Bc Sturgeon & Chum Salmon Report

[K.C.]

Hey folks Old/New member here.

New setup looks great! Figured I'd make my first post here a report from just over two weeks ago.

 

 

 

 

THE BEGINNING:

Tickets booked and off we went to meet our guide in Chilliwack. Late October and November is their off season so rates to stay at hotels are extremely affordable compared to some other lodges and the meeting place at the boat launch is only 10 minutes away.

The Fraser is an absolutely massive river system. It's the longest river in British Columbia, traveling almost 1400 km and sustained by a drainage area covering 220 000 sq. km. Its source is near Mt. Robson on the western slope of the Rocky Mountains in central British Columbia. The Fraser flows southwest, draining into the Pacific Ocean just south of Vancouver. It discharges 112 cubic kilometers of water per year, dumping 20 million tons of sediment into the Pacific.

We landed in Abbotsford BC and rented a car. The trip from the airport took us only 40 minutes to get to Chilliwack, which would be home for the next four days.

 

The plan was to target Sturgeon and Chum Salmon. From all the research we had done, this was the time of year to not only get the best numbers of fish but to also have the shot at a true once in a lifetime monster trophy. Almost all the tourists had left and the only anglers left behind were the hard core ones in the know who had no issues dealing with the wet weather because this is when the big boys come out to play.

I took over 120 pictures on a digital camera that I now know is substandard but to give all of you a true feeling of what I saw and experienced out there I've decided to post some of the better ones and leave them completely unedited or cropped so you can somewhat grasp of what it's really like out west at this time of year. Chilliwack gets rain almost every day and it's cloudy but the temps tend to stay around the 10 to 15 degree Celsius mark. All you need is a REALLY good rainsuit and I guarantee you that the weather will not bother you one bit. The fishing is simply extraordinary and if you are not catching a Chum Salmon on every third or fourth drift or are not getting a Sturgeon hit every 15-20 minutes you have chosen the wrong guide. Simply put.....the Fraser is a spectacular fishery with countless numbers of fish and when we were there several monsters were caught over the 8’ mark including two of our own and another couple that we simply had no control over. They were so big that they did whatever they wanted and we were just along for the ride.

The only thing better then the fishing was the company. My long time friend Steve and I had an absolute riot on this trip. The only thing sorer then our arms was our cheeks from all the non-stop laughter. He was just as amazed as me at this awesome fishery.

Anyways……enough of my chatter. Hopefully these pictures will do this incredible Province & Fishery the justice it deserves.

The Scenery

All I can say is breathtaking! Even with the rain the surroundings blow you away. You're surrounded by snow-covered mountains but the temperature hovers between 9-15 degrees Celsius. There are Bald Eagles EVERYWHERE along with seals, coyotes, and countless other wildlife. IMO the Fraser is one of our creators many miracles.

 

 

 

 

 

Chum Salmon:

WOW!!! I've caught my fair share of Salmon over the years but nothing compares to the fight of these fish. On the Fraser there is an estimated run of 1 Million Chum. They are the last fish to run after the Coho. They are also known locally as "Dogs" or "Dog Fish" because of the huge teeth they have and the fight they put up. Locals consider them almost a course fish and there is no value in their meat. We were using Baitcasters spooled up with 30# test Power Pro, a cylinder Styrofoam float, a 3/8 oz pencil weight, a 20# test mono leader tied to a 1/4 oz bright pink bucktail jig. There is no finessing these fish. They hit hard and run harder. I only wish I brought my float rod and imagined the fun pinners would have. Every single chum of the countless we caught were hooked legally. Not even one snagged fish in the bunch. They may not be feeding but they were most definitely striking these jigs with aggression I've never witnessed before.

Chum Salmon are the most under appreciated and under utilized fishery in BC. I'm guessing in two to three years that will all change.....These fish are awesome and we stopped counting after 20 fish which only took the first hour to catch.

 

 

 

 

 

THE BIG BOYS----STURGEON:

This is the Meat & Potatoes of this report and the real reason we went to the Fraser at this time of year. Don't get me wrong....you will catch Sturgeon on the Fraser in July, August, September, & October, BUT.....for the most affordable trip and the absolute best numbers with the best shot at a monster, November is the way to go. I'm only putting up a few pics of the fish we caught. The truth is Steve and I hooked and landed more fish then we could keep track of (That's the God's honest truth). For the most part one of the three or four baited rods were getting hits every 15 minutes and one of us was fighting a fish almost every 1/2 hour and I'm pretty sure we had around 4 double headers.

The gear consisted of right hand retrieve (our only complaint about the trip) level wind reels spooled up with 400-500 yards of 150lb Power Pro main line with 130lb braid leader on a custom made meatstick which I can only describe as a big game saltwater rod. In between the two you had a swivel with a 14oz weight and the hook at the end which was a 7 or 8 odd barbless Gammy with the barb removed. The Fraser has a single barbless hook regulation and all Sturgeon must be released explaining why the numbers are so healthy and only getting better. The Bait (This blew me away BTW) was a ROW BAG with 5-10 Chinook Salmon eggs. It was explained to me tht in the summer they use Dew Worms, Early Fall, Cut Salmon, Late Fall-----ROE. Like any other fisherman around the world, these guides do their best to "Match the Hatch" and in November roe is the only way to go.

A few of our catches.......

 

 

 

 

There was one Day that we hooked into 4 giants in all likely hood over 10 feet. We had a couple of heartbreakes when they dragged us into deep sunken logs and got off. After being a little discouraged I noticed rod #3 bouncing ever so slightly. I picked up the rod and waited to see if the fish would come back. As soon as I felt the tap I set the hook and heaved on the rod like my life depended on it and the fish didn't move. Our guide Chris is a good judge of what is going on based on hooksets and said with a serious tone "This is a big fish." I set the hook a second time and I think the goliath just figured out what was happening and took off down stream peeling off 200 yards and not stopping. Chris attached his anchor rope to a bouy and dropped it and we were off to the races following this fish downstream. I must admit that me arms were sore from the previous day and I didn't wan't to risk loosing this fish so Steve and I tag teamed it a few times before we landed it. The fight lasted approximately 1.5 hours and the fish dragged us 2-3 Kilometers down stream. At one point it was hung up in the same deep logs as the other ones were but miraculasly we were able to horse it out.

When we finally managed to beach it my arms gave out and I couldn't believe how hard I was breathing and sweating.

Here she is 8ft long and roughly 400+lbs....the biggest fish I've ever caught....

 

 

In Total we caught and released approximately 40 Sturgeon in the four days we were there. If you ever get the chance to do this don't give it a second thought. It's not that expensive and it's something you will remember for the rest of your life.

[setomonkey]

All I can say is captured in one word:

 

 

WOW ! ! !

 

Great report, what an amazing fishery!

 

Mike

[Moosebunk]

Where I have seen these two yahoos before.....? Again KC, impressive.

 

Now, I never asked before, but, did you keep any of those dogs for the table???

[K.C.]

Did you keep any of those dogs for the table???

 

No we didn't Bunk. I asked the guide if he has ever tried some and he told me they were not to his liking.

Something about the meat being more white then pink and being a little tougher.

[Moosebunk]

So you marinate it to the color, texture and taste you want. lol.

 

If it's good enough for Capn' Highliner to vaccuum pack, freeze and send all the way to us high society folk here in the Moose, well, it's good enough for you. lol.

 

EAT IT.

[Squid]

Awesome report guys way to go.

[1leggedangler]

Wow! What scenery. Trip of a lifetime I bet. Thanks for the pics that bald eagle looks huge and that last sturgeon is giant. So jealous.

 

Cheers,

1leg

[b2kptbo]

OH YA, great report, thanks for sharing...

[Joey]

Great report, just awesome. I've been to BC a few times. I love how the weather can just turn on a dime on you.

 

Maybe I'll get back there for a visit and a fish sometime soon. Thanks for the memories.

 

Joey

[ccmtcanada]

Wow!! Amazing fish!!! I think, at least until I get better and more experienced, that I wont fish for somthing that could literally have ME for dinner!!!!

[mattyk]

Those are some amazing fish. Thanks for sharing with us!

[wuchikubo]

Wow, great post and pics! I hope one day I'll be able to make a trip over there for some fishing.

 

I'll just keep dreaming for now.

 

Thanks for sharing.

[mepps]

gotta love those sturgeon!

[fishindevil]

WOW,,,,,,KC thats an amazing fishing trip and report the scenery is like its not even real i have been to the mountains as well,those sturgeon sure put up a fantastic fight, and those salmon look incredible, way to go.....thanks for the report i wish i was there....

[Gerritt]

I can sum up my response in one word....WOW!!!

 

Awesome report w/ awesome fish Thanks for sharing

 

Gerritt

[bassfanatic25]

Awesome report...great pictures....Great Job!!!!!

[Mike the Pike]

Mind blowing. The sturgeon are so huge they make muskie look like minnows.You have to be in shape for that kind of fishin.I wonder how far a sturgeon like that could pull your boat?

[DanTheMan]

Said before and I will say it again,

 

WILD STUFF Bud

[nautifish]

I AM SO JEALOUS

 

AWESOME REPORT GUYS AND I LOVE THE PHOTO'S

 

If it was not for my daughter getting married next yr i reckon i would be making plans for atrip like that tommorow. lol

[outdoorguy61]

It sounds like you had a nice trip. Just downstream from me from the looks of it.

 

outdoorguy61

[Carp]

WOW !

 

Huge fish.

 

Congrats.

Definately a good trip for you.

[caper]

That was a great report. Looks like an awesome time. Thanks for sharing..

[steve_paul]

Amazing report KC. Beautiful scenery and great fishing.

 

Thanks.

[Guest mistyriver1]

Very nice !! Thanks for sharing.

[mistyjr1]

Nice Fish And nice scenery pictures as well.