Once this River was considered to be One of the Premium Wild Steelhead Rivers in BC. This intimate River has everything a fly fisher will ever want in landscape and variety of fishable water. From slow moving wide shallows to canyons and deep pools. Once a fisher gets a taste of the Little "Q" it is there for life. There are Brown Trout on the top end of the System just below Cameron Lake, these fish are taken or drys,minnows and nymphs.  Below the Falls  there are small resident Rainbow and Cutties. Sea Run Cutties enter the system during the higher water conditions of Spring in search for Salmon fry leaving the system. This usually goes well into late June with a bit of a breather before the Salmon begin to enter the system in August. All Salmon species except the Sockeye call the Little "Q" their bedroom.  And these fish are more bite friendly than most of the local rivers. Drop by our shop for more details and the hot flies.

Sept 2nd....
Well the Chinook have entered the River in small groups but that will change very soon...these fish are very bitey...try various Leech,or Egg Sucking Leech patterns,lage bushy flies without too much flash. I personally Like Black Bunny Leeches  with a collar of either Chartreuse or Hot Pink...also like these flies tied with a Bead head or bead chain head.

August 25th..
The water is still too low to provide enough scent to the big Chinook waiting to enter...but if we don;t get rain in a week or so they will come in no matter..

August 20th...
There are a few Big Chinook holding in the lower reaches of the Little Qualicum River..I havaen't seen any past teh lower Bridge yet..but I would suspect this week-end will bring a few fish up with ths cooler weather

August 8th...Low Water is keeping the large Chinook from coming into the River but it is not stopping the Cutties from advancing in wait of those delicious eggs,don't forget to stock up on Ware's ear Nymphs and Beaded Muddlers..


July10th..
The trout fishing has slowed down a bit,there are however some large Cutties causing havoc in teh estuaries awaiting the Salmon entering these local rives in several weeks...be patient,but hesitate not to drift a nice dry fly near overhanging trees.

June 15th...
IF ever you were going to get out and explore the Little Qualicum River now is the time...water levels have been a bit high but now receding, thus Dry Fly, Minnow patterns and Stoneflies...unfortunately there are still many idiots poaching the upper river areas using worms and roe...so the more we are seen on that river fishing legally the better!


May 19th...The fishing has somewhat slowed down simply becaue of pressure and the short distance able to be fished...the main river will open on June 1st...report all poachers
May 6th..
There has been some good action for good sized cutties from the Salt Water to the Hatchery...Dry fly has been working lately,I suspect that the cutties are full of fry for the moment! Some fish in the 3-4 lb range are being landed...
April29th.....
Some great fishing all along the lower stretches of the Little Q these days(below the hatchery) Dry flies and a great little Polar Bear Minnow pattern with a Brown Wing underfured with a Guinea Feather..a very special colour  hand died by Jerry Hardy..of Comox...if you want to see this pattern come by the store...we have a few Dozen left only..



ou have to come by the store to see the new Minnow patterns we have come up with...combining DNA and Polar Bear is a rare treat!




April 6th.....We once again received a lot of rain raising the river levels up past the comfort zone for most Trout fishers...but don't despair,there are good numbers of Sea Run Cutthroat laying in wait for your flies...MINNOWS...the weather looks very promising for the next week so do get out
...bring along a few dry flies to match the hatch during those sunny periods
March 25th...
The water levels are perfect and the temperatures excellent for the outgoing fry ...and that means the Cutthroat Trout will be in every lay waiting for a free meal...Muddler Minnows, Small Polar BEar Minnow Patterns and even a few egg patterns will do the job...have fun 

March 4..Water levels are now good and the fry are migrating to the estuaries...this is our annual best tiem to engage good numbers of Trout following or ambushing their prey..MINNOW PATTERNS!!





Feb 25th.....The river is beginning to fish well...water levels are good and slighly coloured. Fry are beginning to pile-up in the slow moving water with Cutthroat Trout laying in wait not far away. Muddlers,Minnow patterns ,even small Alevin patterns.



Feb.1st 2010...
The River is finally coming down and is in fishable condition. There are some nice Cutthroat Trout around the Hatchery  and down to the Trestle pool...watch for  the odd Steelhead


December 4th...We have a sustained water flow that is a bit high but is good for the fish. Minnow,Egg,and Terrestrial  patterns will do the deed...remember many of the Cutthroat Trout have been in the system for several months now feeding on flesh and Eggs,so try different presentations. December 17th last year I landed 12 Trout out of One hole on One pattern
And here it is...

November 7th...
As with the Big Qualicum River there is lots of water in the system...but there are still a few Chum coming into the system that are silver...few Coho have been seen, a worry for the HAtchery folks and we fishers for the future...it is a wonder why we can't seem to get these numbers up! Cutties are in fair numbers ...get out soon after the waters recede for some great trout fishing..


October 24th....There are lots of silver Chum salmon coming into the Lower Reaches of the Little Q these past few days...few Coho are mixed in..some concern about Coho numbers at this time but it is early...Some idiot was trying to snag Chinook in the Whiskey Creek Pool with a 12oz. Halibut Jig...it makes you wonder how some Morons exist on this Planet and Why!!??You see my hand here to quantify the Size...and note the Huge Plastic Worm or section of worm...why not fish legally??




October 11th/....saw a young fellow today carrying a bright Chum salmon home...he caught it below the Bridge in the Tidal Area. ...but there is also a One fish retention for Chum in the Fresh Water areas.   many Coho are about to enter the river with any rains we get so be prepared for fun but no retention on Coho until further notice.



Sept 11th....
If your timing is right you will see one of the wonders of the animal kingdom...thousands of Large Chinook  making their way up this great little River for their final journey...and they will bite  black leeches and wooly buggers with Beads or Pink Head leeches





Sept 6...On the way home from Shopping with my lovely we saw many fish entering the lower Little Q...so we indeed rushed home and got our fly rods a ready...
Landed 3 and lost 3 in an hour   ...no retention and fly fish only in the River above the old Highway bridge and in the Tidal area there is a retention



August 25th... There are a few Salmon in the River at the moment and many trout...   with such low water be kind to the fish and the surrounding ecosystem




June 5th...
I have yet to land a nice Cuttie since the main river has opened,but soon. This River generally is known for it's great dry fly fishing for smaller Trout and  the occasional; Big Sea Run Cutthroat Trout. I fished it on Saturday Evening and landed about a dozen smaller Cutties and One Rainbow ...mostly on Dry Flies...Bead Hsad Muddlers work great at digging out those stubborn fish that like to hold in the deeper pockets tucked in tightly to the logs and rocks.. My largest uttie to date in that River is about 20'...


April 1st..
Fishing has been slow these past few weeks below the Hatchery...I have seen One Steelhead and few trout,with the warming trend on the horizon this could change overnight...drop by the store for some great new Minnow patterns
Feb.10th...
The river is closed above the Hatchery...but there are some nice fish at the Canyon and just below the trestle pool...a few Steelhead have entered the system...but normally travel well up into the river to begin hopefully their spawn.. Big nymphs and minnow patterns will do the trick...even small Leech and Intruder patterns.

Jan.17th.....
Even though the weather is still a bit cold and the snow is about 2 feet high access to the Little Qis good. Fished today after the higher water has receeded ...lost a small Cuttie and saw a Small Steelhead  moving through the fast water..the river is closed above the Hatchery so let's hope these Steelhead get past and do thier thing for future generations,and with some kind of luck get this river back to a fishable state for Steelhead.
 









Dec 24th..
Some nice Cuttie being caught below the Hatchery and around the Train Trestle...a lot of snow has fallen ,making getting about  somewhat difficult..there are Clipped fish in the system so retention is a possibility



November 30th...
 The River above the Hatchery closes on Dec.1st...  should you be lucky enough to fish the middle sections of the River above the Hatchery before the season ends, you will be rewarded with an abundance of beautiful Cutthroat Trout to 22",most in the 14 to 18" range but do be prepared for that "SMASH"   when it comes! Salt Water flies such as the Pearl Mickey will work wonders...such as in this Cutties lips! 




Oct 7...
SILVER CHUM AND COHO !!!!!and still SILVER CHINOOK>>>


October 3rd...
Chum and Coho have entered the system and are very willing biters...have fun..many fish have been let through the counting fences and are well up into the system...Landed  some very nice Cutties on Single Egg patterns and One big Spring on a #8 Egg Fly
Sept 30...
There are still some nice Chinook coming in ,as well Coho and Chum...ther are plenty of fish stacked up at the Hatchery fence,Whiskey Creek ,Trestle and canyon pools. Cutties are aslo aboput collecting eggs at will. Report those crappy poachers!

Sept 12...
Today there was an abundance of fish enter the river all day...most of these fish are holding again below the hatchery ...some very good fishing to be had below the old highway bridge...it is tidal so be aware of the water levels.

Sept...10th
There are a lot of Big Chinook holding in all the pools below the Hatchery...unfortunately there are some real dorks out there using Treble Hooks , barbed at that,...these ass/?>les have threatened several fly fishers and forced them off the River If you see them take a picture and send it to the CO Office.  Some nice Cutthroat Trout also about in the deep slots and under the Logs..

Sept 4th..
With a good number of Chinook in the system,lower in the river,and a few Coho being spotted ,there are good opportunities to enjoy the sport. Unfortunately,there are some snaggers about that seem to think they are special, and are keeping fish. There is no retention for Chinook in the Little Q, or Coho. Occassionally there is an updated regulation on the DFO web Site for a retention quota..
Cutties are about in good numbers ;prepare for the time when the big fish are dropping their eggs and use egg patterns for good success. I have found that Black and Red Rabbit Leeches are good bets for the Jack Chinook in the lower River and large Pink Leeches work for their larger cousins.
Coho like some sparkle in their flies...not that large . Coho will follow the flie for a ways before decideing on their efforts.

August 27;;.....
There are good numbers of Small Chinook in the lower river below the hatchery...and some nice cutthroat....no retention ...
 
August 25...
The early run of Small Chinook seem to have disappeared...fished the Farm Area on the Little Q today ..and saw no big fish...although there was some very good small trout fishing with Cutties to 18" .
Water is low...


August 19th....
A major run of Small Chinook entered the Little Q today on a low tide...very silver and bright....get your Chartreuse and Black Leech patterns out...no retention ..have a good time and should you hook into a big fish make sure you revive it before it is let go..Cutties will follow these fish all the way up to the upper reaches ...egg patterns a bit later..

August 16...
The River water level is very low...this may hold off the Chinook Migration into the River a bit..but if it does and we get a bit of Rain...make sure you have your Salmon Tags ready! The Little Q is One very Special little River that provides excellent fly fishing opportunities...

August 10....
A few Pinks have made their way into the lower river and followed by some nice Cutthroat Trout...Nymphs and Dries are the ticket...try above the Hatchery for some nice Cutties and at the Wiskey Creek Pool

July 27...
The Chinook are showing up off the River Mouth ,soon into the Lower River...
Watch the regulations carefully...and no retention. Dry Fly Fishing for Nice Cutties has been good below Kincade Creek and on the Upper River above the Falls

...some nice Browns available on the dry and small bead head nymphs

July 22... The water levels are getting on the low side...Big Chinook will begin to move into the system in early August,and if that happens as we suspect we will see the majority of the fish hold below the Hatchery until the water comes up and the Hatchery personel decide if they get their brood stock. The Little Q does get a good number of Jack Chinook(4-6 lbs) that are very much in favour of biting first and asking second!...No retention.
Cutties are also in the upper River above the PowerLIne..in good numbers...single barbless

July 10..   Conditions are ideal for trout fishing ,some nice Cutties have been caught throughout the system ...the lower River still has good numbers of Fry outgoing ..in a matter of weeks the Salmon will begin got enter all the area Rivers ,the Little Q is One of the fun rivers to fish and very fisher friendly..

July 5th...Water conditions are extremely ideal these past few days and that has brought in some very nice Cutthroat Trout into the middle part of the River. The Salmon will begin to entre the River likely within a month ,pushing Trout to the perimeters,however that is natural...the trout get them back by fattening up on their eggs. Flies to use these days are Minnow Patterns,Nymphs and Leeches. 
 June 18,,,there have been good numbers of small Cutthroat trout about the lower river system for the past few weeks...some larger fish have been landed just below Kinkade Creek and around the meadows. Above the Falls has seen little angler pressure this year all the way to the lake...but the Brown trout are waiting...especially with a Caddis on you line


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