Pacific Angler Friday Fishing Report: April 24, 2026

OUTLOOK 

Spring is shifting into gear and so is the fishing.  Warmer temperatures are starting to push river levels up across the region, but there’s still a window of solid opportunity if you time things right.  The Vedder is holding fish with decent conditions for now, though clarity will be key, while the Squamish is entering that “bonus round” phase as freshet begins to creep in. 

Stillwater anglers have lots to be excited about.  Trout fishing remains productive, and bass season is just getting started with local lakes and marshes beginning to wake up, offering some of the most accessible and fun fishing of the year. 

On the tactics side, we’re wrapping up our Blob Fly Series with a highly effective, often overlooked, sinking line approach - well worth adding to your stillwater game this season.  If you haven’t checked out that video yet be sure to!  

Throw in our Spring Super Sale just around the corner and a chance at some incredible prizes through the SFI raffle, and it’s shaping up to be a great week ahead!  

Check out the full report below and we’ll see you in the shop or on the water this weekend! 

SPRING LAYERING GUIDE 

Some of the best fishing days happen in Spring but conditions can change fast.   Spring in BC is unpredictable, but your gear doesn’t have to be.    If you missed it earlier this week, check out our Spring Layering Guide here! 

FRESHWATER FISHING REPORT 

Chilliwack/Vedder Fishing Report 

The weather is starting to warm up a bit this past week.  It's been a bit of an earlier Spring this year.  With temperatures starting to rise we will start to see snowpack in the mountains begin to melt.  The sporadic dumps of rain will probably start to show up again as well.  As we go through that springtime weather change, water levels will start to rise quite a bit. 

A bright chrome Spring steelhead on a sunny afternoon. 

Keep an eye on the water levels before you go.  If freshet holds off for a while, there will still be some solid fishing.  Currently water levels are sitting at around 2.2 meters, which isn’t terrible in terms of water height.  Where I would be concerned is how the water clarity is holding up.  Quick spikes in water level can dirty up the river pretty quick.  So, if you are planning on heading out this weekend, I would suggest very big and bright presentations. With the weather staying consistently warm throughout next week, I would expect to see water levels continue to rise.  

A nice late season hatchery buck.

Gear angling will wrap up at the end of this month, as the river becomes fly only.  The river will also close to fishing above the Vedder crossing bridge.  Fly fishing can be great throughout the month of May, provided the water levels are in favour.  There are still fresh fish pushing into the river, even this late in the season. 

A Beautiful early morning big bright steelhead. This is a good showcase of how important fish handling can be.  You can see the handprint scar where this fish was previously held with a glove, this removed the fish’s slime coat causing a pretty nasty sore on its underbelly.

It’s been a great season at the Vedder this year with solid returns of fish.  I haven’t had a chance to make it up to the hatchery and look but i suspect there would be quite a few fish sitting around in there.  Pretty amazing how many fish this system produces when you compare it to others.  Also, it’s pretty amazing how difficult it can be to catch them sometimes.  

Jacob Leboe 

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Squamish River Fishing Report 

The Squamish is still holding out… but for how long? 

The spring freshet has started, and daytime water spikes will become more common. Temperatures are slowly creeping above freezing in the alpine.  This warmer weather will colour the water and hopefully move some fish around to feed. 

The main stem will be fishable but wading access will slowly be reduced.  Side channels will bump and provide new hiding spots for fry and predators.  This time of year, you can fish a variety of ways, but my favourite is the swing… The swing is one of the most simple and effective way to target predators in coastal rivers. A medium sink tip like the Rio Versi leader in medium or Rio Mow t8 will get your fly down for a slow swing.  This mimics the feeing action of a baitfish or prey item.  Keep your leaders on the heavy side as the tight line grabs can pull the rod from your hand. Maxima ultra green.  

The same presentation can be utilized with devastating effectiveness by gear anglers.  A spinning rod and a collection of hardwear will cover water fast and drive those fry eaters crazy.  Try to have a variety of Koho and Croc spoons to fish different water conditions.  

If you are looking to get started with a heavier spinning setup for larger trout that carries over to salmon season, check out the Diawa Legalis.  It’s a medium power fast action rod to handle whatever the river throws at you. 

There have been a few great catches for some shop regulars this season.  Shop staffer Casey putting in leg work to chase unicorns. 

This is the bonus round for the Sea to Sky so check the water levels before you go to save yourself a surprise. https://wateroffice.ec.gc.ca/report/real_time_e.html?stn=08GA022 

More visitors will populate the Squamish valley with the nice weather.  Be respectful of other backcountry users as you adventure about.  Keep your fishing area cleaner than when you found it and back out whatever you bring in.  I know I always say it but be bear aware this time of year. Simple preparations: GPS, change of clothes, and shared travel plans can be critical when exploring in the Spring. 

Eric Peake 

STILLWATER FISHING REPORTS 

Local Bass Fishing Report 

As temperatures improve and the threat of freshet looms nearer, lots of local anglers like me start to pull the largemouth bass equipment out of the back of the closet.  Don’t get me wrong; I love steelhead in their winter, spring, and summer forms, but the prevalence and proximity of ditch pickles within a short range of my house are extra appealing with the price of gas! 

There are a host of places in the Lower Mainland to chase bass, but for most anglers bank access is a huge deal and that can limit our choices a little bit.  We’re always quick to recommend Mill Lake in Abbotsford for its healthy bass and trout populations, and both species have been fishing well in that lake this year.  Hatzic Lake is very well-known for its productive bass fishery, and I’ve seen a couple photos of nice fish come out of that lake already this year.  I also really love the Pitt-Addington Marsh area, and it’s connected ditches and sloughs near Pitt Lake, and that’s a fantastic fishery to explore for younger anglers.  This is the time of year I would expect to hear about someone having the first amazing day of fishing out in the marsh!   

 What started as a beautiful sunny day quickly turned gray and drove fish deep.  Perfect time for a diving crank or Carolina rigged soft plastic! 

Anglers looking to fish effectively this time of year are going to need to be ready to respond to a myriad of different conditions.  A day that starts overcast and cool could be fished really effectively with a diving crank like a Rapala X-Rap Shad in Firetiger that runs in that 6’-12’ strata, but if the sun comes out and temperatures rise it’s easy to keep casting the same bait and end up fishing underneath them.  As was explained to me, a very knowledgeable bass angler, if the weather shifts and it feels like time to change a layer, it’s also a good time to change your bait! 

Jay Awrey