VEDDER RIVER SPRING STEELHEAD | Fishing with Rod

Vedder River in Chilliwack BC offers fishing opportunities for steelhead between December and May. In March and April, salmon fry emerge in the river and they become a food target of these steelhead. To catch steelhead successfully during spring, anglers should try a small lure such as Yakima bait's Hildebrandt Little Shaver. In this video feature, we look for these fine specimen by float fishing with these small spoons.
To learn more about the fishing gear that we used in this feature, please watch the following video:
• Gear Talk: Vedder Spri...
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Camera: Nina Manique & Rodney Hsu
Edit: Rodney Hsu
Music: Getty Images Inc.
Copyright: Fishing with Rod Production
My name is Rod, and I am an avid fisherman, fishery advocate, conservationist and educator in British Columbia Canada. On this channel you will find:
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#fishing #steelheadfishing #steelhead

[@inglesparatrabajadoresmigr1467]

Thanks for showing the fish you lose as well as the ones you get. Gives us newbies confidence to keep trying!

[@npolowski]

Rod - I want to thank you for this and other videos you have posted about your fishing escapades. I just caught my first hatchery doe Steelhead on the Vedder in late April, and it took me 3 long years to do it. I have observed and followed your advice about "what works" in this fishery and it paid off. As well, a kind fisherman stopped to talk to me today, and I imagined him as a member of your forum who cares about this magnificent sport ... Thanks m8!

[@FishingwithRod]

That area has been very good to us this season, which was the best in recent years. :) Glad you enjoyed the video. Thanks! :)

[@FishingwithRod]

Thanks! Enjoy your centerpin reel. I've had mine for a decade now but have only used it regularly in the last couple of years, thoroughly enjoy it. :)

[@robertocolon2976]

watching your videos makes me calm.

[@VitalityConnect]

I love your videos rod, i have learned alot from you. I hope you never stop!

[@FishingwithRod]

Great to hear! Thanks for watching. :)

[@gebularbass]

Your videos are by far my favorite to watch. Fishing is not only about catching fish, but enjoying the great outdoors. I enjoy how you put your videos together. It's really relaxing to watch you fish. Thank you Rod. I use the chrome spinners in the clear water in the Olympics here in Washington. It works great.

[@FishingwithRod]

Thanks for the kind words and glad you enjoy them. :)

[@scorpionrtg38]

Well Rod I love all your videos and have been checking them out for the past week as the wife and I are heading to Vedder river in chilliwack in the morning. The steelhaed playlist you have really inspires me and I don't think I'll get any sleep now. Keep hookin em and tight lines bud.

[@FishingwithRod]

Thank you for being concerned about my fishing skills and financial situation. I feel so warm and fuzzy knowing caring individuals such as your fine self on the intraweb would take the time to express your feeling to those who you will unlikely to meet unless you step away from the keyboard. We enjoy the videos you've uploaded on your channel too, there doesn't seem to be a shortage of them. Keep spreading the positivity, you have plenty of it to share.

[@strictlyfishing22]

Same setup we fish here in ontario for great lakes steelhead , great video as always!

[@pinda83]

Awesome vid, wish we had that kind of fishing scene here in the Netherlands. Keep them coming.

[@avidfisherman7546]

Awesome. Thank you for sharing.

[@FishingwithRod]

That is correct. Check out the complimentary video to this feature (gear guide) for more info on the center pin.

[@FishingwithRod]

Thanks. The ones I use are Drennan Zeppler, or Piker, as well as DNE, 20 or 25g. These are available at most fishing stores in British Columbia.

[@FishingwithRod]

Thanks. Netherlands also has fishing that cannot be found in BC (brackish pike and perch), can't wait to try one day. ;)

[@roblidstone5313]

great video Rod. Thank you

[@FishingwithRod]

Not sure yet. There's a whole list of topics that we are working on. Interior lakes is on the list but there are a few other items before that. :)

[@skylazart]

Amazing!!! Lots of good information! Thanks

[@FishingwithRod]

Thank you Felipe!

[@kimblemooney]

Fantastic Video. Well done

[@chmith27]

i just bought a centerpin reel. really like your video. good job.

[@FishingwithRod]

Keep sharing these videos and we'll keep them coming. ;)

[@FishingwithRod]

Thanks, glad you enjoy the videos! :) My wife/fishing partner is usually the camera person.

[@FishingwithRod]

Thanks, check out the gear talk segment of this feature, which lists out all the tackle used in this video. :)

[@edantila]

great video , really enjoyed it !

[@FishingwithRod]

Thanks Robert, I'm not sure how this particular lure would work in murkier water since it is quite small. Personally I'd either go with a much larger lure in murky water, roe would also be on the list too as scent is pretty important in low visibility. We are filming with Canon EOS 550D and 600D, with a variety of lenses to get the shots needed. Good luck!

[@kouyang2813]

Great video! nice catch and release keep it up!

[@PaulBoudreau14]

great vid, Rod, ...

[@trialsrider001]

cool trick.i gotta try that

[@slugpumper1]

I'm new to your videos Rod but would just like to say what a great job you are doing, great presentation and filming and a very personable style - I felt your pain dude when that fish came off - can't wait to get home from the Middle East in mid December and try for Steelhead for the first time - I feel so lucky to have this river now on my doorstep after moving from the UK, Beautiful British Columbia dude, like it says on my number plate, what a place! - Cheers Chris.

[@AdventuresomeOtters]

This is Austin's favorite steelhead video. Hope to see more!

[@FishingwithRod]

That is the cutest logo... I just realized that I haven't watched your becoming Northerners video. I saw the thumbnail when I was at the hospital a few weeks ago and was gonna watch it later but then everything was forgotten after that obviously... Watching it now. :)

[@AdventuresomeOtters]

Thanks Rod, hope you enjoyed it!@@FishingwithRod

[@FishingwithRod]

It was awesome, you need to make more.

[@AdventuresomeOtters]

@@FishingwithRod In the works! 😀

[@JevonsLove]

good job man! i enjoyed watching your video.

[@Kremlin60]

So many videos what have we done to deserve such good fortune?!

[@FishingwithRod]

Thanks!

[@pywifishingandoutdoors]

Hey rod, you should totally make a video on how to spool and cast a center pin! I just got my first center pin but, it's a pain to cast it. I can't seem to find a good or decent quality video on spooling and casting center pins. But awesome video, I caught the most steelhead this year than any other years, all catch and released. Flies and beads under a float seemed to do the trick, the fluttering spoon in your video looks really impressive too! I'll definitely give that a shot the next time I go out. Thanks and tight lines!

[@FishingwithRod]

Thanks for the kind words. Hopefully you'll get some when you return. The first reported steelhead catches on the Vedder emerged this week. :)

[@FishingwithRod]

You're welcome! Glad that you have found success after three years. :) There'll be many more to come. ;)

[@420fishog1]

“”””

[@TheFisherman656]

Rod, In the beginning like you said, they tend to be in the same spot day after day after day... well in the spot where you hooked that first fish, between me and my buddy we caught 39 fish in that EXACT same spot where your float went down. Killer Spot!!!

[@amzingfishing]

nice love steel head

[@MrSertz]

I've never read or seen anyone using a soon under a float like that! Then again, I've never gone for steelhead before, I'll have to try that out if i can't get one on the fly!(My first steelhead adventure will be this fall so, we'll see how that goes). Very neat, great video yet again Rod!

[@Olzone2]

Hi, Nice video! Liked the gear talk also since I have been thinking of trying this my self :-) Cheers /Dave

[@thelargeheadedone]

Awesome vid!! I'm getting in my truck right now.... lol

[@hattrickster33]

Great video...been waitin for the next Steelhead edition for a while now. Guess it's on to the interior lakes next?

[@FishingwithRod]

We use much heavier main line in British Columbia because our rivers are a lot bigger and stream velocity is much faster. If we were to use 6lb test as our main line, then most of the fish would like be broken off as they use the fast current as their advantage. We do have smaller streams similar to where you are fishing, and in some cases much lighter gear is used.

[@FishingwithRod]

Depending on the time of the year, check out the gear talk segment for this feature.

[@FishingwithRod]

It is a centerpin outfit. The reel is an Islander Steelheader. The rod is a Trophy XL. You can find more information on this outfit by watching the gear talk segment of this video feature (next video).

[@Jeremy9999ish]

Great video you earned a sub!

[@FishingwithRod]

Thanks Rory. I activated your discussion forum account last night BTW so let me know if you have trouble posting with it. Cheers.

[@bellcraig]

I like the way you cast your centerpin rod looks so effortless do get any bad line twist casting that way

[@FishingwithRod]

Thanks. :)

[@FishingwithRod]

The Chilliwack River fall salmon fishery article on our website has all those numbers listed out for you.

[@FishingwithRod]

Yep

[@FishingwithRod]

That's good.

[@SnapBackCollector211]

My Dad is making a centerpin reel and it looks hard fighting the fish because no drag but still fun :)

[@FishingwithRod]

It comes down to how you want to use it doesn't it? Personally I prefer to use a centerpin setup for float fishing in rivers so I can get a smooth drift. Some prefer to use a spinning outfit but I like to save that for casting and retrieving spoons and spinners.

[@midget2000x]

Great video Rodney! I really enjoy watching your videos - thanks for putting these together. There sure are alot of armchair quarterbacks commenting! Never mind them. With a current like that you have to go a little harder. I fish the vedder as well. Hope to see you out there sometime!

[@FishingwithRod]

That is a centerpin reel. If you go to the gear segment of this feature (the next video), we explain what exactly it is and why it is used for this type of fishing. :)

[@kaosaechao2659]

Good work brother it's very fish i see a lot of people are killed hatchery steelhead small than that fish i love fishing steelhead that's my fishing game if i can catch one coho i will catch two or three steelhead a day

[@SilverHunter11]

Hey Rod, just wondering which size of spoons you use(d) under the float in the video. Not sure which of the 3 sizes to purchase. Thanks.

[@krux5506]

Hey Rod, really admiring your grace on the pin. It seems people talk much of the beauty and art of fly fishing, but I think that visual appeal is just as prevalent in centerpinning. Anyway, is that cast you are doing a BC swing cast?

[@marcrizkalla1549]

Hi rod.. I have to say I enjoyed all your fishing videos and they have inspired me to go float fishing more often I may only be 13 but I know how to float fish extremely well and I never use line above six pound test and I don't know what would drive you to using an 12 pound test on a centerpin reel with a rod that acts like a shock absorber for using light line please explain.

[@FishingwithRod]

Too many places to choose from... :)

[@FishingwithRod]

20g Zeppler in this video. That is the size I like to use for steelhead fishing, but I usually go one size smaller for coho salmon fishing.

[@adampaul9934]

wow rod amwazing videos and nice fish

[@FishingwithRod]

Hind sight is always 20/20. ;) That particular rod is extremely soft so a lighter hookset wouldn't have planted the hook firmly into these fish. I was definitely very excited with that first fish as it was quite big and I was in a pretty difficult situation (river current was much faster than what I had preferred). I did make some mistakes just prior to losing the fish by having the rod too high up. Side pressure would have controlled the fish more.

[@FishingwithRod]

The reel has a gear ratio of 1 to 1 so the retrieve may seem quick. I also tend to bring them in as quickly as possible so the fish are not overplayed.

[@robertlambstar9162]

Thanks for the incredibly attentive response :) Gonna give the roe another shot. Do you have any tutorials on fishing with it? It seemed the last time I went It kept surfacing with the rapids and i couldn't get it to idle where i wanted it. Also could you tell me how much of an advantage i'd have using roe from a seafood store opposed to previously cured roe specifically for fishing?

[@Flipnomi]

hi rod! ive been watching your vids. for quite a while now, just wondering what kind of rod and reel are you using in this vid?

[@godzbobonicplague]

haha i hear ya man I fish in the cuyahoga river for steelhead it runs off lake erie in cleveland ohio everyone thinks the river is filthy and could not produce steelhead so I have the whole STEELHEAD RUN TO MYSELF they are by far the funnest fish to catch I enjoyed watching this video as well

[@flyfishingguy6478]

Hi Rod, Enjoyed this and all your other videos! Curious about your casting the centerpin in this video. Seems like you're casting it like a baitcaster, not using your left hand as in the Wallis cast. Can you elaborate on this? I think there was another person that asked about this but I couldn't find your response. If you did, sorry I missed it. Thanks.

[@pywifishingandoutdoors]

Hey Rod! Love your videos! I was wondering, could you make a video on how to cast and spool a centerpin properly? I just got one, and the line just keeps on wrapping around the reel over and over. I can't seem to find a decent video on how to cast or spool a centerpin at all. Thanks, and keep up the videos!!

[@FishingwithRod]

Hi Pao, thanks. We do have plans to put together an instructional video on what you are looking for. Hopefully soon! Stay tuned.

[@FishingwithRod]

Because most steelhead fishing is done in much faster water than when targeting salmon, it's best to tie your roe into mesh bags so it lasts a lot longer on your hook. To avoid having your bait being pushed up to the surface in faster water, cut your leader length down. I generally leave around 12" to 16" between the hook and the weight for salmon fishing, and shorter for steelhead fishing in fast water. This keeps your bait in the zone longer. Cured roe is preferred because it preserves better.

[@GoBlue7171]

Chilliwack river is all about finding the soft seams! (based on two days of fishing there during a work trip).

[@FishingwithRod]

Yep! :)

[@robertlambstar9162]

Hey Rod, Your Videos are truly a gift to the fishing community. I had 2 Questions I was hoping you'd be able to answer for me. #1 would you recommend this setup for water that was slightly more murky? or Roe? and #2 What kind of camera are you using to film these videos? The resolution is Incredible :)

[@FishingwithRod]

It's not a bad fish for sure. ;) It's just much smaller than what we usually get in that fishery. Some of the fish caught in this fishery are up to 20lb.

[@flyman451]

Hello Rod, I see you embrace all sorts of fishing tackle, spin, fly, centerpin, etc. I've only fly fished for my entire fishng life for trout. However recently I've seen how effective center pinning for steelhead can be. I have a couple of questions for you; when you pin do you use the Wallis Cast or a side, or spinning side, cast? I can't seem to get the hang of casting! Drives me crazy! when you cast does the line come off the side of the reel or from under the spool like on a fly rod?

[@lucaslounsbury8515]

recently moved to chilliwack would like to start steelhead fishing, but all im used to is walleye pike and perch from the praries

[@FishingwithRod]

There is an excellent introductory course on steelhead fishing hosted by Fred's Custom Tackle on February 26th, that's a good one to sign up for, at their Abbotsford location if there are still spots. We're also hosting an event called "Chilliwack's All About Fishing" on March 11th from 9am to 3pm at Chilliwack Heritage Park, where you will be able to get more information on local fisheries.

[@freethinker192]

Hi Rod. I was wondering if you are familiar with the conneaut ohio creek? If so i wanted to get your advice on some rigs for steel head? Im 14 and this fall will be my first time going out and getting steel head at the conneaut creek? Any advice?

[@Tiemco1990]

hey love your videos, what is the size of lure that you are using?

[@FishingwithRod]

Hi Tomas, I guess that's just a "Rod" cast... ;) I'm not sure why I cast like that, it just came naturally that way after I started using a centerpin setup. Quite a few others have mentioned it, and I really don't have an explanation for it. I hope that clears it up. :)

[@NWanglerz]

was this shot with the 550D?

[@crayola7thshade]

hey rod do u know if there is a steelhead run in norrish creek this time of year ?

[@FishingwithRod]

Huh? I lost one and landed one in this video, so it was 50/50... ;) Good point about the larger hook. I did put on a larger (#1) on it instead of having the smaller stocked #6 hook it comes with. Cheers.

[@9810Ben]

I will, Thanks

[@dabrown25]

I plan to travel soon, and what to use my fly rod. What River did you catch these fish from?

[@SnapBackCollector211]

Is Centrepin fishing better than using spinning for steelhead cuz my dad is makeing one and it looks really good and what type of cast is that ?

[@jonnyherft2939]

Hey rod how do I our chase the conservation surcharge stamp for steelhead? Or do I have to get it?

[@meanmrmustard270]

"Look how small it is". That's 10 times bigger than any fish I've ever caught! Haha!

[@Flipnomi]

thank you sir! ^_^

[@Megamusicfan1997]

Try using double splitrings is you loose alot a lot of fish, it works great for the seatrout in sweden.

[@tubrogg]

What size drennan floats are you using?

[@kylepederson1672]

Hi Rod, I apologize if the following questions have already been answered in the comments. First I am wondering what size/weight of Little Shaver spoon you're using in the video? The second question is did you swap the hook it came with for a more suitable steelhead hook? If yes could you please share the hook size and brand/style? I have never fished a little spoon for steelhead, but I'd be willing to give it a try? Thanks a lot!

[@FishingwithRod]

We will eventually. :)

[@JaysFan20]

Hey Rod just a question.. why are you reeling in so quick.? i have caught lots of Steel while reeling in ive always reeled in a slow but steady pase.!

[@SnapBackCollector211]

My dad made a centerpin & we want to try out how it will work this fall season for salmon & steelhead my dad said i should use my 8ft spinning rod is that ok ?

[@MrGreggyboy16]

Do you always fish with a centerpin?

[@14798940]

Hi, would you happened to have a video to teach beginners like me on how to cast with center pins? THX 1000000

[@matthewmurray3860]

Hey Rod, Awesome video! I am planning on heading to the chilliwack river next week (March 25th). I was wondering if you could tell me where abouts you were fishing from in this video, i'd love to try it out. Or if you know of any other spots in chilliwack to park and fish from. Thanks!

[@matthewmurray3860]

Thanks a lot!

[@SnapBackCollector211]

Yea your right centerpin is designed for drift fishing spinning for everything most people use spinner because its more easier but i dont think centerpin will be hard cuz i fly fish and use baitcasting. And is it easy to lift the line off the water on a centerpin because spinning is really hard it keeps curving it wont stay straight ?

[@trevorlaw8976]

thats where I live =) about 10 minutes away from there