OUTLOOK
Summer 2.0 continues with the weather looking amazing for this weekend! Light winds and sun here we come!
In this week’s report we have info. for you from out in the Valley in addition to an update from the local and interior lakes as well as the local saltwater fishing.
Out in the valley, the Vedder is low but we have heard of a few fish. We’ve got more details in our freshwater fishing section. We are not going to tune in on the other salmon rivers yet. It is still too early for the Harrison Stave and Squamish, but we are getting close so stay tuned for that.
We have a local lake update as well as an interior lake update because though we would actually like to see it cooler in the nights, lakes are still a good option to consider this time of year.
With this extended summer, saltwater salmon fishing is obviously on everyone’s mind. We have had boats out every day since the opening. There have been moments of brilliance but it has not been easy nor consistent. We have also seen whales move through the area multiple times over the last 8 days so that often makes for tough fishing. Jason has all the details at the end of the report in the saltwater section.
As always, Matt has all the details in the video version of the report.
CLASSES AND COURSES
Introduction to Fly Fishing
This course was 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: Zoom Seminar: Sep 15 Casting: Sep 19
Seminar Time: 6:30pm – 9:30pm
Casting Time(s): 10am – 1pm or 1:30pm -4:30pm
Cost: $150.00+GST
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 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 fly tying materials and tools purchased for the course.
Dates: Sep 22, 29 & Oct 6, 2020
Cost: $80.00+GST
Time: 6:30pm – 9:30pm
*Note: This class is in person with reduced capacity and distancing in place
Fall Salmon River Fishing: Floats, Spinners and 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. Upgrade your seminar to include a fully guided day on the water, putting into practice your new knowledge with a Pacific Angler guide.
Dates: Zoom Seminar: Sept. 28 Guided: Oct 2 – 1 space open
Zoom Seminar Time: 6:30pm – 9:30pm | Guided: Full Day
Seminar Only Cost: $50.00+GST
Seminar & Guided Walk’n Wade Cost: $275.00+GST per angler, minimum of 2 anglers per guided day on the water.
FRESHWATER FISHING REPORTS
Vedder River Fishing Report
Well, it’s the second week of September, and the first push of white chinook has officially made its way into the Vedder/Chilliwack. As expected, it wasn’t a very big push, but a push is a push, nonetheless. The water is incredibly low and clear, so conditions are somewhat challenging, and with no rain expected until next week, they’re gonna stay that way over the weekend. The good news is that the river physically can’t really drop much more, so at least there’s that.
If you want to find a chinook, you’re going to be focusing on the lower river. It’s so low that the fish can’t comfortably move up much past the crossing bridge. You’re also going to want to consider making it out there for first light, as the conditions will make the fish very spooky. All the gear that’s been mentioned in previous reports will work, but downsizing presentations is definitely a good idea right now.
I’ve also heard a couple confirmed reports of a jack coho, so it’s safe to assume that a few have pushed in pushed in. Coho will generally take the same presentations as chinook, but they’re known to be quite skittish, and the current conditions will greatly exacerbate that. Keep in mind that this is still pretty early for coho, so don’t be disappointed if you don’t find any. Things will get better into late September and early October.
Keep in mind, it’s still early September, and this is just the very start of the run… things will be heating up in short order, and there’s no reason to believe that this won’t be another good season. Tie up your leaders, respool your reels and get ready.
Taylor Nakatani
STILLWATER FISHING REPORTS
Interior Lakes Fishing Report
With September arriving on the heels of a relatively hot late summer, lake fishing should start to pick up again. We need to see more of a spread on the day and night temperatures but we have started to hear a few reports of water temperatures cooling and fishing turning on.
Once anglers start to see a drop in temperatures, they will want to get their Fall lake kits together. This is a great fishery for hungry trout as they will be on the feed again as they get ready to bulk up for winter.
Chironomids and leeches are standard and should be in every fly box, along with bigger, meatier patterns such as dragon nymphs and water boatman. Another fall favourite for anglers are boobies and blob flies stripped on fast sinking lines. For those not using fly rods, small spinners and spoons are great options, as well as worms and shrimp hung under a float.
Another great option is floating dough-baits just off the bottom, especially in the middle of the day when fish may still be deeper.
Keep it easy,
Jordan Simpson
Local Lakes Fishing Report
With the kids going back to school and work getting back into full swing for some of you, the local lakes might be that perfect stress relief that you need. The local lakes are waiting for their fall stocking which will happen once the water temperatures drop with some cooler weather. Until then, the fishing will be a little tough as the stocked fish from the spring have either been fished out or have seen and been hooked a number of times by all sorts of presentations.
Regardless, hitting the water for a couple hours after work is a great way to spend some relaxing time with the family or by yourself to help you unwind.
It seems the dog days of summer are best fished getting back to basics with simpler presentations in mind. Floating power bait on a bottom rig, dangling worms, krill or single salmon eggs under a bobber are all productive for the gear anglers. Tossing a balanced leech or a chironomid under an indicator can certainly be deadly for the fly guys as well. Once the fall stockings start happening then we can switch gears to tossing spoons, spinners and stripping bugs as the fish will be more aggressive as they start to bulk up to survive the winter.
Make sure to check out the gofishbc.com website for all of the stocking information as well as finding new lakes in your immediate area.
Local lakes are a little hard to get away from people as a lot of them are in urban environments, so please take care to distance from fellow anglers that aren’t in your bubble.
We would love to see you in the shop if you have any questions about the local lakes, so come on in and let us help you get all set up for the fall lake season!
Zach Copland
SALTWATER FISHING REPORTS
It looks like the wind and the weather is going to cooperate this weekend if you are thinking of heading out, with winds light to SE and some sun.
If you are going to be fishing off the mouth of the Fraser, there has been a few fish at the North Arm and T-10 but the South Arm is generally a better bet this time of year if the winds allow you to get down there. I just looked at the test sets and there is still some decent amount of chinook being taken at Albion. There are few reds still around but for the most part we are catching white springs destined for the Chilliwack/Vedder or the Harrison. Our most productive depths have been 35-75 on the riggers. These white springs don’t sit around long, they come in and are ready to get up the river, fishing can be hit or miss for them, so the best thing to do is put in sometime and try and intercept that push of fish. Numbers of hatchery coho should also increase this week.
If you want to keep it a little closer to Vancouver, we are seeing a few fish at the mouth of the Cap now. Each flood tide in September will usually bring in a few more fish. The best thing way to catch these fish is with anchovies or herring close to the bottom. Make sure to keep an eye out for commercial traffic and when the freighters are coming or going, please keep west towards the yellow marker to make sure you are out of the shipping lane. This fishery is just getting going, and if we have a dry September it will continue right into the first week or two of October.
See you in the shop or on the water,
Jason Tonelli