Ask any thrill-seeker where they last embraced their sense of adventure and you will hear tales of travels far, far away that often require a plane ticket and vacation time. Meanwhile, there is a myriad of day-long, bucket-list worthy activities close to home, making now the perfect time to experience the Fraser Valley if you haven’t had a reason to before.

Often, those who seek adventure do so not to tempt death but instead acknowledge the fragility of life by embracing every moment. There is something incredibly grounding about gliding thousands of feet up in the sky or pulling a prehistoric fish to the surface of a murky river. It is an injustice to live on the West Coast and not experience its bounty of beautiful backdrops, open fields, and vastly different towns.

For instance, just over an hour from Vancouver is “the mecca” of salmon and sturgeon fishing on the Fraser River in Chilliwack.

For the past 25 years, Cascade Fishing Adventures has been offering unforgettable freshwater fishing experiences. The day is mixed with patience and anticipation while waiting for the sturgeon to bite. Then, the moment that the rod tugs towards the water, there is a massive surge of adrenaline as the battle begins to bring the fish to the surface, its power surprisingly as it strains the line.

 

 

The largest sturgeon ever caught on the Fraser River was nearly 900 pounds and measured 11 foot 3 inches. The angling guides provide the boat and all necessary equipment needed to catch and release one of the beasts for yourself.

The only thing each guest is responsible for is purchasing an angling license ahead of time, which can be done at www.fishing.gov.bc.ca or on the day of the trip.

Cascade Fishing Adventures

Address: Marc and Maggie Laynes, Cascade Fishing Adventures, Suite 34, Chilliwack, V2P 6H7

Phone: 604-793-2244

Website: www.cascadefishingadventures.com

JetSet Paragliding

If your ideal superpower growing up was to fly, then paragliding is as close as you can get without scientific experimentation or a risky squirrel suit. Where skydiving feels more like falling, paragliding feels like soaring. It begins by running towards the edge of a cliff and trusting that the wind will carry you up, up and away.

Martina Lang is a member of the West Coast Soaring Club with thousands of jumps under her wing – literally. As a tandem jumper, you get to sit back in a sling-like harness and enjoy the ride back towards the ground from the launch point on Mount Woodside near Harrison. From April through October you can find Lang and other paragliding enthusiasts making the 4×4 trek up the logging road.

If paragliders find the right thermal (columns of hot air that provide extra elevation) they can glide around for hours – much like the birds that occasionally accompany them in flight. Soaring above the Fraser Valley with unobstructed views of farmland and water for miles is just one of the payoffs of overcoming the initial nerves.

What to bring on the day of your flight

• Hiking boots or running shoes with a good grip (for take-off and landing)
• A windbreaker or light jacket
• Sunglasses
• Your own bike or skateboard helmet (they can also provide one)
• A camera with a strap, video of your flight on a USB stick is also available for $40
• Sunscreen and a hat in the summer, or gloves and warm clothes in colder weather
• Water and snacks

JetSet Paragliding

E-mail: [email protected]

Website: www.jetsetparagliding.com