I fished the Vedder Monday with my son. The trip was part of his birthday present along with a curado reel. He had his best day ever of river fishing. The rain on Monday put some color in the water and got the river rising. I was surprised at how many people were fishing on Monday morning but there was plenty of room for each. We fished the hole at the end of Lickman Rd. Everybody had at least several fish on, though my son had 6 that were 30 + lbs. He lost the first after 45 minutes and a 1/2 mile trek down the river. Though we came within a few feet of getting it into a net, the fish broke off after we could no longer move down river. My son was terribly upset over losing the huge bright fish. Two minutes after getting back to the hole, he had another on. I couldn't believe it. He landed the 30 lb buck after 30 minutes and a 1/4 mile trek down river. He loss the next 3 fish after extended fights with each. His last fish gave him quite a battle though he had a heavier 14 lb leader this time. After 35 minutes and another trek down river I somehow managed to fit the large king in a net. It weighed 39 lbs but looked even bigger. My son was so elated. He made me take a half dozen pictures. I had two fish on breifly but spent most of my day chasing after my son with the net. I did catch a 25 lb king the day before so I wasn't completely shown up by my son. We used a very small pink and white corkie (about pea size)with a small piece of pink yarn. The bottom of this hole is very clean so we just bounced bottom with lead. Other people were fishing just a small piece of peach yarn under floats and doing well also. Though we didn't see any silvers caught, I'm sure they are there now after the rain. Crossing the boarder at Sumas was not a problem in either direction. Saturday afternoon it took 15 minutes for the 8 cars in front of me and being asked 3 times if we had any weapons. Less than 5 minutes coming back and answering mostly fishing questions.
My son has been constantly begging to go back, even for just a day.

Deepwater

I'm curious about the Vedder River ... it was predicted to get over 50,000 Kings this fall. I haven't heard anything about the run other than your post. Are they getting what was predicted? Are there commercial gillnet fisheries on the lower Frazer R. that affect those runs, as there is on the Columbia? I haven't fished the Vedder yet and would like to next fall.

RT

There were plenty of white springs on the Vedder this year I was there during the red spring run in July,Sockeye in late July but non retention,likewise Pinks in Sept. with some Coho in October.
White springs are regarded as junk fish by the locals.Coho is the prefered species.
The hot spots above the Vedder Crossing were full of fishermen on the weekends and only slightly less so during the week.
but there are miles of pocket water where you see few anglers. These are the places to hunt Coho.
With the commercial nets removed three years ago there should be a good steelhead return this winter.
coot

RT,

I took my wife up there fishing on the weekends of the 13-14, and 20-21. We caught MANY large "springs" (Kings). Along with chum, coho, and pinks. It is a crowded fishery, but not like most of the crackerfests we have down here. Nobody stood on top of each other, and everyone that I met was very friendly and polite. I didn't personally witness any blatant snagging like we see down here, and like Coot say's there is alot of pocket water that holds fish so you can always find a spot, and the fish numbers were incredible. The springs are also quite large. I don't think I landed one under 30#, and some were pushing 50#. It's a great place for someone who doesn't have a boat to get away from the masses on the rivers down here, to go and catch many fish. Plus, the exchange rate is great, so food and motels were very cheap. Overall, a very pleasant experience.

Thanks 'Salt. I especially like the attitude you expressed about the fishermen up there! With a share and get along 'tude, particularly when there are plenty of fish, goes a long ways toward a more pleasant fishing experience for everyone. I hope to be able to get up there next fall.

RT