2021 was a very challenging year for river fishing. British Columbia was under extreme drought conditions. A lack of rain, low river levels and high water temperatures delayed a lot of the salmon from entering the river flows. We had luck but more blank days of being skunked.

When the salmon did go upriver it was in very short spurts and it was all in the timing. Added to the challenge was a black bear that frequently tried to steal salmon being kept at the shore.

Finally, the rains came and we had two days to fish and then the river was blown out, the temperatures dropped and the salmon sensed the opportunity and shot straight up to the spawning grounds. The river remained un-wadeable for the rest of the season.

That is why it’s called fishing. There are days you win and days, a lot this year , you lose.