Fish of my life – Great White Sturgeon

It was a warm & sunny morning on the Fraser River.  My wife (Jill), my 12 year old son (Ben) and I were on a guided sturgeon fishing trip Yves Bisson, a renowned guide known for his expertise and passion for these ancient fish. Yves has been guiding on the Fraser for over 20 years, and his knowledge of the river and the Great White Sturgeon is unparalleled.

Throughout the day, Yves shared stories of the river and the sturgeon that called it home. Apparently, the Great White Sturgeon in the Fraser River can live up to 150 years and grow to be over 12 feet long.

 After about a 30 minute run up the Fraser River, Yves slowed the boat along a shoreline and watched his depth sounder.  After pointing out several fish, we anchored in what he was hoping to be a promising spot.  Yves then proceeded to rig the bait and cast out our lines. Once the lines were in the water, Yves carefully went through how to set the hook when a sturgeon takes the bait.  Sturgeon suck up food from the bottom, using a mouth that resembles a vacuum cleaner hose. They don’t hit the bait hard like many other game fish do. The anticipation was palpable as we waited, the river flowing gently around us. Suddenly, my rod (#3) bent ever so slightly. Then ever so slightly again.  “Rod 3, Rod 3” Yves said.  “Be ready”. Then “Yup, yup, yup, set the hook!”.

I yanked the rod from the rod holder, but it was too late – fish was gone.  I put the rod back down and waited longer.  Maybe the fish will return.

Sure enough, 15 minutes later, there was another fish on the line.  This time on rod #1. And this time, I set the hook. The reel screamed as line peeled off. “You’ve got one!” Yves shouted, his voice filled with enthusiasm.

The battle was on. The sturgeon on the other end of the line was powerful, and it took all my strength to keep the rod steady. Yves coached me through the fight, offering tips and encouragement. “Keep the pressure on, otherwise it will spit the hook”. “These fish are strong, but with patience, you’ll bring it in.”

 Minutes felt like hours as I struggled with the fish, my arms burning from the effort. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the sturgeon surfaced. It was a magnificent creature, its prehistoric body glistening in the late morning light. Yves angled the boat to the shore because the fish was too large to bring into the sling for the mandatory catch & release.  And we wanted a photo with this beauty.

Yves handed us some high-end waders and boots so we could jump out of the boat for our photo op.

We took a moment to marvel at the fish before Yves checked to see if the fish was tagged. Yves has been part of the white sturgeon conservation effort for 20+ years and has caught over 20,000 fish during this time.

The tags help track their movements and ensure their populations remain healthy.

 After taking a photo, with a gentle push, the sturgeon swam back into the depths of the Fraser, disappearing into the murky Fraser River water. I sat back, exhausted but exhilarated.

What an incredible experience.  I have been fishing lakes and rivers all my life. But never have I caught such a large fish.  Yves Bisson is the best sturgeon fishing guide on the Fraser River.  All his gear is top of the line and his knowledge of the great white sturgeon and the Fraser River is second to none.  I highly recommend him to anyone who wants a fishing adventure.

 As we headed back to shore, I couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of respect for the Fraser River and its ancient inhabitants. It was a day my family will never forget, thanks to Yves Bisson.