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Winter Fishing Report

Winter Steelhead

Steelhead will begin to arrive first in the Chilliwack/Vedder River System as well as the Chehalis River in early December.  Steelhead will increase in numbers throughout December the early fish while not overly plentiful are some of the nicest fish you can encounter all season well worth the outing when you find one.  January, February and March will see steelhead number increase daily as steelheading goes into full swing.  The Stamp River in Port Alberni (Vancouver Island) is another great option for steelhead fishing for those looking for a bit of a road trip.  Stamp River steelhead, start arriving the end of November and continue until March.  The river can be fished either by foot, drift boat, pontoon boat or by hiring a guide to jet boat around the river.  See the guiding portion of our web page to find Ken Meyers contact info for the area he is truly one of the best on the river.  These are just a couple of places to look for steelhead there are many others to explore during the winter months.

Tackle Suggestions

  • Fly rods 7-10wt fly rods with a sink tip fly line (interchangeable tips fly lines are great tool for this fishing)
    8-15lb tippets are recommended.
  • Fly selection:  egg patterns, egg sucking leeches, prawn imitations ie. Squamish Poacher, Popsicle (various colours) and intruder style flies.
  • Gear fishing rods should be 9-11ft in length with line ratings from 8-20lbs.
  • Baitcast or Ceterpin reels are the most popular with 15 or 20lb mainline
  • Steelhead will bite a wide variety of lures or baits popular items are:
  • Bent Rods Marabou jigs, rubber worms, Jensen/Ezzy eggs, Colorado blades, wool combinations, Gibbs Ironhead spoons, spin-n-glos and corkies. 
    Bait can be used on some steelhead streams check regulations prior to using any bait. 
  • Popular bait choices:
    Boraxed Roe, Procured roe, roe bags, shrimp, prawns or ghost shrimp.

The retention of steelhead is limited to hatchery fish only (adipose fin clipped) be sure to release all wild steelhead carefully.  If you have any questions regarding regulations please feel free to contact the shop anytime - 604.931.5044.

Winter Trout

Cutthroat, Rainbow trout Char are all present in local rivers during the winter months.  Some of the trout are preparing for spawning. A large majority are looking for the meals left by spawning salmon,  eggs drifting downstream or the flesh from decaying salmon.  Local lakes can also be worth a try as there still will be fish around in them if temperatures get very cold it may be better to stay warm and inside as the fish can become inactive.

Winter Trout Tackle

Light line is required as water conditions can be very clear 4lb-8lb test for mainlines with fluorocarbon being a very good idea for leader as it disappears when under water.

  • Fly patterns of note are: Wooly Bugger, Glo Bugs, flesh flies, Brite Fly, Sculpin and Leech patterns
  • Lures: Blue Fox Vibrax (#0-#2), Panther Martin Spinners, Gibbs Crocs and Dick Nite spoons.
  • Bait can be used but check your regulations as not all areas are open for bait fishing.

Don't forget to check the regulations before retaining any fish as not all are open to retention.

Saltwater Fishing

Winter spring fishing is on the verge of happening.  If you can brave the elements the rewards are high as nothing is better on the BBQ than a fresh winter Chinook.  The Capilano River and Tunstall Bay and Hutt Island are all key spots.  With the clearer water of winter flashers are not always necessary especially since the fish are not always large it does make for a more enjoyable battle.  Coyote or Gypsy spoons, anchovies and hootchies (flasher necessary) are all good bets.  Fish usually are near the bottom so drop the cannonballs to the carpet.

Good Luck!