2012 Episode Synopsis
by Charlie Wray

Episode 212: September B.C. Sturgeon

Today the Mercury Marine Destination takes me out to beautiful British Columbia, to the city of Chilliwack. Anyone that has watched the show for a few years has noticed my annual trip out with buddy Len Ames from Len’s Sportfishing Adventures. I have done this trip several times, but it is simply a trip that gets more enjoyable every year, and I absolutely cannot get tired of the monstrous Fraser River White Sturgeon. The power, the long runs, the jumps, the action of many fish days. How can it get any better than this. Well, part of the fun is also fishing with Len, Greg Wolf, or any of the other courteous, knowledgeable guides. I should fish with Greg or some of the others, but I have so much fun with Len that it is hard to change, why break a tradition!

I have been asked several times about this Sturgeon trip, and so many folks are under the impression that you might only catch a nice fish or two after a few days on the water. I can assure you, there are no editing tricks going on, the only trouble I have is which Sturgeon to eliminate, to fit the others into a half hour show.  It is not unusual to have double digit fish days with a few over the 6 foot mark, and quite often, over the 7 foot mark.  Let me tell you, the over the 7 foot Sturgeon pull, and they pull hard, but what a great feeling it is. Locked into an unseen monster as your taunt line starts up, then a jump from a 300 + lb beast! Isn’t this what all anglers dream of, fish like this on a calm protected river with usually very cooperative fish. Depending on the time of year, you can also enjoy Trout and Salmon fishing as well when you need a break to rest your arms from the monsters. Len’s Sportfishing Adventures 886-991-0287 or www.lenssportfishing-bc.com
Len has been experimenting on a technique he has used before, but now realizing that it might be the best for anglers wanting only the larger Sturgeon and not the numerous smaller fish that I will edit from the show anyway. Not that numbers of small fish are a problem, I think Len has spoiled me over the years!  Rather than timing the hook set perfectly with a regular hook style, Len has been using the Mustad Ultra point Demon Perfect Offset Circle hooks #39943NP-BN in 10/0 and 12/0 sizes.  This 4X strong hook is up for the monsters that swim these waters and has proven excellent holding power on long battles and jumps that risk regular hooks wearing holes and falling out. The hook set is a little unnerving, there is no hook set!! The rod remains in the holder until the line is being pulled out under a stiff drag pressure.  This allows the Circle hook to turn and lock in perfectly. Once the line is pulling out, the angler can pick up the rod and apply as much pressure fighting as you dare, these hooks are locked in, what a great set up! The real trick with Circle hooks, is the gradual pressure (no hook setting action, or jerks) so it allows the hook to rotate and lock in the mouth perfectly, this also prevents deep hooked fish and makes for very healthy releases. The other trick is baiting the hook, you want to leave as much of the gap open as possible, so even large baits are only hooked lightly, leaving the hook open.

I have been using the new Okuma Makaira reels for a few years now. This is a high end Big Game reel that is designed for years of dependable service on monstrous fish.  If you are serious about large fish, these Makaira reels feature 2 speeds and an incredibly smooth drag, even with the immense drag pressures these reels are capable of creating.  Helical gears for extreme smoothness and gear meshing, Silent anti-reverse, ratcheting drag lever, these reels have it all.  The first turn of the handle will tell all.  These reels are very well built. For the Fraser River Sturgeon, I have found the size 20 to be ideal, even for the long runs of the largest Sturgeon. The 130 lb test Tuf-Line XP packs tightly on the reel, and the no stretch Tuf-Line XP ensures a solid hook placement. Big comfortable jet boats and the knowledge of where these fish hold is what make this such a great trip.  Simply a must do trip if you have never done this before.  If you have, you know what I mean, you just need to keep going back.

Continue to Episode 213

Go Back