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[Preliator]

Hey guys,

I have a question for you knowledgable and experience anglers of the Lower Mainland. Since I'm new to the area and I see that there is so many bodies of water around here, it's hard to pick locations to fish, and fish confidently. Any area I try to read and study is already very popular and visited by everyone, which sort of takes the fun out of fishing. I notice lots of feeder creeks into the Fraser or even other rivers like the Alouette or Coquitlam - how are they for fishing? I know a lot are low right now, but generally, if I take a rod out there how are my chances? I'm interested in some good trout spots or for Steelhead soon. I'd just like to find some nice areas to try with a buddy without running into dozens of other angles overfishing one or two pools - which has been discouraging for a new commer like myself.

I don't know how to drive to most of these places, but as long as I can find an enterance, I have no problem scaling the river / creek or or down - that's part of the fun.

Any help would be much appreciated!

[Preliator]

haha, I guess you are right... which is unfortunate, as I drive a Civic, and don't a lot of time to explore as much as I'd like. I'm use to my days in Ontario where I could drive to nearly any body of water, and catch anything. The fishing here takes a lot more time and effort - which is good for challange, but not for someone who doesnt have a lot of time but enjoys fishing as a past time more than anything! Perhaps a move back to Ontario is in the near future? ;p

[Rodney]

There are plenty of rivers/creeks/sloughs that are not crowded in the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley because they do not have the concentrated salmon return like what the Chilliwack River or other major systems experience. It is very pleasant to fish these systems because of the stress-free environment. Fishing for trout and char should be good especially once the salmon season begins to taper off. They will be feeding aggressively on both salmon eggs and spawning carcasses. You do not need a 4X4 to explore, although it can be quite handy. Some of the streams are found within very urbanized areas. There are several options when it comes to exploring new waters. Get to know your local tacklestores and ask staff for general info so you have some leads. Get a backroad map book, look for waters, check the regulations and explore. Look on Google Earth, check regulations and explore. Success will not be immediate, but it will be well worth it when it comes. You can also fish the Fraser River for trout and char from now until next April. They are more abundant than most assume because most anglers tend to focus on salmon during this time of the year. Spend a bit of time each day after work at a spot or two on the Fraser River near Vancouver. Get to know the tide and how the fish behave. Success will come eventually.

For the Fraser River trout and char fishery, take a look at http://www.fishingwithrod.com/articles/2009/0209_01.html. I hope the write-up can get you started.

Here's also a brief write-up on trout and char in streams/Fraser tributaries http://www.fishingwithrod.com/articles/2005/1205_02.html

Good luck, best fishing of the year around this area is still to come.

[Matt]

haha, I guess you are right... which is unfortunate, as I drive a Civic, and don't a lot of time to explore as much as I'd like. I'm use to my days in Ontario where I could drive to nearly any body of water, and catch anything. The fishing here takes a lot more time and effort - which is good for challange, but not for someone who doesnt have a lot of time but enjoys fishing as a past time more than anything! Perhaps a move back to Ontario is in the near future? ;p

You really don't need a 4x4 to fish 99.9% or LML river for 99% of the day's of the year.  Just drive a little slower if it gets rough.

[Preliator]

Thank you, Rodney. I went to my local tacklestore and picked up a backroads mapbook. Basically each week I'll study it and use the internet and pick a new body of water each week. Make notes (water levels, structure, trails, etc) as I go for return trips. This should be a fun experience, and overtime should prove to yield some good results.

I work downtown and live in Coquitlam, and the route I take home takes me through New West, so there is a large portion of the Fraser that I drive by. Perhaps one evening this week I'll dedicate to drive that same route and mapping out the best place or two to get my line wet, and then do just what you said. Your newest article on the homepage is great motivation!