The forecast by the Department of Fisheries is staggering, 27 million forecast for British Columbia rivers. Anglers will target the Pink salmon in tidal and non-tidal waters.

Traditionally, I target pink salmon in the tidal estuaries of the East Coast beaches on Vancouver Island, using fly fishing techniques. The popular estuaries include Nanaimo Departure Bay, the Englishman River, the Big Qualicum River, Nile Creek, Black Creek, the Oyster River, and the Campbell River.

Amundson Outdoors Wind Warrior Fly Rod single-hand fly rod matched to their Trend X3 Sealed Drag Fly Reel

For the rivers themselves, I enjoy the Campbell for fly fishing and gear. I prefer to use an 8wt fly rod that will provide sufficient strength to land the salmon more quickly for a safer release and recovery. It is essential to note that there is a fly fishing zone only in the upper section of the Campbell River.

For gear, there will be adventures with Amundson Outdoors Trend Iron Header X3 Centerpin Reels, matched to their Cast Mob Centerpin Rod, drifting the BnR floats, and using their beads.

BnR Balsa floats and their varying colours of Soft Beads 10mm and 12 mm

Additionally, I will share my techniques for successfully using twitching jigs with their Kudos Twitching Casting Rod, matched to their Kudos Baitcast Reel.

Stay tuned for the 2025 year of the Pink Salmon.