Fraser Valley Report for May 29 /2002: Steelheader.net- Steelhead, Salmon and trout fishing

Fraser Valley report for the week of May 29 /2002

New Fly casting seminar dates: We have had a great response and would like to thank all participants. We have decided to offer two more classes.

Abbotsford – June 16, 23 & 30
Langley - June 16, 23 & July 7

Fraser River
Salmon
Spring freshet is in full swing, the Fraser has risen over 2 meters since last week and we are expecting another substantial rise in the next day or two. Hydrometric stations at McBride show a 1-meter rise on Tuesday so we should be seeing the effects in the lower Fraser by Thursday or Friday. Like last week, creek mouths continue to produce best results with anglers casting and trolling lures. Good places to try would include; the confluence of the Sumas, Harrison, Jones creek, Coquihala, Emory, American, Yale or any other creek or river that joins the Fraser. The key is to fish the clean water at the creek or river entrance, salmon will hold and rest in this water for hours or even days to get a good taste of clean fresh water.

FREE DRAW:
STS Guiding Service and Hub Sports are giving away a Free Quantum Spinning rod combo valued at $70.00 retail. All you need to do is e-mail us with Quantum Free Draw in the subject line. Winner will be announced in our next newsletter.
If you’re looking for Archery products be sure to drop in and see Hub Sports new archery section. Hubs is located at 33917 Essedene Ave, Abbotsford, B.C. Phone- 604-859-8316

Sturgeon
Sturgeon fishing has been slow the past week; anglers are reporting poor success and difficulty anchoring due to high water. Many of the popular sturgeon holes are now difficult to fish, water if high and flowing very fast. Large trees are flowing swiftly down the river so you must use extreme caution. During the next few weeks anglers should try fishing slower moving back eddies, side channels, behind islands and other areas out of the main current. Not only is it safer but also more productive.

Vedder
There is only 1 day left before this river closes entirely for the month of June. Anglers can look forward to July 1st when the Vedder/Chilliwack re-opens for Chinook fishing. From all the reports it’s looks as though we should get a good return of fish this spring. By the number of fish being caught at the confluence, I would have to agree. Good numbers of Chinook salmon between 10 & 15 lbs have been taken since May 1st and we look forward to more good days between June and July.

Harrison
The Harrison River continues to rise along with the Fraser. The sandy beach at Kilby Park is almost entirely under water as are most of the islands and beaches along the river. We were out all weekend teaching our annual fly casting seminars, we did managed to hook few white fish and the odd Cutthroat but overall it was very slow fishing due to higher than normal water conditions. We have just expanded our fly-casting lessons by adding one more class for June 16,23 &30. Please contact us for more information.

Local Lakes
Local anglers are reporting fair to good success on many of the small and medium sized lakes. Some of the more productive methods used from shore are fly-fishing, spin fishing and bait fishing. Fly-fishers have reported good success using Chronomids and small nymph patterns, spin fishers should try using small to medium sized Silvex or Colorado spinners and bait fishers can use night crawlers or single eggs fished under a float or on bottom.
Be sure to check your regulations for gear restrictions and possession limits. Many of the lakes and most streams have a single barbless hook restriction and possession quotas. You can pick up a freshwater fishing synopsis at most retail stores that sell fishing tackle.

Interior lakes
Anglers are reporting good success at many of the lakes between Merritt and Kamloops. Tunkwa, Leighton, Logan and Island lakes are located near Merritt, these lakes cater mostly to fly-fishers and have been fishing very well for rainbows to 5 lbs or better. Near Kamloops, Paul Lake, Community, Knouff, Badger, little Knouff and Harper Lake are fishing well but again cater mostly to fly-fishers. If you prefer to troll lures try fishing some of the larger lakes like Nicola, Pinask, Bonaparte and Lake le June.

2nd Annual BC Outdoors Sport Fishing / Gibbs Kids Story Contest:
Calling all kids!
B.C. Outdoors Sport Fishing Magazine and Gibbs Fishing Tackle are pleased to sponsor our 2nd Annual Kid's Story Contest, open to Kid's 12 and under.
Want to enter? Visit the kid's section at GibbsFishing.com/Kids, go to the Story Contest and write in with your favorite fishing story. Tell us about the one that got away, or your first time fishing! Enter as many times as you'd like, as long as each entry is a different story. Contest closes September 30, 2002.
The Prize-winning story will be featured in an upcoming issue of BC Outdoors Sport Fishing and will be posted on the Gibbs website. The grand prize consists of $50.00 worth of tackle, a subscription to B.C. Outdoors Sport Fishing Magazine, and a ball cap from each company.
When the fish get biting- kids, get writing!

Remember to conserve your catch
Tight Lines and we will see you on the water
Vic Carrao
www.guidebc.com
sts@guidebc.com
604-880- FLYS(3597)