themidnightrambler
New Member
Hi all,
My name is Peter and I'm going to be visiting BC (from Maine) in March. The reason: a week-long ski trip with my family in Whistler. But naturally I am a fishing fanatic now obsessing over the potential to catch my first steelhead. Now, I've gone about as far as I can go with online research, and I have a few general questions. I'm not crazy enough to ask for secret spots or anything, so no need to worry. Also I'm strictly C&R.
I decided to reach out for help on this forum because last time I tried fishing in BC, it was in November on the Quinsam River on Vancouver Island. It rained for three days straight, my girlfriend was miserable, I caught absolutely nothing, and (I swear to God) I was charged by a huge female black bear and truly thought I might die. I still consider the trip a success, however. I was just happy being in nature. My girlfriend, however, still won't even talk about the trip even after 3 years have passed.
Anyways, I'll be doing all this solo, and I'm basically trying to plan out the exact best times to be at the best places. I'll be bringing my 8wt fly rod along with my spinning rod. I grew up in WA and have fished for salmon so I know the general techniques, but steelhead are new territory. But I'm confident I can figure out the HOW. It's the WHERE and the WHEN that has me confused.
SO: Our Whistler week is March 16th to 23rd. No fishing this week, as I'll have to go skiing with my brothers (poor me!). Although if anyone has a good day trip idea (Samish? Claukmas) I'm absolutely all ears.
The question is: in the Vedder/Chilliwack, is there a certain time of the month that may yield the best results? I could either fish it the March 13 to 16 for a few days, or I could do an entire week from March 24th to 31st. Or does it not really even matter, and is March just solid all around?
I called various shops and was given various opinions. Some say the earlier the better. So much so that I'm considering canceling my flight on the 13th to come a week earlier.
I considered fishing the Vedder in mid March, and then camping up by the Squamish for the last week of March.
Having never been to any of these places, it's just really hard to picture it. And like I said, I'll be alone so maybe keeping it simple and staying by the Chilliwack might make sense.
Lastly, can anyone link me to an actively updated vedder/chilliwack water flow chart, and maybe tell me what I should look for? Are high flows good? Low flows? Again, all ears.
Sorry for the novel^, and I truly do appreciate any and all advice!
Cheers,
- Peter
My name is Peter and I'm going to be visiting BC (from Maine) in March. The reason: a week-long ski trip with my family in Whistler. But naturally I am a fishing fanatic now obsessing over the potential to catch my first steelhead. Now, I've gone about as far as I can go with online research, and I have a few general questions. I'm not crazy enough to ask for secret spots or anything, so no need to worry. Also I'm strictly C&R.
I decided to reach out for help on this forum because last time I tried fishing in BC, it was in November on the Quinsam River on Vancouver Island. It rained for three days straight, my girlfriend was miserable, I caught absolutely nothing, and (I swear to God) I was charged by a huge female black bear and truly thought I might die. I still consider the trip a success, however. I was just happy being in nature. My girlfriend, however, still won't even talk about the trip even after 3 years have passed.
Anyways, I'll be doing all this solo, and I'm basically trying to plan out the exact best times to be at the best places. I'll be bringing my 8wt fly rod along with my spinning rod. I grew up in WA and have fished for salmon so I know the general techniques, but steelhead are new territory. But I'm confident I can figure out the HOW. It's the WHERE and the WHEN that has me confused.
SO: Our Whistler week is March 16th to 23rd. No fishing this week, as I'll have to go skiing with my brothers (poor me!). Although if anyone has a good day trip idea (Samish? Claukmas) I'm absolutely all ears.
The question is: in the Vedder/Chilliwack, is there a certain time of the month that may yield the best results? I could either fish it the March 13 to 16 for a few days, or I could do an entire week from March 24th to 31st. Or does it not really even matter, and is March just solid all around?
I called various shops and was given various opinions. Some say the earlier the better. So much so that I'm considering canceling my flight on the 13th to come a week earlier.
I considered fishing the Vedder in mid March, and then camping up by the Squamish for the last week of March.
Having never been to any of these places, it's just really hard to picture it. And like I said, I'll be alone so maybe keeping it simple and staying by the Chilliwack might make sense.
Lastly, can anyone link me to an actively updated vedder/chilliwack water flow chart, and maybe tell me what I should look for? Are high flows good? Low flows? Again, all ears.
Sorry for the novel^, and I truly do appreciate any and all advice!
Cheers,
- Peter