OUTLOOK
The sunny weather as we write this report has got us wishing we were on the water instead of behind a computer screen!
In this week’s report we check in on all our major local systems from the Chilliwack/ Vedder out to the Squamish Valley. Most systems saw a bit of a bump after the rain earlier this week but are holding well or on the drop and fishing has been consistent.
On the lake front, local lakes continue to get stocked. We don’t have an update on those this week but be sure to look at the past weeks reports for tips and tricks. Jason just returned from the Interior and has an updated BC Interior Lake fishing report! The gradual warming trend has things progressing nicely and lakes are coming off quickly. Check out his full report below for all the details.
Closer to home, sturgeon fishing on the lower Fraser has been productive and it will continue to get better as the weather warms up. We have a quick update on this fishery below as well.
For our saltwater anglers, we are into our second week of no chinook retention locally. In this week’s report we have an update on what our guide team is up to and a look ahead at the upcoming coho season.
Finally, we have some great classes coming up this month and next. Details on all those courses are below. Note if you are thinking of signing up for our Chironomid Course next week there are just a couple of spots left. If it does sell out be sure to put your name on the waitlist should a last-minute spot open!
CLASSES AND COURSES
We have a great line up of courses set for this Spring. Check out all of our upcoming March and April courses below and our full course listing here and sign up today online or over the phone at the shop - 604.872.2204!
Pacific Angler Course: Contemporary Chironomid Tactics
Chironomids can account for 2/3 of a trout’s diet in BC lakes and on many days, it is all they will eat. If you want to catch the biggest fish and the most fish, you need to know how to effectively fish chironomids. Your instructor, Jason Tonelli, has been fishing BC interior lakes since he was 5 years old, and in recent years he has been extremely devoted to chironomid fishing. We finally convinced him to share some of his very productive techniques and insights using today’s contemporary rods, fly lines, tippet materials, fly designs and electronics. Here is what he will cover during the course.
- Life cycle of chironomids and their importance to trout and anglers.
- Boat selection, setup, rod holders, anchors, oars, electric motors.
- Rod, reel, fly line, leader and tippet selection.
- Floating line indicator setups, floating line “naked” setup, sinking line “dangle” setup, and when to use them.
- Understanding and utilizing todays electronics (sonar and GPS) including High CHIRP and Forward-Facing Sonar (Live Scope Plus, Active Target 2, Mega Live 2) with recommendations.
- The steps to properly assess a lake and subsequent boat positioning and fishing techniques.
- Contemporary fly design and fly choice (dark flies, bright flies, dark beads, white beads, etc).
- Chironomid fishing seasons and elevation.
- Course booklet.
- 10% off all in store purchases on course night.
Cost: $100+GST
Date: April 15
Time: 6:30 – 9:30pm (At the store)
Sign up here
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Pacific Angler Course: Introduction to Fly Fishing
FRESHWATER FISHING REPORTS
Chilliwack/Vedder River Fishing Report
Rain, rain, went away! A little bit of precipitation yesterday did provide a moderate bump to the system and will certainly have moved some fish around the system but reports so far are that visibility hasn’t suffered too much from the rainfall. Reports from this week were of decent fishing and barring any conflicting reports I would expect the conditions and outcomes to be favourable for April steelheading. Anybody who has come into the shop has heard me talk about how much I like to fish white worms for steelhead, and this would not be a bad time to hang one underneath a float.
Vedder River Closures
Keep in mind the upper river (from the Tamihi Bridge to the fishing boundary 100m below Slesse Creek) is now closed to all fishing; the lower and mid-sections remain open for the month of April. The mid-section (from the Vedder Crossing Bridge to the Tamihi Bridge) will close at the end of this month, and the lower river (from the confluence with the Sumas River to the Vedder Crossing Bridge) will switch to fly-only for the month of May, before closing completely for the month of June.
Jay Awrey
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Squamish River Fishing Report
The rain over the weekend bumped the water up but it wasn't enough to make it unfishable, just a bit trickier. The Squamish River peaked around 3.6 meters and got pretty muddy but there was still at least a foot of visibility which is enough for fish to see. After Sunday the rivers have been on a steady drop which is one of my favourite times to get out there. The water will take on that lovely green colour that gives you the opportunity to throw a variety of flies and gear.
The forecast over the weekend is looking great. A decent amount of rain Thursday and then a dry weekend will have levels holding steady. The fish will be actively feeding and holding in some of the more obvious water. If you are targeting trout, keep an eye on little side cut offs from the main flow of the river where salmon fry like to congregate. Wherever those little nooks spill back into the main flow will likely have hungry trout waiting for fry to venture out of the shallows.
Don't be afraid to fish DEEP into tail outs, especially as the water begins to drop. My rule is that once you feel like you've fished as deep as you should into a tail out, go further for a least a couple casts. Although that water may look extremely shallow and turbulent, the rocks causing that turbulent water create a nice soft pocket behind them that fish will use as structure. It may look fast on the surface but below is a nice calm spot the fish will hangout, and the turbulent white water above them creates some camouflage. This goes for both trout and steelhead, and you'll be surprised what you pull out of only a couple inches of water.
Fry, fry, and more fry.
I'm a broken record at this point, but anything fry-like has been my go-to for trout. Everywhere I go I'm seeing fry now, and so are the fish. If you are a single-hand fly angler, how you work the fly can be a game changer. Next time you see fry in the shallows, take a look at their movement. It is quick and sporadic. I try to imitate that as much as I can with my stripping. Sharp, quick strips will help entice fish, and make sure to switch up your rhythm and speed. More random the better. Also, don't give up on it until it is nearly at your feet. Stripping into your sinking leader isn't ideal, but I can't count how many times I've missed fish just a couple feet from me. Fish it as long as you can! Lastly, don't think because you're fishing fry imitations that you won't have a shot at steelhead. They are seeing them around just as much as the trout and it isn't uncommon to hook up with one while stripping or swinging fry patterns.
Tight lines!
Jake Comrie
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Capilano River Fishing Report
The Capilano is a different type of Spring system. Due to the hatchery production on the river, we see an early component of salmon returning right at the end of what we typically call steelhead season. The Capilano is notoriously challenging at the best of times so it's no surprise that the Spring shoulder season is just as tricky. Timing can be everything. Spring storms quickly flood the river and allow fish to shoot quickly up the canyon pools. Anglers should be ready to do some hiking and hit as many pools as possible. Waders will be useful, but many anglers opt for a good set of hiking boots.
Gear anglers have many options when looking for fish on the Capilano. Float rods or spin setups will work here. If the river is low, try keeping your baits and presentations small and delicate. Light leaders and clear floats will help fool spooky fish. You can also cast and retrieve spinners and spoons in the deeper slow-moving pools. If the river bumps up then larger floats, beads and jigs will work well.
Fly anglers can also have great success on early coho fishing small flashy flies and weighted bugger patterns. It can be challenging finding the space to properly cast, but modified roll casts with full sinking lines or clear intermediate lines will work. Keep your leaders on the short side and cover water. If you’re fly fishing, try and practice your strip set. Many times, coho will follow a fly the entire retrieve before finally committing to a bite. If you strip set and miss, the fly will still be in striking range… you might get a second chance at the fish. If you trout set, the fly is up and away out of the water… you missed your shot.
Early season coho falling to a spoon.
It has been a slow start but expect things to pick up. Keep your eyes on the water levels and try to get out right after a Spring storm. If you are lucky, you might come across a fresh push of fish, OR that big fish of 1000 casts.
Cheers
Eric Peake
STILLWATER FISHING REPORTS
BC Interior Lake Fishing Report
As we enter mid-April, things are progressing nicely. Lakes are coming off quickly now and I know of at least another dozen that came off this week with many more to come in the next few days. I also like how the weather has not been too hot too quick. We are seeing a nice gradual warming trend, and this is perfect for the lake, the fish, the hatches, and the fishing. If things get too hot, too quick, the productive days on the lake are compressed as all the bugs come off in a short period of time. During this short period the fish feast, and fishing is good during that, but it’s a short window. This gradual warming is keeping the season progressing at a nice pace, at least for now.
In Region 3 there are now lakes that have been off since late March, they have turned, cleaned up, and are seeing water temps up to around 49F. These lakes are now getting the first big chironomid hatches of the year and there has been some excellent fishing. Others are still a bit cold, and the best fishing has been on blobs and leeches. These are your lakes in the 500-600m (1,500-2,00 feet) elevation.
On a trip this week the water was 48.5 and the fish were feeing on chironomids in 14-16 feet of water. As usual, a good sonar unit is key!
Higher elevation lakes like Red (950m) and Roche (1,145m) came off this week, so you can use those 2 lakes and that 3,000-foot level as a reference for other lakes of similar elevation and when or if they are iced off. There are a lot of lakes around those elevations and some anglers are hitting them right after ice off and are having good fishing on leeches, blobs, baby damsels, boobies and scuds. It’s a tough window to hit, as some of the lakes seem to be turning over almost right away, while others are staying clear for 4-5 days of great ice off fishing. If you miss the ice off fishing, give the lake a few weeks to turn, clean up, and then warm up and you will be rewarded with better hatches and better fishing.
A nice Pennask taken on a chironomid from my trip this week to a lake that has turned, cleared, and is starting to warm up.
In Region 5, things are starting to open up as well. The lower elevation lakes all came off this week and many more are any day now. Again, it’s tough to hit that ice off window of good fishing, so most chironomid fanatics will be watching for ice off and then waiting 2-3 weeks to hit their favorite lakes after they have turned, warmed up and the hatches start in earnest. Things are setting up nicely for some great fishing at the end of this month and the first week of May for the low elevation lakes and then the rest of May for the ones that are higher up.
See you on the lake or in the shop and wishing you all many bobber downs.
Jason Tonelli
STURGEON FISHING REPORTS
Fraser River Sturgeon Fishing Report
Sturgeon fishing has been quite good as the weather is warming up and the fish are getting more active. We have been doing well fishing in the Lower Fraser River from the Port Mann Bridge down to Richmond. Productive baits this time of year are eulachons, roe, and dew worms. Fishing will remain good until we get a big bump in the river levels with Spring freshet, usually later in May. In the meantime, the sturgeon bite is on!
A beautiful sturgeon from one of our trips this week. Big fish like this build lasting memories with friends and family.
If you are looking to get outside and shake off those winter cobwebs, Spring sturgeon fishing is a great way to do it. Join us on our 22-foot jet boat while we take you to all the local hot spots to do battle with one of the largest fish in the world. For more information or to book a trip, visit us at Sturgeon Fishing Vancouver or give us a call at 778-788-8582.
SALTWATER FISHING REPORTS
Vancouver Saltwater Salmon Fishing Report
As we enter mid-April, we are currently in the second week of no fishing for chinook regulations in Area 28 and 29. Note you can practice C&R chinook fishing in Area 17 over in the Gulf Islands.
This time of year, we are booking trips where we are sampling chinook for DNA (we have a permit from DFO to do this), which makes for some fun days of catching lots of chinook and some great crabbing and prawning. So, although you won’t be going home with any chinook salmon, you will certainly catch quite a few, have a great time doing it, and we will send you home with a nice bounty of Dungeness crab and BC Spot prawns.
Some good news on the coho front. Taylor from the shop was on the BC Ferry this morning, heading over to Vancouver Island and he saw all sorts of juvenile coho jumping in the middle of the Strait of Georgia. This is an excellent indication that the vast majority of local coho have decided to stick to the inside waters again. This means we should have great coho fishing again this summer.
Last June and July we had limits of hatchery coho and we are expecting the same great fishing this summer! This picture was mid-June 2024.
Coho fishing in local waters in 2023 and 2024 was extremely good at levels that haven’t been experienced since the 80’s, and it looks like we are in for another great season in 2025. If you want to experience this fishery, I would start booking dates now. In past years it got good around mid-June and we were fully booked early on.
As mentioned earlier, crabbing and prawning has been very good and don’t forget rockfish and lingcod open up in Area 17 on May 1.
For more information on our Vancouver salmon fishing charters, visit us at Vancouver Salmon Fishing or give us a call at 778-788-8582
See you in the shop or on the water,
Jason Tonelli
