Fly Fishing

Fly fishing victoria, fishing in Cowichan River, BC, YYJ, fishing in VictoriaWaters surrounding Victoria and lower Vancouver Island, BC offer a host of opportunities for fly fishing whether on the rivers and lakes or seeking salmon on the ocean or estuaries.  As is so often the case with fly fishing, hiring a guide for their experience and local knowledge is probably the best way to get you ‘on’ the fish.

Victoria and the rest of Vancouver Island probably can’t be considered a trout fly fisherman’s paradise, but the spectacular scenery can certainly make up for any lack of fish.   There are only a few streams on the island that produce reasonable trout fishing. The Cowichan River is the best river close to Victoria, about an hour away, and has a good large brown trout fishery.  Rainbow fishing can be good, but not for large fish.  Lake fishing is ok, but certainly not at the same level as other areas of BC.

There is summer (May-Oct) and winter (Dec-May) steelhead fishing on the island. However, winter steelhead fishing can be a real challenge as weather and water levels in the rivers can literally kill a trip.

Vancouver Island has a number of options available for saltwater salmon fishing from boats.  Coho are  the most sought after species. Estuary cutthroat fishing is also good from small skiffs or wading, but finding them without the help of a guide can be next to impossible.

Where ever your interests lie, a good guide is an incredibly valuable resource.  If you have the time to spend to find the fish on your own, great; but like most fly fishing situations, experience and local knowledge are the keys to finding the fish. 

Local Fly Fishing Guides

Sarah Allen – Female owned and operated

Phone:  250-204-9882

Email: Sarah84allen@outlook.com

Website:  Isoflyvictoria.com
Located in Victoria, BC

 

Ian Muirhead

Phone: 250-361-0034

Email: ianmuirhead@shaw.ca
2519 Vancouver Street
Victoria BC
V8T 4A6

 

eX-stream Steelhead Guide Service – Scott Blewett

Phone: 250-474-3619

Email: flyguy@ex-stream.com
Web Site: www.ex-stream.com

Where to Purchase Fly Fishing Equipment

Robinson’s Outdoor Store

For Fly casting and Tying lessons please call or email Ian Muirhead of Island Fly Fishing adventures for details 250-361-0034 email ianmuirhead@shaw.ca.

Phone:  250-385-3429
Toll Free: 1-888-317-0033
Address: 1307 Broad Street
Victoria, BC V8W 2A8
Email: info@robinsonsoutdoors.com
Website:  Robinson’s Outdoor Store

 

Island Outfitters

Phone: (250) 475-4969
Toll Free: 1-866-915-4254
Email:  info@fishingvictoria.com
Website:  Island Outfitters
Adress: 3319 Douglas Street
Victoria, British Columbia
Canada, V8Z 3L2

Useful Resources

Where to launch your boat around Victoria:  Victoria boat ramps

Vancouver Island, BC Fishing Map Book

Vancouver Island Fishing Map Book

BRMP Map Books are an excellent resource – highly recommended

Backroad Mapbooks fishing map books are jam-packed with everything you need to know to fish a given region of BC . Each fishing map book contains detailed fishing maps and lake and river charts for water bodies throughout the region, detailing fish species, local tips and techniques, provincial fishing regulations, and more!

Get customized Backroad Mapbooks lake and river charts for your fishing spot of choice. These detailed bathymetric charts show you the contours of the underwater terrain, to help you scope out your fish species of choice. View hot spots, access points and physical attributes for fishing lakes and rivers across BC.

 

Link to the Vancouver Island Map Book Website:   Vancouver Island, BC Fishing Map Book