Hi and welcome to the GRFA fishing report updated on the 3rd of March 2017.
Can you feel that? Springs coming!! Now we just need the weather to cooperate a little more. Rain, snow, cold , warm, waters up, waters down… crazy winter we’re enduring but there’s no denying it spring is near and with it more and more fishing opportunities.
Even with the higher water conditions
the Sturgeon and Steelhead have been fishing well. One of the better winters we’ve seen for sturgeon, read on for more…
If you trust the weather man, then next week it looks like more rain which equals rivers staying up. Don’t despair there’s still fish to be had just bring a rain jacket. Here’s the low down:
STEELHEAD:
The Vedder/Chilliwack River is currently high and clear. Last week saw some good fishing still, mostly in the mid river, around the crossing, and up. Most fish were taken on roe or pink rubber worms fished tight to the banks. Having said that we have heard of a few on the fly lately as the water temps came up a bit, some real pigs too. Once the water starts dropping the fishing should be stellar as the peak of the later wild fish are due any day now and a dropping river equals grabby fish.
The Chehalis River is also up, however with this system we tend to want higher water. This is 
a great option if rains continue and rivers stay up. March is prime time for steelhead on the Chehalis and many of the other smaller systems that need rain to fish.
The Stave River remains constant in flow and temp due to the dam. Just a few fish to report but this river is always clean. Watch the tides as these fish move around with it, best usually just after the high as the water turns.
Steelhead are a fabled fish with plenty of lore and mystery surrounding them. These chrome bullets will not only strain tackle to the limits but will test the stamina and determination of the angler pursuing them. Let us help you knock this one off your bucket list. Currently we are offering very affordable half/full day walk and wade expeditions with either drift gear or fly/spey. Also, there are some limited full day jet boat trips available for the angler looking to get away from hustle and bustle.
From novice to expert, our guides are extremely well versed in steelheading. Whether your looking to catch your first ever steelhead or want the added challenge of taking one with a spey or fly rod, we have the right guides as well as the best gear waiting for you. We pride ourselves in ensuring your day is as comfortable, safe and enjoyable as possible. What ever your speed, we will cater to your needs. Call or email today.
Cutthroat Trout
The rains have muddied the main stem Fraser and with the higher water many of the backwaters have color now too. There’s still a few that are far enough back from the main stem that remain clear and are still fishing but you will have to explore. Any warm afternoon can trigger a winter stonefly hatch, we seen some last week. These little bugs are best represented with small leaches or swimming style nymph patterns in 12’s to 16’s.
The Harrison and Stave
Rivers have also picked up as we are seeing salmon alvien and fry starting their spring awakening. Fish should start nosing around for these minnows as the salmon life cycle begin a fresh. Best fishing has been at day break but they can keep biting all day with a little cloud cover, which we’ve had plenty of lately. Watch for fish crashing minnows close to shore and move to them.
Most anglers are targeting cuttie’s with light fly gear. This time of year stick with small leach style patterns or small free swimming style nymph patterns like pheasant tails in the Fraser and minnow patterns in the Harrison and Stave. Long leaders on floating lines with a very slow presentation being the norm. Look for fish rising, cutthroat are very schooly and even if you just see one riser there is a very good chance that there are a few more with it. Also cutthroat are very light sensitive creatures and you would be best to concentrate your efforts to low cloud covered days.
Searun Cutthroat with stand, and stay active, in the coldest condition of any known trout. This makes them the ideal mid-winter cure for cabin fever. Novice to expert we can help you dial these little battlers in. We offer half and full day excursions via jet boat or walk in’s for these ghosts of the coast. Drop us a line and we’ll be happy to fill you in.
Sturgeon:
The Fraser River has been fishing very well for this time of year, particularly in the lower river below the confluence of the Vedder all the way through to the mouth in Richmond. The river is up and colored and there is debris floating around, not much, but still keep an eye out for floating
logs if running the river. As usual concentrate your efforts around the tide changes and don’t be afraid to fish a little shallower than usual, particularly for the big ones. These fish will come to an array of bait at this time of year. Dew worms coupled with lamprey pieces are an excellent place to start.
What better way is there to spend a clear winter 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.
NEWS:
GRFA is once again involved with “Chilliwacks All About Fishing” day. This one day FREE event is excellent opportunity for both young and old to come and learn about all things fishing. Along with a host of prizes there will be many local experts to give advice on regional fish and techniques to catch them. Come and learn about the fish in the Fraser Valley and the conservation methods used to ensure that future generations will be able to enjoy these resources . This event will be held at the Chilliwack Heritage Park on Saturday the 12th of March from 9 am to 5 pm
2016 Chilliwack’s All About Fishing is proudly sponsored by Tourism Chilliwack, Go Fish BC and Fraser Valley Salmon Society
GRFA will be lending boats, time and elbow grease to the Fraser Riverkeeper scheduled for the 18th of March at the end of Gill. Start time is 8 am so please give back to the fishing community and come help keep our river pristine and debris free. With approximately 600 volunteers this is the single largest river cleanup in all of BC and 2nd i
n Canada.
Since 2007, Fraser Riverkeeps annual Fraser River clean-up, organized with the help of Woodtone, the late Andy Rotzetter of Rotz Disposal, and our partners in the Fraser Valley Illegal Dumping Alliance has netted a whopping 88 tonnes of illegally dumped garbage from wilderness areas and salmon habitat. This year we’re making it our mission to mark the clean-up’s 10th anniversary by bringing our 10-year total to more than 100 tonnes. With your help, we can do it!
Come celebrate with us at Clean-up HQ, located at the end of Gill Rd in Chillwack, BC, on March 18th while we roll up our sleeves together and give back to the beautiful rivers and back country where we all love to swim, drink, and fish.
You can check out Fraser Riverkeepers web site at http://www.fraserriverkeeper.ca/ and check them out on face book at https://www.facebook.com/fraserrivkeeper/
That’s all for now, until next time: tight lines and scream’n reels.
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