All posts by Roadside

Feb 16 Fishing Report Update

Been a great week on the Fraser fishing for Sturgeon, ice flows have smelted and river is in great shape. Vedder River is producing some nice fish and smaller tributaries such as Stave, Alouette and Chehalis are all fishing pretty well.

Please see below for detailed report.

Fraser River Sturgeon – We have been out on the water all week and have done very well for Sturgeon, our largest fish caught this week was over 9ft , congrats to Patrick and Stephan who are visiting from Sweden. We have averaged 6-8 fish per day with this 9ft 3 being our largest, also some nice 7footers and a bunch of fish under 5 feet. Best bait has been salmon eggs but Lamprey and Dew Worms will also work well.

Our Spring Special is in effect, Fill The Boat for $500 for 6 hours or Fill The Boat for $650 for 8 hours.

Vedder River Steelhead – The Vedder River is on the rise has and is now dirty due to the heavy rainfall we are experiencing. Once the river drops again, it will be back into shape and we should see some great fishing. February is primetime for the Vedder River Steelhead run so this is the time to get out. While the river is dirty and quite high try fishing the Upper River above Tamahi Rapids. This will be the first place that starts to clear up. Once rain stops it will take a few days but be ready as there will be some great catches once this happens.

Wally Hall Junior Memorial Fishing Derby is happening right now until March 15th. Tickets are $20 each and can be bought at Fred’s Custom Tackle. All proceeds are donated to habitat restoration projects on the Chilliwack/Vedder River. Currently, the largest fish weighed in is 15.103lb.

BC Boat & Sportsman Show is only 2 ½ weeks away, if you would like to enter our FREE Draw for VIP Tickets, just go to our facebook page and share this report post. We have 5 tickets left to give away. Make sure you drop by our booth #312 and say hello. We will have a few ball caps to give away so be one of the first to our booth and just ask for one of our ball caps.

Fraser River Jet Boat Seminar – We still have some seats available for April 1 and April 2, this trip travels 240km from Mission to Hells Gate and back. It’s a full day on the water with long time Fraser River Guide and Jet Boat Pilot Vic Carrao. Vic has an extensive background on our local waters guiding and jet boating for over 35 years. Vic is one of the few pilots that have run through Hells Gate and has extensive knowledge of the Fraser River and Fraser Canyon region.

This seminar is for anyone who already has a jet boat or is thinking about purchasing one. Vic will show you how to navigate the Fraser River, run white water, surf a jet boat in big water, read shallow water, anchoring techniques, jet boat control and much much more.

Cost: $195 per person
Date(s): Saturday April 01, 2017 or Sunday April 02, 2017 (we sell out every year so book early to get a seat)
Registration: Register by emailing us at sts.

Spring Sturgeon Special – Spring Sturgeon 2 Night 2 Day Package

  • 2 nights accommodations at Best Western Mission City Lodge
  • 2 x 8 hours of guided Salmon, Trout or Sturgeon fishing with one of our professional fishing guides
  • All Best Western packages now include full breakfast
  • Catered Lunch for each day of guided fishing
  • All fishing tackle, fully equipped jet boats and private guide exclusive to your group
  • Private Dock for your safety and comfort

2 person – $850 p/p
3 person – $675 p/p ( sharing 2 rooms)
4 person – $575 p/p ( sharing 2 rooms)

Call or e-mail us to book one of these great package specials.

If the package your looking for is not above please call or email us for your personalized vacation package.

Vancouver Salmon Fishing – fishing has been good this past week, Howe Sound and Bowen Island are both producing some good results. Winter fishing is hit and miss at best so you really do need to work the water and fish multiple locations to find the fish. Our boats are out on the water daily and will find the fish if they are there to catch. Winter rates are still in effect.

​Have a great weekend.

Vic Carrao

STS Guiding Service

www.guidebc.com

sts

Feb 2 Fishing Report Update.

Not much of a report this week as winter weather has hit the lower mainland pretty hard. Snow accumulations ranging from 6cm to 30cm has fallen and now the rain and in some areas ice rain has begun to wreak havoc on local roads. Water conditions on smaller tributary rivers like Vedder, Chehalis, Norish etc are about to rise due to a warn weather trend that is about to hit the Fraser Valley. See below for more details.

Vedder River Steelhead – River conditions are still very good but you can expect the Vedder River to begin to rise and color due to a warming trend that will start later this afternoon. Typically, the mornings will be more fishable, as temperatures warm late morning/early afternoon, water will begin to color and rise. You might see another good push of fresh fish once water begins to rise which should turn things on a bit. We did have a charter out on the river yesterday for a 6 hour walk and wade, our guest Vince Andreana visiting from Milton Ontario managed to land one nice wild steelhead and they saw 3 more fish caught which is a pretty good day considering the weather.

We offer these instructional trips all winter for anglers looking to learn the river or improve their knowledge on local steelhead tactics.

Great job Andrew and Vince.

Fraser River Sturgeon – Local boat launches have been a bit of a disaster this past week, lots of snow and ice so not many boats out. As temperatures begin to warm we should see some better access and a few boats out by early next week. I have been updating some of my Sturgeon tackle and though I would mention a reel that I have been testing. The Penn Fathom Lever Drag is a reel that I have been using this past season, I was running 3 Penn International VSX12 which is my reel of choice but as I get older, slower and weaker I am finding that the international series is a bit heavy for all day use.

Penn has come out with the new Penn Fathom which is very similar to the Penn VSX but less than half the weight. It comes in a 2 speed as well as single speed and offers a variety of sizes. I really like this reel and have now purchased another 3 to replace my VSX series. The price point is very attractive, less than $300 which makes this reel the perfect Fraser River Sturgeon or Halibut and jigging reel. I am using the 40 series size and it seems to hold enough line and do the job. If you would more technical information on this reel visit http://www.pennfishing.com/penn-reels-conventional-reels-penn-fathom/penn-fathom-lever-drag-2-speed/1347896.html

I will be working the STS Booth and Penn Booth at this years BC Boat & Sportsman Show, please feel free to drop by and have a look at the new products we will be showing at the Pure Fishing Booth. The STS booth will be same location as 2016 show, Our booth #312.

Spotting Sturgeon on your Hummingbird Side Imaging Depth Sounder. – A few weeks back while working at the Vancouver Boat Show I was asked by a customer how I could tell what a sturgeon looked like on my side imaging unit, it’s hard to describe so I thought the best way to explain is to show some images on what a sturgeon looks like when laying on the river bottom. If you look closely you will see that sturgeon images are thicker on one end then the other and more often than not, the fish are laying behind a hump or laying on the down stream side of a hole. I will look through my archives this week and see if I can find a few more images for next weeks report.

Blow Out STS Swag Sale – We have a few Hoodies, Long sleeve and Ball Caps left over from the 2016 season.

Hoodies $70 – Blow Out – $45

Long Sleeve Shirt – $40 – Blow Out – $29

Ball Caps – $20 – Blow Out – $12

Shipping charges may apply.

Hope you have a great weekend, if your out on the water and would like to share your fish porn, please feel free to send to us at sts

Vic.

Hiring – STS is Now Hiring – 2 Positions available.

Hiring – Freshwater Angling Guide

STS Guiding is now taking applications for two seasonal positions that are currently available.

Position 1 – Jet Boat operator and angling guide to operate one of our jet boats from April 1 to Nov 15 on as needed basis, expectation to do 100 – 130 guided fishing trips. Must have good knowledge of Fraser River salmon & sturgeon fishery.

– Qualifications needed – Marine First Aid, Med A 3, ROC.
Training Courses can be provided for right candidate. Sturgeon tagging for Fraser River Sturgeon Conservation Society is mandatory, training and equipment is provided.

Position 2 – Owner /Operator for guided salmon and sturgeon fishing, min 2 years guiding experience.

– Qualifications needed – Marine First Aid, Med A 3, ROC. Training Courses can be provided for right candidate. Min Liability Insurance of $2 million.Sturgeon tagging for Fraser River Sturgeon Conservation Society is mandatory, training and equipment is provided.

In Canada the tourism industry employs 1.3 million people. Tourism is one of the fastest growing industries and offers a variety of employment opportunities. STS Guiding Service’s objectives include setting vision, leading the industry, promoting fisheries, promoting best handling practices, training professional fishing guides to lead the industry, develop good client relations, outdoor leadership, communication skills and safety protocols. STS has been an industry leader for the past 23 years. If you feel you have what it takes to become one of the top fishing guides in the Province, we would like to hear from you.

Please send resume to sts@guidebc.com