OUTLOOK
The weather has certainly been keeping us on our toes, but there’s still plenty happening on the water!
After a series of big storms, our local rivers are working through some significant changes. The Vedder is dropping after its latest bump in water, and there are still some fresh coho and late-season chum around. The Harrison should offer some excellent late-season opportunities as conditions settle, while the Stave continues to hold good numbers of chum and coho. The Squamish has taken a real hit from the recent high water, so it may need a little time before things shape up again. Once it does, we’ll be looking forward to the last push of coho and some great winter trout fishing.
On the saltwater side, things are getting exciting! Winter Chinook fishing is starting to build, with our guides finding more consistent numbers of legal-sized fish and some beautiful catches. November can be a fantastic month for winter Chinook, and we're looking forward to the season ahead.
We also have plenty of tips and tackle suggestions in this week's report to help you make the most of these late-season fisheries.
Have a great weekend, keep an eye on those river conditions and marine forecasts, and we'll see you on the water!
CLASSES AND COURSES
Please note that the November 18, December 5 & 8 Winter Chinook Fishing with J. Tonelli are SOLD OUT. Please call the store to have your name placed on the waitlist. Alternatively, you can email the store to be waitlisted at info@pacificangler.ca
Speaking of 2027 our full course calendar for 2027 will be released soon. Keep an eye on your inbox and our social media feeds for the announcement.
Nymphing Coastal Streams
This course is designed to teach you the secrets to one of the most productive presentations in the BC fly fishermen’s arsenal; indicator nymphing. This deadly method can be used across season for different species of trout, char, and salmon. We focus on fundamentals of nymphing, specifics on egging and a light dive into tight line / euro techniques. We also do a deep dive in to the gear you need to make the most of your time on the water.
The in house 3-hour seminar we will teach you key concepts, strategies, and gear that will give you a well-rounded foundation. Then you will put those skills into practice during a fully guided day on the water.Seminar Only Cost: $85+GST
Seminar Date: November 17
Seminar & Guided Walk’n Wade Cost: $375.00+GST per angler, minimum of 2 anglers per guided day on the water.
Walk 'n Wade Dates: November 21 or 22 sold out
Sign-Up Online Today!
EVENTS AND UPDATES
PACIFIC ANGLER CUSTOMER APPRECIATION EVENING - SOLD OUT!
Our annual Holiday Shopping Event held at Pacific Angler is sold out, however, if you'd like to join the waitlist, you'll be notified if a space opens up. More details and to join the waitlist can be found here.
Sport Fishing Institute of BC – Policy Conference and Big Splash Fundraiser
View the Conference Agenda & Speakers
For more information and tickets visit the SFI website
FRESHWATER FISHING REPORTS
CHILLIWACK/VEDDER FISHING REPORT
While the “multiple severe atmospheric rivers” that were forecasted for the previous week did dump a reasonable amount of rain on the valley, they definitely weren’t as bad as the forecasts said they would be. The C/V stayed fishable until the 11th, despite the doom-and-gloom forecasts, and fishing was decent right up until it finally blew out. As of writing this report, the river is dropping but still a bit angry; It should be fishable by the time this report releases… assuming it doesn’t rain at all. There’s some more rain in the forecast for the weekend, but I trust the forecast about as far as I can throw it at this point. If you’re planning out heading out there, I suggest checking the water levels and forecast in the morning and planning around that. Having access to some larger and/or brighter presentations is definitely a good idea. Soft beads, Colorado blades, yarn, bait and jigs are all good options, and extra scent will be beneficial as well.
Still some chrome coho around!
There will still be some fresh Coho rolling into the system, though the run is definitely nearing it’s end. There will also be some fresh “Blackhead” chum showing up until the end of the month, but the fact of the matter is that we’re nearing the end of the 2026 salmon run. Though there won’t be a ton of fish around anymore, those who head out can expect to see significantly fewer anglers, so that’s a plus.
A fine example of a “Blackhead” chum.
There will also be some opportunities to target the whitefish, trout and char that will be feeding on salmon eggs and flesh, and this can be a neat and underappreciated fishery, though the populations of trout and char in the C/V system are nowhere near as robust as what you would expect to find in other systems, such as the Squamish.
Remember to stay safe while wading or walking the shoreline; nothing ruins a day of fishing faster than an unplanned swim. Also try to avoid any unnecessary wading as there will be millions of salmon eggs (mostly Chum) buried in pretty much every backchannel, gravel bar or tailout.
SQUAMISH RIVER FISHING REPORT
The Sea to Sky can't seem to get a break. The back-to-back weekend storms have left some serious damage to the lowlands around Squamish and Pemberton. This leaves the weekend warrior scratching their heads on when they can go fishing next. 
A very high and mighty Squamish River flowing around eagle run with damage upriver.
After last week's heavy weather, the river shaped up briefly before the big one hit this week. This saw cresting water levels around the 8-meter mark… for reference anglers usually prefer something in the 3-meter range. It's hard to say when things will be fishable again with more precipitation in the forecast. We have some cooler temperatures coming next week that should help stabilize the river levels moving forward.
Currently there is not access to the upper river due to a serious wash out just past the upper valley community. This is on the paved section well before the dirt road. No word on how long it will take to repair. There was also some tragic news from a boating incident on the water Thursday. Officials are asking recreational users to stay away from the rivers.
Once the river settles, I expect to see the last push of Coho hit the system followed by some excellent egging/trout fishing.
The first waves of spawning salmon will be blown out and their eggs scattered throughout the system. This will be a primary food source for trout moving into the winter. Trout anglers can fish a variety of beads once the flows stabilize. I start off with larger brighter BNR soft beads and move to smaller light coloured Trout beads as the water clears. Fly anglers can bust out the lighter rods for indicator fishing. look for a 10 ft 4-6 wt for this… something like the Reddington EDC or Loomis IMXV2 make for a great indicator egging tool in the fall river season and indicator boat rod in the spring and summer.
Salmon anglers can stick to larger spoons and spinners to cover water when its on the high and dirty side. The PA Custom Koho 55 was made for the nasty conditions. As things settle, I will pare down to smaller lures. Twitching jigs will perform in deeper pools where fish will hold outside the main current.
Fly anglers will look to larger brighter flies fished off sink tips. It might be worth it to dust off the two handers if you want to swing the main stem once things shape up again. Swinging flies can be productive in travelling water. Use large popsicle flies with lots of flash. With all the salmon carcass getting washed down river it might be worth it to have a few flesh flies in the box to swing for those greedy bull trout.
After any high-water event it's important to be careful around the unstable banks and wade with caution. Road conditions will be poor and flood mitigation/construction will be ongoing for the next little while. It will be a least a few days before you should venture out.~ Eric Peake
HARRISON RIVER FISHING REPORT
A special note on twitching jigs...
Last week a good friend of the shop brought to our attention some poor angling practice and fish handling in the area. This was mostly due to anglers intentionally snagging fish with twitching jigs. Twitching jigs are very effective when fished correctly for salmon but can also snag fish if used wrong.
The Good:
A heavy jig can be fished in very calm and slow moving water to great effect. Ideally you fish jigs well off the bottom with a rise and fall popping motion. This erratic motion really aggravates salmon and entices aggressive strikes… specifically in coho. Fish will race up to strike them. Check out the new Jig Geek Zoinks jigs we carry in shop.
The Bad:
Avoid bouncing them off the bottom. Jigs have large hooks with a weighted head. When jigged through a dense school of salmon you can foul hook fish. This can be even worse if fishing in a shallow area where its raked though the school. Avoid fishing jigs in shallow runs and opt for smaller presentations under a float. If you accidentally snag a fish do your best to release it with care. If you are consistently snagging fish you are no longer fishing in an ethical way, and should change your technique. You are not allowed to retain foul hooked fish. If you see something say something… Be kind and courteous to your fellow anglers but don't let poor fishing practices go unnoticed. If you see something outrageous like individuals taking more than there catch quota call RAPP: 1-877-952-7277.
~ Jordan Simpson
STAVE RIVER FISHING REPORT
A nice wild fish caught and released.
It’s almost the middle of November now, and it seems like the rain has finally arrived. The lower mainland has been getting hit with a series of short but powerful storms this week, and more are on the way. This has caused most river systems to have a significant jump in water level. However, due to way the Stave River is dammed, it is not as affected by heavy rainfall. The water will still rise and fall, mostly due to tidal currents, but flow changes from the dam will affect the level too. Water can rise fast and unexpectedly in the Stave, so take caution when wading, and plan your route back accordingly.
Chum salmon are still plentiful and are easily caught float fishing a purple jig or marabou fly. Target them in walking speed current, they will sit both deep and shallow across the riverbed. however, the fish sitting in deeper water are usually more willing to bite.
Some great chum flies you can float under a bobber.
Coho salmon are best targeted in slower moving water. Short floating a small bead or piece of roe, in a pool of stagnant water can be deadly. It is basically like stocked trout fishing for Coho.
Fly fishing is another popular method for Coho fishing this time of year. Small flash flies or deer haired muddlers will be very effective. Fly fishing works so well because it is such a small and delicate presentation. Coho can be very spooky fish therefore; a small fly won’t spook them as it is slowly stripped by.
Some of my favourite Coho flies on the Stave River.
Fishing on the Stave will start to slow down around now. The last fresh fish should be showing up in the next week or two, and they will start to turn colour quickly. The Coho fishing will still be good for a few more weeks, as well as the Chum fishing. The Stave River is at its most disgusting point around now. The amount of decay and fish remnants in the water and on shore right now is astounding. I’d recommend giving your fly lines a clean at the end of this season.
Good luck out there everyone, enjoy the last few weeks of salmon season.
~ Jacob Leboe
SALTWATER FISHING REPORT
Winter Chinook Fishing Report
Despite the heavy rain and rogue winds over the past week, the PA guide boats managed to find a few holes in the forecast and make their way out of False Creek for some winter Chinook action! November is arguably one of the most underrated months for winter Chinook fishing. In my experience, some of the largest feeders of the season are caught during November, and it isn't unheard of to have double-digit days on keeper-sized fish. If you aren't too tired from the fall Fraser fishery and your boat is still in the water, one of our favourite local fisheries is just ramping up!
As you likely noticed, we experienced some pretty dramatic weather this past week here in the Lower Mainland. Thankfully, there were a few breaks in the forecast that allowed our guides to sneak into Howe Sound. The fishing this week showed some welcome consistency that we hadn't quite found in the weeks prior. The end of October and first week of November produced some solid days, but there were still plenty of smaller feeders around, and finding consistent action took a bit more finesse. This past week, however, we've started to see more consistent numbers of legal-sized Chinook, with some great fish making their way into the boats. It's an encouraging sign as we move further into November and the winter fishery continues to build. 
A few of the stunning winter Chinook that made it past the seals!
When it came to gear selection this week, spoons were the clear winners. That said, don't put the old reliable hoochie away just yet! Hoochies continue to be a great option for winter Chinook, and there are certainly days when they'll outperform everything else in the spread. The biggest takeaway is to avoid getting stuck on one setup. If you're marking fish but struggling to get bites, don't be afraid to switch things up. Experiment with different spoon sizes, colours, hoochie patterns, and leader lengths until you find what the fish want that day.
Every colour works as long as its Green! (or black and blue, in this case).
One thing worth paying a little extra attention to during the winter fishery is your flasher and spoon selection. With much of our fishing taking place at greater depths, there's very little natural light reaching the bottom. This makes glow gear and flashers particularly important, as they can help create a much more visible presentation in otherwise dark water. As always, experiment with different colours and combinations, but the guide favourites this week were green and black flashers. Don't underestimate the importance of your flasher and spoon combination when fishing deep!
Some outstanding average size out there this week!
A quick reminder for those of you with boats currently moored in the water: Take a few minutes to head down and check on your boat. Make sure your scuppers are clear of debris and falling leaves, and give your bilges and pumps a once-over. With the amount of rain we've been getting, a clogged scupper or a bilge pump working overtime can quickly turn into a serious problem. If your scuppers become blocked or your bilge pump fails under the constant rainfall, you could be walking down to find your boat sitting a little lower in the water than you'd like... or worse, at the bottom of the marina. A little preventative maintenance now can save you a very expensive headache later!
All in all, things are shaping up nicely for the winter Chinook season, and we're looking forward to what November has in store. If you're looking to get out on the water, learn a few new tricks, and fish alongside some of the best in the business, book a charter with Pacific Angler! Our guides will show you the ropes and help you get dialed in for the winter fishery.
Call 778-788-8582 to book your custom charter!
~ Jake Comrie
