Fishing this past week has really picked up, sturgeon and salmon fishing have been fair to excellent and there are still a few steelhead around for those of you who prefer to walk and wade the rivers, fly fishing for trout has been good but mostly smaller fish being caught. We dropped by Gibbs/Delta lure plant and picked up some new hot lures and we spent some time down at our Delta Hotel location fishing the lower river for sturgeon. Overall looks like fishing is really picking up and the next two to three weeks is going to be excellent. Steelhead fly fishing begins on May 1, see below for more detailed report.

This Sturgeon measured 136cm with a 60 cm girth, looks like he has found some Eulichons to feed on.

Fraser River Sturgeon – Last week we saw the water rise with lots of debris, this week the water has leveled off and most of the debris is gone. Tides on the lower Fraser are favoring an early morning bite and late afternoon, The best tide this week is starting in late afternoon but by the weekend the morning bite should start to really produce. Nice to have Tom and Thomas back on the water after a long winter, talk on the dock is a bit different these days, instead of talking about Friday night on the town, the discussion is about diapers and how much sleep Toms getting, lol.

Good number of sturgeon between 3 to 5 feet are being caught daily with some bigger fish in the 6 to 7 1/2 starting to show up. By the looks of their stomachs I would guess that there are good numbers of Eulichons in the river. Best baits have been Eulichon and Lamprey eel and we are getting a few on salmon eggs. As I mentioned above best bite has been early morning then late afternoon but that will chance as tides move forward 30 minutes each day. A reminder that if you are using or have Eulichon in your possession you must have a receipt of where you purchased it from.

Over the next 3 to 4 weeks we can expect the same good fishing even if water levels increase. Typically the last week in April and first 2 to 3 weeks of May are best for sturgeon . We still have some good availability for May so just give us a call and we will get you out.

Vancouver Salmon – Fishing has been fair to good for salmon in the Vancouver area, some nice Chinook salmon in the 10 to 15lb range with the odd fish over 20 taken this week. Fishing has been best on the early morning high slack or again at the low. Most anglers are fishing the south end of Bowen Island and trolling outside of the Harbour near the QA.

Over the next few weeks we should see quite an improvement in the Vancouver salmon fishery as more fish move through our area, the Gulf Island are producing some good results so we will begin doing charters over to the island by early May. Our Delta Hotel Location is great for getting on the fish without allot of travel and if weather is bad we can offer guest the alternative of fishing for sturgeon out of the same location.

Speaking of Sturgeon fishing out of the Delta Hotel, this past week we have done 3 charters out of this location with some great results. If your staying in downtown or just visiting for a short time, this location makes it quick and easy to access this world class fishery without having to rent a car or drive out to the Valley. We offer daily shuttle from Vancouver Airport and Canada Line from downtown is fast and easy.

Gibbs/Delta Tackle is one of Canada’s largest lure manufacture established in Vancouver in 1908 by Rufus Gibbs. 105 years later they are still hard at work perfecting lures and tackle for us West Coast guides and anglers. Some of the top producing lures and tackle for both freshwater and saltwater are made at their manufacturing plant right here near the Fraser River in Delta. Last week I had the opportunity to tour the plant as see all the new changes they have made. More importantly I was able to get my hands on some of their newest lures and tackle.

These flashers show above are the hot ticket when fishing the Vancouver area, local guides have worked closely with Gibbs/Delta to develope the perfect flasher for both local and West Coast waters. The above flashers are some of our favorites.

Some of the newest products that are producing results are shown above, those big spoons are mostly West Coast but do work locally when the big Chinooks are around. The G-Force spoons have been knocking them dead both locally and on the coast. These are Hot Lures and a must to have on board your boat.

G Force spoons are doing well out in Vancouver Harbour and West Coast, not a bad idea to have a few in your tackle box, even better, on the flasher in the water!

Vedder River Steelhead fishing has been fair to good, STS guide Breaden Szlabon has been knocking them dead this past week with shrimp and roe. On May 1st the Vedder river above the crossing will be closed to all fishing until July 1, the lower river will remain open for fly fishing only. If weather stays cool we should have some great water conditions for opening week.

Fly Fishing trips on the Pitt River will begin at the end of May. June, July & August are the 3 best months to experience this fishery for both fly fishing and light spin tackle. Most of the trout are between 16 inches and 5lbs but we do get a fair number of fish between 5 to 10 lbs. Regardless of size, the experience itself is one that is not soon forgotten. This is by far one of my favorite fisheries.

I will be off to Costa Rica next week to see if I can find a few Tarpon on the fly, I will keep you updated on my facebook page so please feel free to come back often and see how my trip is doing. If you are looking for more frequent fishing report updates, our facebook page is the place to check. Please feel free to pass along our report.

While I am away I will be answering my e-mails on a daily basis, Thomas will be answering the phones and taking bookings. If you have any questions on scheduling Tom is your contact at 604-807-4819. For bookings please call our office or 604-671-3474

Hope you all have a great week on the water.

Vic Carrao

STS Guiding Service

604-671-3474