Visiting from Australia and Fishing in July

Q: We are coming to BC from July 18-26 2012 and were wondering the best location to fish for sturgeon and fly fish for trout/salmon during this time? We would appreciate your advice in planning our trip (from Australia).

Thanks,

Jodie and Terry

A: G'day Jodie and Terry,

BC is a huge province so it is hard to narrow down the areas you should visit without knowing where you plan to be. Fishing opportunities during late July are plentiful so it is definitely a good idea to choose and focus on a few to enjoy.

For Fraser River white sturgeon fishing, it can be hit and miss. How the fishing is in the Fraser River really depends on this winter's snowpack. If the snowpack is high, then the river will be high and fishing can be tough. Generally, fishing is not too bad during that time of the year. Shore fishing is pretty limited and success is usually low. My advice is to consider hiring a guide in the Fraser Valley, who can take you out on a boat and focus on productive spots. Two companies that I recommend are STS Guiding Service and BC Sportfishing Group.

Fly fishing for trout and/or salmon is not as ideal around Vancouver. Salmon season around Vancouver is usually between August and November. There will be some salmon around in July, but river conditions will not be ideal for fly fishing. A better alternative is to travel to Vancouver Island and target salmon in several streams and on the beach. The area around Campbell River and Port Alberni can be fabulous for salmon fishing during that time of the year. Your target species are pink, chinook and sockeye salmon.

If you want to fly fishing for trout, then consider heading toward the Thompson-Okanagan region, where hundreds of lakes and rivers await. Thompson River will just become fishable during your stay. It can be an excellent river for dry fly fishing. Rainbow trout found in this river range between 1 and 4lb, possibly bigger. Tunkwa and Leighton Lakes in Tunkwa Lake Provincial Park, offer pretty consistent fly fishing for rainbow trout. That being said, be warned, these lakes can be extremely windy. Boat rental is available at Tunkwa Lake.

If you do not mind a long drive and enjoy some sightseeing, then you should consider travelling to the Elk River system in Southeastern British Columbia. This river and its tributaries offer world class dry fly fishing for westslope cutthroat trout, mountain whitefish and bull trout. You can walk and wade along most of these streams.

This is just a very generic suggestions on where you might want to visit. I hope you find it useful. If you need more information, please feel free to email me back and let me know which areas you are interested in visiting.

Good luck!

Rodney Hsu
Webmaster of Fishing with Rod and Public Advisor of Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC