2009 Seasonal OutlookSalmon, Trout, Steelhead & Sturgeon
Quick overview - The 2009 Salmon runs are expected to be excellent. DFO early season forecast is one of the better forecasts I have seen in the past 4 or 5 years. They are predicting large returns of summer and late summer sockeye, strong returns of summer and late Chinook and 2009 is our Pink Salmon run with an estimated run size of 20-30 million fish. The only fishery that looks like it may require some tight management is the early run of Chinook in April/May. This run might result in some size restrictions similar to 2008. The Fall Chinook and Chum runs are expected to be strong as usual so October & November is always a good bet.
What to expect & when to bookJanuary - AprilSteelhead fishing is in full swing right now, STS Guide's Gerry Dewar and Ryan Forester are on the river daily. Steelhead fishing has been good for this early in the season, good number of hatchery and wild fish being caught throughout the river. Most of our early steelhead fishing is gear fishing, water temperatures are still quite cold for swinging fly's so we mainly fish for steelhead casting spoons or float fishing with bait. Once water temperatures begin to warm in late February early March, the fishing becomes much better for fly fishing. If your wanting to fly fish for Steelhead, March, April and early May are best.
Trout fishing on local streams will continue through the winter, we mostly fish the Fraser, Harrison and several harder to reach rivers for small trout. This winter fishery is great for those wanting to learn how to fly fish bigger river systems for trout.
Sturgeon fishing through the winter months can be good, although we don't see as many larger fish we do have some good days on the water. We also target steelhead on the Fraser so we often combine our day fishing for both steelhead and sturgeon in the same trip. By late March we really start seeing some good action in specific area's of the Fraser. April & May are probably the most productive for sturgeon fishing in early spring.
Jet boat Tours will be offered all winter and spring, some of the best whitewater is before spring freshet so if you want to experience some wild rapids in the canyon, book a trip prior to May run off.
May - JuneEarly summer Chinook runs are not expected to be that great so bar fishing in May & June will be limited. For those customers wanting salmon only we will mainly focus on our saltwater charters trolling for salmon in Howe Sound, Vancouver Harbour and Strait of Georgia. We will also be keeping a close eye on the Fraser system. Of course we will continue to target Chinook on the Fraser while offering combination Sturgeon and salmon fishing trips. Once the summer run of Chinook arrive in the Fraser in late June we will be back focusing on those fish.
Fly Fishing For Large Sea-Run Bull Trout.
This fishery is as high of quality as you get in the fly fishing world. Getting there is half the fun, fishing the Upper Pitt is an experience you won't soon forget, some say addicting. These sea-run Bull Trout average size is between 3 to 8 lbs with good numbers of fish in the 6 to 10 lb range. Our peak fishery is between May 21 and June 30.
To maintain the high quality experience STS will limit the number of anglers per day offered by our guiding service. You must book early if you are wanting to fish this spectacular river during primetime. Fishing weekdays is far more relaxing and gratifying although we will offer guided trips on Saturday & Sundays. Please book early to experience this great fishery.
May sturgeon fishing can be excellent in the Mission area once the ulichons arrive into the Fraser to spawn. Action can be fast and furious with many fish between 2 to 5 feet. Last year we saw some incredible fishing in June which is not usually the case so we will have to wait and see how it transpires this season. We will also be offering Fraser canyon sturgeon trips until water conditions become unfavorable. Our team of guides will continue to scan and tag sturgeon throughout the season. For those of you who have helped us tag fish in the past, you will be happy to know that we now have 42,000 sturgeon tagged in the Fraser with a 50% recapture rate. Thanks to all of our customers who have helped with the tagging program.
June - AugustFly fishing and spoon fishing for sea-run trout is at it's peak on the Upper Pitt River. As mentioned above, book early as we limit the number of anglers we take on this river per day. June is by far the best month for this worldclass fishery, July can also be good if water levels remain favorable.
Chinook fishing on the Fraser is usually very good, we will have to wait and see how the run comes in this year. Water conditions can also be an issue but regardless of fish or water conditions we will continue to offer guided salmon trips. If the Fraser is not producing results we will offer all of our customers the option to fish the ocean out of Vancouver.
August is expected to be a great month with large returns of sockeye salmon returning to the Fraser. Those of you who have fished with us in the past but have been disappointed the past two seasons will once again experience the great sockeye fishing the Fraser can offer. If all goes according to plan, August 5 to 20 should be peak for this incredible fishery.
Fraser canyon Sturgeon fishing is at it's best. August is by far the best fishing in the canyon due to an abundance of sockeye. If you're looking for a wild and wet ride up the canyon with some spectacular sturgeon fishing book August or September. If your staying with us for multiple days, make sure you take atleast one day to experience the Fraser canyon.
September - NovemberAs many of you already know these 3 months are the best of the best. Salmon, Trout, Sturgeon fishing is spectacular. You can fly fish,, spoon fish, bait fish, pull plugs, Jig, or float fish with eggs and yarn.
The 2009 Pink Salmon run is expected to be in the 10's of millions with peak fishing between Sept 5 to 25. The late run Chinook Salmon co-inside with the Pink run so you can potentially fish for both in the same day. The Chum salmon are just starting to show up in the Harrison in late September with peak fishing between Oct 5 –25. There is also a late run of Chum that enter the Fraser in early November which offers what I think is some of the best fishing for Chum.
What can we say more about the sturgeon fishing? Just look at our photo gallery and check out some of those trophy fish. The majority of those trophy fish were caught between June & November with our best fishing being Sept, Oct & Nov. 2008 was amazing season for many of our guides reaching personal bests. 5 fish over 9 feet, 2 over 10 and 1 over 11, all landed and tagged. With the continued success of the catch & release program we only see this fishery improving year after year.
The STS Team would like to thank you for your continued support, hope to see you in 2009.
Remember to conserve your catch
Tight Lines and we will see you on the water
Vic Carrao
STS Guiding Servicests@guidebc.com604 671-FISH (3474)
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Topic: STS Guiding Service January 2009 announcement (Read 3388 times)