Fresh British Columbia Fishing Reports

A Pot of Gold and A Cooler of Fish More and more, I hear my guests talk about the beauty of British Columbia when they see it from the water. This past Sunday, January 12, it was the stunning skyscapes that captivated us. The forecast had been for a sunny day with light winds. A favorable combo for my 4 guests who hailed from Saskatchewan. Instead, it was windy with a unique mixture of storm clouds above us while to the east snow-covered mountains gleamed in the clear skies of the morning sun. Unsettling yet stunning at the same time! We even managed to see a rainbow (you can just make it out in the first photo). And you know what they say about rainbows, there is always a pot of gold on the other side. We were not disappointed! The action that morning started off slow. Nothing for the first 45 minutes. And then, almost as if someone turned on a switch, the bite came on. And what a bite! Winter chinook fishing in January typically means weeding through several fish before hooking a good one. Not this time. Most of the fish were well over the legal size limit. We even landed two that topped the tapes at 70 cm. Astonishingly, only two and a half hours into the trip, we had a cooler full of fish. Then, as abruptly as the bite turned on, it turned off again. No matter. A good time was had by all! It's been said that nothing lasts forever. But that morning, we left with amazing memories. Much needed medicine in a world of change and challenge. My guests assured me they’d be back for more.

Went out today for winter chinook salmon, crab and prawns. 8 salmon landed today taking home two. 16 keeper size dungeness crab with lots of orhers in the traps. Prawning todsy was hard one 6 prawns today. Oh well csnt win them all.

Out for a few hours yeaterday with a great family visiting the island over the holidays. Ended up finding a few good fish and lots of smaller fish released. Nice time and fishing with the wildlife around us… porpoises, eagles and our usual biggest fans (seals) were a bonus

The new year is among us and fishing is Hot Hot Hot. Winter chinook fishing is on fire! Crabbing has been very steady. Prawning is closed in our nanaimo area but open and producing well in our ladysmith area. O

The winter fishery in Vancouver is off to a solid start. There has been lots of bait holding in the Vancouver harbour (6 miles from the dock) which brings in the feeding Chinook salmon. Although the boat is equipped with a heater, you still have to dress warmly and when weather permitting (wind), it's a wonderful to get out this time of year and soak in the beauty of the city skyline, the snowcapped mountains and the bounty of the ocean

What better way to bring in the 2025 Years Celebration than spending a beautiful day on the river, barbecuing Mennonite Farmer Sausage and pulling in sturgeon for tagging and scientific measurement. Pete an George joined me on the river and they brought in 8 fish on the day. To keep their strength up, they brought some Mennonite Farmer Sausage, BBQ sauce and buns so I tossed the boat BBQ on board so we didn't have to take a break for going for lunch. Everyone's energy and sprits were high and the day was a bright start to the 2025 season.