While fishing can be a great solo sport, sometimes we want to share the thrill of a catch with a fellow angler. And when your family and friends are not quite as “hooked” on the sport as you are, where can you find new faces to go fishing with? On this page, we suggest a few avenues you can explore to find your next fishing buddy.
Fishing Clubs in British Columbia
There are many clubs in B.C. that are dedicated solely to freshwater fishing, and others that focus on both hunting and fishing. Members are usually more than willing to share their knowledge and expertise with new club members, and most clubs have scheduled group meet-ups.
Vancouver Island
- Alberni Fish & Game Club – Port Alberni, B.C.
- Campbell River Fish and Wildlife Association – Campbell River, B.C.
- Chemainus Rod & Gun Club – Chemainus, B.C.
- Courtenay and District Fish and Game Protective Association – Courtenay, B.C.
- Cowichan Fly Fishers Association – Duncan, B.C.
- Gold River Rod and Gun Club – Gold River, B.C.
- Haig-Brown Fly Fishing Association – Victoria, B.C.
- Hidden Valley Conservation Club – Bowser, B.C.
- Island Waters Flyfishers – Nanaimo, B.C.
- Ladysmith Sportsmen’s Club – Ladysmith, B.C.
- Nanaimo Fish and Game Protective Association – Nanaimo, B.C.
- North Saanich Rod and Gun Club – North Saanich, B.C.
- Pacific Rim Fish and Game Association – Ucluelet, B.C.
- Parksville-Qualicum Fish & Game Association – Parksville, B.C.
- Port Alice Fish and Wildlife Association – Port Alice, B.C.
- Sayward Fish & Game Association – Sayward, B.C.
- Salt Spring Island Rod and Gun Club – Salt Spring Island, B.C.
- Valley Fish & Game Club – Lake Cowichan, B.C.
- Victoria Fish and Game Protective Association – Victoria, B.C.
- Victoria Golden Rods and Reels – Victoria, B.C.
Lower Mainland
- Canadian Hellenic Rod & Gun Club – Vancouver, B.C.
- Delta-Ladner Rod & Gun Club – Delta, B.C.
- Finnish Canadian Fish & Game Club – Burnaby, B.C.
- Hope Rod and Gun Club – Hope, B.C.
- Italian-Canadian Rod & Gun Club – Burnaby, B.C.
- Kingfishers Rod & Gun Club – Langley, B.C.
- Mission & District Rod & Gun Club – Mission, B.C.
- North Shore Fish & Game Club – North Vancouver, B.C.
- Osprey Flyfishers of B.C. – Coquitlam, B.C.
- Port Coquitlam & District Hunting & Fishing Club – Coquitlam, B.C.
- Richmond Rod & Gun Club – Richmond, B.C.
- Richmond Golden Rod & Reels Society
- Ridgedale Rod & Gun Club – Abbotsford, B.C.
- Squamish Valley Rod & Gun Club – Squamish, B.C.
- Sunshine Coast Rod and Gun Club – Sechelt, B.C.
- The Loons Flyfishing Club – Vancouver, B.C.
Thompson-Nicola
- Chase and District Fish and Game Club – Chase, B.C.
- Clinton and District Outdoor Sportsmen Association – Clinton, B.C.
- Highland Valley Outdoor Association – Logan Lake, B.C.
- Kamloops and District Fish and Game Association – Kamloops, B.C.
- Kamloops Fly Fishers – Kamloops, B.C.
- Monte Lake Outdoor Life Club – Westwold, B.C.
- North Thompson Fish and Game Club – Barriere, B.C.
- Salmon Arm Fish & Game Club – Salmon Arm, B.C.
Kootenays
- Elkford Rod & Gun Club – Elkford, B.C.
- Fernie Rod & Gun Club – Fernie, B.C.
- Golden District Rod & Gun Club – Golden, B.C.
- Lake Windermere District Rod & Gun Club – Invermere, B.C.
- Sparwood and District Fish and Wildlife Association – Sparwood, B.C.
- Creston Valley Rod & Gun Club – Creston, B.C.
- Nakusp Rod and Gun Club – Nakusp, B.C.
- Nelson District Rod & Gun Club – Nelson, B.C.
- Revelstoke Rod and Gun Club – Revelstoke, B.C.
- West Arm Outdoors Club – Nelson, B.C.
Cariboo
- Bella Coola Rod & Gun Club – Bella Coola, B.C.
- Likely Archery Rod & Gun Club – Williams Lake, B.C.
- Lone Butte Fish and Wildlife Association – 100 Mile House, B.C.
Northern B.C.
- Chetwynd Rod & Gun Club – Chetwynd, B.C.
- Dawson Creek Sportsman’s Club – Dawson Creek, B.C.
- Hudson’s Hope Rod & Gun Club – Hudson’s Hope, B.C.
- North Peace Rod and Gun Club – Fort St. John, B.C.
- Mackenzie Fish & Game Association – Mackenzie, B.C.
- Polar Coachman Flyfishers – Prince George, B.C.
- Robson Valley Fish and Wildlife Club – McBride, B.C.
- Vanderhoof Fish & Game Club – Vanderhoof, B.C.
- Atlin Rod and Gun Club – Atlin, B.C.
- Bulkley Valley Rod & Gun Club – Smithers, B.C.
- Fulton River Rod & Gun Club – Granisle, B.C.
- Kitimat Rod & Gun Association – Kitimat, B.C.
- Prince Rupert Rod & Gun Club – Prince Rupert, B.C.
- Port Clements Rod and Gun Club – Port Clements, B.C.
- Terrace Rod & Gun Club – Terrace, B.C.
Okanagan
- Armstrong & District Fish & Game Association – Armstrong, B.C.
- Black Mountain Sportsman Association – Kelowna, B.C.
- Kalamalka Fly Fishers Society – Vernon, B.C.
- Kelowna & District Fish and Game Club – Kelowna, B.C.
- Keremeos-Cawston Sportsman Association – Keremeos, B.C.
- Oceola Fish & Game Club – Winfield, B.C.
- Penticton Flyfishers – Penticton, B.C.
- Princeton Fish & Game Association – Princeton, B.C.
- Southern Okanagan Sportsmen’s Association – Oliver, B.C.
- Summerland Sportsmen’s Association – Summerland, B.C.
- Vernon Fish and Game Club – Vernon, B.C.
Don’t see your club listed above? Please contact us.
Use Social Media to Find a Fishing Buddy
Social media is a fantastic platform for connecting with other anglers. Some popular Facebook groups include:
- Kokanee Fishing BC
- Trout Fishing BC
- B.C Trout Fishing Group
- Cariboo Lakes Fishing
- BC Fishing Addicts
- Women’s Fly Fishing – Northern Midwest & Canada
- BC Women’s Fly Fishing Group
- United Women on the Fly
- Western Outdoors Women
Join a Fishing Lesson or Guided Trip
Lessons and guided trips are another way to widen your circle of angling friends. Learn a new skill, and connect with other anglers who are at the same point in their fishing journey as you.
- Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC – Learn to Fish lessons – Adult Programs (available periodically)
- Visit your local fishing tackle store for recommendations on classes and workshops in your area
- Join a guided fishing trip – List of fishing experience providers
Teach a Friend How to Fish
Of course, you can always teach a friend or family member how to fish, and reel them into the sport alongside you. The Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC has a number of resources to support beginners, including:
- YouTube series: Fly Fishing for Beginners
- YouTube series: Learn to Fish – B.C. Lake Fishing
- Guide: Beginners’ Guide to Freshwater Fishing in B.C.
Try the above options, and you’ll be sure to find a friend or two to join you on your next fishing trip. Do you have other suggestions for ways to meet fellow fishing enthusiasts? We’d love to hear from you!
Author: Jessica Greinke, Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC