Our 35th Guiding Season

Here’s a rare “rattle on”:

We are nearing the opening of our 35th guiding season and we are anticipating the fishing and guiding to come this year. We look forward to spending time in the boat fishing with old friends, meeting new friends, and introducing new anglers to the Fraser River fishery. When I think of old and new, there is enjoyment for us guides from every group because there are always new possibilities, especially when we get to witness the expressions of a first-time sturgeon angler who just hooked up, or see a returning guest turn over their best fish.

As always, the weather plays a prominent role in how our fishery plays out by way of how river levels are situated throughout the year. River levels and subsequent water temperatures are important to the health of our fish. If I had some “weather wishes” for 2024, I would like to see a mild spring with normal rainfall, a moderate summer with some rain every week to ten days to keep river temperatures comfortable for summer salmon returns and for our sturgeon, and a regular west coast fall that brings some regular rain to keep water levels suitable for the returning, local salmon runs of chinook, coho, and chum. The key word in all of that is rain. We don’t need rain in torrents – just some nice, average, regular, casual rain!

While the majority of our guiding revolves around sturgeon, we will also be hosting local salmon fishing trips for chum and coho whether it be by gear or by fly. I enjoy the change-up in the fall by fishing for some salmon. During the fall, it is not hard to salmon and sturgeon fish successfully in one outing.

This year, Bowie, Larry, and I will be taking care of the guiding duties. One component of sturgeon fishing that we as guides enjoy, is our desire to move around the river and cover different ground as water levels rise and fall, and as the seasons progress. This keeps the daily routine less routine and makes for interesting and always hopeful angling (and guiding). I regularly ask myself “What will we turn up over here, today?” as we cover different sections of the river. Guests that are with us on multi-day trips are keen to find out as well, and enjoy the variety immensely!

Maggie is in the office and always ready to answer emails and phone calls with her cheery voice. If you contact us, Maggie will be the first person you speak to. Maggie will take care of all your questions, and professionally and promptly handle your bookings. I can say that Maggie has never left anyone standing at the launch without a boat; nobody is left behind – her attention to detail is second to none. She’s the best office manager in the business.

Some days, fishing can be downright difficult, no matter how many tricks you pull out of your hat, but jet boating on the river is an experience in itself. Being anchored on the water, surrounded by British Columbia is stunning, particularly when the weather cooperates. It’s a new angle for many locals to look from the river to the highways, rather than the other way around. And I enjoy showing the scenery and talking about the wildlife that we see regularly out here. I learn a lot from many of our guests, too! Time can pass very quickly. On tough days, it’s what you make of it – there are plenty of worse things that we have to slog through in life. This just isn’t one of them. And, should the fish play ball (which they normally do), you just may see something that sticks in the back of your mind for a long time to come.

If you have wondered what all the fuss is about when it comes to sturgeon, or you need to get out there because you already know how much fun it is, please feel free to give us a call, drop us an email, or use our contact page on our website. Maggie will take care of the rest!

We look forward to the upcoming season, and spending quality time in the boat with all of you. See you soon!

Best wishes to you all, from all of us!

Cheers!