OUTLOOK
It’s mid-August and it’s pouring rain out as I write the Outlook, but that’s okay, the rain is always needed this time of year with lower water levels on many rivers and it being peak forest fire season.
Speaking of fire, there has been some on fire fishing this past week in the ocean, so read that report for details, including a sockeye opening this weekend!
In this week’s report there is also information on what is going on with sockeye and pinks on the Fraser, a trout stream update from Eric, as well as some info on Skeena steelhead and local rivers. So, check out the report and don’t worry about this rain, it looks like summer will be back later next week with plenty of fishing opportunities in the back part of August.
CLASSES AND COURSES
Introduction to Fly Fishing Course
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Fall Salmon River Fishing Course - Floats, Spinners & Spoons
This 3hr evening seminar covers float fishing, spinner fishing and spoon fishing; the three most productive techniques to catch BC salmon in a river. Sign up here today!
Cost: $85.00 +GST
Date: Sep 23
Seminar Time: 6:30pm – 9:30pm
FRESHWATER FISHING REPORTS
Fraser River Pink Salmon & Sockeye Salmon Update
Let’s start with an update on the pink salmon. As many of you know from fishing in the ocean, there are a lot of pinks around. Peak migration of these fish into the Fraser will happen in the last week of August and the first week of September. It was looking like the Lower Fraser River (Mission Bridge down) was going to be open on August 23rd. We can now confirm that pinks will be open in the Lower Fraser on August 18th.
FN0821-RECREATIONAL - Salmon - Pink - Tidal Waters of the Fraser River - Subareas 29-11 to 29-17 - Opening - Effective August 18, 2025
Effective 00:01 hours August 18, 2025, until 23:59 hours September 18, 2025, the daily limit for Pink salmon is four (4) in the following waters:
Subareas 29-11 to 29-14 and 29-17 (tidal waters of the Fraser River below Port Mann Bridge).
Effective 00:01 hours September 19, no fishing in all waters listed above.
Effective 00:01 hours August 18, 2025, until 23:59 hours September 20, 2025, the daily limit for Pink salmon is four (4) in the following waters:
Subareas 29-15 and 29-16 (tidal waters of the Fraser River below Mission Bridge to Port Mann Bridge).
Effective 00:01 hours September 21, no fishing in all waters listed above.
Reminder: The daily limit for all species of Pacific salmon from tidal and fresh waters combined is four (4). Individual species limits also apply.
We have a full assortment of rods, reels, combos, and pink salmon lures to get you into a few of the 25,000,000 pinks that are on their way to the Fraser River!
There is currently no forecasted opening on the Fraser for sockeye. We still need that late run to get above 700,000 fish and the numbers are tracking at this level for now. This could change quickly with more data coming in next week, so stay tuned on this. Some big test sets could trigger an opening later in the week. There is a small saltwater opening in area 28-7 as of Saturday, but I think opportunity and success will be limited.
Your Sport Fish Advisory Board Chair for Area 28/29, Jason Tonelli
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Trout Stream Updates (Skagit)
I don’t think the rain will be heavy enough to blow out the river, but we would advise caution over the weekend. These areas are susceptible to unexpected flooding, and we have seen some other flood events in the lower alpine this week. Keep an eye on the water levels and rapidly changing conditions if you’re out.
This wet weather might improve streamer fishing if you’re looking to target those hard fighting bulls. A light sink tip with a small, weighted streamer will be deadly if the water gains a bit of colour from the rain. We have some great micro intruders and sculpin flies for this. I would expect the rain to refresh a few of the stale pools and move fish around.
Before the weekend water levels had settled into the summer low, so wading access was good for most sections of the river. Hatches are more predictable later in the season so be sure to have a few dries in a variety of sizes at your disposal if you get a break in the weather. Small hatches through the day were evident, with larger hatches in the evenings.
Lastly, if I am making the trek up the Skagit, I would still rely heavily on nymph fishing. Drifting those little bugs under an indicator or tight line setup can be deadly when the weather is unsettled. A selection of golden stones in small and medium will help keep a bend in the rod when the fish don’t want to rise for the dry.
Make sure you have a plan before you go. Let someone know where you’re planning on fishing and when to be expected back. Sometimes we take for granted how remote these beautiful places are. Be sure to pack out any garbage you bring in and be courteous to your fellow anglers.
Eric Peake
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Skeena Steelhead Update
A quick update on Skeena steelhead. After last year’s excellent returns and generally great angling success, before the rivers blew out, Skeena steelhead are on a lot of people’s minds. As we are getting into peak migration season for these fish, the numbers are rolling in.
The Tyee Test Fishery is currently suggesting this year’s run will be the 11th lowest out of 70 years. No doubt the barrage of commercial sockeye nets at the mouth of the Skeena have taken their toll. That’s one of the curses of good ocean survival conditions. It is good for steelhead, but also for sockeye. These two species often co-migrate and plenty of steelhead get scooped in the nets of commercial and First Nation sockeye fisherman and pay the ultimate price.
For most steelhead anglers it’s more about the journey and the magic of the area and the fishery in general, with anglers going on their annual pilgrimage hell or high water.
Although it might not be as good as last year, the runs do look sufficient to have a fishery. Hopefully things stay relatively cool up there and water temperatures are not an issue or a card that the government will play to potentially shut the fishery down.
See you in the shop or on the water,
Jason Tonelli
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River Fishing Update for Capilano and Chilliwack Rivers
It’s that time of year when the rivers are low, low, low. The summer red springs on the Chilliwack are now past their prime and the Cap coho that are in the system and hiding in the deeper canyon pools.
This means fishing is tough and most experienced river anglers are now patiently waiting for some extended periods of rain in those first few weeks of September to bring in fresh pushes of coho and chinook into both those systems.
For now, expect tougher local river fishing, get your gear and wait for the fresh fish to push in once we get some rain in September.
Jason Tonelli
STILLWATER FISHING REPORTS
Summer Interior Lake Fishing Report
There has actually been some quite good lake fishing this past week. Tunkwa and Leighton are getting their famous bomber chironomid hatches and fishing has been good to very good.
We are also starting to see the algae blooms back off and the water clear up on many lakes. The generally cooler summer in the interior has setup a lot of lakes well for some early fall lake fishing. A lot of lakes that would normally be in the low 70’s are currently in the mid 60’s already. Keep this in mind when planning your Fall trips. Unless we have a last-minute heat wave in early September, the lakes are going to be fishing well very soon.
I was out on in Region 3 with my daughter last weekend at a lake that is 2,300 feet and the water was only 67F and with that there was a great chironomid hatch. It seems like the late summer and early Fall chironomid hatches are already happening and the fish are starting to key in on them.
A chunky Pennask that was eating chironomids in 22 feet.
As we get into the back end of August and waters continue to cool and clear, there will be some great fall chironomid fishing with September being productive all month long. There are usually fewer boats as well, with some anglers going hunting instead, or heading up to the Skeena for steelhead or local rivers for salmon. I’ll be on the lakes though, so see you out there!
Jason Tonelli
SALTWATER FISHING REPORTS
Vancouver Saltwater Salmon Fishing Report
The fishing off West Van from Point Atkinson down to the Cap Mouth continues to be productive with a mix of chinook, coho and pinks. We have also had some good success off the Bell Buoy for pinks and the occasional coho. A reminder that fishing for chinook off the Bell (Area 28-7) is closed, and by that I mean it says “no fishing for chinook” so you can’t be targeting that species.
What is opening in 28-7 is sockeye, albeit for a limited time.
“Subject: FN0810-RECREATIONAL - Salmon - Sockeye - Areas 11 to 15, 17 to 20, 111, 121, 123 to 127, and Subareas 16-1, 16-19 to 16-21, 28-1, 28-2, 28-7 - Opening - Effective August 16, 2025
Effective 00:01 hours August 16, 2025, until 23:59 August 24, 2025, the daily limit of Sockeye salmon is four (4) in the following waters:
- Areas 11 to 15;
- Subareas 16-1 and 16-19 to 16-21;
- Areas 17 to 20;
- Subareas 28-1, 28-2 and 28-7;
- Areas 111 and 121, 123 to 127.
Effective 00:01 hours August 25, 2025, the daily limit for Sockeye salmon reverts back to zero (0) per day in all waters listed above.
Variation Orders: 2025-RFQ-317 in effect.”
I am not sure how good the sockeye fishing will be for those who choose to put on the pink hootchies. There are definitely some around, but it remains to be seen if the schools will be sufficient for consistent success. There is only one way to find out, get out there and give it a try. We may see area 29-3 open for sockeye if the late run component forecast can get above 700,000 fish. More data is coming in next week, so hopefully we will some big test sets and get a late season opening.
Meanwhile there are plenty of pinks, coho, and chinook around to keep us busy in local waters and over in the Gulf Islands in Area 17.
A nice catch of pinks, coho, and chinook from the West Van shoreline earlier this week.
See you in the shop or on the water,
Jason Tonelli
