Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum
Fishing in British Columbia => General Discussion => Topic started by: HKSR on September 14, 2011, 10:14:14 AM
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Hi guys/gals, just joined today! This is the first time I've really gotten into fishing after buying a ton of gear at Sea Run last weekend. I used to go once in awhile with my bro-in-law who loves fly fishing, but I've never had my own gear.
My fiancee and I headed out to Derby Reach last weekend, but got nothing but a nibble here or there. Thinking about heading up to Squamish either this weekend or next. Are pinks running through there? If not, where else is highly recommended? Tidal or freshwater is fine by me, just wanna know ahead of time so I pack accordingly :)
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squamish is done, fish the fraser
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squamish is done, fish the fraser
Lol, quick and to the point :) Nothing else running through the rivers though? I don't plan to keep anything to eat, just catch and release.
How about freshwater lakes?
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Pinks are spawning there, I would leave them be personally.
As for lakes there are lots around Squamish and Whistler. Next time you're in a tackle shop I recommend picking up the Fishing Mapbook for Southwestern BC. I am in no way affiliated but I find it pretty useful as they have most lakes pretty well covered.
http://www.backroadmapbooks.com/shop/fishing-mapbooks-66/british-columbia-77/southwestern-bc-fishing-8-214.html
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As others have mentioned, pink salmon season on the Squamish River has pretty much come to an end as most fish are now spawning and very few fish are entering the river. Retention of pink salmon is now closed so it is catch and release only. Since most fish are now at spawning phase, fishing for them is not that exciting and not recommended.
This time of the year on the Squamish River is a bit quiet. In a few weeks from now, fall salmon species (coho and chum salmon) will start appearing in the system. Catch and release only unless specified in the regulations or in-season openings. If you go up there during this time of the year, you may also encounter bull trout, cutthroat trout and rainbow trout, which are feeding on salmon eggs. Catch and release only for these species too.
Lakes around Squamish are not producing well right now as they have not been stocked since spring. The Fraser Valley Trout Hatchery will resume the stocking program in October, when fishing should pick up again.
Beyond Squamish, lakes around Whistler Village might be ok.
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Squamish pinks are rotten. I enjoyed watching these guys splash around on the weekend, but was camping not fishing.
If you have never explored the Squamish/Elaho/Ashlu area then explore it now before fishing season starts! Great scenery and miles and miles of decent gravel roads.
(http://i632.photobucket.com/albums/uu44/cutthroat2222/SquamishCampingfam186Medium.jpg)
(http://i632.photobucket.com/albums/uu44/cutthroat2222/SquamishCampingfam185Medium.jpg)
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Thanks for all the input guys!
By the sounds of it, I'd be best holding off and heading up there in a month or so instead? Hopefully the temperatures don't plummet too quickly hehe.
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So I've decided to head up there this coming weekend (Oct 1st and 2nd), any advice for a newbie on what to expect in the Squamish River? I'm assuming some of the bigger salmon should be going through there now? What kind of lures would you recommend?
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So I've decided to head up there this coming weekend (Oct 1st and 2nd), any advice for a newbie on what to expect in the Squamish River? I'm assuming some of the bigger salmon should be going through there now? What kind of lures would you recommend?
Bring bear spray...
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Bring bear spray...
Yeah, I'm actually gonna be picking up bear spray and air horns later this week before I head up. Are bears really common even in the lower portion?
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Lots about, especially with the pinks spawning right now.
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So I've decided to head up there this coming weekend (Oct 1st and 2nd), any advice for a newbie on what to expect in the Squamish River? I'm assuming some of the bigger salmon should be going through there now? What kind of lures would you recommend?
Well, since you aren't asking for any specific directions, ;D
It may be too early to fish for chums on the Squamish. If I were you, I would hit up the Cheakamus for some early coho. Remember to read the regs on what you can or cannot fish for and where the boundaries are. Remember that there is a total bait ban as well. Hit up any reputable tackle shop and they can give you a few spots to go to. Koho and Croc spoons work really well. Also try # 3 or 4 Blue fox spinners. Jigs can also be very productive (chartreuse/blue, Cerise/purple). I've caught fish on all the lures that I mentioned.
Good Luck.
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The Squamish Main FSR is closed right now. Major flooding over the weekend.
http://www.huntingbc.ca/forum/showthread.php?72189-Squamish-River-FSR-flooded (http://www.huntingbc.ca/forum/showthread.php?72189-Squamish-River-FSR-flooded)
Lots of hunters out and about too. If you haven't been up there before, worry more about the huge logging trucks than the bears.
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Agreed with the logging trucks as well as the rafting buses. One bugger was basically drifting his bus around blind corners coupled with dusty conditions.
With snow still on the mountaintops in that area who knows what kind of flooding could happen with a prolonged heavy rain. Same with the Fraser Valley.
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Thanks for all the input guys! It looks like it'll be a rainy weekend, so I hope the river isn't too flooded :( Oh well, if it is, I'll probably just head to the lakes. I'll probably goto Browning on the way back home on Sunday, which should be fun. Trying to get my fiance to hook her first fish ever!
I'll be heading out after work today to pickup the bear spray for both of us, but I'm not 100% sure where to get air horns? Anybody happen to know somewhere in the Port Moody/Coquitlam area that would sell air horns? Canadian Tire sell them?
Stratocaster, you mean you're not gonna tell me about that super duper secret spot just off the river, at the 0.5km perimeter pond, where they stock every single month on the 1st and 15th day with 100 chinook in the 40-50lbs range that have been trained to readily strike at bare hooks? ;D lol. Btw, thanks for the tips on the lures to pickup. I'm heading to Sea Run after work, will see what they say as well :)
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Canadian tire has few different air horns to choose from, louder the better!
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Yeah, I'm actually gonna be picking up bear spray and air horns later this week before I head up. Are bears really common even in the lower portion?
I've lived in Squamish 25+ years and their are indeed more bears around the rivers this year due to the large pink run. Most are blacks but there are grizzlies in the valley as well and they can be on the lower rivers but generally are on the west side of the valley. You can run into grizzlies on the Cheakamus as well but they are generally nocturnal. As for bear spray, I never carry it. Not overly worried about them but then again I'm not from the city so the bush doesn't scare me :D
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Well, I'm looking to head up to Squamish again. What kinda fishing can I be looking for in April or May? I'll probably stick to lower Squamish river and/or surrounding lakes. Any advice? :)
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Keep an eye on the stocking reports http://www.gofishbc.com/fish-stocking-reports/recent-fish-releases.aspx
Browning Lake, Alice Lake Park lakes (Alice, Stump and Edith) and Brohm Lake should receive fish sometime within the next couple of months.
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The lakes around Squamish are usually stocked in the third week of April, depending on how fast the weather is warming up.
Squamish River and tributaries now offer fishing for steelhead, rainbow trout, cutthroat trout and bull trout. Total catch and release applies to all these species, a bait ban is in effect. Steelhead return on the Squamish is a lot less than the Chilliwack, but fishing pressure is also a lot less. For trout and char, small lures or fry patterns if fly fishing work well as they are now feeding on juvenile salmon.
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Are there particular colors that work better than others for the river? Would spoons and spinners work ok?
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i've only ever fished the cheakamus but spoons and spinners should work pretty well for you, ive had some pretty good success up there with croc spoons. also drifting rubber egg imitations with a little wool, or a smaller pink worm have produced both bull trout and steelhead for me before. a lot of your success will depend on the water level and clarity of the river when you're up there
good luck!
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Thanks for the tips guys. My fiance said she might not have time to go until the May (Victoria Day) long weekend. Is there anything worthwhile at that point in the river? I'm guessing it'd be best to stick to the lakes by then?
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By that time (depending on how warm it is), the river will be experiencing freshet and not really fishable. Your options are definitely better at the lakes, or you can head up to Whistler, rent a canoe at Alta Lake (http://www.fishingwithrod.com/articles/region_two/alta_lake.html) for some good rainbow and cutthroat trout fishing.
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Looks like we're heading up April 13th - 15th :) I'll try and help do a pre-clean of the river before the masses head up the following weekend for the Squamish River Clean-Up lol.
Any last minute tips or tactics for fishing the river would be great! ;D
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Any last minute tips or tactics for fishing the river would be great! ;D
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Florocarbon, small presentations..