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[Whopperman]

Is there good steelhead fishing on the Vedder? I'm quiet new to the Vedder fishing scene or the lower Fraser for that matter. My main experience has been the Nass system and the west side of Vancouver Island (San Juan River system) most recently. Been learning the spots here and there, I'm wondering if its worth continuing to explore the Vedder for steelies through the winter. Not looking for secret spots (although these are excepted).  I've had a lot of fun so far getting out for coho, pinks and springs.

It's never wasting time to me. It's just a bit of a drive for me out there.

Thanks

[ffonly]

Whopperman - Acclimation to steelheading the Vedder based on your past pedigree will require a personality test to truly determine whether or not you should broaden your carbon footprint. If you have endured the fall run(s) on the Vedder then you're (painfully) familiar with all that should be expected through a winter of steelheading.

Prepare for the harangue of forum posters who pontificate ad nauseam the following paraphrased, "just go out and fish".

Queue - Johnny Canuck

[Ian Forbes]

The Vedder is a hatchery augmented system, just like the Stamp on Vancouver Island. That means there is a limited kill fishery for fin clipped steelhead. ANYWHERE there is a viable kill fishery it will attract more anglers. When steelhead arrive in reasonable numbers there will be crowds of anglers, and many with questionable ethics. You just have to get used to it.

That being said, there are still steelhead to be caught, and in far greater numbers than most streams on Vancouver Island. You just have to be in the right place at the right time. Anglers who can read water and are familiar with steelhead, will still catch their share of fish.

[Paulo]

Excellent reply Mr. Forbes

[CoastRider]

Vedder definitely has many more steelhead than any other system in the lower mainland. That being said, as others have stated it also has the most fisherman. Early and late season you can put the time in and find fish without too many other anglers, but during prime season you sure have to hike to find a spot to yourself.

I'd say it is definitely worth giving it a few trips, as long as you dont mind putting a few miles on the boots to find a spot without guys, youre likely to find a fish or two

[Whopperman]

Thanks for the replies guys. I just enjoy the fishing/outdoors and catching the odd fish is nice. Hardly keep anything hence the waterproof point and shoot tied to the vest. Only the silverest of silver hatcheries are kept and even then I'd prefer ocean caught. Thanks again for the response.

[Whopperman]

BTW the nice thing is I work rotating shift work. Getting out during the week is a lot better for that lonely experience on the river.


Next I need to find some good hunting areas to explore..

[Johnny Canuck]

Whopperman - Acclimation to steelheading the Vedder based on your past pedigree will require a personality test to truly determine whether or not you should broaden your carbon footprint. If you have endured the fall run(s) on the Vedder then you're (painfully) familiar with all that should be expected through a winter of steelheading.

Prepare for the harangue of forum posters who pontificate ad nauseam the following paraphrased, "just go out and fish".

Queue - Johnny Canuck

HERE I AM 

I don't really understand what people have against me, it must be that I say it like it is.

Whopperman the days of solitude (and enjoyment) of fishing pristine rivers are in memories past and you will soon realize that fishing any of the lower mainland flows. A thing about the Chilliwack system though is if you can catch steelhead there, you can catch them anywhere. With the amount of pressure the system sees it really puts the angler to the test to see if they have what it takes sometimes. Sitting behind a computer or reading books will give you ideas on what to do or look for however nothing compares to time spent on the water learning spots in different conditions. So yeah get out there and fish if you want to catch fish otherwise you won't catch anything. Have to play to win...

[BigFisher]

Steelhead are super aggressive biters, They will usually hit right away. Your best chance at catching one is in the canal, as this is the first place these fish encounter shore fisherman. Being the first fisherman to encounter them here gives you the advantage of fresh, non gear traumatized fish.

[joshhowat]

That's why you always fish the canal right Ryan.   

Just pulling your chain.

The vedder is a gong show.

There are tons of winter steelhead to play with if your a good rod and know the river. Hooking multiple fish out of a piece of water is a very good reality peak season.

[Ian Forbes]

HERE I AM 

I don't really understand what people have against me, it must be that I say it like it is.

Whopperman the days of solitude (and enjoyment) of fishing pristine rivers are in memories past and you will soon realize that fishing any of the lower mainland flows. A thing about the Chilliwack system though is if you can catch steelhead there, you can catch them anywhere. With the amount of pressure the system sees it really puts the angler to the test to see if they have what it takes sometimes. Sitting behind a computer or reading books will give you ideas on what to do or look for however nothing compares to time spent on the water learning spots in different conditions. So yeah get out there and fish if you want to catch fish otherwise you won't catch anything. Have to play to win...

How far back do you want to go to find fewer anglers? This picture was taken in 1959 on a typical day with a bunch of Kingfishers.

[bbronswyk2000]

HERE I AM 

I don't really understand what people have against me, it must be that I say it like it is.

Whopperman the days of solitude (and enjoyment) of fishing pristine rivers are in memories past and you will soon realize that fishing any of the lower mainland flows. A thing about the Chilliwack system though is if you can catch steelhead there, you can catch them anywhere. With the amount of pressure the system sees it really puts the angler to the test to see if they have what it takes sometimes. Sitting behind a computer or reading books will give you ideas on what to do or look for however nothing compares to time spent on the water learning spots in different conditions. So yeah get out there and fish if you want to catch fish otherwise you won't catch anything. Have to play to win...

If you can catch the there you can catch them anywhere? Not likely! That system has WAY more fish than any other system around. Steelhead season doesn't get nearly the amount of pressure that the salmon season gets. If you don't mind walking ( as you should for steelhead ) than you can find water that hasn't been touched that day.

[Johnny Canuck]

How far back do you want to go to find fewer anglers? This picture was taken in 1959 on a typical day with a bunch of Kingfishers.

"a bunch of Kingfisher's" I'm sure the self righteous anglers planned this photo op.

If you can catch the there you can catch them anywhere? Not likely! That system has WAY more fish than any other system around. Steelhead season doesn't get nearly the amount of pressure that the salmon season gets. If you don't mind walking ( as you should for steelhead ) than you can find water that hasn't been touched that day.

You're not picking up what I'm throwing down... The angler pressure that the ched system sees messes with the fish. They sit in F'd up water and you REALLY need to be able to get a good drift with a good presentation to get fish consistently. Almost all of my ched fish come from water that is around 2' deep right on the very edge of the fast water, most of the time my float is just in the fast water. By fast water I don't mean some seam in a pool, I mean a full out wide run of fast water. The fish are so pressured they're forced out of their normal water and into the less fished water. Returning fish has nothing to do with catching fish compared to angler pressure. If you think more returning fish equals more fish landed you are so very wrong. What's a good day on the ched system for you or anyone for winter steelhead? 1 or 2 MAYBE 3?  That many fish a day is PATHETIC I think...

But I know I am some arrogant PoS with a HUUUUUUUGE ego to proove  damn I must be a KINGFISHER 

[Whopperman]

So my intention was not to turn this into a pissing contest, or for someone to question someone else's fishing ability. It was a simple question of whether or not there were steelhead in that system. I appreciate the info that was relayed to me regarding the fact there is steelhead in this system.

Thank You

[Rodney]

So my intention was not to turn this into a pissing contest, or for someone to question someone else's fishing ability.

Don't worry Whopperman, it is a norm in this testosterone-filled online community. Welcome to our dysfunctional family, where it is important for some to always be right on the internet.



Here are some past blog entries on the website about the Vedder steelhead fishery if you are interested to read about others' trips.

http://www.fishingwithrod.com/blog/2012/02/25/a-late-birthday-reward/

http://www.fishingwithrod.com/blog/2012/02/11/a-tug-erases-all-doubts/

http://www.fishingwithrod.com/blog/2011/04/01/a-steelhead-virgin-no-more/

http://www.fishingwithrod.com/blog/2009/01/29/presentation-changes-enticed-a-fish-and-a-half/

http://www.fishingwithrod.com/blog/2008/02/19/locals-know-best/