I believe chironomids are the most important to fly fishermen.
They come to the surface while ice is still leaving the lakes, thus making the earliest fishing. They also bring the fish up well at other stages of the season, and are often sufficiently numerous to cause at least a degree of selective feeding.
Nation's Black is, so far as I know, the only imitation that has been developed especially for Kamloops waters. This passage was taken from The Western Angler, written by Roderick Haig-Brown in 1939. It is believed that Nation's Black, created by Arthur William (Bill) Nation, was the first chironomid fly pattern to be developed in North America. Despite Haig-Brown's sage advise, it would be nearly 25 years before B.C. anglers would take a serious interest in the chironomid. More to come next week.
The report
Fishing on our Lower Mainland lakes is good. For wet (sinking) fly fishing try: Coachman, American Coachman, Professor, Wooly Bugger, Micro Leach, Sixpack, Dragonfly Nymph, Halfback, Doc Spratley, Baggy Shrimp, or Zulu. For dry (floating) fly action try: Tom Thumb, Irresistible, Black Gnat, Griffith Gnat, Royal Coachman, or Renegade.
Our Lower Mainland bass and panfish fishing is good, with evenings proving best. For bass try: Wooly bugger, Big Black, Lizard, Clouser's Deep Minnow, Zonker, Bingo Bug, Tied Down Minnow, Bucktail, Dolly Whacker, Frogs, Poppers, Chernobyl Ant, Stimulator, or Crayfish, in sizes 8 to 4. For Crappie or Pumpkinseed try: Wooly Bugger, Big Black, Micro Leach, Bucktail, Tied Down Minnow, Dolly Whacker, Clouser's Deep Minnow, Poppers, Joe's Hopper, Chernobyl Ant, Royal Wulff, or Stimulator, in sizes 12 to 8.
Fishing on our interior lakes is very good. For better success try early mornings and evenings with, Wooly Bugger, Micro Leach, Egg Sucking Leach, Pumpkinhead, Dragonfly Nymph, Halfback Nymph, 52 Buick, Doc Spratley, Green Spratley, Souboo, or Baggy Shrimp for wet fly fishing. For dry fly try: Irresistible, Black Gnat, Griffith Gnat, Tom Thumb, Renegade, Double Hackled Peacock, Goddard Caddis, or Elk Hair Caddis.
While our summer has not been the greatest weather wise, the lower than normal sunshine and cooler temperatures have kept our lake fishing active. I think we can all be thankful that the extended lake fishing season has more than compensated for the reduced stream fishing opportunities.
The Fraser River is fishing well for sockeye and spring, with some pink, cutthroat and dolly Varden in the mix. For spring try: Popsicle, Big Black, Stonefly Nymph, Squamish Poacher, or Eggo. For sockeye try: patterns in lime green or Chartreuse. For pink try: Pink Eve, Kathy's Coat, Happy Hooker, or pink Eggo. For cutthroat try: Eggo, Rolled Muddler, Tied Down Minnow, Mickey Finn, Stonefly Nymph, or American Coachman. For dolly Varden try: Zonker, Eggo, Clouser's Deep Minnow, dolly Whacker, or Bucktail.
The Stave River is fair for rainbow and cutthroat. For rainbow try: Elk Hair Caddis, Tom Thumb, Golden Stonefly Nymph, Irresistible, Stimulator, Coachman, Zulu, or Lioness.
The Harrison River is good for sockeye, cutthroat, and rainbow.
The Thompson and Nicola Rivers are good for rainbow and spring.