A chum salmon trip to remember on the Squamish River near Vancouver

Article Date: December 2006

I recently enjoyed a trip to the Squamish River near Van- couver, British Columbia, as part of The Angling Report's FREE Fishing program. I was selected to sample the fishing for bright chum salmon on October 14-15 with Clint Goyette of Valley Fishing Guides, who also provided all the tackle, lunch and local transportation.

I am an experienced fly fisherman and have caught trout, steelhead, coho, chinook, sockeye, pink and chum salmon on the long rod. I was interested particularly in catching bright chums because my experience has been that these fish are incredibly strong and wild when caught in the lower estuaries.

My wife, Barbara, joined me on the drive from our home in Roseburg, Oregon, to Squamish to enjoy the scenery and the golf. We both love to play golf and enjoy courses in British Columbia. Barbara is also a fine pastel artist and took many digital pictures for possible paintings while we were there.

On Friday the 13th, we arrived in Vancouver on a bright, vibrant fall day with most of the foliage in autumn dress. The downtown area via highway 99 was bustling with a very international flavor in people and their attire. Stanley Park was beautiful as always, and the view from Lions Gate Bridge was stunning - a great way to start the trip.

From North Vancouver the Sea to Sky highway takes you to Squamish, a distance of 60 kilometers or 37 miles. Much of the highway is under construction to prepare for the Winter Olympics in 2010. Because of this, one must plan on an hour's driving time with many stops. This work will probably continue for the next three years. The highway is cut into granite cliffs 100 to 300 feet above the sea. Cedar, fir, hemlock, alder and maple cling to........(continued)

CONTACT DETAILS FOR COMPANIES/INDIVIDUALS MENTIONED IN ARTICLE (if any)

Valley Fishing Guides Ltd.. British Columbia, Canada. Tel. 877-858-7688, 604-938-4458. E-mail: contact@valleyfishing.com, Web: www.valleyfishing.com