Campbell River - River and stream fishing

[Bigwoodsman]

Looking for information on fly fishing the rivers and streams in the Campbell River area on Vancouver Island.

First week of April, we are heading over to spend a week with the girl friends kids and grand kids.

Not interested in charters or fishing from a boat. Scrambling over rocks and through brush is what I am looking for. Recommendations on rod weight etc is appreciative. I have a 6-7 weight 9 foot which I'm thinking should be big enough. Also have a 4 and a 5 weight I will be bringing. Any tips or hints are appreciated.

Anyone fish the Oyster River, any other streams.

BW

[Bearski]

Your two rods will be fine. Lots of good rainbow and sea-run cutty action all over that area. Campbell is good, Adam and Eve a little further north. Gold River is also interesting but be careful with regards to Steelhead I believe the Gold is classified water requiring a special licence. I have only fished the mouth of the Oyster in the fall for Coho. Give River Sportsman or Tyee marine in CR a call for the lowdown on water flow, patterns etc.
Enjoy, I love that area.

[Bhflyfisher]

If you're just looking for action at that time of year to take the daughters out, I would highly recommend the elk river in Strathcona park. It's chocked full of 10-14" rainbows that time of year, the 4 weight is plenty. Beautiful river too. Small nymphs or egg sucking leeches should be all you need.

Oyster can be good for sea-run cutthroat and the odd winter/spring steelhead. But its very hit and miss.

[The Fisherman Guy]

All good advice from the folks above. If you're interested about the area, Shadows Of The Western Angler is great reading about Roderick Haig-Brown and the Campbell River area, and fishing.

[Positrac]

Originally Posted by Bearski

Your two rods will be fine. Lots of good rainbow and sea-run cutty action all over that area. Campbell is good, Adam and Eve a little further north. Gold River is also interesting but be careful with regards to Steelhead I believe the Gold is classified water requiring a special licence. I have only fished the mouth of the Oyster in the fall for Coho. Give River Sportsman or Tyee marine in CR a call for the lowdown on water flow, patterns etc.
Enjoy, I love that area.

The Quinsam can also be as good at times as any river in the area.

[lmtada]

Used to cast,out by the campground (1987-91). Caught a few steelhead in that river. Now sure now…

[King Salmon]

Originally Posted by lmtada

Used to cast,out by the campground (1987-91). Caught a few steelhead in that river. Now sure now…

I've never caught any from there in the last decade, but you still catch cutties, which are a lot of fun!

[tikka250]

I grew up flyfishing the area and there is some fun streams to play on. As far as info goes. I worked at tyee marine and can tell you that info there is made up of hunches and guesses more than half the time. Great products and great fly selection but dont beleive everything you hear in that store. River sportsman usually has some top notch guys there who are honest about the skills and knowledge they have or don't have.
The quinsam and Campbell rivers have some great cutty fishing with the quinsam being my go-to spot for relaxing afternoons close to home. Bring lots of small blue/green streamers to imitate salmon fry and if you get there at the right time the dry fly fishing is a blast.
The Elk River is by far my favorite river to fish but you have to hit it at the right time or else it will be a ghost town. Small nymphs will catch you more fish but walking down the river sight fishing with an elk hair caddis are my way to do it even if it means less fish.
Never played much on the oyster or anywhere else river wise but I know there is lots of good fiahing in the other streams in the area.
The 4 and 5 weight would be more suited for what you will likely be encountering.
Good luck!

[Roadglideguy]

Should be ok for some smaller trout...take bear spray!

[Bigwoodsman]

We are now back from our sojourn to Vancouver Island. Trip out was fantastic, took a few leisurely days and had a good time arriving on the 3rd just before noon. Got to our airbnb which was a nice one bedroom cabin on Williams Beach just north of Comox. Monday morning down to Gone Fishin and picked up the proper licensing, a saltwater and a freshwater. Back to the cabin fished what was left of the high tide. Tuesday up to Campbell river and fished the Quinsam above and at the confluence with the Campbell. Quinsam was high fast and somewhat cloudy. The confluence was better saw one fish in about 2.5 hours of fishing. The weather was mixed cloud and sun, nice day around 13 degrees.
Next morning fished the high tide again, watching a seal and 4 sea lions swim by. Later that morning I got dropped of on the Oyster river for 3 hours and fished about 2 KM of river, catching one sea-run cutt about 4 pounds. Nice fish. Weather on this day was overcast and plus 6 with a strong wind and a few drizzles. I hear the horn honk for my pick up and when I get back to the car, am told we need to get tested for COVID.

On the way out we stopped at friends in Salmon Arm and they both tested positive for COVID, both triple vaxxed as we are. We also stopped in Coquitlam and the girl friends brother, we checked with them and 3 of the 4 positive for COVID. Our tests confirmed the worst but we felt good. That evening I fished the high tide as it came in. Wednesday morning back to the Oyster still feeling OK and staying away from people. When my ride showed up she wasn't feeling so well, by that evening we were both feeling the effects of COVID. We decided to leave a few days early and Thursday started on our way back getting home Friday afternoon.

Other than the COVID it was a great trip, and we are planning our return later in the summer.

BW

[Drewski Canuck]

This time of year the lakes on Vancouver Island are good action with the fish still up top.

Sproat Lake has bigger cutthroats in it, but it does blow up and it is a very big lake to try and prospect as a newbie.

Drewski

[Lastcast]

Sucks that covid cut the trip short. A 4lb cutty would be fun to start the year! Sounds like a fun trip overall.