2018 27th Annual BC Sportsmen's Show

1

THEY DON’T MAKE THEM
LIKE THEY USED TO...
BUT WE STILL DO.
A LOT HAS CHANGED IN OVER 100 YEARS,
BUT NIKON’S STANDARD REMAINS THE SAME.
VISIT NIKONSPORTOPTICS.CA.
VISIT US AT BOOTH #400

Table of Contents
Welcome to the Show4
Floorplan 6-7
Exhibitor List 8-10
Show Prizes12
Show Schedule14
Discover The Benefits of Sealegs Amphibious Craft16
Fishing with Boobies18
Saltwater Fly-fishing22
Anissa Reed: Wild About Salmon25
The Boat Tote26
Braid vs Cable: Downrigger Line Debate28
3

Welcome
Welcome to British Columbia’s
Largest Boating, Fishing,
Hunting & Sportsmen’s Event!
Adventure waits at the newly renamed BC
Sportsmen’s Show! An annual favourite of
outdoor enthusiasts throughout the region, it’s
a new name but the same great show. TRADEX
will be filled once again with your favourite
exhibits, seminars, prizes, and much more.
Get the gear you need for anything outdoors
from over 250 exhibitors and seminars.
From fishing retailers and manufacturers, to
boats of all sizes, camping gear, ATVs and accessories,
hunting gear and equipment, camo
clothing, retailers, outfitters… the list goes on!
Take in some FREE seminars happening throughout the weekend. With appearances
from fishing & hunting celebrities including Amanda Lynn Mayhew of Just Hunt TV
& JP DeRose sponsored by Shimano. The outdoors is calling and so is the BC Sportsmen’s
Show!
This year’s grand prize: a 2018 OUTLANDER 450 ATV generously provided by
Greater Vancouver Powersports & Can-am|BRP!
Thank you for joining us… and enjoy your time at the show!
Yours in the outdoors,
Les Trendall
Show Manager
TRUCK & JEEP
ACCESSORIES
COME AND SEE US FOR ALL YOUR
CAMPING AND OFF-ROAD NEEDS
NORTH VANCOUVER
1440 Columbia Street
North Vancouver, V7J-1A2
Toll Free: 800-661-6679
SURREY
#9, 19257 Enterprise Way
Surrey, V3S-6J8
Toll Free: 800-416-7656
PRINCE GEORGE
4450 Hart Highway
Prince George, V2K-2Z8
Phone: 250-962-0880
Shop Online at nsor.com | info@nsor.com
4

5

MAIN E
Loading
Bay
Pro Hunting
Stage
601 603 05
C
ARCHERY
DEMO’S
6 607
609 611 613 615 617 619
Chilliwack
Dart & Tackle
625 633
637 645
Kitt Equipment
Treeline Outdoors
H3
H3
600 604 606 608 610
501 505 509 511 513
500 502 510 512
614
515
514
618
519
518
624
Toyota Canada
628 634
Galleon Marine
8'
437
Stihl Canada
Maple Marine
Services
445
Alberni Power
Marine
401 407 411 413 415
419 421 423 425
H1
H2
400 402
Korth Group
406
410
BCWF
416
Poco Marine
418 422 428 430
Kits Inflatables
434
440 44
9'6"
1st
AID
WOMENS
WASHROOM
MENS
WASHROOM
WOMENS
WASHROOM
MENS
WASHROOM
CONCESSION
FLY
T
Y
I
N
G
FLY
C
A
S
T
I
N
G
300
204
203
201
200
North Shore Off Road
206
Steveston
Marine
207 209
Kids Fly Tying
216
312 314 316 Zebco Brands 322 324 326 328 330 336 338 340
Badlands Canada
211
Army & Navy
213
Garmin
International
225
224
Daiwa Fishing
Pure Fishing
Fred’s
Custom
Tackle
225 229
Sherwood Marine
Gibbs-Delta
Tackle
100 102 104 106 108 110 112 114 116 118 120 122 124 128 132 134 136
219
226
Greater Vancouver
Powersports / BRP
Shimano
342
346
2
G
Pro Fishing
Stage Presented by
OFFICE
OFF.
FOY
To Administration
OFFICE
Tickets
FOR MORE INFO VISIT 6 US ONLINE AT

THE SHOW FOR
EVERYTHING
OUTDOORS
Husqvarna
Van./FV/ISI
Docks & Boats
651 661 663 665
671
675 677 687 689 691 693
4
455 463
465
471
473
CT Inlet Marine
Hub Sports
M&P Mercury
8'
CFMOTO Canada
Honda Canada
Performance
Water Sports
O’Connor
RV
481 467
Quantum
Marine
700
Paradise
Dock & Lift
703
NuCanoe
Kids
Fishing
Pond
18'2"
450
452
462 464 466 468 470 472 474 478 480 482 486
FOOD
COURT
KITCHEN
PREPARATION
AREA
Mercury
Marine
350 354 362 364 368 370 374 376 382 384 386 388 390 392 394 396 290
37
River City Marine
245
Sea to Sky Motosports
250
10'
Bridgeview Marine
265
270
Stryker Boats
Western Canoeing
& Kayaking
280 285
Extreme Boat
Sports
Port Boat House
GA Checkpoint
P
BC Outdoor
Magazine
152 154
C
158 162 164
Knight
168 170
168 EZ Dock
168 170 172 174 176 178 180 182 184 186 188 190 192
ER
Info.
Desk
Show
Office
Cornell
Room
Show
Lounge
Aviator
Room
NTRY
To Aviator Room
To Downstairs
Floor Plan subject to change
WWW.BCSPORTSMENSHOW.CA
7

EXHIBITOR LIST
WWW.BCSPORTSMENSHOW.CA
2 Reel Fishing Adventures200
4Boys Mfg. Inc. 693
4 Wheel Parts 514
Aedis Realty Ltd 689
African Dreams Hunting & PhotoSafaris 608
Apogee Trailers Inc. 430
Alberni Power Marine 445
Anissa Reed Design 102
Army & Navy Department Stores221
As seen On TV 472
Backroad Mapbooks 326
Badlands Canada 316
Barkley Sound Lodge (SFI) 172
BC Federation of Drift Fishers 201
BC Fly Fishing Federation Kids Fly Tying
BC Ministry of Environment 182
BC Outdoor Education 605
BC Outdoor Magazine 152
BC Placer Gold Claims 466
BC Sport Fishing Guide 338
BC Wildlife Federation 410
Belpard Australia 470
Bent Rods Guiding & Fishing 116
BoatSmart 180
Boat Tote 112
Bradley Smoker 100
Bridgeview Marine 250
Brown Bay’s Resort 388
Cabela’s 609
Callabus Boutique 614
Camping & RVing BC 209
Canadian Coalition for Firearm Rights 603
Capri Insurance Service Ltd. 416
CFMOTO Canada 452
CFMOTO Canada outside
CGHart Design & Marketing 462
Chilcotin Hoidays 184
Chilliwack Dart & Tackle 619
Corlane Sporting Goods 600
Critter Cove Marine Group Inc. 364
CT Inlet Marine Repairs455
Cutco Cutlery613
Daiwa Fishing (Graywood Sporting Group) 224
Delta Waterfowl Foundation 511
Douglas Lake Ranch 346
Ducks Unlimited 413
Duncanby Lodge & Marine Inc. 170
Eagle Island Resort 330
Extreme Boat Sports 280
Extreme Boat Sports (outside) P2
Fish Finder Mounts 110
Fishing Hwy Tourist Association 386
Four Wheel Drive Association of BC 512
Fred’s Custom Tackle 226
Freshwater Fishers Society of BC 203
GA Checkpoint 290
GA Checkpoint Outside
Galleon Marine 628
8

Garmin International 213
Gibbs-Delta Tackle 132
Gordo’s Concessions Outside
Grampa’s RV 474
GR Distributors 374
Greater Vancouver Powersports 229
Guide Outfitters Assoc. of BC 509
HearSmart Solutions 423
High Caliber Adventures 615
Highrize Kicker Lift 440
Honda Canada 465
Hot Spot Fishing and Lures Ltd. 118
House of Q 618
Hub Sports 450
Hummingbird Micro Homes 515
Husqvarna Group Corp 651
IdealMotorOil.com 190
International Barrels / MDT 421
International Paintball Group 518
Investors Group Financial Services 687
Iron Dreams 106
Island Cruising 464
Island Fisherman Magazine 314
Islander Reels 114
ITMB Publishing Ltd. 120
Jaw Portable Buildings 661
J Massage Tools 671
JH Marina & Resort 176
Johnson Outdoors 124
JR Guiding Co Inc 104
Kellend Watercraft Inc. 645
Kenetrek Boots 610
Kent Outdoors 402
Kitt Equipment 633
Kits Inflatables 434
Knight EZ Dock 192
Korth Group 406
KUIU Ultralight Hunting 401
Lake Water Restoration Ltd. Outside
LandQuest Realty Corporation 336
Leica Sport Optics 407
Lethbridge College 505
Linwood Homes 478
Lodestar Outfitters Inc. 419
Lower Mainland of the BC Wildlife Fed. 675
Lower North Thompson Tourism 368
Lucky Sportfishing 134
Lumby & District Chamber of Commerce 392
Maple Marine Services437
Maple Ridge Motor Sports 665
McKay Bay Lodge 324
Marzitelli Custom Knives H3
Meadow Lake Fishing Camp 384
Measurers Booth H1
Mercury Marine 354
Mile High Resort 164
Mr. T Contracting 188
M&P Mercury Sales463
Muskwa River Adventures 415
National Firearms Assoc. 611
NE British Columbia & The Alaska Highway 342
New Zealand Hunting 606
Nicomekl Enhancement Society Kids Fishing
Pond
Nikon Canada Inc. 400
Nootka Wilderness Lodge 340
North Arm Knives Ltd. H2
North Coast Hotel Resort Ltd. 663
North Shore Off-Road 300
Northern Rockies Lodge 425
NuCanoe Inc. 703
OASIS Outdoor Adven, Sport Insurance 510
O’Connor RV 473
Pacific Custom Knives 480
Padaco Ent. / Quickie Tie Down 428
Paradise Dock & Lift 700
Performance Water Sport 471
Poco Marine 422
Portable Winch Co. 519
Port Boat House 285
Prairie Aircraft Sales Inc. 322
Pure Fishing 219
Quad Riders ATV Assoc of BC (ATVBC) 502
Quantum Marine Services 481
RAM Trucks Outside
RE/MAX 100 418
Rhineland Cutlery 370
River City Marine 237
River City Marine Outside
Rod’s Power & Marine 445
9

Rouche Lake Resort 204
Royal LaPage 100 Mile Realty 328
RPM Group 445
Sandale Utility Products 168
SCI West Coast 604
Scotty Fishing & Marine 128
Scroll Saw Art 150
Sea To Sky Motorsports 245
Sensation Art 186
Shake, Rattle & Paddle 413
Shearwater Resort & Marina 154
Sherwood Marine Centre 225
Shimano Canada Ltd.136
Siwash Sports Ltd. 501
South Cariboo Visit. Cen. - 100 Mile 396
Spruce Wilderness Lodge 390
St. Croix Rods 122
Steveston Marine 206
Stihl Limited 634
Stryker Boats 265
STS Guiding Service 312
Sugar Media Outside
Sutton Group-West Coast Realty 174
Swift Sport Trailers 482
Swiss Style Nuts 486
Exhibitor listing subject to change
Tactical Innovatons Canada- Klarus Flashlights 607
The Fly Fishing Film Tour 216
Thuya Lakes Lodge 394
The Harbour Chandler 158
Tie Boss (RJS Sales)513
Timber Pro Coatings Ltd. 188
Tofino Resort & Marina 382
Toyota Canada / Lumency 624/625
Trailhead Resort & Charter362
Treeline Outdoors 637
Valley Fuel Injection Ltd. 350
Van. FV, Island Docks & Boat Lifts 677
Vancouver Safes 601
Vancouver Sport Fishing 207
Walters Cove Resort (BCFROA) 162
Watch Lake, Green Lake Bus. Assoc. 376
Watkins - Living Naturally 444
Western Canoeing & Kayaking 270
Western Orthotics Ltd. 468
Westridge Products Inc. 178
Widget Tech Trading 617
Wild Sheep Society 500
Yoder Smokers 618
Yukon Dan 691
Zebco Brands 316
All materials and
craftsmanship
GUARANTEED!
From The Giant XL Storage Bag to the small
simple Soap Friction pouch for your soap,
CGHART, also known as ‘The Bag Lady’, designs
and manufactures functional mesh products
right here in Vancouver. The Top Quality Mesh
lasts so long and is so durable customers are still
using products from 29 years ago!
Visit our website cghartdm.com
and find a bag to fit your needs
10

EXPERIENCE the
O’Connor Advantage
SELLING an RV?
We have a better than
95% success rate in
selling consignments. If
you do really want your
RV sold, call for a Free
RV evaluation.
LET O’CONNOR
RV SELL YOUR
RV FOR YOU!
CONSIGN WITH
CONFIDENCE!
Call an O’Connor RV
Sales Representative Today
TOLL FREE 1-877-912-3909
BUYING an RV?
• Over 100 entry-level to high end
new & used RV’s on site from over
20 manufacturers
• Every day is ‘Show Time’...no
admission, free parking. Come see
what’s new in RV’s for FREE!
• B.C.’s leading dealer for parts. We
have the area’s largest inventory
of supplies, accessories & RV toys
• Many of our RV’s have “POLAR
PACK” and are 4 Season rated
with “Mountain Extreme”
insulation.
OUR SALE PRICES ARE
UNBEATABLE! WE WILL
NOT BE UNDERSOLD!
Appraisers always on duty. Trades
accepted - paid for or not. Excellent finance
& warranty plans available.
O’CONNOR RV PROUDLY INTRODUCES THE
“FALCON LIGHT WEIGHT TRAVEL TRAILER”
from
$24,966
(N.D.S)
$118 b/w
(OAC)
Incredible Deals for the 2018 Camping Season
SMART BUYERS ACT AND SAVE NOW - NO PAYMENTS FOR 6 MO (May 2018)
Look for O’Connor RV $PECIALS at occonnorrv.com
Bi Weekly Payments 60 - 240 • $0 Down, 5.99% O.A.C. • Payments include Warranty
O’Connor RV Proudly Serving RV’ers for Decades
Find out more & see our inventory at oconnorrv.com
EXPERIENCE the O’Connor Advantage
SELLING
an
RV?
We have a better than
95% success rate in
selling consignment
CHECK OUT OUR ENTIRE INVENTORY ONLINE AT WWW.OCONNORRV.COM
DL#8217
Stk#RV3836
Stk#RV3926
Our mission: to provide the best RVs, RV products, and service to the public in a honest, error-free, professional, and mutually enjoyable manner.
44430 Yale Road West
ON THE FREEWAY IN CHILLIWACK
SALES DEPARTMENT OPEN
7 DAYS A WEEK
Bi-weekly payments - 60-240, $0 down, 5.99% O.A.C. Payments include warranty.
11 Ad antage
BUYING
an
RV?
604.792.2747 • 1.877.912.3909
CHECK OUT OUR ENTIRE INVENTORY ONLINE AT WWW.OCONNORRV.COM
Ad antage
Over 100 entry-level to
high end new & used
RVs on site every day!

12

GRAND PRIZE SPONSOR
DOOR PRIZE SPONSORS
PRO FISHING STAGE SPONSOR
ARCHERY DEMO’S
BAG SPONSOR SHOW GUIDE SPONSOR FLY FISHING FILM TOUR
CORE CHALLENGE KIDS FISHING POND LEARN TO FLY TIE
13

Pro Fishing Stage
2018 Show Schedules
Friday - March 2 Saturday - March 3 Sunday - March 4
10:30
Fish Finder/ Depth Sounder 101
SCOTT SUTHERLAND
HUMMINBIRD- PRO STAFF
11:30
12:30
Setting Yourself Up for Angling Success
JP DEROSE- PRESENTED BY SHIMANO
Twitching Jigs for Salmon, Steelhead and
Bull trout
ROD TOTH- BENT RODS
Setting Yourself Up for
Angling Success
JP DEROSE-
PRESENTED BY SHIMANO
Fish Finder/ Depth Sounder 101
SCOTT SUTHERLAND
HUMMINBIRD- PRO STAFF
1:30
Twitching Jigs for Salmon, Steelhead
and Bull Trout
ROD TOTH- BENT RODS
Salmon Fishing @ Its Best
MIKE MITCHELL
OUTDOORS SPORT FISHING TV
The World of Marine Propulsion!
MERCURY MARINE PRO TEAM
2:30
Setting Yourself Up for
Angling Success
JP DEROSE- PRESENTED BY
SHIMANO
The World of Marine Propulsion!
MERCURY MARINE PRO TEAM
Setting Yourself Up for
Angling Success
JP DEROSE-
PRESENTED BY SHIMANO
3:30
Fish Finder/ Depth Sounder 101
SCOTT SUTHERLAND
HUMMINBIRD- PRO STAFF
Setting Yourself Up for
Angling Success
JP DEROSE- PRESENTED BY SHIMANO
The Fly Fishing Film Tour
PRESENTED BY STURGEON
SLAYERS
4:30
Salmon Fishing @ Its Best
MIKE MITCHELL
OUTDOORS SPORT FISHING TV
The Fly Fishing Film Tour
PRESENTED BY STURGEON
SLAYERS
5:30
The World of Marine Propulsion!
MERCURY MARINE PRO TEAM SHOW ENDS 6:00 PM SHOW ENDS 5:00 PM
6:30
Setting Yourself Up for
Angling Success
JP DEROSE- PRESENTED BY
SHIMANO
7:30
The Fly Fishing Film Tour
PRESENTED BY STURGEON
SLAYERS
Fly Casting Demos – ( Hall A - North end)
Friday - March 2 Saturday - March 3 Sunday - March 4
11:00
1:00
Casting a Fly - Making it Work
PETE HAVERHILL
SOFTF Favourites
DON FRESCHI
Stillwater Casting and Presentation
Techniques
PHIL ROWLEY
Advancing the Cast
DON FRESCHI
2:00
Fly Rod, Line Set Up & Casting
DON FRESCHI
3:00
Balanced Flies
PHIL ROWLEY
Casting a Fly - Making it Work
PETE HAVERHILL
4:00
Casting a Fly - Making it Work
PETER CAVERHILL
4:30 Advancing the Cast DON FRESHI
6:00
Stillwater Casting & Presentation
PHIL ROWLEY
14

Fly Tying Theatre: ( Hall A - North end)
Friday - March 2 Saturday - March 3 Sunday - March 4
10:00
12:00
Modern Nymphs
DENNIS GAMBOA
Spring Patterns for Roche Lake & Beyond
JOHN KENT
Spring Patterns for Roche
Lake & Beyond
JOHN KENT
Hair Wing Steelhead Flies
ROB TEXMO
1:00
Hair Wing Steelhead Flies
ROB TEXMO
2:00
Spey & Married Wing Steelhead Flies
ROB TEXMO
Stillwater Attractors
PHIL ROWLEY
3:00 Balanced Flies PHIL ROWLEY
4:00 SOFTF Favourties DON FRESHI
5:00 SOFTF Favourties DON FRESHI
7:00
Spring Fly Patterns for Roche Lake
& Beyond
JOHN KENT
2018 Pro Hunting Stage - North Hall B
Friday - March 2 Saturday - March 3 Sunday - March 4
10:00
Wilderness Survival
JOHNNY MAC
11:00
EatWild Game, Butchering and Meat Care
in the Field
DYLAN EYERS
Wildlife Management
JESSE ZERMAN
12:00
Just Hunt TV
AMANDA LYNN MAYHEW
Just Hunt TV
AMANDA LYNN MAYHEW
1:00
Elk and Moose Calling at its Best
JOHNNY MAC
Wildlife Management
JESSE ZERMAN
EatWild Game Butchering and Meat
Care in the Field
DYLAN EYERS
2:00
Just Hunt TV
AMANDA LYNN MAYHEW
Elk and Moose Calling at its Best
JOHNNY MAC
Elk and Moose Calling at its Best
JOHNNY MAC
3:00
Proper form and technique of
shooting a long bow
MARIESSA PINTO
Just Hunt TV
AMANDA LYNN MAYHEW
Just Hunt TV
AMANDA LYNN MAYHEW
4:00
Wilderness Survival
JOHNNY MAC
Wildlife Management
JESSE ZERMAN
5:30
Wildlife Management
JESSE ZERMAN
630
Just Hunt TV
AMANDA LYNN MAYHEW
7:30
Wildlife Management
JESSE ZERMAN
Presenters/topics subject to change
15

BY JOHN DOWD
Discover the
Benefits
of Sealegs Amphibious Craft
once heard that wheels on small boats
I would some day be as common as
outboard engines. I mean, it makes sense
with no more fussing with trailers at the
ramp, no need for a dock, and no mooring
headaches – just drive in and drive out,
single-handed.
The concept for Sealegs was devised
15 years ago by New Zealanders Maurice
Bryham and David McKee Wright. Their
challenge was to solve the problems of
previous amphibious attempts and come up
with a top-performing, aluminum hull that
was design-fitted with rugged, retractable
wheels that could fully withstand saltwater
and handle most shoreline conditions.
They did it. By 2015, Sealegs had sold
its 1,000th unit, and Sealegs rigid inflatables
(RIBs) and all-aluminum models are now
available in more than 50 countries. They
are used by the Coast Guard, flood rescue,
military as well as by boat commuters and
recreational users. They are an obvious fit for
those with low-bank, waterfront properties.
One of the early Canadian adopters
was Ken Schley, co-founder of the Quality
Foods supermarket chain on Vancouver
Island. He liked the Sealegs so much he
bought three RIBs.
The model under power on land
with the wheels extracted.
Years later, in September 2017, he
formed Kelland Watercraft and bought
10 more (with another 70 on order), and
signed an exclusive deal to sell them
across Canada.
The Sealegs’s chief engineering
achievements are the marinization, wheel
mechanism and strength of the individual
components. The bow’s fork-design is
routed from a solid block of aluminum
and the hull is 5083 marine-grade aluminum
that’s reinforced with six lengthwise
components and a dozen cross baffles,
making it as strong as a tank. The ATVtype
wheels lift fully out of the water for
unimpeded 30-knot on-water performance.
The electronic options are constantly
upgraded to the best available and
outboard power choices are Evinrude or
Yamaha. The wheels feature independent
hydraulic motors, which are powered by
a 22 hp marinized Honda beneath the
operator’s seat. The larger model has a 35
hp Briggs and Stratton under the console.
Speed on land is is 10 km/h (AWD).
Sealegs don’t come cheap. The 6.1-m
Sport RIB (20 feet) runs at $189,000, the
7.1m Sport RIB (23 feet) is $219,000, and
16

Power options available are from
Yamaha or Evinrude.
The Sealegs’s key highlights include the
marinization, wheel mechanism, and
strength of individual components.
Ken Schley at the helm of one of
the Sealegs models.
the new nine-metre Interceptor (30 feet)
comes in at $349,000. However, Sealegs
owners claim to use their craft up to four
times as much as boats without wheels.
As one potential buyer was overheard
saying, “I spent that much on a dock that
washed away the next year. Plus, this looks
like a lot more fun.”
Ken Schley just may be on to something.
FOR ALL THE DETAILS ABOUT SEALEGS
RIBS VISIT SEALEGS.COM
17

FISHING
WITH BOOBIES
by David C. Kimble
An orange Booby.
18

19
B
oobies are uniquely shaped fishing
flies designed to bob seductively just
off the bottom of a pond or lake, or in very
slow-moving rivers and creeks. Invented in
England during the ’50s for casting into the
abundant ponds and man-made lakes of
the English countryside, their basic components
are marabou feathers for tails, sparkly
chenille for the bodies, and large foam
beads for the eyes (which gave them their
name). English fly tiers tend to add stick-on
eyes to their Boobies, something I haven’t
seen done in North America.
The most common way to present
them is to use a sinking fly line with a
short one-metre (three-foot) leader. Cast
out and let the line sink completely to the
bottom. Retrieve very slowly using short
pulls that will cause the fly, which floats
slightly above the line, to bob downward
with each little twitch.

Boobies come in many colours.
Wet Booby flies look considerably
more seductive than dry Boobies. This
is because the marabou feather tails are
sleek and thin when wet, and fluff out
when dry. Wet or dry, they resemble
nothing in the insect or minnow world
in North America – but they really work.
Obviously, Boobies are attractor patterns,
and presumably, fish just like the look
of Boobies either bobbing gently in still
water, or slowly undulating down a slowmoving
river. The problem for the fish is
that in order to be certain it’s something
good, they just have to suck it into their
mouths. By the time they realize that it’s
merely feathers and chenille, they also
discover the hook, and then it’s simply too
late for the fish.
In English ponds, anglers tend to cast
them as far out into a pond as they can,
place the rod in a rod holder, and then
sit back in a camp chair until a fish bites.
They really do catch fish that way. We
impatient North American anglers prefer
to constantly play with our Boobies, usually
casting and retrieving (often far too
quickly), and then casting again. Personally,
I have found that after the line has
completely settled on the lake bottom, a
retrieve of about 10 to 13 centimetres (four
to five inches) every five or six seconds
produces well for rainbow trout, eastern
brook char, and smallmouth bass.
Black Boobies are probably my
favourite for rainbows, char, and smallmouth
bass; however, I’ve caught fish at
certain times using green and sometimes
orange versions. I did well with some
pink Boobies that a friend on Vancouver
Island had tied for me, casting from shore
to schools of pink salmon while fishing
between Qualicum Beach and Campbell
River. I even caught a nice coho salmon
There should be room for Boobies in
everybody’s fly box.
once using a pink Booby while wading the
incoming tide.
A guide on the Harrison River showed
me how to cast pink and purple Boobies
with a sink tip fly-line to catch numerous
chum salmon. I laughed when he attached
a 30-pound-test leader to my fly line; however,
he got the last laugh when I hooked a
male chum weighing about nine kilograms
(20 pounds). It took me more than 30
minutes to get it close enough to the boat
to release. That was definitely the most
exciting time I ever had with Boobies.
Like many attractor flies in our arsenals
(Doc Spratleys and Red Palmers as examples),
a Booby’s look and bouncing-action
near the bottom of a pond or lake are
just too much for a hungry, fast-growing
fish to resist. In British Columbia, anglers
are only legally allowed to use one fly on
the line; however, in areas where anglers
are allowed to tie on multiple flies, they
often use a Booby on top and a nymph
on the bottom. The poor fish might just
be attracted to the Booby, but if the fish
passes it up, the nymph will hook it most
of the time.
20

We make fishing even better.
When you buy a fishing licence, you help us stock
more than 800 lakes a year and create more
fi shing spots close to home. You also help fund
important research, conservation and education
programs. To learn more and purchase your
licence visit gofi shbc.com.
21

SALTWATER
FLY-FISHING
BY DAVID C. KIMBLE
22

‘Fish On!’
Author with a nice coho caught
with a cast fly.
Saltwater fly-fishing in beautiful British
Columbia offers some things the
same and some things new for those who
have already learned the art of freshwater
fly-fishing. The biggest difference is that
the angler is now casting to much larger
fish that are living in much bigger water.
Eight- or nine-weight rods with largercapacity
reels are needed to cast to and
fight black sea bass up to 2.25 kilograms
(five pounds), pink salmon to four kilograms
(nine pounds), and coho salmon
sometimes more than nine kilograms (20
pounds). A reel’s large line capacity is really
needed where one might even hook a
big chum or chinook salmon that will test
every facet of both an angler’s equipment
and talent.
There are fly-fishing purists out there
who couldn’t even imagine catching fish
with anything except an artificial fly. That’s
definitely not me, nor is it most anglers
who just enjoy trying a little fly-fishing on
a saltwater trip. Most of us will use conventional
gear to put a few good-sized
chinook salmon, along with some halibut
and ling cod, into the boat before we even
ask our guide about fly-fishing.
That’s what happened to me. I had
enjoyed a great morning of fishing at
Langara Island in Haida Gwaii. During
lunch, I asked the lodge manager about
fly-fishing. He graciously loaned me his
own nine-weight outfit and a handful of
flies, and sent me south to nearby Bruin
Cove. I ran the boat up onto a kelp bed,
tied a green-and-white Clouser pattern
onto the 15-pound test leader, and cast
up the passing current. I let the fly sink
until it was downcurrent, and then jerkily
retrieved the line back in. After just a few
pulls I got a hit, and sank the barbless
hook into a nice black sea bass. After 12
similar casts, I had caught and released
eight fun fish: six sea bass, and two small
coho salmon. The next morning, I caught
two hefty chinook salmon on conventional
gear, and then reached for the fly
rod. Two hours and a couple hundred
casts later, I boated a pair of trophy coho
salmon – on a fly.
Although my earlier chinook were
bigger, I really enjoyed fighting the feisty
coho on the much lighter fly gear. And I
was hooked on saltwater fly-fishing.
Since that first experience, I have
bought a quality eight-weight fly outfit.
Don’t get me wrong; I’m still not a purist.
The saltwater resort trips are expensive,
and my family loves to eat fish. I still
let the guides put me onto fish for my
freezer, and only then do I reach for the
fly outfit. I’ve been skunked many times
23

Westcoast Resorts’ guide ‘Haywire’ with a
nice coho salmon caught on a cast fly.
Casting flies for
Pacific salmon.
while casting flies, but I’ve also extended
my overall enjoyment of fishing by packing
the fly outfit with me.
Here are a few things I’ve learned along
the way that might help you. Fly-casting
to salmon always means that your fly
should imitate herring, anchovies, and
sometimes needlefish. While in freshwater,
it’s necessary to match the hatch of insects,
and it’s much the same in saltwater
– match the size and depth of the baitfish
the salmon are feeding on. I now carry
about a hundred flies with me: everything
from small Clousers to giant polar bearhair
flies, in a huge variety of colours. Presentation
tactics vary greatly from place
to place. At Rivers Inlet, I’ve done well
casting small herring imitations using my
dry line, right in or very near to kelp beds.
At Tasu in Haida Gwaii, I accidentally discovered
that allowing my #6 sinking line
all the way out and letting it sink straight
beneath the boat, then stripping the fly
back up with long fast pulls, eventually
took several dozen beautiful coho. The
salmon seemed to get excited by a baitfish
imitation that looked like it was trying to
escape. Off Tofino, the ticket for numerous
hookups was a five-centimetre (two-inch)
Clouser worked 2.5 to 3 metres (8 to 10
feet) down.
Remember that you’re fishing in very
corrosive saltwater. Rinse all parts of your
flies and your fly outfits with freshwater
immediately after every outing.
Fishing is always fun, but adding some
fly-fishing to your saltwater trip might just
completely blow your mind.
24

Anissa
Reed
Design
WILD about
salmon
Fishing T-Shirts
RETAIL AND CUSTOM WHOLESALE
MAKE NO BONES about it, these bones
spell WILD. Clothing from Anissa Reed Designs
celebrate Canada’s wild salmon with
her signature WILD salmon bones graphic.
Go for the ‘Born to Be’ or the West Coast’s
favourite ‘Backbone of the BC Coast’.
For those with a sense of humour you
might prefer her ‘Shut The Fish Up’ design
or maybe it’s a perfect gift for that certain
someone.
The designs are available in men’s shortand
long sleeve tee’s, and hoodies. You
can also get that budding angler dressed in
WILD infant and toddler tie-dyes.
MSRP: $22 - $59.95 ANISSAREED.COM
Visit us
in Booth
#102
www.AnissaReed.com
25

THE BOAT TOTE
All-In-One On Board Space Saver
26

T
he Boat Tote is an easy-to-use
onboard storage solution that can accommodate
a variety of aluminum fishing
boats or canoes when you need to bring
along all your essential angling gear when
space is at a minimum.
Devised by Boat Tote Inc. Canada of
Princeton, BC, the unit was designed to
avoid spilling beverages while providing a
convenient, designated place for all your
gear, tackle, and tools.
The Boat Tote simply attaches to the
gunnel of your boat (and can accommodate
widths of 2.5 inches or less) – eliminating
the need for drilling or permanent
mounting – and features a stable platform
with cupholders and ample space to
mount a portable fish finder or frequently
used items for easy access. Anglers will
also appreciate the Boat Tote’s universal,
adjustable rod/tool holder, designated
storage for spools of line or other items,
and quick-attach foam pads for lures.
The Boat Tote is available in a variety of
designs including the Boat Tote Regular,
Boat Tote Mini, and Boat Tote Tall. It can
also be used for onshore or ice fishing.
FOR ALL THE DETAILS ON THE BOAT
TOTE VISIT WWW.BOAT-TOTE.COM
The All In One Storage
For Your Small Boat
or Canoe!
READY TO TAKE YOUR FISHING EXPERIENCE TO THE NEXT LEVEL?
The Boat Tote is an amazing new product that is a must-have for any
type of fishing and it’s a must-have for bird hunters.
FIND A DEALER NEAR YOU
www.boat-tote.com
27

BRAID VS. CABLE
Downrigger Line Debate
BY DAN MACLEOD
Pursuit Sport Fishing Charters,
Vancouver, B.C.
www.pursuitsportfishing.ca
It may sound like a class action law suit
or a legal precedent from a law textbook
(Braid vs. Cable) but I am referring to the
debate of braided line vs. steel cable used
on downriggers for fishing applications.
To stir the debate and shed some light
on the topic for those still wrestling with
their decision to load their new Scotty,
Penn or Cannon downrigger, I will share
my own experiences, those of my colleagues
and some suggestions.
Steel cable downrigger line has been
around for decades aboard both recreational
and commercial fishing boats. It
was introduced into the commercial trolling
fleet with advancements in steel manufacturing
post WW II to replace braided
rope. It offered superior breaking strength
and durability for commercial fishermen.
As the price of lead cannon balls rose
over the years, steel cable became the
norm for use on most commercial trollers.
With the boom in popularity of downriggers
for recreational anglers during the 80’s
it became the only line used for more than
two decades and is still the preferred line of
choice for many recreational anglers.
It was in fact the only line used on our
downriggers until the introduction of synthetic
microfibre braids in the early 2000’s.
Steel cable is readily available in strengths
of 150lb and 180lb. and comes in packages
of 200’ - 400’ rolls for recreational angling
applications. Manufacturers and distributers
such as Scotty and Gibbs/Delta have pretty
much cornered the market for distribution.
PROS: Cost is lower when compared to
the new synthetic braids, it’s more abrasion
resistance and can provide a fish attracting,
electric charge when set up properly.
CONS: Steel cable can rust and become
brittle with age, it can be hard to handle
with your hands if there are frays in the
line. It has less breaking strength vs. some
braids, can be harder to spool, and is prone
to kinks that weaken the line strength.
Synthetic braid line was introduced to
downrigger fisherman in the early 2000’s
as an alternative to steel cable. Braided
downrigger line is composed of a weave of
multiple, strong, synthetic microfilaments.
It offers superior performance in certain
applications and even stronger breaking
strengths when compared to steel. The
smaller profile has less drag in the water,
therefore less line bow giving a more true
actual depth of your cannon ball compared
to the counter on your downrigger. Braid
comes in popular strengths of 175lb, 200lb
or 250lb and rolls of 200’-400’. A downrig-
28

ger can be loaded with much more line
with less weight and bulk as the line is
much lighter and thinner than steel.
PROS: Strong, less drag in the water, less
bow in the line, able to load more line on
the downrigger, no electrolysis.
CONS: Prone to line nicks, more expensive,
tough on the hands, any knots in the line
become the weak point.
I personally have used both types on my
downriggers, both on my personal boats
and my charter boat over the years and I
have concluded for now, I still prefer steel.
I see both used extensively on many
of my friends and colleagues boats, up and
down the west coast. I asked for opinions
from a variety of experience levels,
from rookie recreational anglers to several
professional charter captains. I had some
operators tell me that braid was far superior
in all ways to cable and I also heard the
opposite statement. There was feedback
such as less line bow in the water and a
more true, actual vs. indicated line depth
on the counters, which was helpful. I was
told by one of the largest operators in the
province that his loss of cannon balls has
gone down by 60% since switching to
braid. A few operators have told me they
29

love the fact they no longer have to worry
about negative charges coming off their
line repelling fish with braid. Some say they
change their line far less often and can get
several more seasons out of braid. I equally
heard those loud and clear advocates for
steel tell me they prefer the more consistent
breaking strength of steel, they don’t
have to worry about line nicks and some
have used the steel lines ability to produce
positive charge to their advantage.
A few operators also told me they
don’t like the fact that braid can jump
off their down rigger as the cannon ball
skips or lands on the bottom. I personally
saw the loss of 260’ of new braid line,
a 20lb cannon ball and a release clip due
to a large loop that was created when the
cannon ball hit the bottom and a loop was
created by the loose braid on the drum
subsequently wrapping around the base of
the down rigger. It quickly broke as the line
tightened. I clearly heard some say that
steel was much easier to handle with wet
hands and less likely to cut.
My personal thoughts and experiences
over the years are that I feel steel provides
a more consistent breaking strength to
braid. I have never gone through so many
cannon balls as I did when I was using
braid and I found it also much harder on
the hands. The initial expense was high and
I found I was adding more line often. I also
found a wide variety in the quality of lines
from different manufacturers. I found that
debris such as wood and plastics in the
water were leaving my line with very small
nicks that were often unnoticed until too
late. I found I had to inspect the line too often
to feel for nicks as compared to visually
seeing any anomalies on cable.
It is startling and expensive to watch
your entire set up fall to the depths with no
indication of what just happened. If I hit a
sunken trap or run it on a reef, I can accept
it was operator error but all too many times
I lost a 15lb cannon ball, terminal gear and
sometimes 2 release clips to who knows
what!
When I switched from cable to braid I
neglected to inspect my pulleys for grooves
or rough spots left in the wheels from the
cable and I lost several cannon balls over
the next few weeks. Many operators have
switched out their plastic pulleys for after
market aluminum ones to avoid losing gear
due to cuts from pre-existing damage on
the pulley.
Any knots used in tying on extra line,
terminal gear and gangion lines became
the weak point of the line and I often lost
gear from breaks at those points over the
months. If I did find myself caught on a
reef, or a trap, or submerged cable, the braid
would often break immediately. Alternatively,
I have pulled up many sunken crab or
prawn trap with my cable line to have all my
gear still intact. A taut braid line will break
at even the suggestion of touching a sharp
knife, rusty gaff or pliers to the line, where
steel cable would not break. I also found a
huge difference of quality and durability between
175b and 250lb line for line nicks and
breaks. I was told that 150lb braided line was
more than enough to hold my 15lb cannon
balls, but I found out quickly that it was
more susceptible to small line nicks. These
became breaks a lot more quickly with the
thinner diameter line.
I did find a clear difference in preference
of lines to fishing on the West Coast of
Vancouver Island vs. Georgia Strait. I found
the west coast to be far less hard on braid
and my pocket book because of less debris
and sunken hazards in the water when
compared to the minefields we see in the
inside. Fraser River debris and the massive
amount of sunken traps and cables close
to Vancouver had a big impact on my line
breakage.
I much prefer to use cable in the inside
and can tolerate braid on the outside for
this fact. I did like the fact I could add additional
pieces of braided line to top-up
or replace what I lost, but the connection
knot then became the weak point.
I agree the more true line depths were
a bonus and I did not have to worry about
repelling fish with a negative charge on my
line. Ultimately the steel cable slightly out
performs for my Vancouver based charters
but we do use braid on our Ucluelet
charter boats.
Recommendations for those that have
switched from cable to braid or are thinking
about it are advised to replace your pulleys
with new ones to ensure smooth line
friction. Make sure you load your braid quite
snuggly, as it will dig into itself on the rigger.
Also, be cautious when fishing on or near
the bottom and letting your cannon ball
hit the bottom at a fast rate as a loop may
occur and wrap around the base or brake
handle of your rigger causing a lot of grief
once the line tightens. Choose 250lb. line vs.
150lb line for the added abrasion resistance.
Add an anode or two to the terminal gear
attaching your cannon ball to your line to
add an attracting charge to your gear.
Either braided or steel cable is a great
option so don’t be afraid to try both or perhaps
experiment with one type on each side
of the boat like I did, to see which one you
prefer. Regardless of your choice, know that
both methods are effective and it is perhaps
just wise to fish one type with confidence.
30

We get real every day,
with the best rides
for the best price.
We don't have to
fake it with discounts,
rebates or sales.
#nofakeprice
GET REAL Pricing, Warranty,
Value & Adventure
$4995 $9595
CFORCE 400 HO 1up
Book your ride now
UFORCE 500 HO
Best 5 Year
(LIMITED)
Warranty**
FREE Get a free REPLAY
XD 1080 MINI CAMERA
valued at $279 with
a purchase of
a CFMOTO vehicle
windzone.ca/ride
†
ZFORCE 500 HO
$9595
See us at Booth #452
† We reserve the right to substitute a different brand or style action camera.
*Plus freight, PDI, licensing and applicable taxes. Standard version 2017 models only. Until supplies last. Participating dealers only. Cannot be combined to any other promotion. May be subject to change without prior notice.
**5 Year limited warranty: 1 year full + balance 48 months powertrain only or 5,000 km.
The information and images presented on this ad are for indicative purposes only. See your CFMOTO dealer for more details. CFMOTO Canada promotes safe riding. Always wear a helmet and
appropriate clothing, use seat belts, doors and door nets as equipped, take a safety driving course, 31 and adhere to local laws for the use of o road vehicles and for trail use. Never consume
alcohol/drugs and drive. CFMOTO vehicles are for o road use only.