OUTLOOK
This was an interesting week on the weather front, heavy fog; warmer than normal temperatures and some pretty nice weather overall. It made for some good river days earlier in the week and when the saltwater boys could dodge the fog, the winter chinook fishing was solid.
We have some rain in the forecast this weekend and it is raining as we write this report (Thursday night). This is probably a good thing for the river fishing as a number of our systems were getting too low and clear for good fishing. Looking at things for the weekend we do not expect rivers to blow out and it actually might not be enough rain. Time will tell. With any luck the rain will bump things up a bit, colour the water and get fish moving and eating again.
In this week’s report we have info on the Squamish and Stave. A number of guys have been out this week with mixed results. Matt is out this weekend so we have been watching things carefully and will hopefully have good reports next week.
The Vedder has be producing fish more consistently. Jordan and Alex have been out scouting and will be out more over the next 2 weeks.
Last but not least on the saltwater front things have been productive both in the harbour and up Howe Sound. Jason has more details on local saltwater fishing in his report this week and if you have been looking to brush up on your local saltwater knowledge there are just a few seats left in his upcoming Mastering Local Saltwater Salmon Course. This course sells out every year so if you’re thinking about it don’t wait!
CLASSES + COURSES
There is still time to grab the last spots in our Introduction to Fly Tying Course taught by the one and only Zach Copland – the first class starts next Monday! We also have just a handful of spots in our February Offering of Mastering Local Saltwater Salmon. This is a great time to take the course, as you will be dialed in for the WHOLE upcoming season. Information and dates are below. Call the shop at 604.872.2204 to sign up today!
INTRODUCTION TO FLY TYING – 2 spots left!
There is no greater satisfaction than catching a fish with a fly you tied yourself. This course was specifically designed to give you the fundamental skills needed to tie proven fly patterns used here in BC for trout, salmon, and steelhead. This course consists of 3 sessions; each session is 3hrs. Students are required to supply their own vise, tools and materials. A 10% discount is available on materials and tools purchased for the course.
Cost: $80.00
Dates: Jan 21, 28 & Feb 4
Time: 6:30pm – 9:30pm
TYING ESSENTIAL STEELHEAD PATTERNS – 2 spots left!
This course is designed for the fly tyer looking to get the best start on tying steelhead patterns. In the 3-hour evening seminar your instructor will cover everything from tying techniques, material and colour choices, size and weight. They will walk you through 3 essential patterns that will build a well-rounded steelhead fly box. If you’re looking to get yourself into tying your own flies for steelhead, this is the course for you. This course is suitable for fly tiers with a basic knowledge. Students are required to supply their own vise, tools and materials. A 10% discount is available on materials and tools purchased for the course.
Cost: $50.00
Dates: Jan 22
Time: 6:30pm – 9:30pm
MASTERING LOCAL SALTWATER SALMON FISHING
Over 50 million salmon migrate past Vancouver annually. Learn how to catch these fish with a Pacific Angler. This course offers an in-depth look at the local saltwater scene. We cover the local saltwater salmon fishing for the entire year, showing you the how, when, and where. This course includes a 6hr weekend seminar and a fully guided day on the water in one of our Grady Whites.
Cost: $350.00
Seminar: Feb 3 Guided: Feb 11 or Feb 16 – All other dates SOLD OUT!
Seminar Time: 9:00am – 4:00pm – with a one-hour break for lunch. There are two restaurants on site for students to have lunch at their cost. Coffee/Tea and water will be provided.
Seminar held at Pacific Gateway Hotel – 3500 Cessna Drive, Richmond, BC
Guided Day: Full day on the water
FRESHWATER FISHING REPORTS
Chilliwack/Vedder River Fishing Report
The Vedder has been steadily dropping most of this week with our sub-zero temperatures at night and blue bird skies during the days. I was out on Tuesday scouting for this weekend and found some sweet water even with the clearer conditions. There isn’t a ton of rain coming over the weekend but it should be enough to colour up the water a bit and get some more aggressive fish. If you can pick your days, later this weekend through mid-next week should be prime unless we get some unexpected crazy rain.
As always, fish for the conditions and put your hook in the high percentage spots. Scale your presentations up a little bit and fish in tighter if the water colours up a bit.
Good luck and see you out there!
Alex Au-Yeung
Stave River Fishing Report
The Stave is still fishing solid and with the oncoming rain in the forecast expect better fishing near the Toilet Bowl. The cutthroat are a solid choice to be targeting, but don’t forget the healthy population of whitefish in the system. Sizing down to a 4 weight fly rod or an ultra light spinning rod is an absolute blast for these tiny fighters, and definitely is something to consider if you’d like to do some casual angling. Once again the go-to’s are drifting egg presentations in an 8mm size, or small colorado blades. If you’re tired of watching an indicator, small spinners or streamers could yield some heavy strikes from the larger cutties in the system.
Aidan Munro
Squamish River Fishing Report
From most accounts the Squamish and its tributaries have been a tough go as of late. That said, anglers have been finding fish by covering lots of water. Drifting beads has been the norm for both float and fly anglers with the odd streamer and spoon producing as well. When the water gets low and clear it is important to cover lots of water as the fish will be forced to move around and seek shelter and food.
Having a variety of beads can also be key as fish start to focus on the washed-dead stage of eggs. That said, when the river does bump, having a few bigger and brighter beads doesn’t hurt as it allows the fish to see it from farther away and commit.
Keep those tips up,
Jordan Simpson
SALTWATER FISHING REPORTS
Vancouver Saltwater Salmon Fishing Report
Well last weekend was one of those reminders of how special Vancouver is. Flat calm seas in our local waters, great guests, sun in the sky, chinook, prawns, and lots of laughs. It is these kind of days that make up for all the 40 knot winds and sideways rain! Speaking of rain, it looks like we are back to a mix of sun and cloud as the weekend approaches, and of course some rain. I will take the rain though, don’t forget about January 2017 when boats were frozen in their slips. It was so cold people were ice skating in Lost Lagoon the first time in 20 years. So rain, no problem and lets go fishing.
Jason’s guest Paul holding up two nice chinook from Sunday taken in the flat calm waters of Howe Sound.
The fishing has been pretty good too. All the spots are producing fish, from Vancouver Harbour up to Howe Sound. The “Harbour” was particularly productive for quite a few boats on Saturday but seemed a little slower on Sunday. We were out mid-week in the Harbour and Howe Sound and had solid fishing.
Our newest member of the guide team, Derek Puri, got his client Alan into some nice fish mid week. Derek grew up fishing Howe Sound and we are excited to have him on our dock. As for guest Alan, clearly he is bundled up, but we can’t blame him, he is visiting from Australia!
Prawning has also been very consistent. We have been dropping traps on all our 8-hour charters with great results. It is a great way to cap off a day on the water.
A nice haul of BC Spot Prawns.
A big shout out to Colin and his crew who came by to say hi when we were pulling our traps. Thanks for the taster of fresh spot prawns with garlic butter and basil. Amazing!
The hot gear this week in the clear water has been what I call the dark side, darker flashers and spoons. The top flashers have been black and purple UV blades. Our top producers this week have been Purple Phantom, CB-55, and Black Pacific Angler Custom. For spoons it was all about the Herring Aide. It was deadly in the Kingfisher 3.0 and 3.5 and the Skinny G. If you are fishing in slightly coloured water off the Bell, you want to get the brighter gear down. For flashers fish STS, BC, Chartreuse or Green Pacific Angler Custom and brighter spoons like the BC, Outfitter, Irish Cream, and Yellow Tail in G-Force or Kingfisher. I should note that bait has also been a good producer, especially in the clear water on a UV Chartreuse or UV Purple Rhys Davis anchovy teaser head.
Derek snapped this pick on the run out in Salty Dawg, just as the sun came up into the fog.
If you are thinking about booking a trip, now is the time, we just announced our Winter Chinook Special Rates, the fish are in and the prawning is great.
See you in the shop or on the water,
Jason Tonelli