Great River Fishing
Ben with his 7fter!
Dean Werk, Great River Fishing
Sturgeon fishing has stayed consistent and with the Eulchaon migration in full swing we should see a feeding frenzy in the next few weeks that should last well into mid-May or early June. Most Sturgeon migrate to the lower Fraser River each year about this time to feast on the bounty and their first feed of the season. Eulachon are rich in oils and nutrients and these fish love them. With the higher than normal flow rate of the Fraser River right now, we should see strong returns and these fish may get upriver as far as Hope. Sturgeon school to feed and the baitfish continually move, so where you see activity of seals feeding and bird activity you will typically always find Sturgeon. We also find on days that when there is lots of bait that these fish can get picky, you need to sometimes use whole Eulachon and other times you need to use them only a third of the baitfish, this all can make a big difference to a good days fishing or a great days fishing.
I remember back many years ago when we did the mark recapture program for the Province of British Columbia (1995-1998) and there fraser river fishingwas a small Sturgeon caught in the Mission area and 3 weeks to the date later it was recaptured in the Big Eddy in Yale (nearly 100 kilometers each way) – that is some incredible early season migration and tells the story in my mind – these fish know where these Eulachon are and when they are in the river. It would be interesting to know just how far they will migrate from for this Springtime feast. Other good baits for this time of the year to have in your cooler are single eggs, eels (both Lamprey and ditch), salmon meat and dew worms. Key area’s in the next while will be affected by heavier river flow and you may need to move in a little shallower if the tide is ripping hard and to find feeding fish. I suggest lower river locations like the Alex Fraser Bridge, Portman Bridge, Douglas Island on the west side, Gillnetter area, Barnston side channel, Golden ears bridge both sides, Truncated Pipe, Booms opposite 2 bit, lower Crescent Island and lower Matsqui Island. Mission bridge upstream, Mission flats upstream of Hatzic, Dwedney, Strawberry Island, Vedder canal, Bedsprings, Cattermole, Mountain bar area, Jesperson and Mount Woodside. I always say to get out there and to explore the waters, there are many fish just like you and doing the same thing as they forage to keep up with their eating patterns.
Steelhead fishing continues to be strong and if the water levels continue to stay constant we should see very good opportunity right up to the end of April. May 1st the river is dedicated to fly fishing only and below the Vedder Bridge. This is a chance for the single handers and the spey guys to have the river alone. Steelheading in the Springtime has some real advantages with the water temperatures a little warmer and the river flow a slight bit higher, it seems to be a more predictable fishery. Using the right gear and having the right baits is the key, changing bait frequently will get you some of the best results. This has truly been one of the best Steelheading years we have seen in the last decade and we encourage you to come and see for yourselves.
The Lillooet River is another one of our rivers we like to visit and fish with clients in the late Fall and also in the early Spring. This river was unfishable for over 3 years due to the big slide at Meagher Creek and has come into shape well this season. We have been visiting quite frequently and have had some incredible success fly fishing. If you are looking for a fly fishing adventure on one of the most incredible rivers in southwestern British Columbia, this is your river. All wild fish use this river as their playing grounds – Cutthroat, Rainbows, Dolly Varden, Bull Trout, Steelhead and Chinook Salmon at this time of the year. Exhilarating river to run and scenery beyond belief sums it u for me. This is a fly fishers paradise!
The Harrison River is at a good water level now and the fry are emerging and the Cutthroat, Rainbows, Dolly Varden and Bull Trout are chasing them around in schools and attacking from below. This river is another scenic area that fishes well on the fly and spinning gear at this time of the year. Fry patterns and silver blades work best and always look for activity on the water as you can easily see when there is a fry on the surface being chased down. Get your gear out into this and you will have a great day on the river catching fish.