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Steelhead and Coastal Cutthroat Trout Fly Fishing Trips BC Canada

by FishFinder · March 26, 2021

Steelhead and Coastal Cutthroat Trout Fly Fishing Trips BC Canada. As the snow begins to melt and the pussy willows start to pop, rivers start to show life. Salmon fry, a staple food source for large anadromous species start to emerge from the gravel beds. This can create a feeding frenzy that is easily duplicated with either fry patterns or small spoons. While Steelhead are known as the fish of a thousand casts, Coastal Cutthroat Trout are much more abundant. If you happen to stumble onto a school of Cutthroat, it can be a very memorable experience. In the streams we fish, Steelhead can grow in excess of 20 LBS and we have caught Cutthroat that tip the scale at 6.5 LBS. Both put on exceptional aerial displays and make line burning runs.

While Anadromous species are the main target in our streams and rivers. This time of year there is also a healthy population of resident and migratory Bull Trout. Bull Trout absolutely gorge on Salmon fry and can be easily fooled with a good presentation. There is no mistaking a bull trout bite. They instantly go into heavy head shakes and try to keep deep while burying there heads into structure. Bull Trout in our local streams can grow in excess of 10 LBS and make great photos with their big toothy smile. Bull Trout always keep the day interesting.

How To Catch Steelhead and Cutthroat Trout While Fly Fishing in BC

While there is a huge push for Spey fishing in the Pacific Northwest we still enjoy swinging flies on the single hand fly rods. We have a few spey rods for those that want to swing big meaty flies, but have found that most of the waters we fly fish can easily be covered with a single hand. Nothing compares to the feeling of a 15LB Steelhead losing it’s mind on the end of a single hand fly rod.

Choosing the right fly line and Fly Rod for Steelhead

When choosing a fly rod for Steelhead, you’ll want want either a 7wt or 8wt in a fast action rod. Most of the flies that you will be using will be considered large in the fly fishing world. Match your fly rod up with either a type 3 or type 6 sink tip line. Personally I prefer a type 6 fly line. Fly lines I recommend are Scientific Anglers Sonar Titan WF-8-F/S6. The Sonar Titan has a 43′ head length and it will allow you to turn over even the biggest streamers while you’re searching for the biggest fish.

Another line we like to use is the Rio InTouch Streamer Tip. This line has a short compact head 30′. A short, heavy head loads rods at close range, allowing anglers to make fast, one-shot casts. An aggressive, powerful front taper casts large conehead muddlers and bunny leech rigs with ease, while a welded loop on the front end allow anglers to change rigs quickly. Both of these fly lines are great for Steelhead Fly Fishing. All of your fly fishing needs are well stocked at our Sporting Goods Store, Spud Valley Sporting Goods Ltd located at 1380 birch drive in beautiful Pemberton, BC.

Good places to look for Steelhead in A River or Stream

Of course, I’m not going to give you names of Streams and Rivers but if you find yourself a beautiful Stream with Winter Steelhead I suggest you keep it to yourself. These beautiful creatures are becoming harder and harder to find, especially in the Pacific Northwest. So, you’ve done your homework and found a Steelhead river. Now let’s talk about where they like to hide and hangout. Most people look for the deepest hole in the River and those spots get pounded, daily.

Try finding structure in the form of log jams or root balls. Not, only does this give the Steelhead cover but it also gives Salmon fry a place to hide, which is a staple food source for Steelhead. Most big runs consist of a head, body and tail out. You will find that most Steelhead get caught in the tail out of a run. Tail outs usually are the best water in a hole to swing a fly. The water depth is consistent and the flow is stead across.

Steelhead and Coastal Cutthroat Trout Fly Fishing Trips BC Canada

The body of a run can be very good as well if there is structure in the form of logs or boulders. Steelhead are the masters of ambush and with the help of cover, they feed very well. This being said, swing a good presentation over a boulder or by a log and you’ll probably stir some interest. Another key to being a successful Steelheader is changing up your patterns in each and every run. Lazy Steelheader’s don’t catch fish, the more patterns you throw at them, the better you’ll do. Keep cycling!

Steelhead Fishing Guides in BC

There are many options when it comes to Steelhead Fishing guides in British Columbia. Here at the Pemberton Fish Finder we have great Steelhead waters and Fishing guides that fish them daily. It is important to stay on top of the species you’re wanting to target, each and everyday. They sit in different waters and they can become very difficult to catch for the average Joe. Our Professional Fly Fishing guides give you the absolute best chance at poking a Steelhead in our waters Period. Our fly fishing guides combined have over 100 years of fishing knowledge in the Streams and Rivers throughout the Sea to Sky corridor.

Pemberton Fish Finder’s guides have also developed Steelhead flies specifically for the waters that we fly fish. It’s not always the best thing to be throwing what everyone else is chucking. Subtle changes can trigger Steelhead and we understand this very well. Steelhead want different flies that catch their eye. Somedays it’s a color change or possibly a contour or profile change. These subtle changes all add up to being successful or hearing the famous fishing guide line, “Shoulda been here yesterday”. Steelhead and Coastal Cutthroat Trout Fly Fishing Trips BC Canada

Book your Steelhead Fishing Trip in BC Today

Needless to say, the professional fly fishing guide at Pemberton Fish Finder will try there upmost in getting your line tight. Be prepared to do some hiking and lets get you on the fast track to Steelhead fly fishing success. Our online booking platform is simple to use or drop us an email at info@pembertonfishfinder.com If you have further questions or need help booking your accommodations, our booking agent “Melissa” is eager to help. Call our toll free line 1-877-905-8121.

I hope you enjoyed our article and we look forward to fly fishing with you in the near future, Brad Knowles Pemberton Fish Finder.

Cutthroat Trout fly fishing in British Columbia Canada

Steelhead and Coastal Cutthroat Trout Fly Fishing Trips BC Canada.

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FishFinder

I was born and raised in Pemberton, British Columbia. As a young boy, the small town of Pemberton didn't offer the youth many things other than great fishing. So every waking moment I would be seen fishing the local rivers and lakes on a daily basis. In 1976 My Father "Ivan Knowles" opened Spud Valley Sporting Goods Ltd, and how fitting he had his two boys running the shop who were both very avid in hunting, camping and most of all ... fishing. Everyday people from all over the World would come in and get the local scoop, buy their gear and be off to catch fish. Later on My local knowledge and ability to help people catch fish would come in handy. Soon I ventured away from the family business to work as a angling guide for 5 years. In those 5 years I stared in my own fishing show called ELITE FISHING which was seen by 100,000 people a week on Whistler Cable. I have made a name for myself as the man to see if you want to catch fish. Now back working at Spud Valley Sporting Goods Ltd, "The Family Business", I love working with my brother Sheridan and father Ivan. Also a proud member of the fisheries committee for Pemberton Wildlife Association - helping make local decisions on local fisheries. I have a passion for fishing and seeing other people catch fish and this shows with my New Business venture The Pemberton Fish Finder, Visit my website for the Best fishing Tours and Fishing Reports for Whistler, Squamish, Vancouver, Lillooet and Pemberton BC, Canada. Book a Fishing tour of a lifetime today call toll free 1-877-905-8121 or email info@pembertonfishfinder.com Visit our website http://pembertonfishfinder.com for more information and rates.