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Locally Owned in Nanaimo, BC • Trusted Since 1986
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Fly Fishing

(210 products) FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Fly Fishing Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What fly line should I use on Vancouver Island?

The best fly line depends on where and what you are fishing on Vancouver Island. Floating fly lines are popular for trout fishing on lakes and rivers, while sinking fly lines are often used for deeper water and salmon fishing applications.

Q. What is the difference between floating and sinking fly line?

Floating fly line stays on the surface and is commonly used for dry flies, indicators, and general freshwater fly fishing. Sinking fly line is designed to get flies deeper in the water column for targeting fish holding below the surface.

Q. How do I choose the right fly line weight?

Fly line weight should match your fly rod weight. For example, a 5-weight fly rod should generally be paired with a 5-weight fly line for balanced casting performance.

Q. What fly line is best for trout fishing?

Floating fly lines are one of the most popular choices for trout fishing because they are versatile and easy to cast. Anglers may also use intermediate or sinking fly lines depending on water depth and fishing conditions.

Q. Do you carry fly fishing gear for Vancouver Island rivers and lakes?

The Harbour Chandler carries fly fishing gear including fly line, leaders, tippet, flies, hooks, and fly fishing accessories for Vancouver Island anglers targeting trout, salmon, and steelhead.

Let customers speak for us

from 1829 reviews
O'ki Big Shooter - Jellyfish Yellow Green Mist Flasher
Great pattern and colour

Great pattern and colour

Anonymous
O'ki Big Shooter - Jellyfish Yellow Green Mist Flasher
Mustang MIT 70 Manual Inflatable PFD
Arrived on time

Arrived on time, product exactly as advertised.

Lance T.N.V.
Mustang MIT 70 Manual Inflatable PFD
Victron SmartSolar MPPT 100/30 Solar Charge Controller (UL 1741)
It was exactly what we were needing and is working well

It was exactly what we were needing and is working well.

Anonymous
Victron SmartSolar MPPT 100/30 Solar Charge Controller (UL 1741)
Westcoast Fishing Tackle Electro Mirror Flasher - Punisher
This Flasher worked great in the north west end of vancover island can't wait to use it again next

This Flasher worked great in the north west end of vancover island can't wait to use it again next season.

Kirby K.
Westcoast Fishing Tackle Electro Mirror Flasher - Punisher
Salty Crew Keyhole Muscle Tank - Charcoal
Adorable Salty Crew!

Super cute top!

Karen
Salty Crew Keyhole Muscle Tank - Charcoal
Scotty Sure Stop Pro for 60" Downrigger Boom
Great did everything I wanted

Great did everything I wanted 🤗

Bill B.
Scotty Sure Stop Pro for 60" Downrigger Boom
Scotty Downrigger Weight Retriever
Scotty downrigger weight retrieval system

A friend told me to get these and I expect them to be excellent.
Just have not installed them yet.

Anonymous
Scotty Downrigger Weight Retriever
Scotty 2606 6" Downrigger Pedestal Mount
6 " Pedestal Mount

This pedestal worked out amazing well. I used to for the line puller to give me the added height to easily grab either the crab pots or prawn traps when reaching the boat. I attached it directly to the boat with the swivel mount on top of it. I am glad I opted for the 6" vice the 12" which I was originialy planning on using. It would have been too high.

Robert B.
Scotty 2606 6" Downrigger Pedestal Mount
Grundens Women's Neptune Jacket
Great sturdy jacket

I ordered the rain pants first, and then liked those so much I ordered the jacket as well. I use both for back country canoe trips, where I need my rain gear to stand up to moving vigorously day after day in the rain. This does the trick.

Megan
Grundens Women's Neptune Jacket
O'ki Big Shooter - Green Chum Special Flasher

Excellent service and very good selection

Jeff N.
O'ki Big Shooter - Green Chum Special Flasher
Kingpin Zeppelin Aero 500 Centerpin Reel - Green & Black with Green Handles

Very nice

Jack
Kingpin Zeppelin Aero 500 Centerpin Reel - Green & Black with Green Handles
Oki Big Shooter Flasher - HC Custom Silver Maverick
I won a store credit with is order in a contest

I won a store credit with is order in a flash sale contest! How can I complain? great gear --great service! Period! Would recommend to anybody

Dallas M.
Oki Big Shooter Flasher - HC Custom Silver Maverick
Gibbs GV-72GS Replacement Bag
Excellent design to help land the bigger fish and also less entanglement if the fish is to be

Excellent design to help land the bigger fish and also less entanglement if the fish is to be released so less stress on the fish. Quality seems great with a double sleeve for the hoop. Hint -make sure you can disassemble the net hoop from the neck slide—I used a 24 soak in 30% vinegar to break down 15 years of salt corrosion of the aluminum slide joints

Erik B.
Gibbs GV-72GS Replacement Bag
Daiwa M-One UTD 400 Mooching Reel
Best inexpensive reel out

Best inexpensive reel out there

Tony P.
Daiwa M-One UTD 400 Mooching Reel
West Coast Fishing Tackle Electro Mirror Flasher - Chartreuse 1605
Great looking Flasher

Great looking Flasher.

Anonymous
West Coast Fishing Tackle Electro Mirror Flasher - Chartreuse 1605

What customers think about the store

Well-stocked marine and fishing retailer with extensive product selection. Fast shipping, knowledgeable staff, and responsive customer service. Competitive pricing with frequent sales. Highly recommended by fishing enthusiasts and boaters across North America....

AI-generated from customer reviews.

Quality Service Shipping Staff

Steve's Weekly Fishing Report

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  • Large Chinook Fishing is Peaking!

    Large Chinook Fishing is Peaking!

    Fishing for large Chinook has been excellent in Georgia Strait for the last week. Some of fish have moved in closer to shore, but the outer islands and rocks still...

  • It's Tyee Time!!

    It's Tyee Time!!

      It's that time of year that we see a lot of big mature Chinook in Georgia Strait, and better still we can retain them. There have been some absolute...

  • Big Chinook Rolling in!!

    Big Chinook Rolling in!!

    Big Chinook are showing up all around Vancouver Island right now. This is perfect timing as the slot size restrictions should end September 1st in some areas. Check your local...

  • West Coast Chinook Time!

    West Coast Chinook Time!

    The big Chinook are starting to make their way into the Alberni Canal. The photo above is from this weekend when Chandler Staff member Austin did well with Anchovies in...

  • It's Football Season!!

    It's Football Season!!

    The football fish have arrived! What is a football fish you ask? Basically it's a short fat salmon. It's more football shaped than lean and long. And they are ideal...

  • Nanaimo Halibut?!?

    Nanaimo Halibut?!?

    There have been a handful of halibut caught around the mid Island area in the last week. A couple near Thrasher Rock and some closer to Nanoose. While this is...

  • Chinook Fishing Peaking

    Chinook Fishing Peaking

    In Georgia Strait the Chinook Fishing is still very hot. But the fish have generally moved deeper than last week. Fishing close to the bottom in 225-240ft of water has...

  • Chinook is Open in the Strait of Georgia!!

    Chinook is Open in the Strait of Georgia!!

    Chinook season has kicked off for Georgia Strait fishermen and the initial reports are great! We have been seeing lots of Chinook from 50ft to 230ft lately. The best location...

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