Well our Fall Salmon and Sturgeon season has come to an end, the Staff at STS would like to thank all of our new and repeat guests for choosing to fish with STS Guiding and celebrating our 20th season with us. We are now taking a break from fishing the Fraser and working on our winter promotions and getting ready for our spring sturgeon fishery. We will still be offering Vancouver salmon charters targeting winter Chinook so if you are getting the itch, just give us a call.

If you have any great pictures or stories you would like to share, we would be happy to post them on our site and http://www.facebook.com/stsguiding

If you would like to help us out, you can also post a trip report on trip advisor @

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g181781-d2004791-Reviews-STS_Guiding_Service_Day_Trips-Mission_British_Columbia.html

2014 Revisit

Overall I think we had a great season which began with our Spring Sturgeon fishery. We landed many large fish over 7ft which is a bit unusual for spring fishing. As long as we continue to catch & release sturgeon and handle them with care, this trend of catching larger fish will continue for many years. Our late summer/fall sturgeon fishing was good overall with some excellent weeks that produced some incredible fishing.

Our summer salmon and halibut adventures were amazing as usual, if you have not experienced this fishery it is a "bucket list" adventure for sure. We have added a new lodge for 2015 which can hold up to 32 anglers so we can handle any size of group. We start up on June 21 and fish until end of July. We offer 3 night 2 day and 4 night 3 day trips and provide everything but transportation to Port Hardy. Fully inclusive packages start at $1,995.00 You can read more at http://www.guidebc.com/accommodations/accomm_island_saltwater.asp

The summer sockeye did show up in large numbers but the many commercial openings made it difficult to produce consistent results. We had many mediocre days with some great days in between. The good news for sturgeon is that all those fish means healthy hungry sturgeon and that did not disappoint. I think you might agree our team of guides are some of the hardest working on the river, day in and day out they put out the effort that it takes to be top guides on the Fraser.

2015 Pre-Season Forecast

I just received the official 2015 pre-season forecast for Fraser River and West Coast of Vancouver. Without going into too much detail it looks very promising. Our 4 key fisheries for 2015 will be our Spring Sturgeon from April 1 to May 21, West Coast Salmon & Halibut June 21 to July 30, Fraser River Pink Salmon/Sturgeon combo’s Sept 1 to Sept 30 and Fall chum, coho & sturgeon from Oct 1 to Nov 15. If you would like more information on any of these time periods please feel free to call or email us.

As many of you know odd years like 2011, 2013 produce some amazing salmon /sturgeon fishing on the Fraser. This is because Pink Salmon are the perfect size for medium to large sturgeon to feed on. These Pink Salmon are what we call main stem spawners which means they spawn in the Fraser River itself which is quite different than other salmon species. 2015 is another Pink salmon return year so we are looking forward to another great season. You need to book early to experience this fishery as many of our regular clients are already booked.

Christmas is only 23 days away, if you are looking for that special gift for a family member, special friend or an important client, we are now selling gift certificates for both Guided Fishing and Hells Gate Jet Boat Tours. You can also purchase STS clothing but we will need to get orders out right away before Christmas rush. Speaking of Hells Gate Jet Boat Tours, for 2015 we will be limiting the amount of days in the canyon. If you are looking to re-book or try the canyon for the first time, you will need to book early. Best way is to e-mail Vic at sts

Christmas Specials

STS Sturgeon and Jet Boat Seminars – 2015 Dates – Jet Boat Seminar – Saturday April 25 and Sturgeon Seminar – Sunday April 26

Cost – $195.00 per person , book both seminars and receive a free STS Hoodie

Hells Gate Jet Boat Tour – 4 hour Hells Gate Tour – regular price $149 per person

Christmas Deal – Buy 1 seat and get second seat for 50% OFF

STS will be attending sportsman shows this spring traveling through BC and Alberta, if your local show is one you think we need to attend, please send me an e-mail or a link to the show website as we are always looking for new venues to attend.

We hope you and your family have a great holiday and thanks again for celebrating our 20th year on the water with us, we truly hope you enjoyed your trip and we would love to have you back in 2015. If you’re not following us on Facebook your missing out on some great information, discount sales and free prize draws. Please join us at http://www.facebook.com/stsguiding

Happy Holidays

Vic & Teresa Carrao

Thanks for being part of our 20th anniversary

I will do my best to pay respects to someone who has meant the world to many people including his family, friends and those people who fish and boat the Snake River in the famous Hells Canyon. Ernie Heimgartner …was a legend is his time and still is to many of us who love the snake river canyon. Ernie was one of the first guides pioneering some of the most dangerous rapids in North America with is 19ft fiberglass propeller boat. Ernie’s love for the canyon was unconditional and inspiring. Ernie guided many famous people rallying the troops to stop the building of the Dam at Line Point just above Hellar Bar. If it was not for Ernie, the Snake River will not be what it is today.]

I was very fortunate to meet Ernie one summer day while camping at Bear Bar in Snake River Canyon, a mutual friend introduced us to Ernie. After a quick introduction, Ernie and his 2 pals were off heading up the canyon to run some whitewater and catch a few steelhead. At the young age of 75 Ernie was still heading up the canyon for a 3 day fishing trip sleeping in his custom built 25ft jet boat. I was fortunate to get to know Ernie, fish with him both on the Fraser and Snake River, trips I will never forget.
Ernie is and always will be in our hearts, he is one amazing man that will never be forgotten. Ernie, we will miss you dearly buddy, rest in peace my friend. See More

Ernie Heimgartner landing a beauty Salmon River Steelhead.

RIP Ernie, we will miss you buddy.

Although the season is start to wind down there are still some great fishing opportunities for those who don’t mind fishing the cooler weather. Chum Salmon, late run Coho and Sturgeon fishing remains good.

Over the last couple weeks we have consistently produced good catches of both salmon and sturgeon, currently we have trip booked right up until end of November so it’s not too late to get out and enjoy some great fishing. November can often produce some of the best action for both species but weather can be a bit cool and wet. Most of our trips are departing from Mission Harbour so for salmon trips we fish the Stave and sturgeon is mostly below Mission.

If you are looking to get out on the water we will be offering guided river fishing trips until end of November, we will then put away the jet boats and gear until early spring when we will again target sturgeon and cutthroat trout.

If you are visiting Vancouver on business, winter holiday or just need to get out onto the water, we are still offering our Vancouver Habour Winter Chinook trips out of Downtown Vancouver. The winter fishery can be productive for Chinook Salmon between 5 to 12lbs with some great days on the water. If you are a local fisherman and wanting to learn a bit about the tackle we use, have a look at this video by Rick Clarke http://www.youfish.tv/mobile/born-to-fish-bc-winter-chinook-tactics-part-one-video_7b0d33074.html

Planning for 2015

We have already begun booking for 2015 summer salmon and halibut charters on the West Coast of Vancouver Island. These trips are 4 night 3 day, 3 night 2 day or we can custom design a trip specific to your group. We begin in late June and operate through to the end of July. The fishing is world class and outright amazing. We are currently 60% booked so we still have some space available. All dates are considered prime time so everyone will experience a trip of a lifetime.

For 2015 we have a new lodge to offer in Quatsino Sound, this 16 room lodge can sleep 32 people and offers a private relaxing setting in beautiful Heckitt Cove.

We will continue to offer accommodations at Whales Reach for those that prefer to have the ability to drive into town in the evenings.

New lodge for 2015

Gift Certificates available for holidays

If your starting your shopping early, we are once again offering Gift Certificates, Guided Fishing trips, Hells Gate Tour Certificates and STS clothing for sale. Just email us and we will ship them ASAP.

Have any question, need to book a trip or holiday gift, call or e-mail us.

1-855-223-5453 , local 604-671-3474 e-mail – sts@guidebc.com