Hi and welcome to the GRFA fishing report updated on the 12th of November 2019.
November can really be a sleeper month for the sport angler in the Fraser Valley as angling pressure drops on our rivers and fish numbers remain high. It’s a great time to get out and enjoy our neck of the woods.
Sturgeon fishing remains very good with all the early chum salmon carcasses in the river and a certain sense of urgency with winter coming puts them on the bite well. Also, the late returns of Coho salmon show up and stage in the Dewdney slough and Harrison River. Currently Chum are still in all the systems that hold them, and we are seeing a good late push of chromers in the Harrison.
Sturgeon:
The Fraser is in prime shape at the moment and the fishing has followed suite. Preparing for the lean winter months ahead, Sturgeon have their feed bags on and are fattening up on the early salmon runs that have spawned and are dying off now. Look to the edges of the deeper holes where the remaining salmon carcasses will be blown into. Having said that it is not too early to start trying baits other than salmon parts, like eels and pike minnows. Often sturgeon will seek out something different to tickle their pallets after feasting on the same foods for a few months.
At this time of year the fish in the upper Fraser start to move down searching out salmon parts which are typically more abundant around Chilliwack and downstream all the way to Maple Ridge. When fishing tidally influenced water such as the Dewdney and Lower Stave keep in mind that your best bite is around the slack tides with high slack being the best. We typically look at the New Westminster tide charts and add 2 to 3 hours depending on the system fished.
The Harrison River currently is also doing well for Sturgeon for those that know the right haunts. These fish have moved up from the Fraser and as they enter the ultra-clean water of the Harrison they become darker in color to better camouflage in their surroundings. Fat and sassy, these fish put up a heck of a fight and some giants have come to hand as of late…
What better way is there to spend an autumn day than sitting in a comfortable covered jet boat waiting on another bite from the almighty sturgeon. With limited fishing pressure on the river this is a great time of year to get out and experience these dinosaurs of the deep. We offer half and full day outing’s via jet boat with nothing but the finest in guides and tackle. We pride ourselves in ensuring your day is as comfortable, safe and enjoyable as possible. Whatever your speed, we will cater to your needs. Call or email today. rstahl@greatriverfishing.com
Salmon:
Currently we are experience a very good return of late salmon. Even with the higher water this fall the fish seem to be a little late in all systems which bodes well for this time of year. Right now anglers are catching chum and coho in the Stave, Vedder and Harrison River as well as the Dewdney Slough. All these systems are have dropped nicely and are in prime shape at the moment.
Most anglers targeting coho in these systems are utilizing spinning gear and throwing spinners and spoons in the slack water where the coho love to stage and the typical array of float gear with a little roe in areas that have more current. Fly anglers have been having some decent success using slime lines and small streamer patterns in the slower to almost slack water holding area’s.
Although some chum will come to those fishing the slack water for coho the chum tend to be best targeted in slightly faster moving water. Most anglers are running traditional float fishing rigs with the typical array of jigs, wool and corkies and the fly fisher’s swinging sink tips and brighter flashy flies. Keep in mind that most systems are now closed to the retention of Chum, one can still fish for them, however, it is a Catch and Release fishery.
When fishing tidally influenced water such as the Dewdney and Lower Stave your best bite is around the slack tides with high slack being the best. We typically look at the New Westminster tide charts and add 2 to 3 hours depending the system fished.
“GRFA has decades and decades worth of knowledge when it comes to targeting salmon in the Fraser Valley. If you would like to learn more about this fishery or simply want to get out on the river for some salmon fishing we can help. Please contact Rick at rstahl@greatriverfishing.com and let us help you experience the thrill of salmon on the rod.”
Coming up!!
With late fall and winter quickly approaching our thoughts turn towards the new fishing opportunities that it will bring. The Lillooet River is a gem of a winter fishery for Bull Trout and a great opportunity at some steelhead, cutthroat and rainbow trout as well. This is one of our premier trips and when you get there you will see why. This is a remote fishery that gets very little pressure and requires a skilled jet boater to reach the best waters.
The sheer beauty and majestic scenery coupled with miles of perfect fishing water makes this one of those bucket list kind of rivers… want to get it out of your bucket? Contact Rick for more info rstahl@greatriverfishing.com
GRFA will once again be offering river raft Float adventures on the Vedder/Chilliwack River this winter for the elusive steelhead!! This is in an effort to enhance the fishing experience and open up water that is difficult to access any other way. These adventures will start the first of February and run until the end of April. Want to knock old square tail of the bucket list? This is your best opportunity…
Steelhead will start to enter the Vedder about the middle of December and are typically there in catchable numbers by the first week of January. Peak of the run is towards the end of February and holds on well into April. We will be primarily float and/or fly fishing for the chrome beauties and will use the raft primarily to offer ease of access to the water and most fishing will be still be done from shore. If this is something that interest you please drop Rick a quick email for more info. rstahl@greatriverfishing.com
That’s it for now. Conserve our waters and here’s to great fishing, forever…
Comments
NOV