Pacific Angler Friday Fishing Report: February 6, 2026

OUTLOOK 

February is officially here, and it’s shaping up to be a great month both on and off the water!  

We’ve got some awesome events coming up, starting with the always-popular Steelhead Jam Session. If you haven’t grabbed your tickets yet, now’s the time - this one sells out every single time. 

You’ll also want to check out one of the upcoming BC Wildlife Federation Town Halls. With six dates already scheduled (and more on the way), there should be an event near you. We’ll be at the North Vancouver and Coquitlam stops and would love to see you there. 

Looking a little further ahead? Mark April 9 on your calendar—IF4 is coming to town, and it’s a can’t-miss night we hope you’ll join us for. 

You’ll find all the event details below. 

As for the fishing this week, Jason has the latest from the salt, where February winter chinook fishing is already off to a great start. Be sure to check out his report below! 

CLASSES AND COURSES 

Introduction to Fly Tying

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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 

 Steelhead Jam Session – Friday February 20, 2026 

It’s back!  Our popular Fly-Tying Jam Sessions return to the shop - this time focused on steelhead flies.  Join us Friday Feb. 20th - all experience levels welcome. Tie flies, share patterns, and talk fishing with a great crew.  Free tickets - reserve a tying seat or just spectate.  

👉 Visit pacificangler.ca for full details and the link to Eventbrite to reserve your ticket today.   

We’d love to see you there! 

Salmon Allocation Policy – Town Hall Meetings 

As you may know Fisheries and Oceans Canada is proposing significant changes to the Salmon Allocation Policy that could reduce public access to salmon and impact recreational fishing opportunities across British Columbia.  

Join B.C. Wildlife Federation’s in-person town halls to learn what’s being proposed, understand how it could affect anglers, local economies, and conservation, and learn how to take action. 

Town Halls will be held across the Lower Mainland.   

Our own Jason Tonelli will be speaking at the North Vancouver Town Hall on February 24 and the Coquitlam Town Hall on February 26.    

Check out all of the details here and we’ll see you there! 

Have Your Say on the Future of Salmon & Recreational Fishing in B.C. 

International Fly-Fishing Film Festival (IF4)  

We’re stoked to bring the Pacific Angler family together by hosting IF4 right here in Vancouver! 🎣 

The International Fly-Fishing Film Festival is a celebration of fly-fishing culture, storytelling, and stoke, featuring incredible films from filmmakers around the world.  

More details coming soon - Mark your calendars for April 9, 2026 – and keep an eye on this space for more info.! 

SALTWATER FISHING REPORTS 

Vancouver Winter Salmon Fishing Report 

Winter chinook fishing was quite good this first week of February.  There were some great catches in Lower Howe Sound and some fish are also starting to show in Vancouver Harbour off the Bell Buoy and the Freighters.  Later in February some more fish usually move into the harbour as more and more and herring start gathering in the area before they head up Howe Sound and Indian Arm to spawn. 

 A hatchery winter chinook from Tuesday’s trip.  They don’t get much nicer! 

We haven’t been over to the Gulf Islands in a few weeks now, but some locals we know there are catching some nice fish.  Crabbing and prawning has also been decent in our local waters, with the crabbing being better than normal for this time of year in our opinion.   

The winter chinook catch from last Saturday!  We are so lucky to have such good winter salmon fishing in Vancouver. 

This is a popular time to get out on the water with good fishing and some warmer weather.  We have our Winter Chinook Special going on right now, so there is no better time to book your winter chinook adventure and harvest some of these tasty chinook and prawns! 

Winter Chinook Special 

1-4 Guests, 8 Hours, Salmon Fishing & Prawning, $1,300 + GST
 5-6 Guests, 8 Hours, Salmon Fishing & Prawning, $1,500 + GST 

Call 778-788-8582 or email kathryn@pacificangler.ca to book your trip.