Hi there and welcome to the GRFA fishing report updated on the 31st of March 2026.
Spring has sprung… It’s that time of year again, when we start to see mother nature shake off winter and start anew the circle of life. As the plants and animals begin their spring rituals we find fish feeling frisky as their world warms. This is a fantastic time to get out on the water and bend a rod.
IMPORTANT! Support the Canadian ownership, Public Right to Fish and Priority Access to Salmon
Before we get into what’s happening on the water we would like to take a moment to discuss a federal policy change that will undermine sportfishing in BC. The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) is under pressure to eliminate the principle of Common Property Resource from its Salmon Allocation Policy. Removing this principle from the policy would represent a radical shift that could undermine the rights of Canadians, create uncertainty around the ownership of a common property resource, and disrupt the effective management of the salmon fishery.
ARE YOU CANADIAN? DO YOU BELIEVE THAT:
- Salmon are a Common Property Resource belonging to all Canadians
- Salmon must be referred to as a Common Property Resource in the Salmon Allocation Policy
- The Public Right to Fish must be referred to in the Salmon Allocation Policy
- Recreational sector priority access to Chinook and Coho must be maintained after conservation and before the commercia! sector
….THEN PLEASE SIGN THIS PETITION! and SHARE, SHARE, SHARE!
What else can you do?
Reach out to your local MPs – call them, stop in, speak to them, and write emails. Also, call or email the Federal Fisheries Minister, the Honourable Joanne Thompson, and let her know this is NOT how we want her to manage OUR Canadian Common Property Resource. Ask her to keep the SAP as status quo, and just add the IRB fishery (Indigenous Rights-Based) right underneath the FSC fishery (Food, Social, Ceremonial) in the ranking within the policy AND leave the rest the same.
…remember #wefish #wehunt #WEVOTE
GRFA would like to announce that we have purchased a NEW boat strictly for touring the river. This behemoth 26 footer is powered by twin inboards and can take on 22 passengers. Starting this April, these private, scenic and historical tours typically will last around 2.5 hours and are fantastic for corporate and large groups looking for a unique experience. For more info check out https://greatriverfishing.com/jet-boat-river-tours/
STEELHEAD:
The Vedder River has been experiencing one of the best steelhead seasons we’ve seen in many years. Virtually all of our raft excursions over the past month have yielded multiple hookups, with fish coming to hand on every outing. If ever you wanted to get out and catch a steelhead, this spring is your best bet.
With the mix of weather we’ve been getting, the water levels on the Vedder River have been fluctuating a lot. This has kept the fish on the move and on the bite. Currently there are a lot of fish in the system and still quite a few hatchery fish being taken. Although the average size has been down a little, there are still a few stud specimens around… and late season is usually when we see them.
For the fly fisher this is the time to get out and get it done. At this time of year it is not as crucial to be scraping the bottom with your fly, as the water temperatures have bumped up and the fish are chasing a well-presented intruder. You still want to be running medium to fast sink tips, just not quite as aggressive as the colder months warranted. To up your odds it is best to work the runs quickly and cover as much water as possible with a large intruder-style fly pattern.
For those drift fishing, this is the time of year that spoons and spinners can make a difference for the same reason that steelhead eat a fly better. Having said that, small to medium jigs have been working well along with washed-out pink rubber worms, trout beads and wool combos. Of course small bags of roe or skeined chunks always work.
BOOK YOUR 2026 STEELHEAD ADVENTURE NOW!! 604-792-3544
We are offering River Raft Float Adventures on the Vedder/Chilliwack River this spring for the elusive Steelhead!! This experience opens up water that is difficult to access any other way. These adventures run until the end of April. Want to knock old square tail off the bucket list? This is your best opportunity…
Peak of the run is towards the end of March and holds on well into April. We will be primarily float and/or fly fishing for these chrome beauties and will use the raft primarily to offer ease of access to the water and most fishing will still be done from shore. Also, for those with a time constraint or just wanting to learn the in and outs of steelheading, we will be offering Walk and Wade opportunities. If this is something that interests you please drop us a quick email for more info.info@greatriverfishing.com
REMOTE WILDERNESS FISHING
Jan – May 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 info@greatriverfishing.com
May – Sept The Upper Pitt River is a special fishery and for good reason — big bull trout living in one of the prettiest places around. The beginning of May starts this special fishery and it continues through the summer, but typically the best bull trout fishing is during freshet. No explanation why, just know that the numbers do not lie: bigger fish and better numbers. Great River Fishing Adventures guides have many years’ experience fishing the Upper Pitt River watershed and are knowledgeable about the area and effective techniques to target all species. As jet boats and experienced boat-handling skills are required to access and fish this river, you rarely see other anglers, and more importantly this area is not overfished. It is truly an adventure that is easily accessible within a day from Vancouver. For a free personalized quote please drop us an email at info@greatriverfishing.com
STURGEON:
Sturgeon fishing has remained solid all through this winter and is trending well going into spring; it has been very good as of late. Our charters last week had some fantastic action with multiple double headers reported. Lots of fish at the moment with decent numbers of some very respectable fish up to 9 feet in the mix. Both the saltwater and freshwater portions of the river have been very good and without too much fishing pressure. Look for the fishing to only get better as the water continues to warm and we start seeing eulachons beginning their annual migratory run up the river.
The Fraser has bumped up and visibility in the water has diminished considerably. Be ultra-vigilant when boating the river as there are many rock bars that are just submerged at the moment. The river has changed somewhat, as it does every year, and some areas that were good to go last year have filled in and channels may have moved. This is especially evident around the “5 Fingers” area of the Fraser (above the mouth of the Vedder River to Grassy Bar).
The saltwater-designated portion of the river, downstream of Mission, has been producing impressive numbers of fish; however, with the rising waters it seems that quite a few of the larger specimens have started moving. From the Vedder River confluence and up has started fishing better as the water has warmed slightly over the last few weeks, and this is all it takes to get these cold-blooded creatures eating.
Still look for fish in the deeper wintering holes and along their edges as we are not in freshet yet. Keep moving around, trying different anchor locations until you find them. Once you start getting bites stay close as they tend to pack up at this time of year and often one does not have to move much to get into consistent action.
Different baits can work on any given day and it is wise to have a wide assortment. Baits of choice are lamprey, coarse fish, roe and salmon meat. Keep your offering size down to the minimum as larger baits at this time of year are often ignored or sturgeon will often “lay” down on it to save it for later; this results in foul-hooked fish as the motion of the fish telegraphs to the rod like a bite.
BOOK YOUR 2026 STURGEON ADVENTURE NOW!! 604-792-3544
What better way is there to spend a spring 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. info@greatriverfishing.com
POTENTIAL HUGE SOCKEYE RUN FOR 2026 BOOK NOW!!
We would like to take a moment and talk about what we’re in store for this summer. Last year we were blessed with an abnormal amount of Sockeye Salmon returning in the month of August. This allowed for a surprise sport angling opportunity on the Fraser River… Well this year is the 4 year high in the Sockeye cycle and current projections are upwards of 30 million fish!!! This should once again allow for a sport fishing opportunity and most likely we will be open towards the end of August and into September. We are super excited about this and are already starting to see anglers that are in the know booking dates in anticipation. If your at all interested in getting in on the action please do not hesitate to reach out to us for more info or possible dates. info@greatriverfishing.com
FRASER CANYON RIVERSIDE DOMES
The Domes are now closed for the season and we would like to Thank all of you that took advantage of these beautiful accommodations. Having said that this is the time to book your 2026 vacation and avoid missing out on all that the stunning Fraser Canyon has to offer! Whether it be a fishing trip of a lifetime or perhaps just a cozy weekend get away, now is the time to drop us a line and avoid disappointment, you’ll be glad you did. info@greatriverfishing.com
These 2 Geodesic Domes are the ultimate headquarters to your Fraser Canyon outdoor adventure! Nestled onto an amazing piece of property right on the banks of the mighty Fraser River near Yale BC, it is ideally situated for the outdoor enthusiast, anglers and nature lover looking to get away and enjoy what the Fraser Canyon has to offer. Boasting over a thousand feet of riverfront your guide will pick you up and drop you off via jet boat for an amazing day up the highly scenic Fraser Canyon chasing some of the largest sturgeon in the world. Check out a short video about the Fraser Canyon Riverside Domes.
These state of the art geodesic domes represent the new standard for all things “glamping”. Handsomely appointed and offering all the luxuries of home these structures and surrounding property will leave you breathless. Enjoy 550 square feet of living space heated with a propane fireplace to achieve your maximum comfort level. Enjoy the wood burning cedar hot tub next to the river and take full advantage of the massive deck with a unique fire table and BBQ to enjoy your favorite cuisine. Then end your day next to a cozy fire in the beautifully created pit with wood provided (not in fire season). For more info or to find out availability please reach out to Alyssa at info@greatriverfishing.com
FRASER RIVER LODGE – BOOK YOUR 2026 STAYCATIONS TODAY
From large corporate events to single person stays, the lodge can handle all your needs. Combining Great River Fishing Adventures’ exceptional team and professional guiding services with Fraser River Lodge’s commitment to providing an extraordinary and memorable stay, promises an unmatched fishing retreat. Together, we look forward to welcoming fishing enthusiasts and corporate groups from near and far to continue to explore the diverse fishing opportunities our region has to offer.
Drop us a line for more information on this enhanced fishing experiences and to book your next adventure. info@greatriverfishing.com
That’s it for now. Conserve our waters and here’s to great fishing, forever…
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