Fraser River

June 27, 2012 By Fishing Guide

BC Sturgeon

All About BC & Sturgeon in North America

BC Sturgeons are native to North American and Asian subtropical and sub-Arctic rivers, lakes and coastlines. They are anadromous toothless bottom feeders who eat a variety of dead fish and mammals. They enjoy small fish for an appetizer, swallow whole salmon for lunch, and can feast on baby seals. Sturgeons spawn upstream much like salmon do, and feed in river deltas at the mouths of still water lakes by built up sediments. These monsters can also venture out to the ocean, but they usually prefer to sta in lakes and rivers.

Sturgeons are one of the oldest bony fish in existence. Sturgeons date back to 200 million years old, making Canada their home, and making British Columbia known for some of the best sturgeon fishing in the world.

Sturgeons are not only as old as dinosaurs, but they are practically the same size. Sturgeons are among one of the largest species of fresh water fish, ranging from 7-12 feet in length. Some species can grow up to 18 feet long and several hundred pounds!

Not only are sturgeons large and valuable, they are slowly becoming destinct. They are very slow growing and they mature very late in life. Because of their slow growth, they are more vulnerable to other threats, such as pollution and habitat reduction and erosion over time. Sturgeons are more endangered than any other species and they are highly at risk of extinction due to overfishing, pollution, and habitat destruction.

Because sturgeons are declining in numbers, they are increasing in value. Certain species of Sturgeons are treasured for their ovarian eggs. The eggs, which is a luxury food also known as caviar, are harvested, making the sturgeon the most valuable of all harvested fish.

In the Fraser Valley and Lower Mainland area of British Columbia, White Sturgeons can be found in the Fraser River, Harrison River, and Harrison Lake. Sturgeon fishing in BC begins in May to June. You can find these creatures in deep, slow moving pools during the day and in shallow areas at night when they are feeding. To catch a sturgeon you should use a bell sinker and a hook that will hover near at the bottom of the lake or river. Sturgeons are not fussy eaters so a bunch of worms will do the trick. Cheese, salmon eggs, snails, clams, and leeches also work wonders, but make sure your sinker is at the bottom and the bait can move about so the sturgeons won’t be able to resist the bite.

Chad’s Fishing Charters will guide you for a thrill of a lifetime. Hooking a sturgeon will be your most memorable and exciting catch that you will never forget. It’s worth the hard struggle to reel in the might and powerful, prehistoric great White Sturgeon. Contact Chad’s Fishing Charters today to book a guided Sturgeon Fishing Charter!

June 23, 2012 By Fishing Guide

Best Practices Releasing Sturgeon Fishing BC Rivers

Sturgeon Fishing Guide To Releasing

The majority of white sturgeon populations in British Columbia are listed under the federal species at risk act and are open to angling. Since the populations in the lower and middle Fraser river are relatively healthy, they are able to support exciting world class fishery. How ever, these populations are still vulnerable to impacts from angling, habitat destruction, pollution and salmon net fisheries, and they are still provincially and nationally designated as endangered. In addition to being endangered, white sturgeon mature after 17 to 20 years and can live for more then a 100 years, so impacts or injuries can be long lasting. As such all sturgeon angling in the province is catch and release only and will be more strictly managed in the future. Indications are that catch and release sturgeon can be a low impact activity. However, to minimize harm to fish, extra care and attention must be taken to ensure there health and survival, and to maintain this treasure fishery. Anglers should abide by the following capture and handling practices:

Angling tackle should be heavy enough to handle these potentially large fish. Use heavy rods and reels, and at least 100lb test line. Play and release fish as rapidly as possible. A fish played for to long may not recover.

Only barb less hooks are promited while sturgeon angling, so hooks are easily removed. Well embedded hooks can be removed with long needle-nose pliers, or a hook remover. Grab the bend of the hook and twist, and the hook will dislodge. Be quick, but gentle. A fish that is deeply hooked, hooked on or near the gills, or bleeding profusely has a much lower chance of survival once released. You can improve its chances by cutting the leader and releasing the fish with the hook left in. The line will rot and the hook will eventually fall out.

Leave the fish in the water wherever possible. A fish suffocates when its out of water, and is more at risk of internal injuries do to its own weight, especially if it is large (greater then 1.5 m in length).

Land larger fish in shallow water near the shore. Do not drag any fish onto the shore or out of the water. Do not land a large fish at the boat and then tow it by the tail to shore. Towing a fish to the shore is very damaging to the fish and can lessen ‘chances of survival or even kill it. If you land a large fish at the boat, then release it at the boat. Smaller fish can be landed on the boat by lifting and cradling it with gloved hands underneath and behind the front fins and just forward of the tail. It should be placed into a wetted sling. A fish should never be pulled into a boat using a rope or by its gill plates, mouth or pectoral fins. Use as many people to cradle the fish as is necessary not to hurt it.

If you handle a fish, then do so with care. Keep your fingers away from its gills and out of the gill plates, and don’t squeeze or hug the fish. If you want photographs then leave a larger fish in the water, smaller fish should be cradled. Have your camera ready and be quick so the fish is only briefly disturbed. Take the time to hold the fish in the water to recover. Point the fish up stream in the current while reviving it, and when the fish begins to struggle and swim normally, let it go.

June 23, 2012 By Fishing Guide

Helpful Guide To Fishing The Fraser River

Fraser Valley Catch Limits

The following list provides some helpful hints for your fishing experience on the local rivers, namely the Fraser, Harrison and Chilliwack/Vedder Rivers. We urge you all to assist in efforts to help look after this valuable resource by respecting the river, the fish and your fellow angler.

Ensure you have the required licenses;
Learn to identify your catch by reading the Regulations;
Know your limit and stay within it;
Record your catch accurately;
Pinch your barbs on all hooks (single only);
Use a maximum of 36” leaders on the Chilliwack/Vedder rivers to reduce Sockeye interception;
Release all foul hooked fish;
Respect the fish with proper handling;
Show consideration to fellow anglers;
Clean up your mess and encourage others to do the same;
Obey all laws and report violations to the Observe Report & Record line by calling:

Toll Free at: 1-855-316-6461 or Cell: 1-604-316-6461

Salmon Trout Catch Limits on the Chilliwack/Vedder River:

4 Hatchery Coho per day, any size (marked with clipped adipose fin);
4 Chinook per day, 1 only over 62 cm that must be marked on your licence (under Region 2);
4 Pinks per day (returning on odd years only 2009, 2011, 2013, etc);
1 Chum per day;
0 Sockeye; no retention all year.

NOTE: Total of all the above is 4 per day. There is a 2 day possession limit of 8.

NOTE: There is a conservation concern for Cultus Lake Sockeye and every effort must be made to avoid catching this species.

Trout Catch Limits on the Chilliwack/Vedder River:

4 Hatchery Rainbow Trout per day between July 1 to April 30 (no minimum size limit).

Steelhead Catch Limits:

1 Hatchery Steelhead per day. (Mark your licence immediately;stop fishing on the Chilliwack/Vedder river for the day).

IMPORTANT: Catch limits are subject to change and Fishery Notices override any of the above.

Helpful Guide To Fishing The Fraser River Provided By Fred Helmer http://www.fredscustomtackle.com/

June 23, 2012 By Fishing Guide

How To Catch Salmon Tips

At Chad’s Fishing Charters we try to help everyone in catching more fish. the tips below should give you some basic knowledge to assist you on the river. Remember that the Chilliwack/Vedder is a very busy river system and crowds are common due to the large returns of fish. Not everyone thinks the same and nether does the fish. Pick your area and pay attention to what is going on around you. The most important advice is to share this great resource with others, show respect and enjoy your day on the water.

Bait. Salmon roe is the best chance; you buy pre-made spawn sacks to save time and mess. Salmon roe eggs should be dyed or cured for best result.
Yarn. Or wool is very popular. It is easy to use and you have a wide variety of yarn to choose from. Mixing colors together is recommended. I.e. Pink and white or orange and Chartreuse. Keep the size small. When the river is colored, use larger sizes. Range from a pea size to nickel sizes. Popular colors for coho include Peaches, Pinks, orange, chartreuse. Remember to mix it up if you are not catching. All the colors work but conditions change. The color of the river, temperatures, natural light and fishing pressure. If you find a combo and size that works – try it often.
Lures- Spinners on nickel, brass or copper all work well. Try different ones in a variety of sizes. Smaller when the river is clear. Spinners can be fished on a float, bounced or slow retrieve. The key is making the spinner spin slow or flutter.
Spoons- Weighted spoons are fish straight on the line using or spin reel or level wind. Cast upstream, allow to sink and then hold, drop or slow retrieve depending on the speed of current. Keep it just off the bottom for the best results. Hanging spoons up can get expensive.
Jigs- Fly like marabou jigs are deadly for salmon and steelhead. You can fish these on a float, just cast into the current or working the dead water. They are weighted but extra weight may be needed. The float system works very well. Simply hung below the float as bait or yarn using a natural drift where the current or wave activates the jig. Simple and effective.
Flies- Fly fishing can be very productive. It takes more effort and knowledge to fish flies in the current and keep them in the zone. The best part is the rewards of this challenge. The key is getting your fly into the zone or area that the fish would consider to offering. Dead drifting egg patterns are recommended. Minnows and others should be swung dropped of slowly retrieved. The best lines are floating with appropriate sink tips depending on the depth and current speed. Lots of patterns to choose from, remember the colors mentioned above. Minnow patterns, flashy flies and egg patterns are some other options to try.