The timing of the Fraser River Salmon runs often over-lap each other and it is not uncommon to catch several species on the same day.

While in the Fraser, these fish are still bright and fresh, at times even spotted with sea lice!

When's the Best Time to Fish for Salmon?

Chinook Salmon are the largest of the Pacific Salmon and fight like they're out to prove it! Long, powerful runs and intimidating head shakes often leave anglers shaking long after the fight is over.

Chinook over 30 pounds are common but salmon over 60 pounds are hooked often enough to keep us on our toes and always ready to run down the shoreline.

This fishery is most abundant May to the end of October.

Coho Salmon are one of B.C.'s most sought after fish. With tail walking and crocodile rolls, these scrappy salmon readily take sparse flies and never fail to get the guide excited when they perform an acrobatic show.

This fishery is in prime shape from early September through to the end of November.

Chum Salmon are perhaps the most underestimated fish of the salmon species.

Averaging 15 to 20 pounds, these fish are bulldogs and are quickly becoming famous for being the new large game sport fish of choice. These fish come into the emerald blue waters of the Harrison River and are plentiful from mid September to November.

Pink Salmon are probably the easiest of the five pacific salmon to catch and often provide anglers with double-digit days. Pink Salmon enter the Fraser River system every odd year (2011 being the next year) and, true to form, they have a hard time resisting pink flies and jigs.

Pink Salmon enter our local rivers in September and October.

Fraser River Essential Items

Clothing for the River:

The Fraser River has been known to have unpredictable weather...

Come prepared for all extremes with warm fleece and long-sleeve-but-cool clothing.

The standard layered approach is the best way to ensure comfort on the river.

Layer 1: Next to the skin use a wicking material that allows your skin to breathe while removing moisture at the same time. Many of the outdoor companies provide this performance material as it is truly the best way to optimize comfort throughout the day. These articles are worn in the form of long sleeved shirts and long underwear.

Layer 2: A cotton sweater or a cotton long sleeve shirt.

Layer 3: A Polar Fleece sweater or something of the sort. We recommend that you bring a lighter weight and a medium weight fleece at the very least as weather can range from super hot to chilly.

For your legs you may also use a polar fleece pant of varying weights depending on the river's water temperature.

Layer 4: Gortex Fishing Jacket and Waders (Patagonia, Simms, etc.)

Gortex jackets all have pockets and storage for fly boxes, tippets, leaders, etc. so feel free to lighten your load by leaving your fishing vest at home.

Waders: We recommend a Gortex Wader with a built-in Neoprene Sock.

Gortex is very light weight and does not limit flexibility. It also breathes to keep you cool during those warm summer days.

Boots: The rocks are not very slippery, but there are some large boulders and uneven bottom is common. Felt, studded felt and studded rubber soles all work great.

Hat: Baseball cap or wide brim.

Polarized sunglasses: For eye protection from hooks and for cutting down glare reflecting off the river.

Tackle:

Rods: 7-9 weight rods (single or double handed) are most suitable for the Fraser River.

It is recommended you bring backup rods in case one breaks.

Reel: Make sure that your reel is one that is capable of storing at least 150 meters of 30lb backing, plus an appropriate weight forward fly line. There are lots of great reels on the market; Hatch, Ross, Nautilus, etc.

Leaders and Tippet: Self-tied leaders rather than factory-tapered leaders are a lot more affordable and certainly just as effective on the Fraser and its tributaries. Our guides will gladly tie your leaders for you.

Maxima Ultragreen monofilament is our leader material of choice. Bring spools of this in 10lb, 15lb, 20lb and 30lb.

Forceps/Pliers: Essential for de-barbing hooks and getting hooks out of fish.

Nippers: Frequent re-tying of terminal tackle is common. Bring nippers so you are able to tie knots without chipping your teeth on thick line.

Flies: Marabou and intruder style flies are the most common flies we use, however, these fish will bite almost anything!

More important than the actual pattern of your fly is the type of hook, size, profile and weight of the fly.

A good selection of flies to include on your trip would consist of large intruder-style flies (3-4 inches long) in bright orange, pink, red, etc. Dark tones of black, blue and purple flies are also extremely effective.

Both unweighted and weighted flies are strongly recommended.

Be sure to include some smaller flies and a few traditional salmon flies (green-butt skunk, general practitioner, standard Spey flies, etc.)

Lines: The most popular fly-line for our guests are the Rio Versi-tip lines.

Refer to your local dealer or fly shop to confirm that your set-up is paired accordingly.

Sink Tips: Sink tips are an absolute necessity during your trip.

A Rio type 8 is the most common used tip, however, type 3 and 6 tips are also commonly used.

Miscellaneous items:

Sunscreen

Camera

British Columbia

From our Chilliwack riverfront mountainside, the Fraser River's Edge Bed & Breakfast Lodge provides our guests spectacular Westerly views spanning 20 miles down the Mighty Fraser River alongside the setting sun.

Three hundred feet of river frontage and nature trails engulf our secluded 3 acres of fern-covered rain forest, inclusive of a hot tub with a view, cedar sauna and an outside Spring fed shower.

Conveniently located in Chilliwack, B.C. on the banks of the Fraser River, this Bed and Breakfast Lodge is only one hour from Vancouver, yet guests feel as if they've escaped the city by thousands of miles.

Our Bed & Breakfast has a large private living room with seating for eight in leather reclining chairs and couches, complete with a 50” LCD TV and DVD library.

This area is for guests only and is separate from the owner’s living area.

A private kitchen and adjacent deck with table, chairs and barbecue allow guests the freedom to prepare their own meals and snacks.

The entire property is covered with ferns while overhead guests will find towering Firs, Cedars, Alders, Pine, Birch, Maple, Cottonwood Dogwood, and Japanese Maples.

Other amenities include RV or Boat Parking, wi-fi internet, guest computer/internet, a dry room for fishing gear, freezer usage, and Utility Vehicle transportation to the river if needed.

www.fraserriversedge.com

Greg Wolf

BC, Canada

Greg Wolf has been living and fishing in B.C.’s Fraser Valley for as long as he can remember.

A seasoned guide, Greg has been guiding for over a decade and is truly passionate about helping others while on the water. His enthusiasm is contagious….

Greg is very patient and is great with younger anglers as he truly enjoys helping upcoming generations enter into a sport that has always accompanied the important values and memories within his own family.

Greg is on the pro-staff team for Airflo Fly lines and G. Loomis rods. He is well versed with conventional gear, single handed fly-casting and Spey (double handed) fly rods.

Sturgeon, salmon, steelhead….Greg does it all.