SERVING ANGLERS SINCE 1978
CANADIAN
34150 South Fraser Way Abbotsford, British Columbia T 604-746-1481
6336C Vedder Rd, Chilliwack, British Columbia T 604-858-7344
November 5, 2024
Overall, coho and chum salmon fishing continues to be strong on the Chilliwack/Vedder and the northside Fraser tributaries (Stave, Dewdney/Nicomen, Harrison, etc.). We'll expect this to continue through November. The Region 2 and tidal Fraser River is also open to coho and chum through to November 30th, with a bait ban in effect in the non-tidal portion.
For those looking for something a bit different, fly or gear fishing with beads, egg patterns and flesh flies for trout, char and whitefish is a good alternative to salmon. Try fishing riffles and tailouts, or below spawing salmon. UV2 and TroutBeads are excellent choices when needing something to match colours.
Chilliwack/Vedder River Report
November 5, 2024
Guided Walk-and-Wade salmon fishing trips are super popular. Contact our River Titan booking hotline at 604-835-3474 (FISH), info@rivertitan.ca, or follow this link to book your trip today!
Fishing is still going strong, with anglers still catching chrome coho. We will generally see them through November, and, occassionally, into early December.
Chum, of course, will continue for a couple weeks.
For best results you'll want to:
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Hit the river at first light. Salmon are most active at this time of day;
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Cover lots of water - fish with your feet as they say;
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Short floating in tight can be productive too.
Be aware that there are various closures on the Vedder Rotary Trail, including parking lots. Click here for details.
TECHNIQUES
CHINOOK
Float fishing with roe, big soft plastic eggs, jigs, and good old-fashioned GloBug wool are the weapons of choice. You want to get your presentation down in the deep slots where the chinooks like to hang out. Casting spoons or twitching jigs (blues + chartreuse, or black + red) are also good options, which can often result in catching coho as well.
If you've got a boat, the lower Vedder and Sumas provides opportunities for plugging/backtrolling/bouncing Kwikfish, MagLips, Flatfish, spinners, or spoons. These can be run bare or with a dropper weight in deeper runs.
COHO
Similar techniques as chinook, however, you can use much lighter tackle. All that to say, you can use the same gear you use for chinook and still get into silver.
Casting and retrieving spinners or spoons, and twitching jigs are very popular.
Fly fishing is super popular and productive. Coho will generally hang out in softer slack waters which makes fly fishing for them that much more attractive. Depending on the water clarity, olive or chartreuse is good when the water is higher visibility. Low viz conditions may require something a bit brighter. Check out our Coho Charmers and Coho Ghost Charmers, available in a range of colours to match any water condition.
CHUM
Drifting a jig (something with cerise) is a popular technique. However, they have been know, when in the mood, to hit whatever you're using for coho - including a fly.
Be sure to follow us on Facebook, and Instagram, where we post regular updates.
Please be aware of the regulations and how to identify your fish. Release all non-retention species properly. Please do not take them out of the water. A single barbless hook is very easy to remove. Stay within your limit.
Real-Time Chwk River Level at Vedder Crossing
Click here for retention limits and up-to-date notices specific to Region 2 rivers
Fraser River Report
November 5, 2024
SALMON
Retention for chum and coho salmon is in effect on the tidal and non-tidal Fraser River.
There is a natural bait ban in the non-tidal (scents, oils, roe, prawn, etc.).
Check the links below for details:
STURGEON
IMPORTANT NOTE: The DFO is clamping down on the use of illegal bait and bait that cannot be traced to a source. Be sure to keep your receipts for any baits you purchase - especially lamprey. They will be conducting spot bait checks on the river this season.
There are some big fish being caught right now. Our guests today were fortunate enough to swim with a magnificent 10' 1" specimen of a sturgeon.
Salmon are working their way through the river, which gets the sturgeon actively moving around.
And you don't need a boat to enjoy this fishery either. Shore fishing on the Fraser River is easily accessible, super relaxing, and can also be a great family activity. Chuck out a couple of rods, play on the beach, and see what happens. Check out our blog post on 👉 FRASER RIVER STURGEON FISHING FROM SHORE for all sorts of tips tricks and a few spots to check out.
If you would like to learn more about gear and technique, drop into either store and the gang will be happy to share their knowledge. We've also got all of the gear specific to shore fishing for sturgeon to get you started.
Our calendar for guided sturgeon trips is filling up fast. Give our booking hotline a call at 604-835-FISH (3474) or email info@rivertitan.ca to book your adventure.
About Fraser River Sturgeon
The famous white sturgeon of the Fraser River are North America's largest freshwater fish, renowned for their size, incredible power, durability and speed. Often demonstrated with acrobatic jumps, and long hard-pulling runs. Combined they make them one of the most exciting catch-and-release fisheries on the planet.
Many people have taken the time to educate themselves on the conservation and management efforts that the Sports fishing sector has dedicated over 20 years to ensure that these fish will be around for years to come. If you have never experienced a Sturgeon fishing excursion, we highly recommend you try this world-class fishery that is dedicated to conservation and sustainable fisheries for generations to come.
Please handle these prehistoric beasts with care and keep them in the water as much as possible. Our job is to keep an eye out for these fish and report your observations to the authorities immediately.
Real-Time Fraser River Level at Mission
Real-Time Fraser River Level at Hope
Real-Time Fraser River Level Near Agassiz
Click here for retention limits and up-to-date notices specific to Region 2 rivers
Harrison River Report
October 24th, 2024
Fishing is really good right now as we head into the last couple of weeks of the primary runs of coho. Seeing some excellent numbers of hatchery fish.
Chum is currently catch-and-release, with retention opportunties starting Saturday October 26th.
Please be aware that there is no retention of chinook, or sockeye on the Harrison. Please treat these fish carefully to help conserve stocks.
Chehalis River Report
November 18, 2023
It's now late in the season but there are reports of coho moving up. There are always late returns that work up the Harrison to the Chehalis, even as late as January (not a typo).
Be sure to check out the Region 2 freshwater salmon regulations for details.
Stave River Report
November 5, 2024
Chum have taken over with a few coho hiding in the wings.
Parking is an adventure on this river so be very careful where and how you park your vehicle.
Be sure to check out the Region 2 freshwater salmon regulations for details.
Nicomen Slough/Norrish Creek Report
November 5, 2024
Lots of coho and chum moving in. We've had some very high water in the Slough over the past week, which spread the fish out. Anglers were still getting fish, but patience was the name of the game. This fishery will remain strong for a few weeks.
Be sure to check out the Region 2 freshwater salmon regulations for details.
Local Lakes Report
The smaller urban and rural lakes and ponds are usually fishable year-round, slowing down from October to March, and relatively productive from April to September.
Bass fishing is becoming more and more popular in the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley. Cultus Lake has become a hot spot, with invasive smallmouth appearing in frightening numbers. Late Spring through Early Fall are a great time to target these fish, and it is recommended that you kill them when caught.
Larger lakes, such as Alouette, Chilliwack, and Cultus can be go-to's during the spring and summer months with the aid of a sounder and an optional downrigger. Fish can be found at various depths, but often deeper than traditional trolling hardware can achieve without assistance. Depending on the body of water you can find rainbow trout, cutthroat, kokanee, bulltrout / dollies, lake trout, brooktrout, and whitefish.
Kawkawa Lake is another local option for kokanee. Although a downrigger can be very useful, it isn't necessary. Presenting a jig is another highly effective method when you know where the kokanee are hanging out in the water column.
Although you can "fish" Harrison Lake, it is not renowned as a productive body of water.
Interior Lakes Report
October 24th, 2024
Water temperatures are dropping and fish are moving into the shallows. Ice and snow are starting to creap in, which will spell the end of the season shortly.
Check out our blog post on the 10 Must Have Trout Flies for BC Lake!
