OUTLOOK
Our Fall Fishing Sale is almost here! Starting tomorrow, almost everything in the store is on sale. We designed this sale so you can restock the gear you have used over the last few months of Summer fishing and load up for the upcoming Fall fisheries. Fly reels, waders, boots, flashers, float fishing gear, it’s all on sale! We have specific details coming out later today, so keep an eye on your inbox, for the full sale list which will also be posted on our social media feeds later tonight. But don’t worry, we have a big fishing report this week as well to help you all prepare for you next outing.
Saltwater fishing is still going strong, and we are starting to see more of the big white chinook coming to the Fraser mouth.
On the video front, we have two this week! The retail staff took a well-earned break last week and managed to get out for some fishing at the mouth of the Fraser. If you want to sit back and watch some excellent saltwater fishing footage, the staff put together a little highlight reel here:
River fishing is also ramping up. Though the water is low on the Chilliwack, we are hearing reports of fish being caught and Taylor has details in the Freshwater Fishing Report section below.
We also have news on the Squamish and Harrison. Though early for prime-time fishing both are worth scouting trips at this time of year.
Last, we also don’t want to forget about the non-salmon-based fisheries. Trout fishing on the Skagit, Birkenhead and Thompson are still well worth a look and the Interior Lakes are still a little warm but anglers are finding fish. Things should be ramping up as the weather cools. Matt has a video report for us this week where he goes over some of the sales items, he has his eye on, and he also shares a bunch of details on both the salmon fisheries and the trout fisheries worth hitting this Fall. Check out the video report here:
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: Sept 18 & 22
Cost: $180.00+GST
Seminar Time: 6:30pm – 9:30pm
Casting Time(s): 10am – 1pm or 1:30pm -4:30pm
Fall Salmon River Fishing: Floats, Spinners, & Spoons
This 3hr evening seminar covers float fishing, spinner fishing and spoon fishing; the three most productive techniques to catch BC salmon in a river.
Seminar: Sep 24, 2024
Cost: $75.00+GST
Seminar Time: 6:30pm – 9:30pm
Fly Fishing for Salmon in Rivers
Fly fishing for salmon is one of the most exciting fisheries in the Lower Mainland. Let us teach you the techniques and the hot spots to catch salmon on the fly in our local rivers. In the 3hr evening seminar you will learn about rod, reel and line, sink tip, and fly selection. Then put the skills into practice during a fully guided day on the water where you will learn how to read water and swing the fly!
Seminar: Oct 16, 2024
Guided: Oct 19, 20, 26 or 27, 2024
Custom Trip Dates Available
Seminar Only Cost: $75.00+GST
Seminar & Guided Walk’n Wade Cost: $325.00+GST per angler, minimum of 2 anglers per guided day on the water.
Seminar Time: 6:30pm – 9:30pm
Guided: Full Day
INDUSTRY EVENTS AND UPDATES
Pacific Angler Fall Fishing Sale
Our biggest sale of the Fall Season is back! Save big all weekend long in store! Keep an eye on your inbox tonight for the full sale list that will be released to our Friday Fishing Report subscribers and will be on our social media feeds!
Fall Fishing Sale Hours
Saturday September 14 | 10AM-6PM
Sunday September 15 | 10AM-5PM
FRESHWATER FISHING REPORTS
Chilliwack/Vedder River Fishing Report
It’s finally mid-September, and the fishing in the C/V system is starting to pick up. There are decent numbers of fall chinook and a few coho in the system, though the continuing low water levels aren’t doing us, or the fish, any favours. I’m hearing decent reports from the lower river, which is to be expected, given how low the water is- and how early in the season it is.
The tiny bit of rain that fell throughout the week had very little effect on the river. As a result, the low/clear water is still an issue, and will continue to be an issue until we see some real rain. I’ve looked at the 14-day forecast, and it’s all over the place… though I’m not seeing enough rain in that forecast to do anything to the river as of right now, so I hope that changes. As I’ve said many times before, adjust your presentation and the type of water you’re fishing based on the conditions that are in play.
The parking lot, dyke and trail closures are still in effect and will continue to be in effect until October. As expected, these closures are causing some crowding issues in certain areas. Check out my report from two weeks ago here for a detailed overview of the closures.
Fishing will continue to pick up as the days go by, with more chinook and coho arriving every day. I’m expecting extremely good chinook and coho returns, in line with what we said last year. Prime time is basically from now until late October, so it’s time to get out there and wet some lines.
Taylor Nakatani
Squamish River Fishing Report
The Squamish System is at a nice height, but it is still quite dirty. We tend to report on this system more when we see subzero nighttime temperatures. The low temperatures clear up the water and make fishing much easier. With this said, the system opens to coho fishing on the 15th, and you will be able to target coho for catch and release or hatchery marked retention.
If you are out before the 15th, you are allowed to target trout, and we would recommend bead imitations or smaller spoons. After the 15th, larger spoons, larger twitching jigs or larger flashy fly presentations are the ticket until we see the water clarity get better.
Keep watching the nighttime temps and note that prime time on this system is historically the end of October into November.
Good Luck,
Matt Sharp
Harrison River Fishing Report
We haven’t heard any reports yet from the Harrison, but it is time to start scouting. Water levels are low, and banks should be easy to hike. Float fishing Jigs, or casting spoons and spinners for coho are tons of fun on this system but note the fish tend to be later than the Chilliwack system and prime time is October to end of November.
Capilano River and Beach Fishing Update
The Capilano has been holding fish and the tides have been decent for the angler walking the beach. Morning low tides will continue this week. I have noticed fish holding a little farther offshore so having a few buzz bombs of larger heavier presentations will aid in the distance casting.
We have some wet weather in the forecast so this might shake up the river scene. We had a fresh shipment of Andre’s river flies so be sure to load up before the rains hit! We also have sinking lines in a variety of weights to tackle the tricky pools of the upper canyon. When the river does bump, I recommend having twitching jigs, spoons and spinners at your disposal. The bait ban is in effect so if you fish a float have some yarn or beads in your kit.
Remember to leave your fishing area cleaner than when you arrived… I packed out a large garbage bag at my favorite spot the other day… Respect the resource and your fellow anglers.
Eric Peake
FRASER RIVER STURGEON FISHING REPORTS
Lower Fraser River Sturgeon Fishing Report
The leaves are changing, the days are getting shorter, and the sturgeon are in full on feed mode! Fall has had a hot start with multi-fish days and some very large and hungry sturgeon making their way to the boat. As you may know, Fall is the time of the year that the Fraser River welcomes home thousands of salmon on route to spawn. This abundance of salmon in the river creates optimal conditions for targeting hungry sturgeon who are feasting before the cold winter months.
A common question we receive from those looking to try this exciting fishery on their own is what type of bait we prefer to use. The answer to this question is challenging to provide in short, so we have included a breakdown of our go-to bait strategies for sturgeon fishing in the fall. This info and other sturgeon fishing updates can be viewed at any time on the Pacific Angler sturgeon website blog. Check it out for our other weekly sturgeon fishing updates and to book a guided day out on our jet boat!
What is the best bait to use in the Fall?
Sturgeon rely heavily on their acute sense of smell to locate food, as the Fraser River’s low visibility, caused by high levels of silt, makes vision-based feeding nearly impossible. Spending most of their lives in darkness, they depend on scent to detect and target food along the riverbed. In the Fall, the annual return of thousands of salmon to the Fraser River brings a massive influx of ocean biomass inland. This natural event has a profound impact on the river’s ecosystem, benefiting both the flora and fauna, including the white sturgeon, which thrive during this nutrient-rich season.
As salmon begin to spawn, they release eggs across the riverbed, providing a rich food source for sturgeon. Once spawning is complete, the salmon begin to deteriorate, eventually dying and becoming an additional protein source for the sturgeon to feed on. During the Fall, both roe and salmon parts are the primary bait of choice for sturgeon anglers. However, there are important considerations to keep in mind when using these bait options.
Salmon Roe as Sturgeon Bait
The sturgeon’s sense of smell is incredibly sharp, and it’s not to be underestimated. These fish can quickly detect if something is off and will reject bait if it doesn’t align with the natural scents they’re accustomed to. When using salmon roe as bait, or any sturgeon bait for that matter, a key consideration is freshness. Fresh roe has a more natural scent, leading to fewer refusals and more bites. Since it is not always realistic to have fresh roe on hand, frozen roe will work as well. If you’re using frozen roe, keep it as fresh as possible by only thawing the amount you need for the day to minimize refreezing. If your roe has been thawed multiple times or has started to spoil, it likely won’t be effective as sturgeon bait.
If you’ve river fished for salmon before, you may have used cured roe, which is treated with scent, color, and preservatives to make it more durable for float fishing. However, cured roe is not suitable for sturgeon fishing. Sturgeon are attuned to the natural smells of the Fraser River and added scents or chemicals will turn them away.
Rigging roe for sturgeon fishing is relatively straightforward. The most common technique involves using pantyhose to secure your salmon skein or roe. Place the roe inside, twist the pantyhose tightly until it forms a golf ball-sized clump, and secure it with a knot or magic thread. Trim off the excess material, and you’ve got a roe bag ready for sturgeon. Simply hook the roe bag, and you’re ready to fish.
Pro Tip: Always wear clean, disposable gloves when handling the roe. Any scents on your hands—like hand sanitizer, sunscreen, or oily skin—can transfer to the bait and reduce your chances.
Salmon Parts as Sturgeon Bait
Using salmon parts for sturgeon bait can also be highly effective. As with roe, the fresher the bait, the better. While frozen salmon parts can still attract sturgeon, nothing beats fresh. Another key consideration when using salmon parts is the species and timing. Given the sturgeon’s keen sense of smell, if you’re using old pink salmon parts from a previous year, and pink salmon aren’t currently returning to the Fraser, the sturgeon may show less interest. They tend to favor bait that matches what’s presently in the river system.
Tidal sportfishing regulations in BC allow the use of fish parts for bait, if they are not suitable for human consumption. However, this rule can be somewhat vague and open to interpretation, as different people may consume parts of salmon that others typically discard. To stay on the safe side, anglers commonly use pieces such as the head, skeleton, and meaty fin sections.
For best results, rig the salmon parts with gloves, and handle the bait as little as possible. Leaving the bait unwashed can also give you an advantage, as the natural blood and slime act as an attractant. Washing the bait with tap water can introduce new scent that sturgeon can detect, which may reduce your chances of success.
Before heading out, always check the fishing regulations where you will be angling. The Fraser River has different governing bodies for the tidal and non-tidal areas of the river, so regulations can vary throughout the system.
Guided Sturgeon Trips
If you’re looking for an experience of a lifetime, join us on one of our guided sturgeon trips! Our jet boat is moored less than 15-minutes drive from downtown Vancouver to Richmond. After pushing off the dock, the areas we fish range from 2 to 20 minutes away. There is no better time than now. Give us a call at 778-788-8582 or visit sturgeonfishingvancouver.ca to book your custom sturgeon trip!
Jake Comrie
STILLWATER FISHING REPORTS
Interior Lake Fishing Report for Mid-September
It looks like the mini heat wave has come and gone and we are seeing some nice cooling trends in place for Region 3, 5, and 8. This has triggered many of the fall chironomid hatches with more to come as some of the lower elevation lakes that were in low 70’s mid-day will drop into the 60’s and chironies will start popping as a result.
I was out on a few lakes in Region 3, on the weekend, and was lucky enough to get some Fall chironomid action. One lake still had quite a bit of algae with temps in the 68-70 range while the other had much cleaner water and temps in the 64-67 range. As always, elevation is the name of the game. Fortunately, both lakes had fishing feed right on the bottom on staging chironomids and some bloodworms. These small, maroon chironomids are common this time of year, they aren’t gassed up yet, and they are very close to the bottom. That means knowing exactly where your fly is using an indicator or sinking line fished vertically (dangling) is critical for success. This is also the case when fishing bloodworms just off the bottom. The fish aren’t as likely to respond well to a fly that is 2-3 feet off the bottom, which you can get away with when they are feeding on gassed up chironomids that are actively ascending.
In the end, the sinking line fished vertical with the fly just a few inches off the bottom, handily out fished the bobber. I love watching the bobber go down, but there is something about the savage, line peeling grabs of this vertical technique (dangling) that is equally satisfying! A few good days of sinking line grabs and bobber downs was had, and the best part was the pressure was very light. I think the heat pushed most people away and I suspect the lakes will be noticeably busier in the coming weeks as they cool off and reports of success trickle in.
Don’t forget to have a variety of leeches, baby damsels, shrimp/scuds, water boatmen, boobies, blobs, and your other Fall favorite flies on hand in case there is no chironomid hatch. These Fall hatches are a bonus and not the norm and depend on the lake, so be prepared to fish other flies and techniques if required. In future reports, I will cover a lot of the food items I just mentioned as the waters cool further and the fish head into the shallows. Until then…
See you in the shop or on the water,
Jason Tonelli
SALTWATER FISHING REPORTS
Vancouver Saltwater Salmon Fishing Report for Mid-September
We saw a brief dip in the chinook action off the Fraser mouth last Thursday and Friday, then it was good last weekend, and that good fishing has continued all week right up until today. All 4 of our Gradys are at the South Arm as I am writing this report and fishing has been excellent!
If you read last week’s report you will remember I was talking about peak migration for the Chilliwack and Harrison white chinook occurring around the third week of September and to expect the biggest fish of the year. Well, this has started, and we have seen quite a few fish in the mid-twenties and yesterday day we had 3 fish on the dock that weighed 29.5 pounds and one that hit the Tyee mark at 31 pounds. I have also seen some pictures of Tyees on social media and these big fish will continue to show up off the Fraser mouth for at least another week and a half.
It is great to see a growing culture of releasing big fish and the smaller to mid-size fish are often the best eating fish. So, if you can get out fishing multiple times and want to be selective on your harvesting, releasing the big boys can be a great option.
However, keep in a mind a fish that is bleeding excessively is likely going to expire, so the responsible thing to do is to harvest that fish, regardless of its size. If the same fish is lightly lip hooked, it is a good candidate for C&R, preferably at the gunwale, with no net use. So, keep all of that in mind when you are deciding if you will harvest the fish.
Also keep in mind the Chilliwack and Harrison chinook returns are doing extremely well and there is no shame in keeping your 2 chinook per day limit or keeping a big fish if that is what you happen to catch. There are chinook of a variety sizes returning to these rivers, just as Mother Nature intended, and a selective harvest of smaller fish, to “get more big fish back on the spawning grounds”, isn’t necessarily the best thing for the fish population. We may think it is, and it might what is in vogue, but the best way to have the least impact on the fish in general, is to retain your first 2 legal chinook, regardless of size, and then move on to other species such as hatchery coho or call it a day.
As guides, we notice that the vast majority of the anglers we have on our boats do one trip per year and they are hoping to come home with one or two chinook. With 4 or 5 clients on the boat, a lot has to go right to get a chinook or two each in the fish hold, and we generally harvest each legal chinook we are lucky enough to land. I hope that puts some perspective into harvest practices of guides and recreational anglers. All that being said, we are actually getting some limits of chinook lately and that is testament to how many fish are out there and of course the skill of the guides.
If you aren’t going to be off the Fraser Mouth and want to keep it closer to Vancouver, give Point Atkinson, West Van and the Cap Mouth a try. There are schools of staging coho around, you will see them jumping and, on your sonar, and if you want to target chinook, try the Cap Mouth on the flood tide. More and more chinook will be showing up off the Cap Mouth in the coming weeks and coho as well. The rain in the forecast will definitely drive the fish to the river mouth, but I don’t think the river will come up that much. This means we should have good fishing in this area for the remainder of the month based on the current 14-day forecast.
See you on the water or in the shop,
Jason Tonelli
