Fraser River Fishing Report - March 2009
Fraser Canyon Fishing Report offers you insight into some of the "rockiest" areas of British Columbia. Our boats take off directly at the shore of our lodge as the Fraser Canyon is located a beautiful boat ride upstream. Our sturgeon wilderness trips into this incredible landscape take your breath away. This is not a sightseeing or sturgeon fishing day, rather a combination of both. The Fraser River gets squeezed into 1/10 or less of it`s average width and you can imagine the flow speed of the water. You look up to the sky and all you see are walls of rock - mountains and canyon walls reaching straight up into the air and it seems the sky is squeezed out at the top of the canyon. It is absolutely incredible. We offer those trips during the months of July and August when water and fishing conditions combine perfectly. Each sturgeon fishing wilderness trip into the canyon includes a bbq shore lunch of salmon or bison on the grill. Make sure you book at least 1 day during your stay at the lodge. Please inquire for rates for this unique adventure.BC Sturgeon fishing on the Fraser River has started with mixed results from slower to excellent days within this month. We hit several highlights with a group where an angler broke off a 10-12 foot sturgeon after 3 hours of battle due to total exhaustion, though he was able to land a 7.5 footer earlier in the day without visiting the hospital. Needless to say he will be back this fall. Another group is coming back this weekend after catching the sturgeon of a life time last week and losing another 10 foot plus sturgeon due to bad luck - the fish actually broke off by wrapping the leader around a sharp item on the river bottom. The weather has been inconsistent with sun, snow and heavy winds at times making it challenging on certain days, but we always find some calm spots to fish. We are looking forward to some incredible sturgeon action from now on until the beginning of December. The very best times are October and November where the sturgeon feast heavily on the salmon and anglers can experience record days of guided sturgeon fishing.
Be sure to sign up for our charity sturgeon tournament on May 02 for the benefit of our fire department. After the event bring your partner (if she is not already on the boat) and enjoy dinner and dance at our brand new heated riverfront event tent. We are offering special overnight rates for this event. The cost for the day of guided fishing including dinner is only CAD 225 per person or book a boat for CAD 850 and bring 3 friends with you. All boat purchases are tax deductible!
Trout/Steelhead Fishing on the Fraser River started slow at days where the fishing was limited due to heavy winds and casting was a real challenge. We have had some very good days in the last week where we landed several trout per day on the fly as well as on ultra light spinning gear. We also had some great days on the Harrison River, where we are often the only boats out. Trout fishing on the wilderness rivers has turned on as well. With fresh snow on the shore and crisp clear water, we use very light leaders to not spooke the fish. Various fly patters work well with minnow patterns of various sizes being the most successful. Steelhead fishing has been slow to good with a limited number of steelies landed. Dollies are caught as a by-catch.
Salmon Fishing on the Fraser River has not started yet, but will turn on by June. This year you can catch all 5 species of pacific salmon. We expect a fantastic salmon season starting with large Chinook salmon from June to October followed by sockeye salmon (reds) from July to October and than it comes - 20 Million pink salmon from August to September. The river will be alive with salmon breaking through the water surface and leaves anglers wondering about the sheer numbers of migrating salmon. Whether you want to fly- spin- bait- float- bar fish or troll - WE WILL CATCH SALMON. World record size chum salmon from September to November are next on the arrival schedule of the Fraser River. It offers us incredible fishing on spinning as well as on fly-gear. Make sure you eat your muesli before you head out. Coho salmon or silvers are from late September to mid November on the arrival list. The success of this fishery depends on the experience of your guide. I can say honestly that our Coho guides are among the most experienced in the industry. Come and see yourself. All salmon trips can be combined with some incredible wilderness fishing trips, something you should do for at least 1 day in order to see what British Columbia is all about. To summarize it up for you - June to mid November is the time you want to visit for salmon fishing. October to mid November gives you the biggest average size salmon per day and the most fish for the ones who want to take some salmon home with them.
But before the huge runs are starting, we have some early runs of Chinook (king) salmon arriving through the Fraser system migrating up through the Harrison River, from there across Harrison Lake into the Lillooet River system entering the Birkenhead River in March and April. We fish that system regularly as part of our wilderness expeditions and invite you to enjoy the breathtaking scenery and surrounds topped off with excellent fishing.
We have a fully licensed salmon processing facility on site - government inspected. The only legal processing facility in the Fraser Valley among any guide or outfitter - issuing government licenses from the health department of British Columbia which is required for the import of salmon into the European Union. Without the health certificate, your salmon will be confiscated, you pay a heavy fine and on top you pay for the recycling of the salmon.
Lillooet River Fishing Report is my personal favorite fishing report to write, not only because that system has captured my heard and soul but it is what guests imagine when they picture the wild British Columbia in their mind - the untamed nature with mountains, glaciers, streams, waterfalls and wildlife. We will post Lillooet River Fishing Reports regularly, since this is one of our main rivers I guide personally year round. There are days we don't catch fish and there are days we do exceptionally well. The system is perfect for single handed fly-fishing, double handed fly fishing (spey fishing) or simply cast a spoon or float fish with some of our unique tackle we have imported from Europe. I am looking forward taking you on a personal trip up this exceptional river system.
Coquihalla River
We are one of only 3 companies in Canada licensed to guide this incredible river for summer run steelhead - fly fishing only. The timing is key when you fish the "Coque" because water levels determine the success. It is mostly walk and wade and you have to be in good physical shape. The water is crystal clear and the river with it`s majestic canyon is almost "romantic" - a word that goes well when it comes to fly fishing. The river is usually open to fly fishing during the summer until October. Give it a try for at least 1 day during your stay - the landscape alone is worth it, besides the chance catching of a trophy steelhead on the fly.
