OUTLOOK
It’s been a classic Lower Mainland week - wet, windy, and a little wild out there!
On the river front, before the latest round of rain rolled in, anglers in the valley and up around Squamish were finding some solid success. As of writing, the rain is starting to ease off, but river levels are still running high. If you’re planning to head out, make sure to check those water levels before you go. No fish is worth taking a risk. Stay safe and fish smart!
Over on the saltwater side, it’s been more of the same with wind and rain making things a bit tricky. That said, when the guide team managed to sneak out between systems, they were rewarded with some solid fishing, crabbing and prawning. We’re hoping for a stretch of nicer weather to close out the final few weeks of the winter chinook season on a high note!
If you’ve been thinking about getting out there, now’s the time! Give us a call at 778.788.8582 to grab one of the last remaining spots on our winter chinook special before they’re gone.
Back in the shop, the retail crew has been busy stocking shelves with fresh gear every day. We’ve got everything you need to gear up for your favourite spring fisheries, so swing by and check it out.
Last, don’t forget next week is our final Fly Tying Jam session until the Fall! There are still a few tickets left, so make sure to grab yours before they’re gone. More details below!
CLASSES AND COURSES
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
Introduction to Fly Fishing
INDUSTRY EVENTS AND UPDATES
Stillwater Fly Tying Jam Session – Next Week!
There are still a few FREE tickets left to join us next week at our Stillwater Fly Tying Jam Session. This will be our last Jam Session until the Fall so don’t miss out!
When: Wednesday March 25, 2026 from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm.
Where: Pacific Angler, 78 East Broadway, Vancouver BC
How: Get your FREE tickets online at our Eventbrite Page – if you want to reserve a spot at the tying table be sure to reserve a Tyer Ticket*. If you want to mingle and chat with the tyers and your fellow anglers reserve yourself a spot by getting a Mix and Mingle Ticket! Space is limited so don’t miss out on getting your ticket today!
*Note if you are going to be tying you need to bring your own vise, tools and materials.
Details and Tickets here!
International Fly-Fishing Film Festival (IF4) – One Night Only
The IF4 Vancouver Stop is coming up fast. Join us April 9, 2026, for a night of world-class fly-fishing films, cold drinks, raffle prizes and a theatre full of fishy people!
For a taste of what you’ll get to see at the event check out the trailer for Generations!
Our VIP tickets are over half sold out so if you had your eye on those don’t sit on it.
These VIP tickets include:
• Reserved theatre seating with the Pacific Angler Crew at the Rio Theatre
• A one year print and digital subscription to Fly Fusion Magazine
• A Pacific Angler Fishing Cap
• A portion of the VIP ticket sales will be distributed to the Steelhead Society of British Columbia (SSBC) and The Public Fishery Alliance (PFA)
The SSBC and PFA are two amazing organizations, powered by volunteers who dedicate countless hours to conservation and promoting sustainable access to fisheries. Want to learn more? Check out our blog post here!
Salmon Allocation Policy Petition e-7198
As you know the proposed changes to the Salmon Allocation Policy threaten our access to fish for coho and chinook.
This is about protecting opportunity, fair access, and the future of recreational fishing in BC.
If you care about keeping our fisheries open and accessible….add your name to the online Petition e-7198
https://www.ourcommons.ca/petitions/en/Petition/Sign/e-7198
Share it, as every signature counts.
PRODUCT FEATURE
Freshwater Nets
Spring fishing is almost here, and we’re fully stocked with nets for every freshwater adventure.
We’ve just stocked up on everything you need to land that dream fish - whether you're chasing trout, salmon, or steelhead. From beautifully crafted wooden classics from Moby Nets and Solitude Fly Co. to ultra-tough modern designs from Fishpond, Frabill and Prime Lures, we’ve got the perfect net waiting for you!
In-Store Now
• Premium wooden nets in a range of sizes
• Durable, lightweight options built for tough conditions
• Floatable nets (because it happens)
• Heavy-duty designs made for big fish
Swing by the shop and check them out in person or browse online anytime: https://www.pacificangler.ca/collections/freshwater-nets
Get geared up, get out there… and don’t let the big one get away!
FRESHWATER FISHING REPORTS
Chilliwack/Vedder Fishing Report
Whole Lotta Rain!
It’s mid-March, which places us right in prime time for steelhead on the Vedder. We’ve seen some pretty solid fishing at the Vedder throughout March so far, with lots of fish being caught throughout the entire system.
This week, we saw some pretty heavy rainfall throughout most of the Lower Mainland. Water levels rose up quick, leaving the Vedder pretty much completely blown out. If you're planning on heading out this weekend, I would suggest a raincheck on those plans. Water levels are currently sitting at around 3.2 metres, which is dangerously high to attempt fishing. 
Water levels at the time of writing report - 3.2m. Watch for it to start to drop as the rain begins to slow.
However, the rain is currently forecasted to end tonight, which should shape up the river nicely as we head into the latter half of next week.
Despite the blow out this week, fishing has been excellent. I had the chance to get out before the rain and saw lots of fish caught on all sorts of gear.
A nice wild buck caught last week before the rain.
Beads, worms, jigs and bait are all great choices and will produce fish. Colorado blades and small spoons are another great option I like to look at in the Spring. Steelhead will target emerging salmon fry quite heavily this time of year and a small spoon, or blade retrieved slowly or suspended under a float can work quite well.
Important reminder: The upper river closes on April 1st. “Downstream of a line between two fishing boundary signs on either side of the Chilliwack River 100m downstream of the confluence of the Chilliwack River and Slesse Creek to Tamihi Rapids Bridge, Apr 1-June 30”
Regardless, there will still be plenty of fish around in April throughout the lower river. With some warmer weather and sunnier days April can be quite a pleasant time to fish. Keep watching the water levels as we head into next week; once it drops and clears up a bit, it will be go time!
Jacob Leboe
SALTWATER FISHING REPORTS
Winter Chinook Salmon Report
As we near the end of the season we can officially say it’s been another great one! We have had consistent winter chinook fishing, prawning and crabbing since November. We are so lucky to have this amazing resource minutes from downtown Vancouver.
A reminder that the regulations change to no fishing for chinook April 1st and your 2025/26 license also expires.
If you are heading out in the coming days, fishing should remain solid. Josh was out yesterday and landed a few nice fish. He continues to do very well on the Gibbs Lemon Lime flasher paired with a Yamashita OG140R Glow Chartreuse Spatter Back hootchy.
Some nice Vancouver winter chinook from Thursday’s trip.
It has been tricky to find some suitable conditions this past week with all the wind and rain, so let’s hope luck is on our side for the remainder of the March.
Now that winter chinook season is wrapping up, what’s next? Make sure to read my special report What to Expect in 2026 where I talk about upcoming ocean fisheries.
See you out there during coho season!
Jason Tonelli
