October 26, 2024, was a day I won't forget anytime soon. Living in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, I'm always grateful for the proximity to stunning natural landscapes and the world-class fishing opportunities that lie just a short drive away. This day, I decided to make the early morning trip to Squamish to target my favorite fish species: Coho Salmon.
The Early Start
While non-tidal (freshwater) fishing regulations here in British Columbia allow us to fish one hour before sunrise, I took it a bit slower that morning, hitting the river around 7:45 a.m., long after the official fishing start time. The crisp fall air and the peaceful, mist-covered waters made the delay worthwhile.
I had my gear ready and cast my line into the river with high hopes. The target was Coho Salmon, where the regulations require releasing every wild one (identifiable by an intact adipose fin) and only keeping one hatchery fish per day (these have their adipose fin clipped at the hatchery).
The Action Begins
It didn't take long before I felt the first tug—a wild Coho! I successfully landed it at 7:56 a.m. and promptly released it back into the river. My adrenaline was already pumping. At 8:24 a.m., I landed another wild Coho, and then at 8:34 a.m., I caught my first hatchery Coho of the day, the one I was allowed to keep.
The fishing was red-hot; it seemed like the Coho were everywhere. I landed another hatchery Coho at 8:57 a.m., followed quickly by a massive one at 9:01 a.m.—the biggest catch of the day at a whopping 79 cm. From 9:07 a.m. to 10:13 a.m., I caught another seven salmon, alternating between wild and hatchery fish. It was a dream morning, especially with the challenge of using single barbless hooks, as required by our local regulations. The barbless hooks ensure a fair fight, and I lost about twelve fish throughout the morning when they slipped off the hook.
A Catch to Remember
By 10:35 a.m., my friend Ross joined me at the same spot. We chatted and shared some fishing tips, and I managed to land one last salmon at 10:41 a.m., making it an even dozen Coho caught that morning. I was thrilled with the results—six wild and six hatchery salmon, a rare and satisfying balance. I kept one hatchery Coho for dinner, a delicious reward after such an incredible outing.
A Close Encounter with Nature
As the day warmed up, I decided to move to a different fishing spot nearby. To my delight, I spotted a mama bear with two cubs on the other side of the river. It was a humbling and beautiful moment, a reminder of the raw wilderness that we are privileged to enjoy so close to home. It’s not every day you get to witness such a scene, and it made me pause and appreciate how lucky we are to live in such a vibrant city like Vancouver, surrounded by pristine nature.
Wrapping Up
This was easily my most successful fishing day of the season. The rush of landing 12 Coho Salmon in just three hours, combined with the tranquility of the river and the unexpected bear sighting, made it a perfect outing. Days like this remind me why I love fishing so much—it's not just about the catch but also about the connection to nature and the simple joy of being outside.
If you're a fellow angler or someone looking to experience the thrill of fishing in British Columbia, I can't recommend the Squamish system enough, especially during the Coho run. Whether you catch anything or not, the experience of being out there is something special, and you never know what you might encounter.
Until next time, tight lines and happy fishing! 🎣
