| Rod: | 9' to 10'6" baitcasting or centerpin rod, rated between 8 and 20lb |
| Reel: | Small baitcasting reels or centerpin reels |
| Main line: | 12 to 15lb test |
| Leader: | 6 to 10lb test |
| Hook: | Size 4 to 2/0 |
| (http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc90/fishingwithrod/forum/th_chinook01.jpg) (http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc90/fishingwithrod/forum/chinook01.jpg) | (http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc90/fishingwithrod/forum/th_chinook02.jpg) (http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc90/fishingwithrod/forum/chinook02.jpg) | (http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc90/fishingwithrod/forum/th_chinook03.jpg) (http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc90/fishingwithrod/forum/chinook03.jpg) | (http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc90/fishingwithrod/forum/th_chinook04.jpg) (http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc90/fishingwithrod/forum/chinook04.jpg) | (http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc90/fishingwithrod/forum/th_chinook05.jpg) (http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc90/fishingwithrod/forum/chinook05.jpg) | (http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc90/fishingwithrod/forum/th_chinook06.jpg) (http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc90/fishingwithrod/forum/chinook06.jpg) |
| Adult chinook (over 62cm) | Adult chinook (over 62cm) | Jack chinook (under 62cm) | Jack chinook (under 62cm) | Black gum with white jaw edge | Small spots across both upper and lower parts of tail |
| (http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc90/fishingwithrod/forum/th_coho01.jpg) (http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc90/fishingwithrod/forum/coho01.jpg) | (http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc90/fishingwithrod/forum/th_coho02.jpg) (http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc90/fishingwithrod/forum/coho02.jpg) | (http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc90/fishingwithrod/forum/th_coho03.jpg) (http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc90/fishingwithrod/forum/coho03.jpg) | (http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc90/fishingwithrod/forum/th_coho04.jpg) (http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc90/fishingwithrod/forum/coho04.jpg) | (http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc90/fishingwithrod/forum/th_coho05.jpg) (http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc90/fishingwithrod/forum/coho05.jpg) | (http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc90/fishingwithrod/forum/th_coho06.jpg) (http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc90/fishingwithrod/forum/coho06.jpg) |
| Wild adult coho (with adipose fin) | Hatchery adult coho (without adipose fin) | Hatchery jack coho (without adipose fin) | Absence of adipose fin with healed scar on hatchery coho | White gum | Small spots on top portion of tail |
| (http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc90/fishingwithrod/forum/th_chum01.jpg) (http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc90/fishingwithrod/forum/chum01.jpg) | (http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc90/fishingwithrod/forum/th_chum02.jpg) (http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc90/fishingwithrod/forum/chum02.jpg) | (http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc90/fishingwithrod/forum/th_chum03.jpg) (http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc90/fishingwithrod/forum/chum03.jpg) |
| Female chum salmon | Male chum salmon with teeth | Striped back |
| (http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc90/fishingwithrod/forum/th_sockeye01.jpg) (http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc90/fishingwithrod/forum/sockeye01.jpg) | (http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc90/fishingwithrod/forum/th_sockeye02.jpg) (http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc90/fishingwithrod/forum/sockeye02.jpg) |
| adult sockeye in spawning colour | adult sockeye prior to spawning stage |
Was out walking in the train bridge area today and noticed they have dug several large horse shoe pools out quit deep with real slow water going threw them was wondering why they did this?
As someone who recently moved to the Lower Mainland and is dusting off his old fly rod, this is really fantastic.
My experience is mainly with flies, not with bait/float. Are there opportunities to use flies on this river as well?
Thanks!
should be good any day now, but you better chuck wool, as there is a bait ban on the river...
bait ban on Vedder, I don't think so, wrong river { Fraser bait ban to all salmon fishing until one hour before sunrise Sunday October 12th }
Cultus Lake sockeye salmon are endangered and usually enter the Chilliwack River in late summer so their run time overlaps with other fall salmon species. All sockeye salmon caught in the Chilliwack River are required to be released carefully. Please be aware of the difference between a coho and a sockeye salmon. Some Cultus Lake sockeye salmon are also missing their adipose fin. Read about it some more... (http://www.fishingwithrod.com/fishy_news/070917_1.html)
excavation in the name of "flood control" is such a joke. I'm surprised no one has taken them to task over this yet. With that said, it's probably a good thing to keep this post up toward the top. It's likely people will keep creating threads trying to get info on how close the runs are to coming in in numbers.I took them to task on this at two Vedder River Management meetings I attended this year as a sub for Gwyn who could not attend. They did not like what questions I was asking including that a royalty be paid for fish habitat improvement for each cubic meter of gravel taken out.
Given the big jump in the water levels and the previously small numbers of fish in the river would you guys focus on the lower river specifically for the next week or will the fish just move right up through the system immediately? Will the coho and springs move at different rates?with lower water the coho will move like steelhead, move up river during the night, so you should be prepared for some leg work.
Still trying to learn how these fish move through the river and where to spend my time to be effective.
Thanks, Jordan
Well nuts!!! :-\ I get one day this month to fish, so i'll be heading up Wednesday blown or not ;D ;DHigh but plenty fishable when I looked at it at 4 PM at Lickman Road area. Good to see it high at this time of year as the long linning can not happen in the Canal area as no land to fish from and the fish will be moving straight through. ;D ;D ;D
what is everyone using? float fishing? bottom bouncing?
How to float fish more effectively for coho salmon?
To effectively catch coho on the Vedder by float fishing, you want to keep your offerings in the strike zone. New anglers have a tendency to mistaken the strike zone as the depth where the fish are sitting. It is not. Salmonids look up and strike at the offerings above them. The fish position themselves near the bottom, so the strike zone is usually 1 or 2 feet above the river bed. This technique does not only apply to the Chilliwack River, but also other Lower Fraser River tributaries.
Gear setup
Rod: 9' to 10'6" baitcasting or centerpin rod, rated between 8 and 20lb Reel: Small baitcasting reels or centerpin reels Main line: 12 to 15lb test Leader: 6 to 10lb test Hook: Size 4 to 2/0
The diagrams below illustrate the correct and not-so-correct ways of float depth adjustment.
Excessive length of leader
(http://www.fishingwithrod.com/albums/album34/050918_2.gif)
For some reason, many people believe a longer leader would produce more fish, quite the opposite! Your hook will always travel faster than your weight in a river. By using a long leader, your hook and bait are lifted up higher from the river bed, away from the strike zone.
Excessive float depth
(http://www.fishingwithrod.com/albums/album34/050918_3.gif)
Some choose to adjust their float depth so the weight is "tapping" or sitting on the bottom. The weight will usually anchor itself to the river bed, while the float drifts slowly or becomes stationary. Two things will result from this setup:
- You'll snag onto the bottom, and lose your weight, hook and bait.
- Even worse, you'll end up snagging a pink or chinook in the belly or tail, which can be time consuming to bring in and release.
My way of float adjustment, but not necessarily the ONLY way
(http://www.fishingwithrod.com/albums/album34/050918_1.gif)
So far this has worked very well by producing about a dozen or more coho each season on the Vedder River without losing any hook, weight or line. I usually like to keep my leader length (the line between the hook and weight) around 1.5 feet in length. Judging the depth by looking at the gradient of the river bank and the water, I adjust my float depth (the length from the float to the hook) so that it is about 1 to 2 feet shorter than the actual depth. When this is drifted, the bait will lift a few inches higher, remaining in the strike zone. When the float dips under the water, there is no hesitation as I don't need to question whether it is a snag or a fish. The hook is usually set hard and most of the time the fight is on.
(http://www.fishingwithrod.com/albums/fishing/DSCF0017.sized.jpg)
Some other small adjustments
I find these adjustments would connect me into more fish in the past.
- The float size varies, small (11 grams) in clearer, slower water, while big (25 grams) in faster, deeper water.
- Tie on enough weight so only about 0.5 inch of your float (or the coloured tip) emerges on the water surface. This allows you to detect the bites sooner.
- Keep your main line (the line between your rod tip and your float) tight enough without disrupting the drift. Always try to avoid having any line laying on the water surface.
- Keep the drifts short. A longer drift doesn't necessarily mean a bigger chance to catch a fish. Long drifts also cause inconvenience for nearby anglers
- Avoid standing in the water, especially when you arrive at a new location. Undisturbed fish have a tendency to stay close to the river bank.
whats a good spot you guys recommond..ive been at the end of lickman road. hopefully i leave with something :p
Some thoughts on fishing locations
The Chilliwack Vedder River is long. Some say it gets crowded, but only at certain spots. To have a good experience, it's best to avoid the busy spots. The busy spots are usually the visible ones that have easy access. These include Keith Wilson Bridge, railway bridge, Lickman Road, Peach Road, Vedder Crossing, Tamahi, Alison Pool, Limit Hole. By going to a spot where less people are fishing, the likelihood of you hooking into some quality fish is bigger since the fish are not spooked. Surprisingly, you can usually find a nice quiet spot by taking a very short walk from one of these busy spots.
Conditions this morning were good. As Rodney along with Rhino are still fishing I will let one of them give the report, later. ;D ;D ;DMmmmm... three ;D ;D ;D's
has anyone been up there since the rains this week how is the water looking thanks in advance
Just checked in with the retired fishermen. :) Condition remains good this morning as it has not been raining too much in the valley.how is fishing?
how is fishing?Fishing report later.
Fishing report later.Two reports now under the fishing report thread.
fishable in the morning but pretty much out by the time i left.Is it still raining out there? Not worth heading out tomorrow morning?
Mid river 8am this morningNice meeting you today, thanks for coming to the cleanup today. Have had a nap after the cleanup and going out now to take a picture of the dumpsters at the Great Blue heron Nature Reserve and will check the river after that for a report.
(http://gallery.flybc.ca/albums/banny/IMGP1653.jpg)
(http://gallery.flybc.ca/albums/banny/IMGP1654.jpg)
Out this morning for a couple of hours and no luck, lots jumping and boiling in front of me. I am a newbie and only been a few times on the river. Just trying not to piss anyone off... ;D
Any suggestions from the veterans about my set-up? Depth to set the float, artificial roe colors, wool colors?
Thanks in advance guys,
Good meeting you too Chris! I was a little disappointed that Mr Vanderzalm didn't show up for the cleanup but I guess he's still quite busy fighting the HST! ;D ;D
Nice to meet you Chris, albeit for a brief moment, I slipped back out shortly after 12:30 or so as I had to be back home by 4ish, ended up getting into 4 jack springs as the heavy pressure was off the water for an hour or two, although only one made it's way home with me.Sorry we could not visit longer but the cleanup seems to keep one going from one thing after another as you most likely observed.
:) Thanks Chris. I've booked a tentative day-off for tomorrow. If conditions are not good cause of the rain last night, I'll head out on Thursday. Cheers 8).Might be OK above the slides and it is sunny out now. The last while the river has come around quickly. i will check above too and see how the Tamihi Rapids look. :-X
Lower a couple of hours before dark very poor but lots of activity. :-X
Videos and full fishing report later after badminton or tomorrow am under fishing reports. Upper fine and as darkness closed in the Lower was coming around too.
Unless something drastic happens all area will be OK come morning.
I second that motion. Yes,I find these water condition reports most helpful. Helpful to decide whether to call in sick or not. ;D Especially for us Bellingham folks making the drive up. The vedder is a true treasure.
PS Been fishing the Vedder for 8 years now - but just recently discovered the FWR site
It's a 1 and 1/2 hour drive (with border time and Tim Horton's stop). But well worth it. Fished the Nooksack, Skagit River and Stillacoom river in Washington and nothing compares to the Vedder - in my opinion. The Chinooks and are bigger and more plentiful. Skagit's good during the pink years - but paying the extra amount for an Alien fishing license is well worth it.
Just chatted with Chris on the phone and he said the water condition is good for anyone who is thinking about going out.Yes and the fish abound. ;D
The Border guards let you take fish back to Bellingham? I didn't think it was allowed by either the Canadian or US side.
Was darn slow today with the bite only at first light. Lots of fish showing, more when the sun hit the water. Taking a break from fishing, now hunting.
What are you hunting for Chris?
Grouse, deer..... ?
We had a good day today ( 3 of us ) and where we fished it was not crowded ( we avoid places like Tamahi, KWB etc ) All 3 of us landed countless springs, caught a couple chums and a few coho. Good day IMO and the water was perfect.Hey bbronswyk2000 Im glad to hear of your success but I think you said yeaterday that you would be fishing fly so my question is where all these catches on the fly???
Hey bbronswyk2000 Im glad to hear of your success but I think you said yeaterday that you would be fishing fly so my question is where all these catches on the fly???
Some on the fly some on gear. Most of the time when we go to the Vedder we bring both setups.Good on you, ill be heading out there soon and im happy to hear the flies are doing some damage, thanks for the report.
When I showed up to the Vedder at 6:00am on Sunday morning my fishing hole had a Gill net in it. The poachers the retrieved it only got one small dark fish, haha. And I though that flossing was a unethical. For my fishing report I had a couple massive springs on but couldn't land them. I was fly fishing.
Did you phone and report this gill net?
Didn't have a phone on me, they parked far enough away that I couldn't give a good description of the vehicle, and it was still dark out so I wouldn't be able to give a good description of the people. You think I should have reported it when I got home last night?yes you should have called in and informed them you saw this. It's possible the same people will go back and do it again...but by calling in you're alerting them of such activity and hopefully enforcement sets their gaze on the river.
When I showed up to the Vedder at 6:00am on Sunday morning my fishing hole had a Gill net in it. The poachers that retrieved it only got one small dark fish, haha. And I though that flossing was a unethical. For my fishing report I had a couple massive springs on but couldn't land them. I was fly fishing.
Perfect day on the river!
what are some alternatives? Stave?
The current primary water level as of 2010-10-06 12:50:00 is: 1.038 metres.
Bring on the rain!! :PNo, we do not want mud again.
Hooked into my first Vedder chinook today! ;DCongratulations, kindalonismo... this is my first year salmon fishing the vedder river and have caught everything but a salmon.on that beautiful system... great to hear of your success...
It is hard to see how deep the visibility is in the dark but it looked OK ,in the Canal area anyway, I was surprised. Of course it could change at any time so I will check again when it gets light.Just checked it and its gone to 6 inches visibility in the lowere and coming up too, this is the Lower.
River has come up about a foot through the morning. Fishing was quite good till the river came up where I was fishing, seemed to push the fish away. Visibility has gone way down, I left at 11:30 as I was concerned I may get trapped plus I need to get a haircut before the turkey dinner, haha.
OH and I'm going to sue maxima, the best by test my ***, FINALLY hook into some NICE coho this AM, lost all 3 because my leaders snapped...honestly the first time i've snapped a leader on a fish that wasn't fouled. 3 times in a row....great stuff. The curse continues! Maybe next time I can get my first vedder coho, although it was rewarding to know that they are finally willing to accept my presentation.
OK,
thanks!!!
I checked the River about an hour ago water is clearing up. The river at Lickman road and Peach road looks like the Fraser River during Sockeye season. Shoulder to shoulder I have never seen so many people fishing. It is a big river so there are lots of room somewhere. Seen a few fish caught and landed.
I checked the River about an hour ago water is clearing up. The river at Lickman road and Peach road looks like the Fraser River during Sockeye season. Shoulder to shoulder I have never seen so many people fishing. It is a big river so there are lots of room somewhere. Seen a few fish caught and landed.
how's it going out in Chilliwack? Getting much rain?Raining now. Of course it will depend on how much we get before daylight. A good indicator as you know will be the water gauge in the AM.
Heading out tomorrow for first light, been itching to fish my new centerpin...the super silex is moving to retirement. If anyone is hitting the flow and wants to fish together send me an email or pm.
Next weekend is the Annual Coho Derby. Just some info for us weekend warriors. I wont be going to that gong show.They should be coming to the river cleanup. ;)
They should be coming to the river cleanup. ;)
Has anyone noticed the fishing rod with the dead spring attached to it under the KWB? Looks like a abu 6500 on a fenwick from what I can tell lolReally? That is messed up.
Next weekend is the Annual Coho Derby. Just some info for us weekend warriors. I wont be going to that gong show.
Heading out monday morning. How has the water been looking? still dropping and clear? Bringing my friend out who lacks proper gear..so looks like I might be forced to fish the beako spots...anywhere he wont have to get wet...perhaps the canal? Will be a first for me, havent gone in there since last february. If anyone has suggestions or advice feel free to send it my way lol. Pm or email, I dont expect public posts.
tight lines
Why not just take him bar-fishing where he doesn't need all the necessities, as long as "you" have waders and such , you'll be fine. At least you can enjoy yourselves that way , instead of struggling to find a spot where he can fish. Bar fishing is good right now,why suffer? Personally I wouldn't go to the Vedder if I was restricted to where I could fish, cause my partner didn't have the gear, but that's just me. Have fun what ever you decide and good luck!I know been thinking of that option, I've had some success barfing the tidal Fraser when I couldn't commit to a day on the vedder. No big fish yet but some coho jacks so far.
What colours of wool/hook size are guys using to target coho?
Very small piece (think size of single spring egg) of peach and/or pink on a size 2 and size 4 hooks resulted in some beauties to the beach this weekend for myself and a few others fishing beside me.
DFO came by right after you left. First time i've seen them in years.
Very small piece (think size of single spring egg) of peach and/or pink on a size 2 and size 4 hooks resulted in some beauties to the beach this weekend for myself and a few others fishing beside me.
kindalonismo, don't forget about Jensen Eggs if imitating a salmon egg with a small piece of wool is what you are after, it looks a lot more convincing IMO and is less buoyant.
Nice meeting you this morning Banny! DFO came by right after you left. First time i've seen them in years. We left shortly after you.
Yes a pea sized tuft of pink/peach wool is the ticket though this morning we hooked lots on roe.
was out mid river yesterday an things were slow.fished all day with a bud an we were able to land 2 hatchs an 2 wilds an lost a cpl.river is low an clear an fish seem spooky.used 8lb an size 2 hooks w peach/pink wool, fishin pocket water behind boulders.sum rain would b nice to bring in the last of the fresh coho.and strangely enough,we only caught 1 chum an only got 1 old spring.i cant remember the last time i spent a day on the ved an didnt catch a spring.
A few more rivers....I am reluctant to start name dropping as many of the other rivers are gems and not loaded with snaggers and such....we would like to keep them that way. Email me if you want to go check some out sometime. Don't forget Steelhead are around the corner. Then the real fishing begins!!!
Unfortunately some things came up and I couldnt head out today...hoping tomorrow as long as the river doesnt blow out. Not sure how the rain is in the valley so fingers crossed
how is the water?I will take a look shortly
Water was mint when I left the river 10 minutes ago. I took alook off the bridge just before dark and could clearly see the bottom.Yes lots of visibility. Saw very few people out when I was there at 6. Maybe its good they closed chum as it keeps a lot of TOW ers off the water. ;D ;D
Morning off tomorrow and just wanted to see the conditions/reports on the river this past week. Any coho still?A number of people fishing the canal section yesterday so there most likely is a few fish coming through. I tried a few times during the week but only found coho jacks.Some heavy rain overnight so hard to say how the water conditions will fare.
Just trying to determine if I am going Vedder or somewhere else tomorrow? Thanks guys! ;D
The river is mud but the TOW ers were out in force at the TOW ing spots. ::)
i believe it is a hipsters slag for "the other way" as in...flossing salmon.....long lining....snaggots...etc;D ;D ;D
so, how is the river now??Checked it after a duck hunt this morning was starting to drop and visibility improving fast. In the Vedder Canal area is was about 18 inches a few minutes ago. Could not resist picking up some floats, 90 in total including 18 quality ones that included a drennan. ;D
thanks in advance.
hey Chris, did you discover the beer on a run close to Lickman? I was there before noon.No further down, I saw two dead sockeye too both clipped. :-X
Did you notice a spawned out dead sockeye on the beach too? Adipose fin was intact. A chilliwack lake's stock i guess?
how's the river looking today? I see its raining out there according to a weather site I just checked. Planning to make the trip out there tomorrow morning
Right now I'd be happy w/ any Coho, colored or not. They've been impossible for me to find :( ...gonna hit it one more time and try some new areas.I looked in the middle, upper and lower today. More fisherman than fish! The water was really clear, and I only saw chums.
I looked in the middle, upper and lower today. More fisherman than fish! The water was really clear, and I only saw chums.I'll agree with you on that, very clear water in spots. saw alot of half dead chum moving up the river and some tomato coho moving around two. hooked into two coho and lost both after a display of their acrobatics...few bites but nothing else.
pretty slim pickins on the ved.havent had any thing decent in a week an a half.definitely more productive flows elsewhere.excellent year for coho tho.I was thinking the same thing, when I arrived at Keith Wilson Bridge and nobody was fishing there.
thanks for the update chris...its a toss up...but I think have no choice but to go fishing lol...just have toI think if one puts the time in you may find a fish but I am getting a bit restless at this time of year and do not keep at it long enough. Thinking, should I be duck hunting or looking for cutthroat in preparation for brood capture.
I think if one puts the time in you may find a fish but I am getting a bit restless at this time of year and do not keep at it long enough. Thinking, should I be duck hunting or looking for cutthroat in preparation for brood capture.Rodneys report was motivating to say the least. As I'm not familiar with other systems I'm inclined to spend some time of the vedder which I know a little better. I do plan to explore the chehalis soon not so much for coho but for the upcoming steel season.
well, it's simple, just do all 3 at once.OK ducks first, coho Vedder, cutthroat and back for a Leaf win in Florida, will try for success in all 4. Report tomorrow.
How was the river looking this weekend?I see no reason why it should not be fishable, snow line down on the hills and not that much rain here in the Valley.
I have a few spare hours tomorrow morning and thinking about making my way out
what would this higher number of jack cohos for this year mean for adult coho return of next year?
higher number for adult coho next year, or lower number, and why?
what would this higher number of jack cohos for this year mean for adult coho return of next year?
higher number for adult coho next year, or lower number, and why?
Just my personal opinion but I don't feel that people are catching less adults due to there being less fish.You have it correct. The fish are harrassed so much by those that work in all sorts of water, water that you and I would never fish by proper methods.
It has to do with the catchability of Chilliwack River coho. The presence of hoards of snaggers and the big chinook turns coho off in a hurry. Remove these elements and you will quickly see catch rates increase.
Just my personal opinion but I don't feel that people are catching less adults due to there being less fish.Bang on, I definitely agree with this. Coho spook easily anyhow.
It has to do with the catchability of Chilliwack River coho. The presence of hoards of snaggers and the big chinook turns coho off in a hurry. Remove these elements and you will quickly see catch rates increase.
Wondering how the water level and flow looked today? Is it high and fast? Thanks.Water conditions will be good because of the cold temps but the strong East wind will just blow you away.
Wondering how the water level and flow looked today? Is it high and fast? Thanks.
depends on where u are wanting to fish but I found it near perfect today, hooked 5 adults (2 chromers), a few jacks, and missed a half dozen others. Did not see one other angler in the 2 hours I was out