Pacific Angler Friday Fishing Report: September 12, 2025

OUTLOOK 

As we roll into mid-September, we hope you're starting to settle into your fall routine! If you're thinking about getting out on the water this weekend, there are lots of great options close to home.
 
Still haven’t made it out for this year’s awesome pink salmon fishery? No worries, there’s still a week left! The fishing’s been great, so don’t miss your chance. We also just got a fresh restock of our favourite pink gear, so swing by the shop and check it out.
 
If you're heading out saltwater fishing, our guide team has been finding fish from Bell Buoy and the Cap Mouth all the way down to Sandheads. Jason's got all the latest details in his saltwater report.
 
And if you're heading out of town, Jason also shares some highlights from his lake fishing trip last weekend, and Eric’s got an update from his recent adventure on the Skagit.
 
Check it all out below and we’ll see you in the shop or out on the water this weekend!

CLASSES AND COURSES 

September is here and the kids are back to school!   Our fall class lineup will be starting soon.  Now is the time to sign up before they sell out. 

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Fly Fishing For Salmon in Rivers

Fly fishing for salmon is one of the most exciting fisheries in the Lower Mainland. Let us teach you the techniques and the hot spots to catch salmon on the fly in our local rivers.  In the 3hr evening seminar you will learn about rod, reel and line, sink tip, and fly selection.  Then put the skills into practice during a fully guided day on the water where you will learn how to read water and swing the fly!  Sign up here today!

Seminar Only Cost: $85.00+GST

Seminar & Guided Walk’n Wade Cost: $375.00+GST per angler, minimum of 2 anglers per guided day on the water.  

 PRODUCT FEATURE 

Custom Islander TR3 

New limited edition Black & Clear (Silver) Islander TR3 just showed up in store!   Get them while you can, they are going fast.   Shop in person or online. 

FRESHWATER FISHING REPORTS 

Chilliwack/Vedder River Fishing Report 

________________________________________________________________________________________________ Skagit River Fishing Report 

It’s mid-September and the Skagit is moving towards the end of its season. This can be a quiet time on the river with many local anglers looking to chase salmon over trout. I usually make a trip up at this time of year in hopes of dry fly hatches and hungry trout fattening up for the cooler weather ahead. 

Fishing was challenging with overcast smoky conditions. We spotted a few new fires in the evening drive, in the distance, adding to the clouds of smoke filling the valley. The next morning was a mix of sun and cloud with the sound of thunder in the distance echoing throughout the day.  

Hatches were sparce. I noted grey drakes, duns and the odd stone fly making an appearance though the day. My go to method here would be nymphing with an indicator and tight line, but the fish where not cooperating. I managed a few on the indicator but the rest of the day was done with a dry fly.  

With the storm cells throwing the pressure off there was not big feeding frenzy. I would watch for a rise, stalk the fish and throw right after a second rise… giving the fish little chance to inspect my fly before making a choice to go back up for another bite. This was somewhat productive but required fast, accurate cast to structure holding fish. If a fish was missed, I rest the pool and come back with another fly in hopes of another shot. If I sting/hook a fish, it’s almost a guarantee it would not come back to play again. 

Bull trout were present in the deepest pools but are uninterested in the fly. It’s best to leave these spawning fish alone and go seek the feisty trout down river. My day was ended when the billowing clouds and thunder finally rolled down the valley. This was quickly followed by a massive stone fly hatch for about 10 min before the skies opened to a violent summer storm with rain, wind, and hail. 

Every trip up here is an adventure. 

Eric 

________________________________________________________________________________________________Fraser River Update 

The Lower Fraser River (below Mission Bridge), also referred to as the Tidal Fraser River will close for pink salmon retention on September 19^th.  The Upper Fraser River (above Mission Bridge), also referred to as the Non-Tidal Fraser River will close for pink salmon retention on September 22^nd.  The current limit is 4 pinks per day.  Sockeye, chum, coho, and chinook are all closed for retention in both areas.

Even though the pink salmon run was downgraded to 13,000,000 from 25,000,000 fish, the run is still extremely large and fishing has been great.   If you haven’t had a chance to get out yet, there is still one week left, so take advantage of the great fishing.

Jason Tonelli

STILLWATER FISHING REPORTS 

BC Interior Lakes Fishing Report 

I managed to get out for a few days this past week and I can describe things with 3 letters.  HOT.  Unfortunately, the fishing isn’t what I am talking about it, it’s the water temperature.  This really didn’t come as a surprise, since we saw some temps over 30C during the first week of September in the interior of BC, resulting in many lakes being much warmer than this time last year. 

With daytime and evening temps in Merrit, Kamloops, and the Cariboo staying warm until the last few days of September, my recommendation would be to focus on the higher elevation lakes for now.  Things will eventually cool down, but we do seem to be tracking a week to a week and half behind last year in terms of water temps.  I hope things cool down gradually, as the last time we saw late heat it got very cold, very fast and there wasn’t much fall turn over and we had that bad winter kill year.  Still, lots of time left for the gradual cool down though, so hopefully October is good to us. 

I didn’t find much for Fall chironomid hatches this past week, just too warm on the lakes I was at, so the fish were predictably on staple food sources like shrimp, bloodworms and leeches.  I had to work very hard for my fish, but I did manage a few nice ones that made the otherwise tough fishing worth it.  

An absolutely stunning 7 pound Horsefly strain rainbow trout that was taken on a wind drifted balanced leech in deep water.  Big fish like this make the hours of tough fishing before a distant memory. 

The coming weeks will be very dynamic as each lake in the Fall really does have its own personality.  Some will be tough, others will have big chironomid hatches, others bloodworms, and some will be a leech or shrimp show.  Reports are slim this time of year, everyone is working, on the ocean, the rivers, or hunting.  The best thing to do is go fish, explore, and keep a detailed journal of your fishing and water temps and that will pay big dividends in future fall seasons.   

Jason Tonelli  

SALTWATER FISHING REPORTS 

Vancouver Saltwater Salmon Fishing Report 

As we wrap up the second week of September, we are right in the middle of peak migration for the large “white springs” that are headed to the Vedder/Chilliwack River and Harrison River.  These large chinook have white flesh instead of orange or red flesh.  Here is an article explaining these fish in more detail.  Island Fisherman Magazine "Red vs White Spring" 

These are without a doubt the largest chinook that we fish for out of Vancouver.  Every year there are fish in excess of 30 pounds caught in September and some have even hit the 40 or 50 pound mark.  Those fish are here now! 

 A 32 pound white that hit the PA docks earlier this week! 

We have seen some excellent returns in past seasons, with DFO goals being around 70,000 to the Harrison alone, but 110,000 coming back in the fall of 2024.  This year we seem to be on track for another year in excess of that 70,000 goal for the Harrison.  Personally, I prefer to harvest smaller chinook, usually under 20 pounds, as the fillet sizes are more consistent.  However, if you do land a Tyee (a chinook over 30 pounds) and decide to keep it, you can do so with a clear conscious know that the local runs of white chinook are doing extremely well. 

We are also seeing a lot of hatchery coho this week and some big ones!  These are fish that are headed to the Vedder/Chilliwack and Chehalis Rivers, among others.  You can retain 2 hatchery coho (no adipose fin) a day but wild coho should be released at the side of the boat. 

We have been spending most of our time down at T-10 and Sandheads (South Arm) as these 2 spots are usually the most productive mid to late September.  Closer to home there has been some success for anglers at the Bell Buoy and the Cap Mouth but if conditions and time allow, I recommend heading to T-10 and Sandheads.  With no serious rain in the forecast, I suspect the Cap Mouth will pick up in coming weeks as more coho and chinook stack up off the river mouth.  

There is lots of great fishing to be had the next few weeks and we will see you out there! 

Jason Tonelli  

________________________________________________________________________________________________ Local Beach Fishing Report 

Andre was in the shop yesterday, dropping off some flies for the upcoming coho river fishing season and we got to talking about the local beach fishing scene and how busy it is this year.  On pink years it can be overwhelming off the Cap Mouth as pinks pass by on their way to the Indian River.  The crowds make it tough fishing in general, never mind fly fishing for coho. 

This time of year, the crowds are gone as the pinks have passed through the area, the kids are back in school, people are back at work, and the beach fly anglers are back at it.  With the Capilano being extremely low, and little to no rain forecast for the rest of September, the coho will continue to stack up off the Cap Mouth. 

If you are looking for a challenging but extremely unique urban fishery, the Cap Mouth in September will check off those boxes.  Some big coho are being hooked by those who have put in the time to hone their skills.  If you want to give it a try, stop by the shop for some expert advice and we can help you out with some productive lures or flies for these fall coho. 

Jason Tonelli