Sturgeon & Salmon - British Columbia - Fraser River

Dates available throughout 2008

The mighty Fraser River constitutes the back-bone of one of the world’s great salmon-yielding systems, comprising countless tributaries that have been spawning sites since time unknown. Amid breathtaking scenic beauty you’ll find yourself fishing the region’s local rivers - the Fraser, the Chilliwack, the Vedder, the Harrison and the Chehalis - for Chinook, chum, Coho, pink (running every other year, including 2007) and sockeye salmon plus steelhead, trout and the massive sturgeon (the latter being catch/tag and release only).

There are few places left where you can genuinely be surrounded by superb fishing and stunning scenery. The legendary Fraser River system, which to this day remains un-dammed throughout its 850 mile course, ranks as one of the world’s last great salmon producing rivers and still has no rival in its migratory salmon runs. There is no doubt about it sturgeon of all sizes are exciting - most adversaries leap upon feeling cold steel and 60-180lb. specimens are everyday catches on the Fraser and Harrison Rivers.

Accommodation:
Is at the 5* Harrison Hot Springs Resort or at the Comfort Inn - Chilliwack. Both within easy walking distance of shops and restaurants and breakfast is included.

Fishing days:
Your guide will collect you from either hotel at approx. 0800. All bait and tackle is provided. We also pre-arrange packed lunches on a daily basis and there are soft drinks on board the boat. At the end of the fishing day - approx. 4 p.m. your guide will drop you off at the hotel.

Fishing is mostly by boat (21ft. fast aluminium jet boats with 5 litre engines) which whisk you along from location to location at speeds of between 30 and 40 knots. To fish for the salmon, anglers are also put ashore to explore likely bars and runs. NB up to 3 anglers plus your guide to each boat.

Sturgeon fishing is done from an anchored boat but you can fish for salmon either from the boat, wading in the rivers or from sandbars, river banks and islands. Fishing licences are purchased when you arrive, through your guide, and these must be kept on you at all times when fishing.

The local guides are very professional and extremely knowledgeable of all the local water systems. Whilst fishing you may even be fortunate enough to see brown bear and deer together with many species of birds. During the Fall Canada is also a photographers' paradise!

Target Species:
Sturgeon are generally all year round with prime season being August to November but Dec & Jan also good although the weather is much colder. These white sturgeon have been caught locally to over 1000lbs, and monsters of half this size are realistic targets.

The salmon species likely to be encountered include:
Coho (silver) - 3 to 8 lb.
Pink Salmon ('humpie') in the 5 to 9 lb. range (pinks run every other year)
Sockeye (red) - 5 to 12 lb.
Chum (dog salmon) - 15 to 25 lb.
Steelhead trout (sea going rainbows) 5 to 25 lb.
Chinook (king) - 15 to 60 lb.

These six salmonoid species - which run out of the Pacific Ocean and into the Fraser River system occur at various times throughout the year. Using a variety of methods including bottom bouncing (a bead/fly rig) float fishing a bunch of salmon eggs, float fishing a Colorado (single hook fly spoon), spinning small single hook Mepps type spinners or bar spoons, or bar fishing itself which consists of a spin and glo (uptide rig), provide marvellous alternative sport to the sturgeon fishing.

These fish offer wonderful action for the fly fishing enthusiast, using a medium sinking, or sink tip line in size 8 to 10 rating and local patterns of flies such as muddler minnow, hair wings, or traditional single hook English patterns. Remember it is mandatory in British Columbia, whether sturgeon fishing or seeking any of the salmonoid species, to use a barbless hook/fly.

Other species likely to be caught whilst sturgeon and salmon fishing are: bullheads, white fish, cutthroat trout, rainbow trout and dolly varden (a char).

Suggested Itinerary

Day 1: Depart Heathrow 1630 - British Airways direct flight arriving Vancouver at 1805. You will be met at the airport and transferred by road (1.5 hr. journey, depending on traffic) to the spectacular Fraser Valley. Overnight twin room B/B accommodation.
Day 2: Full day guided sturgeon/salmon fishing. Each fishing session will be for 8 hours - fishing 2 per boat & a packed lunch included. Boats are equipped with full tops, heaters and the best tackle for your complete safety, comfort and enjoyment.
Day 3 - 7: Full day guided sturgeon/salmon fishing. Overnight B/B accommodation.
Day 8: Morning at leisure. Approx. 1500 transfer to Vancouver Airport. Depart Vancouver 2000 on British Airways direct flight to UK.
Day 9: Arrive Heathrow 1315.

Cost: In the region of: £1,850 plus airport taxes (sharing accommodation at Comfort Inn + fishing 2 per boat). £2,020 plus airport taxes at Harrison Hot Springs.

Cost includes:
British Airways direct flights
Return airport transfers
7 nights twin room accommodation including breakfast
6 packed lunches
6 full days guided fishing - fishing tackle, bait and equipment

Cost excludes:
Travel insurance, airport taxes, evening meals and gratuities
Fishing licences
Increases in air fares.