How I Fell for Fishing in Whistler

With the endless roster of adventure sports in Whistler, fishing was never really on my radar. But, after a morning of standing in the Green River, waders and all, I can honestly say – I LOVE IT – and I may have just found a new hobby.

Whistler might be known for skiing and biking, but it actually started as a fishing village. Before the lifts and bike trails, people came in by train to fish Alta Lake for rainbow trout. And once you’re out there, rod in hand, and the mountains as a backdrop, you can see why.

Meet Matthew – The Guide Who Made Me Love Fishing

I joined a guided fishing experience with Matthew Prosdocimi, the owner of Whistler Year Round Fishing, and the reason I caught my first ever trout. He’s been fishing in Whistler for 12 years. Originally from Ontario, he fished every single day after working his Whistler banking job (yes, suit and all) until someone suggested he turn it into a career.

Now, he calls waders and water his office and guides over 400 groups a year. He told me on our drive, “Fishing is life,” and when you meet him, you’ll understand what he means.

Where We Went Fishing in Whistler and What We Found

We fished a couple of different spots on the Green River, a short drive from Whistler Village. The thing about rivers, Matthew explained, is that 95% of the fish are hanging out in only 5% of the water. Knowing where to go is everything, and his expertise makes the experience.

In spring and summer, the rivers and lakes come alive with rainbow, bull, and cutthroat trout. The wild fish in places like Green and Alta fight harder and grow bigger, which makes hooking one feel like a real win. These lakes are strictly catch-and-release, and honestly, that’s part of the magic.

For the Love of Fish

You can tell Matthew loves the fish, not just the fishing, and there are a few rules he sticks by to give you the best experience while respecting the fish.

Even when fishing in stocked lakes like Nita and Alpha, all of Whistler Year Round Fishing’s tours are catch-and-release only. What stood out to me was how it takes the pressure off. I’m not out there worried about dinner and how many I need to catch to feed my friends; I’m just here for the whole experience. Wading through the water, soaking in the surroundings while staying dialled in. Because when something tugs at your rod, you’ve got milliseconds to react or you’ll miss it.

And once you’ve reeled one in, it’s all about care: minimizing stress, getting your picture quickly, and releasing it gently back into the wild.

The Whistler Year-Round Fishing Way:

• Catch and release only – no exceptions
• Barbless hooks
• Once in the net, keep the fish in the water
• If you take it out for a photo, follow the 3-second rule
• Wet your hands before handling to protect its natural slime layer

The Experience – More Than Just Fishing

To me, fishing sounded like something slow. Maybe even boring after a while? But standing knee deep in the river, learning how to read the current, where to place your cast, staying alert for that tug on the line – it’s meditative and super engaging. It demands just enough focus to quiet the other noise, and when the line suddenly tightens, there’s your adrenaline!

Matthew kept reminding me, “It’s called fishing. If it were easy, it would be called catching.” Fair. But still, I did catch one. And when that bull trout wriggled in the net, I was grinning like a little kid on Christmas.

Tips for First-Timers Fishing in Whistler

If you’re thinking of trying it, here’s what I’d pass on:

• Go with a guide: The learning curve is real, and local knowledge is everything. They know the spots the fish are most likely to be in, and they have the gear (there’s more of it than you might think!).
• Don’t expect it to be easy. And that’s the whole point.
• Ask questions: Guides are a wealth of knowledge. You’ll learn so much!
• Soak in the surroundings: look around you, it’s a world-class backdrop to be fishing in.

What About Fishing in Fall and Winter?

In the fall, the Salmon arrive, and fishing becomes a different experience altogether. Check out our fall fishing blog for more on that. And if you’re here in winter, you can still fish! Stocked lakes like Nita and Alpha offer rainbow trout even when there’s snow on the ground. (Yes, we’ve got a winter/ice fishing blog for that too.)

 

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Final Cast

I didn’t expect to fall in love with fishing in Whistler, but as it turns out, standing still with a rod in hand, and a mountain view, can do something powerful.

After this experience, I’m all in.

Book a three or five-hour fishing experience, or opt for a full day. Take a look at the options on Whistler.com.