Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum

Fishing in British Columbia => General Discussion => Topic started by: labmik on October 08, 2008, 11:02:23 AM

Title: Floating the Vedder/Chilliwack
Post by: labmik on October 08, 2008, 11:02:23 AM
I'm planning a trip to the Vedder for the weekend of the 18th and have a couple of questions about the river.  First off, is it floatable via 16' drift boat or raft?  I understand that some of the upper section has some pretty good whitewater but might be too boney to successfully float.  We're generally looking to float, park, fish; float, park, fish; Rinse.  Repeat.  Any suggestions?
Title: Re: Floating the Vedder/Chilliwack
Post by: Sam Salmon on October 08, 2008, 11:12:12 AM
....Any suggestions?....

Wear a helmet/safety goggles-some of the knuckledraggers who fish there are almost certain to try and cast @ you.

So many rats in that cage means a lot of people are very frightened/uptight and generally acting like idiots.

I've seen many posts over the years about banning people who are drifitng the river-seriously. ::) ::)
Title: Re: Floating the Vedder/Chilliwack
Post by: fyrslyer on October 08, 2008, 11:24:20 AM
I have floated from Slesse creek down to the Keith Wilson bridge before with my Pontoon boat, there is some class 3 rapids from tamahi and up but the most technical  section is for sure Tamahi, there is a bunch of log jams you would need to worry about up river specifically one that is right across the river and quite dangerous you would need to portage about 30- 50 feet, just remember your life jacket and helmet!
Title: Re: Floating the Vedder/Chilliwack
Post by: labmik on October 08, 2008, 11:32:43 AM
We've got the pfds, helmets, dry suits, and have lots of class IV whitewater experience. We're just hoping to get away from the crowds by hitting some of the more technical sections of water.  Is the fishing for springs any good above Slesse Creek?
Title: Re: Floating the Vedder/Chilliwack
Post by: Nicole on October 08, 2008, 11:40:55 AM
The river is closed to all fishing above slesse, all year...

Honestly, the vedder is not a drift boat river - pontoons or rafts are ok.

However, there is no way to avoid anglers, as the river is quite tight in places.

You are bound to piss some people off. There are no quiet areas to fish during salmon season...

If you have never fished the vedder before, best to come do it by land first, to get to know it first, and it's anglers...

Cheers,
Nicole
Title: Re: Floating the Vedder/Chilliwack
Post by: Sam Salmon on October 08, 2008, 11:44:02 AM
The river is closed to all fishing above slesse, all year...

Honestly, the vedder is not a drift boat river - pontoons or rafts are ok.

However, there is no way to avoid anglers, as the river is quite tight in places.

You are bound to piss some people off. There are no quiet areas to fish during salmon season...

If you have never fished the vedder before, best to come do it by land first, to get to know it first, and it's anglers...

Cheers,
Nicole

Good advice-I've drifted a lot of BC rivers and the C/V system is an odd one, lots of variety and some stupid tight places with little room to maneuver.
Title: Re: Floating the Vedder/Chilliwack
Post by: Fish Assassin on October 08, 2008, 03:33:54 PM
I agree with Nicole. The Vedder is not a particularly big river. You're going to piss alot of anglers off if you're coming downriver with your drift boat. My .02
Title: Re: Floating the Vedder/Chilliwack
Post by: labmik on October 08, 2008, 03:57:15 PM
Sweet.  We'll leave the boats at home.  Is most of the land between the road and the river public or private?
Title: Re: Floating the Vedder/Chilliwack
Post by: Fish Assassin on October 08, 2008, 04:07:58 PM
Most of the river is public accessible.
Title: Re: Floating the Vedder/Chilliwack
Post by: bentrod on October 08, 2008, 04:22:55 PM
I agree with Nicole.  While it might be fun to do, there are far too many people wading.  I think it would be more of a headache than anything to be in a boat. 
Title: Re: Floating the Vedder/Chilliwack
Post by: chris gadsden on October 08, 2008, 04:26:40 PM
Sweet.  We'll leave the boats at home. 
Thats the best plan.     
Title: Re: Floating the Vedder/Chilliwack
Post by: camtheman on October 20, 2008, 07:00:41 PM
i would go for it 
wear a helmet and safety glasses

keep any gear that hits you and your boat
carry pepper spray for the "pests"

you might want to disregard the last two  :)