There are three active fisheries in the Vancouver region to consider during winter, the first and most popular is steelhead fishing, second would be the winter trout fishery on the Fraser and Harrison and last but not least fishing Vancouver area for winter springs. Below I have provided you with local reports and some information on the upcoming salmon and sturgeon season.

The Vancouver Boat Show is fast approaching, BC Place Stadium February 07-11, although STS Guiding will not have a booth this year we will be at the show as Pro Staff support for Pure Fishing. Vic will be at the Show Friday , Saturday & Sunday all day/night working the booths at Steveston Marine, Nikka Industries or Harbor Chandler, we have some great deals on rods/reels and some promo deals and giveaways. Be sure to drop by the show and say hello.

More info about the show can be found at – http://www.vancouverboatshow.ca/

Bookings for 2013 – Salmon & Sturgeon bookings for 2013 are very strong for this early in the season, Our Lodge ( Above & Beyond) is now full from middle of August through until mid October, We still have some good dates available but I suspect they won’t be around for much longer. Fraserview Anglers Retreat is about 40% full so we still have some great dates for peak season, this accommodation is suitable for 4 anglers. Our booking season is just getting started and we are already very busy, we are expecting a record year for bookings sop don’t be disappointed and book early.

Fraser River – A full week of sunshine and cool weather has kept the Fraser low and clear, high tides have been in the late afternoon so if you were planning on fishing sturgeon, afternoon would be a good bet. We have not been on the water for sturgeon but some of our associate guides tell me that fishing has been pretty good in the Harrison area of the Fraser.

We will be releasing our Fraser Canyon Tour Dates next week, check back and book as they fill up fast.

Vedder River Steelhead – A really good week on the Vedder, quite a few steelhead caught throughout the river, lower river produced some better results but fish are spread through the system. Water conditions are clear and cold and looks like the same for most of next week. A couple of our guides were out and had some good success but unfortunately no pictures to show you.

Chehalis River – is low and clear, still a few old Coho around and some Cutties that will spend most of the winter in this river. Steelhead fishing is slow but a few fish have been reported this week. Small roe bags or wool ties would be your best bet when water is this low and clear. You also might want to downsize your float and maybe even try a clear float for best results.

Harrison River – During winter months the Harrison can offer some decent trout fishing but most of them are quite small. It is still enjoyable as not many anglers are out on the water so you can actually fish the river without getting waked all day long. The Harrison also produces some winter steelhead that hold before entering the Chehalis so always worth a try above the Pilons at Harrison rapids.

Stave River – This river is often overlooked by many steelheaders, the system is small with limited access and water to fish. Having said that they do get a good run of steelhead and if you can read water you should be able to find a few in those side channels below the Dam. Boat access is probably your best bet right now as construction on the Dam has limited access to west side.

Vancouver Harbour Salmon – Vancouver Harbour has been producing a few winter Chinook this past week, good crab and prawn fishing but you do need to keep a watchful eye on your traps so they don’t go missing. The winter Salmon Fishery out of Vancouver can produce results but very inconsistent, lots of under sized fish with the occasional keeper. If you’re looking to get out on the water it can be very nice out in the Harbour but don’t expect too much for results.

Hells Gate Jet Boat Tours – Our Tours through the Fraser Canyon will begin this spring with first run taking place March 30, 2013. To start the year off we are going to add some sturgeon fishing and a barbeque lunch at no extra charge. Come join us for a spectacular canyon adventure that is truly a bucket list event. Limited dates are available due to our busy guiding season so do not miss out on this years Tours.

Hells Gate Tour – March 30, 2013 – Cost for this 4 hour tour is $129 p/p- FREE – additional 2 hours of sturgeon fishing and barbeque lunch.

Other available dates – April 27, May 4, 5,18, August 3,4,11,18.

Vic’s daughter Deanna working the downriggers while fishing salmon off Winter Harbour last summer.

Our newest addition to the STS Fleet of boats, this 28ft KingFisher offers great comforts while fishing the West Coast.

West Coast Salmon & Halibut Fishing – 2103 Dates released for West Coast newest lodge, Whales Reach Lodge at Coal Harbour has teamed up with STS and we are now offering our guests spectacular salmon & halibut fishing through the summer when salmon fishing is not available in the Fraser River. Our location offers calm water fishing for both Chinook & Coho and we don’t have to run 30 miles off shore for Halibut.

2013 season schedule

Our 4 day 3 night package is just enough time to fill the coolers with salmon and halibut for the year. Calm water fishing with opportunity to head out to sea for those like me who like to fish big west coast water.

Trip details – All inclusive packages with 2 – 4 anglers per boat, 100% guided, all gear provided. Arrival day begins with meet & greet then head out onto the water for an afternoon salmon fish, returning for a crab feast by the fire. Day 2 & 3 are full days fishing for salmon and halibut followed by dinner and post fishing activities. Wrap up this incredible trip with a morning fish before heading home with your cooler full of salmon, halibut, snapper, cod, bass, crab and some prawns.

Trip Dates:

1. July 18 – 21
2. July 21 – 24
3. July 25 – 28
4. July 28 – 31
5. Aug 1 – 4
6. Aug 4 – 7
7. Aug 8 – 11
8. Aug 12 – 15

The above dates are Thursday – Sunday or Sunday to Wednesday

Weekend and longer stays are available, maximum group size of 6 anglers per date. Combination package including Fraser Sturgeon are also available.

2013 Rates:

• 2 anglers – $2770 p/p
• 3 anglers – $2100 p/p
• 4 anglers – $1875 p/p

Our good friend Rusty is selling our old boat, I had this one custom made in 2005 sold it to Rusty in 2008 and he is now selling it.

The boat has 800 hours, had some saltwater use but still in great shape and well looked after. The boat is at my place if anyone wants to see it.

More info here – http://www.guidebc.com/boatsale_011313.asp

Make: Custom Weld

Model: Whitewater Special

Year: 2005

Boat Features:

• Clean and well maintained
• 9ft Beam
• Stick Steering
• Suspension seating for captain and 2 passengers
• Seating for up to 11 people
• Fuel Filter/Water Separator feeds main engine and trolling motor
• LED navigation lights
• New style Scotty (marineco) downrigger receptacles
• Uniden Oceanus marine VHF radio
• Port side trolling motor bracket (not mounted)
• Garmin 525s depth sounder/chart plotter mounted at rear of cabin
• Optional ** Garmin 720s depth sounder/chart plotter mounted on dash
• New Batteries and Battery Switch 2010
• New Windlass 2011
• New Stainless thru hull fittings with Shutoff Valves 2011
• New bilge pump 2011

Hamilton 212 Jet Pump:

• New main bearing 2010

Kodiak 8.1L vortec:

• 813 hours
• New raw water hoses 2012
• New engine cooling hoses 2012
• New Serpentine belt and spare 2010

Optional ** 2008 Honda 20hp 4 stroke trolling motor center mounted on swim grid:

• 545 hours
• Electric Tilt
• Electric Start
• Hydraulic Steering
• Carburetor cleaned and new seals 2012

Trailer:

• New Jack stand 2011
• New Tires 2012
• New Winch Strap 2012
• New Brakes 2013

Comments: Can be sold without Kicker motor and electronics.

Price: Boat, Trailer, including 20hp Honda Kicker and Garmin 720s Sounder/Plotter – $46,500.00

This past week has been quiet on the water, seen a few boats out sturgeon fishing but overall most people have put the sturgeon rods away until water temperatures begin to warm in early Spring. There are three active fisheries in the Vancouver region to consider during winter, the first and most popular is steelhead fishing, second would be the winter trout fishery on the Fraser and Harrison and last but not least fishing Vancouver area for winter springs.

Vedder River Steelhead – The Vedder river is in great shape, the boxing day derby produced some nice fish so we should see a decent run of fish this year. Water levels are low and clear and with expected cold/clear forecast for the next few days I would expect the Vedder to drop even further. January is a big month for the Vedder as we start to see consistent pushes of steelhead migrating through the lower river, best bet is to reduce your gear size and offering, lighten your leader and try fishing the faster water that has good cover.

As long as water levels stay low and clear you will need to make a few adjustments, try split shot instead of pencil lead, try single egg or small wool ties, use small roe bags instead of big chunks of bait, reduce your leader to 8-10lb test for more hook ups.

Chehalis River – The Chehalis River is low and clear, drove over it yesterday and wow is it low. I prefer fishing the canyon or anywhere you can find some deeper water in these conditions. This river foes not get the big run of steelhead like the Vedder but it can produce some nice fish. There are still some Coho around and lots of cutties in the main channel and lower canyon.

Harrison River – Like all local rivers the Harrison is also low and clear but that is pretty normal for this river in winter. We are hearing some good reports of Cutthroat fishing on the fly but the best is yet to come. This river is best fished in late winter early spring for cutts but also holding steelhead that are heading up the Chehalis River. Try fishing above Harrison Rapids along the west side between pilons and native boat launch.

Fraser River – is in great shape for trout fishing, water is clear with 3 to 4 feet of visibility. The Fraser is best fished for trout between Chilliwack and Hope, lots of great gravel bars to fish and some good back eddies as well. Sturgeon fishing is pretty much over for the winter but we will probably do a few trips looking to tag some juvenile sturgeons. Most sturgeon are lethargic in winter but some areas still have feeding sturgeon like Stave and even Harrison River.

Vancouver Ocean – we are getting a few reports of some winter Chinook being caught in Vancouver Harbour. This winter fishery can be very good but mostly hit and miss fishery. Crab fishing has been good so all in all it is a great day spent on the water if weather is good. Our ocean boat is home for a few repairs and we are expecting to put it back in the water in early February. If you would like to do a winter salmon trip, give us a call.

New West Coast Salmon & Halibut Adventures

For the past 6 months STS has been working on a new West Coast Fishing Adventure that offers exciting fishing opportunities for our guests. Although this area of the West Coast is already known as some of the best fishing in the world, the new lodge at Coal Harbour will offer STS clients a wide variety of calm water Salmon and Halibut fishing

Whales Reach Lodge is a new 8 bedroom lodge located in Coal Harbour just 17km west of Port Hardy. This quiet native community is the gateway to some of the best salmon and halibut fishing on the west coast. The calm waters between Coal Harbour & Winter Harbour offer our guests world class fishing in the protected waters of Quatsino Sound. Chinook, Coho, Sockeye, Halibut, Black Bass, Cod, Snapper, Crab & Prawns are all abundant in these waters.

West Coast Dates

BOOK FOR SUMMER OF 2013

2013 season schedule

Our 4 day 3 night package is just enough time to fill the coolers with salmon and halibut for the year. Calm water fishing with opportunity to head out to sea for those like me who like to fish big west coast water.

Trip details – All inclusive packages with 2 – 4 anglers per boat, 100% guided, all gear provided. Arrival day begins with meet & greet then head out onto the water for an afternoon salmon fish, returning for a crab feast by the fire. Day 2 & 3 are full days fishing for salmon and halibut followed by dinner and post fishing activities. Wrap up this incredible trip with a morning fish before heading home with your cooler full of salmon, halibut, snapper, cod, bass, crab and some prawns.

Trip Dates

1. July 18 – 21
2. July 21 – 24
3. July 25 – 28
4. July 28 – 31
5. Aug 1 – 4
6. Aug 4 – 7
7. Aug 8 – 11
8. Aug 12 – 15

The above dates are Thursday – Sunday or Sunday to Wednesday

Weekend and longer stays are available, maximum group size of 6 anglers per date. Combination package including Fraser Sturgeon are also available.

2013 Rates

2 anglers – $2770.p/p
3 anglers – $2100.p/p
4 anglers – $1875.p/p

To Book Call Toll Free – 1855-223-5453
or
604-671-3474
Email us – sts