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Fishing Report for Chilliwack to Vancouver – July 26, 2021

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Fishing Report for Chilliwack to Vancouver – July 26, 2021

Hi and welcome to the GRFA fishing report updated on the 26th of July.

The weather has been outstanding and the fishing has been hotter. This incredible stretch of weather has most of the province covered in a thick haze of smoke from forest fires blazing in the interior of the province and Alberta. However we remain blessed with the off shores winds pushing inland keeping our skies are clear and blue! Here’s what you need to know to get outside and enjoy this weather and tackle a few fish on the way…

STURGEON:
Currently the Fraser is on the hard drop and will most likely bottom out in the next week or two. With the water crashing the big fish really get amped up and start to put the feed bag on.  Couple that with ideal water temperatures and fantastic flow and its time to go HOG hunting. With water the water temps being in the ideal range for sturgeon it’s rare at the moment to catch a sturgeon that does not launch out of the water, in fact most fish are jumping repeatedly and the runs they are taking are blistering. If you want a chance at a trophy sturgeon the time is now…  only word of advice is to make sure you have a few people on board to switch up on the rods as once one these behemoths is hooked it’s fairly uncommon for the initial angler to finish off on them and most are having to be chased with the boats.

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Water that was too fast to fish a few weeks ago is starting to slow down and become fishable. As the water drops more and more fishing grounds open up and the “holes” are getting more fishable and larger. What this means to the angler is to keep moving around as the fish will spread out more with more slack water around. Even 100 feet can make the difference.  Keep in mind that with the dropping water many gravel bars are starting to appear and one needs to be more careful when running the river, especially with a prop propelled boat.

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The river also has a good number of salmon in it now and the Sturgeon are starting to switch their attention to salmon parts and Roe. Having said that do not forsake the tried and true summer baits, like Lampreys, dew worms and coarse fish, as every day seems to be different.

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The Canyon has been phenomenal as of late and is producing both numbers and size.  It’s dropping fast and the fishing is getting faster, it has been ultra-steady with good numbers of above average fish coming on every charter. 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. Please be very careful!! The canyon is a high water 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 us a line and we’ll be more than happy to help organize one of our Ultimate Fraser Canyon Sturgeon trips with you. info@greatriverfishing.com

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What better way is there to spend a warm summer 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.
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UPPER PITT RIVER
They’re HERE! The much anticipated run of salmon have entered the river and the fishing has been good. Currently there is a good number of fish throughout the system which is very early and bodes well for the angler.

Pitt River Fly Fishing Salmon

The river is extremely low at the moment and great care must be given when running it with a jet boat. There is a log jam at 12 kilometer that is actually across the entire river and is un-navigable at the moment. Don’t let the color of the water fool you, the river is low even though it is quite green at the moment. Thankfully with the low water the fish are staying in the lower river and providing excellent opportunity for well presented fly or lure.

Pitt River, Bears, Vancouver, Chilliwack, Fly Fishing, Fishing Trips, Charters

Fish have been scattered throughout the river and there are still quite a few to come as the lake is holding many. They do not seem to be stacking up like they have done for the last few years so this makes every hole a new possibility for a fish or two. Most anglers are swinging larger intruder style flies on heavy sink tips with spey gear. Having said that it, it is hard to be the almighty spoon and spin combo which is absolutely deadly this time of year.

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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 Rick an email at rstahl@greatriverfishing.com


Vedder River:
We have seen both Chinook and Sockeye through out the system now with some concentrations in the middle stretch below the crossing. Keep in mind that the sockeye are a non-targeted species and should not be removed from the water! If you do happen to catch one please release them carefully and unharmed. They are a species of concern and we need to do our part to ensure that they will be able to thrive as they once did.

Sockeye

If you see chinook rolling and showing themselves stick it out, they can turn-on at the drop of a hat. Sockeye will also show themselves a lot but are typically much smaller and just boil where as chinook will sometimes leap clear of the water or at least get their heads out and their obviously a much larger fish… We have heard of Chinook being taken on jenssen eggs, wool and roe, and the odd one on the fly. Fish are biting best during low light conditions. Concentrate your efforts to first and last light or cloudy days.

Please keep in mind that the Sumas First Nation will have a gill net fishery occasionally through the summer months. This opening is from the Keith Wilson Bridge to the Sumas River out flow on the Fraser. This should not interfere with rec-fishers as the fish are moving through this stretch sporadically and holding further upstream where people are sport fishing for them. For more information on this please visit https://greatriverfishing.com/fishing-reports/urgent-fishery-notice-vedderchilliwack-river-july-8-2021/

A Swinomish tribal gillnet is set in the main stem of the Skagit River near Mount Vernon. Controversy between sport fishers and tribal fishery, gill netters from Swinomish, over the opening Wednesday without an agreement between the sides. Wed. May 4, 2016 Ref to more online. Tribal fisheries got under way in Puget Sound on Wednesday, and for the first time in 30 years, there was no joint agreement on how to manage the salmon harvests-- and echoes of the pro-Boldt era.

GRFA is once again offering Raft Fishing Adventures on the Vedder / Chilliwack River. This is an awesome way to fish the river with no hiking required as you silently drift along with the current all the while having all the amenities you could need right in the boat.  Relaxing and peaceful these trips are one the best ways to access miles of river that otherwise would require long hikes and opens up water that is typically tough, if not impossible to get on. For more info drop Rick an email rstahl@greatriverfishing.com

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

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