Pacific Angler Friday Fishing Report: September 19, 2025

OUTLOOK 

With the sunny warm weather, it is hard to believe that the first official day of Fall is just around the corner!    

On the saltwater front, we are still seeing steady action off the mouth of the Fraser though the wind the last few days has made it challenging to get there.  Closer to home, the usual spots in the harbour have been picking up as fish are starting to push toward the river mouths.   Check out Jake’s saltwater report below for all the details! 

For river anglers, be sure to read Taylor’s report from the Chilliwack/Vedder where the river is very low and clear still, but the fish are moving in.   Jordan and Eric have updates on both the Squamish and Harrison systems and chat about what we are seeing there currently and what we can expect for the season ahead.   

Last, but certainly not least, Jake has an update on one of our favourite Fall fisheries – Fraser Sturgeon!   

Be sure to check all these out before you hit the water this weekend!  

CLASSES AND COURSES 

Fall Salmon River Fishing Course - Floats, Spinners & Spoons 

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Fly Fishing For Salmon in Rivers

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Seminar Only Cost: $85.00+GST

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Chilliwack/Vedder River Fishing Report 

The C/V system has been running extremely low and clear for quite a while due to the dry summer we’ve been experiencing, but that hasn’t stopped the hordes of pink salmon from inundating the system over the past few weeks.  There are also decent numbers of Fall chinook and a handful of coho mixed in as well, though the low and clear conditions, heavy angling pressure and heavy pink presence make targeting them a significant challenge; they’re basically perpetually spooked.  Thankfully, it looks like there’s some rain in the forecast, so that should help out a bit.  The current forecast is for scattered showers, so we’ll have to wait and see if that’s enough to get some fresh fish into the system.  

 A couple of nice pinks that fell for a pink jig. 

In the meantime, you’ll want to downsize your presentations to suit the conditions.  Note that the river will probably get dirty in a hurry if it rains a bunch, so having some larger presentations on hand is probably a good idea if you’re heading out for the weekend.  

The pink run is past its peak and will start winding down over the coming weeks, but the chinook and coho runs should be picking up as we head into late September.  Salmon season is just getting started, so make sure you’re stocked up on the essentials.  

Taylor Nakatani 

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Squamish River Fishing Report 

This past week saw the Squamish continue on its merry way as a fun and productive fishery for various species, including the popular pink salmon, as well as some early coho being found by the odd angler. 

With that said, pinks are pretty much mostly done, with a few fresher fish showing up here and there, but I wouldn't say that it would be focus-fishery now. 

If one is still looking to target these fish, please keep in mind these are catch and release only, with retention having ended on Sept. 16th. 

For those looking for coho, I'd suggest larger presentations in the slower corners or resting water.  

Water clarity is still pretty bad, meaning anglers will want to offer things with more acoustics and profile.  Larger spoons, twitching jigs, and spinners all help fish locate them with flash, sound, profile, and vibration.  

If looking to toss flies, I'd look at 'twitch flies', which are usually big flashy streamers tied with heavy dumbbells.  This allows a fly angler to strip and pause, mimicking the popular twitch technique used by gear anglers.  

For targeting char and trout, as well as coho, anglers may want to offer beads (both on gear or fly rods), blades, and even rubber worms (unscented, of course).  

Once we start to see cooler temperatures in the upper levels, we should start to see the Squamish become the river we've all gotten to know and fell in love with.  These cooler temperatures will equate to clearer water, as well as decreased flows.  This should make angling conditions ideal and favourable.   But now is a great time to get out and scout for the season ahead.  
 
Remember to always leave the river a cleaner place than found, and to wade with care and caution as we head into the Fall.  Many crossable 'streams' may be spawning channels and habitat; please take care and avoid crossing or trampling redds.  

Cheers, 

Jordan Simpson  

________________________________________________________________________________________________Harrison River Fishing Report 

With other fisheries well underway it's time we look at the Harrison.  This is typically a later season fishery, but it has had action with the early openings for salmon. 

Pink fishing here will continue until the end of the month.  It’s getting a little late, but pinks can be encountered with spoons and spinners and twitching jigs.  Coho fishing opened Sept 1.  I am not seeing many coho yet, but fishing will improve as the season progresses. 

Access has been better than usual with the low water.  Bank side anglers who are willing to do some walking will have plenty of space to find fish.  If the low water persists, I expect coho to start holding up in no time.  I know we have a little rain in the forecast; I don’t expect this to blow the system, but it might shake up the fishing. 

Gear tactics in the Harrison primarily center around spinning gear.  Pinks and coho will fall for a wide array of spinners and spoons.  Look for weighted options to help get casting distance in the open areas.  If you find fish in slower water, try using a twitching jig or blue fox spinner.  

Fly anglers can get in on the action fishing flash flies in pink, chartreuse, blue and various metallic colours.  I prefer a clear intermediate sinking line here, but a floating line with a long leader will do the trick.  Sink tips can also be used where you have faster water or deeper spots.  

I am not expecting the fishing to be red hot but it's worth a look to capitalize on the remaining pink run and scout for the incoming coho season.  The Harrison is a big area with many side channels, mud flats, and wetlands.  Be sure to let someone know your plans and where you expect to fish. Cell reception is spotty at best so don’t rely on your phone.  Keep your fishing area clean and respect your fellow anglers. 

Cheers, 

Eric Peake 

STURGEON FISHING REPORTS 

Fraser River Sturgeon Fishing Report 

It’s GO time for sturgeon on the Fraser.  From now through late November is one of the very best windows of the year to connect with big, aggressive fish.  After a summer spent gorging on pink salmon, their attention has shifted to the fresh arrivals– chinook and coho. Fall is crunch time as sturgeon feed hard to bulk up before the long, lean winter months.  If you’re looking to hook into a true giant, there’s no better time than right now. 

Nothing better than getting up close with these incredible fish. 

Water levels on the Fraser have been ideal, and with little rain in the forecast, conditions look set to hold steady.  The lower river’s predictable tides and flows have allowed the PA jet boat to fish confidently throughout the system– and nearly every spot has been producing.  Coho and chinook waste parts are the top baits at the moment, with chinook roe also working well.  Pink salmon parts are still drawing fish, but as the run winds down, sturgeon will start to turn their noses up at them. 

Only a couple more weeks of being able to swim with your catch!  Get out there while the water is warm! 

Whether it’s your first sturgeon trip or you’re chasing a new personal best, this is the season to do it.  Our PA jet boat is purpose-built for battling these giants and fully outfitted with heavy-duty gear to get them to the beach. 

Ready to give it a shot?  Call us at 778-788-8582 or book online at sturgeonfishingvancouver.ca to lock in your trip. 

Tight lines, 

Jake Comrie 

SALTWATER FISHING REPORTS 

Vancouver Saltwater Fishing Report 

We’re halfway through September and the fishing is shaping up right where we’d expect it to be for this time of year.  The action off the Fraser Mouth has been steady, and the local hotspots are improving by the day.  Mid-September is typically the peak of the fall migration of white chinook heading for the Fraser tributaries.  Year to year it can shift a bit, but history tells us we’ve got a few more weeks of solid fishing before it begins to taper off in early October. That said, it’s not uncommon to see lights-out days well into the Fall. 

This past week also brought a big push of coho that has nearly doubled the action off the Fraser mouth.  Fishing for them was already decent, but the size and numbers showing up now are impressive.  Some of these coho have been running so hard that they were mistaken for chinook until they hit the net.  Most have been wild, but hatchery fish are mixed in as well. 

 A solid morning haul for some lucky anglers on a recent charter!

Closer to home, the Bell Buoy, West Van, and the Capilano Mouth have all been picking up. Earlier in the month these spots were less consistent, but the past week has seen better numbers of both chinook and coho in the harbour.  Bait is still the go-to this time of year, though spoons and hoochies have been producing too.  If you haven’t tried running a dummy flasher setup, now’s a great time to test it out.  Landing fish without the drag of an inline flasher makes for an even better fight and often boosts landing ratios. 

Big shallow bites are what the Fall is all about!

With the lack of rain, Capilano fish continue to stack up at the mouth waiting for higher river levels.  The most consistent bites come when trolling gear close to bottom during the flood tide.  On a big ebb, fish avoid pushing through the heavy current at the First Narrows.  Once the tide flips, they use the slower water near bottom to hold and wait for ideal river conditions. Suspended gear will get fish, but down in the mud is where you’ll find more action.  Remember, the Cap Mouth is a tight area.  Keep things orderly with the “right rod to the rocks” rule so everyone gets a fair shot at the shoreline tack. 

Some nice hatchery coho caught locally this week.

While we’re in peak Fall mode, it won’t be long before winter chinook season is upon us.  Late October and November consistently deliver some of the best winter fishing of the year, and we’re already seeing good numbers of feeder chinook mixed in with the mature run.  Each year this fishery seems to get better, so don’t be too quick to put the boat away when fall wraps up– there’s still plenty of fishing to come! 

Tight lines, 

Jake Comrie