Vedder River Fishing “Fall options”
By Tony Nootebos @ www.harrisonbay.com
When people think of the Fraser Valley and its great fishing opportunities they usually focus on the Fraser River and to some degree the many tributaries that run into it. The Vedder River is one of those tributaries that get almost as much attention as the mighty Fraser River. The Vedder is one of the most popular salmon fishing rivers in British Columbia, it is located only one hour east of Vancouver B.C. or 3 hours from Seattle and has one of the largest returns of Coho (silver) and Chinook (king) salmon in the Province.
The Vedder River drains into the Fraser River roughly 40 miles from the ocean, offering fresh bright fish with an incredible fight! Chum, Pink, and Sockeye salmon are also available in the fall adding to the excitement of the Chinook and Coho fishery! There are more than 25 miles of fishable water on the Vedder River and best of all 90% of the river has great walk in and bank fishing access allowing anglers without boats the opportunity of some great salmon fishing options. Boats are not recommended in this small system!
There is a good summer fishery for spring (Chinook) salmon during the month of July and early into August, but by far the Fall Chinook and Coho fisheries in September and October are the most productive months of the year for salmon fishers. By early September there are fresh Coho and Chinook salmon are entering the lower River and by the beginning of October there will be plenty of fish throughout the river with the peak of the salmon run passing through about mid October.
There are many places to access the river, but a quick stop into Fred’s Custom Tackle at 5580 Vedder Rd in Vedder Crossing will allow you to get current reports as to where the fishing has been the best. For daily reports call 1-800-663-7793.
The most common method for fishing the Vedder is with a float with 2 to 3 ft of leader and a bait of wool, egg sacks, salmon roe, or small spin-glow combos. Casting spoons in the lower river can produce some nice fish early in the run, again drop by Fred’s and they will help you set up with the most popular riggings. You can also hire a guide to show you some of the more productive holes, and learn some local tips from the experts. Fred’s offers 14 guides with a local knowledge that is second to none. Book your trip today! 1-800-663-7793
The Chinook salmon will reach 50lbs or bigger while the Coho tip the scales up to 18 lbs on any given year, with an average size of 6 to9 lbs for the Coho and 25 to 40lbs on the Chinook salmon.
The Vedder River has long been a popular place to enjoy some great sport fishing over the years, along with that come the crowds, and the Vedder River is no exception! There are many trails and plenty of ways to get away from the crowds, but typically the better fishing holes have easy access, and are often very busy. It really pays to have a relaxed attitude when it comes to fishing this river. With a little patience you will find most people are easy to fish with, and there is plenty of room for everyone to have a great day fishing Beautiful British Columbia.
Come and enjoy a Fraser Valley Fishing experience today!
Tony Nootebos @ www.harrisonbay.com
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