Our Rivers & Fishing Seasons

The most sought after, and one of the most challenging species we guide for. The Squamish river has only a winter run of steelhead. They begin to arrive as early as December, however, we generally do not begin to target them until March with most effort being in April and May. Single and double-handed rods coupled with a stout reel and sink-tip fly lines are the tackle of choice.

Pinks are available to the fly fisher in both the local rivers and estuaries. If you are able to cast a fly 50-70ft then you are capable of fly fishing for pinks from our local beaches, whether you are just beginning or a seasoned angler! Pinks are available in the rivers from July through September of the odd years (2019, 2021, 2023 etc.)

Coho, or "Silvers" as they're known arrive around the end of September. At Valley Fishing Guides, we generally don’t begin guiding for them until October. In-river fish are targeted using floating, intermediate and sink-tip (wet-tip) fly lines.

Chinook salmon arrive in June through Sept. They are the largest of the salmon and the most difficult to target as our rivers are usually in freshet.

ONCORHYNCHUS MYKISS. The most abundant fish in the area. The rainbow trout provides many anglers with joy and excitement every year. Many of the lakes are stocked annually with this highly acrobatic game fish and by contrast our rivers are home to only wild fish. Rainbow trout average in the 12 - 16 inches range and are readily taken on a fly, however, they can reach 30" in some of our rivers. Dry fly fishing is available from late June through October.

SALVELINUS CONFLUENTUS. The largest of our predatory trout (actually a Char). They can get up to 15lbs but average in the 16"-24" range.

ONCORHYNCHUS CLARKII CLARKII. These little beauties come into our rivers in the spring to spawn and eat salmon fry. Highly migratory they will be there one day and gone the next which makes finding them a real treat!