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Fishing Report for Chilliwack to Vancouver – September 8, 2018

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Fishing Report for Chilliwack to Vancouver – September 8, 2018

Hi and welcome to the GRFA fishing report updated on the  8th of September 2018.

As summer bleeds into fall we continue to see warm weather and sunny days. As the days shorten it’s a great time of year to be enjoying the great outdoors and what better way than chasing finned fish with rod and reel. Here’s whats going on…

WM8

Sturgeon:
With the abundance of salmon in the water this summer the sturgeon fishing has been very good, especially for larger specimens. They have definitely switched gears and are actively searching out salmon pieces and roe now. With the abundance of Sockeye this year they really are keyed into the bright red flesh of these beautiful fish. Having said, that please keep in mind that sockeye themselves are now closed to fishing and unless you have some from the opening they can be tough to find. Also, there are some boats still reporting activity on other baits like lamprey and coarse fish but this seems to be a day to day phenomena rather than the norm.

WM9

Fish have been found in all sorts of water and one really needs to move around to find the schools. Sometimes a hundred feet can be the difference between hooking up or just staring at your rods. Fish any where’s from 10 to 40 feet in depth and remember that the fish have been feasting and are very full at the moment. Most specimens are bulging with salmon in their bellies and they may “play” with your bait for some time before committing to it.

WM4

The Fraser River is at its traditional level for this time of year. Keep in mind that there are many gravel bars above the mouth Vedder River and one needs to be more careful when running the river, especially with a prop propelled boat. With the influx of boats on the water during the sockeye opening we saw many stranded boats this season. Also, tides do reach past the mouth of the Vedder and it’s a good idea to know them as the river can drop a foot or two on a dropping tide possibly making the route you took one way too shallow to run on your return. Best bet is to look at the New Westminster tide charts and add 2 to 3 hours.

WM7

The Canyon continues to produce both numbers and size.  If you are thinking of running this special piece of water keep in mind that is very “heavy” water and not for the timid or unexperienced jet boater, especially in low water. Please be very careful!! The canyon is a techincal fishery and the sturgeon haunts are not always obvious as the water levels tend to hide the really good spots. If you’re interested in trying your hand at biggest of the big in one of the most spectacular venue’s in the world drop Rick a line and he’ll be more than happy to help organize one of our Ultimate Fraser Canyon Sturgeon trips with you.

WM10rstahl@greatriverfishing.com

What better way is there to spend a warm 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.

 

Salmon:
The Fraser remains open to salmon fishing however Sockeye are closed now. DFO along with the Salmon Society, and just about every other sport fishing society or club, is asking that we do not bottom bounce the river for Chinook, or any of the other species of salmon. Your more likley to hook Sockeye than anything else while fishing in thhis manner and this only puts strain on a fish that we all need to do our part to protect and preserve. Please restrict yourselves to bar fishing, spoon/spinner fishing or fly fishing to help ensure that we get more and longer openings in the future.

WM3

Bar fishing is a simple technique were one fish’s a spreader bar with a large spin glow and heavy weight. This is more of a chuck and wait for a bite kind of fishery. Fly fishing can be effective with heavy sink-tips and intruder style flies fished on a swing from the slower gravel bars. Also, one can throw spoons and spinners in the quieter waters and back eddies. What ever your speed there is some thing out there for you now. Your local tackle store can help you through the maze of gear and techniques available.

WM1

 

All that being said the Fraser is in prime shape for targeting salmon. There is a healthy number of chinooks in the river and the most popular fishing method of choice is Bar fishing when tageting them. It’s a little too early for Chum but you may get lucky and get into some. Even though Coho are in the keep in mind that they do need to be released unharmed including hatchery masrked fish (missing the adipose fin).

Regulations for the Fraser are as follows:

  • Waters: Fraser River in Region 2 from the downstream side of the CPR Bridge at Mission, BC to the Highway 1 Bridge at Hope, BC.
    • Effective September 5th to September 28th 2018. Daily limit of salmon is 4 of which can be a mixture of the following:
      – Chinook salmon is four (4) with only one (1) greater than 62 cm.
      – The daily limit for chum salmon is two (2).
      – No fishing for sockeye salmon.
      – You may not retain ANY coho salmon.
      – You may not use bait when fishing for salmon.

We have also heard of a few Chinook Jacks and some early Coho in the Vedder/Chilliwack river. Activity on these have been restricted to low light periods due to the river being very shallow. Concentrate your efforts to first and last light and try utilizing roe or spinners in the lower reaches of the river.

WM2

If we do get a little rain this should help push some fish in and it wont be long before very healthy numbers of fish are in the system.

Regulations on the Vedder/Chilliwack River are as follows:

  • Waters: from a line between two fishing boundary signs on either side of the Chilliwack River 100 m from the confluence of the Chilliwack River and Slesse Creek downstream including that portion of the Sumas River from the Barrow Town Pump Station downstream to fishing boundary signs near the confluence with the Fraser River.
    • Effective September 5th to December 31st Daily limit of salmon is 4 of which can mixture of the following:
      • – Chinook: 4 per day, only 2 over 62 cm.
        – Chum: 1 per day
        – Coho: 4 hatchery marked fish per day.

SA3

“GRFA has decades worth of knowledge when it comes to tageting salmon on the mighty Fraser River System. 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.”

That’s it for now. Conserve our waters and here’s to great fishing, forever…

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