September 15, 2008

    Fishing around the Vancouver area is on the upswing. The most consistent area fished remains the North & West Vancouver shoreline. Angler effort fishing the Point Grey area, as well as the T-10 area off the Vancouver area, has been minimal due to sloppy water conditions lately. The Capilano area has been producing some nice Chinook up to 30lb. + using bait, but some fish are still hitting on artificial lures. There is also an opportunity to also catch Coho salmon as there are a few still showing up off Ambleside. Productive depths have been 40ft to 70ft with some fish coming right off the bottom. The best time to try your luck is during the incoming tide and up to about an hour after. As this run builds in size, even a low slack tide can produce but the incoming tide is still best. This is a time for using heavier gear as these fish can really ‘pull’!

     The period of mid-Sept. to about the third week in October historically produces the largest fish of the year, with Chinook to 40lb+. Every year, there are a few fish that will weigh in at over 50lb! These Chinook are mainly from the Harrison River brood stock and will be returning to various rivers that feed the mighty Fraser River as well as the Capilano River in North Vancouver. As a point of interest, some of these fish will be from net pen projects. Their numbers will be on the increase starting next year, as well as providing a new and somewhat less congested area to fish. Weekends are starting to get busy off the Ambleside area (as well as entertaining) so if possible, try fishing the  weekdays as there should be a reduction in boat traffic and angler effort.