Fraser Valley Outlook for January, 2002

The local fishing has been very good considering all the rain we have had. Rivers are fluctuating daily so keeping updated reports has been difficult. Anglers fishing the Vedder River for Steelhead have had fair success when the water conditions are favourable. Success will be sporadic during January and February with peak fishing in March/April. We just released our latest article on Steelhead fishing titled Early Season Tactics for Steelhead. You can read the article online or in your next issue of the REEL ANGLER Magazine.

Cutthroat fishing on the Fraser River has been fair to good. Winter Cutthroat fishing can be very good especially on the warmer afternoons. Many visitors and local anglers believe that winters are too cold and harsh to have good fly-fishing opportunities. This couldn’t be further from the truth, last winter we were catching Cutthroat trout on DRY FLIES in December and January. If you're visiting the Vancouver area over the holidays, be sure to pack a rod, you just never know when you might have a few hours to cast a line.

We have been fishing some backcountry, hard-to-reach rivers the past few weeks for Dolly Varden, Cutthroat and Rainbow Trout. Our extra effort to reach these rivers has paid off with some great catches of 2- to 3-lb Dolly Varden, 20-inch Cutthroat and gorgeous Rainbows. For the 2002 season we will be offering several wilderness trips for those wanting to experience thrilling Jet Boat rides, no crowds, great fishing and incredible scenery. Best fishing is between January April 31.

Sturgeon fishing continues to be excellent, last Sunday we landed 12 fish in 3 hours, with our largest fish just over 5 feet. Sturgeon are not as active as in the warmer months, bite times are more sensitive and specific to tides, temperatures and erratic barometers. Sturgeon fishing is generally good all winter, we fish 12 months of the year and rarely go a day without catching at least a few fish. Our next peak period is March 1 April 31.

Peak Fishing and Booking for 2002

This past week we have been very busy booking guided fishing trips for the upcoming Spring and Summer fisheries. Anglers and visitors who have fished with us in the past know how great the fishing is and how quickly we fill our prime dates. Prime Dates are going fast, to not be disappointed we recommend booking your Guided Adventure soon after the holidays.

Upcoming Prime Dates and Fisheries

Steelhead	Good fishing from Jan - April (Peak fishing between Mar 1 – April 31)
Trout/Char	Good fishing from Dec – May (Peak fishing between Feb 15 - April 31)
Rainbow	(Lake) (Peak fishing between May 1 - June 31)
Sturgeon	Good year round (Peak between Mar 1 – Apr 31 & Sept 15 – Nov 31)
Salmon	Chinook	June 15 to Sept 7
	Fall Chinook	Oct 1 to Nov 1
	Sockeye	July 15 to Oct 1
	Coho	Oct 1 to Nov 15
	Chum	Oct 1 to Nov 15
	Pink	Odd years only, next run 2003

Important
If you look closely at all the prime dates above you will notice that Prime Dates for multiple species will overlap. For example, our next Prime Date for Steelhead, Trout/Char and Sturgeon are all the same. Booking a trip during this time will allow you to experience a variety of angling opportunities and allow us the flexibility to pick the best fishery. The same can be said for Sockeye/Chinook and Coho/ Chum/Fall Chinook.

Below is a list of our best selling date’s, to secure guided fishing during this time period we recommend booking early in 2002.

Best Selling Dates

March 1 to April 31, Species – Steelhead to 20 lbs (fly, spin, drift), Sturgeon to 500 lbs( bait), Trout / Char to 8 lbs (fly, spin)

July 15 to Sept 7, Species – Chinook Salmon to 40 lbs, Sockeye Salmon to 14 lbs (many 100 fish days)

October 1 to November 15, Species – Coho Salmon to 15 lbs, Chum Salmon to 30 lbs, Fall Chinook to 50 lbs, Sturgeon to 500 lbs.

Up coming Seminars

Steelhead seminar	Gills Tackle – January 8,10, 13 - SOLD OUT
	Gills Tackle – January 15,17,20 – space available
	Hub Sports – January 14,16 19 – space available
Fly-Fishing for Steelhead – March 2002 – space available
Fly Casting seminar (3 day)		April 6, 13 & 20, 2002
		April 7, 14 & 21, 2002

Once again we would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a safe and prosperous New Year.

Please feel free to contact us for more information:
Web: www.GuideBC.com	Tel: (604) 671-FISH