Chehalis river

[Fly bc]

So I have known sometime that there is a small run of summer steelhead in the chehails river. I have no clue what the regulations are or if I can even fish for them. I do know chinook is open ATM but can steelhead be targeted for c+r? Also, does anybody know what the water condition is like recently? I am dying to go out but the frazer and Vedder are a sad sight for fishing in general...

[Pat AV]

As for the regs I suggest you look into them online, a quick google search for BC freshwater fishing regulations.

The river rises and falls very fast, and the fish move through on the high water. It could still be in freshette right now.

Most of the steelhead move through the lower river quickley and settle down in the many canyon pools, you can intercept them down low but your best bet is to go up into the canyon. The canyon fishes well in lower water as it becomes more accesible. It has claimed many lives though so be carefull while wading it and on it's trails.

Beautifull part of the world.

[Squampton]

http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/fw/fish/regulations/

[Fly bc]

Yea the chehalis is one of the most dangerous rivers I've fished. First time I tried it I went alone, never again. Read the regs, said nothing about summer steelhead, only that they had to be hatchery (obviously). Also read the stats from the chehalis hatchery. The smolts they released are all marked hatchery so as far as I know it's legal to fish for them. I'm going to call fisheries and find out.

[J.G.]

I'd give it a week or two before expecting much. Make sure you are packing a salmon tag for those tasty red springs which are in the river as well.

I used to fish both of those runs and did quite well.

[YAMMY-CA]

If you plan to fish this river always have an escape route if it is raining hard.I have seen it come up 4 ft in a single day and if you get caught in the canyon be prepared to scale the wall and walk thru the forrest.The last guy fishing above me tried to wade back to the easy side-we found him 3 days latter.
the lower river is much safer but very high at moment-better fishing about mid july