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"A guides Perspective" The Fraser River |
By Tony Nootebos of Harrison Bay Guided Services
Every year thousands of people from all over the world come to British Columbia’s Fraser Valley for both its beautiful scenery, and fantastic fishing opportunities. Located only 1.3 hours from Vancouver, and 3 hours from Seattle are the towns of Chilliwack, and near by Harrison Hot Springs, smack in the middle of fishing paradise. The real heart of the Valley is the Fraser River, almost 1000 miles long it remains one of North America’s last untamed river systems. The Fraser River is also considered the largest salmon producing river in the world; offering anglers the opportunity to catch all 5 pacific salmon, as well as white sturgeon and a variety of trout including steelhead.
The following is a 12 month breakdown of the great fishing opportunities on the Fraser River main stem. |
January-March |
The New Year typically marks the end of the salmon fishing season on the Fraser River. The River seems empty compared to the bountiful months leading up to it, but the river does have a lot to offer for those willing to battle the cooler weather and the often hard to find cutthroat trout! Winter trout fishing can be challenging until you find the feeding fish, but once you do it is very rewarding. Fly fishing with small nymphs, egg patterns, or stripping in minnow type attractor patterns in the back waters are usually the preferred methods, although some people prefer worms or single eggs fished under a float or on the bottom.
Sturgeon fishing is another option for anglers wanting to do battle with a dinosaur! Although water conditions are much cooler than in the spring, summer, and fall months there are still fish willing to take bait and put up a strong fight before giving in for a quick photo and healthy release. Bottom fishing is the method of choice and baits vary depending on fishing location, but salmon eggs wrapped in stockings soaked in Mikes sturgeon scent is hard to beat. |
April-May |
By the time we reach April the strong hold of winter is usually making way for warmer temperatures and April showers, water temperatures begin to rise and the fish become more active. The Sturgeon begin actively feeding on a number of different baits, but really key in on the Eulachon run entering the lower river during this time. Some days if you do not have fresh Eulachon on board you are going home without so much as a good bite!
The Cutthroat trout fishing will remain good until the River begins to rise with the spring run-off. Fly fishers should stick to any salmon fry pattern in sizes 10 down to 4 while spin fishers can do quite well on small spinners or spoons in silver or brass with a red stripe in hammered or flat finish. Most back waters and riffles from Mission to Hope with depths of 2 to 8 feet will produce Cutthroat to 20 inches. (Catch and release only on wild fish)
April also marks the beginning of the salmon season, although not plentiful, the Chinook (king) salmon are there in fishable numbers (currently on a catch and release basis for April). Bar fishing or Plunking as it is sometimes called with a spin-glow and bar rig set up is the most popular method for these early run spring salmon. Make sure you have a variety of different color and size combinations with you as the water conditions can really change on a day to day basis. My personal favorite is the red top silver body in sizes 0 or 2 with Mylar wings. Try fishing along the many gravel bars on the main stem Fraser from Mission to Hope for best success. We normally get a Chinook opening May.1, so check with the local shops for confirmation on this early season fishery! |
June-July |
By June the Fraser River is up and the Cutthroat trout have moved out of the main stem and into the back waters and tributary rivers and streams along the Fraser system. Sturgeon fishing opportunities remain good for those who are willing to seek out the “Hot Spots of the Sturgeon during the high water season. Lamprey or Ditch eels are the best baits during the high water!
Although the Chinook (king) salmon are in the system in fishable numbers from April on, the first real “peak season” begins around the second week of June. The numbers of returning fish can be awesome and if river conditions permit, the last 2 weeks of June can mark the best Chinook fishing of the year. The number of anglers on the river will really pick up as well depending on water conditions and success rates. If the river is high and muddy from spring run-off, fishing will be slow despite the large numbers of returning fish. But if there is 4 inches or more of visibility as is often the case, then both bar fishing with the above methods or bottom bouncing smaller spin-glows and wool combinations will produce good numbers of Chinook salmon. Learning the seams where the fish travel will be the key to success!
By late June and into early July the Sockeye salmon will begin entering the Fraser River in small numbers before peaking in early August. By far the best method to catch Sockeye on the Fraser River is bottom bouncing wool, corkies, or small spin-glow combos on a 6 to 9 foot leader with 1 to 3 ounces of lead. There are times when sockeye are off limits, and gear restrictions apply, usually in the form of a maximum leader length regulation. |
August-September |
August is by far the busiest month on the Fraser River, and for good reason! Sockeye salmon return by the million, and Chinook (king) salmon are available in good numbers as well. “This is prime time” salmon fishing with thousands of people flocking to the Fraser Valley each day in search of those silver bullets. Bottom bouncing remains the most popular way to salmon fish on the Fraser River for the month of August. On odd numbered years the Pink (humpy) salmon begin entering the Fraser system by mid August providing fly and spoon fishers with some great entertainment on light tackle. September remains a good month for salmon fishing on the Fraser River, with late run Sockeye, fall Chinook, a few early Coho, and on odd numbered years millions of Pink salmon fishing opportunities are endless. For those wanting to catch a salmon on the fly the Pinks a great way to get started! Bar fishing and spoon fishing are the preferred ways to fish for fall Chinook and early Coho salmon. Keep in mind on even numbered years there are no Pink salmon in the river.
Although Sturgeon fishing can be very good in August, September is the beginning of the “prime time” sturgeon season. With all of the salmon in the system the best sturgeon baits include salmon eggs, gills, salmon parts or a combination mix of all three. If you like sturgeon fishing September – December is as good as it gets!
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October-December |
Sturgeon fishing continues to produce great catches of fish up to 10 feet long weighing up to 800lbs and often jumping several times before being landed, photographed, tagged and finally released. The best area’s are from Hope down to Fort Langley in the many sturgeon holes along the way.
The fall months are by far the best for those wanting to catch salmon on light gear or fly rods. The River begins to drop allowing for increased visibility and better access to the many riffles along the Fraser River. This is my favorite time of the year! Almost all of the River mouths along the Fraser system have salmon returning, and in many cases the fish are aggressive and willing to take just about any well presented lure or fly. Bar fishing for Chinook and Coho is still popular during this time, but many anglers prefer to change methods to spinner , spoon, or fly fishing the un crowded river while enjoying the awesome salmon fishing fall has to offer. |
The Fraser River will have Coho, Fall Chinook, late Sockeye, Pinks (odd numbered years only) and finally the hard fighting Chum salmon. Although Chum salmon are not considered the best table fare, they are definitely a great sport fish 2nd only to the Chinook salmon in size and brute strength. Gibb’s Ultra lures in Gold plate and Silver plate are my favorite spoons, and popular fly patterns include Murray’s Rolled Muddler Minnow, Coho blue, and many attractor patterns in a variety of different colors. Coho salmon prefer the slower (frog) water slow sink or clear mono lines work best here, while Chinook and Chum salmon prefer faster runs and riffles, heavy sink tip lines of 4 to 10 feet are more productive than slow sink or floating lines.
Trout fishing starts to pick up by late fall and is in full swing again by early December. Single egg and small minnow patterns are best fished in the back channels of the Fraser River.
Come and enjoy fishing British Columbia’s Fraser Valley! |
Good fishing
Tony Nootebos @ www.harrisonbay.com Harrison Bay Guided Services 140 Esplanade Harrison Hot Springs B.C. V0M 1K0 E-mail: info@harrisonbay.com |
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Article |
Topics |
Date |
1. |
Fishing the Tyee Pool in Campbell River |
Salmon |
Aug 2013 |
2. |
Jigging for Coho |
Salmon, Tackle |
Aug 2013 |
3. |
TKO ing Big Springs |
Salmon |
Jun 2013 |
4. |
Spring Fishery Updates 2013 |
Fishing Area Outlook |
Mar 2013 |
5. |
Fly Epoxy Chum Fry |
Flys |
Feb 2013 |
6. |
Best Fishing Story of 2012 |
|
Feb 2013 |
7. |
Salmon fishing outlook for 2013 |
Fishing Area Outlook, Salmon |
Jan 2013 |
8. |
Fly Tadpoles |
Flys |
Jan 2013 |
9. |
Fishing Outlook for 2013 |
Fishing Area Outlook, Salmon, Sturgeon |
Dec 2012 |
10. |
Fly Steelhead Muddler |
Flys, Steelhead |
Dec 2012 |
11. |
Fly Bacon n eggers |
Flyfishing, Salmon |
Dec 2012 |
12. |
Keeping a journal |
Technique |
Dec 2012 |
13. |
Fly Egg-sukin leech |
Flyfishing, Flys |
Oct 2012 |
14. |
Fly Steelhead Madness |
Flyfishing, Flys |
Oct 2012 |
15. |
White Lake |
Fishing Area Outlook |
Aug 2012 |
16. |
Fly Orangesicle |
Flyfishing, Flys |
Jul 2012 |
17. |
Fly Blue Morrison baitfish |
Flyfishing, Flys |
Jul 2012 |
18. |
Fly fishing the Estuary (Amundson Thompson Chaser Fly Rod Review) |
Flyfishing, Tackle |
Jul 2012 |
19. |
Sockeye Strategies |
Salmon |
Jul 2012 |
20. |
Ultimate Squid TUBE |
Flys |
Jun 2012 |
21. |
Roche Lake |
Flyfishing |
Jun 2012 |
22. |
Fly Coho Blue-zer |
Flys, Salmon |
Jun 2012 |
23. |
Flies Webflyzers |
Flys |
Jun 2012 |
24. |
Vancouver Island's Esperanza Inlet |
Halibut, Salmon, Vancouver Island |
May 2012 |
25. |
Fly Purple Peril |
Flys |
May 2012 |
26. |
Trolling for trout |
Trolling, Trout |
Apr 2012 |
27. |
Fly Blue Note |
Flyfishing, Flys |
Mar 2012 |
28. |
Fly Kalumlow |
Flyfishing, Flys |
Mar 2012 |
29. |
Fly Skeena Scar |
Flyfishing, Flys |
Mar 2012 |
30. |
Fly Polar Express |
Flyfishing, Flys |
Mar 2012 |
31. |
Sturgeon fishing in Vancouver British Columbia |
Sturgeon |
Mar 2012 |
32. |
Strategies for Catching Sturgeon |
Sturgeon |
Mar 2012 |
33. |
Fly Copper Gammarus |
Flys |
Mar 2012 |
34. |
Fly Alley Alevin |
Flys |
Mar 2012 |
35. |
Fly Hilton Boss |
Flys |
Mar 2012 |
36. |
A Guided Steelhead Trip on the River |
Steelhead |
Feb 2012 |
37. |
Fly Polar UV shrimp |
Flys |
Feb 2012 |
38. |
Egg-sukin Beaver Leech |
Flys |
Feb 2012 |
39. |
Fly Chardolas Bait |
Flys |
Feb 2012 |
40. |
Don't be afraid to try anything |
Steelhead |
Feb 2012 |
41. |
Best Fishing Story of 2011 Ryan Spannier |
|
Feb 2012 |
42. |
Best Fishing Story of 2011 by Bob Waldhaus |
Steelhead |
Feb 2012 |
43. |
Best Fishing Story of 2011 David Sandquist |
Kids, Salmon |
Feb 2012 |
44. |
Fly Reeds Spey |
Flyfishing |
Feb 2012 |
45. |
Jet Boat Maintenance |
Boats |
Dec 2011 |
46. |
Smoked Salmon Recipe BBQ and Honey |
Recipes, Salmon |
Dec 2011 |
47. |
Poached Italian Cod |
Recipes |
Dec 2011 |
48. |
Fly Blue Charmer |
Flys |
Nov 2011 |
49. |
Fly Muddy Waters |
Flys |
Nov 2011 |
50. |
Fly - The Excursion Leech |
Flyfishing |
Nov 2011 |
51. |
Herb and Garlic Crusted Halibut with oven roasted ratatouille |
Halibut, Recipes |
Oct 2011 |
52. |
The Banner Season |
Fishing Area Outlook |
Jun 2011 |
53. |
voteforsalmon |
Conservaton, Salmon |
Apr 2011 |
54. |
Votesalmon |
Conservaton, Salmon |
Apr 2011 |
55. |
Rivers Inlet Hatchery Program |
Conservaton, Salmon |
Apr 2011 |
56. |
Mayday for Wild Salmon |
Conservaton, Salmon |
Mar 2011 |
57. |
Contest 2011 Fishing Story David Sandquist |
Flyfishing, Steelhead |
Feb 2011 |
58. |
Contest 2011 Fishing Story Honourary mention Ron Gibson |
|
Feb 2011 |
59. |
Contest 2011 Fishing Story Bog Waldhaus |
Steelhead |
Feb 2011 |
60. |
Contest 2011 Fishing Story Brian Wong |
Salmon |
Feb 2011 |
61. |
Does Fish Cooking Techniques Matter |
Recipes |
Jan 2011 |
62. |
Mediterranean Fish Fillets |
Recipes |
Jan 2011 |
63. |
Virus Killing Fraser Sockeye |
Conservaton, Fish, Salmon |
Jan 2011 |
64. |
Halibut Fishery |
Conservaton, Hallibut |
Dec 2010 |
65. |
Salmon Virus watch |
Conservaton, Salmon |
Nov 2010 |
66. |
Disease Information |
Conservaton |
May 2010 |
67. |
Sea lice kept secret |
Conservaton |
May 2010 |
68. |
Catch the Dream |
Halibut, Salmon, Trolling |
May 2010 |
69. |
Oak Bay Marine Group Newsletter |
Salmon |
Mar 2010 |
70. |
Quesnel Lake |
Trout |
Jan 2010 |
71. |
Art of Curing and Smoking Fish |
Smoking |
Jan 2010 |
72. |
Bradley's Famous Hot Smoked Salmon |
Smoking |
Jan 2010 |
73. |
Salmon fishery action suit |
Salmon |
Nov 2009 |
74. |
Save B.C. Salmon |
Conservaton, Salmon |
Nov 2009 |
75. |
Winner of the Giver on the River Free Charter |
Fish |
Sep 2009 |
76. |
Oven bbq salmon |
Recipes, Salmon |
Aug 2009 |
77. |
Poached Italian Cod |
Recipes |
Aug 2009 |
78. |
Salmon Creole |
Recipes, Salmon |
Aug 2009 |
79. |
Australia Fishing |
Salmon |
Aug 2009 |
80. |
Horseradish and Dill Butter Salmon Steaks |
Recipes, Salmon |
Jul 2009 |
81. |
Navigating a boat purchase |
Boats |
Jul 2009 |
82. |
Salmon with a Homemade Grain Mustard Crust |
Recipes, Salmon |
Jul 2009 |
83. |
Halibut with Fennel Broth |
Halibut, Recipes |
Jul 2009 |
84. |
Cedar Plank Salmon |
Recipes, Salmon |
Jun 2009 |
85. |
Islander Winner 2009 |
Tackle |
Jun 2009 |
86. |
Just Get In the Water |
Technique |
Jun 2009 |
87. |
Saltwater Night Fishing for Salmon |
Salmon, Technique |
Jun 2009 |
88. |
Steelhead & Salmon Warfare |
Salmon, Steelhead |
Jun 2009 |
89. |
Deep Running Giant Salmon |
Salmon |
May 2009 |
90. |
Salmon Scampi |
Recipes |
Apr 2009 |
91. |
Dandelion Stuffed Chaunigan Trout |
Recipes, Trout |
Apr 2009 |
92. |
Living Rivers - Georgia Basin and Vancouver Island |
Conservaton |
Apr 2009 |
93. |
Salmon steak recipe |
Recipes, Salmon |
Mar 2009 |
94. |
Chaunigan Trout Recipe |
Recipes, Trout |
Mar 2009 |
95. |
Best catch of 2008 |
Flyfishing, Kids, Salmon, Steelhead, Trout |
Feb 2009 |
96. |
The Great Chilko Bear Adventure |
Bears |
Feb 2009 |
97. |
Seasonal Outlook for 2010 |
Salmon, Seasons, Steelhead, Sturgeon, Trout |
Jan 2009 |
98. |
A Fishing Trip with REEL OBSESSIONS Vancouver Island. |
Salmon, Trolling |
Jan 2009 |
99. |
Carp fishing from a different angle |
Carp |
Sep 2008 |
100. |
Fish British Columbia With a Timeshare |
Accommodation |
Apr 2008 |
101. |
Hurt by aquaculture industry |
Salmon |
Nov 2007 |
102. |
BC wild salmon endangered by failure to contain sea lice from salmon farms |
Conservaton |
Sep 2007 |
103. |
Go Fish |
|
Aug 2007 |
104. |
Studies show harmful impact of BC coast salmon farms on wild Pacific salmon |
Salmon |
Aug 2007 |
105. |
Lynn's Fishing Adventure |
Sturgeon, Trout |
Jul 2007 |
106. |
Chilliwack River Action Committee |
Conservaton |
Apr 2007 |
107. |
Indian Candy Recipe |
Recipes, Salmon, Smoking |
Mar 2007 |
108. |
Fishing Articles and archived fishing posts |
|
Mar 2007 |
109. |
Curing Eggs |
Salmon |
Mar 2007 |
110. |
Fishing for Chum Salmon |
Salmon |
Mar 2007 |
111. |
Salmon Eating - After They Change Colour |
Salmon |
Mar 2007 |
112. |
A guides Perspective - The Fraser River |
Salmon, Seasons, Sturgeon, Trout |
Aug 2005 |
113. |
Smoked Salmon Recipe |
Recipes, Salmon, Smoking |
Dec 2004 |
114. |
Fishing in Harrison Hot Springs |
|
Aug 2004 |
115. |
Jet vs. Outboard |
Boats |
Aug 2004 |
116. |
Helpful Hints, Tips and Tricks |
Tackle |
Mar 2004 |
117. |
Uncle Wes - Farewell Old Friend |
|
Dec 2003 |
118. |
Cow Paddy Pond |
Trout |
Oct 2003 |
119. |
12 Seasons of Fishing the Kitimat |
Flyfishing, Salmon, Seasons, Trout |
Apr 2003 |
120. |
Sara, Guardian of the Lake |
|
Jul 2002 |
121. |
Portrait of a Mountain Man |
|
May 2002 |
122. |
Carving the Salmon Pie |
Salmon |
May 2001 |
123. |
Spoon Fishing Lakes From The Bank |
Tackle, Trout |
Mar 2001 |
124. |
Vedder River Fishing “Fall options” |
Salmon, Seasons |
Mar 2001 |
125. |
Slippery Spotted Owls |
Salmon |
Jul 1998 |
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