OUTLOOK
Well, if you haven’t checked the weather forecast, we have our first big fall storm incoming. As the week progressed the amount of rain forecasted has increased and we are now in for an atmospheric river with plenty of wind and rain in the forecast. If you are planning on heading out this weekend, please keep an eye on the weather forecast and river levels and be safe if you do head out.
This weather will put a little damper on the excellent river fishing we have seen at least for the next 48 hours. Watch river levels and note that when things settle, expect some the of the best fishing of the season across the major salmon fisheries. It will just be a game of seeing how accurately they have forecast this storm.
This week, we have updates on all the major river fisheries but note some of these reports were written early Thursday before the forecast changed for the worse so be sure to review weather and river conditions before you head out.
We also have a lake fishing update and a saltwater update in this week’s report. There is a bit of rain forecasted for the Interior but nothing like we are expecting down on the coast. If you are headed out, be sure to have a read of Jason’s report for some Fall lake tactics. On the saltwater front, locally we are looking at some potential heavy winds combined with large amounts of rain! If the rain comes as forecasted, we expect fish to push up from the mouth of rivers. This could put a damper on an amazing late saltwater salmon season, but all is not lost, it’s time to start thinking winter chinook fishing! Check out this week’s saltwater report for more details.
The last note of fisheries news is we are seeing very good chum numbers. There is talk of openings on major Fraser tributaries so keep your eyes peeled for a fisheries notice over the next 1-5 days. As of writing this report, you are still not allowed to target chum in the freshwater Lower Mainland fisheries.
Finally, we have a video for you all! Jake, our head freshwater guide and Matt sat down earlier in the week going over their plans for the upcoming Sea to Sky guiding season. They decided to hit the record bottom on the cameras and share some of their discussion. Note: they didn’t have the most up-to-date weather forecasts, but they went over some guide strategies plus the lures and flies that they are going to use when fishing this season. If you are hiding from the rain and want to sit back and listen to some guide ramblings. Check that video out here:
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
FRESHWATER FISHING REPORTS
Chilliwack/Vedder River Fishing Report
The past week has been very productive on the C/V system; this is to be expected for what is pretty much peak season for the system. The chinook run is starting to taper off, though there are still a ton of them around, the coho run is at its peak, and the chum run has already surpassed DFO’s rather gloomy predictions- which is very nice to see.
Speaking of the chum, the regulations regarding them have not changed since last week’s report- they still may not be targeted or retained, despite the unexpected abundance. Of course, you will inevitably hook chum while targeting coho or chinook, so make sure you’re handling them as quickly as possible and releasing them carefully to ensure their survival.
I’ve been keeping an eye on the Albion test fishery’s data, which is showing that this year’s return is way better than last year’s. Catch numbers also suggest that this year’s return may be stronger than the brood year (2020) … a year in which targeted angling and limited retention opportunities were present. The catch numbers from September 17th to October 17th are the highest they’ve been in 7 years… which is a good thing to see, considering the tenuous situation the chum have been in for the past few years. If there is to be an in-season opening, it will be announced by DFO via a fisheries notice, so keep your eyes open for one- there is a possibility it could happen. In the meantime, keep your pink and purple jigs at home.
There was a not an insignificant amount of rain that fell Wednesday night/Thursday morning that bumped the river up a bit and dropped viz to 1’-3’ below the slides, which isn’t too bad. Unfortunately, things aren’t looking so good for the weekend; there is an “Atmospheric River” that’s supposed to unload a significant amount of rain from Saturday to Sunday, which will likely put the river out of shape. Keep your eyes on the forecast and river levels if you’re planning on heading out in the next few days and use that info to decide if it’s worth heading out or not.
Taylor Nakatani
Squamish River Fishing Report
Its mid-October, and the Sea to Sky rivers are rolling with coho. Fishing has been great when we get the gaps in the weather. Water clarity continues to be an issue with warmer temps in the alpine… pick your days, so you don’t get rained out. We have received plenty of reports of chum moving into the system, we are not able to target them so please release all chum with care.
Gear anglers have been taking fish with twitching jigs and spoons. The large profile and dynamic action of these lures will help coho track your presentation in murky water. Fly anglers can still find fish with larger flies and sink tips. Fish will travel close to shore so you may not need the extra heavy tips. Swing to depth and strip back across softer water. Fly and gear anglers can run short mono leaders. Look for rolling “Happy” coho. If after a short time fishing, you stop seeing fish roll, it might be time to “rest” the pool. Take a few moments, maybe change your presentations and wait for the fish to start rolling again.
We have a large weather system on its way so be cautious in your adventures farther up the valley. Remember that the upper river is remote. Blow outs have occurred around the 23km mark. The road is repaired but is vulnerable to subsequent floods. Go prepared for changing river and road conditions.
Last week, Matt and Jake our head freshwater guide sat down and were talking about the upcoming season. If you want to sit back and listen to them discuss guiding strategies, flies, lures, and other fun guide ramblings, check that video report here:
Note: We are seeing a large storm rolling in to the Lower Mainland over the next 2 days. They are forecasting anywhere from 30 – 100 mm of rain depending on what forecast you read. If 30mm comes it will still probably be fishable but very dirty. If 100 mms come it could be unsafe. I am planning to be out this weekend, but I am watching levels closely to make a safe gametime call.
Eric Peake
Capilano River Fishing Update
The water is up, and the river is full of fish. The past week was terrific for gear and fly anglers finding plenty of fresh chinook and coho. I recommend keeping gear a touch on the heavy side with heavier rods and terminal tackle to handle the chinook. If you’re targeting coho, try looking in tail outs and inside seams as they may be pushed out of prime holding water by aggressing springs.
We are fully stocked on gear and flies to make the most out of the short but frantic Capilano river season. Spinners and spoons just hit the floor, and we have a large re-stock of custom twitching jigs. Don’t forget about Andre’s custom coho flies! These are some of the best patterns to fool those fresh coho. The Cap is an urban system so expect to see a few anglers at your favorite spot. Do your best to avoid snagging fish and carefully release non targeted fish.
As we’ve noted above be sure to keep an eye on the water levels with the incoming rain.
Harrison River Fishing Report
Well folks, this season has been shaping up to be a great one so far, with anglers finding fish throughout the system, both on foot and by boat.
With it being mid-October (almost the end!), we’ve only seen more and more fish arrive, with anglers reporting good fishing for coho. Both fly and gear anglers are finding good success at the current water levels, but those levels are expected to increase over the next few days.
With the rising water, this should also help start to turn anglers’ attention to tributaries as well as fish will move into these areas with the rising water and current. This increase in water should also help cycle fish around, making some areas that looked ‘almost perfect’ to start producing, as well as help spread anglers around.
Swinging flies, thumping spoons, and retrieving spinners and stripping flies are all great tactics to cover the changing situations anglers will encounter throughout the season.
When the water bumps in flow and colour, sometimes more intrusive presentations such as Twitching jigs or big water-pushing flies can help fish locate your offering.
Remember to wade and boat safely, and to leave the river cleaner than when you arrived.
Tips up,
Jordan Simpson
Sturgeon Fishing Reports
Fraser River Sturgeon Fishing Report
Mid-fall is here, and sturgeon fishing on the Fraser River continues to deliver big smiles and sore arms! The much-needed rain has boosted river levels, prompting the final pushes of salmon to enter the river from the estuary. This has led to a noticeable uptick in sturgeon activity, with aggressive strikes and long, powerful runs from sturgeon actively hunting.
Fall Sturgeon Fishing in the Lower Fraser River
When people think of white sturgeon, the image of a bottom feeder scanning the riverbed for scraps comes to mind. While that’s true, there’s more to sturgeon feeding habits. Under the right conditions, sturgeon actively hunt live prey. Despite having no teeth and poor eyesight, they can seek out and capture various living organisms in the water column. Their vacuum-like mouths allow them to inhale fish, especially in the Fall when they are more active due to warmer water temperatures and the influx of salmon.
What does this mean for sturgeon fishing? Expect some fierce strikes, long runs, and thrilling jumps. When hooked, sturgeon often surface for a spectacular leap, making the Fall season one of the most exciting times to fish for these prehistoric giants.
Bait Tips for Fall Sturgeon Fishing
The bait game remains like previous months, with more emphasis on roe. With salmon now spawning, eggs are flowing downstream, making roe a go-to bait. It’s easy to prepare roe bags using pantyhose or spawn net. Simply drop a golf ball-sized clump of roe into the net, secure it with magic thread or a knot, and you’re ready to go. Roe will continue to fish well throughout the year, but now is a great time to take advantage of this abundant bait.
Guided Sturgeon Fishing Trips Just Minutes from Downtown Vancouver
Don’t miss out on one of the best seasons to experience world-class sturgeon fishing on the Lower Fraser River. The Pacific Angler Jet Boat is moored just 15 minutes from downtown Vancouver, in Richmond, BC. Within minutes of leaving the dock, you could be battling the biggest fish of your life.
Book your sturgeon adventure today by calling us at 778-788-8582, or visit our sturgeon website, sturgeonfishingvancouver.ca.
Jake Comrie
STILLWATER FISHING REPORTS
Local Lakes Fishing Report
Trout anglers rejoice as we have trout back in the local lakes. Stockings started over a week ago and will continue across the Lower Mainland. Check the link to see when your local lake received a fresh dose of fish: https://www.gofishbc.com/stocked-fish/
These fisheries offer urban anglers a chance to get out and experience fishing close to home. This fishery is unique as its easily accessible to young anglers and individuals with mobility issues. Anglers can do well floating small offerings of bait under a float. Worms, salmon eggs, and power bait will work for these aggressive bitters. For a more dynamic presentation try casting small spinners or spoons.
We have all the light trout gear to make the most of our Fall trout fishery. Take care of your urban fishery, be courteous to your fellow anglers and leave your fishing location cleaner than when you found it.
Eric Peake
Fall Interior Lake Fishing Report
Well, we wanted Fall and we got it! It has been cold, windy, rainy, and generally stormy in the Interior. It’s mid-October so this is to be expected, and we are now seeing single digit temps around Kamloops and up in the Lac Le Jeune Plateau it is down to -5C at night and some snow on certain days. We will see some up and down weather patterns the next 6 weeks, so it pays to watch the forecast and pick the warmer days. This makes the drive safer, the fishing more comfortable for you, and often more productive as well.
The good thing about the colder weather is the temps on the lakes are now dropping below 50F on a lot of lakes. This colder water holds more dissolved oxygen and the fish love that. This means they will readily head up into the shallows in search of some food to fatten up before the winter. Common food items are leeches, baby damsels, shrimp/scuds, bloodworms, dragonfly nymphs, and occasionally small course fish (minnows or sculpins). Basically, anything they see is fair game with some species being more opportunistic than others!
There are so many ways to target these shallow water fish. You can cast and retrieve a lot of flies, with leeches and shrimp being the more productive, popular and accepted go to flies for shallower water cast and retrieve scenarios. You can also do well casting and retrieving dragonfly patterns, gaudy and flashy leech or wooly bugger style flies that i would classify as attractor patterns (they call them “lures” in the UK) and you can even retrieve blobs with or without a bead, and of course boobies!
Yes, that is a lot of options I know! You also need some different lines to work the different depths from a floating line to a clear intermediate, slow to medium sink lines, and even a fast-sinking line if you want to retrieve the flies very fast and keep them in the zone. Unless you want to be swapping spools all day long, I would also suggest rigging up multiple rods so you can change up quickly.
If you are fishing solo, put one rod out with a strike indicator and suspend a blob or suggestive leech, baby damsel, or scud pattern, suspended 12-18 inches off the bottom. Don’t be afraid to use the wind to drift your line into the preferred area as well. Often the fish prefer a bit of fly movement and the wind drift or bounce from the waves makes all the difference.
While that rod is fishing, experiment with the different flies and lines mentioned above and be sure to try slow, medium, and fast retrieves. Eventually the fish will tell you if they want it slow or fast that day and what flies they are responding to better (darker or brighter, less flash or more flash). It takes some work, but the end results are worth it. If that indicator rod is doing well, double down on that strategy and get another bobber out there!
Also be prepared to move a lot. 30-45 minutes in a spot with no fish on the line and no signs of fish (jumping, swirling, or on sonar) and I am moving. If you have forward facing sonar, you will find out quick if fish are cruising the shallows and weedline and will likely spend 10-15 minutes in the area and then move if you aren’t marking much.
So, there yah have it, some sound Fall tactics, and the timing is now until you can’t feel your fingers! I just had a great trip with Brian Chan last week, doing some filming for the Fishing BC and we were using the Fall tactics described in this report. I’ll be in the office for a bit now, however I will be watching the weather and once it stabilizes and the roads look good, I’ll be right back up there searching those shallow waters for some Fall bruisers!
See you in the shop or on the water,
Jason Tonelli
SALTWATER FISHING REPORTS
Vancouver Saltwater Salmon Fishing Report
Well, the Fall rains are finally here in full force and any fish hanging out off the Fraser, the Cap Mouth, or in the Strait of Georgia, will certainly be heeding the call to spawn with all the rain and the rising rivers.
Looking back on the past 6 weeks, I have to say we had some truly amazing fishing. The one thing that really stood out to me was the breadth of the white chinook run. These are chinook that are going to the Harrison and Chilliwack Rivers. The run started strong, got stronger, and just kept going right up until Thanksgiving weekend. There were also quite a few Tyee caught, which is great to see.
Test sets for chinook, coho, and now chum have exceeded forecasts, and we are officially seeing a return of Fall salmon to the Fraser and its many tributaries. Earlier run timing interior chinook continue to have their issues, but overall chinook and coho numbers this year have been great! I know the river guys are having an absolute banner season so far, this rain will bring in the last of the fish, and once those rivers clear up after the weekend rains, river fishing will be phenomenal.
So, what’s next for Vancouver saltwater salmon fishing? Well lucky for us, winter fishing in Vancouver is fantastic, and particularly so in the last 5 to 6 years. The same productive ocean conditions that have given us great summer chinook and coho fishing also make for some productive Vancouver winter fishing.
From November to late March, we fish for winter chinook or “feeder chinook”. These are fish that will spawn next Fall or maybe even the year after that. Our local waters see lots of these fish that are actively feeding in Howe Sound and Vancouver Harbour on herring and anchovies, which means we have great fishing 5 to 35 minutes from our docks.
I’ll be taking a few brief weeks off from the saltwater report (time to do some work on the boats) and in November I will start reporting on Vancouver winter chinook fishing. Until then, have a great October.
See you in the shop or on the water,
Jason Tonelli
