in the far north of the Island, lies a number of cities, towns and villages almost all situated on the coastline and, all rich with sports fishing opportunity and tradition. The provincial Steelhead sizes range from 4 to 30 pounds with the average being 8 pounds. Nimpkish Heights is a locality in British Columbia. Campbell River The issue with the Salmon River is its consistency, as it has suffered from the island's damaged fishing stocks. , flows the world famous Cowichan river. GrabFlies.com is located in: Washougal WA 98671 Shop Hours - by appointment only (often Jeff Layton is on the river giving lessons or fishing - not in shop). Manistee River steelhead fishing is heavily influenced by the logging onslaught against our forests beginning in 1840 and proceeding until about 1900. We start at Duncan Pool and run the entire river section to Nimpkish Lake, more than 45 km downstream. (250) 746-1425 Its hard being the bearer of bad news, but it … Fly fishing is particularly good in the summer, peaking in June. These Vancouver Island steelhead fishing trips focus on targeting steelhead on Vancouver Islands’ northern region, including the Nimpkish River, the Salmon River and a variety of others lesser known but equally impressive BC steelhead systems. Marketing Specialists
Here, through the city of This decision was supported by organized anglers including the Steelhead Society of B.C. The island's fishing is still fantastic, but some places have lost the quantities they've been previously known for, and in most rivers the fishing is restricted. The Gold River is Vancouver Island's premier wild steelhead river. enter rivers in December through April. (250) 751-3100 Most Island river have runs of winter steelhead. Are there any spots you think deserve to be on this list that we missed? Despite the name, the Big Qualicum is one of the little rivers for fishing. The Central Island Region lies on the east coast around the 'Harbour' city of 5:10. It’s the longest river on the Island, rising on the west slope of Mount Alston, flowing northwest into Nimpkish Lake and then north into the Broughton Strait at a point 8 km east of Port McNeill. Flowing from Elkhorn Mountain out into Upper Campbell Lake, the Elk River is one of Vancouver Island's premier rivers for trout fishing. The park is a popular destination for fishers searching for Sockeye, Coho, Chinook pink and chum salmon, as well as steelhead, Cutthroat, Dolly Varden, Kokanee and Rainbow trout. If you're looking for some new gear to take with you out on one of these spots, we offer handmade, high-quality fly fishing reels as well as rods and fly fishing combos. Conversely many streams are highly urbanized yet still produce many hundred of wild and hatchery steelhead. About 5000 resident anglers and another approximate 5000 visiting steelheaders annually catch about 35,000 steelhead. Although most of the 265-hectare park was modified by historical logging, some riverside old-growth western hemlock forests remain. Flowing from the mountains further inland and out into Kelsey Bay, past Sayward, the Salmon River is host to the island's biggest steelhead salmon run, by far. Hoping for one last big one before the sun goes down @beccaskinner, A post shared by PEETZ Outdoors (@peetz_outdoors) on Apr 5, 2016 at 4:34pm PDT. It is an early running river. Numerous nearby rivers like the Chemainus, Nanaimo, Little Qualicum, Englishman and Big Qualicum were very popular for winter steelhead fishing. From Mapcarta, the free map. A healthy hatchery program has increased steelhead catches in recent years and provided a quality steelhead fishery in a few select rivers like the Somass, Stamp, Quinsam and Quatse. advertising@ibcnetwork.com. It can be 'wild' or it can be 'urban'; it can be 'wilderness' or it can have all the amenities; it is here and it is waiting. As our local anglers are prone to say; "Tight Lines, Silver Smiles and Good Fishing! Davie River, Photo By Bud Logan. This year we had presentations from Dr.Craig Orr who spoke on hatcheries and their potential impact on the Thompson River steelhead and Kevin Pellet from the BCCF speaking about projects on Vancouver Island. Most streams however are populated with wild steelhead only. The Nimpkish River meanders through the steep-sided forested Nimpkish River Valley, featuring important salmon and black bear habitat. The Kokish is a great dry fly steelhead river threatened by a "Run of River Hydroelectric Project". However, access is available to South Island and South West Island areas where rivers like the Sooke, Gordon and Harris creek provide quality steelheading opportunities. Located at the northeast corner of Vancouver Island, Nimpkish Lake forms a wide and extremely deep spot along 14 miles of the Nimpkish River. The Salmon is know to provide large winter steelhead and is truly the unknown sleeper of Vancouver Island streams. Campbell For the visiting steelheader it is advisable to contact the I find the best fishing on the nimpkish to be the last 2 weeks of december through to early january. Flowing from Mount Alston, through Nimpkish Lake, and out into Alert Bay, the Nimpkish River is the longest river on Vancouver Island. It is about 60 miles wide with a spine of rugged mountains, the Vancouver Island Mountain Range, which often reaches a mile or more skyward. Port Hardy Nimpkish River, British Columbia fishing report, rainbow trout fly fishing forecast, fishing season updates, fly shop and fishing guides, and fly-fishing weather. These include the South Island, the South Central Island, Central Island, North Central Island, and the North Island including mainland inlets up to Rivers Inlet. . Over 50% of all steelhead caught on Vancouver Island come from the Stamp-Somass rivers. It is of interest that the Gold is managed as a non-hatchery 'catch-and-release' stream and usually produces a catch of 5000 wild steelhead annually. During that time some 160 billion board feet of wood were harvested. "What method of angling would I prefer?" Otherwise, do your research about the health of the river's yearly run (in March) before you head out. Each community has well organized current sources of information for the visiting angler coordinated by Tourism Vancouver Island. These are some legendary locations, without a doubt, but discovery is half the fun. All the way up to Englishman River Falls Regional Park (where fish isn't allowed) there's quality fishing to be found. Vancouver Island is divided into six major tourism regions. The Gold River is reknown for its awesome steelhead fishing and kayaking oportunities. Vancouver Island is home to some fantastic river fly fishing. Duncan There is a sea-run of dolly varden in the spring and there is a year-round fishery for resident rainbow and cutthroat trout. Vancouver Island is a land of extreme diversity. Unfortunately, although there is still plenty of great fishing, many runs have been badly damaged by logging, pollution, and overfishing. Flowing from Horne Lake out through Qualicum Bay, the Big Qualicum River is a popular fly fishing river that offers year-round salmon fishing and trout fishing in the fall.
Vancouver Island offers two distinct races of steelhead, summer run steelhead and winter run steelhead. Although the river is very large, and flows very deep in parts, certain areas of the Campbell are world-renown salmon fishing spots, with anglers from all over travelling for this river's fishing experience. Fly only, the river features plenty of spots for casting and holds plenty of cutthroat. Kevin also accepted a cheque from the SSBC for $5000 for the Nimpkish/Davie River … Most Island river have runs of winter steelhead. Fishing is a way of life for these communities, whether it be commercial or sport, saltwater or freshwater. It is carved by rugged Pacific ocean fjords and inlets and punctuated with over 2000 fish bearing lakes. . Regular steelhead swim counts by the provincial Fish & Wildlife Branch keep current details on numbers of fish. Guided trips are done on the upper stretches, above Nimpkish Lake. , responsible for rearing and stocking most Vancouver Island rivers and lakes, is situated in Duncan. Chinook, coho, chum, and steelhead all run this river. For many, fly fishing tends more to be about the experience than the number of fish caught, so this list isn't numbered. Gold River steelhead pull hard and are true ‘chromers’, wild and bright ranging from 5 to 25 pounds. Over 200 rivers and streams and uncountable creeks provide a veined network of steelhead nursery watersheds and valleys throughout Vancouver Island, draining to the Pacific ocean and the rich marine bounty where steelhead grow and thrive. The most remote winter-steelhead location is Haida Gwaii, a chain of islands off of BC’s north coast that is home to some interesting steelhead rivers, the most well known being the Yakoun River. The Campbell River is the 'home' river of angling scribe Roderick Haig-Brown and forms the core for many of his world famous writings on steelhead and salmon angling. It is a beautiful and bountiful river with excellent stocks of steelhead and brown trout. Top 6 Steelhead rivers on Vancouver Island: Cowichan River, The San Juan River, Stamp-Somass-Sproat River, Gold River, Nimpkish River. Steelhead Creel Estimates For the week of January 11-17, 2021 Clearwater River Section Locations Anglers Checked Hours Fished Fish Kept Fish Released Total Hours Per Fish Caught Hours Per Fish Kept Water Temp Water Conditions Clearwater River Mouth to Orofino Bridge (03) 338 2,094 99 152 251 8 This painting was inspired by original reference photo courtesy of Professional Photographer Matt Guymon, Freestone River Photography, Utah. So use this list as more of a rough guide than anything else. The North Central Island Region covers a vast area of Vancouver Island and centres around the communities of the If so, please let us know by leaving a comment below! There are fly fishing restrictions in place, check out the BC government's fishing regulations on page 15 here. All data are considered preliminary until completion of the final report. Nimpkish River The Nimpkish River is a river in northern Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada.It is the longest river on the Island, rising on the west slope of Mount Alston, flowing northwest into Nimpkish Lake and then north into the Broughton Strait at a point 8 km east of Port McNeill, just southwest of the town of Alert Bay on Cormorant Island. In fact, Nimpkish Lake is the deepest lake on Vancouver Island, reaching a depth of nearly 1000 feet below sea level. The Nimpkish River is the largest volume river on Vancouver Island and the only island multi-day expedition. Flowing from Great Central Lake through Port Alberni, the Stamp River is one of Vancouver Island's largest and most popular fishing rivers. Subscribe for specials, product announcements, © 2015 PEETZ Outdoors Ltd.. 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