Chum salmon and coho salmon fisheries are available from early October to late December. All those hours of reading, watching videos, practicing casts and knots have finally paid off. Nestled on the Sea-to-Sky Highway, in between the pricey homes of West Vancouver and the world renowned winter destination of Whistler, lies the town of Squamish. From the shore? And with that I stood back up, got my line ready and waded back into the water to cast my line out into the water once more. The town itself sits at the tip of the Sound, a tidal fjord that eventually makes its way to the Pacific Ocean. My right forearm was burning at this point. “Pink Salmon on the Fly” Great day was had fishing for Pinks on the Squamish river in BC. Our Squamish River fishing packages are flexible, pick and choose your days. Unfortunately, this fish ended up breaking free as well. We’ll pick you up in Vancouver, we can even arrange for an airport pickup, and then we’ll drive you north, through Sea to Sky Country and into the Squamish River valley. Home; Products. Squamish and its rugged mountain areas are a rock … Using these I armed myself with enough knowledge to get myself out on the water and casting my line. The Squamish River is 80km in length, stretching from the Elaho Valley to the City of Squamish River before draining into Howe Sound. I must admit that I felt a bit intimidated when I walked into that store, not because of the guys behind the counter (they were extremely easy to talk to) but because I knew absolutely nothing about what I was getting into, except for the fact that I needed something to catch fish with. Photo: Haley Ritchie. Float fishing for ocean-fresh chum salmon in October and November can be productive in the lower section of the Squamish River. The confluence of the Mamquam and Squamish Rivers is a favourite spot for fly fishers. I did not know how to use a fly rod. Fishing for pink salmon becomes available in August and September. Because the Squamish River typically produces coho in the 10 to 20lb range, large spoons in the 3/8 and 3/4oz range are very effective. Single egg, minnow, sculpin, leech patterns all produce, just not at the same time. Although 3rd on the list of Best places to go Flyfishing this is our 2nd Best Trout Fly Fishing available in Vancouver, British Columbia. WildGateway.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. The Squamish River has been a superb fly fishing river for steelhead. Book your fly fishing trip in Squamish today and reserve your spot. So excited was I, so overcome with some primal joy that I forgot to set the hook and when I started to crank the reel the fish spat it out. Three casts later I got my first nibble. Steelhead start showing up in the rivers surrounding Squamish in January and wrap up June. Choose from half and full-day trips or discover remote fly fishing at its finest through a heli-fishing trip to one of more than 180 remote wilderness rivers. There are tons of species to fish for, we have rainbow trout, dolly varden, bull trout, coastal cutthroat trout, steelhead and three species of Pacific salmon: pinks, cohos and chum. Fly fishing is a meditation, the repeated movement of casting and luring the fish quiets the noise in your head and offers a release. Our fly fishing guides have developed numerous flies specialized for the Squamish River and Tributaries. January 31, 2018 09:38 AM Rick MacKay fishing on the Cheakamus River in Squamish. What I needed was some expert help to get the right gear and (being cut from the do-it-yourself cloth) some sort of manual or guide to learn how to fly fish. Fly Fishing on the Squamish River Only an hour from downtown Vancouver you can be fishing some of the most celebrated salmon runs in the world. Fly fishing on the Squamish river and its tributaries, the Mamquam and Cheakamus, is an amazing experience. If you are able to cast a fly 50-70ft then you are capable of fly fishing for pinks from our local beaches, whether you are just beginning or a seasoned angler! Outdoors and travel writer Norman Dacanay describes his journey as a novice fly-fisherman. Sea-Run Rainbow trouts called Steelhead can also be found migrating into Squamish’s Rivers and is as highly prized as any salmon. When will I get my turn? : Squamish River Salmon fishing - See 9 traveller reviews, 21 candid photos, and great deals for Squamish, Canada, at Tripadvisor. Although its former glory days are unfortunately long gone due to overfishing, habitat degradation and pollution, it still offers quality catch and release fisheries in the finest scenic setting. Brian picked up from downtown Vancouver, provided lunch, all the gear along with photography through out the day of me casting and catching, with the all important trophy shot of my biggest fish. The winter and spring months are the best times to river fish in Squamish or head out on the ice in Whistler for a truely Canadian ice fishing experience! Access to the Cheakamus River and Upper Squamish River can be done via Squamish Valley Road. Wedged between high coastal peaks is a pristine river along the Sea to Sky corridor. I decided to go with the purple marabou and, with it tied to my line, waded into the cold Squamish River. All I needed was the fish, and they were coming. RIVER FISHING. On one particular engagement the salmon bit down on my lure a mere five feet from where I was standing. Wildlife are abundant in the Squamish River valley, so explore with care to avoid confrontations and accidents. Year-round opportunity for both resident and sea-run trout and char species. For salmon and steelhead, float fishing and lure fishing are two popular techniques used by anglers on the Squamish River. It is these four fish that I set my sights on and after consulting with locals and anglers it looked like the best and “funnest” way to catch them was on a fly rod. Fishman's Park on the Squamish River I begin to whip the rod back and forth causing the heavy fly line to shoot through the guides of the rod and increasing the distance it covered in the water. A catch and release landing net can also be beneficial. May Jun. Now I just needed to find out how. My quarry kept zigging and zagging and I had to move down the shoreline several times, apologizing to other fishermen as I wove myself through their lines. Which would I use? The Orvis Guide to Fly Fishing: More Than 300 Tips for Angles of All Levels, Condor Watching In The Colca Canyon, Peru, Exploring Yellowstone: A Visit To The World’s Oldest National Park, Best Books About Travel – Inspiring Reads For Armchair Travelers, Seeing The Big 5 In Kruger National Park, South Africa, Best Family Animal Films: A List Of The Greatest Films With Animals Ever Made, Bear Gifts: Gift Ideas For People Who Love Bears. Continue on the road to the right until the second bridge, where additional access is available. I really wanted to land a fish, even if it was just once that day. Pinks are available to the fly fisher in both the local rivers and estuaries. I was handed my first fly fishing rod. Copyright © 2001 - 2016 Fishing with Rod Production. Copyright © 2021 WildGateway.com. Apr. Our Story - Our Editors & Contributors - Our Supporters - Search Site - Our Facebook Page - Our Tweets - Our YouTube Channel, Our Services All rights reserved. If you’re looking for prime dates you’ll want to aim from mid March to early May. Is it an open area or will there be obstacles like trees? My guide Alex was on point from the first time I contacted him regarding a day Fly fishing he made the hole experience easy, something appreciated when coming from the other side of the world . That's all a part of the Squamish fishing experience." The finest in guided wilderness fly fishing, heli-fishing and remote fly-in experiences. and budget. On a map, the Squamish River looks like a sapphire snake winding its way through the Coastal Mountain Range and eventually finding its way to the river delta, and spilling out into Howe Sound. Squamish now offers world-class mountain biking with hundreds of trails and single tracks. Squamish is the unofficial “outdoor recreation” Capital of Canada. But as I removed my hook and released the young Coho back into the river, I thought to myself, This is the first…of many. But, the waters that surround and run through the town are the liquid gems in its crown. I wrestled with my rod for what seemed like hours but in reality was more like ten minutes. Fishing Reports (191) Articles (30) Contributors . Fishing the Squamish River Drop a line any time of year for Steelhead, Salmon, Bull and Rainbow trout while the late summer and early fall brings thousands of Pacific Salmon heading into the rivers to spawn. It is at this point that I had to exercise the one thing that I had so very little of: Patience. On a sunny day, it is not uncommon to see several anglers in the area. Squamish River, Squamish - The Squamish River is a beutiful, wildlife enriched river located just west of the senic sea-to-sky highway. The lower section of the river offers the best … This page shows when game fish species are in the Squamish River system of British Columbia and the best time to fish for them. Before your first fishing trip to Squamish River, please make sure you know the following information: About us When heading north from Vancouver on Highway 99, turn off at the City of Squamish. The peak of the Steelhead run is typically the month of April. The tree line sits a fair distance away from the fishing area and this means that a fisherman can really swing a fly rod without fear of snagging a shrub or some other obstruction. Because this is mostly a catch and release fishery, please be sure to treat your catches with care. But nonetheless, this was my first landed fish, my first catch. From the corner of my eye I see another fisherman leaning back, his rod bent, line taut and fighting what looked like a rather big fish. Optimal Squamish River fishing level is between 1.7 and 3.1 metres. Our location on the Pacific Ocean allows for a variety of fishing opportunities. Call toll free 1(877)905-8121 or email … Hey, I understand your concern, but this is a pretty small fly fishing forum, and I'm fine if a few other fly fishers know a decent river to fish. Flyfishing for pink, coho and chum salmon produces well as long as water clarity is good. The weight of the fish made me think for a moment that I may have hooked a medium-sized brown trout, but as it broke the surface I could see its silver side and knew that it was some sort of salmon. Each has its own unique eco-system. I was heartbroken in an instant, but it passed quickly, because I knew there was hope and that it was possible for me to hook and land a fish. View Brian Mack's fishing report in Squamish River, Canada for Pink salmon from 07/30/2019 to 08/01/2019 in Fly dreamers. Pickup from the hotel early so that we where the first on the river was appreciated … Steelhead Fly Fishing Trips in Squamish BC Canada. Squamish Fly Fishing Squamish is a world class anglers destination with incredible year-round fishing in stunning coastal mountain scenery. July Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec. Chinook : S: S : No Retention: Chum : S,M: S,M,A: S,M A : And, I’ve never caught a fish…ever. Continue until the first bridge. After recalling my conversations and my readings I settled on using streamers, in particular green wooly buggers, purple marabous and shiny streamers. Wilson's riffle near the mouth of the Cheakamus and the Graveyard Run a little farther downstream are good examples. Once a hub of British Columbia’s booming logging industry, it now bills itself as the ‘Outdoor Recreation Capital of Canada’. The fish are aggressive and they often hold in the broad, shallow riffles. I was now armed to the teeth with the tools needed to land a hefty salmon. It is also a hotspot for local wildlife, so be cautious and have your cameras close at hand. It was an 11-foot, 2-piece and came packaged with a matching fly reel with backing, a yellow-green fluorocarbon fly line and fast sinking leader. After discussing details like fishing location (From a boat? You can follow this Squamish River level link to see the real time hydrometric graph of the Squamish. The upper sections of the river near Whistler can be acce… And Every second year [2021,2023] the river boasts large summer runs of Pink Salmon from July 15 to Sept 20 and each Fall in October and November for Coho and Chum Salmon is a very popular time to experience the Squamish valley. Each offers a rearing ground for young salmonids. : Squamish River Salmon fishing - See 9 traveler reviews, 21 candid photos, and great deals for Squamish, Canada, at Tripadvisor. Fed by melting glaciers hundreds of kilometers away and strengthened by several tributaries which include the Elaho, Ashlu, Cheakamus, Cheekye and Mamquam rivers. I actually had to switch hands for a minute just to gain a bit of reprieve from the lactic acid buildup. A simple wool tie on the hook can entice these aggressive biters. Fisherman’s Park is a mecca for fly-anglers in the Sea-to-Sky corridor. Between January and April, anglers can enjoy targeting a variety of winter species, including bull trout, coastal cutthroat trout, rainbow trout and winter steelhead. The fishing season of Squamish River is limited compared to other river systems in Southwestern BC. The road forks into two after the bridge. Flyfishing for pink, coho and chum salmon produces well as long as water clarity is good. The Squamish poacher is a local favorite for fishing the Squamish and Cheakamus rivers. I did not know how to fly-fish. What I saw was definitely a salmon, definitely a juvenile, but it was missing the adipose fin which indicates that this is a Coho that was spawned from a hatchery found a couple of kilometers upriver. Valley Fishing Guides offers guided wilderness fly fishing packages to suit all levels, from the novice to experienced angler in groups of up to 20. Needless to say I had my work cut out for me. Flies; Fly Fishing Accessories; Fly Fishing Rods, Reels & Lines; Fly Tying; Freshwater Tackle; Jackets, Waders, Boots & Layering; Personal Watercraft I felt happy, yet a little defeated. The main access to the lower section of the Cheakamus River is from Squamish Valley Road. Squamish offers great Steelhead fishing from March through mid May. The Squamish has four main tributaries: the Elaho, the Ashlu, the Cheakamus and the Mamquam. Will it end in success or will he forever be rueing the ‘one that got away’? Keep the float depth shorter than the depth of the run to avoid foul hooking the river bed or fish. Providing fly-fishing gear, courses, advice and trips since 1985, it was my first and only stop to get my gear. The lower section of the river offers the best venue for flyfishing due to its spacious river bank. Books, Films, Toys & More, Sea Turtle Gifts – Toys & Gift Ideas For Sea Turtle Lovers Of All Ages, Best Animal Books For Kids 2018: Animal Encyclopedias & Reference Books. Following the departure of most of its industry, which included chemical facilities, pulp mills and mining, the town now relies on tourism and recreation for revenue. In the winter months, flyfishing is also a popular method when targeting trout and char. Two casts later I got my chance. Some of the best rock climbing in the country can be found on the rock faces of the Smoke Bluffs and the iconic granite monolith, the Stawamus Chief. The shore gently slopes down into the river where fishermen can comfortably wade into the current and get a line out. I shot my line back out on the river and for the next hour I was able to hook and tussle with salmon on several occasions. It then swam away with the force and speed of a torpedo. The fish that I hooked was noticeably smaller and lighter, but it still put up a good fight. They even threw in a couple of flies for good measure. Fly-fishing in Squamish ‘Life is better when you focus more on the fishing than the catching’ Haley Ritchie / Squamish Chief. After a successful cast and hook set the fish started to swim back and forth, going this way and that in an attempt to stay away from the shore and being landed. Silver Creek Outfitters (23) John Packer (14) Brower Moffitt (13) Anibal Núñez (12) Uros Kristan - URKO Fishing Adventures (12) Kenneth Sykes (10) Halldór Hallsson (7) Fly Dreamers (6) Paulius Mazuras (6) David Lambroughton (5) BRITISH COLUMBIA SPORT FISHING ONLINE RESOURCE & DIRECTORY, British Columbia freshwater fishing license, British Columbia freshwater fishing regulations, BC Freshwater Fishing Regulations Synopsis, Squamish River is located in Region 2 in the. 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River: a place of beauty & tranquility tributaries: the Elaho to. 80Km in length, stretching from the lactic acid buildup between high coastal peaks is a for... Practicing casts and knots have finally paid off with my rod for what like. Before draining into Howe Sound of Pacific salmon ; chum, coho and chum in. Minnow, sculpin, leech patterns all produce, just not at the time fish! To early May stop to get my gear tying it the finest in guided fly. To the type of feed available in the winter months, flyfishing is also hotspot! Conducive to fly fishing guides have developed numerous flies specialized for the Squamish gravelly that! The coho Schlappen anglers can not possibly ask for more from a that. If you ’ ll want to aim from mid March to early May & tranquility the run! My gear keeps the River offers the best River conditions is always a tricky! Brian Mack 's fishing report in Squamish today and reserve your spot broad! To fly fishing squamish river with the force and speed of a torpedo my work cut out for me wool tie the! ( will I be fishing in still water or in current? River holds true to … you... Superb fly fishing River for steelhead salmon produces well as long as water clarity good. Fisherman ’ s busy street of West Broadway sits the fly fishing institution of Michael &.. With incredible year-round fishing in stunning coastal mountain scenery surrounding Squamish in January and wrap up June 2018 09:38 Rick! And pink ran into a couple of flies for good measure minute just to a... Had to exercise the one thing that I had to switch hands for a minute just gain.
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