OUTLOOK
Well, August is almost upon us – this summer is flying by! We have had another great week on the water.
Saltwater fishing continues to be excellent with local coho fishing still being caught off of the South Bowen Area. When the wind allows, we have been heading across the strait for chinook retention opportunities on our longer trips and fishing has been fantastic. Speaking of chinook, August will see some local retention opportunities starting August 1st along the West Van shoreline and later in August near the Cap. Jason has more details in this week’s report.
On the Chilliwack, a closure has been announced for the waters 200 meters above Vedder Crossing bridge down to the cable car crossing approximately 200 meters below the Vedder Crossing bridge. Be sure to have a read of the Taylor’s report below.
Last, but not least, if you’re looking for some activities for the kids, be sure to check out the Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC site for some great events being held locally and throughout the province for kids!
CLASSES AND COURSES
Introduction to Fly Fishing
This course is specifically designed to give the new fly fisher the basic knowledge, casting skills and fly fishing strategies to effectively fish our local BC waters. This course is comprised of two sessions; 3hr evening seminar and a 3hr casting session. The dates below show the seminar date first and casting date second.
Dates: Sept 19 & 23
Cost: $175.00+GST
Seminar Time: 6:30pm – 9:30pm
Casting Time(s): 10am – 1pm or 1:30pm -4:30pm
Introduction to Fly Tying
There is no greater satisfaction than catching a fish with a fly you tied yourself. This Introduction to Fly Tying course is 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 fly tying materials and tools purchased for the course.
Dates: Oct 4, 11.
Cost: $100.00+GST
Time: 6:30pm – 9:30pm
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.
Seminar: Sep 25, 2023
Cost: $60.00+GST
Seminar Time: 6:30pm – 9:30pm
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!
Seminar: Oct 11, 2023
Guided: Oct 14, 15, 21 or 22, 2023
Custom Trip Dates Available
Seminar Only Cost: $60.00+GST
Seminar & Guided Walk’n Wade Cost: $300.00+GST per angler, minimum of 2 anglers per guided day on the water.
Seminar Time: 6:30pm – 9:30pm
Guided: Full Day
Fly Fishing Egg Patterns
This course is designed to teach you the secrets to one of the most productive presentations in the BC fly fishermen’s arsenal; nymphing egg patterns. This deadly method can be used for different species of trout, char, and salmon. During a 3 hour evening seminar we will teach you key concepts, strategies, and gear that will give you a well-rounded foundation during the seminar portion of the class. Then you will put those skills into practice during a fully guided day on the water.
Seminar Date: Nov 21, 2023
Guided: Nov 25 or 26, 2023
Cost: $300.00+GST
Seminar Time: 6:30pm – 9:30pm
Guided: Full Day
INDUSTRY EVENTS AND UPDATES
Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC Learn to Fish Events
Looking for something to do with the kids this summer break?
Check out these Learn to Fish events that the Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC have coming up at the Fraser Valley Trout Hatchery. Bring the kids out for a three-hour introductory fishing program at the Fraser Valley Trout Hatchery in Abbotsford. All the details on these programs and more awesome family friendly events in other locations are on their website!
Georgia Straight Best of Vancouver
Voting is open now for the Georgia Straight Best of Vancouver 2023! Pacific Angler Fishing Charters is nominated again for the Best Adventure Tour Company. You’ll find under the “Life” category and then the “Best Adventure Tour Company”! We would love your vote to help us win for another year.
Vote here for us and your other favourite Vancouver businesses!
FRESHWATER FISHING REPORTS
Chilliwack/Vedder Fishing Report
We are wrapping up July out on the C/V and if you’re heading out this weekend and looking for some input on what to put in front of the fish be sure to have a read of our past reports or pop into the shop! The standard presentations that I’ve talked about in the past will produce fish, if put in front of willing fish.
Most importantly, be aware that there has been an in-season closure implemented on the system which covers a stretch of water between two fishing boundary signs- the first of which is located 200m upstream of the Vedder Crossing bridge, the second is located at the cable crossing approximately 200m below the Vedder Crossing bridge. This closure will remain in effect until September 30th. This closure has been implemented to protect the Chilliwack Lake sockeye that co-migrate with the chinooks. Check out the fishery notice here.
Unfortunately, DFO has observed some extremely unethical and generally poor angling practices in that specific area that are resulting in very high numbers of sockeye being intercepted, so they decided to shut it down for all recreational angling. There is a misconception that this closure was implemented to protect Cultus Lake sockeye; this is wholly untrue- the Cultus sockeye run in September… this closure is solely to deal with the snagging and flossing of Chilliwack Lake sockeye, which are closed to any targeted angling. While frustrating, this serves to highlight the fact that unethical angling practices can and do have consequences for everybody. DFO does keep an eye on us, so this serves as a reminder to behave ourselves, or else risk losing angling opportunities. For once, your frustration should not be directed towards DFO, but rather toward the individuals whose actions have resulted in the closure.
We can all do our part to prevent future closures like this by reporting illegal angling practices to DFO’s ORR (Observe, Record, Report) program, details can be found here.
We’re into late July, and this is usually when the summer chinook run starts to wind down a bit. There will be fresh fish arriving well into August, but the bulk of the run is typically in the river by now. The summer chinooks tend to move through the system quite quickly, which means that the run can be fairly short compared to the other species of salmon. As such, now is the time to be out there if you want a shot at catching one before they’re all boots.
Taylor Nakatani
Capilano River Fishing Report
The Capilano river is quiet this time of year. We did see a small, prescribed bump in the water levels on the 20th to allow some mid-season coho up to the hatchery. You can find the odd fish sneak up during the low water, but the bulk of the fish will be found at the mouth. If you’re determined to hit the river, try using smaller “trouty” presentations. A quick note on the small gear… when targeting salmon on light gear make sure you have quality hooks. Many of the smaller trout sized lures come with small light wire hooks that won’t stand up to multiple salmon hookups. Small spinners and spoons in brass and copper, or small flies fished at first light can fool a tight lipped coho, but you will have to work for them. Fluorocarbon leaders are a must.
Without rain in the forecast and Vancouver water conservation a priority, it will remain slow.
You will find me on the beach until the rain clouds arrive.
Cheers
Eric
SALTWATER FISHING REPORTS
Vancouver Saltwater Salmon Fishing Report
Here is a really quick report today as I am just heading down to the dock to get ready for a full day of guiding.
The coho fishing is STILL going off around South Bowen and up the Sunshine Coast. As per previous reports, the fish have been 25-55 on the riggers. We are still getting limits of hatchery coho on most of our half day trips. The fishing has been amazing, and it just keeps going. The fish are getting bigger and bigger every week.
The pinks have showed up as well and are open for retention (consult your regulations for the area you are fishing). We are seeing them off South Bowen, around Cowan Point in 200 to 450 feet of water. Most people are focusing on coho, but don’t be surprised if you get into some pinks as well.
The chinook fishing off Gabriola and Entrance has also been fantastic. We are getting limits of chinook and then getting some coho there or fishing for coho off South Bowen on our way and doing well. If you put in the effort there are some lings are also!
Locally we will see some chinook retention opportunities as of August 1 as area 28-6 opens for chinook retention. This area is basically West Van from Point Atkinson to the small point of land where the Pink Apartment is. Draw a line from point to point and fish inside of that and you are in 28-6. Limits are 1 chinook per day between 62 and 80 cm, hatchery or wild.
This will be a great area to fish in August as you can fish for coho and chinook at the same time. Most of the chinook encountered will be Fraser chinook in the 8 to 15 pound range and most of these will be headed to the Thompson River and are not stocks of concern, hence the harvest opportunity. Luckily these fish travel fairly shallow, usually in the top 50 feet of the water column like the coho, so encountering both at the same time is common. Area 28-9 is scheduled to open for chinook as well, on August 13th, so be ready for that. As we get later into August, we will also see some of the Capilano white chinook start to show up in 28-6 and 28-9.
As always, be sure to familiarize yourself with the regulations – you can find the fishery notice here!
So, as you can see, the fishing is excellent right now. If you would like to book a trip, give us a call at 778-788-8582. If you are heading out in your own boat, drop by the shop for some expert advice on what is working and where.
See you in the shop or on the water,
Jason Tonelli
Beach Fishing Report
This past week saw some more coho being encountered by some lucky anglers who frequented the beach this week. We also heard of our first pink salmon encounter off the shore which is a good indicator of things to come and a beacon of hope for those who like to fish lighter gear from the beach.
When it comes to pinks, most anglers follow the old adage of ‘Pink for Pinks’. Though this is a great guideline that is followed closely by almost all anglers, industry types included, but is not the law. Don’t overlook your small ‘Fire Stripe’ spoons as well, or your brightly coloured coho spoons. I have had numerous days where a Copper Fire Stripe was the way to go. What was the reason? None, but I was prepared with a variety of options, and it happened to pay off.
We have some great morning tides heading into the weekend with most taking place mid-to-late morning. The height is also optimal for getting out to the sand bar and fishing the incoming flood tides.
We are also looking at some tentative cloud cover, though I would expect it to still be fairly bright, making the mornings a more opportune time.
Cheers,
Jordan Simpson