The Big Qualicum River is One of the few Vancouver Island Rivers that always has Sea Run Cutthroat Trout somewhere in the system.  Being the First BC River that housed a Specific Hatchery Program basically hurt the native runs of fish in the beginning of the so-called management program. However,since the programs were greatly reduced, the river itself and the adjacent raparian areas  have developed into a very dense and wild setting once again. Thus,Trout tend to inhabit the system at various times in great numbers and throughout the entire system at other times.  The down side is that the Hatchery complex itself closes daily operations about 5Pm every day and leaves the Poachers free range to invade the unprotected river. I have had to chase several poachers off the system recently...and this is very disappointing!.
Do take time to fish this wonderful little system and enjoy all of it's wonders.
Mid May 2011  Big Qualicum River...compare the scenes !


Now here is the Same area of the River but in Late June



Decenber 28th...
Fishing has been good still in teh middle reaches of the system...with a bit of higher water these past few days we will see the old Salmon carcasses washing down and out ,leaving better fishing opportunities for Trout and the occassional Steelhead...fishing is only allowed abover hte train trestle and no retention..Period!



December 10th..
The Fall Coho run was very good this year as was the Chum run,as of yesterday I still saw Silver Chum coming in although very few..There are good numbers of Sea Run Cutties in the middle section of the River ..enjoy the holidays with a nice walk along this great river system
October 20th..
With the gong show well underway we are seeing many fishers hooking into the many Chum and Coho available to them...some Gear fishers are having a good time slashing and tearing away to get their limit. Regulation changes on teh Big Q are allowing retention of Coho..make sure you clarify possession limits. For the more serious flsher,there are quiet areas to seek out above the hatchery facility that will allow you experiences that many of us wait for all year. Some good Coho fishing above the trail tresle is available. Try flies like the Coronation and large Mickey Finn,another good bet is a bead head Muddler Minnow and even some small Bunny Leeches with a fair bit of flash on them.. 


October 8th...plenty of Coho in the system with fresh chum now coming in..
it is still fly fishing only above the counting fence..when hooking into small trout please do take care releasing ...these are the future
.October 1st...
With over 2,000 Chinook and near 700 Coho into the river system above the hatchery there is bound to be some good fishing,for me the Trout is the  attraction and Silver Chum when they arrive in good numbers...Coho are always difficult to target because of all the other Salmon about...but try the edges with Muddler Minnows and Coronations....

August 25th..
There are good numbers of Big Sea Run Cutties in the lower River chased in by the large Chinook Salmon entering the River,also mixed in are some big Pink Salmon...remember,Fly Fishing only!


June 28th...
The Hatchery must have released the Chinook Fry from the upper Hatchery facility, this has moved the large Cutthroat Trout back to the estuaries...Check out the Middle section of the River for some very large Rainbow Trout  that are having their way with teh many Stone and Caddis about..some small Lamprey are also laying on the bottom of slow moving pools..so try large leech patterns

May 19th....

Water on this River is in excellent condition,there are many nice Cutties and Rainbows throughout the system, bright Polar Bear Minnow Patterns and bead head Muddlers are teh ticket to success. Also some large weighted Stone Flies and Caddis will work just fine..

April 22...
Water levels are excellent...may fry now about...Minnow patterns...and don't leave home without those Dry Flies..




April 16th...
Waiting for the water and air temperatures to rise this year is a long process...we have had only One day reaching 15 C thus far,that means that the fry are still waiting also. BUT,there have been some very Large Sea Run Cutties and Rainbows landed in the central sections of the Big Q recently,try going in from the New Highway Bridge and walking up river a few miles and fish back...water conditions are good ,with little insect activity because of cold water

March 09/11
Water is a bit high but there are lots of nice fish about...some Steelhead are in the system but I couldn't find them this morning...
fished the upper to the middle...nice water but it began to colour up with the heavy rains



Feb 24th/2011...
There are good numbers of Big Cutties waiting for the fry to really begin to come out of the system,wait for this cold snap to leave and a bit of fresh warm water to raise the rivers and "voila" feed is on it's way...yes Minnow patterns,come by to see the Tan or Brown Polar Bear Minnow patterns that are the hot D..mn.,another good option is to tie a DNA Minnow pattern  on a #6 Tiemco 9394...colours in a Chartreuse and Black,only about 1 1/4" long...best results are with eyes on teh fly(large!)


December 12th...2010
We have had much rain but as typical,this jewell is fishable...over the past few weeks there has been some great trout fishing to be had with more ahead of us...The rainbows have been particularly active and will leave the system soon to hopefully return as Steelhead. The Cutthroat Trout are still feeding like crazy in anticipation of their Spawn time in LAte January...the usual Egg patterns,Bead Head Muddlers,Polar Bear minnow patterns and of course Nymphs such as Stone Flies and Prince's...don't over look the Small egg sucking leech patterns...


October 28th..
The counts have been met for the Coho Brood stock..thus we have an opening..watch out for all the snaggers but do have a good time...the Chum numbers are also down a lot,but you may keep One...Water levels are excellent for Fly Fishing...don't be shy of Egg patterns and bead head Muddlers,,plenty of nice Cutties in teh system

October 24th..
There are lots of Coho in the system and as of today the hatchery almost has their brood stock numbers...although the Coho are not biting. Chum are still coming in very bright and in good numbers..retnetion of Chum is open...take it easy on the numerous Cutties that are in feeding on Eggs


Oct 5th...
There was a good run of Chinook Salmon this year again in teh Big Q...the Chum Salmon are slow to arrive as are teh Coho...there are more than 400 Coho in the holding tanks on the Big Q but as of the other day most were hatchery fish and this is not a good thing..so the retention of Coho is not permitted yet... Respect other anglers and have fun
Sept 14th...Same as Sept 3rd...
Chinook have seriously entered the river with a good number going up into the system...you will also find some Pink Salmon mixed in ,Egg patterns might just do the deal with the Cutties and the Pinks will pick up a slow drifted Bead Head Prince Nymph or such.. 

August 25th....
Trout Fishing in the Big Q is fair with this warm weather ,but beware, the Chinook have entered the system all the way past the New Highway... be prepared for some very tough pulling if you hook into these beasts..check the regs for correct details


AUg 8th...
The river again closes only below the Hatchery  on August 10th..if you can get there before ,some very nice Cutties are about that area...otherwise try Stone Flies all along the upper River above the Train Trestle..and of course the old faithful Dry Fly such as a Stimulator of Tom Thumb

July 6th..
Some very nice Cutties are about,,,use Stone Flies or Dry flies...big dry flies,,,some of these fish are in the 5 lb range..Salmon will be entering soon so the big pool at the hatchery will close on the 10th of August..Dry Flies


July 10th..
Dry Flies and Bead Head Muddlers are the ticket these days,some big Cutties are holding between the Trestle and the hatchery itself...also near the new Log bridge several miles up.also working the deeper pools with small egg sucking leeches will often produce results, I like florescent pink egg heads.

June 15th...the river is very fishy these days with some very large Cutties and Rainbows being landed in the lower River areas...

May 19th...its even better these past few days..lots of Minnows are in the system

May 9th...
What can you say about the Big Qualicum River except that it can be a sleeper ...the fishing has been good and getting much better.. here you see Bruce's nice fish from Yesterday...notice the ugly fly that worked!
..






April 29th..
As with the Little Q there are some very nice fish being caught all along the lower stretches of the River...some Steelhead have also been hooked into...but this year we have seen only a few Steelhead....Try large Stimulator patterns  to attract the larger Cutthroat

April20th...
The fry have moved into the lower river areas and fishing has been good,even the dry fly action is on...dry fies can be farily large for this river..some big Cutties are offering to accept your fly...don't miss it


April 6th....
Great water conditions have made fishing a real bonus for those fishers willing to walk to the middle sections of the River...Some good dry fly action has been had

March 25th....
If you have the energy and correct flies you will enter the realm of Sea Run Cuthroat in big numbers...this year we should see some amazing fishing all throughout this system into the early summer months. I like Bead HEad Muddlers in natural colour and a light green and white Polar Bear Minnow pattern...I have also had good success with small black egg sucking leeches.


March 4th...
Water is still a bit high but you can add a bit of weight to your fly to get it down...the fry are becoming thicker and the Cutties that have already spawned will follow their prey to the ocean and of course lay in wait there as well..good fishing

Feb 25th 2010....
This river has actually been fishign well..the fish have had lots of water to reside in ,some very nice Cutties have been had so far ,a few Steelhead are about as well as a few poachers doing their nasty deed...lets catch these B.........RDS..
The better fishing is as usual in the middle sections...soon the fry will be exiting the river as will teh Cutties...fish the lower river above the Train Trestle

Dec.4th..2009
.Water levels are perfect for Cutthroat Trout Fishing...Minnow patterns,Terrestrials,and of course keep trying the egg patterns..there are a few Salmon(old) remaining...food for the juviniles and everything along the Raparian Zones.


November 8th...there is lots of water in the river ..it is definitely fishable with many nice Coho about...no retention for Coho...Some Chum are still coming in that are bright and if you are able to, retain One fish. Behind these fish are some very impressive Cutthroat Trout seeking eggs...hint nint!

October 24th...With the numbers of Coho still down for any coming there is no retention fior Coho at this time. There are several thousnad in the system but not congregated, The CHum Fishing is better with ertention of One fish and some are very bright.
Take your favorite small fly rod up into the middle sections of the Big Q and get rewarded with some very nice Sea Run Cutthroat Torut...a 4 plus pounder was landed yesterday about the Powerlines..

October 11th.....
There have been a lot of large Chinook Salmon in this system for the past month , following these big fish are some very impressive Sea Run Cutthroat Trout...now that we have some Coho and Chum coming in and with the opening of the River to gear fishing it will be very hectic for anyone wishing to find peace and Quiet. However,there is a good retention this year for Chum and Chinook,although the Chinook are basically finished. The Coho fishing will be opened once they have their numbers for Brood Stock,etc. Check your regs' and the board at the Hatchery for changes!

Sept...11th...
Many fish are now in the system...several hundred have been let up into the system...Fly Fishing only..and no retention yet...there are surely some very nice Cutthroat behind any schools of Chinook or Pink Salmon...eg patterns



Sept 5th..
Wow..some big Chinook holding in the pool below the bridge...there are some Pinks in there and some very big Cutthroat Trout..
Fly Fishing only for a while...barbless

August 25th..
 With the cooling off we will see many Chinook making their way into this River soon...some nice Trout are awaitingeggs.



August 20th...there are many nice Cutthroat Trout in the system mixed in with some very nasty Chinook Salmon...Fly Fishing Only till October..

June 4th....
There is some mighty fine Trout Fishing going on at the moment...with the hot weather we have seen a slight increase in the water levels that regularly bring in larger Cutthroat Trout to chase the Fry...Enjoy.


April 1st...no fooling..
I have seen many small schools of Cutthroat trout holding in the currents of the Lower River in wait of the Fry coming out...there has also been a good Stone Fly Hatch and with warm weather predicted there will be more..The Steelhead run this year has been poor..and again there has been some poaching going on for both Steelhead and sea run Cutthroat Trout. If you see these $@#@%@&^@ report them

March 26th...some very interesting Sea Run Fish have entered this wonderful trout fishery...Cutthroat trout are now terrorizing new fry on their way to the ocean...intercepting these fish is a wonder in itself
Have fun and do be careful with the release

Feb 10th...
The water is lowish here as well..but there have been moments when the Cutthroat Trout were in good numbers...these fish Spawn this time of year so the bite is off a bit...and you may even hook into the odd Steelhead..Have fun...



Jan 17th...2009
Fishing opportunities abound on this system all through the year and winter is something special...try the middle section of this system for some very nice Cutthroat Trout,a few resident Rainbows and of course Winter Run Steelhead that begin to enter this system about now....the water is very cold but perfect height at the present...Minnow Patterns,a few egg patterns and flesh flies will get you into good position for fish.



OCt 18th....2008
now that the meat hole is open and all the snaggers are about  you will get a chance to get into some fresh Chum and Coho...there is no retention for Coho just yet....but there are good numbers of Coho all throughout the system to the top....There are some mighty fine Chum coming in and very fresh...great for the smoker!


Oct 4th...
CHUM and COHO 

Sept 30th..
With so many fish in the river there are many opportunities to keep a few fish for your freezer or smoker. There are a few Chum and Coho in now with many more to come,,....also for the Trout fishers out there egg patterns and nymphs will do the job very nicely.

Sept...10th
Lots of large fish holding in the Hatchery pool with a few Coho in the Mix.....some fish are going up and you will find them in the Middle section of the River...some above the New Highway Bridge...please observe the regulations...there is a retention quota of fish under 62 cm...only
 
August 19th...
 There are a good number of Chinook in the system now that we have had some rain...the Hatchery folk have opened the gates to allow some fish up into the River itself..no retention and watch for closures...along with these big fish will also be some very big Cutthroat Trout just a waiting for EGGGGSSS

August 16...
There are several dozen Chinook in the big pool(Closed) along with some very big Cutthroat Trout at the Moment. The High Tides will bring in many more fish.Lets hope the Hatchery gets it's Quota early so some fish can be released into the main River...The weather conditions are too hot at the moment ...over stressing these large fish wouldn't be a good thing!


August 11....
I have seen only a couple of Chinook in the hatchery pool above the  walking bridge... before the pool was closed there were some nice Cutties pre-empting the river before the bigger Salmon...typical.
At the Powerline pool above the new highway there are some nice Cutties in the 3 lb range...taken on a double bead Black Stone Fly...and Mickey Finn


July 27.... 
Cutthroat Trout Fishing is really good at the moment in the Big Qualicum River above the Train Trestle pool all the way to the upper river.
Tthere were no big fish coming into the Big Q as of today,although there are some Chinook arriving daily off the mouth of the River,saw several jumping about near Sunny Beach...so,that usually means the season is early but upon us...
Fly fishers can ply their skills in the big pool;s below the hatchery and above the Native fence until August 10,fly fishing only...can be fun..but the water is a bit warm and be careful with these big fish.

July22...
No big fish(Salmon) in the System yet, however, I would suspect the Cutthroat will be moving into the river before their 30 lb. cousins decide it is time to mate...so that can make dry fly and nymph fishing very productive and fun...don't be surprised to see more Pink Salmon that normal coming into the big Q this year if we continue to have little in the way of rain.


July 10... During the past few days there have been more good size Cutties enter the system(up to 4 lbs)...these fish haven't entered the upper River as of yet but will be pushed up once the Chinooks begin to come in likely by the end of the Month..Fly Fishers have the good fortune to be able to fish for the Chinook,C&R only,watch for the reg's posted on the board.

July 5th.......AS usual,the Big Qualicum produces some very fine specimens of the Cutthroat Family and this year seems to be a good year. Some 5 lb. Fish have actually been seen and hooked into as well as released. There is a bait ban on this system....report all poachers...especially the guy with the rubber boots and an attempted  half grown black beard! Big Caddis and Stone Flies are working well as well as Mickey Finn patterns.

June 20...Water levels are slightly above normal and this is good for the fish and the fishers....there have been nice Cutties caught and released up to 4 lbs. recently..on a Bead Head Rolled Muddler and a small Mickey Finn...