Region 2 - Fraser Valley Report, February 15, 2006

Fred’s Custom Tackle is now hosting the Annual “Wally Hall Jr. Memorial Derby”. Boasting a $1000.00 First Prize, this event has been a great success in years past and we hope to help continue the events popularity. The derby is for hatchery Steelhead only, starting on December 1st and running through to March 31.Registration fee is only $5.00. Prizes for 2nd place are a Shimano 10’6’ “Technium” rod and a Calcutta 400B, Third place is a “Fern Hill” river fishing vest. Lots of hidden weight prizes as well. All fish weighed in get a FREE Tim Horton’s coffee certificate. For registration and a complete list of rules and prizes, stop by the shop.

CHILLIWACK/VEDDER RIVER - Water levels are still on a continuing drop and the river is in prime shape! The temperatures dropped over night and we even had frost this morning, we even got a bit of snowed yesterday. The water clarity is very clear throughout the entire river! Yesterday we had 7 fish weighted in at the store and heard several rumors of big wild bucks released! There is now 168 fish weighted into the Wally Hall Derby. Over the last week fishing has been great and should get even better as the next weekend approaches!  The Chilliwack/Vedder is a very unstable system due to several active clay banks that dirty the river after heavy rains or snow melt. The returns in 2002/2003 were early and in good numbers with over 30 fish in the Boxing Day Derby alone. Given that the winter Steelhead run has not fallen victim to whatever circumstances which cut Coho numbers in half, we should have a good season ahead, as it has started already.

Wally Hall Jr Steelhead Derby

Wally Hall Jr Steelhead Derby
Leader Board

1. Matt Pace - 18.43 Doe
2. Ed Tappcowan - 16.621 Doe
3. Don Watko - 16.030 Doe

FRASER RIVER - The Fraser river is low and clear and is in prime shape for fishing cutts. February is a great time to be fishing cutts on the Fraser, side channels, tail outs are good areas to find these fish, remember you have to release all wild Cutthroat Trout! Blue Ridge has been quite good of late and you can't go wrong anywhere around herling Island. The Sturgeon fishing has still been quite good with success almost assured.

CHEHALIS RIVER - Water levels are low and clear and fishing has been average! We have heard of some guys getting some fish in the new lower sections of the river but its some nasty terrain. Guys up in the canyon have also been finding fish but with the low water conditions the fish are very spooky! There should still be some cutthroat trout scavenging in the lower river for some snacks, try egg patterns, flesh flies and even a minnow pattern.

HARRISON RIVER -There is not a lot going on this time of year! There will be some cutthroat scavenging for eggs, flesh or whatever is in its way as they get ready for the spawn. You can also find the odd steelhead in the lower system.

THOMPSON RIVER - The Thompson is now closed till June 1, 2006. It was a great year on the Tee, lots of fish caught but haven't heard the final numbers of fish that made it back to spawn, as soon as we find out those number we will let you know.