OUTLOOK
We are hitting the middle of November, and we continue to hear great river salmon reports even from some of the systems that historically slowdown in the back end of November. The only major challenge has been water levels and unfortunately, we will see more rain this weekend and into early next week which will not help matters. The good news is the overnight temperatures are dropping and that always helps the river conditions to settle faster.
Below we have details on the three major systems in the region and what we expect the levels to do. The good news is after this rain we should see clear skies for a few days, and we expect excellent conditions when the rivers settle.
Another fishery worth looking at right now is winter chinook fishing. Yes, winter chinook fishing has started, and folks are getting fish quite consistently. While November may seem early the fishing is great and it’s the perfect time to get out for on the water salmon and prawns!
Sturgeon fishing is also another fishery to focus on this time of year. With the good numbers of salmon, the sturgeon are well fed and happy. The last few trips our guide team has been out on have been very successful so if you want to book a trip with us or get out on your own it is a great time! Jason has details on both the Winter chinook and Sturgeon fishing below!
On to the report!
CLASSES AND COURSES
Fly Fishing Egg Patterns
This course is designed to teach you the secrets to one of the most productive presentations in the BC fly fishermen’s arsenal; nymphing egg patterns. This deadly method can be used for different species of trout, char, and salmon. During a 3 hour evening seminar we will teach you key concepts, strategies, and gear that will give you a well-rounded foundation during the seminar portion of the class. Then you will put those skills into practice during a fully guided day on the water.
Dates:
Seminar: Nov 20, 2024
Guided: Nov 23 or 24, 2024
Seminar Only Cost: $75.00+GST
Seminar & Guided Walk’n Wade Cost: $325.00+GST
Seminar Time: 6:30pm – 9:30pm
Guided: Full Day
INDUSTRY EVENTS AND UPDATES
Sport Fishing Institute of British Columbia – Policy Conference and Big Splash Gala and Fundraiser – LAST DAY FOR TICKET SALES!
The SFI is hosting their Annual Conference - This year’s theme is Selective and Sustainable and our Big Splash Gala and Fundraiser on November 29th, 2024. To purchase tickets please click on the purchase ticket link or call the SFI office at 604-946-0734. Ticket sales end today so if you’re thinking of going, be sure to buy your tickets today and we’ll see you there on November 29th!
Here is a bit more info on the SFI and the gala/conference this year and a bit more information on how you can participate and support the important work of the SFI:
“The Sport Fishing Institute of BC is a non-profit organization established in the early 1980’s and is dedicated to promoting, enhancing, and protecting sustainable sport fishing opportunities in BC. Our Vision: that British Columbia sport fishing be known as a world leader in quality of experience and opportunity, providing the broadest range of social and economic benefits.
BC’s public fishery is almost continually impacted by changes to opportunity and access. Looking ahead, there is much work to do. Without the ceaseless efforts of the SFI and your support over the years, public access to sustainable fisheries would look very different than they do today. In addition to continuous efforts to make the social and economic benefits and values of the recreational fishery known to the government and the public, the SFI addresses emerging and ongoing issues that affect the community and fisheries. Challenges with reliable access to sustainable fisheries opportunity have caused significant impacts for BC’s public fishery over the years and require continued attention and focus.
Please help us raise funds to support and protect sustainable opportunities for BC’s sport fishing community by participating in the SFI Big Splash Online Auction. Auction items are available for preview, and items are being uploaded frequently, please check back often!
Please attend to support sport fishing in BC, and to meet with like-minded friends and colleagues. We encourage you to get tickets early and while they are still available. All ticket sales will be closed on Friday, November 15, 2024. Conference registration opens at 9:30am on November 29th and doors open for the Splash Gala at 5:30pm. For questions, or to purchase tickets directly, please call 604.946.0734 or email us at info@sportfishing.bc.ca”
FRESHWATER FISHING REPORTS
Chilliwack/Vedder River Fishing Report
Unfortunately, the wet weather we’ve been experiencing this week has resulted in another blowout on the C/V system; it’s running fairly high and very dirty as of writing this report. Once again, we’re seeing the effect that last month’s atmospheric river had on the clay slides- even moderate rainfall results in a sharp decline in viz until the rain stops. There’s more rain in the forecast for the next week or so, though it’s impossible to say if it’ll be enough to keep the river in rough shape.
When the weather has been cooperating, anglers have been continuing to encounter reasonable numbers of coho and chum. Speaking of chum, it looks like the Blackheads have arrived in decent numbers, as I was hearing quite a few reports of bullet chrome chum being caught in the lower river last week and earlier this week. If the river does come back into shape, I’d expect another week or two of decent chum fishing before that run wraps up, and perhaps another week of reasonable coho fishing, though that run is basically wrapping up now.
There are a lot of darker coho around now, but there are still some fresh fish showing up as well- like this reasonably nice doe.
All this to say if the conditions are decent, it’ll still worth heading out to the C/V system for the next week or two. Of course, you’ll want to check the water levels and weather forecast to determine if the conditions are fishable or not. I know I’ve been saying that a lot recently, but it really can save you a lot of trouble.
Taylor Nakatani
Squamish River Fishing Report
The Squamish has been up and down the last week. When the water levels behave, we have found great numbers of coho and trout throughout the watershed. Low freezing levels have kept the levels fishable and water clear since the last blow out before Remembrance Day. The various systems rolling in have bumped levels and moved fish around the river
Coho anglers are still doing well throwing hardware. Copper brass and silver metallic spoons are a must along with a few colours of twitching jigs. Anglers have also had some surprises drifting bright soft beads for trout but end up encountering fresh coho instead. With the abundance of large fish, I recommend keeping leaders and gear on the heavy side to be able to safely land whatever you find up there. This leads to my next point on chum. We are pleased to see the abundance of chum proliferating in the system. The targeting of chum is only in the lower river below the confluence with the Cheakamus. We should still see some fresh ones rolling in for the remainder of the month. Wherever you encounter them be sure to practice best fish handling practices and “keep em wet”.
This time of year, I like to be prepared for everything. Fly anglers have been doing well finding coho is slower backwaters with the cast and strip method or covering big runs with a swung fly. I usually swing larger marabou and rabbit flies, and strip smaller flashy patterns like Andres coho flies. I will stock my kit with a variety of sink tips from clear intermediate to fast sink for salmon and all the essentials for egging/nymphing with an indicator. The most successful anglers will have a solid collection of beads including bright attracter beads, subtle fresh dead colours and lighter dead egg imitations. Stop in and check out our wide selection of trout beads and get ready for the season ahead. Find the spawning chum and you will find the egg eaters behind them.
Late season anglers will find fresh fish along with stale fish who have been in river for months. Leave the spawners alone and be cautious when crossing side channels. These are the nurseries for future generations of fish. As always, go prepared for ever changing weather and road conditions. I would not be surprised if a few anglers get snowed on soon. Bring your bear spray and leave your fishing spots cleaner than when you found them.
Cheers
Eric
Harrison River Fishing Report
This past week saw some mixed weather systems moving through, along with lots of fish!
With the increase in water height, many fish were found in troughs, sloughs, and back-channels, as well as other major tributaries.
North-side Harrison River tributaries have been fishing well, with higher water height playing a common theme. Whenever hiking into canyons, always remember that daylight hours are shortened, and one will want to factor this into your day – especially as the Fall transitions into Winter. Please remember to angle with caution under these weather conditions as water and wind can pick up quickly.
When fishing on foot, especially for coho, most fly anglers will use a sink-tip line, which is the preferred method for stationary cast-and-strip or swing presentations. If fishing from a boat and casting to structure, this is where it may be beneficial to fish full-sink lines if trying to stay at a controlled or constant depth.
If using traditional gear rods for coho, most anglers will be tossing spinners, spoons, and twitching jigs. If tossing gear on the mainstem Harrison, or even larger tributaries, don’t be scared to bump up in size and thump out to a Koho 55 or even 65- you’d be surprised at how aggressive coho can be. Remember, they take twitching jigs with reckless abandon.
When the water drops and starts to clear, anglers will want to start scaling back their offerings, and dropping down to Koho 35 and Koho 45, as well as smaller spinners and spoons such as Rooster Tails and small Gibbs Crocs. Don’t forget the trusty Blue Fox as well! It is great for slow moving shallow coho pools.
If targeting chum salmon is on the agenda, the standard short float set up is the most common, and one of the most effective ways to target these fish. Be sure to check out Taylor’s special feature which was in our November 1 report on targeting chum using this method.
Small jigs drifted shallow under a properly balanced float on a Medium-Heavy rod is commonplace, with most anglers using 10’6” float rods. If using spinning rods and reels, one will want to use braid topped with monofilament on their reel as mono alone will have too much memory to get good drag-free drifts.
Jordan Simpson.
Vancouver Sturgeon Fishing Report
Mid November means prime time for sturgeon fishing in the Lower Fraser River. The monsters are on the feed as the water is still warm and the chum are now in. This means the sturgeon are now focusing on chum roe and chum flesh as these salmon are now starting to spawn.
This sturgeon feeding frenzy continues all of November as the fish feed to fatten up before a long and cold winter. The next few weeks are some of the best sturgeon fishing days of the year. If you have your own boat or are fishing from shore, you likely already know how good it is in November, so we will see you out there!
If you aren’t doing this fishery on your own and wanted to try a guided trip for sturgeon, now is the time. Our jet boat is very comfortable and will keep you nice and warm while you wait to do battle with the largest freshwater fish in North America. The fishing is very good this time of year, so you won’t have to wait long in my experience. Multiple hook ups are the norm this time of year.
I will also note I have fished all over the world and this fishery is an absolute must try. If you don’t like fish that bite hard, rip line off the reel, and then come flying out of the water, then okay, this isn’t for you. Seriously though, we are so lucky to have this world class big game fishery 20 minutes from Vancouver.
Give this fishery a try by booking a guided trip. All you have to do is call us at 778-788-8582.
See you in the shop and on the water,
Jason Tonelli
SALTWATER FISHING REPORTS
Vancouver Saltwater Salmon Fishing Report
It’s mid-November and as usual it has been pretty windy and rainy. It has kept us of the salt a few times but on the days we have been out, we are happy to report the winter chinook fishing has been good. Luckily our boats have heaters on board, so even on the cooler days we say stay nice and warm.
From our recent fishing efforts and from those of our fellow guides, it does look like we are in for another solid winter chinook season. Right now, we are seeing lots of hatchery fish and these are mostly “red springs” that would be from the US hatcheries. As usual, we are seeing lots of bait, mostly herring and some anchovies. So, all the ingredients are here for a productive winter season going forward.
Now is a great time to book a trip if you don’t have your own boat or if you have put your boat to bed for the winter. November consistently produces some of the largest winter chinook of the year and the prawning is also quite good. There is no better way to beat the November blues than some fresh air, feisty winter chinook, and a bounty of BC spot prawns!
Give us a call at 778-788-8582 to book your winter chinook and prawning adventure!
See you in the shop and on the water,
Jason Tonelli
