Steelhead birding in Squamish May 14

[martin]

Hi all, I headed out to Squamish to do some Steelheading on the spey.

Little did I know I would write a report on birding when I went out fishing.

Now that I have taken up birding a little more serious, I find myself looking for or at birds a little more often

As I was spey casting and swinging flies, it gives me more time to look around and enjoy the surroundings, I geuss thats why I like it so much.

The best bird was as I was standing in the river by the trees I heard a call. I turned around and saw a Red-brested Sapsucker not 4 feet behind me about 2 feet of the ground. I just stopped fishing and watched it for 5 minutes.

The following birds were seen while fishing.


Common Merganser
Spotted sandpiper
Dipper
Red-brested Sapsucker
Juncos
YR Warblers ( lots there too)
Northern Flicker
Osprey
B. Eagle
Vaux Swifts
Violet Green Swallows
Barn Swallows
Tree Swallows
Rufous hummingbird

[ian]

Loved to fish the Squamish for the Dolly's in early April while the water is low. What were the water conditions like when you were out Martin? Since I got my 400mm my fishing rods haven't seen as much use as they used to. Nice to get to bird and fish at the same time, enjoying the best of both worlds...

[martin]

May 15, 2011 22:59:36 GMT -8 ian said:

Loved to fish the Squamish for the Dolly's in early April while the water is low. What were the water conditions like when you were out Martin? Since I got my 400mm my fishing rods haven't seen as much use as they used to. Nice to get to bird and fish at the same time, enjoying the best of both worlds...

No I have been birding more this year than fishing since I got my new telephoto lens too.

Zero vis on the Squamish, a little better at the mouths of the tribs. Ended going up to the Check. No tugs though, saw 1 roll and 1 gear guy had one on. quite a few more guys out.

I like the Squamish best around Jan - Mar for the dollies, usually clearer then too, before the run-off or rain starts. After that is seems to be hit and miss more miss though. It can be ok in aug/sept too when the chum start to come in.