy of monofilament. In swift flows less than 3 feet is adequate. For stillwaters count the fly down to the bottom and keep it there. In either case use a darting strip retrieve with distinct pauses, sculpins are built for the bottom not for speed so their tire quickly pectorals extended looking for a hiding place. Takes range from frightening ferocity to subtle, strike at anything that seems out of the ordinary. Matuka style patterns incorporating feather or rabbit strip wings mixed with a broad head of mixed deer hair or lamb's wool are the serious fly fisher's choice. Don't be afraid to tie a few monster sculpins as trophy fish need maximum calories, 6 inch sculpins are not rare.

3 Spine Sticklebacks

In the coastal rivers and lakes of British Columbia the stickleback is largely ignored by all but the most seasoned fly fishers. A top cutthroat food source, defiant 3 spines reach sizes as large as 3 inches carrying an attitude well in excess their size. During the mating season the nest bound males are fearless in their defense of their young, intruder size is not an issue. This aggressive posture makes a stickleback pattern an important weapon during the spring and early summer on numerous coastal lakes. Watch for cutthroat working in teams herding the stickleback at the surface. Shallow water patterns should mimic the common stickleback colors grey and olive but keep a few black patterns for deeper water and profile purposes. It pays to be seen.

During the cooler months anglers need to probe the deeper regions using sinking lines from type 1 to 4 density, Stillwater or slime lines are popular too. Until the upper climes warm with the onset of spring the shallows are often devoid of trout. When working deeper water use a count down approach. Make a cast and count the fly line down in 10-second increments until feeding fish or bottom is found. Once the goalposts are established, systematically search out the fish from top to bottom. Be prepared takes feel like a ticking sensation as though the fly was passing through grass or weeds. Certain the fly is not hanging up pause the strip retrieve, count to three then strike, chances are it's a large cutthroat.

There are few patterns available commercially for the serious "sticklebacker." Stream anglers find tied down minnow variations popular, as the size of the sticklebacks tends to be smaller than their lake dwelling cousins. In stillwaters a vibrant, mobile fly such as the broad silhouette of the Matuka is ideal. Exact replication is not necessary and hard lifeless dressings don't fair as well as those suggestive of a darting stickleback, an important consideration for any baitfish design. Eyes are another critical focal point for attacking cutthroat; blind patterns are less successful. Contrary to popular belief not all strikes to stickleback or other forage fish are savage. At times the pursuer bumps and nudges prior to swallowing causing the prey to bleed from their gills, a dab of red on any pattern becomes another trigger point. Dart the fly in and around cover using a varied strip retrieve from fast to slow. Throw in an occasional pause, stickleback love to hover in helicopter fashion fanning their pectoral fins like rotors. In moving waters swim the fly down and across as sticklebacks and other baitfish don't have the horsepower to head upstream. A parallel presentation to the bank is ideal as stickleback congregate in the nooks and crannies along the margins of rivers and streams. The surface boils of marauding cutty's vaulting from below make patterns incorporating foam and other buoyant materials are another wise addition to the fly box.

Snails

Some anglers swear by snails, while others swear at them. From my research, a snail pattern is one of the least reached for in many stillwater fly boxes. When most anglers discover trout feeding upon snails, they typically roll their eyes and prepare for a tough day's fishing. Other anglers such as Gary Borger use snail patterns all the time with good success. Gary Borger stated in his book Presentations, " Going to fish a lake without snails is like going bowling without a ball". Admittedly I have not had the same degree of success as Gary Borger, but being somewhat pattern paranoid, I always have a couple of snail patterns stashed in my box.

Snails vary in importance from one lake to another. I know of some lakes where snails are an important food source for the fly-fisher to be aware of and imitate yet trout in other lakes don't seem to be aware of snails at all. However, with several hundred species, snails are present in just about every lake and lakes rich in calcium harbor particularly large populations. Calcium is an important requirement for shell development as it is for Gammarus scuds. Depending upon the species, the snail's shell can be either spiral or conical in design. Although snails come in a variety of sizes, trout dine only on the tinier species that are the size 10 and smaller. It's a simple matter of digestion, as trout cannot pass the shells of the larger snails. Snail colors vary from species to species and from lake to lake. Common colors include brown, black, mottled tan, dirty yellow and olive.

Snails are tough, hardy creatures that prefer to reside in the shallow reaches of many lakes but are also capable of surviving in deeper water. Snails spend the majority of their life skulking along the bottom structure and debris foraging for algae and other minute food sources. Chara weeds are a favorite haunt and home to dense populations. At certain times snails find themselves free and clear of the bottom. Preferring the shallows, snails often fall victim to the sweeping action of heavy winds and rough water and as they drift about, trout feed on them at their leisure. At other times of the year, snails migrate in large numbers upwards to the surface. Here they use their muscular foot to cling to and slide along the underside of the surface film. This often happens during hot summers spells, fueling speculation that the snails might be at the surface trying to increase their oxygen intake.

"Because you never stop learning"