When I first set the hook, there had been no response. I thought I had snagged a submerged log. There was no telltale shake or surge that indicates a fish. Instead, the line slowly clicked off my reel as steadily as if the object on the other end were totally inanimate. I was sagely explaining to the boys in the boat that I had hung up on a sunken piece of flotsam when all hell broke loose.

My "hang-up" suddenly leapt high above the muddy water of the Fraser River revealing itself to be a sturgeon of huge proportions. As the leviathan crashed back into the water pandemonium erupted in our boat. Our apprentice guide was so impressed all he could do was sputter and gasp, "My God, he's huge." My fishing partner, Bill, kept repeating a string of expletives over and over as if they were some form of religious incantation. Fred Helmer Jr., our guide, calmly stated the obvious, saying, "She's a big one." I asked Fred if we had a chance of landing such an immense fish. He replied, "Not very likely."

I knew that no one could better judge our chances of success than Fred. Fred and his family have been fishing sturgeon in the Fraser River for over 30 years. Fred's dad began angling for Fraser River sturgeon in the early 50s, catching dozens each year, selling the big ones, keeping the smaller ones for the family table. Fred Junior and his brothers began accompanying dad when they were still in diapers. Fred Junior now manages a rapidly growing guiding service called Fred's Fishing Adventures. His operation encompasses fresh and saltwater salmon angling, steelheading, and trout fishing, but Fred's first love remains the sturgeon. Fred has called in local experts, such as Steve Carpenter, to guide clients for salmon and steelhead trips, but Fred still handles most of the sturgeon trips himself.

Bill and I had been invited to join Fred and his apprentice on a sturgeon trip that was to double as a training mission for the apprentice. We hadn't suspected that our trip was to provide Fred's apprentice with a crash course in landing huge sturgeon. We set off on a warm July evening. Our enthusiasm was limited somewhat by Fred's report of very slow angling in the past few days. The Fraser was considerably higher than normal, and the high, muddy water seemed to hamper the sturgeon fishing. Even so, Fred thought we had a good chance of hooking a few small fish. Little did we know the next few hours would bring the most exciting and exhilarating fishing adventure of our lives.

We launched the boat at Mission about 6:00 P.M., motored upstream until we located one of Fred's secret holes, tossed in the anchor and started fishing. We had rigged three rods using 20 ounce sinkers on a dropper line designed to break away after the sturgeon is hooked. The bait, Fred's secret recipe, was attached to a single 7/0 hook and we were all set.

We spent the next hour talking fishing, swapping stories, and enjoying a summer evening. Fred told us his largest sturgeon to date was just over 800 pounds and that he has caught several over 500. He explained that in years past there was no size restriction on sturgeon and many huge fish were taken commercially for their roe and delicious flesh. Regulations now restrict sturgeon anglers to catch and release only. Fred and other responsible anglers worked hard to get that restriction in place.

Bill had just remarked that he would love to hook a fish that was as big as he was when my rod started dipping toward the water. As luck would have it the fish had taken the bait on our lightest rod, a custom made 11 1/2 foot salmon rod designed for bar fishing. The rod was never intended to take the punishment of over 11 feet of angry sturgeon. As soon as Fred saw my fish leap he pulled the anchor so we could chase it if necessary. I clamped the drag as tight as I could and watched helplessly as the line melted inexorably from my reel. Fred told me not to worry as his reels are loaded with over 400 yards of 50 pound test Maxima line. As we headed down river after the brute, I was able to recover most of the line I had lost. By giving chase we could keep the fish close. His power was truly awesome. With the drag tightened to the point that line was singing and the rod was bent double, the fish took line at will.

After what seemed like hours to me, Steve announced that the fight had been on for about 45 minutes. Fred said the big ones often start tiring after an hour or so, but this one still seemed as fresh as ever. None of us yet knew quite how big the fish was. Fred guessed it at over 12 feet. I had no way to tell as I had been busy setting the drag and had not seen all of the fish when it had jumped. Fred, who had much more experience than the rest of us, estimated that it would go over 500 pounds.

Approximately 1 1/2 hours after the battle began the sinker came out of the water. Water so muddy that we still couldn't see our adversary, but we knew it was very close to the surface. Suddenly, the tip of it's tail came clear of the water. It looked to be 20 feet from where the leader pierced the water! All of us began talking at the same time, each telling the other that this was a huge fish, when it suddenly rolled and headed for the bottom. It's tail slapped the water so hard that Fred and I were soaked by the splash.

During that lunge for freedom, my rod gave up. It broke cleanly about 10 inches above the handle. I was left holding the handle while Steve quickly grabbed the remainder of the rod before it went into the water. I was sure that the fish had beaten us now, but not Fred. He just got mad. He said, "That damn fish just broke my favorite bar rod and by God we're not giving up now."

Fred started pulling in line hand over hand while Bill held what remained of the rod and I operated the reel, reeling in when Fred gained ground, and letting line out when the fish made a run. Three times Fred got the fish to the edge of the boat and three times the fish out-muscled Fred to return to the bottom. Somewhere in the fracas, we broke off six inches of the rod tip. What a comical bunch we must have seemed to the various bank fishermen we drifted past as we floated downstream doing battle with that fish. All four of us were busy. I had the reel, Bill had the bulk of the rod, and Fred was hand-lining the fish while his assistant bounced around the boat snapping photos.

After nearly two hours of battle, it seemed the end was near. I was exhausted. My forearms were cramping and, my belly was black and blue from the rod butt that had been shoved into it for so long. Fred had the hardest job, attempting to hand line in over 500 pounds of very uncooperative fish. We finally got the sturgeon to the side of the boat. Bill slipped a rope around it and started to secure the rope to a stern cleat when the massive fish shook its head and dove again. The rope slipped off and we were all soaked again as the fish made one last dash for freedom.

I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. We all wanted to land the fish, get some photos, and say we had won the battle. Yet none of us wanted to harm this noble creature . We decided to make one last try. If we could get a rope around it and get some good photos, great. If not, we would cut the line and salute it for a battle well fought.

Another 10 minutes of hand-lining brought the fish to the boat again. This time the rope was secured. We tied the free end to the boat and slowly motored toward shore. We saw a log boom tied to pilings that looked like a good spot to get a photo or two and to revive our exhausted adversary. We quickly secured the boat to the boom and started dragging the fish up onto the logs. Steve and Fred found they hadn't the strength for the job. Bill joined them while I held the tail and the four of us managed to slide the monster onto the logs. As he slid out of the water, the sturgeon made a loud growling sound that seemed a cross between a belch and a roar. We lacked a tape measure, so stretched a rope from the fishes snout to tail and cut the rope to measure later. A few quick photos and we were ready to revive and release the magnificent fish. As we were starting to edge him into the water, he took matters into his hands. With a strong thrust of his great tail he rolled into the water, again splashing us all. In an instant he was out of sight under the grimy water.

We cheered and shook hands all-round. A great team effort had resulted in a temporary victory over one of the mightiest fish on the continent. As the pandemonium calmed we found a tape measure and stretched out the rope to find the true size of the sturgeon. The tape showed that we had the pleasure of doing battle with slightly over 12 feet of sturgeon. Fred estimated the fishes weight at over 600 pounds, and his age at over 100 years.

Since the night was still young, we decided to try another of Fred's holes. We dropped anchor but only cast out two lines, as I lacked the desire to battle another sturgeon that evening. We passed beers all-round and toasted our great success. In a few moments Bill's rod tip started the rhythmic dance that means a sturgeon is mouthing the bait. Bill grabbed the rod, set the hook and the battle was on. Bill's fish immediately came out of the water, leaping four times in rapid secession. It was a small one, only 6 or 7 feet long, perhaps 175 pounds. Bill played the fish expertly and in less than 30 minutes it was at the boat. Fred quickly lifted the fish for a photo, removed the hook and let him slip beneath the surface. We all decided that we had had enough for one night. Steve certainly learned where sturgeon hold and how they fight. Bill and I exceeded our wildest expectations and Fred convinced two more anglers that sturgeon fishing is one of the biggest thrills that B.C. has to offer. We returned to the dock tired, happy, and smug knowing that we had experienced a thrill that few others will ever know.

We all decided that we had had enough for one night. Steve certainly learned where sturgeon hold and how they fight. Bill and I exceeded our wildest expectations and Fred convinced two more anglers that sturgeon fishing is one of the biggest thrills that B.C. has to offer. We returned to the dock tired, happy, and smug knowing that we had experienced a thrill that few others will ever know.

I have fished for marlin, sailfish, dorado, and many other exotic game fish. Often traveling thousands of miles to seek these famous battlers. They are all worthy opponents and most are lovelier than the sturgeon. But none can claim to be stronger or more determined battlers. We are fortunate to have such magnificent game fish in waters so close to home. Hopefully improved management and catch and release fishing will ensure that our children will be able to continue to do battle with these marvelous relics from the past.

Fred provides sturgeon trips beginning in mid-June and continuing through October. Rates for a six hour day trip are $179 per person based on two anglers, $139 per person for three anglers, and $119 per person if four anglers book. Fred emphasizes catch and release for sturgeon and he backs his beliefs with his pocketbook by providing a 10% discount to anglers that agree to release all fish caught.

Fred can be contacted at Fred's Fishing Adventures,
Box 255, 5616 Vedder Road, Vedder Crossing, B.C.
VOX 1Z0.
Telephone (604) 858-7344