Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum
Fishing in British Columbia => General Discussion => Topic started by: bmynbr on August 13, 2014, 06:29:13 PM
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Hey guys, anyone ever fish from a canoe in the fraser. Was thinking of going out at derby or glen valley. I noticed that all the fish I could see rolling were out of casting distance. I would only go out during incoming tide and into slack. Was thinking about anchoring, but not sure how safe it would be. Anyone ever try?
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I would only use the canoe to travel across the river to a different location. Even then I have a slight disregard for my health and safety.
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Given all the boat traffic - I would never advise anchoring a canoe in the Fraser during salmon season.
Having said that, I have seen canoes go past Laidlaw and down PegLeg during sockeye openings but never have I seen one anchored.
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Thanks guys, I think I am going to try it one of these days. Not gonna anchor, and probably wouldn't need to anyways. Not really any current during incoming tide anyways
Thanks again
Dave
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Canoe tipped few weeks ago. Everyone had to be rescued.
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If you know what you're doing, and have the proper safety equipment, a canoe is perfectly safe on the fraser. I've paddled down many rivers and canyons in one...just watch out for boat wakes, trees, know how to read the current, ect.
I would strongly recommend against anchoring....that's just asking for it.
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Check with Simon Fraser....he did it about 200 years ago with a bunch of buddies. And they had a lot of gear in their canoes. ;D
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Canoeing in the Fraser should not be an issue.
Anchoring a canoe in moving water on the other hand is a great way to make sure that you and all your gear gets very wet. :o
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Check with Simon Fraser....he did it about 200 years ago with a bunch of buddies. And they had a lot of gear in their canoes. ;D
I'd like to see him try it with jetboats, tugs and barges.
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The river in the area from Langley Derby Reach on up to Hope is usually pretty quiet. The most common river traffic are sturgeon anglers and pleasure craft this time of year. From Hope on down it's popular with canoeists and kayakers. Some clubs do group paddles for new members on the river. I'd guess you could anchor provided you are careful and stay alert to what's going on around you depending if you have experience anchoring in comparable situations such as windy lakes etc.
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You could try to stick to the Bedford area. No wake zone and out of the main river.
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I've paddled a canoe from just north of Hope to New Westminster with no problems, and camped along the way. But, I have paddled and rafted rivers for over 50 years. I also had a map. Like others, I highly recommend NOT anchoring a canoe in moving water... even though I know it can be done. The main problem will be getting back to your vehicle drop off point. The Fraser is MUCH faster than it looks and unless you are a very strong paddler it in near impossible to go back up river to your launch site.
That said, my paddle down the Fraser was a marvelous experience. I caught trout, char and salmon all along the journey. I met lots of friendly natives, but I was always deferential that I was on their land. I always asked first before I set up camp. One group didn't want me to camp at first, but once I smiled, said I understand and was prepared to move they changed their mind. After that we were just fellow anglers sharing the water.
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I've anchored my canoe (used a motor on it) on the Fraser and kept kayak paddle in there if I had to point the sucker into the wake of a wave coming my way. The canoe is pretty wide and not very tippy. I just leave enough slack on the anchor line that you can paddle free of it. When there use to be a lot of tugs and log booms it was pretty scary though. The lower Fraser it's best to be able to disconnect from your anchor line (bouy on it) and have a log boom or something to hide behind when some of the big traffic comes by. Upper Fraser need a heavy anchor I used a cast iron pipe strainer that weighed about 25 lbs but sometimes you would still be pushed downstream. Always wear a life jacket and keep your personal affects in a plastic bag attached to your body in case of accident or death.
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North Arm is slower flow and less traffic.
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North Arm is slower flow and less traffic.
The North Arm is notorious for being full of floating wood and heavy commercial traffic makes for some huge waves crashing into retaining walls & beaches and then washing back out it's not a paddle friendly place at all.
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Hi, I'm in a similar situation - want to get out for salmon, have a 17.5 Kevlar clipper tripper. I was wondering, does going for Coho at Ambleside sound realistic?
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Hi, I'm in a similar situation - want to get out for salmon, have a 17.5 Kevlar clipper tripper. I was wondering, does going for Coho at Ambleside sound realistic?
I take a canoe out there a few times a year. That being said, I never go alone - when you're messing with gear, hard to watch the large waves and boat traffic, not to mention paddle to them. Also, watch out for the rip - it can get pretty aggressive in places. Make sure you have all your safety gear (both for practical and legality check reasons). And this is NOT the place to use your PFD as a seat cushion! Check the wind reports too, when it blows it tends to take a light canoe for a ride!
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Have boated on the Fraser from Port Mann to Sandheads in car toppers / 9 hp , 13 ft runabout with 35 hp & two 16 fters with a 40,60 & 70hp outboards. Also many trips from McDonald Beach by airport to Georgia Straight via N Arm.
Never tried with a canoe.
95% or higher % our time on the Fraser was pleasant & had no problems.
But when you spend literally in the 1000s of hrs on this waterway there will be times you will have some hair raising times !!!
At times some strong current at at the Pitt R / Fraser R area.
N Fraser has some places where we seen dangerous deadheads just submerged under the surface. At times lots of floating debris. Plus the only place we had water come over the windshield of our Arima make of boat was on the North Arm. Some big tug full throttle going up river. ( no tow )
It created some major wake waves!
For the 9 years or so that I did floor waxing at literally 100s of locations one was called "North Fraser Harbour Commission" The building was under the Arthur Lang bridge & where the North & Middle Arms meet.
Many times I'd go outside the building & just mere feet away was the river.
In winter & the dead of night & seeing the racing current going out to sea one got the idea just how much ya have to respect this river.
The main Fraser R has scared us a few times.
Coming down river from New Westminster to Richmond in our 13 ft runabout was so enjoyable.
We were doing aprox 15 KMs per hr with good water conditions. Then we seen 2 of the biggest tugs I've ever seen on the river ( ocean going tugs ) They were going up river & full throttle & they had nothing on tow.
The operators spotted us I assume as the tugs throttled down but a little too late.
Must of been 6ft wake waves & about 20 of "the suckers".
Water came over the windshield on each wave!!!!
We were soaked.
Rocked our boat pretty good.
Plus we have hit some of the craziest water conditions on the south & middle of the Fraser near Steveston Village. Water that pushed the boat at the stern plus another time got into very very tall standing waves.
Plus other crazy water at Sandheads.
So the idea I'm pointing out is that though this river(s) can be very peaceful to boat in there are " times " it can be scary!!!
So just be careful & aware & if in a canoe or smaller boat use your PFD as scouterjames said.
2x on that point.
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I take a canoe out there a few times a year. That being said, I never go alone - when you're messing with gear, hard to watch the large waves and boat traffic, not to mention paddle to them. Also, watch out for the rip - it can get pretty aggressive in places. Make sure you have all your safety gear (both for practical and legality check reasons). And this is NOT the place to use your PFD as a seat cushion! Check the wind reports too, when it blows it tends to take a light canoe for a ride!
Thanks! I've got an able seahand lined up and have all the necessary gear. Looking to get out weekend of the 13th and will try some mooching and jigging and see what happens. Wish me luck!
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The other thing to be prepared is to have electronics (ie phone, camera) waterproofed and tied to you or the boat. Also, never leave your tackle box open - keep it closed and locked (Personally I tether it to my canoe as well, in case of a spill). Basically plan ON tipping over; what do you want to salvage vs. what do you want to replace LOL - scrambling while you're swimming for floating or sinking gear is not a safe bet.
Good luck, be safe and have fun!