Another year is almost complete, 22 seasons and still going strong. The team at STS Guiding would like to wish you and your family a Merry Christmas & Happy New Year and hope that 2016 will be a great year for all. We have been blessed to have been able to be part of this incredible industry and to have the opportunity to meet so many great people. We appreciate you following our blog, being part of our on-line community and having confidence in our team here at STS. Happy Holidays everyone.

Dec 17 Fishing Report & STS Update

Fraser River Sturgeon

Sturgeon fishing has been nothing short of amazing this past week, we have done several trips where in only 4 hours managed to land 15-20 sturgeon. Most of the sturgeon are between 3 to 5 feet but we did get a couple larger fish over 6 ft. This is a great time for tagging sturgeon as these fish are stacked up in specific locations. During prime season in late summer and fall we are mostly targeting and catching larger fish so winter is great opportunity to collect data on some of the smaller fish and provide the Fraser River Sturgeon Conservation Society with some much needed data.

Did you know?

White sturgeon can live well over 150 years and grow to over 6 meters in length.

FRSCS Adopt a Sturgeon program lets you learn about a sturgeon you sponsor, track its travels through the recapture data and receive updates! Adopt a Sturgeon today! Makes for a special Christmas gift that never stops giving, for more information go to – http://www.frasersturgeon.com

2016 Sturgeon season forecast

Each year we provide anglers and visitors with a pre-season forecast for the Fraser River Fisheries. We will update the salmon forecast a little later in the year but I can give you a bit of an idea when you might want to plan your next fishing holiday for steelhead and sturgeon.

Steelhead season has just begun in the Fraser Valley with the Vedder River already producing a few early fish. Each year the Chilliwach Fish & Game Club puts on the Boxing Day Steelhead Derby which gets hundreds of avid and skilled anglers trying to take the title of King Fisher. This derby often provides us with a look into what we can expect for the upcoming season. We have used this gauge for many years and has proven to be quite accurate. We can not only gauge the size of the run but also how well they have feed in the ocean by average catch size and weight. Hopefully we will see some great fish caught on Dec 26 and have a excellent 2016 season.

Here is a useful article written quite a few years ago by Vic Carrao on early season tactics and how to start your steelhead season off on the right track – http://www.guidebc.com/articles/earlyseasonsteelheadtactics.asp

Sturgeon fishing has become one of the fastest growing sport fish on the Fraser maybe all of British Columbia. Anglers are now targeting these fish year round but there is definitely times when fishing is far better and fish fight harder. Spring brings the annual Eulachon migration which is a small bait fish that sturgeon love to feed on. Most sturgeon have spent the better part of the winter hibernating in deep winter holes so when the Eulachons arrive, fish are aggressive and ready to feed. If you are planning to fish between April 1 & May 31, our Mission location is the place to be. The last few seasons we have been having some amazing results for these larger fish over 7ft which is a bit unusual, as the population of sturgeon ages, the fish are becoming larger.

Spring Sturgeon & Steelhead Rates & Packages

Daily trips are offered on the Fraser from several locations, Vancouver, Mission, Chilliwack and Harrison Hot Springs. We occasionally offer spring specials so please call or e-mail us for day rates for spring sturgeon fishing. Our rates are very competitive and our team of guides are some of the best on the water. For our Special Spring sturgeon packages please use this link http://www.guidebc.com/accommodations/accomm_special.asp

Most of our guided steelheading are what we call instructional steelhead trips, these are usually one or two days when we take you out on the river with one of our professional guides and they show you the When, Where & How’s of steelhead fishing. Because the river has great shore access points, you can then go out and fish more days on your own with confidence. Our walk & wade trips start at $375.00 for a day on the water.

Check out our great introductory package for steelhead and Sturgeon, this is a great way to spend a weekend after the long winter.

2 night 2 day Spring Steelhead/Sturgeon Package

• 1 x 8 hours of guided Sturgeon fishing wit
• 1 x 8 hours of guided steelhead fishing
• 2 nights accommodation at Best Western Hotel
• Breakfast each morning
• 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.

Vancouver Winter Salmon Fishing

Vancouver offers a year round winter Chinook fishery that many anglers overlook. The fishery is less consistent than some of our other salmon fisheries but none the less still very productive at times. Our daily charters depart from Vancouver and Richmond locations and we offer 5 & 8 hour charters. We usually begin winter fishing in middle to late January lasting all the way through to April. Most of our charters are around the Vancouver Harbour area and Howe Sound. This fishery is trolling with flashers and spoons for the most part.

Local River Conditions

Fraser River – is in great shape, water levels are a bit higher than normal for this time of year but still fishable for sturgeon, steelhead and Cutthroat Trout. The Mission Boat launch is open year round, Dewdney Slough is now closed for the season. Sturgeon fishing has been excellent and there are quite a few trout also available to catch.

Vedder River – is in great shape for early season steelhead fishing, some fish are being caught but you really need to work hard and put in your time. Next big day on the river is the Boxing Day Steelhead Derby, you need to sign up so drop into your local tackle store before heading out.

Harrison River – is low and clear, great shape for winter Cutthroat fishing and my sources tell me that fly fishing has been very good for winter cuts. You will still find the odd late Coho around and if you fish near the confluence of the Chehalis you may encounter the occasional steelhead.

Stave River – is low and clear, lots of whitefish, chub and some nice cutthroat available all winter. This river is Dam regulated so water is always fishable. The Stave will get a small run of steelhead later in the winter and offers a great little fishery when the bite is on. Also great spot to fish on windy days as it is very well protected from east and west winds.

Chehalis River – is low and clear, lots of coho still around but they are getting dark, some chromers around if you search for them. Great time of year to fish single egg patterns on fly rod or light tackle for Cutthroat Trout laying behind spawning salmon. Still too early for steelhead but you never know, might get lucky.

Christmas is almost here, from you late shoppers we do offer Christmas Gift Certificates which can be purchased on-line by e-mailing us at STS

Hope you have a wonderful holiday and hope to see you on the water in the New Year.

Best Regards

Vic Carrao

STS Guiding.

Been a crazy week for weather and storms but now that things have settled down we are seeing some bright fresh Coho getting caught on many of our local waters. The Fish’n Canada Episode that we film this past August will air this Saturday on Global TV at 10am BC time , be sure to watch it as we have some amazing footage of the Fraser Canyon and some great battles with large sturgeon.

https://player.vimeo.com/video/145524203?color=d60b11&title=0&byline=0&portrait=0

Nov 20 Report for the Fraser Valley

Salmon Fishing Report

Now that the weather has settled we are seeing some good catches of Coho and fresh Chum Salmon on local waters. The Vedder, Harrison, Chehalis, Dewdney Slough are all producing some nice fish. Casting spoons is a great way to search out and find holding salmon, once you find them, you can dial it in with smaller more subtle presentations. Looks like the weather will be clear and cold for a few days so great time to get out and catch some of those late run Coho.

Here is a beauty wild Coho caught by Guide Harry Colivas while fishing on the Harrison River, Nice fish harry.

Here is a great example of one of the Gibbs/Delta Lures that we use to catch Coho.

Sturgeon Fishing

Sturgeon fishing has been good to excellent, both the Fraser and Harrison are producing some great results. We are fishing both rivers and offering trip from Harrison Hotel and Mission harbour. Salmon eggs have been the key to best bites, chum eggs are preferred but good fresh eggs are the key. We have just announced our Spring Seminar dates, April 16 or 17 for our Fraser River Sturgeon Seminar, cost is $175 per person, please see http://www.guidebc.com/seminar_sturgeon.asp for more information.

The Wuth family on their first family sturgeon fishing trip,

Harrison River Eagle Watching Tours

Every year, Harrison Mills and the Harrison River attract one of the largest populations of bald eagles in the world. Upwards of a 1000 Eagles have been counted in the Harrison Mill area at the height of the season. Starting in mid October and typically continuing through February, these incredible raptors are here feeding on salmon that have come to spawn in the Harrison River and its tributaries.

Join STS tours as we transport you down the Harrison River… by jet boat and then float leisurely through the Harrison Mills area past this incredible natural phenomenon. Watch the eagles as they feed on the spawning salmon.

Our jet boats are covered, comfortable and heated so that regardless of the weather you can enjoy this spectacular event.

Season: October – February (depending on the Eagles!)
Rate: $69 per person (plus tax)

Steelhead season is just around the corner, book your walk and wade trip with STS anytime between now and March 31, 2016.

Christmas Gift Idea’s from $69 and up

Well I guess it’s that time to start talking about gift idea’s for the fisherman in your house. At STS we not only offer guided fishing trips but also less expensive tours that range from $69 to $139. Below I have provided a list of Gift idea’s for the entire family, there is nothing more fun than a family day out on the water.

90 minute Harrison River Eagle Tour – $69.00

4 hour Hells Gate Tour – $139.00

8 hour – Mission to Hells Gate Tour – $195.00

4, 6 or 8 hour guided fishing trips – $450 – $850

If you would like to purchase one of the above tours, or just purchase a Gift Certificate for any STS adventure, just e-mail us at sts

Hope you have a great week, don’t forget to watch the fishing Canada show tomorrow

Best Regards

Vic Carrao

Vic Carrao announces the sale of STS Guiding Service Limited

You may have heard some rumors over the past few months of the sale of STS, well it’s true. We are very pleased to announce that STS Guiding Service has been sold to one of BC’s biggest and best guide outfitters BC Sport Fishing Group based out of Harrison Hot Springs. ” Nothing really changes within STS said Vic Carrao, all of our guides will stay in place and I will become the sales manager dealing with sales and customer service and continue to run the Hope to Hells Gate Tours and Fraser Canyon Sturgeon Adventures. “ “I needed some help with the day to day operations due to some health issues and felt that now was the right time to make the move from owner to manager” . Tony Nootebos (owner of BCSFG) has been in the fishing industry for over 20 years and has worked closely with Vic representing the industry on both Federal and Provincial committees, they know each other very well and will make a great team. Keeping the two companies separate will allow STS to continue to focus on the Mission area while BCSFG’s main operation is out of Harrison and Chilliwack, this brings the total guide team to over 28 guides both full and part time. “ We do many large corporate fishing trips where STS needs to hire outside help, this has always been a sore spot with me as it’s hard to find the quality of guides that can offer the same level of experience. BCSFG has a great team of guides and we will now be able to draw from that pool when needed. This will give our customers a higher quality experience and consistency that they have become accustom too. “I would like to thank all of our loyal customers over the past 22 years who have helped us become the company we are today, I look forward to working with you in the future and am excited to get the 2016 season started.

Fraser Valley Fishing Report for Nov 10

Fishing in the Fraser Valley has been excellent this past week, lots of sturgeon being caught on the Fraser and Harrison, good numbers of Chum and a few Coho on the Fraser, Harrison , Stave and tributaries. Our Harrison River Eagle Tours are running daily out of Harrison Hot Springs and we have just announced our first dates for 2016 seminars, please see below for more details.

Sturgeon Fishing

Both the Fraser and Harrison have been producing some great results for sturgeon in the 3 to 7ft range, we landed several larger fish in the 8ft range as well. The numbers of fish have been impressive to say the least, 75 fish between two boats in one day in not the normal catch but that is what we have seen this past week. I would not suggest that all charters are going to produce these types of results but it is an indication of some great action.

Speaking of great sturgeon fishing, we still have some of the best action of the year ahead of us in the month of November. Sturgeon are bulking up for winter and need to feed. In the lower River between Mission and Langley the tides play an important role for best bite. Incoming tides are good but best bite is just after a high slack. If your fishing well above Mission and between Harrison confluence the tides are not a factor , these would also ring true for the Harrison River as there is no tidal influence this high up. Salmon eggs and meat are good choices for bait this time of year but other baits such as lamprey will catch fish year round.

2016 STS Guiding Sturgeon Seminar – We are once again offering our Spring Sturgeon Seminars, this seminar is 6 hours on the boat with one of our full time guides learning everything you need to know to be a successful sturgeon angler.

We cover: best baits, sturgeon migrations, where , when and how to target sturgeon in all water conditions, hook sets, readying bites, best sturgeon handling practices and much more.

Cost is $175 per person.

2 Dates – Saturday April 16 or Sunday April 17 ( limited seating available)

To register e-mail us at sts@guidebc.com

Speaking of Seminars, we also will be offering our very popular Fraser River Jet Boat Seminar. This seminar is a full day on the Fraser River with Vic Carrao of STS jet boating 240km from Mission to Hells Gate and Back. 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 whitewater, surf a jet boat in big water, read shallow water, anchoring techniques, jet boat control and much much more.

Cost – $195.00 per person

2 dates – Saturday April 2 or Sunday April 3 ( we sell out every year so book early to get a seat.)

To register – email us at sts

Salmon Fishing

Salmon fishing has been fair to good on most of our local rivers, the Harrison, Stave and Dewdney Slough all get late runs of Coho and Chum and can be good well into December. These fish can be caught on the fly or Spin fishing with spoons, float fishing with salmon eggs or wool ties also work well. My favorite is fly or spoon, for spoons we use Gibbs/Delta lures, there are many that work , picking the right lure for the water conditions is the key, if your fishing less than 6 feet of water the Ironhead, Crocs or Ultra lure series works best, if your fishing deeper water the Koho Killer or Croc series work well. The key is to keep the retrieve slow and steady. If you find yourself retrieving quickly, slow it down and you will find success.

Best Regards

Vic Carrao

STS Guiding Service

604-671-3474

e-mail – sts@guidebc.com