MORROW’S BAR

Morrow’s bar is just under the Agassiz - Rosedale bridge. A boat is needed to reach this bar, since road access is restricted. Boat access is by Whelpton and Ferry Roads. Turn right, just past the Agassiz - Rosedale bridge, and then right again, on Ferry Road, which is gravel. A cement pad acts as a boat launch, just under the Agassiz – Rosedale bridge. Every kind of Fraser River fish is caught on Morrow’s bar, including cutthroat trout and steelhead, as well as coho, spring, chum, pink and sockeye salmon. Forty years ago, Morrow’s bar was a favourite of local anglers. While road access is now a problem, anglers can still do quite well here. Cutthroat fishing is also possible in the slough adjacent to Morrow’s bar. Angler’s used to take coho in some numbers from this adjacent slough, but now only cutthroat and incidental fish like suckers, carp and chub are present.

TRAMMER’S BAR

Trammer’s bar is three miles east of Agassiz, via Macdonald road. Turn right on Macdonald road, cross the highway and turn let, following this road to the dyke. Park, and walk to Trammer’s bar. This is a large gravel bar, in low water, with lots of room for anglers.

Anglers used to catch a lot of coho off this bar, before Fraser River coho became illegal to catch. Cutthroat trout are caught here, as well as steelhead, spring salmon and chum and pink salmon. Trout are also caught in the small slough adjacent to Trammer’s bar. About 12 years ago, I hooked the biggest cutthroat trout I have ever caught. The big trout measured twenty inches long, nearly three pounds, a real trophy. I have seen bigger cutthroat trout caught on Trammer’s bar – up to 26 inches - but that 20 inch trout was my biggest.

HAMILTON BAR

Hamilton bar is three miles west of Agassiz. Like other gravel bars in the area, Hamilton bar has

expanded considerably in the last two decades. Salmon as well as cutthroat trout are caught here. Access is off the Lougheed Highway ( #7). Turn south on Cameron Road, at the corner store. Drive to the end of Cameron Road and turn left on Limbert road. Follow Limbert Road, and turn right on Hamilton Road, which goes to the Fraser River. You can also turn right on Limbert road, off Cameron Road. Park, and walk onto Hamilton bar.

JOHNSON’S BAR

Johnson’s bar is ten miles east of Agassiz, near the Haig Highway. Drive past Seabird lsland, over the mountain road, and park near the bridge over Johnson’s slough. Cross the railway tracks, and walk west on a gravel bar. The spot where the clear waters of Johnson’s slough enters the muddy waters of the Fraser River is sometimes excellent fishing. A few five pound trout have been caught here, and I am sure that there may be some bigger specimens. Ten to fifteen years ago, I fished Johnson’s slough regularly, seldom going home without trout. However, Johnson’s slough is only accessible in winter, during low water.

TUNNEL’S BAR

Tunnels bar is very much off the beaten track. This gravel bar is five miles west of Agassiz, at the base of Mt. Woodside. Local anglers do quite well here, catching sockeye, springs, pinks, and chum salmon, as well as cutthroat trout and steelhead. Access is off the Lougheed highway ( 07) at the base of Mt. Woodside. If you are driving from Agassiz, turn left at the bridge over the Pump House Slough. Park here, and walk across a field to the railway tracks. Walk down the railway tracks for one half mile, and go though the tunnel. Be very careful while going through the tunnel since trains are frequent. Access is also off Limbert road. Turn right of Cameron Road, onto Limbert Road. Follow Limbert Road to the end, park, and walk to the railway tracks. Once through the tunnel, which takes about five minutes to walk, a magnificent gravel bar awaits the angler. Tunnel’s bar is my favourite, with uncrowned, pristine waters, mostly unfished, with room for many anglers.

METHODS USED

For sockeye fishing, wool bottom bounced along the river bed works very well. Use 12 to 15 pound test line, a five foot leader attached to a three way swivel, with a one or two ounce weight. An eleven foot fishing rod is preferred, but an eight or nine foot rod will suffice for sockeye. Use a level wind reel, or sturdy spinning reel. Spring fishing requires an eleven foot fishing rod, with a level wind reel and 30 to 50 pound test line. Spin and glue lures attached to four to eight ounces of weight, is the preferred method for catching springs. Sometimes roe or wool is also used to catch springs. Chum and pink salmon are now sport fish. This year ( 2001) is the main pink run on the Fraser River. These salmon can be fished much like sockeye, but they are usually easier to catch.

Sea-run cutthroat are my favorite sport fish. They are a very colorful trout, with their red-slash under the jaw and distinctive orange-red and yellow markings. There is no finer trout than a sea-run cutthroat, fresh from the ocean. Over the last 20 years, I have caught hundreds of these trout, and I never tire of catching them.

Cutthroat trout easily take dew worms, flies and lures, as well as salmon eggs and power bait. Float fishing bait works very well on cutthroat, as does a worm on the bottom. Various fly patterns that imitate fry can result in good catches and sometimes lures are best. Remember though, only hatchery fish can be kept.

SEASONS AND CONDITIONS

Fraser River fishing can be spotty, since fishing pressure is much heavier on the Fraser system than other parts of the province. Some days, anglers can catch fish after fish. Other days, anglers might as well enjoy the scenery.

Agassiz Fraser river bars offer uncrowded and relaxed fishing, sometimes with surprisingly good results. Try Hamilton, Tunnel’s, Morrow’s, Johnson’s and Trammer’s bars when you want a change of pace from the more crowded Fraser River gravel bars.

You might just be surprised by the quality of fishing experience on these oftbeat Fraser River bars.

A word about the author of this article. Richard Probert lives in Agassiz and has fished the Fraser Valley for most of his life. An outstanding writer, Probert holds a BA degree from Simon Fraser Univsersity. His writings about the Fraser Valley fishery are extremely well written and reliable.

Ask your local tackle retailer for a copy of Richard Probert’s book, " Fishing Hot Spots of the Upper Fraser Valley." Probert’s book is an ideal reference as well as a good gift for those fishing enthusiasts in your family who frequent the Fraser Valley. Out of town anglers call Fred’s Custom Tackle (604) 858-7344 or Hub Sports (604) 859-8316 for a copy.