Fishing continues to be consistently good with nice fish entering the system everyday and the water is still  in great shape. We will be doing trips into May with some great fishing ahead. There hasn’t been much pressure on these prize fish most days with only a few other anglers out there. With Spring officially here the weather should continually get better. This weekend looks sunny and this Sunday is still available for a last minute fishing trip. Don’t forget to check out our April “Special”. Contact us for availability and pricing. Looking foreword  to fishing with you.

Nick Hnennyj

Owner/Operator West Coast River Charters

1-250-723-0136 or 1-250-720-5449or e-mail nick@westcoastrivercharters.ca

Our most recent trip this past winter was no exception. Two days before our scheduled trip, I received a phone call from Nick and he expressed his concern over the lower water levels and passed by me a few options in attempt to ensure our day was one we would never forget. We decided, on the advice from him, to fish the lower half of the river and to split into two boats as the water levels were extremely low for this time of year. We arrived early in the morning and enjoyed a hot coffee together before we headed off to the river. My Buddy took off with one of Nicks other guides and Myself and my son went with Nick. Nicks boat was neat and tidy and fully loaded with gear ready to go. Although we use our own rods Nick had plenty of top quality rods and gear ready to use in case ours gave us any problems. Once on the boat he took us to the first spot. He went over the water conditions with us and instructed my son on what his leader length should be, what bait to use, and how he should best drift his gear in these low water conditions. Nick ensured that he kept a steady retrieve as to not get caught on bottom and pointed out a shallow ripple where he felt a fish would hold in. My son, being a relative beginner steelheader used Nicks advice to perfection and after only a few casts into a shallow fast moving ripple, was into his first steelhead of the day. After a 5 minute battle, he had a nice 7 pound steelhead in the boat. My attempts at first were not as productive but Nick quickly pointed out the me that my leader length was probably a little too long for these conditions and to shorten up. That was the tonic, as two casts later I was into a nice Steelhead myself. Although it was a battle I quickly lost, shortening up my leader length definitely increased my odds of a strike. We moved slightly further up river where my son was into his second fish. Again Nick instructed him as to where the fish should be holding and to ensure he cast well above the ripple so his gear would properly drift through that area. He had a great battle on his hands and he soon had number 2 in the boat, a beautiful 8 pound chromer. With the water levels so low, it really limited the spots that would hold fish. Nick provided us with some great tips on how to fish these low water conditions and pointed out exactly where Steelhead hold up.

After a productive morning we stopped on the bank and had some lunch. We spent the break discussing steelhead fishing strategies and looked back at the trip we had the previous year when the water levels were very high and how our strategies that day were much different than todays. The afternoon continued to be productive and what we thought could be a slow day was anything but. Nick continued to provide little tips throughout the day, explaining why things are done certain ways that definately help us better understand how Steelhead act in these conditions. At the end of the day both myself and my son were into 6 Steelhead. It was a day we both won’t soon forget. Can’t wait till next year.

Whether you spend the day walking the banks of the river or having a guided trip as we experienced this past winter, enjoy BC’s fabulous Steelhead fishery and conserve our waters. It will provide memories for a lifetime.

by BoB Waldhaus

Looking forward to fishing with you.

Nick Hnennyj –  Owner/operator West Coast River Charters.

Call today to book your adventure