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Fraser Valley BC Fishing Report |
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By Vic Carrao, STS Guiding Service Last updated: June 4th, 2010 Salmon forecast for 2010 - The 2010 salmon season forecast is looking pretty good considering the dismal sockeye returns of 2009. Believe it or not, fisheries are saying that there is a good chance that the late summer run of sockeye is going to be large and we could see a sport fishing opening in mid August. We will accept bookings based on this opening, we can always target chinook salmon as well. Speaking of chinook salmon, the summer run that enters the river in late July is looking strong so there is a very good chance we could see some excellent salmon fishing in mid August. Once this begins we will continue to fish both salmon and sturgeon from August through to November. Since the Fraser River will not open for retention of chinook salmon until July 15, we have decided to extend our special rate of $500 for up to 4 anglers fishing 6 hours to July 15th, we have also added an additional special rate for our 8 hour charters. $640 for up to 4 anglers fishing 8 hours, a savings of $120 per day on both 6 and 8 hour charters. If you would like to fish for salmon prior to July 15th, we are still offering saltwater salmon charters out of Vancouver Harbour. Just call or e-mail us for details.
The Fraser River has been rising steadily for the past couple weeks. We are now at 6.5 meters at Hope which is about the same as May 28th of 2010. The Lillooet, Thompson, Fraser, Pitt and most other rivers in the region are all experiencing the annual freshet. I would expect this trend to continue for the next 4 to 6 weeks or until the majority of snow pack melts. How does this affect fishing? Well, for salmon fishing, poor water clarity makes for poor fishing. If you’re wanting to target salmon during June to mid July, saltwater fishing will be your best bet. Sturgeon fishing on the Fraser is not really affected at all by water clarity so fishing will remain fair to excellent for sturgeon. Trout fishing is very good during June and July, we fish rivers and lakes from Vancouver to Kamloops that are producing trout from 2 to 10lbs.
Sturgeon - Sturgeon fishing has been very good the past week. Most of our trips have produced fish up 6 feet, several trips have had fish to 8 feet. We are averaging 6 to 10 fish per trip with some very nice fish being landed. Our largest this week was well over 8 ft but unfortunately it got tangled up after a long battle that included several spectacular jumps. Best baits have been eel and eulichons. Although there is still lots of great sturgeon fishing in June and July, our next peak sturgeon season is in August when we begin our Fraser Canyon Sturgeon Adventures. The Fraser Canyon offers spectacular scenery with some excellent fishing opportunities. Not only that we have the safest boat on the water for taming those infamous rapids like Saddle Rock, Sailor Bar and Little Hells Gate. New Sturgeon Adventure offered - STS Guiding is now offering another unique fishing opportunity on the Fraser River. To add to our already popular canyon fishing adventures, we are now offering Linton to Lillooet Sturgeon Fishing Adventures. The Fraser River between Linton and Lillooet is one the least fished sections of the Fraser River. This region receives 5 inches of rainfall each year which is rated as one of the driest climates in the country. Spectacular scenery, no crowds, excellent wildlife viewing opportunities for Big Horn Sheep, Black and Brown Bear, Deer not to mention great fishing for sturgeon up to 11ft. We are now offering day trips and overnight accommodations package in our exclusive riverside Yurts. What is a yurt? Accommodations in our Yurts have much the same feel as a cabin, but all in one room. Originally designed in Mongolia as nomadic shelters today’s Yurts are designed for comfort lodging. Yurts are a cross between a cabin & a tent and offer an efficient year around engineered shelter that are simply beautiful to stay in. Your Yurt Lodging also features rustic log furniture, wood flooring, queen size beds, futon, table, chairs and a small storage cabinet. Please call or e-mail us for rates.
It is now closed for all fishing until July 1st, when it reopens for chinook fishing
With the water rising and poor visibility on the Fraser you will have to move to tributary rivers like the Harrison, Dewdney Slough, Lillooet, Pitt or other smaller rivers. We guide some of the best trout rivers and lakes in the province and June/July is primetime fishing for rainbow, cutthroat and bull trout. The Upper Pitt River sea-run Bull Trout fishery has now begun. Book now as we limit the number of anglers per day on this river. Last year our biggest trout was 12 lbs but we did manage quite a few fish between 8 to 10 and lots of 4 to 6 lb trout. Our best day was 40 fish on the fly so don't miss out on this world-class fishery.
The Harrison River is high and will continue to rise and drop with the Fraser. The Harrison River is a flood plain for the Fraser so when the Fraser rises, so does the Harrison. More often than not the trout in the Harrison will move into Harrison Bay and Pretty Flats. These areas can be fished with small car toppers, pontoon or belly boats. Fly fishing with minnow patterns or trolling with flat fish produce good results.
We have experienced the best fishing so far this year over the last 10 days. We have been getting good numbers of chinooks in the 10-17 pound range and the odd fish over 20 pounds. We landed a 21 pound chinook last week and a 20.5 pound chinook this week. Very good quality for the early spring. We have been focusing our efforts off the south end of Bowen Island, Howe Sound, and Vancouver Harbour. The spring offers some of the best chinook fishing of the year in the Vancouver area. Crabbing has been phenomenal in the harbour and traps are dropped on every charter. STS Guiding Service is committed to providing current and future clients with the highest level of service and quality angling experiences at the lowest price possible. We pride ourselves on our personal and friendly service, our ability to catch fish on 95% of our guided charters. We are fishing the area 12 months of the year. For us fishing is a year round commitment, not just a summer job. Join our team of 8 professional guides for the 2009 season and see why STS is considered #1 in the valley. To book your next guided adventure, call us Toll Free 1-866-771-3474 Remember to conserve your catch. Tight Lines and we will see you on the water! Vic Carrao |
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