Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum
Fishing in British Columbia => General Discussion => Topic started by: halcyonguitars on October 12, 2015, 11:35:52 AM
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Hi,
My GF has taken an interest in fishing. However, she is reluctant to layout the moolah for waders as of yet. Can anyone recommend a place to fish on the Fraser that will work well for basically a total noob with only gumboots? Hopefully, we're after coho...
I've read about all the spots in Rodney's articles, but I'm not sure about the actual geography, or what spot might be more suitable that others for someone with no waders. She'll be spin casting, but I'd like to try flyfishing as well as spin casting and drifting.
Also, is there a baitban presently? I found the regs a little confusing with all the different breakdowns of the locations.
Any tips would be appreciated.
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where are you interested in fishing? For coho stay downstream of the Harrison. Lots of good spots from Mission on down to Richmond. My favourites are Duncan Bar (most upstrea bar in Glen Valley Park and the south shore bar below the Mission Bridge The bait ban is now off in this section but you need a tidal water (federal) license. Some streams offer bank fishing and don't require waders but people like me don't identify them on line.
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Thanks!
Not interested in any particular place especially, so much as the geography for being able to fish effectively without waders. Glenn Valley Park looks good, so I guess we'll try that. Just looking for a spot where my lady can fish and have it not suck for her, so that perhaps she'll take a greater interest and potentially commit to getting all the Stuff needed.
We have all licenses needed.
I get that you don't wanna divvy your honey hole online...I expect that the park with a few bars to try and washroom facilities might make for an enjoyable introduction...
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Matsqui Trail Regional Park just down from the Mission/Abbotsford Bridge is a good one to try. There are clean washrooms there close to the beach. You only need gum boots to fish there. One thing to note is that the bottom is quite snaggy and not ideal for bar fishing IMO, best to just cast and retrieve lures, which work great for coho.
The bars at Glen Valley are productive but no washrooms there, however your vehicle is directly behind where you are fishing so you have convenient access to it if you need to drive somewhere fast. Bar fishing is better here because of the snag-less bottom but I've done just as well by casting lures.
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Matsqui Trail Regional Park just down from the Mission/Abbotsford Bridge is a good one to try. There are clean washrooms there close to the beach. You only need gum boots to fish there. One thing to note is that the bottom is quite snaggy and not ideal for bar fishing IMO, best to just cast and retrieve lures, which work great for coho.
The bars at Glen Valley are productive but no washrooms there, however your vehicle is directly behind where you are fishing so you have convenient access to it if you need to drive somewhere fast. Bar fishing is better here because of the snag-less bottom but I've done just as well by casting lures.
There IS washrooms (OK porta-potty) just inside the gate of Two Bit Bar......
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Thanks folks, love this place!
Is there enough current there to drift roe?
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there are porta potties at Duncan as well. Parking is a bit dicey there. I haven't done any bar fishing at Mission for many years but it's snaggy in the upper section with a more classic fine sand bar below with few snags.
Derby Reach is another bar with facilities where you don't need waders.
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Thanks!
I read that one needs to add 3 hours to the Vancouver tide chart. Does that mean that if the Vancouver high tide chart says noon, it'll be at 3:00 in Mission? Seems like an obvious question, but I like to doublecheck stuff...
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1) The tactic used to catch salmon in the Tidal Fraser River is different to what you would use in a stream where fish are holding in runs. The Tidal Fraser River is like a migratory corridor, fish are constantly travelling upstream with the incoming tide. You are fishing one spot and hoping to intercept fish, so the best way is to anchor your bait on the bottom and wait for fish to swim by, and hopefully they'll follow the scent of your bait and bite it. The other option is to repeatedly cast and retrieve a lure at the same spot, eventually fish will swim by at the exact same time when your lure is going by.
2) 3 hours is the rough estimated delay to the Vancouver tide, but yes you add the three hours to get the tide schedule for Mission.
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You could also look at the hydrometric data and how it coincides to the tide on a given day.
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Thanks folks!
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If fly fishing, would you recommend a floating or sinking line? What is the water depth?
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Poplar Bar (middle one in Glen Valley) also has washroom, so it sounds like they all do there. You also do not need waders there, especially at low tide when bar is fully exposed.
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I was out bar fishing in the Glen Valley area earlier today (Poplar Bar). It is quite shallow on the sand bar..best to fish when the tide is going out and the sand bar exposed- you can more easily access the deeper spots where the fish hold when the tide is low.
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Gonna make a day of it, so we'll hit both high and low...
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I'm confused about the tides and timing? Please clarify...
If the simple rule is to fish the incoming tide from low to high...then why would would fishing an outgoing tide also be more appropriate?
I was investigating Barrowtown today at 5pm, with approximately 6pm being high tide...and several people we packing up for the day saying you can't fish with roe now...only spinner fishing???
This is not the first time I've heard that certain bars are better at either high or low tide...it just seems that there is no logic to this...what is the reasoning?
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Glen Valley today...nicest spot so far.
3 things confirmed today that I have read before as tips for Lower Fraser bar fishing.
1) Used a light spin cast outfit. Could detect the slightest of bites, and when set would hook into fish that would otherwise be ignored.
However, after setting a tiny tug got spooled by a screaming run...you can't judge the size of fish by the bite.
Will need a bigger reel if using a light rod...but detection is vastly improved.
2) Peak tide to halfway outgoing is best time...until next peak very slow.
3) Hook roe with bait loop and twist loop again (half hitch)...roe stays on properly and for much longer.
Lost several including the big one, landed and released 2 jacks.
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Thanks, good info!
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Remember to clean up your garbage wherever you fish. A lot of these bars are being ruined and completely covered with trash, line, coffee cups, diapers etc... next time you guys go out bring an extra bag and fill it with trash left behind by the beaks, thanks.
And remember to not drag a fish onto shore before seeing if it is a wild or hatch. Unfortunately common sense and courtesy seems to be the exception nowadays.
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Glen Valley today...nicest spot so far.
3 things confirmed today that I have read before as tips for Lower Fraser bar fishing.
1) Used a light spin cast outfit. Could detect the slightest of bites, and when set would hook into fish that would otherwise be ignored.
However, after setting a tiny tug got spooled by a screaming run...you can't judge the size of fish by the bite.
Will need a bigger reel if using a light rod...but detection is vastly improved.
2) Peak tide to halfway outgoing is best time...until next peak very slow.
3) Hook roe with bait loop and twist loop again (half hitch)...roe stays on properly and for much longer.
Lost several including the big one, landed and released 2 jacks.
What line poundage are you using? I'm thinking of going lighter next time but the line still has to be strong enough to handle casts with a 2-4 oz sinker if I'm bar fishing. I've been getting plenty of tiny bites as well but I found that most of them seem hesitant- maybe 1 or 2 quick nibbles before it goes dead again..I guess my question is timing- knowing when to (or not) set the hook.
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while bar fishing, keep a pair of scissors on you while landing fish. if the fish has swallowed the hook, which is very common, be prepared to quickly cut off your hook instead of trying to pry down a usually thrashing fishes throat with pliers trying to dislodge it which causes great deal of furthered damage to the fish especially blood loss...
Seen a few people taking forever trying to get their hook out of wilds, either they are using barbed hooks or fish has swallowed bait too deep and should be just cutting their leaders instead of trying to get out.
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17 lb Nanofil on the spinning reel, and 20lb Ultragreen on the baitcaster. Both are perfect but I prefer the braid. The lack of stretch also adds to the sensitivity and aids in hookset ability. Most people need to do an exaggerated axe swing to hook up...more relaxed with the spinning rod.
My 30 sized reel should have been enough capacity but was 1/3 under spooled...Im going to reline this reel as the lighter setup with a sensitive tip is preferable.
Having now tried both with this fishery I know this is the way to go. I was outfishing all of the regulars that day and I think it was because of the rod/reel combo.
Using the long river rod with Mono has dull sensitivity and too much stretch.
Also, I feel that completely natural roe is best...no cure, dye, etc. Just borax, but even water cured raw would be better.
I believe that most of those little takes could be hookups if reacted upon quickly. The monster lunker I lost was hooked after a little 1 inch (the largest take of the day, most being little taps) deflection on the rod tip with my medium/fast rod.
Looks like most seasoned regulars are looking for only big takes, possibly the only ones evident with the big river rods.
Wizard makes a good point. While I didnt have any swallowed hooks...guy beside did and needed pliers to remove...dont think it was a barbed issue because he and everyone elsed seemed very cautious to check for wilds carefully first. Highly policed by everyone it seems.
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Several caught by all today...somewhat consistent.
(http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc478/Penskyfile/image.jpg1_6.jpg) (http://s1213.photobucket.com/user/Penskyfile/media/image.jpg1_6.jpg.html)
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Don't that look tasty!
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Silver, were you bottom fishing with roe, or float fishing?
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I am bar fishing roe...I explained my setup in greater detail above.
Went out today with no success. It was extremely busy, and I had to fish father down river. The water was quite coloured as opposed to the good clarity from other days out...no rains?
Not many caught around me except for a few wilds and a sturgeon.
Several guide boats today also beaching sturgeon for photos.
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Hi Silver,
That's what made me ask. How can you bar fish with a light spin combo? I thought you fad to toss 18-22" of weight?
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Lower fraser bar fishing up to mission is much lighter with gear. Small hooks, light line, little t-bar's, etc...only 2-4 oz weight is needed.
This version of bar fishing is typically done with only fresh chum roe as bait.
My rod is a St. croix med/light and has a strong backbone...so not any light spin outfit will be sufficient.
Berry's tackle is the place to go for this fishery.
The upper fraser uses all that heavy gear with spin glows etc...also in my experience I've only needed 14oz for the areas I went to.
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Thanks...
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Check this out : http://youtu.be/C-rHx9uGiy0
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Thanks. Slow water, looks like spin casting could work too. It there any reason not to try a float?