The Nimpkish river is the largest river on Vancouver island and the legend  Roderick Haig-Brown called it The Big One. Seasons: Winter and Early Spring are the best time to fish this river. One being a summer-run of fish from July to October, and the other being a winter-run of fish from December to April. Gear fishing is very productive from October to December, best with egg patterns. Vancouver Island is home to some of the best winter steelhead fishing in British Columbia. You are allowed to anchor and fish one of the many great spots. Dancing water, walking pace currents, tail outs, rocks to hold behind/in front of and river bottom depressions are all prime steelhead lies. The Stamp is a great fly fishing opportunity but once the salmon spawn occurs these steelhead won’t even notice a fly. The water is generally clear, unless it’s flooding. The steelhead fishing is highly productive right up until February, though it usually peaks in January. Even now, twenty-five years after Earl and I had our great day, not many people fish the river and very few know it well. Known as the fish of a thousand casts for good reason, steelhead are not a fish you can expect to catch. Steelhead abundance plummets to all time lows. These egg hunters have their noses down continually in search of their next tasty meal. Babine River Upper Skeena tributary. Some of the deep canyons of this river are inaccessible to hikers but we have found that the most productive pools are lower down and very accessible with only a short hike. Stamp/Somass: Upward of 2,000 steelhead stack up in this Vancouver Island system, most of them below Stamp Falls, 16 kilometres from the Alberni Inlet. We use 8wt fly rods with sinking tips while in pursuit of these spectacular fish on the fly. day after day. This river is very beautiful, flowing green with great riffles and is perfectly suited for sports fishing. They differ in the timing of their return to the streams. This is what gets you into the best fishing holes. The Vedder River is a great local river close to Vancouver, it’s located approximately one and half hours east of the big city, in Chilliwack. When reading the river, think of the river as a steelhead highway. Vancouver Island Steelhead rivers are some of the most unique around. Summer steelhead are most often found on the west coast rivers of Vancouver Island (most notably Gold River), however they are also present in a few select east coast island rivers. Summer steelhead are most often found on the west coast rivers of Vancouver Island (most notably Gold River), however they are also present in a few select east coast island rivers. Besides the river is filled with tourists tubing every summer anyway, also not great for fish stress unfortunately. As with all Vancouver Island Steelhead Rivers, it’s very important to be up to date on regulations for this river as it is considered one of the most confusing regulated rivers, so ask for help and then check for yourself to ensure accuracy. Someone experienced with this system can get you into the great spots instead of wasting your time in the non-producing areas. To the north, the Skeena River steelhead summer run is estimated to be just over 15,000, which is less than half of that stock’s long-term average. Hatchery enhanced waters include the Stamp, Quinsam, and Quatse rivers. WhatsApp. Listed as one of BC’s top steelhead rivers by, , it’s definitely one of my favorite Vancouver Island Steelhead Rivers. Winter Steelhead are one of the hardest fighting freshwater fish that reside in Canadian waters, Vancouver Island Steelhead will bring an angler to their knees! 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