Fraser Valley report for the week of June 9, 2008
Our trout season has now begun, come join us for some of British Columbia's best trout fishing.
Trout fishing in the Valley-
Extraordinary Fly-fishing for Sea Run Bull Trout & Salmon
45 minutes from Vancouver is one of British Columbia's best-kept secrets. The Upper Pitt River is located at the north end of Pitt Lake, North America's only freshwater tidal lake. Each spring the Upper Pitt River receives thousands of Sea-run Bull trout heading back to their home waters in Garibaldi Park to spawn. Each high tide brings a fresh run of fish into the lower reaches of the Upper Pitt River. We begin targeting this bright chrome fish in mid May with fantastic fishing opportunities through June until mid to late July. Some of the best fishing occurs between. May 21 to Jun 31. These fish reach as much as 14 lbs with an average size of 4 to 8 lbs. incredible action on the fly and light spinning tackle. We are now booking for our May - June 2008 Sea-run Bull Trout Fishery. This trip is limited to 2 boats per day so book now for best dates. Check out some of our great photo's from last season. http://www.guidebc.com/photos/photofly2.asp
Trout fishing has been fair to excellent this week, good numbers of fishing moving into our local rivers with some quality sized fish in the 4 to 10lb range. Water conditions have been excellent but as we all know that can change over night if we receive heavy rainfall.
Most of our fish have been caught on streamer fly's but we have also have done well on Gibbs Ultra Lures and crocs. You can visit our website fly pattern gallery at http://www.guidebc.com/flypatterns.asp and for Gibbs Lures visit http://www.gibbsfishing.com/products/croc.asp
Sockeye salmon being to enter the Pitt in mid July offering the fly angler a great opportunity for some catch and release fly fishing for salmon. Although we only target sockeye salmon and trout on the Pitt you do catch the occasional Chinook Salmon on the fly. Combine a day or two on the Pitt with some Fraser Chinook or Sturgeon and you have yourself a world class angling experience.
Salmon Fishing Report
There are a lot of rumors flying around right now with the changes in salmon fishing regulations on the Fraser River, which I think need clarifying. The Fraser River is open to salmon fishing on May 1, 2008 like every other year, the big change this year is that retention is not permitted until June 16 due to a low return year of early summer fish.
The ironic thing about this regulation change is that we normally don't even start targeting Chinook on the Fraser until the water begins to clear which is usually first or second week in June, so in reality the regulation change has had 0 impact on our guests or local Fraser River Anglers.
We will begin our salmon fishing season as soon as water conditions are favorable to the angler. Our best guess is mid to late June then we will be in full swing targeting late summer Chinook Salmon on the Fraser and several other local rivers like the Vedder, Chehalis and several others.
The sockeye fishery for the 2008 season doesn't look great, this is the 3rd year low in a 4 year cycle which means harvest opportunities will be limited to first nations food and ceremonial. If we are lucky and the return numbers are larger than expected, we might see a last minute opening sometime in mid to late August.
The good news is that there are good strong numbers of late summer Chinook which means July and August should be good for Chinook fishing on the Fraser. We are also expecting a record return of Harrison River Chinook in mid to late September of 200,000 fish, which will offer some incredible angling opportunities for both gear and fly fishers.
Sturgeon
Despite the high water sturgeon fishing continues to be fair to excellent. The Mission area has fished best with Hatzic Flats producing some nice fish in the 4 to 6 foot range. Our best baits have been eel, salmon eggs and ulachons fishing out of the main current in depths between 15 to 25 feet.
If you're looking to get out onto the water over the next month, sturgeon fishing is one fishery you should give a try. We are starting to fill up for dates for September, October and November so if you are planning on fishing with us during peak season, book soon to not be disappointed.
Vedder River
Closed to fishing until July 1st when it re-opens for Chinook season.
Vancouver Saltwater Report
The local saltwater fishing has started to show so some signs of life after a real slow spell throughout March and early April. Fishing for chinook/king salmon has been decent off the south end of Bowen Island and the outer reaches of Vancouver Harbour. The average size of the legal fish is getting bigger as well. The fish are averaging in the
10-15 pound range with the odd larger one. A local charter boat picked up a 31 pound chinook off Point Grey on April 12. The fish are starting to show a preference for anchovies. We have been having our success on the downriggers from 50-130 feet. Crabbing has continued to be great in the harbour as well. Crab traps are dropped on every fishing trip.
Join our team of 8 professional guides for the 2008 season and see why STS is considered #1 in the valley.
To Book Your next guided adventure, call us Toll Free 1-866-771-3474
Remember to conserve your catch
Tight Lines and we will see you on the water
Vic Carrao
www.guidebc.com
sts@guidebc.com
604- 671-FISH ( 3474)