Bill is 77 years old, and has been fishing with us for a decade. He has made 7 trips to the Fraser river, fishing with us each time, often trying different seasons and the various fish that are present during his trip. He always fishes sturgeon during each trip, and will often combine some salmon fishing with the sturgeon angling. Of the 7 trips, Bill has made 4 of them alone, and has brought a friend for the remainder.
I write about Bill because he is very energetic and vibrant and he still has the fire for fishing. Fishing with Bill is simply inspiring. Not to mention, guiding with Bill really isn’t guiding. We are fishing like friends would but he gets to reel them all in (I’m OK with that!).
Current sturgeon fishing conditions are incredible – perfect water levels and virtually no debris. The fishing has been great but the catching leaves a little to be desired. The current pattern is, there is no pattern. And so it comes to Bill’s trip and we’ve had fingers crossed for a few good fish, which thankfully the sturgeon have delivered.
Bill has seen his fair share of sturgeon over the years, and has joined that special group of anglers that have landed a 10 foot (fork length) sturgeon. A 10 foot sturgeon is probably the benchmark that all sturgeon anglers hope to reach. To release a 10 foot sturgeon as a local angler, or angling guide is a pretty special feat in itself, but to be a visitor, fish with a guide and accomplish this task has remarkably slim odds. Bill made those odds happen.
The quick story to Bill’s fish is he came late October in 2009 to fish for sturgeon, coho and chum salmon. On this particular day, we were out for sturgeon. It was very damp and incredibly cold – our hands were numb in the morning from the exposure to the damp cold air. Bill’s first fish of the day was a 5 footer. After that was released, Bill asked if I would kindly use his camera and capture a jumping shot of the next fish that we would hook up. As luck would have it, the rod dipped over, Bill set the hook and a fish was on. Immediately I grabbed Bill’s camera and while looking through the eyepiece, waited for the signs the fish would jump. And it did! I took all the photos the camera would allow and thought to myself that the fish was a pretty decent 7 footer. The battle went on, the fish hung around the boat, and for the life of me, I couldn’t figure out what Bill was waiting for! Forty minutes pass, and I’m thinking this fish should be done. Instead the fish goes on a run for the next postal code! We had to give chase – up comes the anchor, by hand of course. Another twenty minutes and this fish is still going strong, and Bill is digging in his heels and looking to get rid of some clothing due to some major overheating! As I encourage Bill and follow the fish with the boat, the boat runs out of gas. I switch to the full tank, but can’t get the boat to run. When my boat runs out of fuel while dead level and at idle, it can be a real pain to get it going again. Out comes the paddle, and my turn to overheat as I try to keep the boat straight while we drift down the river. Suddenly, behind the boat, the sturgeon rolls up, and I knew I was going to be eating crow. The first words out of my mouth were “Bill, I am sorry”. I had no idea that he was battling a giant, and I had been giving him a bit of “stick”! Next order of business, paddle the boat to shore, get a tape on this beauty and snap a couple pics, which we swiftly did. It was worth every moment and Bill has one of the best fishing memories anyone could ask for. I tell this story often and to anyone that will listen to it!
Bill’s 10’2″ 650 pound Fraser river sturgeon – safely released (Oct.2009)
Bill’s recent captures are not quite as large, but always memorable. His first sturgeon of this trip was a 7 footer, and Bill was not giving an inch to this fish. Its been a while since I’ve had my knots tested like he did.
Bills first fish of the trip – a 7 footer A 120 pounder in beautiful surroundings A 220 pounder on day 3
I tip my hat to anglers like Bill. I hope that I live as long and can still be fit enough to get out there and tangle with such large fish like these. Here’s to another sturgeon to you, Bill!
Whether you are looking for a day trip fishing or you want to stay longer, we can arrange everything from your pickup at the airport in a limo, to your hotel accommodation and the best guided fishing tours in the Fraser Valley. Please contact Marc or Maggie on Toll Free: 1-877-887-4366 or use our contact form.