This was my 8th time fishing for the Great White Sturgeon with guide Yves Bisson. On this occasion, I went with two of my good friends / business colleagues – neither had ever fished for sturgeon. We travelled east on the Fraser River, beyond Hope, up the Fraser River Canyon. Despite being an April weekend, we only saw a couple boats on the water. Had we fished downstream (closer to Mission, BC), we would have seen 10 times the number of sturgeon boats.
The weather was a mixed bag, with moments of rain, sun, and a chilly wind, but the heated / covered cabin on Yves’ 23 ft customized jet boat meant we didn’t get wet while we waited between bites.
We managed to catch and release an impressive total of seven sturgeon. Among our catches, one measured about 4 feet long, and two others came in at around 5 feet. Those were exciting enough, but the real stars of the day were the two massive sturgeon we caught near the end of the day that measured over 7 feet each. Yves is a very integral part of the Sturgeon conservation program, having caught and recorded over 25,000 white sturgeon in the 20 years he has been guiding on the Fraser. In our case, all the fish had previously been caught.
Reeling in the two largest sturgeon was a great challenge. Each fish put up a serious fight, and it took about 20 minutes to bring them in. To make the experience even more thrilling, both of these giants jumped multiple times during the fight. Watching these powerful creatures fully clear the waterline felt like something out of a nature documentary.
Beyond the thrill of the catches, the day was filled with great camaraderie and a sense of shared achievement. The Fraser River Canyon, set the perfect backdrop for our adventure. Yves was an outstanding guide; his deep knowledge of sturgeon fishing and the local waters made all the difference. He ensured everything went smoothly, from helping us land these incredible fish to sharing valuable tips along the way. His professionalism and enthusiasm really elevated the entire experience.
If anyone is considering a sturgeon fishing trip on the Fraser River, I would totally recommend Yves Bisson. His expertise and passion for what he does make him an exceptional guide, and I can’t imagine a better way to experience the thrill of sturgeon fishing.
