Vancouver Saltwater Salmon Fishing Report  Not a whole lot to report on the fishing front these days with the April 1st announcement closing the best of our local April chinook spots with a “no fishing for chinook regulation.”  Some areas are open for “non-retention of chinook” but not much close to Vancouver proper.  If you didn’t see our special chinook update last week, which includes a map of the regulations to make it easier, I would recommend you check it out.  Chinook Update 2021  I have been in recent meetings with DFO, as recent as yesterday, with my role as Chair of the Sport Fish Advisory Committee to DFO for the Vancouver area, Management Areas 28/29.  In these meetings, I have stressed the very low impact the Sport Fish Advisory Board chinook…

Vancouver Saltwater Fishing Report Well, the question on everyone’s mind these days is what is going to happen April 1st?   The truth is I don’t think anyone really knows.  What I can tell you is that there has been considerable effort to get some sort of chinook opening for April 1st in many areas along our coast, Vancouver included.   Here is a great summary from the Sport Fishing Institute in a recent update.  MSF & Data Supported Fisheries  The SFI and the Public Fisheries Alliance (PFA) have both been extremely active in pushing for the Sport Fish Advisory Board proposals to be accepted by DFO.  It certainly has gotten political, with 25 MP recently signing a letter in favor of the science-based proposals put forward…

Vancouver Saltwater Salmon Fishing Report We’re Hiring – Saltwater Fishing Guides The saltwater season is just around the corner and we are looking to add to our guiding team for the 2021 season.   Check out the full job posting here! Spring is definitely in the air and that means 2 things.  The start of some suspended fish and fisheries management decisions for April 1.  Let’s start with the fishing.  There have been some good catches of winter chinook, aka feeder chinook, in Vancouver Harbour in spots like the Cap Mouth, the Freighters and QB and out by the Belly Buoy.  We usually do see some more chinook hang out in the harbour this time of year as more and more herring start to show up in…

Vancouver Saltwater Salmon Fishing Report, February 26, 2021  Fishing has been pretty decent since the last report.  Wind has been a challenge, which is normal for this time of year.  Those with flexible schedules who have been able to get out on the calm days have generally had some pretty good fishing by winter standards.  Keep in mind winter chinook fishing is similar to steelhead fishing.  Some days it seems pretty easy, other days you work all day for one shot at a good fish, and some days, no matter how hard you try, you aren’t going to get a thing.   That’s what keeps it interesting.  There have been some fish caught in the harbour amongst the freighters, as the herring numbers continue to build.  There has also been a few fish…

SALTWATER FISHING REPORTS   Jason will tune in next week with a full saltwater report.  Today we wanted to share an update on the halibut fishery as well as a video from our friends at Reel West Coast and Simrad Yachting!  If you missed the announcement earlier this week DFO announces the opening of the BC public halibut fishery on February 15th.  The official announcement can be found here.  Until April 1st, the halibut regulations will be the same as 2020, either 1 halibut per day and 1 halibut in possession between 90cm and 126 cm, or 2 per day with a total of 2 in possession under 90cm. There is an annual limit of 6 halibut in effect that is also based on the 2020 season.  The 2021…

SALTWATER FISHING REPORT  Vancouver Saltwater Fishing Report  Not a whole of new information to report this week.  With sub-zero temperatures and strong outflow winds in Howe Sound we have been staying warm in the shop.  It looks like a bit of a SE is moving in and with it some moisture in the form of snow.  That combined with some lingering outflow winds in Howe Sound will make for a chilly one if you are going to attempt to head out this weekend.  Prior to the cold and windy weather, we did make it out a few times and fishing is typical for this time of year.  Put in the effort and you will get shots at few legal fish.  Seals continue to be a…

Vancouver Saltwater Salmon Fishing Reports I wish had better news for the weekend angler, but the good old SE is coming and with it, a low-pressure system and some rain.  It looks like we have 15-20 mm on the horizon for both Saturday and Sunday.   The winds actually don’t look too bad, especially a litter further up Howe Sound, so if you don’t the mind the liquid sunshine it might be worth chasing some winters this weekend.    Not a whole lot of juicy info to dish out on the fishing side of things.  We are about midway through the winter season as February approaches and so far, I would give this season a grade of average.  I have seen better, and I have seen worse. …

Vancouver Saltwater Salmon Fishing Report Due to Covid restrictions and the nasty winds and rain, we haven’t been out on the water much these past few weeks.  Some of our colleagues and customers did make it out on the few calm days and the reports were fairly standard for this time of year.  Put in the time and get a few fish.    Unfortunately, the number of fish being lost to seals in most of the popular spots in Howe Sound and in Vancouver Harbour is at a new level.  Without a doubt, there are more seals and more educated seals, ones that follow you and wait for you to hook a fish.  This is becoming a major concern and is having a significant impact on people’s ability…

Unfortunately, if you are off Fri, Sat, Sun, it is looking like it is going to be pretty wet out there.  Friday and Saturday in particular look pretty nasty with a lot of rain and wind in the forecast.  Luckily the winter chinook season is a long one, so we can pick our days. The fishing these past few weeks has been what I would call average winter chinook fishing.  That means if you go out and put in a full shift, you are generally getting shots at a legal fish or two and a handful of undersize to keep you on your toes. Here are a few tips if you are going to try winter chinook fishing this year. #1 Keep your gear close…