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[shizz]

Hi all,

Im new here so be gentle.. Currently residing in Perth, Western Australia.

The other half has been bugging me to move overseas for a while now, I finally gave in and we chose humble old Canada. Planning to head to BC first. Me and GF the are moving to hopefully around Vancouver around March next year. I've never lived overseas before and we are going on a working holiday for about a year, maybe more. Joined this forum to hopefully get a better idea of where I can be part of my favourite sport and lifestyle...fishing! 

Bit of background info . I am currently involved with the fishing industry in Australia. I write a column for a west Australian fishing magazine monthly. Have worked in fishing tackle stores for the past 5 years or so and fished all my life. I also run a fishing tackle blog called tackletester.com . Gone back to study this past 12 months but still working 5 days part time in perths biggest specialist tackle store.  As you can probably tell by now I live and breath fishing. I know its gonna be a big change from what we get over here but that is part of the excitement.

But enough about me.

Who wants to give me the run down on fishing in and around Canada? Are there any big tackle stores that might be worth a look if I am looking for work?

Thanks in advance for any advice or tips.

Cheers
Josh

[Rodney]

How's the bream and mulloway fishing in Swan River?

Welcome. If you choose to reside and work in Vancouver, there is year round fishing available, mostly within one hour of driving. The type of fishing available is quite different to WA, where hardier bread and butter fish are available. Beside flounder, perch, rockfish (when permitted), the saltwater fishing locally is fairly limited from shore. Salmon fishing is available from time to time, but mostly requires a boat. The freshwater fishery has three categories of target species. They are salmon, trout and sturgeon. In the summer, other minnow species are also available. Salmon fishing takes place between July and November. Sturgeon fishing can be done almost year round. Trout fishing can also be done year round, depending on which part of BC you are fishing. A freshwater fishing licence is required when fishing rivers and lakes. A tidal water fishing licence is needed when fishing in the sea.

Species available can be found on this page: http://www.fishingwithrod.com/fish_profile/index.html

Fishing locations around Vancouver: http://www.fishingwithrod.com/articles/region_two/index.html

There are around a dozen fishing tacklestores around Vancouver. Take a look at: http://www.fishingwithrod.com/directory/area2.html

[shizz]

The swan has been quiet! Being winter we have had alot of rain. Hopefully will pick up again soon(at least on the bream front) Mulloway dont start running till around November usually, will definately be putting a few sessions for them this season before I depart!

Thanks for the advise on the fishing, will check those links out. What sort of outfit would you recommend ? I will most likely only have room for one outfit. I was thinking a 7ft multi peice travel rod, 2500 size reel and 10lb braid.

Also, what part of Vancouver would be best for affordable living for a few months at a time? Will prob look for short term accom i.e 3-6 months in a furnished apartment or house.

[Rodney]

The swan has been quiet! Being winter we have had alot of rain. Hopefully will pick up again soon(at least on the bream front) Mulloway dont start running till around November usually, will definately be putting a few sessions for them this season before I depart!

Nice... King Georges are also pretty big out that way too right? Those are my favorite species to catch even to this day, bream, king george whiting, silver trevally.

Regarding bringing fishing gear over. My recommendation is that you should just purchase them here (except maybe the reel). When I moved here from Australia many years ago, I brought over a bunch of rods from both Australia and Asia, most of them have been sitting in the storage room collecting dust. For trout and other species in the 1 to 6lb range, I find that a light spinning outfit works well. The 2500 size (Shimano) spinning reel is good, with a 6ft spinning rod which is pretty inexpensive. My spinning rods for this application are pretty cheap, in the CAD$40 to $80 range.

For salmon, you'll find the above setup not appropriate (except maybe for coho and pink salmon). River fishing for salmon in this part of the world requires longer rods (9 to 10.5ft) and bigger reels (baitcasting reel in size similar to Calcutta 250 - 400, ABU5600 - 7000). This setup is mostly used between September and November for salmon, December to April for steelhead. The size of the target species ranges from 5 to 30lb, so a heavier setup is required.

Also, the longer surfcasting rods from Australia are not good replacements for what are used in rivers over here, due to the difference in rod action.

The light spinning rod setup and the heavier baitcasting setup would cover most of the fishing that you would do in Vancouver, unless you want to try sturgeon fishing and flyfishing as well.

Others would be able to answer your questions on affordable housing than me. There's no longer such a thing as affordable housing in Vancouver by the way... Many thanks to the Olympics next year.

[Sam Salmon]

If it's fishing you want this place is a poor second to what's on offer in the tropics, the past 20 years have seen populations plummet and it's so bad people have taken to fishing for bait with fly rods-I know because I read about it right here.

If you're still stuck on Vancouver and looking for employment contact Pacific Angler on Broadway, as to accommodations your best bet is Craigslist and there really are no bad neighbourhoods just some remote ones.

Victoria on Vancouver Island offers more opportunity for saltwater species of all kinds provided you have your own transportation.

Freshwater for legendary Trout action means a long haul to the Interior of the province, there's some put 'n take close to the city but it's overcrowded and the fish are small, people here will rave over the fishing on the overcrowded and garbage strewn Chilliwack/Vedder system but it's overall an underwhelming experience.

[dennyman]

If you really want to experience good fishing go up north to areas like Terrace and Smithers.  For more information about the area go to Noel Gygers website, as he maintains one about fishing opportunities in the area. As far as neighborhoods in Vancouver, avoid living at any cost -  anything down by the Lower Eastside. Anything you have of value will be stolen by TDMs( thieving druggy misfits) in that area.

[shaunm]

If you want a game of cricket (and a few beers) out in Chilliwack, then let me know. And the fishing ain't bad out here either!

[shizz]

As much as I would like to be,l we are not going just for the fishing. We felt like a change was in order and this will do it. I'm studied marketing so ideally would like to get a job doing that, but a fishing tackle shop job would be my next option.

Cricket? More for a AFL man myself

What surrounding suburbs/towns within in an easy distance for work travel in Vancouver, would be worth a look in?

Thanks for the advice, keep it coming

[HOOK]

Surrey is fairly cheap to live in if you choose the areas of it that are a little less appealing LOL im kidding (a little bit) I live in Newton area of Surrey and pay really cheap rent for a huge basement suite, most say we lucked out because we have an awesome landlord to boot  and its a short bus/slytrain trip to downtown from here as well

[IronNoggin]

From an Islander's point of view...

I'd seriously reconsider Vancouver. That is unless you like overly crowded fishing conditions, huge traffic jams during rush hours ("s" intentional) and all the rest that comes with living amongst a huge mass of people all clustered into the megatropolis that city has become. That of course includes housing rates that would make an oil baron wince! 

Instead, think Vancouver Island. Much less in the way of people (and the related hassles). MUCH more in the way of fishing opportunities, both the salt and the fresh water scenes. And much of the fishing can be conducted with a bare minimum of attendance by others (as opposed to the often shoulder to shoulder experience the more popular fisheries of the lower mainland offer). And, "Wholesale Sports" has just opened a new and HUGE operation based in Nanaimo - one of the largest sporting goods shops BC currently offers. They are likely looking for a few good men, so probably a decent shot at finding employ there. You'll have to look them up - suggest a quick Google will do the trick. And, you will find housing to be generally about 1/4 of what is currently is in the Big Smoke. Really. 

Of course if living in Paradise, having basically uncrowded fishing opportunities every single day of the year, a lower crime rate and lower housing costs doesn't appeal to you, perhaps Vancouver is the way to go... 

Final of course: I may be slightly biased, living here "in a postcard" as it were. After the few experiences I have had on the lower mainland, I have vowed to only return under extreme duress. In fact, the few times I have to get through the megatropolis, I ALWAYS choose the fastest route, and heave a collective sigh once it is firmly in my rear view mirror! 

Cheers & Good Luck with your search!
Nog

[Rodney]

It depends on what package Shizz is looking for I think (or more like what Shizz's other half is looking for ). Vancouver has become pretty congested in the past decade after being promoted as the best place on earth. Traffic is pretty bad, definitely way worse than laid back Perth. The fishing is not as bad as some may described, but there are definitely better places to visit in this province for a fisherman. Vancouver Island definitely has a more relaxing lifestyle with all the opportunities that Nog has listed. When it comes to job opportunities, Vancouver probably has more available. It is also convenient for outdoor enthusiasts, with mountains and sea nearby. If you like hiking, mountain biking, skiing, snowboarding, beside fishing then you will love it here. Food selection is also great here.

So when you settle down back in Perth again, can we come and pop for some queenies?

Shaunm, there's an actual group that plays cricket in Chilliwack?

[shizz]

Well we werent set dead on Vancouver, just thought being the hub so to speak jobs would be easy to find. Vancouver Island sounds good,will have to look in to that.

As for popping queenies, we have to driver 1200ks north for em but its worth it !

[shaunm]

'there's an actual group that plays cricket in Chilliwack?'

There sure is...Eastern District Cricket Club. We have formed a new club and are just sorting out a new ground with the city, hopefully this will be located at Meadowbrook Pk (behind Rundle school) in beautiful Chilliwack.  I will also be going into the schools in Abbotsford and Chilliwack to coach teachers and hand out free equipment. We want to get as many boys & girls as possible playing the game.

New club members or any help is most welcome... We hope to enter 2 teams in the local Vancouver leagues for the 2010 season and have big plans for our club. So if anyone fancies a game please just email me at     shaun@champsport.ca

[shizz]

Despite being a born and bred aussie cricket skills must have not been included in my genes.  Footy all the way! And Fishing ofcourse