A skilled angler can land several medium sized steelhead in a day out on this pretty river. The Cowichan is considered an urban river, however youâd never know it. Listed as one of BCâs top steelhead rivers by, , itâs definitely one of my favorite Vancouver Island Steelhead Rivers. This river begins at Port Renfrew and runs up the San Juan Valley and is fed by a few tributaries including the Caycuse and the Harris creek.. In Region 1, all wild steelhead are catch and release only. Lots of high teens to over 20 lb Steelhead inhabit our Vancouver Island rivers. wasn’t a Coho. It must be the rugged northern spirit. Fly fishing is a great option here as itâs banks are wide enough to accommodate the long throws. It boasts easy access and lots of steelhead. Catching them causes even more stress and leads to reduced populations. All of these Vancouver Island Steelhead rivers listed have their own character and need a little time and practice to get to know. Obviously, in high, fast conditions for winter steelies, sinking lines are the most effective. To be honest, I’ve never gone out of my way to target summer steelhead, but when the time has been right, I’ve been fortunate enough to be in the right place. Access to the Mahatta River is over rough logging roads from the northern town of Port Alice. The Fish of a Thousand Casts. Ghosts of summer, an alias of the summer steelhead, seems a fitting nickname for a species with declining numbers. 9. Practice “keepemwet” fishing to do your part to release fish in the best condition possible and reduce your impact on the fish. Babine River Upper Skeena tributary. Please practice every ethical measure when fishing this river. The area around the Ash/Stamp confluence was the favourite of General Noel Money for 30 years before the Kispiox had even been … Access is great for this river as many great fishing holes are literally a 15 minute drive from Port Alberni. When the rain comes it enables them to migrate up the river to spawn. There are summer-run steelhead found in other river systems in British Columbia, including the south coast of BC and Vancouver Island but these runs are generally small and guiding services for them are minimal. Twitter. The skilled fisherman can get 20+ steelhead in a single day. They return to their natal streams to spawn with timing that is unique to each location. Vancouver Island is a haven for anglers who seek the thrill of catching wild steelhead! And for those who seek a connection with our dinosaur predecessors, there’s always chasing the giant White Sturgeon, found most predominately in the local Fraser River. Our favourite are. These were introduced back in the 1930âs and they actually took to the system and have survived very well among this ecosystem. Itâs divided up into three sections and each section has itâs own regulations, so be sure to check carefully. A guide is your best bet for getting things right so donât be afraid to spring for the help. In these waters, fish spook easily, bolting at the slightest splash. The water is generally clear, unless itâs flooding. Hatchery enhanced waters include the Stamp, Quinsam, and Quatse rivers. Gear fishing is very productive from October to December, best with egg patterns. The run is from early June until late July. Hatchery enhanced waters include the Stamp, Quinsam, and Quatse. Part of the appeal of this fishery to me is the element of surprise – my first summer steelhead was caught on the Stamp River while fly fishing for Coho. It’s hard to say what is more satisfying, the anticipation of watching the steelhead rise, sip the fly and explode into full on beast mode or the actual experience of a fish, hell-bent on escape, on the end of my line. It does get float plane service if youâre into that sort of thing. Curtis Leyenaar - October 27, 2020. The best sport is below the Bucket, where the Stamp and Sproat meet to become the Somass. You can also hike in if you know where to go or if you have a jet boat you can launch from Port Renfrew. With the heavy flows of winter, one often wonders how a steelhead can hold so easily in such strong currents. Head out aboard a Bell 206 Jetranger Helicopter in search of salmon and steelhead in the remote coastal rivers along the coast of Vancouver Island. A steelhead trout spends two or three years in a fresh water river environment before migrating to the open ocean to feed. Dan Thomson with a beautiful Island steelhead, photo courtesy of Jenna Pollock . It didn’t take long to realize that I had the catch of a lifetime on, a coveted chromer, and it was going to be a wild ride. The Nimpkish river is the largest river on Vancouver island and the legend Roderick Haig-Brown called it The Big One. Watch for wildlife here too, as the bears … Long before the Kispiox and Sustut, the Dean and the Thompson became the renowned fishing destinations they did the Stamp River, on the central west coast of Vancouver Island, near Port Alberni had a well established reputation among the steelhead angling elite. There are various access options that accommodate all levels of anglers. The Mahatta River flows westwards from O’Connell lake into Quatsino Sound on the northwest coast of Vancouver Island. The fish in this Vancouver Island Steelhead river are known for their fight. Besides the river is filled with tourists tubing every summer anyway, also not great for fish stress unfortunately. Itâs named from the color of the water because it definitely has a golden hue to it, some say itâs from the cedar sediment in the water. Gear fishing is very productive from October to December, best with egg patterns. The Vedder River is a great local river close to Vancouver, it’s located approximately one and half hours east of the big city, in Chilliwack. This requires the fly be drifted almost into their face to elicit a strike. The upper section is everything above Stamp Falls, middle is from the Bucket to the falls and everything below the Bucket is considered the lower. There are two different runs of Steelhead in the Vancouver Island area. Despite of the difference in return times, both summer and winter steelhead usually spawn around the same time, which is late winter or early spring. You are allowed to anchor and fish one of the many great spots. Summer steelhead runs populate most west coast rivers but exist in only a few east coast rivers like the Campbell, the White and the Tsitika. So if youâre a fly fisherman or woman make sure to get to the stamp before October, otherwise you might get skunked. It didn’t take long to realize that I had the catch of a lifetime on, a coveted chromer, and it was going to be a wild ride. These Vancouver Island steelhead fishing trips focus on targeting steelhead on Vancouver Islands’s northern region, including the Nimpkish River, the Salmon River and a variety of others lesser known but equally impressive BC steelhead systems. Steelhead conservation tag required. We use 8wt fly rods with sinking tips while in pursuit of these spectacular fish on the fly. Summer steelhead are most often found on the west coast rivers of Vancouver Island (most notably Gold River), however they are also present in a few select east coast island rivers. Our favourite are steelybeads. Very aggressive, they will actively chase down a swung fly or small lure, even rising to a dry fly, making them an excellent fish on the fly. The Ash, which flows into the Stamp, has proved very productive for me, especially in February. Mid 1990s – alarm bells are ringing. we are focusing virtually all our guide efforts on winter-run steelhead. Winter-run Vancouver Island Steelhead range in size from 5 pounds to 25 pounds. The variety of species you can target is colossal, and there is no such thing as an off-season – it simply does not exist. This article highlights the prevalence, characteristics, and persistence of the Steelhead Trout, otherwise known as the "fish of a thousand casts," in Northern California. The highway follows this sparkling and fishy river course, through the high peaks of the Vancouver Island Mountain range alongside elk meadows and small lakes, to meet the Heber River, the Gold River's premier summer steelhead tributary. Check the Freshwater Fishing Synopsis on the specific stream you are fishing for specific closures, restrictions and open dates, which are intended to protect steelhead returns. There is no hatchery program here and an old mill sits down at the estuary. Old rumours say that an Orca made Muchadhat inlet home and ate all the steelhead but theyâve since recovered. One of the hardest things for me is patience, seeing the fish in action, but resisting the urge to act and set the hook, instead letting it take the fly and turn away, hooking itself solidly in the side of the mouth in the process. There is a certain trepidation toward disclosing too much classified intel. Summer steelhead are most often found on the west coast rivers of Vancouver Island (most notably Gold River), however they are also present in a few select east coast island rivers. Stamp/Somass: Upward of 2,000 steelhead stack up in this Vancouver Island system, most of them below Stamp Falls, 16 kilometres from the Alberni Inlet. Spawning anytime from March through May, summer-run steelhead typically enter rivers from June through October. Although I was relatively green at fly fishing, I instinctively knew that the. The Steelhead tend to range anywhere from about 5 to 20lbs, and the winter run tends to be bigger. With wild runs of both Summer and Winter Steelhead, and some numbers of hatchery fish the North Umpqua has earned its reputation as a Steelhead destination. Ghosts of summer, an alias of the summer steelhead, seems a fitting nickname for a species with declining numbers. Finding information on the steelhead holding spots can prove a little tough on the Nimpkish, as locals are extremely tight lipped. Known as the fish of a thousand casts for good reason, steelhead are not a fish you can expect to catch day after day. It must be the rugged northern spirit. Steelhead migration: Trying to learn a new river system here on Vancouver Island. As with all Vancouver Island Steelhead Rivers, itâs very important to be up to date on regulations for this river as it is considered one of the most confusing regulated rivers, so ask for help and then check for yourself to ensure accuracy. So if youâre a fly fisherman or woman make sure to get to the stamp before October, otherwise you might get skunked. There is plenty of room, the river isnât crowded with anglers and youâre surrounded by the tall trees that the west coast is famous for and itâs surrounded by a quiet hiking trail. Angler, Writer, Photographer & Island Angler's Fly Fishing Columnist. All of the 200 plus rivers on Vancouver island are with a dayâs drive from anywhere on the island, this makes steelheading on vancouver island very convenient for the locals, but people from all over the world travel here every year to experience the wild rugged west coast and the feisty fish that come with it. Vancouver Island Steelhead rivers are some of the most unique around. Many of the same water types that hold summer steelhead will hold winters. Steelhead season on the stamp generally runs July to February. This is one of the few Vancouver Island steelhead rivers that allow powered boats. Steelhead conservation tag required. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. Summer-run Steelhead range in size from 3 pounds to 15 pounds, and have a very explosive nature. day after day. When youâre standing in the river, you wouldnât realize youâre close to a town. Its seems there is a little confusion over summer and winter run steelhead and itâs thought there is now a combination of summer and winter runs in November and December. The main practical difference is that winter runs are notorious for hanging tough near the bottom. Some of the deep canyons of this river are inaccessible to hikers but we have found that the most productive pools are lower down and very accessible with only a short hike. Even the smaller steelhead in the Nimpkish will fight like a large Steelhead of the other southern rivers. The summer run of steelhead is just incredible. COWICHAN RIVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA – The Cowichan River is located on Vancouver Island and is visited regularly both by the travelers and local anglers. Summer steelhead are most often found on the west coast rivers of Vancouver Island (most notably Gold River), however they are also present in a few select east coast island rivers. One being a summer-run of fish from July to October, and the other being a winter-run of fish from December to April. Youâll need the help of a local or, The Stamp is a great fly fishing opportunity but once the salmon spawn occurs these steelhead wonât even notice a fly. The steelhead arenât as large as some of the main land rivers, averaging in the 10-15lb range for winter run, but there a few bigger ones lurking around! Although they say you can catch Steelhead in this river year round the peaks are as follows: Sockeye, Chinook, Chum, Pink and Chum Salmon, Rainbow, Dolly Varden, Cutthroat and Kokanee Trout. Best way to experience this river is hiring a guide to do a drift. This is what gets you into the best fishing holes. Listed as one of BCâs top steelhead rivers by BC Outdoor magazine, itâs definitely one of my favorite Vancouver Island Steelhead Rivers. For that reason, we must treat this fishery with the utmost respect to sustain. rivers. GORDONRIVER: SUMMER STEELHEAD COUNTRY ... until the mid-seventies and beyond that the Gordon began to be known as a great stream among steelheaders of Southern Vancouver Island. This is a remote river and for that reason it's my second favorite Vancouver Island Steelhead Rivers. You can catch fish any day of the year on Vancouver Island, and itâs a steelheaders paradise. This river is very beautiful, flowing green with great riffles and is perfectly suited for sports fishing. Some say we’re crazy. Some are wide and slow moving and many are steep, fast and deep. This river has seen some very hard times due to unsustainable logging practices and the steelhead counts were way way down during the 80âs and 90âs. Chasing Chrome: Vancouver Island Steelhead. For that reason, we must treat this fishery with the utmost respect to sustain future runs. It has good road access from highway 28 out of Campbell River and itâs a beautiful drive through Strathcona park. The first of the winter run appear September to October but they stay just in the riverâs mouth. So because of this it is suited to great gear fishing. Vancouver Island Steelhead rivers are some of the most unique around. The steelhead fishing is highly productive right up until February, though it usually peaks in January. Or do they generally scatter themselves throughout the river system? We'd like to camp, not in any campgrounds but rather more secluded, and plan on moving about to get a feel for your beautiful island. When the water is clear enough, look for the fish or their shadows on the gravel below. Given the general downward trend in anadromous fish returns, we can only assume that the run size has not increased. Naturally, small, dark flies and lighter tippet usually present better in low and pressured waters, although some days steelheading means that nothing you tie on the end of your line will be right. These egg hunters have their noses down continually in search of their next tasty meal. In the Summer water levels are too low and temperatures too high, creating too much stress on the fish already. On Vancouver Island, summer run steelhead are present either May through August or July through September, with earlier runs the further north you go, Unlike winter run steelhead, whose single minded pursuit is spawning, the smaller summer run fish are more apt to rise up to take a fly, moving into freshwater when they are still immature to hold until spawning. 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