ROD & CREEL 79 



CHAPTER XVII. 

 ALONG THE LINE OF THE B. C. ELECTRIC 



THE SERPENTINE 



THIS is a small, slow-running, muddy-looking creek, affected 

 by the tide. Nevertheless, some very good baskets of trout 

 can be taken out of it, as well as cohoe salmon. 



To get there, take the B. C. Electric to McLennan, which 

 is only a few minutes walk from the stream. 



In this stream trout can be caught practically all the year 

 round, provided you fish at the proper time; the best months, 

 however, are the latter end of August, September, October and 

 early November. 



When fishing this stream, if you want to catch fish, you 

 must study the tides. You might fish the greater part of the 

 day and not touch a fish, then give it up in disgust and go 

 home, whereas if you had waited ten minutes longer you might 

 have filled your basket. This is due to the fact that as long 

 as the tide is on the flood, the flood gates, which have been 

 built near the mouth, stay closed, and the water inside begins 

 to fill up the creek. For an hour or an hour and a half of the 

 last part of the flood and about half an hour of the first of the 

 ebb is the time to catch fish, particularly so if you can only 

 catch the tide at this stage in early morning or late evening. 

 "When the tide is running out strong you are seldom likely to 

 do more than catch an odd fish. 



Now, with regard to methods of fishing. You can, of 

 course, use bait if you want to, but you will meet with much 

 more success if you use a fly or a small spinner. If you use 

 the latter it should be small enough to cast it like a fly, a single 

 Tacoma, No. 1^, with a worm on the hook, will take as well 

 as any. 



Flies must also be small, about No. 9 or 10 would be about 

 right. Try the March Brown, Coachman, Teal and Red, and 

 Grouse and Claret. 



When fishing this stream do not pay too much attention to 

 the deep still pools but look out for water where there are 

 1 'snags;" you may lose more tackle and possibly a fish or two, 

 but you will do better in the end. 



Cohoe salmon bpgin to run early in September and can be 

 caught on small spoons, sometimes on the fly. Try them with 

 a good big Silver Doctor. / 



