There were lots of good eddies behind rocks and a nice run about a km downstream of the bridge but nothing I tossed in there could elicit a response. A well seasoned fisherman who had hiked down before me was returning from further down river and he dejectedly informed me that he hadn't tagged a thing. So, I packed up and decided there were some new holes and runs in the Squamish I wanted to explore.
This stretch was really active with fisherman and when I arrived they turned and with hopefull looks on their faces, asked me if I had gotten anything today. Sadly most of us had the same report of no fish or maybe a small bull trout. Two of them reported that they had previously done well on the Vedder but came here to escape the crowds and that they said someone had reported tagging some early steelhead......a good rumour if nothing else.
As the day wound down and the rain clouds approached I managed two more of the runs at km 12 but nothing stressed my line. On the drive back, a cow elk appeared off the side of the road fairly close to the ranches.....I guess the wolf had something to do with them cozying up to people's residences.
So for my money, some trout fishing is to be had in the Stave, the best bet right now is the Vedder with solid reports of steelhead, and hopefully the numbers and size in that river will increase as we head into February and March, saving the Squamish and Cheakamus Bulls till March and the steelhead there for April.....Tight Lines.