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TIP: Salmon weight can be estimated by
using the following formula:
Length x Girth² (in inches) ÷ 800 or length x girth x girth (inches) ÷ 800 = lbs.
FISHING REPORT AUG 12 2008 Sockeye was open 5 days and then closed on July 30th. Fishing was great and limits were easy to get. 5 days was more than we expected, but probably not as much as we could have had if DFO got the numbers right. Chinook fishing has been dismal with less than normal numbers in the river. Sturgeon are spotty and hard to find some days. August looks to be poor for Chinooks but may improve as the "white" Chinooks come in. Best bet is later in August for Chinooks and Sturgeon fishing. Trout are available but are slow during the hot parts of the day.
FISHING REPORT JULY 2008 Due to salmon closures and restrictions on size for Chinook, fishing opportunities have been limited. As of today only Chinook from 30 to 77 centimeters can be taken. Sockeye are closed, and will most likely stay closed. Sturgeon fishing has been good but with the occasional off day. Fishing by First nations for Sockeye have been allowed recently due to better than expected returns, though D.F.O. says not enough for a recreational fishery. As usual we are at the bottom of the pile paying all the bills, and getting the shaft. Cutthroat trout can be found all over and are fishing well. The late runoff and slow drawing down of the Fraser has also impacted our early season. Water levels are just now dropping and will continue. By the end of July water clarity and lower levels will make the Chinook season kick in big time. Bar fishing will replace bottom bouncing (we hope) and maybe if the sockeye run gets bigger we might get a shot at Sockeye (don't count on it ). Best bet is Sturgeon fishing with fresh roe and fish guts.
FISHING REPORT JANUARY 2008 After a busy season, look back at 2007 as a good fishing year. Sturgeon were available all year and the Pink salmon run was good. Chum fishing in November into December was good also. Coho were thin again last year but some did find their way to us. The Sockeye season was never open and Chinook fishing was slower than usual. The Fraser river recreational fishery was limited by the beach seines for Chum and Pink salmon. Still, it was a good season. 2008 will kick off in April with the eulachon run and Sturgeon fishing in the saltwater area's of the Fraser. Trout fishing the Lillooet and Harrison systems will also start in April/May. The current best bet now is Cutthroat fishing at the creek/slough outlets. Sturgeon fishing in the deeper pools and runs with eels, worms, eulachons or prawns.
FISHING REPORT OCTOBER 11 2007 Fishing for Pinks was great again this year, but they have mostly died out and big Chum have moved in. For the rest of October into November Coho and Chum will be good. White Chinooks will be tailing off slowly but many are still moving up. Try bar fishing the Fraser for Chinooks and Steelhead. (if water is dirty fishing will slow down) Coho in the Chilliwack and Harrison will be holding in the pools during the day and mostly moving around in the early morning. Try floating Colorado rigs with Fluorocarbon leaders. The key for Coho is stealthy approach and cover all of the water the Chilliwack river is busy so the fish are spooky. The Chum will bite on Jigs or spoons but clearer water is needed. The Harrison is a good bet for Chums. Fly fishers are using medium fast or fast sink tips with flash patterns and brighter pink/green fly's for Coho. For Coho on spin gear croc's and Colorado's work.
FISHING REPORT AUGUST 30 2007 The river is in good shape and fishing for Pink and Chinook salmon are now open again. The salmon closure in August was a punch in the guts for the sport-fishermen and guides. We hope DFO does not again slap us off the river, for the people who continue to bottom bounce, even when selective methods are asked for. Sturgeon are biting on fresh roe and entrails but they have been targeted a lot lately, so look for less fished areas for the wise big ones. The mouth of the Vedder has been good for sturgeon and will be a focus for the early pinks in the next few weeks. The Harrison will come on later in September and the mouth of the Harrison will be good from the 20th on. Chinook are all over the Fraser right now and we will see a build-up as the "red" meat 12-20 pounders give way for the 25-? "white" Chinooks. The Chinook run will start big time at the end of September for the Harrison's monster whites. Bar fishing has been a reliable producer and anchored has also been good with the red cap chrome body and wings spin and glo working the best.
FISHING REPORT JULY 29 2007 Well high water is still here and the Chinook run has been a bust until now. Sockeye are not open yet and reports suggest they may be 2-4 weeks late. The best fishing has been for the big Sturgeon in the back channels and eddies. Water levels should keep dropping and the sockeye and pinks will soon be hitting the river in good numbers. Bottom bouncing method for Chinooks has been voluntarily closed till the Stuart run has passed. The best method for Chinook fishing is Bar fishing and it has been shown to be a selective method. People are still bottom bouncing for Chinooks but this method impacts the sockeyes and should be avoided. When Sockeye does finally open then everyone can bounce them. In August we will see the first of the Pinks coming in to the Fraser and Harrison. For Chrome Pinks fish pink hotshots and pink wiggly worm jigs at the river mouth of the Harrison and along the Fraser along at each riffle and eddie near shore.
FISHING REPORT MAY 14 2007 Well, fishing for Coho never really happened. We are now into the Freshet and rumors are that we may be flooded off the river. The high water is an opportunity in the freshly flooded back waters as predators will move into the newly flooded areas. Fishing with a worm on a float or single eggs will work or try casting small spoons for Cutthroat (where open). the Sturgeon are moving into shallows looking for easy meals and can be found very shallow. For the Larger Surgeon we are now into spawning time in the fast moving waters near Hells Gate. Fishing in the river is near impossible in the fast water due to flotsam collecting on your line. Best bet for May/June is way up a tributary or back water looking for trout. Chinooks are open but finding a bar to fish from or a place to anchor without filling the lines with junk will depend on the rise and fall of the river. Once the river falls off fishing should begin in earnest for Chinook.
FISHING REPORT NOV-JAN 31 2007 November was still good for Sturgeon but the Coho were a no show. December and January were particularly cold. Icy conditions and low water temps meant slower action on the Sturgeon. The Cutthroat are now coming out after egg on minnows. February should be good for Cutt's in the Fraser and Harrison systems. The Harrison lake and Lillooet river Cutt's will start in April and should be good. The Harrison had 15,0000 Cutthroat smolts released in 2006. The target of 25,000 was not reached, but is more than what was released in 2005. The plan is to release the full 25,000 in 2007 if the brood stock is available. The best bet is single eggs, or muddler minnows fished in the eddies and pools near the outlet of the Chehalis. White Sturgeon fishing will be good near the winter holes. Try fishing near Yale pool or Hatzic near Mission the water is still cold but as temps rise the action will pick up.
FISHING REPORT OCTOBER 31 2006 Coho were a no show this month and Chinook were rare also. The lack of rain has definitely impacted the run. With October gone November should see if the run is lost. The best bet for fishing is Chum as they are plentiful and still many fresh fish. Try floating a jig or bouncing. the fly fishing has been good for Chum as well. Sturgeon fishing will see a slow movement back towards winter holes. The best bet for Sturgeon is Chum roe and guts. Salmon bellies or fins can also produce good results.
FISHING REPORT SEPTEMBER 6 2006 Sockeye season ended with good numbers still coming through. This years sockeye run was awesome and anglers limited out from opening till finish. But now that the rush is over for sockeye the protected Coho runs begin. DFO has wisely decided to add some boundary lines and allow selective fishing for Chinook and Chum salmon. This will still allow the Coho to pass by unmolested. Allowed fishing using bar rigs, fly rods and other methods for selectively targeting Chum and Chinook. To comply with the rules NO BOTTOM BOUNCING IS ALLOWED. Be certain of the species you harvest and try green or red and silver spin N glo's for bar fishing. For Chum try floating a 1/2 oz. jig head with purple marabou. Remember the best fighters can be the Chums so don't shun them as a sport fish. Chum roe makes excellent Sturgeon bait as well. Chum are still one of the best fish for fighting and are good smoked as well. The new line in the Fraser is up so be aware of the changes check site link.
FISHING REPORT JULY 31 2006 Salmon season has started in earnest for the big Chinooks. We have been catching a fair number of chrome beauties. Bar rigs with a chrome and green spin-N-glo have been producing well. Bottom bouncers are out but DFO would prefer (most guides too) we didn't bounce till sockeye opens. Sturgeon fishing has been spotty, but fresh entrails or salmon bellies have been working. Trout fishing the Harrison and Fraser has been good and Harrison bay has nice Cutt's near the out let of lake Errock. August will see big numbers? (we hope) of sockeye salmon and we hope to see an early opening. The FN have already had openings for sockeye in July so August 1st. it might open for sport-fishermen. If DFO decides to wait it may be till the 15th before the sports-fishery opens.
FISHING REPORT MAY/JUNE 2006 Fishing in the Fraser has been tricky with the high water. Sturgeon are moving around and do not seem to be congregating. Chinook runs are slow this spring (late again?) and with the high water access has been a problem. Most good bar fishing or bouncing spots are under water. July will see lower water levels and improved Chinook fishing. Trout fishing in the flooded area's has paid off for the fly fishermen and good numbers of Cutthroat are around. Best bet for Chinooks is bar fishing with green/silver spin-N-glow. For big sturgeon try crayfish, eels, worms or pike minnows. Cutthroat are on to minnow patterns and bugs.
FISHING REPORT APRIL 25 2006 Water levels were low and fishing was slow for Sturgeon in the upper river. Later in the month water temps have risen and the fish are moving around. May will see the start of the freshet and water levels and temps will go up. Fishing will be good in the back bays as they get water. Sturgeon fishing in the Fraser with roe or worms and eels has been working. Eulachon have made their run and are few and far between. So Sturgeon are hungry and will bite well.
FISHING REPORT FEB/MARCH 2006 Fishing has been good in the Chilliwack for Steelhead and Cutthroat trout. The Fraser is low and bar fishing or float drifting slower running bars has been good for Cutty's and Steelhead. The Vedder canal just below the Highway bridge was good and Worms or small roe bags were the ticket. Harrison river Cutty's are laying near the outlets of the Chehalis and along the beaches of Harrison lake up to 20 mile bay. Fish these with single eggs and subtle slip weights on the bottom near the creeks outlets. Small spinners and crocs will work in the right water, pick a spot with slow current and let them sink a bit. Fly fishers are doing ok on marabou minnows and muddlers. Water is key, look for rising fish and good ambush lies for the big Cutty's. Sturgeon fishing is ok in the lower river near Mission and below. Above Mission fishing has been spotty but will improve. April will be the start of the Eulachon run and the Lower Fraser will be going strong below Mission bridge.
FISHING REPORT JANUARY 2006 Cutthroat trout and Steelhead trout are cruising around the Fraser and Chilliwack rivers. Good results for Cutthroat on worms under a float or bounced lightly along the bottom. White sturgeon are mostly bunched up in the slower holes but there are still a few out foraging. Warm temps and high water have kept more big sturgeon active later than usual. Harrison river backwaters and Harrison lake have nice runs of Cutthroat trout coming in. Muddler minnows and gooey bobs or fake worms in white or pink are working in the Chilliwack for Steelhead and Cutthroat. Stone nymphs patterns also work for both but the Cutty's can't leave em alone.
FISHING REPORT DECEMBER 2005 Windy conditions and cooler temps drove most indoors, but the few who ventured out did well. White Sturgeon are hanging around the usual winter holes but are starting to get pickier(try crayfish and eels). Best bet is single egg patterns and muddler minnows for Cutty's or the odd Steely! The Harrison at the top of the pilings and up the Chehalis has a few nice trout lies. Steelhead are moving into the Vedder/Chilliwack try flies just above and below the Keith Wilson bridge, Fish upper Chilliwack runs with wool/gooey small in chartreuse/light orange to white. Keep the presentation small! Or use pro-cure and again keep the size minimal and hooks black size 1 or 2. As stealth is the key with Steelhead try using fluorocarbon leaders.
FISHING REPORT OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2005 October was colder and lots of good salmon fishing for Chum and Chinook. The Harrison and Chilliwack rivers both had poor returns of Coho this year for reasons as yet unknown. Bar fishing along the Fraser produced the best quality fish. Jigs suspended under a float were murder on the Chums. Sturgeon fishing using salmon roe and guts has produced some huge fish this year and fishing is still good. Coho and Chum are still arriving in the Harrison as of the end of November. Best bet for December is the Harrison for Cutty's using single egg pattern, or Chum using a pink/red/purple jig.
FISHING REPORT SEPTEMBER 09 2005 Wow what a summer we finally got! August was HOT!. "King salmon fishing was slow in the beginning of August but really picked up later. Sockeye salmon was closed until September, and we saw good numbers which we carefully released. Bottom bouncing sockeye and "Kings" produced good results for both when finally sockeye opened. September will see the start of protected Coho stocks thru the Fraser and closures in some areas. Fishing for Pinks has been great and will only increase as the runs are strong. Any pink colored spoon, fly, jig or drift setup will get them. Look for groups of fish "Finning" rising to the surface. For the big Chinooks now is the time to relax with a bar rod and spin"N"glo rig. Fish the bars that are slower moving and sloping down to a main channel. White sturgeon are cramming themselves on fresh entrails and roe. Try fishing slack water around area's fish are being cleaned or are collecting on the bottom. Fresh frozen and bagged in a nylon, pink salmon roe is murder on the sturgeon! they love the stuff! Bait ban in effect on the Fraser river check the regulations!
FISHING REPORT JULY 25 2005 Well the heat is finally on! Fishing in the Fraser for King salmon has been better in July. The Sockeye run is also under way with the early summer( including early Stuart) run of fish already hitting the bars up the river. D.F.O. should open the river for retention of Sockeye soon. Sturgeon have been hitting in the fast water and big fish are definitely up for the fight! Best bet is Sturgeon on the Fraser above Island 22 and below Herrling island. The Vedder river mouth is also producing well for Kings and Sturgeon. Grassy bar is exposed and also producing nicely. **NOTE** Cultus Lake Sockeye tagged fish have adipose fin clipped DO NOT CONFUSE WITH A COHO!!!!
FISHING REPORT JUNE 29 2005 High water and cool weather this year has meant fewer sand and gravel bars to fish from. The "red" Chinook run has been a bit less than expected. However, some beauties have still been caught. White sturgeon are around and are biting worms, roe, eels and fish parts. Crayfish are also a good bet for active sturgeon, fish in the faster water for the big monsters. Cutthroat trout are all over the back eddies and weed beds in all the local rivers and lakes (check regulations for open times). Minnow patterns such as the muddlers are a good bet for fly casters. July will see the arrival of the early sockeye and closures for some areas. **REMEMBER **If you are bottom bouncing for Chinook adjust your leader length (shorter), and increase the size of your presentation to avoid by-catch of sockeye. **OR WE MAY LOSE THE OPPORTUNITY TO FISH FOR CHINOOK DURING THE SOCKEYE RUNS**
FISHING REPORT MAY 23 2005 May saw high water and lots of junk floating downstream. Sturgeon fishing has been good if you can find a good anchorage. Spring run Chinook are open in the Fraser but numbers have been few. Native fishers report low returns in their nets and sports fishers report poor luck so far. As the water levels peak out and go down in June we will see better Chinook numbers and early sockeye will start to show up. Best bet for June : spin"N"glo bar rigged and set up along the top of the gravel bars. Bottom bouncing is unnecessary as Chinook are active biters. Sockeye will probably not open till august. Sturgeon are at their best this time of year Hungry and warm enough to fight hard! Cutthroat are still keying on minnows (smolts) check regulations for open areas.
FISHING REPORT APRIL 23 2005 Wow what a warm and sunny April we have had! Sturgeon fishing has been good to excellent in the lower Fraser river using eulachon and roe. Warmer weather has started the spring freshet now and May will see rising waters and debris on the Fraser. Chinook salmon should open May 1st and is slated to be a good season. This year's inaugural sturgeon tournament for charity went well and a 84 inch or 7 footer was the top fish. Many sturgeon were caught and released some were tagged and measured before being returned. Cutthroat trout will be found moving into newly flooded areas looking for easy meals. For Sturgeon a good bet would be side channels and eddies.
FISHING REPORT MARCH 23 2005 March has been warm and sunny with less than usual rain. Sturgeon fishing in the Fraser has been spotty above Mission but OK below the Pt. Mann bridge. Eulachon and salmon roe have been good, ditch eels are also doing well. For Fly fishers the back bays near Long island have been good for spooky Cutthroat trout. 20 mile bay has decent numbers of good size Cut's near shore. Try very small sinking patterns and Chrominids on a float with bobber stop. The Fraser has some Chinook salmon coming up already, but the river is closed to recreational salmon fishing till May probably. Steelhead are higher up the Chilliwack and Chehalis with water levels fluctuating, so plan ahead. April should see higher water levels again and more rain. With rising temperatures we will see the Sturgeon begin to feed better above the Mission bridge to Chilliwack.
FISHING REPORT FEBRUARY 22 2004 Late January we were surprised to see many silvery Coho's still swimming in the Chehalis. We caught some very nice Coho's and Steelhead along the log jams below "Easter seal run ". Sturgeon fishing is picking up now as the water temperature rises. The lower reaches of the Fraser will start to see good to excellent sturgeon fishing. Fish the month of March in the saltwater using eulachon, roe, worms or salmon fins. The Eulachon run is closed to recreational fishing this year so bait will be harder to find. As March passes into April, expect the sturgeon to move up the Fraser river into the freshwater again. Steelhead fishing in the Chilliwack river has been steady and the early birds are doing well. Cutthroat trout fishing will also pick up in March try muddler fly's or single eggs or other small presentations deep and slow.
FISHING REPORT JANUARY 11 2005 The beginning of January saw very cool temps with strong winds. The Fraser river was iced up and most of the sturgeon are in Hibernation mode. Cutthroat trout are your best bet this month try slow drifting egg patterns or bottom. Steelhead are in the Chehalis and Chilliwack and are hitting small egg clumps and wool. The end of January should see improving trout fishing and OK sturgeon fishing. For February All the streams and rivers will begin to fill up with fry and many more Cutthroat will be available. Try for Steelhead early in the morning and remember to sneak up to the pools as they are very spooky.
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