OUTLOOK
We hope everyone had a fantastic Canada Day and was able to sneak away for a little time on the water. Whether you spent the holiday chasing coho, exploring a river, or enjoying a local lake with family and friends, we hope it was a great start to July.
We've also got some good news for anyone planning a visit to the shop. A major milestone in the Broadway Subway Project has been completed, and traffic has now reopened to two lanes in both directions on Broadway in front of the shop. While there is still some work happening in the area, access to the store is much improved. We also continue to have a convenient loading zone just one storefront down from Pacific Angler, making quick stops easier than they have been in quite some time. We'll have a more complete access and parking update in next week's report.
Fishing-wise, July is off to a promising start. Local saltwater anglers are enjoying productive coho fishing, with fish spread throughout lower Howe Sound/South Bowen area. Beach anglers are also seeing better fishing each day, while freshwater opportunities continue to expand with the Chilliwack/Vedder and the Skagit opening earlier this week. Check out all of those reports below for the latest updates!
If you're getting ready for a weekend on the saltwater, don't miss our brand-new Pacific Angler Saltwater Salmon Series video, where Jason walks through our favourite rod, reel, line and tackle setups for summer coho fishing.
As always, thanks for reading, have a fantastic weekend, and we'll see you on the water!
CLASSES AND COURSES
Our courses for the Summer are sold out but it's never too early to start thinking about the Fall
Introduction to Fly Fishing
Fall Salmon River Fishing 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.
Cost: $85.00 +GST
Date: September 22, 2026
Seminar Time: 6:30pm – 9:30pm
INDUSTRY EVENTS AND UPDATES
Come Work With Us! We're Hiring a Marketing Specialist!
After years of growth, we're excited to add a dedicated Marketing Specialist to the Pacific Angler team. If you or you know someone who would be a great fit, please share this opportunity with them.
Check out all the details HERE!
Sport Fishing Institute of BC Big Spring Raffle
There is less than one month left to get your tickets to win!
WIN a fully loaded 2026 KingFisher 2025 – includes Yamaha power, Lowrance electronics, Okuma rod and reel combos, Islander Reels, Mustang Survival safety equipment, Scotty downriggers, and more! Plus, you could score a trip for two to Langara Fishing Lodge, a special edition Duncanby Islander reel, or a Gibbs gift certificate. Over $195,000 in prizes!
Many of our readers are familiar with the SFI but, if you are not, The Sport Fishing Institute of BC, represents the interests of hundreds of thousands of anglers and works with communities and organizations across the province. They are dedicated to protecting, enhancing and promoting sustainable access and opportunity to the public fishery on BC’s west coast.
Your raffle ticket purchase will help support the SFI’s efforts to secure a healthy future for BC’s public fisheries and the marine resources on which they depend.
Check out the awesome prizes and grab your ticket here!
FRESHWATER FISHING REPORTS
Chilliwack/Vedder Fishing Report
It’s July, and that means the C/V system is now officially open and fishable; the main targets will be chinook salmon, “rainbow trout”, whitefish and coarse fish such as pikeminnow and sucker. I wrote an in-depth article on what to expect for the month of July last week, which can be read here.
Opening week is typically pretty slow, with chinook numbers normally picking up around the 15th and peaking before the end of the month. As such, I haven't heard of much going on as of yet, though there will definitely be a few fish scattered throughout the system. As of writing this report, Thursday afternoon, water levels are currently low and fairly clear. Though this rain may be enough to dirty the water a bit, I seriously doubt it’ll raise the levels by a meaningful amount. Float fishing with roe, beads, blades, yarn or jigs will be your best bet, though fish can also be taken by swinging flies, spoons or spinners.
Now is a good time to get out there and scout some good water before the season peaks, and who knows... the rain might encourage a few early fish to push into the system!
Taylor Nakatani
Skagit River Fishing Report
I don’t usually get up to the Skagit for opening but the stars aligned and I was able to rip up to see what the conditions were to give you an opening day report.
Water levels: The river was in good shape but running a little high. This was fully expected and I was prepared to do some hiking to make the most of the day. I was able to walk the banks and riverbed for most my outing, picking large flats for my cross points. The clear water can mask the “weight” of the flow in deeper sections so pick your cross points wisely. The water was also very cool. I wouldn’t recommend wet wading until it heats up.
A great day out in search of early season trout
The Flies: Bugs were sporadic. The mixed weather did not lend itself to large hatches, but when the sun popped out mid-day a few critters started to move.
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I noted grey mayflies hatching and a few egg laying.
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Mayfly nymphs at various stages from large to small immature (14-18)
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A few stone flies (size 12-14)
Yes, this is my boot, but check out the nymphs. I found them stuck or smooshed to my boots more than once. Keep an eye out for what you see crawling about.
I chose to indicator fish most the day using small but heavy weighted nymphs. Ginger and brown with a brass bead were my top producer. Grey and black also picked up a few fish. Streamer fishing is also an option with larger woolly buggers and rabbit strip flies. I did give them a swing in areas I saw bull trout moving but only managed one brief encounter.
Small but heavily weighted nymphs are my go too to get down in faster water.
The Fishing: I had a good day with fish encountered throughout my walk. I found bull trout occupying the deepest holds and undercut banks, but they were hard to move. The rainbows where occupying shoulder water and pockets. I know I was not the first angler through most water so this could be symptomatic of fishing behind groups of anglers. I did find a few technical spots that produced well… maybe places people drifted past.
As I mentioned above, I chose to indicator fish, but tight line setups would do well with the high water and faster pace. Dry fly action was low with only a few risers, so I kept my dry fly rod packed up. Things got grey and cool with a bit of rain at the end of the day so that shut down the hatches. I was still able to drag out a few more out under the bobber when conditions got tough.
It was busy out there with plenty of rafters and bank anglers going on the trout hunt. Be sure to give everyone plenty of space and resist the urge to low hole others. Be prepared to walk a bit to find unpressured water and have a good idea of the area for your entry and exit locations. You may jump in near the road but might end up a km away from it at your takeout. I got turned around at a spot I don’t usually walk out from and wasted a bunch of time bushwacking when I should have been fishing. Lastly the road is in great shape, and people are tearing up and down it. Go slow… 60 is already fast on the dirt and RCMP vehicles were up patrolling the park. Pack out your garbage, stay safe, have fun.
Eric Peake
SALTWATER FISHING REPORTS
Vancouver Saltwater Salmon Fishing Report
We’ve had a rainy start to July but there are many more sunny days on the boat to come! Coho fishing has remained steady with only a handful of slower days for the PA Guide Team, who are dialed in to our local fisheries.
The fish don’t mind the rain!
We have been doing well off of South Bowen as expected for this time of year, with fish being found all along from Point Cowan to Roger Curtis.
The fish have been shallow for the most part, and we have been seeing a majority of the fish in the top 30'-40' of the water column. The harbour still hasn’t been the most consistent for coho yet, but the recent rain may have got some Capilano fish moving. It’ll be any day now we see some solid action along West Vancouver and the Capilano Mouth. Crabbing continues to be productive so don’t forget to get your traps ready if you’re heading out this weekend.
UV Flashers and Hoochies- a great pairing resulting in a great day!
July is typically the time of year you start to see a noticeable difference in the size of the coho. Looking at last year’s reports around this time, some BIG fish were around, so double check your knots and keep those hooks sharp!
The coho have been feeding and we’re starting to see some big fish around!
If you’re looking to get out on the water now the time is now to book a trip! Give us a call on our charter line (778.788.8582) or email bookings@pacificangler.ca to lock in a date for some great coho action.
For those of you with your own boat, if you haven’t been out there yet, we highly recommend it. Not sure where to start? Have a watch of our newly released coho tactics video where we cover our favourite rod and reel setups, tackle choices and share all our coho trolling tips and tactics.
Don’t forget that our first chinook opening is almost here as well. July 15th marks opening day across the strait so now is the perfect time to ensure you are stocked up and ready to go.
Jordan Simpson
Beach Fishing Report: Capilano Update
Beach fishing has been improving steadily all week, and the first light gang has been doing well on both gear and fly. Size 35 and 45 Koho spoons in Silver Fire Orange and ½ ounce Crocs in Hammered Chrome Green Stripe are awesome options that will help you reach fish, but if you’re missing that extra distance I would pivot to the 3” Light Buzz Bombs in the pearl tones.
We’ve got a board full of Andre’s killer beach flies at the counter here at the shop, so if you’re interested in fly fishing the beach I would come by and pick up the best flies for this specific fishery! This fishery also really benefits from a line selection that can punch into wind and shoot line, and if you’re not the best at double hauling, you’ll really find your distance extends with a line like the OutBound Short or Coastal QuickShooter XP. Fish the OutBound for your floating line situations, and the Coastal QuickShooter when you’re looking for an intermediate tip.
A board full of Frenzy Flies Coho Killers!
This little bump of rain will have been to the benefit of the river anglers, too, so I’m sure the anglers out this morning on the river will have encountered some fresh and willing fish. You’ve got the rest of the month to fish bait, so come by and pick up some cured Procured Roe and hang that under a DNE Float and go collect a couple of hatchery fish!
Jay Awrey
