Fly Fishing Salmon in BC

Salmon fishing in British Columbia is fantastic. Theyearly December, the Coho are silver bright from
have the river that has the largest over-all salmontheir short trip from the ocean. Access to lots of
run. They have another river that has the largestgreat wading water is by boat.
wild Coho salmon run. They have another riverThe Harrison River is a short river so salmon
largely ignored by fishermen that has the moststack up like cord wood awaiting spawning time.
salmon per square foot than anywhere else. AllEvery odd year (2009,2011) hundreds of
this happens in just one region, the Lowerthousands of pink salmon add to the traffic jam.
Mainland where fly fishing salmon in BC style isIt is a great place for fly fishermen of all levels of
hot.ability.
No discussion of fly fishing in British Columbia canNo article would be complete with mention of
start without talking about the Fraser River. Theanother region in British Colombia, Vancouver
Fraser River holds an amazing variety of gameIsland. Here on the shoreline of Tofino there is
fish species. It always has the biggest salmon runexcellent salt-water fly-fishing for large Chinook
of anywhere in the world. Five different speciessalmon in August. This fly fishing requires a
of salmon spawn in the Fraser River. They aretwo-handed (spey) rod and reels that are rated
the Pink, Chum, Sockeye, Chinook (King) and thefor salt-water. Use large streamers for the
Coho. Access to the best wading water is bysalmon are feeding on anchovies and other large
boat. Fishing from a boat is also quite effective.baitfish. But the opportunity to catch a 75-pound
The best prize of all the species is the CohoChinook makes the extra equipment worth it. The
salmon. The Coho's amazing runs and acrobatspey rod will also be useful fishing the Fraser. By
leaps give any fisherman a thrill. Coho hole up inboat the South Islands offer salmon fishing
stiller waters often no more than a knee deep.year-round, trophy fish also inhabit these waters
They keep away from other species of salmontoo.
and like still streamside pools. But if you see aBeware that in British Columbia a separate license
smooth patch of darker water in a run, give it ais required for saltwater fishing, so read up on the
try.regulations before fishing. Fly fishing salmon in BC
The Pitt River has the largest run of wild Coho.is worth a trip at least once for very fly
Starting in late September and running throughfisherman.