I'm spilling the beans...

Mojo · 10-03-2003, 07:56 AM

Ramstrong is gonna kill me, but I have to share one of the greatest spots in North America with all of you. I've been fishing the Fraser River Drainage in British Columbia for about 7 years. It is a great area, beacause every river and stream holds salmon this time of year.

Right now there are literally 9 million Pink Salmon in the Fraser, Harrison, and Chilliwak/Vedder. They are being joined by Chums, Coho, and Springs (Chinook). The Stave River has approximately 5 million Chum returning this fall. This in a river that is 3 miles long. The Chilliwak/Vedder system has a bunch of Coho and Chinook on the way. Right now it's low and really tough fishing, but soon it will be on fire. As soon as it rains run up there. The Harrison has some late Sockeye, about 9 million Pinks, and the front end of phenomenal Coho and Chum runs. There are some Chinook in there as well. All this and Sea Run Cutts to boot! Another river that deserves attention is the Squamish, which has a great run of the freshest pig Chums you'll ever find. If it is open to fishing, try these "Holograph" Chums on the fly-rod.

You really need 3 types of flies for this area. The first (and most important in my opinion) is the Bunny Leech. Tie this fly on a size 6 to 2/0 hook, weighted heavily [lead wraps and hourglass eyes](because the fish are holding deep, and mostly in swift water), in hot pink, cherise, chartreuse, purple, and black.

Fly number 2 is a Rolled Muddler Minnow.
Rolled Muddler #1

Rolled Muddler #2

I prefer tying the body and wing like #1 and the head like #2. I tie them in natural, olive, and light blue. Stick with #8 through #4 hooks.

Fly 3 is the venerable Woolly Bugger. Olive, black, brown, and purple are all good colors. I like size 8 to #2, also weighted.

You ought to have a few assorted other patterns in your box as well, because some days even with 20 million fish in the river, they all seem to have lock jaw.

As a fly fisherman, it is important to remember there are ways to fish that result in mostly foul hooked fish, and there are techniques that result in mostly fair caught fish. Always try to cast down and across, and when your line is straight below you, twitch the fly toward you. The fish will hit on the swing, and on the retrieve. Fish teh fly al;l the way back to your feet! The strikes are violent. If you feel a tap, it's a line bump, DON'T SET THE HOOK!

Go up there, check with the guys at Fred's in Chilliwack (they know what's happening and where) and go fish. I promise it will be worth it. Also, you don't have to fish where everyone else is. Take a hike, and fish 300 yards upstream or down from the crowds. The fish are there too. Please be courteous...many you are fishing around won't be. Smile and walk away, or smile and stand your ground. Just keep smiling! :grin:

will_e_fish · 10-03-2003, 08:37 AM

Secret spots are safe with me as there are too many fish around here to keep up with, although that sounds like a great vacation and like once in a life time fishing, but I know Ryan makes it up there once a year the lucky guy. Just the way name "Vedder" sounds makes you feel something awesome and powerful happens there. I guess fisherpeople are transformed into "Vedder" addicts.
Great info on the flies most of them are used here too with a great deal of success as well. Funny thing and good to know the fish here bite on the same things as the Canuck fish. For adding little weight I use copper wire on the hook for tying. I like the way it stays tight and looks cool too.
Thanks for the good story it has got me dreaming of a flyfishing get away!

Just as I finished the post I had say I am a Moose Drool Fan because my local plaid pantry has a 6 for 3.99. How much is it up there?

[ 10-03-2003, 09:41 AM: Message edited by: will_e_fish ]

skein · 10-03-2003, 10:09 AM

Okay, Mojo, you got my attention. Cupple questions.

What's the camping accomodations like up there? Is this a place where a camper is better than a camp trailer? Do the campgrounds all fill up so it doesn't matter what you bring - there's no room.

Do you guys take any kind of boat or is it a bank show?

And of course, you mentioned several rivers. Do you target specific fish in a particular river, and at a particular time?

Geez, if you answer all that, I won't be able to blame Ramstrong when he bludgeons you with the fish-bonker. But you'll be my friend forever, and I'll say nice things at your wake. :grin:

Skein

Mojo · 10-03-2003, 12:33 PM

Skein,
There are several campgrounds in the Fraser Valley that you might use. One we like is a really nice campground at Harrison Mills. It is free after 1 October, not too crowded, and I have camped there in a 5th wheel before, and has a boat launch.

If you were to bring a slide in camper, and tow a boat, you would open up a bunch of water that I haven't mentioned yet (and probably won't unless you ply me with good Scotch or many Moose Drools :grin: ). I will say that the upper Harrison is much less crowded than the lower river. There are other waters that I haven't fished yet, like the confluence where the Harrison dumps into the Fraser. I hear that can be SMOKING hot.

The Fraser opens and closes (seems like daily) based on the runs of fish headed up. You really have to pay close attention to the current announcements.

I will haul my 22' Alumaweld V-Sled up next time I go (that ought to be a hint).

If you are headed up there, or thinking about it, e-mail me, and I can help you out with which river has what fish at which time. Basically they all are crawling with salmon in October. Some are better than others for a particular species. I'd hit the (#1) Squamish or (#2) Stave for Chums. For Pinks I'd go Harrison. For Coho I'd go (#1) Vedder/Chilliwak or (#2) Harrison. For Fall Chinook (White Springs) I'd hit the Vedder/Chilliwak.

Definitely bring waders!

[ 10-03-2003, 01:33 PM: Message edited by: Mojo ]

Ramstrong · 10-16-2003, 08:10 AM

How I didn't catch this, I don't know

Actually Mojo, it isn't a big deal. I was to Po to go this year. But my buddies had a great trip as usual. I've fished the vedder once, and never saw the need to go back. hint hint. If you're a gear head the fishing can really get interesting! Can you say kwikfish? A Chum pattern that mojo didn't mention though, is a show girl purple/cherise. They seem to have done well for us the last couple of years. I've caught 4 out of 5 salmon species in one day up there, but never completed the full pentaslam.

The rivers up there are on fire now with all of the Rain the last couple of weeks. If you're going to go, now is the time!

Skein, I'm assuming the campground Mojo is talking about is Kilby. It's a decent little place. Until this year, we'd stay at the Harrison Bay campground. But it's members only now. I think Suquamish (right next to Harrison Bay) is closed for the season. If you stay in the area, you have to try the burgers at the Sasquatch inn. If you want the full scoop, send me an email.

[ 10-16-2003, 09:13 AM: Message edited by: Ramstrong ]

CATCH AND EAT · 10-16-2003, 09:49 AM

There is also a cute little river called the Chahalis river on which a hatchery is built. Big run of cohos and pinks there. Coho are there clear through the days of thanksgiving is big numbers.

Don't know if it changed or not but I believe no trebble hooks allowed.

One of these days I have to get back up there and fish with Shelly and Courtney. :grin:

BTW a little red shrimp fly is awesome for pinks and the ho's will go after it too.

Ramstrong · 10-16-2003, 01:25 PM

Bernie,

You'll just have to come up there with us next year. It's about as much fun as you can have with your pants on. Plus we've got some spots up there. We've made friends with some of the local guides and can get up to the date info. But I can't deliver Shelly and Courtney, sorry.

[ 10-16-2003, 02:27 PM: Message edited by: Ramstrong ]

Ras · 10-16-2003, 09:42 PM

Was on the Vedder, Harrison, and Fraser 2 weeks ago. Silly with Pinks; sheesh

. Ho's, Springs, and Dogs (that's Canuck speak, eh?) were just starting to make their way in. Very low conditions on the Vedder, but still enough flow for the runs to get up in. Wouldn't you know it; the day after I head back home the rains come. Those dang rivers fill-up with so much chrome the levels rise another foot!!!! We did have a 4 species day too, and saw one LATE sockeye in with a group of pinks. Didn't give him a try, but that would have completed the "pentaslam" :grin: . Ya don't do that every day......

Did the same trip last year, but 2 weeks later; the fish were in! Had a ball on Harrison chums. My buddy up there stays away from the Vedder (Gong Show - another local term), so had to wait for this year to give that a go.

Hoping to get back within the next month. Those hog springs make you think twice before tossing a fly

Ras

Mojo · 10-17-2003, 05:16 AM

Bernie,
I've fished the Chehalis several times. It can be a "gong show" too. I'm dragging the sled next time and heading up to where the Chehalis dumps in to the Harrison (and above). It's crazy up there, and the chinook actually hold up there instead of shooting through at night like they do in the bay.

CATCH AND EAT · 10-17-2003, 07:00 AM

Really a neat area to fish up there. Wish I could make more time to hit it each year.

Fish_N_Russ · 10-17-2003, 11:26 PM

I showed this post to the wife today and now she wants to go......shes the adventurous type and driving several hundred miles on a whim is right up her alley. I am that way to a much lesser degree but the idea of LOTs of catching fish has perked my (our) interest.

Is there any maps/articles about this on the net I can find?

If not, Mojo can you send me more info :smile:

I have never been out of the country so I guess id have to get a passport or ?

How far a drive is it?

Is it very crowded? Are there many rivers/streams to fish? Thanks for any info

Russ

[ 10-18-2003, 12:28 AM: Message edited by: Fish_N_Russ ]

Ramstrong · 10-20-2003, 07:05 AM

Russ,

You've got mail