Fly-fishing British Columbia rivers

steelhead taken (and released) in the Squamish River

Whistler's best rivers for fishing

British Columbia (BC) is one of my favorite places to fish. I am a huge fan of BC and particularly Vancouver, which has big sky, green mountains and awesome seascapes. I am also fortunate to have had the opportunity to indulge my passion for fishing here regularly over the past twenty years.

When fishing here, I often use Whistler as my base as it is a short drive to both Squamish and Pemberton, which have some marvelous rivers to fly-fish for various salmon and trout species. I always book a few days with Valley Fishing Guides - the owner and head guide, Clint Goyette, has always put me on fish and treated me to some of my most memorable fishing experiences in North America.

Squamish River fly-fishing

The go-to water when I am fishing with Clint is usually the Squamish River, which is mid-way between Vancouver and Whistler. It is a fantastic fishery and you do not have to go far from the downtown area of Squamish to find good water to fish. The stretch of water along Government Road has some good spots for wading, and is especially productive during the pink salmon run which occurs in August and September every odd year (ending in 5, 7, 9, etc.).

Squamish river pink salmon

Some very wild and scenic fishing can be found while driving several miles upstream of Squamish along Squamish Valley Road. Following gravel portions of this road, the fishing pressure can be minimal and the nymph fishing for trout amazingly productive. My best days here with Clint of Valley Fishing Guides have involved tight line nymphing in riffles and pockets.

Cheakamus River fly-fishing

Another interesting water north of Squamish is the Cheakamus near to Cheekye which is paralleled by Paradise Valley Road. Along the paved portion of this road there are some choice spots to enter the river, but much of it is posted as private. To find water that is more accessible for public fishing, it is best to follow on to the gravel portion (very slowly, as the posted signs request) until the road ends. Find a lay-by that is not a local’s driveway and follow the trail until it begins to parallel the Cheakamus. The preferred approach here is also tight line nymphing of riffles and the seams along deep sections.

reeling in a catch on the Cheakamus River

Birkenhead River fly-fishing

In the Pemberton area, which is a short drive to the north of Whistler, the Birkenhead River offers some excellent opportunities to fly-fish for various salmon and trout species, as well as whitefish. It is easy to get there by following the Sea to Sky Highway until Mt. Currie then bear to the left on the Pemberton Portage Road through Owl Creek to an area referred to as Creekside. On the left hand side of the road there are several laybys to park and cross the railroad tracks through to the river.

a Birkenhead rainbow

Be sure to check in with fly shops in Pemberton or Vancouver regarding river conditions and effective fly patterns. Tim at Michael & Young in Vancouver was very helpful in providing guidance as were the guys at Spud Valley in Pemberton.

I am not being compensated by my mention of Valley Fishing Guides or the fly shops. I am simply a happy client.