By Tony Nootebos owner, Harrison Bay Guided Services

British Columbia's Fraser Valley is a sport fishers dream come true! There are trout, salmon, and sturgeon fishing opportunities spread through out the area. Harrison Hot Springs lake and recreation area is located right in the heart of the Fraser valley offering beautiful scenery, great accommodation, and unbelievable fishing opportunities for those who want to catch the big one. You can fish some of the local lakes and area hot spots for trout, or enjoy a guided fishing charter for trout, salmon, or sturgeon on the Harrison and Fraser River systems. Local fishing guides are available year round for daily charters and fishing holidays.

Harrison Lake and local Sasquatch park lakes offer good trout fishing opportunities for those wanting to wet a line with light spinning tackle or fly gear. Small spinners and spoons are probably the easiest way to catch trout on Harrison Lake, where power bait, worms or single eggs are the most popular at local Hicks, Deer and Trout lakes. Fly fishing can be good on Harrison Lake from the early spring right through the summer months using Minnow and streamer patterns.

The Sasquatch Park lakes are best fly fished with a small boat or float tube as there are not many shore access points for your back cast. Mayfly nymphs, Chironomids, and Damsel fly patterns all produce well in these smaller lakes. There are canoe and power boat rentals for those who want to explore fishing opportunities on Harrison Lake, and canoe rentals are available on Hicks Lake to enjoy as well. Harrison Tempo gas station has fishing tackle, licenses and bait, Harrison Bay Guided Services offers a great selection of British Columbia fly patterns and has fishing reports posted weekly. Boat rentals and fully guided fishing charters are available at the Harrison Adventure Park Marina located in front of the Harrison Resort and Spa.

The Fraser River is home to the oldest fresh water fish on earth the White Sturgeon. These very slow growing animals can live over 150 years old, obtain lengths of over 14 ft and weigh in at over 1500 lbs. Sturgeon have survived the ice age and are considered a modern day dinosaur! Today all Sturgeon fishing in British Columbia is catch and release only, with many sport fishers and fishing guides helping with the Fraser River Sturgeon Conservation Society tagging study.

Over the past 6 years volunteers have helped tag over 24000 sturgeon, and because of recent efforts the population of white sturgeon in the Fraser valley is rebounding fast. We now average 1 sturgeon per hour on our guided fishing trips with fish between 60 and 200lbs caught every day, and fish over 500lbs caught yearly! If time allows you have got to try Sturgeon fishing, the powerful runs and aerial leaps along with the good science obtained to protect these awesome creatures is well worth the time and money spent. Get out and enjoy your guided Sturgeon trip today!

The Fraser River is also the largest salmon producing river in the world, and from May through November millions of salmon swim right through the Fraser Valley. All 5 species of pacific salmon migrate up the Fraser River, but none are bigger or more powerful than the Chinook salmon, Chinook (king) salmon move through the Fraser River from May right through October reaching weights of up to 60lbs, prime times for Chinook are June, July, August and September. You may retain 1 Chinook salmon per day! Sockeye salmon begin entering the Fraser River in July, and by early August there are literally Millions of salmon passing through the area. Sockeye salmon average 6 to 10 lbs, and there is usually a 2 week opening from August.1st to August.15th for the retention of 2 Sockeye salmon per day. Check regulations before heading out!

Pink salmon begin arriving in mid August, and by early September the Fraser River and its tributaries are literally full of fish. Pinks return odd numbered years only! Coho and Chum salmon are the last salmon to swim up the Fraser River on any given year, but during the months of October and November they are abundant and are known for their aggressive takes and hard fights. Coho average 6 to 12 lbs and provide great table fare, while the Chum salmon are much larger averaging 12 to 20 lbs but are not considered great eating! The Harrison area is located only 60 miles from the ocean; the salmon are fresh and full of life and sports fishing along the many gravel bars of the Fraser River from Mission right up through Hope often produce great catches of pacific salmon. September and October are the peak months to catch salmon on a fly rod, with the rivers low, clear and full of fish the conditions could not be better for the fly fisher. Streamers, minnow patterns and attractors are the preferred choice in flies fished on floating or sink tip lines. There are teaching guides available offering instruction in the art of fly casting and fishing right in Harrison Hot Springs!

The Harrison River is another gem of the Fraser valley, offering World class trout, sturgeon and Salmon fishing with some of the best wildlife viewing to be enjoyed as well. The Harrison has been a favorite among fly fishers for years providing some of the best Cutthroat trout found anywhere in the lower mainland. The Lillooet River located at the top end of Harrison Lake has some of the best trout and char fishing in region 2 This River is a fly fisher's paradise! (Catch and release only) You may want to consider hiring a local guide for this adventure as the waters are extreme and knowledge of the river is the only way to ensure a quality and safe experience.

Harrison Hot Springs lake and recreation area is a special place where you can enjoy world class salmon, trout, and sturgeon fishing while taking in a relaxing village atmosphere. The breath taking scenery, beautiful lake, smiling faces and relaxing natural hot springs make Harrison a place for the whole family. Come and enjoy a fishing holiday in British Columbia's Fraser valley this year!

Come Visit Us Soon!

Tony Nootebos @ www.harrisonbay.com