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River Fishing:
Species Info
Here are the species you are likely to encounter when fishing the scenic rivers and streams of the Queen Charlotte Islands:
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STEELHEAD
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COHO SALMON
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PINK SALMON
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Time of year: Late October through April or early May
Other names: Steelhead trout, sea-run rainbow trout
Identification: One of the most prized of all of BC's great game fish. Hooking and successfully landing a well-sized steelhead is a real challenge and should be on every angler’s to-do list. Abundantly found in the main rivers and creeks of Graham Island from early winter through spring, ranging in size from 8 – 20+ pounds. They have a hard fighting style, punctuated by long powerful runs and spectacular aerial displays. The steelhead is essentially a rainbow trout that migrates out to saltwater, and is thus classified as a salmonid; but unlike other salmon, it may return to spawn several times in its life. Colouring is steel blue to chrome silver when in saltwater; slowly reverting to more greenish body with black spots on back and fins when in freshwater.
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Time of year: Late June through October
Other names: silver, hooknose, blueback
Identification: Notorious for their wild, fast and erratic fight, frequently punctuated by acrobatic leaps out of the water. Bright silver in colour; white mouth, with white gums at the base of the teeth; silver tail with spots usually on the top and a wide base.
Spawning coho will develop green backs, red sides and bellies; males will also develop a pronounced hooked nose with sharp teeth.
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Time of year: August and September
Other names: Humpback, humpie
Identification: Smallest of the salmon, but a good fight when taken on lighter tackle, with occasional leaps and quick runs. Averaging 4 – 10 pounds, they will readily take a variety of flies and lures. Ocean pinks have silver bodies with V-shaped tails covered with large oval spots. During spawning, body colour turns yellowish gray with brown-green backs, and males develop a humped back.
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CUTTHROAT TROUT
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DOLLY VARDEN
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Time of year: Year round
Other names: Red-throated trout, clark’s trout, spotted trout
Identification: A tremendous sport fish, offering a strong fight with determined runs. Takes wet or dry flies, and spinning lures. Body is dark to olive green and heavily spotted, with dark spots on the whole flank; 2 bright red or orange streaks on the underside of the jaw (hence the name). Queen Charlotte cutthroats will rarely exceed 6 pounds, but their persistent runs will test a 5 wt. rod any day. Found in rivers, estuaries and lakes throughout the Queen Charlotte Islands.
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Time of year: Year round
Other names: Bull trout, Dolly, char, bull char
Identification: Although not as prized as the rainbow and cutthroat, Dolly Varden possess many of the same fighting qualities, and provide good sport when fished with lighter 4-5 wt tackle. Will readily take spoons and lures, as well as some wet or dry flies. A member of the char family, but trout-like in appearance with dark blue to grayish green backs, white to light grey bellies, white leading edges on pectoral and anal fins; and numerous light pink or yellowish spots over its body. Found in rivers and lakes throughout the Queen Charlotte Islands. Size range is 2 – 6 pounds.
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