Harrison River BC ROCKS!!!

[Ramstrong]

It's been over a week since I've been back but I've been in recovery mode.

After last years fishing, and noticing how big the river was. Rippenlips decided to tow the jet sled up this year for 5 days of salmon slaying.

This proved to be a good idea. The fishing was phenominal. I learned some valuable lessons this year the first of which is don't hook a coho on a 6 wt. At least not if you don't want to bruise the **** out of your knuckles. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] There were so many pinks up there it was mind boggling. Talk about an aggressive fish. When we were sight fishing them on almost every cast with anything pink attached 1-4 would break from the school and chase your fly. Normally it would become a contest to see who could attack the fly first. I've never seen anything like it before. Oh by the way RT would have been in heaven, I was able to hook a fish on 8 consecutive casts with a peice of pink worm on a pink jig head. [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img] And the Chinook and Coho. I don't think a single fish in the river had seen bounced eggs before because both times we bounced I hooked a fish within 30 seconds of my eggs hitting bottom. I also had the misfortune to loose a toad chinook due to a hook snapping. That's life I guess.

All in all a teriffic trip. I was able to catch 4 of the 5 pacific salmon species, the lone exception being sockeye. I was able to hook at least 60 (no exageration) fish each day. And the locals are very friendly.

We stayed at Harrison Bay campground. The owner (Les) runs a fair business and gives an excellent return on the exchange rate. I was able to have several conversations with Vic Carrao of STS Guide Service. A very knowledgable great guy. He dispenses information about the river freely and all the information we got from him was dead on. Especially the info about channel location running across the bay. Just ask Rippenlips. [img]images/icons/tongue.gif[/img] If you are ever heading up there and don't have the means for a self guided trip, I'd recommend Vic in a heartbeat. His clients always had big smiles on their faces whenever we passed him on the river.

The only thing I would have been different is the fact that pinks fight about as well as bass. Other than that the trip was awesome.

[Thumper]

Ryan........where the heck were you???

[Ramstrong]

Jack,

The Harrison River. Oh Canada, my wife's former home and native land. Only about 6hrs drive from PDX and that includes the "increased security" border cross. Now I guess it all depends on when you're crossing how bad it is but late at night going in to canada was easy and early morning on a weekday return was equally easy. The Canadians didn't think my Military ID was good enough proof of citizinship, but the US guys didn't have a problem with it. I'd recommend a birth certificate. The river itself is cake in a sled. At least the few miles we ran of it. Not even any riffles to worry about. There are a few holes where the fish stack up. It's not that hard to find them. By now I'm sure the pinks are pretty much done, but the Chum should be coming on strong. The hatchery coho should be in by now as well. The norther hook nose were the primary component 2 weeks ago. We caught one on a kwikfish that we thought for sure was a 20lb +/- chinook until we got it to the side of the boat. We didn't even get to fish the vedder or any of the other lower mainland rivers. This summer I think it's going to be a week in august for Sockeye and Summer chinook. The beauty about the whole thing was that the whole trip cost about $200 US per person and that's 3 1/2 days of fishing. That includes meals out and everything. Definately can't complain about that. If anyone has any questions about a similar trip feel free to drop me a line and I'll share what little I know.

Nice trip Ryan! Did you guys go on up to Harrison Lake and townsite? I haven't been there but have seen pics and article about it in a B.C. mag. Seems like a really cool resort town, to augment the lake and river.

Steve

[rob allen]

What about the only species that really matters???? Steelhead!!

[Beek]

Ramstrong,

Nice to see you had a good trip. We've been fishing the Vedder the last few weeks and doing really well also.The most and biggest Coho in the past 10 years. The big Whites are in the Vedder now asd well.

Haven't fished the Harrison this year yet, but I have in the past. Those Pinks are so thick, most guys just dangle a pink worm/jig behind the sled and slay em. Did you bonk any of the Springers...as you must know they are white fleshed fish and stank when you slice them open. That Spring run is between 60-80k fish and barely anyone targets then in the mainstem Harrison, much less on Plugs.

If your lookin for a cool trip come up next year in July for the Fraser Springs/Sockeye. You can also get sturgeon in the Fraser up to 10'. As for Vic, he's one of the top guides out here...all class.

Matt

[CATCH AND EAT]

Hey Ryan, is this the Harrison the gets dumped into by the Chehalis river hatchery. This is east of Chilliwack BC right? Did you Cross at SUMAS USA? I fished the Chehalis 5 years ago during that real high water period. The Fish were pushed right up to your feet and it was easy to target the Coho in between them. This was in November around the thanksgiving time for us Americans.

Beautiful country and great fishing.

Bernie

[4Salt]

I was up on the Vedder with my wife last weekend (13-14) Same story. Unbelievable amounts of fish. I have Beek to thank for his advice. (Thanks Matt) Landed a legitimate 50lb. white on Sat. My wife landed a chrome 15 or 16 lb. coho (wild, released) on Sat. also (big for the Vedder) We fished the lower river from Lickman to the railroad tressle. There were alot of people on Sun, but there was also plenty of room to fish. I ended up landing 13 springs in 2 days, (all released, lost about that many also) along with a few nice coho, lots of chum, and countless pinks. None of the springs were under 30lbs. I'll be back this weekend for sure. Crossing the border was a little tough, but I'll bring my passport this time.
Ryan, I agree, Canada is a great place. Friendly, helpful people, great fishing, us Yanks could learn alot. [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

[Beek]

Mark(4salt),

Those Whites are HUGE eh! A 50#, though, is even big for that river...my best was a 45-50# pig buck I landed last year. Congrats on the fish. That coho your wife landed is also huge for that river, although I've seen a couple honest 15#'s this year, more so than any other year. Where were you fishing..up top, mid river or down low?If you got any pics email them to me and I'll put them up on my site.

Bernie,

The Chehalis dumps into the Harrison. The Chehalis can be a decent river but with only 5km of fishable water(there is a huge canyon that can be fished but kills the odd guy every year), access is a problem. The river only fishes well after a big rain, when it's runnin high and green...definately not a river to plan a vacation around. It's raining today, so if you can be there first light tommorow you'll do fine [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] . If you need any further info click on my sig. and send me an email from the page, I can probably help you out.

Matt

ps...IT's RAINING...Whoo Hoo!!!

[CATCH AND EAT]

Ryan,

would you e-mail me some information on this area and run.

Thanks

Bernie

[Ramstrong]

bernie,
I'll fire you an email.

Beek, I mean Oolichan, I mean Matt [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

Sorry we weren't able to hook up this trip. I received your email when I got back. We'll be towing the jet sled back up in either the first or second week of August to hit the Fraser for Socks and Springs. Then of course again in next October/November for the long weekend. To answer your question on Sportfishing BC Steelhead and Spring Run chinook can spend so long in fresh water without eating because they have stored up enough fat to last them the several months in fresh water. Summer steelhead do eat though. If you ever keep any you should check the stomachs, you'd be surprised what you'll find [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

[Ramstrong]

Hey Bernie,

Fire me an email to my profile address. I seem to have lost your email address.

[CATCH AND EAT]

Ryan, here is the address:

bernie@e-z.net

Thanks!
[img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]