OUTLOOK
If you’re joining us for tonight’s Steelhead Fly Tying Jam Session, we’re looking forward to seeing you! These evenings are always a great time. If you weren’t able to grab a ticket for this free event, don’t worry - keep your eyes peeled for details on our next jam session coming up soon.
A big thank you to everyone who attended the Salmon Allocation Policy Town Halls this past week. We really appreciate you showing up and being part of the conversation. There are three more sessions happening next week. Check out the dates and details below. We hope to see you there!
On the fishing front, Jason has the latest update from the PA saltwater guide team after a full week on the water. Cooler temps and fresh snow definitely put the “winter” in winter chinook fishing. Closer to home, steelhead fishing in our local rivers has been productive. Be sure to read Jacob’s report below for current conditions and a few of his favourite low-water presentations.
Even if the recent cold snap doesn’t have you thinking about lake fishing just yet, the first lake stockings of the year took place last week. It’s time to start thinking about this fun local fishery—check out our report for the details.
We’ll see you in the shop or on the water this weekend! 🎣
CLASSES AND COURSES
Introduction to Fly Tying
There is no greater satisfaction than catching a fish with a fly you tied yourself. This Introduction to Fly Tying course was specifically designed to give you the fundamental skills needed to tie proven fly patterns used here in BC for trout, salmon, and steelhead.
This course consists of 3 sessions, spread over 3 consecutive weeks.
Students are required to supply their own vise, tools and materials. A 10% discount is available on fly tying materials and tools purchased for the course.
Cost: $130.00+GST
Dates: April 8, 15, & 22
Time: 6:30pm – 9:30pm
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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
INDUSTRY EVENTS AND UPDATES
Town Hall Meetings – Salmon Allocation Policy
The first round of Lower Mainland Town Halls wrapped up earlier this week. There are another three Town Halls coming up next week.
North Vancouver – Tuesday February 24
Location: Wildeye Brewing, 1385 Main St, North Vancouver
Time: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Langley – Wednesday February 25
Location: Dead Frog Brewery, 8860 201 St #105, Langley Twp
Time: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Coquitlam – Thursday February 26
Location: Executive Plaza Hotel, 405 North Rd #1, Coquitlam
Time: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
These meetings are a great way to ensure you are informed about the proposed changes to the Salmon Allocation Policy, how they could impact recreational fishing and how you can be involved. Strong attendance at these meetings is key to demonstrate how important this issue is to our elected officials!
Jason Tonelli from Pacific Angler will be speaking at both the North Vancouver and Coquitlam Town Halls. We’ll see you there.
More Town Halls are being planned throughout the province. Watch for one near you at bcwf.bc.ca/sap-town-halls
FRESHWATER FISHING REPORTS
Steelhead Fishing Report
It’s mid-February and we are right in the middle of peak steelhead season. There have been good numbers of both wild and hatchery fish showing up this past week, with many more still on the way. We’ve heard excellent reports from the Chilliwack/Vedder area. If you’ve been thinking recently about getting out, now is the time.
A nice hatchery buck caught last week by one of the PA team.
The colder weather and lack of rain this past week has resulted in conditions that are relatively quite low and clear. The weather forecast for this week is showing some colder temperatures for Friday and Saturday, then a bit of rain later on in the week. The rain should color up the rivers a bit, however I suspect the water levels will remain low. This means smaller and more subtle presentations are going to be the key. Steelhead are aggressive fish, however when the water is clear they can be easily spooked.
Some of my favourite low water worm colors and sizes, matched up with some 12lb Seaguar STS fluorocarbon and #2 owner hooks.
Small pink worms, beads, blades, and pieces of shrimp will all be productive presentations. Downsizing your line and terminal tackle is also important: smaller hooks in sizes #2 and #4 along with lighter fluorocarbon leaders between 12 and 15lb test can sometimes be the ticket.
Great bead colors for low and clear water, with a #4 owner and some 12lb Seaguar fluorocarbon.
With Spring right around the corner, anglers will start to see salmon fry soon enough. These small fry can easily be imitated by small spoons and Colorado blades in bright nickel and silver finishes, along with small fluttering spoons like the Gibbs Mini-G and Dick Nite. As we move into the spring there will be more and more of these fry showing up. It’s important to be cautious when wading through back channels, small streams and puddles: anglers will want to make sure not to trample any of these small salmon.
Jacob Leboe
STILLWATER FISHING REPORTS
Local Lakes Fishing Report
This past week we saw our some of our local lakes get stocked with trout! This is a relaxed and fun fishery for both entry and experienced anglers. They can be targeted with flies and various lures and baits.
The first stockings of 2026 for our Lower Mainland Lakes!
In terms of gear, any spinning rod in the 6’6 to 8’0 UL-ML range is perfect. I prefer to be on the longer side of things as it allows for more casting distance. Main line, 10lb braid is preferred amongst lure anglers, but a 6-10lb mono works fine. You can also bobber fish bait or suspend bait off the bottom. I like lure fishing as it’s more interactive, but the age-old saying is nothing beats a bobber down!
On the fly-fishing side of things, a 4-5 weight in 9-10ft will suffice. Full floating lines with a variety of sink tips, or a full sink/sink tip line can also work quite well. Stripping woolly buggers is a tried-and-true strategy, but if you enjoy watching an indicator try suspending a balanced leech or chrome chironomid which work wonders.
Swing on by the shop and we can assist you prior to your first, or next, stocked lake fishing adventure!
Stay fishy,
Casey
SALTWATER FISHING REPORTS
Vancouver Winter Chinook Salmon Fishing Report
A quick winter chinook report today, as Josh and I are down on the docks working on the boats. We had multiple trips out this week and fishing was a bit slower than the week before, but we put some nice fish in the boat each trip.
It was true winter chinook conditions this week!
Josh and Eddie both got into some fish in Lower Howe Sound and last Friday I crossed over and hit Gabriola and got into some nice fish.
A well-conditioned winter chinook from Gabriola.
There wasn’t a lot of bait on the other side but there enough fish around for some good fishing. There definitely seems to be more bait in Lower Howe Sound and Vancouver Harbour right now.
Now that’s a proper Lower Howe Sound bait ball!
The fish seem to be moving around a lot, with good catches in one spot only to be slow the next day in the same spot. So basically, standard winter chinook fishing, but good to see all this bait around and decent numbers of fish. The next 4 weeks should continue to fish well, and we will see when the algae bloom kicks off this year and how that affects the fishery.
Until then, see you in the shop or on the water.
Jason Tonelli
