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Beaver
Pond getaway
Richard Probert
Fraser Valley Adventures
Everyone has a favourite place where they go to get away
from the hassles of everyday life. For some people this can be
an exotic country, a sandy beach, or the resort of Harrison Hot
Springs. As for me I go fishing in the beaver pond.
This is not just any beaver pond. It is a very special place.
The pond is only 20 acres, set in a rejuvinated fir, cedar and
hemlock forest. Poplar and birch trees also grace the pond's
edge. You don't have to go far for this idyllic getaway, for the
beaver pond is in Sasquatch Park, ten miles northeast of
Harrison Hot Springs.
The beaver pond has only two or three spots to fish from
shore, since the edges of the lake are surrounded with reeds,
logs and small bushes. A nature trail goes around the pond,
opening the entire area for angler's with chest waders.
The shore spots can be very productive fishing. Over the
years, this little pond has produced trout to five pounds, with
many fish ranging from one - half to two pounds. My most
memorable catch in these waters was an acrobatic fourteen inch
rainbow trout, caught in early May, 1985. Fishing was poor that
day, but just as I was about to leave, my fishing rod suddenly
bent in half as the trout grabbed the worm and ran. That fish
jumped six times before finally being landed, a fine aerial
display or rainbow acrobatics.
I have had many other days of excellent fishing in the
beaver pond, but I never go to this spot exclusively for
angling. Whenever I feel stressed, the serenity, solitiude and
peaceful surroundings of the beaver pond always perks me up.
This spot symbolizes the dream of every harried modern urbanite
to escape to a simpler, exotic place. And to some living in
cities, the beaver pond is indeed an exotic location - a place
of quiet, peace and beauty, truly a joy to behold on a sunny May
or September day.
Aside from serenity and fish, this beaver pond has
several resident beavers. Occasionally, they show themselves at
dusk. One late afternoon I was catching quite a few trout when a
beaver swam by, splashing his tail repeatedly. That irate beaver
continued to deliberately splash his tail until I gave up
fishing. I guess the beaver didn’t want me around its home.
Spring and fall are the best times to fish here,
especially May and September. Worms work well, as do salmon
eggs. The pond is also ideal for a small rubber raft or belly
boat. In this case flies work best. Hicks Lake is just south of
the beaver pond, connected by a small stream. Fish from Hicks
Lake enter this stream, then go into the beaver pond to rest and
feed. This is why the beaver pond is such a productive fishery.
For those wanting to fish the beaver pond I urge you to
limit your catch. While the legal limit is four trout per day,
with greater fishing pressure conservation of the resource must
play an increasingly important role in these waters.
The beaver pond will continue to provide myself and other
anglers with an inexpensive getaway. Try the beaver pond when
you are harried and tired. You'll come away refreshed, ready to
face the world again.
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The Steelheader is
a Canadian sport fishing tabloid devoted to sport fishing here in
the Lower Mainland of British Columbia. Steelheader News has
subscribers throughout Canada and the United States. Subscriptions
to overseas areas are available upon request.
In addition to subscriptions, the Steelheader's distribution
points include over 400 sites in the Fraser Valley (B.C.) and
tackle shops in Canadian provinces and the United States.
Terry Hanson
Editor-in-Chief Steelheader Salmon and Trout News
The Steelheader,
P.O. BOX 434, Chilliwack,
B.C. Canada, V2P 6J7
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