26 Feb Vancouver Fishing Report Late February
It is the 26th of February 2020 and here’s a quick Vancouver fishing report with what’s been happening lately on our Vancouver fly fishing trips and our saltwater salmon charters. We’ve enjoyed a good start to the year on all fronts and fishing should only get better as we move into March. Here’s what’s been happening…
VANCOUVER FLY FISHING REPORT
Local rivers have been dropping for the past couple weeks and have become low. With that said, fishing has been on the slower side due to cold water temperatures. That doesn’t mean we’re not seeing fish on a semi regular basis, so if you put in your time you will find them. Fishing Bull Trout sculpin patterns and small flashy patterns on fluorocarbon in these low water conditions will increase your chances. If you’re targeting steelhead, smaller, more sparsely tied flies have been the key. As we push into Spring with warmer temperatures, salmon fry will start to emerge so start tying your favourite imitation patterns! I will have a new blog post on my favourite fry pattern next month–stay tuned.
As we move into March we’ll see better numbers of Winter run steelhead on our Vancouver fly fishing trips to the Squamish River. Bull trout also become more active as temperatures warm and river levels begin to rise. The Cheakamus River is one of our favourite systems to fish in March and with the emergence of salmon fry bull trout will be on the take much more.
The upcoming forecast looks great. With rain in the near future and highs reaching ten degrees, this will definitely stir things up and get those fish moving! There are still snowy sections at higher reaches of the valley, so use caution when driving in areas with no reception. Make sure you follow the regulations when steelheading and trout fishing. Always use single barbless hooks!
Continue to follow our blog posts on our BC Fishing Report Blog.
VANCOUVER SALMON FISHING REPORT
Vancouer salmon fishing on the salt has been great this winter season! The past couple weeks have been productive throughout the Howe Sound and locally in the harbour. Winds have been fairly calm, making for some great days to be on the water. Both prawning and crabbing have been excellent in local waters, so make sure to get out and drop your traps!
Small UV G-force spoons have been on fire, especially when paired with a UV ultra green flasher and 2 feet leaders. Always keep your eye on the finder for bait balls, and when on the sounder, get your gear down quick! Make sure to always measure your catch and following retention limits and sizes on the water. The upcoming forecast for south of Nanaimo this weekend is calling for higher winds so take caution if you plan on heading out!
As we move into March and weather conditions improve so will local Vancouver salmon fishing. Size wise chinooks will be packing on the weight and the local feed is abundant, so that bodes well for the rest of the Winter months. As long as there is herring in local waters the Winter chinook salmon will stick around and keep feeding.
Visit our Salmon Fishing Charters in Vancouver page for more info.
STURGEON FISHING REPORT
Fishing on the Fraser River for our Vancouver sturgeon trips has been productive. This time of year, sturgeons are hunkering down in their deep wintering holes, so you’ll have to put in some time searching for these monster fish. Covering water is crucial—if you’re not getting any bites, keep on movin’. The odd 10-footer has been occasionally caught, but most of the fish are the eager 5-footers. The upcoming forecast of wet weather and warmer temperatures should help entice a few more bites. Please take care when handling these incredible prehistoric fish! We have just the right guys to help you land one of these dinosaurs, so give us call for an experience of a lifetime.
Email Us About a BC Fishing Trip
chromersportfishing@gmail.com
About the Author
Austin Heffelfinger is a full time fly fishing guide with Chromer Sport Fishing, a guiding company and booking agency based in British Columbia. He is also an accomplished photographer with works published in many notable fly fishing publications. You can follow him at the links below.