OUTLOOK
We have a beautiful weekend of weather incoming. Temps are going to be hovering in the low 20s and with mostly sun in the forecast, it should be a good weekend to get out on the water.
The BIG news is that the waves of coho we heard reports of up Georgia Strait arrived this week in the local waters. This is great news for all the future coho fisheries (both beach and river), and it is now well worth your time to head out and look for hatchery coho in the local water around Bowen. Jason has details in the saltwater report. Check your wind forecast and get out there!
This week we also have a Capilano update where reports continue to be solid and we have a beach report. This is early for a beach report but with coho numbers increasing in the lower straight it is well worth scouting the go too beaches and we also think that this year is a good one to do some exploring. With high numbers of coho predicted to be coming some of the lesser-known beaches should have fish on them this year. Check out both of these updates below.
Lastly, we have a quick sturgeon update. With the mellow freshet this year on the Fraser we are hearing great reports and if you want to head out for a close to home fish sturgeon fishing is a fun relatively easy outing.
Next week we will be tuning in with summer trout river updates for opening day, more province wide river level predictions and Matt will probably have another video report so look out to next week for that if you are planning your next 2 months of fishing.
On to the report!
CLASSES AND COURSES
Introduction to Fly Fishing
This course was specifically designed to give the new fly fisher the basic knowledge, casting skills and fly fishing strategies to effectively fish our local BC waters. This course is comprised of two sessions; 3hr evening seminar and a 3hr casting session. The dates below show the seminar date first and casting date second.
Dates: (July 16 & 20), (Sept 18 & 22)
Cost: $180.00+GST
Seminar Time: 6:30pm – 9:30pm
Casting Time(s): 10am – 1pm or 1:30pm -4:30pm
FRESHWATER FISHING REPORTS
Capilano River Fishing Report
The Capilano River has seen a fair number of fish showing up over the past little while but as always with this fishery it is a challenge. It is often said that 80% of the fish are caught by only 10% of anglers. This is not unusual for this system, especially for the early run component. These fish arrive under tough conditions, with successful anglers being the ones that adapt.
Current river levels are low-ish, but not dire. There is still enough water that fish are able to slowly make their way up with each tide, especially with some of these larger tidal swings we’ve seen lately.
Small, light fluorocarbon leaders and tippet aren’t unusual and may be considered the norm for experienced Capilano anglers. When going lighter, don’t be afraid to bring out the 8lb-10lb fluoro, especially as the water drops through the later Spring into Summer.
With light fluorocarbon coming into play, anglers will want to follow suit with their offerings: small little fingernail nuggets of roe on #4 hooks aren’t uncommon. This goes for beads as well: don’t be scared to drop down to an 8mm, especially if there are anglers fishing larger chunks of roe nearby.
Small Gibbs Crocs can also be a great choice, as are smaller Rooster Tails and Blue Fox spinners.
For those tossing fly rods, small bugger-style flies are common choices for these tight-lipped fish as they are perfect representations of the smaller food items that they grew up on. When fish are stacked or stale, bright and flashy flies can sometimes be too aggressive. When this is the case, anglers will want to learn towards small nymphs, buggers, and more natural-coloured options such as Rolled Muddlers and similar.
Please keep in mind that the Capilano can change height and flow levels very quickly and suddenly, and to always be aware of your surroundings. If you are suddenly the only angler on a bar, there might be a reason! Also, please keep in mind that waders are not recommended if angling in the Cable Pool area.
If hoping to harvest a legal coho, anglers will want to make sure they have the appropriate Conservation Surcharge.
Cheers,
The Cap Chap Jordan
June Fraser River Sturgeon Fishing Report
It’s June 21 and we are into the first days of summer! It’s a great time to head out on the Mighty Fraser to fish for the largest freshwater fish in North America! Yes, that’s right, the largest freshwater fish in North America, the sturgeon, is only minutes from downtown Vancouver.
The Fraser River is dropping nicely, and the big fish are now on the feed. We have been doing well in our usual Lower Fraser River spots that receive little to no pressure compared to spots further up the river. This results in aggressive bites and hard fights!
Summer sturgeon fishing is a great way to get outside, enjoy the sun, have some food and drinks, and do battle with these amazing fish that peel line off the reel and also come flying out of the water! It’s a fantastic fishery that we know you will enjoy, so give us a call at 778-788-8582 to book your trip or book online at Sturgeon Fishing Vancouver
SALTWATER FISHING REPORTS
Vancouver Saltwater Salmon & Bottom Fishing Report for late June 2024
The coho are here! Last year the big wave of coho showed up June 16 and this year they showed up in full force on June 18. These past few days we went from seeing a few coho each trip to getting into some double-digit days as the week progressed. There seems to be a good mix of hatchery and wild coho out there and of course there are still quite a few chinook around. A reminder chinook are closed to fishing, so a boatside release is best practice.
For locations we have had good success from Cowan to Roger Curtis and also out on the Hump. Best depths have been shallow, anywhere from 15 feet down to 45 feet. If those depths slow down later in the day, try dropping it down to 65 feet. Top producing flashers have been Gibbs Twisted Sista, Purple Onion, Green Onion, Purple Haze, Green Haze and the Oki Betsy. White UV hootchies with mylar inserts and a 28-inch leader have been very good. Smaller spoons like the Coho Killer have also been good in nickel and silver finishes like the silver Herring Aid.
With the fish being so shallow, especially early in the morning, you can catch them on bucktails on your mooching rod or fly rod. We have an excellent selection of bucktails in stock right now.
On our longer trips we have crossed over to fish Gabriola and the coho fishing has been excellent. The bottom fishing has also been very good. As you can see from the picture below, we have had some phenomenal success!
To book your trip give us a call at 778.788.8582
Jason Tonelli
Vancouver Beach Fishing
The beach fishery is starting to take shape!
We just hit the official start of summer. For the beach angler this means low water in the rivers, and salmon on the beaches and river estuaries. Beach anglers can look to target schooling fish heading to natal rivers and foraging resident fish. The latter cohort is something we have not seen in Howe Sound in the last few years. Last season it was reported that instead of leaving coastal waters a large group of coho had enough food and favorable conditions to overwinter and stay resident. We are hoping for a similar scenario this season. The increase in fish can also present some new angling opportunities around Vancouver.
Gear: Generalist spinning and fly gear will work for beach fishing, but because the encounters are so few, quality gear can give the edge in challenging conditions. I prefer to fly fish but will often be found with a spinning rod as well. The spinning rod is a great tool to have when scouting new water or you see fish just out of fly casting range. Gear anglers will benefit from longer spinning rods in the 7.5-9ft range. And saltwater sealed reels in the 2500-4000 size. If you plan to frequent the beach invest in a good reel… something that will hold up to the salt. Spin up your reel with thin diameter 30lb braided line and your good to go. The usual coho tackle of weighted casting spinners, spoons, and buzz bombs should be included in the tackle box. I have a soft spot for various metallic finishes with a shot of fluorescent colour… usually flouro red.
Fly anglers will appreciate a faster action rod to punch casts in the wind. You will also see many anglers opting to use the short shooting style lines for fast loading casts. If you’re a novice caster this can really help. Floating lines with long fluorocarbon leaders will work in a pinch but many dedicated beach anglers going to a clear intermediate tips or full clear lines. This lets your line hover just under the chop of the water and maintain a direct connection to the fly. It also helps keep floating debris from fowling your line. A stripping basket is also important to keep your line free of the sharp rocks and shells. I have mentioned it before, but bonefish leaders are great coho leaders! Flies for Coho can vary from region to region. We see beach flies from the East coast of Vancouver Island imitate baitfish and Capilano flies represent tiny euphausiids and crab larva. Some consistent stand by patterns would be a selection of Clouser’s, flash flies, and muddler minnows in a variety of weights and colours. I tend to keep my flies on the small side but tied on superior quality hooks.
Locations: Beach fishing usually center around the Capilano… BUT … With the possibility of more fish actively hunting food on the coast, I would not be surprised if we see fish showing up in unexpected places. Areas along North and West Vancouver, The Gulf Islands, White Rock, and Tsawwassen may see some increase in Coho action. If you have a cabin somewhere on the coast, or if you’re hopping on a ferry to go camping, it might be worth it to pack a rod with you. Small boaters can even get in on the action with fish so close to shore. I prefer fishing the falling tide, low slack, and some of the incoming tide. Clouds, light rain and the cover of the early a.m. an advantage to the beach angler. This is a notoriously tricky fishery that requires persistence to be successful. It should only get better as the weeks progress so do your scouting now and get ready for a terrific season.
Cheers,
Eric Peake
