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[Preliator]

Hey guys, I'm new to BC and this message board.  Just wanted to say hello and ask for some help from you very knowledgeable posters.

I'm originally from Ontario, so the styles in which I'm use to fishing are very different than out here. I've been spending the past couple weeks reading as much as possible to get myself acquainted with fishing community, but I need to replace the time spent online reading, out on the water   

So far I have only been out once, and it was at the Capilano River. From what I’ve gathered so far, there seems to be two main areas to fish – the Cable Pool and under the HWY 1 bridge (I read that the river mouth was hot too, but when I visited the area, there wasn’t an angler in site). My first observation was that it is really crowded. I’m going to try and hit the river at the crack of dawn from now on, but as it starts to get busier in the day, I’d like to throw on my waiters and scale down the river to find some more secluded spots away from the buzz . How are my chances of walking up/down the river from those two locations? From what I’ve seen and read, it seems to be a tricky river – steep valleys, rocky, subtle looking, but very swift currents. Any tips for going out there alone and checking it out?

I have read things saying that the Cap can be very good fishery, but others saying the exact opposite.  I didn’t notice anyone venturing down the river themselves, driftfishing or working the rapids. People merely sat lined up in the few big pools, hoping for the best. This made me think that the fishing in this river has seen better days? Hopefully I’m wrong though, as nothing beats throwing on a pair of waiters and spending the day scaling a river with a rod and a cooler.

While I’m on the subject, does anyone know of any good little rivers or streams around Coquitlam that would be ideal for this style of fishing?  Coquitlam River perhaps? Although I hear it’s quite polluted…

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Cheers!

[younggun]

the capilano can be a gongshow during these times, the blue backs (coho jacks) are in, but stale, and lockjawed. The river is steep, swift and very deep in some canyon portions. I suggest that u do take a hike down river, but to be very careful and dont be taking any risks, soft dirt and overhangs are a deadly combination. The river is in low flow stage right now, and the nativs have set up their anual weir, which totally stops the travel of the fish. From here on in, it will be slim pickings up until the fall rains.


As for coquitlam, there isn't much of a choice, u have lafarge lake, but the coquitlam river is pretty dead. Because of the polution and the dam it aswell runs low and fishless. Sadly that is the case for many coastal rivers and creeks. The vedder/chilliwack will be opening in a week, u will have a better chance at a fish there.

Its good to have you on board, keep at it, u'll hook up.

[Verdi]

i e-mailed you a map

good luck.

should hit it after the rain,.

red roe, red roe , red roe......for bluebacks..

[Rodney]

Hey guys, I'm new to BC and this message board.  Just wanted to say hello and ask for some help from you very knowledgeable posters.

I have read things saying that the Cap can be very good fishery, but others saying the exact opposite.

Welcome to BC and the discussion forum. You're seeing contradicting fishing reports because the fishing results may fluctuate greatly, mostly due to the fluctuation of the water level. The Capilano River is dam-controlled. During days with no rain, the river is extremely low. On days with periods of rain, the river may rise suddenly, providing opportunities for salmon to move into the river and upstream. Because the window of opportunities for fish to move up is small, they tend to move very fast. Fish can travel from the mouth to the hatchery in just hours sometimes. The move is also quite tidal influenced. A high tide that coincides with a high freshwater discharge gives you the best chance of encountering fish.

because the river can fluctuate unpredictably, one should also pay great attention when using the river. Wading should be done with extreme care, crossing the river is not recommended. Watch out for loose or slippery high banks. Lastly, be aware of wildlife in the area.

The Capilano River has a coho salmon run that is uniquely earlier than other streams in the Lower Mainland. It begins in April/May and ends in October/November. Fishing has a tendency to slow down in July and August, because these two months tend to be dry. Most of the fish have a tendency to hold at the river mouth or nearby beaches during this time, so anglers tend to focus on fishing in the salt than in the stream.

The main fishing spots, as you have mentioned, are Cable Pool and under the Hwy 1 Bridge. These are the two most easily accessed locations, which make them the most crowded as well. There are numerous other spots that can be reached from these two spots by foot. You can explore them by studying the map that Verdi emailed you. Tread carefully when walking downstream from Cable Pool. It is wise to let others know that you are accessing this section of the river.

In spring and summer, early morning is best when targeting these coho salmon. The easiest method to catch them is by float fishing with roe, but casting spoons/spinners or flyfishing can also produce well.

There are many other streams in the Lower Mainland where you can fish, however salmon fishing does not start in most of these streams until September/October. From Coquitlam to the valley, you have the option of fishing Coquitlam River, Alouette River, Stave River, Chehalis River and many other smaller streams on the north side of the Fraser River. On the south side, the Chilliwack River is the most popular stream to fish due to its productivity. It offers red chinook salmon fishing in July and August. When exploring all these streams, look out for seasonal and location closures.

Good luck.

[Preliator]

Thanks for the warm welcome, and of course for all the useful information. Also, thanks Verdi, that map will definitely come in handy when attempting my luck at the Cap. I'll be cautious when I do so, especially since the key time to hit it is after a rainfall - making water levels and already soft dirt and overhangs even MORE dangerous.

I think I'll go pick up a fishing map book tomorrow and make an effort to try and hit up new locations weekly if possible, that's likely my best bet because everyone has their own opinions of each fishing location. I'll definitely have to brush up on the Vedder River though, seeing as how it's opening up soon.

Again thanks for the help guys, expect to see me around with more questions in the future, . Hopefully as I become more knowledgable over time I can contribute more to these boards.

[jon5hill]

Think I could get a copy of that map too? I fished cable pool lastnight with so many jumping yet nobody getting hook-ups, which is apparently quite common in that spot.

[Eagleye]

Try fishing the mouth when the water is this low.  Better chance of coming across fresh biting fish.

[jon5hill]

I saw a few guys in the last 2 nights fly fishing off the larger side of the Capilano Canyon at Cable Pool. Am I the only person who thinks this is incredibly silly? It's extremely dangerous, and the water is so low that pulling a fish up that height would be almost impossible unless you are using an insanely strong strong leader.

Also, one of the guys mentioned that green flies were working because the Coho were feeding off algae... I found this hard to believe so I was wondering if anyone else heard of this?

I spoke with a guy named Bjorne who mentioned that the fish were lockjawed.. what does this mean? I spent several hours and threw almost my entire collection of gear at them without a single bite. I hooked into several cutthroat trout and a couple resident smolts, but the larger coho seem spooked. They repeatedly jump out of the water as if they were feeding on things, but it looks like they are just having a good time, or trying to shake off sea lice or something. Anyone have any ideas?

[Fish Assassin]

Lockjawed=tight lip=not biting

[jon5hill]

If the Coho begin fasting as soon as they hit freshwater, then how would using roe work over other conventional bait?

My understanding is that rather than triggering a feeding response from the fish, the proper presentation of roe will trigger a territorial response, whereby the fish see the eggs as the spawn of a potentially competitive species and attack it to kill it rather than for food. Is this the right idea?

[fishherron]

If you want fish in the Cap,get there early. There thirty,four am.Have you roe in the water as soon as you can see your float a good cast away from you. You have about fifteen to twenty mimutes. A hour after day lite go home.

[BIG T]

Quote from: the spring king on Today at 05:59:07 PM

There are more effective things than roe for the lock jaw coho...

I dont want to argue with you... Im trying to help out a guy who is new to the river with something that i know works. If you have a better suggestion why dont you share it instead of telling my im wrong.


Good timing and a lot of luck

[jon5hill]

I tried a kit-a-mat, koho, rooster tail, blue fox, wedding band, a gold spoon, red and white spoon, dik-nites, and other lures on them yesterday and the day before. I switched to a sensitive float with fluorocarbon leader and a tuft of peach wool with a single plastic jensen egg. I don't have fresh roe or I would try it, and sounds like treated roe isn't so good. I've never fished Salmon before, I just fish steelhead and cuttys. this new challenge is really fun, i can't wait to figure out how to get them.

[Easywater]

Roe works in the river because the fish (chinook/coho/steelhead) want to get rid of any eggs they see as a threat to their own eggs.
Could be that the eggs loose from the reds are probably dead & rotten and they don't want them to settle in their own nesting area.

If you don't have roe, use water hardened coho eggs in a mesh sack (3/4/5 of them - have different numbers and try them all).
Even stick a single Jenny egg in there for some scent 

[yoda]

i agree with you rodney, timing is of the essence when venturing to the cap. i'm not sure but isn' their a web cam for the water levels near the hatchery? used to be on a web site{jim sibley's web cam}, for the kayakers? another tip is getting a salt water licence and fishing below the train bridge from shore with buzz bombs,etc. usually on a tide coming in. and you can watch the res getting their quota on the other side.