A River Never Sleeps

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Coming to British Columbia? We are in Canada Eh!

Listed on this page below are some of the fly fishing shops, guides, accommodations, Web links and other services that you might need in fishing British Columbia. Please visit our site host above as they bring you these pages.
This page also offers an overview of the province, and a look at fishing through the seasons to help you in planning a trip and even a British Columbia Fly Box of recomended flies to use in BC Waters.
The information here is not meant to be comprehensive. It should be just a start in researching a trip. Please be sure and visit our site host sponsor ads above as they are the ones that provide this information to you!

British Columbia seen from a Satellite

British Columbia is a vast province that sits on Canada’s West Coast, between the Rocky Mountains and the Pacific. To the south British Columbia borders on Washington, Idaho and Montana. To the East is Alberta. North is Alaska and the Yukon.

In this sweeping terrain of mountains, rivers and lakes is found some of the greatest fishing in the world. This is home to the legendary Kamloops trout, to Tyee salmon, northern coho and the biggest steelhead on the planet.

It has been said that somewhere in B.C., in any month, you can find great fishing.

In the spring, the trout lakes of the Interior come alive, with fly fishermen chasing big rainbows with tiny chironomid patterns, or big dragonfly nymphs. During the same season, massive ou t migrations of salmon fry produce incredible fishing opportunities in rivers where cutthroat, rainbow, Dolly Varden and bull trout are taken on floating lines, with streamer patterns.

In the summer, the lakes produce exquisite dry fly fishing. And even on hot days you can hike, or fly in a float plane, into cold mountain lakes. Some of the rivers produce their best fishing during the hottest months, with fresh runs of salmon and steelhead in from the Pacific. Ocean fly fishing is at its best then too, as schools of salmon move to inshore waters.

In the fall, salmon runs peak. Chum, sockeye, coho, pink and chinook salmon flood into coastal rivers. And there are steelhead. . .

In winter there are more runs of steelhead, and in coastal lakes, cutthroat trout, as well as beach fishing for searun cutties.

Looking for Fish in British Columbia........try a fly at these spots!

Vancouver, the largest city in British Columbia and the third largest city in Canada after Toronto and Montreal, is the jumping off place for most fishing trips on the West Coast. It is a business and industrial center, as well as being a tourist destination because of its beautiful beaches, parks and mountain views.

On Vancouver Island, a 90-minute ferry ride away, the small towns of Port Alberni and Campbell River compete for the title of Salmon Fishing Capital of the World. Campbell River has a more storied past and a richer fishing culture, but Port Alberni boasts the biggest runs of salmon.
Ocean fishing predominates in both communities, but there is also good river and lake fishing close at hand.

In the Interior of British Columbia, Kamloops has claimed the title of trout fishing center - because of the famed Kamloops trout which are wild in the hundreds of lakes within a few hours drive.

Other smaller towns, like Merritt and Logan Lake, are actually better placed to get to the lakes that are nestled in the mountains, surrounded by pine forests. This is ranching and logging country, and most travel is on gravel roads once you have left the main highway system.

Farther to the East, Cranbrook is located in the shadows of the Rocky Mountains, where rivers like the St. Mary and the Elk are famed for their fine cutthroat fishing.

To the North, Quesnel and Prince George are located in the center of wild, rolling country where the lakes and rivers offer incredible trout fishing. These are lumber and pulp mill towns, however, and if you want a quiet place to stay, you will have to search out a lodge, resort or bed & breakfast.

Driving West from Prince George to Prince Rupert takes you through untamed ranching country where almost all the lakes, rivers and streams hold trout.

Many of the small towns along this route - Vanderhoof, Houston, Smithers - offer decent hotels and the restaurants, which cater to working people, have hearty, simple menus. You can follow logging roads to lakes for day trips, returning to the small towns at night, camp in the provincial and forest service campgrounds, or find lodges which range from luxurious to rustic (i.e., outhouses, mice and water from hand pumps). The fishing can be spectacular.

In any of the towns in B.C., wilderness fishing is just a short float plane ride away, and many charter operators have cabins and boats on remote waters.

North of the Prince George-Prince Rupert highway is a vast wilderness region, with few towns and endless miles of gravel roads. There are so many lakes that it is possible to fish on a different one each day, all summer, and never have to share.

Distances are immense. Services are far between. Just traveling here is an adventure, and if you are new to British Columbia, we recommend you go with others - and do your homework in advance.

Most lakes in British Columbia can be fished well only from a boat or float tube, so come prepared. Rivers are often cold from glacial melt, so waders are needed in all but the southern waters.

Black flies and mosquitoes can be atrocious, at times. Take bug spray. But believe this.....you will forget the insects when the trout start hitting.

SEASONS:

Spring - March, April, May
Spring fishing begins as early as March in British Columbia, along the Pacific coast where a temperate ocean climate prevails. In the southern part of the province, particularly in the Gulf Islands, lakes seldom freeze and it is possible to fish for cutthroat trout throughout the year.
Some rivers have steelhead fishing in the spring, and as the weather warms, fishing opportunities progress inland, where the winters are colder. By April and May the Kamloops trout lakes in southern B.C. are producing, although there can still be snow showers at higher elevations.

Summer - June, July, August
Summer also brings in the first big runs of salmon, with chinook showing in many watersheds, and some rivers, like the Dean, offer legendary steelhead fishing.
Summer is also a time for fly fishermen to try for salmon in salt water, casting bucktails along kelp beds, off gravel spits, or on windy points.

Fall - September, October, November
Fall brings an incredible abundance of fishing opportunities, with huge runs of salmon coming in, and the lakes returning to their best form. Some rivers also have early fall runs of steelhead.

Winter - December, January, February
In winter much of the northern part of the province is locked in by snow and ice, but there can still be steelhead found in coastal rivers, and trout in open lakes in the south.
The onset of colder weather also locks up the glaciers that feed many rivers, bringing clear, low water that makes for great fishing for late salmon, and the trout that move in to feed on their eggs.

Fishing Maps, Regulations and Licensing information

The British Columbia Fisheries Branch and Fisheries and Oceans Canada have a great freshwater fishing resource called the FISHWizard. Here you can find a River, Lake or Stream by clicking on an interactive map. To use the FISHWizard click here:

Sport Fishing in British Columbia is broken down into two categories Sport Fishing in Non Tidal Waters (Freshwater) and Sport Fishing in Tidal Waters (Saltwater including salmon in Freshwater)

For British Columbia Freshwater Sport Fishing Regulations click here:

For British Columbia Freshwater Sport Fishing License information click here:

For British Columbia Tidal Water Sport Fishing Regulations click here:

For British Columbia Tidal Water Sport Fishing License information click here:

Check the current weather conditions in British Columbia, Canada

Coming to British Columbia to Fish? Need the latest up to the minute weather reports? We have a link to Environment Canada's Website for British Columbia click here: Just search the location closest to your destination and read on.

If you are traveling to other parts of Canada and need the current weather conditions click here and look for your destination.

Interested in seeing a GOES-West satellite map of the weather affecting Western Canada? For a Infra-red Quicktime animation updated hourly by Environment Canada click here:

For a Infra-red satellite weather map of British Columbia by Environment Canada click here:

For a Gif animated weather map of British Columbia by Environment Canada click here:

Tourism information in British Columbia

Tourism British Columbia:
8th Floor, 865 Hornby Street, Vancouver, British Columbia V6Z 2G3
Tel: (604) 660 2861.
Fax: (604) 660 3383.
Web site: http://www.hellobc.com

In London, England
Tourism British Columbia:
3rd Floor, British Columbia House, 3 Regent Street, London SW1Y 4NS
Tel: (09068) 715 000

The World Travel Online has some very useful information for International visitors to British Columbia to visit their site: click here:

For those visiting Vancouver the Vancouver Tourism Board has a usefull website at: click here:

For those visiting Victoria and Vancouver Island the British Columbia Travel Guide has the site you will want to visit at: click here:

Wildlife in British Columbia

If you are travelling to British Columbia from outside of North America and spending time in the outdoors you should be aware of the wildlife you might encounter.

Bears: British Columbia is home to Black Bears and the larger Grizzly Bear (pictured right) more information can be found by clicking here.

Cougars: British Columbia is home to Bob Cats and Lynx but its the larger wild cat called Cougar you should know about for info click here.

Insects: Black Flies, Horse Flies and Mosquitos while none of them are dangerous in British Columbia the can be a pain full nuisance for more information click here.

Rattle Snakes: A small part of the Interior in British Columbia has a population of Rattle Snakes. To download a pdf file with information on these snakes click here.

General Travel Information for British Columbia

Traveling around British Columbia by car? Here is a list of links that will assist you.

British Columbia Ferries Site has schedules and fares for travelling to and from the mainland of BC can be found by clicking here.

British Columbia Highways posts road travel advisories see them by clicking here:

Want a map of just about anywhere in British Columbia click here:

Fly Shops, Guides and Accommodation a selected list

Vancouver (Telephone area code 604)

Fly Shops	Guides	Accommodation/Resorts
Ruddick's Fly Shop Malcom and Kathy Ruddick 604.681-3747	Danny Gerak 604.520.1796 Upper Pitt River	Upper Pitt River Resort 1.800.665.6206
Babcock's Fly and Tackle 604.931.5044	Kelly Davidson 604.931.5044	Sylvia Hotel 604.681.9321

Victoria (Telephone area code 250)

Fly Shops Guides Accommodation/Resorts

Robinson's Sporting Goods 1.888.317.0033

Pat Micek 250.474.6252

The Empress Hotel - 250.384.8111

Kamloops - Merritt (Telephone area code 250)

Fly Shops Guides Accommodation/Resorts

Logan Lake Fly Shop, Georgi and Neil 1.250.523.9711

Mo Bradley 250.579.9097 - Kamloops

Tunkwa Lake Rob and Monica 1.250.523.9697 - Logan Lake

Duncan/Lake Cowichan/Campbell River (Telephone area code 250)

Fly Shops Guides Accommodation/Resorts

River Sportsman 250.286.1017 (Campbell River)

Joe Saysell 604.749.3062 (Duncan)

Best Western (Duncan) 250.748.2722

Kimberley, Cranbrook, Golden (Telephone area code 250)

Fly Shops Guides Accommodation/Resorts

St. Mary Angler 1.800.667.2311 Kimberley

Karen Zanussi 1.250.427.1744 (Kimberley)

Quality Inn Kimberley 1.250.427.2266

Getting Around British Columbia

To / From Airline Contact

Seaplane Charters

Seair

604.273.8900

Helicopter Charters

Talon Helicopters

604.214.3585

Vancouver/Victoria/Seattle

Helijet Airways

1.800.665.4354

Local British Columbia Flights

North Vancouver Air

(604) 278-1608

Local British Columbia Flights

Pacific Coastal Airlines

1.800.663.2872

In and Around British Columbia

Air Canada

(604) 273-8666

On the Ferry

British Columbia Ferries

1.888.223.3779

Vancouver and Lower Mainland telephone area code 604, all other areas code 250. Going fishing outside of British Columbia? Here is a selection of places we have been.

Whitehorse, Yukon Territories
Caddis & Grayling Fly Shop - 867.393.8230

Montreal Quebec
Boutique Salmo Nature - 514.871.8447

London, England
The House of Hardy - 020.7839 5515
Farlow's of Pall Mall - 020.7626.2423
Sportfish Centre - 020.7839.9008

Paris, France
La Maison de la Mouche Dubos - 01.43.54.60.46

Nelson, New Zealand
Tony Entwistle Fly Fishing - 03.548.1840

Visit A River Never Sleeps, preferred Fly Fishing Site Hosts

A River Never Sleeps pages about Fly Fishing in Western Canada are linked below