Pacific Angler Outlook:
While you might say this past week has been an unusual cycle of cold weather, it seems right on par for the middle of January. Besides, nothing feels more like steelheading than walking through a foot of snow to get to that run.
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A chrome winter steelhead caught during our Float Fishing Course!
While Vancouver received some light snow flurries the lower Mainland got pounded mid-week with a heavy snowfall. It was well below freezing as well, which is a rare thing for us mainlanders. With some warmer temperatures on the way this weekend and rain in the forecast, it could make for some high water levels.
The forecast for the local Vancouver area is rain Friday afternoon with a high of 6 degrees. On Saturday you can expect light showers in the morning with some sun poking through the clouds later in the day, with a high of 6 degrees celsius. Sunday will be interesting. Right now the forecast is heavy rain (20-30mm) with a high of 5 degrees.
Right now the forecast for Chilliwack is 2-4 cm of precipitation on Saturday. This will most likely blow out the rivers in this area. However if the amount of rain is downgraded and if the rivers don’t blow it, there could be some amazing fishing. Keep your eyes glued to those river levels.
For you saltwater fishermen the local fishing has definitely picked up with some larger winter chinooks being caught. However, as of 8:30 AM this morning there is a Gale Warning in effect for the Georgian Basin. It could be a bit windy out there. This is the forecast from Environment Canada Weather Office…
“Wind southeast 10 to 15 knots increasing to 15 to 25 this morning and to 25 to 35 late this afternoon. Wind diminishing to southeast 15 to 25 near midnight then increasing to southwest 25 to 35 Saturday morning. Wind diminishing to southwest 15 to 25 near noon Saturday.”
Local Saltwater Fishing:
As mentioned above, the winter chinook fishing has been good for chinook up to 15lbs. The crabbing and prawning has also been good. However, it could be tough getting out there due to the windy conditions. Make sure to keep an eye on the weather conditions if you are planning on heading out this weekend.
BC River Fishing Report:
It will be crucial this weekend to keep an eye on the water levels. With some areas in the valley expecting milder temperatures above freezing other areas will be below freezing. This means that some rivers may be high and blown out while others are low and clear.
So finding that system which is in perfect shape will give you the best chance of hooking up into chrome sea lice steelhead or some cutties.
In terms of what is going to happen this weekend…it’s anyones guess. Lets just hope for the best and the weather co-operates.
BC Lake Fishing Report:
Not much to report here. Countdown is approximately 3 months to ice-off in the interior. This weather is perfect for tying up a bunch of chironomid flies.
Well, that is it from the Pacific Angler team. I hope you found this fishing report helpful in guiding you this weekend. If you have any further questions please feel free to swing by the store and chat up the friendly staff.
Also, if you head out this weekend let us know how you do. It has the potential to being a great weekend!
See you on the water,
Dave
