Hi and welcome to the GRFA fishing report updated on the 29th of September 2021.
October is once again at our doorstep and with it the promise of some superb fishing. This is the time of year that gets the blood flowing for the local angler, so many options and so many fish to come. With salmon and sturgeon available here’s the low down on what’s happening out there…
Sturgeon:
With quite a few pinks still in the system, sturgeon have been very much fattening up for the winter and you can really tell, most of them look like butterballs and are very girthy… almost all fish are 10 to 20 percent heavier than a month ago!! Good size average and decent numbers have been the norm lately.
Sturgeon have been primarily targeting salmon in the river. At the moment Pink parts are working best however with Chum salmon numbers increasing in the rivers expect the sturgeons attention to start to shift towards them. Strips of salmon meat and the roe, singles or skeined, have been the baits of choice and for those that can stomach it, stink bait from the spawned out Pinks has also proven good.
Fish have been stacking up in the deeper holes and if you find a few, stick around, there’s bound to be more. Some guides have been doing very well fishing the shallower edges of the holes, especially for larger specimens.
The rivers water levels has been up and down lately with rains both locally and in the interior. One needs to be careful when running the river as the levels yo-yo around. Of particular note the old Five Fingers stretch of river (Wellington Bar to Bowmans Bar) is very touchy and a prop driven boat should steer clear of this area. Definitely want to keep an eye out for shallow bars and watch your sounders as your running, even in a jet boat.
With Pink salmon still in good numbers in the Canyon, the area 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!! 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. rstahl@greatriverfishing.com
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.
Salmon:
Last week’s rains in the interior and northern coast regions, really brought up the Fraser and Harrison Rivers which in turn pushed many of the Pink salmon up river. Do not despair; these same rains have brought in the much anticipated Chum and Coho returns which are just starting to filter into the river in numbers.
Keep in mind that the Fraser is officially closed to salmon fishing.. This measure was put in place to protect migrating interior steelhead, ie Thompson and Chilcotin Steelhead stocks, which are currently believed to be at dangerously low levels. We all need to do our part in protecting this fragile fishery and understand that conservation must be at the fore front of our way of thinking.
Having said all that opportunities for salmon still abound locally. In fact all other rivers remain open including the Harrison, Vedder, and Stave which are all starting to see salmon. Please consult your fishing regulations for specific quota’s and openings. https://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/rec/fresh-douce/region2-eng.html
The Harrison has seen a decent push of chum over the last week with the fishing only getting better daily. There are some early Coho around and we’ve managed a few Chinook as well however the higher water has made it challenging to find schools of fish. Look to conditions improving as the water drops and more fish push in. Keep in mind that this is early for the Harrison and bodes well for the next few weeks. Most anglers are float fishing jigs with bait, spoons/spinners and flies, both single hand and spey.
The Vedder has seen a good push of fish the last few days. With the higher water fish have been scooting through and decent numbers of Chum, Coho and Chinook are throughout the system. Good news! We are expecting a bumper crop of Chinook for the Vedder, this is due to the hatchery increasing production to help ensure that killer whales have enough to eat. Keep in mind that pressure is high on the river and the more well-known spots can be very busy. Please be courteous to your fellow angler and use proper fishing etiquette.
The Stave is just getting going and has some chum around, it has also seen a few pushes of coho as well. Coho have been primarily caught from boats in the lower river using spinners, spoons and flies. Chum are getting taken by the usual means of float fishing for them in the upper river closer to the dam.
“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.”
NEW for 2021!! We are proud to announce that we have opened Fraser Canyon Riverside Domes! These 2 Geodesic Domes are the ultimate headquarters to your Fraser Canyon sturgeon fishing 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, angler 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 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.
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. Stargaze from inside your dome and enjoy 550 square feet of living space heated with a propane fireplace, as well as air conditioned 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
That’s it for now. Conserve our waters and here’s to great fishing, forever…
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