OUTLOOK
April’s here - perfect timing to get out on the water with friends and family this long weekend. We’re open regular hours (closed Monday), so swing by the shop before you head out.
This week, Eric and Jacob check in from Squamish and Chilliwack with the latest river conditions. Lakes, both local and interior, are fishing well and worth a look right now.
Saltwater anglers: new regs kicked in April 1, so be sure to check the latest updates in the saltwater report before heading out.
In-store, we’ve got a great lineup of classes coming up through Spring. Plus, IF4 rolls into town next week, grab a ticket and join us at the Rio Theatre!
Check out all the details in this week’s report.
Long Weekend Hours
Friday April 3 | 10am–7pm
Saturday April 4 | 10am–6pm
Sunday April 5 | 11am–5pm
Monday April 6 | Closed – see you on the water!
CLASSES AND COURSES
Contemporary Chironomid Tactics
Chironomids can account for 2/3 of a trout’s diet in BC lakes and on many days, it is all they will eat. If you want to catch the biggest fish and the most fish, you need to know how to effectively fish chironomids. Your instructor, Jason Tonelli, has been fishing BC interior lakes since he was 5 years old, and in recent years he has been extremely devoted to chironomid fishing. We finally convinced him to share some of his very productive techniques and insights using today’s contemporary rods, fly lines, tippet materials, fly designs and electronics. Here is what he will cover during the course.
- Life cycle of chironomids and their importance to trout and anglers.
- Boat selection, setup, rod holders, anchors, oars, electric motors.
- Rod, reel, fly line, leader and tippet selection.
- Floating line indicator setups, floating line “naked” setup, sinking line “dangle” setup, and when to use them.
- Understanding and utilizing todays electronics (sonar and GPS) including High CHIRP and Forward-Facing Sonar (Live Scope Plus, Active Target 2, Mega Live 2) with recommendations.
- The steps to properly assess a lake and subsequent boat positioning and fishing techniques.
- Contemporary fly design and fly choice (dark flies, bright flies, dark beads, white beads, etc).
- Chironomid fishing seasons and elevation.
- 10% off all in store purchases on course night.
Cost: $100+GST
Date: April 7, 2026
Time: 6:30pm - 9:30pm
Course Full: Please phone store to be waitlisted for any cancellations
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Introduction to Fly Fishing
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Introduction to Fly Fishing Trout Streams
Stalking trout on mountain streams defines fly fishing. In this course we will teach you the fundamental techniques for fly fishing trout streams; dry fly fishing, nymphing, and streamer fishing. This course will get you as close to being Brad Pitt (River Runs Through It) as you will ever be! This course is comprised of one 3hr evening seminar.
Cost: $85.00+GST
Date: June 16, 2026
Time: 6:30pm - 9:30pm
INDUSTRY EVENTS AND UPDATES
International Fly Fishing Film Festival (IF4) – April 9, 2026
The International Fly Fishing Film Festival is almost here, less than ONE WEEK to go.
If you haven’t locked in your tickets yet, this is your moment.
We’re talking a packed house at the Rio Theatre, unreal fly fishing films, and a full night with the local angling community, all while supporting the Public Fishery Alliance and the Steelhead Society of BC.
⚡ Last call for VIP tickets ⚡
Only a few remain—and they won’t last.
Upgrade your night with:
• Reserved seats with the Pacific Angler crew
• 1-year Fly Fusion subscription (print + digital)
• Pacific Angler cap
• Direct support for local conservation efforts
Plus, don’t miss the raffle:
Orvis rod, Airflo reels, Scientific Anglers line, Renzetti vise, Fly Fusion packs, and more.
April 9 | Doors 5PM | Films 6PM | Rio Theatre, Vancouver BC
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Licence Renewals
As of April 1st both Fresh and Saltwater licences expired.
Freshwater licences also switched to a new system for the 2026/2027 licence year. GoFishBC has a great breakdown of who needs a licence for fishing in BC and the new system.
This will have links to the new WILD system. This is an integration of the BC Hunting Licence and fishing licencing. You will need a BCeID or BC Services card App to log in and purchase your licence and conservation stamps.
Saltwater Licences are managed federally and they are available online here!
FRESHWATER FISHING REPORT
Chilliwack/Vedder Fishing Report
It’s the beginning of April, which means steelhead will be fairly abundant on the Vedder River, however throughout the month it will slowly begin to taper off. There still are plenty of fish throughout the river this time of year, with some fresh fish still pushing in.
A nice hatchery fish, caught as the water began to clear up this week.
Water levels and clarity have greatly improved since last weekend. The levels should continue to drop over the weekend provided the weather forecast stays the same.
Remember that the upper section of the river, above the Tamahi rapids, is now closed to fishing. This leaves the lower and middle sections of the river left throughout the month of April. Fish will still be cruising throughout both the lower and middle sections of the river. Keep in mind the fish will likely not be holding in the lower river for very long. Though slightly tougher to find, fish moving up the lower sections will likely be more willing to hit your gear, as they will be less pressured than the fish in the mid-section.
A variety of presentations will work well this time of year. Beads, worms, jigs, blades, and bait will all produce fish. Adjusting the brightness and size of your presentation to match the water clarity is key.
Fishing should continue to be good throughout the month of April as we see the final pushes of fish make their way into the system. The mid-section of the river will close on May 1st, and the lower section, below the Vedder crossing will become fly only.
As the weather warms up, fish will start to be more active along with other species. On my last trip I saw this Western Skink, trying to warm up in the morning sun.
Good luck out there, we will see you in the shop or on the water.
Jacob Leboe
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Squamish River Fishing Report
The Squamish is low and slowly getting lower. Fishing was good and we had several customers out who caught fish. The interesting thing was everyone was using something different.
Trout fishing will improve with an increase in temperature. For gear anglers, I recommend you pick up a few small Croc spoons to swing through pools. This is an easy technique for new anglers to implement, but it's also very productive with fry around. Predatory trout really key in on the flash, so spoons are on the menu. If you prefer to drift a float you can fish a Colorado blade. I tend to prefer smaller ones in the clear water and larger ones with colour when the water bumps in the Spring. Well-presented egg or worm imitations will work on the steelhead. Don’t forget to throw a few float jigs if you find yourself hunting in faster water. If the water stays low think about going smaller and lighter with your floats and gear. We are restocked on Clear-Drift Floats for that stealth drift in clear water.
Shop friend Kirby with a stunning example of a spring fish, on a fly he tied up himself
Fly anglers have had success on streamers, intruders, and fry patterns. This is the time of year it pays off to go prepared.
Steelhead:
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Medium and small sized intruders in bright and dark colours
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Small bright and dark single salmon close-out patterns
Trout:
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Medium intruders in olive, black, and white
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Slump-busters or small rabbit flies in whites and olives
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Fry and Flash Fry patterns
*Bonus for fly anglers: If you like indicators you can fish a jig fly under an indicator. This is great in deep pools.
Wildlife sightings continue so go prepared with your bear spray especially if you head up the valley. As things warm up expect to see more boots on the beach. Be courteous to your fellow anglers and respect the fishery.
Have fun cover water
Eric Peake
STILLWATER FISHING REPORTS
Local Lake Fishing Reports
The Lower Mainland, Sea to Sky region all the way up to Whistler will be productive this time of year. Most lakes still have plenty of fish to keep your bobber dancing all day. Pay attention to the weather as this can make or break a trip out but we should have some great fishing ahead.
Float fishing or bottom fishing with bait is very popular. I find this is very productive in almost any condition. When things warm up and we get a bright day, spinners or spoons can really activate a bite. Fly anglers can get in on the action by fishing light indicator setups off the dock or casting small leeches. I have seen way more fly anglers out taking advantage of the bitey nature of stocker rainbows.
A small fry with his first rainbow!
Don’t discount checking out locations up past Maple Ridge and Harrison for more trout and bass opportunities. Bass are waking up and they are hungry. Look for warm days and throw to cover. I like soft plastics like the Daiwa Neko fat on a weedless Texas rig for ease of use, but the shop favorite for lethargic bass is a ned jig with a Crush City “Ned BLT” now if any of that makes sense to you come on in and we can talk bass. This is prime time for bank anglers as the vegetation is low and you will have more water to hit.
If you’re looking for a more advanced fry/cutthroat experience, the Harrison lake or upper Fraser side channels have been good spots to hunt for cutthroat. Back channels that offer refuge for fry will attract hungry trout. Many of these locations change from year to year so it's worth a scout. I anticipate the fry/cutthroat fishing to really pick up with the warmer weather.
We have some nice weather ahead so expect the banks and docks to be lined with eager anglers. The stocked trout program is meant to provide access to the sport for everyone. Please be courteous to your fellow anglers and prioritize a positive and welcoming experience for everyone.
Eric Peake
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BC Interior Lakes Fishing Report
It was a cold week in the Interior with a -10 day at Roche and some fresh snow in many places. Despite this, there are a lot of lakes that are iced off already, including Courtney, Morgan, 6 Mile, Edit, Jacko, Tunkwa, Stump, White, Sawmill and many more. With temperatures back up into the teens this weekend for most of Region 3, even more lakes will come off and the list of iced off lakes will be quite long by Monday.
Winter made a comeback this week. It was snowing on the Connector yesterday. Thanks for the report and picture Richard H.
The trick now is which ones are in pre-turn conditions, which ones are turning, and which ones are warming up and cleaning up. That is the million-dollar question which can’t be answered without actual time on the water or first-hand intel. The general rule is if you can find out when the lake iced off, go about about 4 weeks later and it should be post turn, warming up and cleaning up and chrons should be starting to hatch.
You never know what you are going to get, so make sure you have leeches, blobs, boobies, scuds, bloodworms, baby damsels, and of course chironomids. I am heading up this weekend and will likely end up fishing most if not all of those flies.
My Contemporary Chironomid Tactics Course for next week is sold out. If you would like to do this course, please call the shop at 604-872-2204 and ask to be put on the wait list. You can also email us at info@pacificangler.ca and asked to be put on the wait list. We often get one or two last minute cancellations and if enough people are on the wait list I will do a second course.
See you in the shop or on the water,
Jason Tonelli
SALTWATER FISHING REPORTS
Vancouver Salmon Fishing Report
Looking back at March, we had excellent winter chinook fishing right up until closing day on March 31st. It was a great winter season, and all indicators are pointing to an excellent summer coho and chinook season.
Some nice chinook were harvested right up until March 31st this year!
Now that we are in April, chinook fishing is closed in Area 28 and 29. The regulations are no fishing for chinook, which means you can’t actively target chinook. This means no catch and release chinook fishing. If you cross over to Area 17 it is open for non-retention of chinook (catch and release) and if you fish in Area 17-6 and 17-9 it is open for 1 hatchery chinook a day, 62cm or greater.
Coho are currently non-retention and will open for 2 hatchery coho per day, 30cm or greater, on June 1st. A reminder that lingcod and rockfish will open in Area 17 on May 1st.
We are collecting DNA for DFO to help them work on their stock composition for chinook in and around the Vancouver area, so we are able to fish for chinook in April and May under this program. All fished are measured, DNA sampled and carefully released. Crabbing and prawning is also excellent in these months, so if you want to catch some chinook (and there are plenty around) and head home with some Dungeness crab and BC spot prawns, we can make that happen!
Prawning and crabbing is great in April and May!
I am also happy to report that DFO has been doing some focused test fishing for juvenile coho and by all accounts there are lots around in our local waters. This means we are going to have another excellent summer coho fishery. The fishing was amazing last June and July, so make sure to lock in your prime time coho dates now.
See you in the shop or on the water,
Jason Tonelli
