Vic is the past owner of STS Guiding Service and has been guiding the Fraser River and Fraser Valley region for the past 26 years. Vic’s love for white water, adrenaline and exploration lead to where Vic spends much of the summer and fall fishing sturgeon and running the Fraser Canyon from Hope to Hells Gate. When Vic is not on the water you will find him busy working on boats, motorcycles or riding with his wife Teresa.
Vic Carrao has worked in many aspects of the fishing industry over the past 30 years. Guiding, retail sales, trade show representative, teaching Fly casting. For the past 10 years, Vic has been on Pro Staff for Canada’s Largest Lure Manufacture, Gibbs/Delta. Pro Staff for Fenwick, Penn, Abu Garcia, all under Pure Fishing. Vic is the past President of the Fraser Valley Angling Guide Association, Past director of the SFI past director of the Mission Harbour Authority and has been volunteer tagging sturgeon for the FRSCS since 1999. Vic’s passion for the Fraser Canyon and sturgeon will undoubtedly translate into a trip of a lifetime.
Tom was born and raised in nearby White Rock, British Columbia. Tom is a heavy machine operator and electrician by trade but has since decided that fishing for a living is way too much fun. Tom Pearce is now going into his 16th season working for STS . Tom is a well-rounded guide with vast knowledge of local fishing techniques and hot spots. If there is a fish out there Tom will be sure to find it. Tom’s personality is what separates him from the rest. Tom has been our all-time most requested guide which tells you something about his character and fishing ability. I’m am confident that you will thoroughly enjoy your day out on the water with Tom.
Doug is a local boy who was born and raised in Abbotsford, moved across the bridge to Mission in 1990. Doug is a retired Corrections Officer and has been guiding for STS since 2007. Doug started his fishing career fly fishing local and interior lakes, taking courses from some of British Columbia’s top fly fishing instructors like Kevin Longard, Phil Rowley and Gord Honey. Soon Doug was spending many hours learning the art of tying flies and fishing still waters. Doug is also an accomplished sturgeon and salmon angler so if you’re looking for a great trip Doug is your guide.
John has been fishing with STS for many years. When John mentioned that he was interested in guiding we quickly snapped him up and welcomed him as part of our team. John is a well rounded angler who is passionate for fishing the Fraser. John runs a 20 ft Customweld Cobra which is the perfect boat for fishing the lower Fraser for both salmon and sturgeon. John is an accomplished angler who has been guiding for STS since 2011. If you’re looking for a great guide ask for John.
Renee is from Ontario Canada and was raised fishing, camping and canoeing on a regular basis. At the age of 18 she started her career in outdoor adventure by taking on big white water as a raft guide on the Ottawa River. After two gnarly seasons of rafting, she enrolled in an Outdoor Adventure skills program where she obtained a number of survival skills and certifications such as GPS navigation, Hike Leadership, and Swift Water Rescue. However, river navigation and reading whitewater became her expertise. Whether she’s on calm flat water or taking on a technical line down the Fraser, she has a strong passion for being out on the water and sharing the exhilarating experience with her guests.
Chris was raised on Vancouver island in Sayward, British Columbia. Chris spent his childhood fishing the salt chuck with his father and grandfather. He later moved to Mission, where he spent every spare moment spay fishing the Harrison River, and local tributaries of the Fraser River for salmon and steelhead. Chris then had the opportunity to go on a fishing trip with STS Guiding. It was at that moment that he realized his true passion, fishing for sturgeon. When Chris is not on the river guiding or exploring new fishing spots, you will find him spending time with his wife Sarah and their two children.
Growing up in the area, Merr has been fishing the rivers of the Fraser Valley, as well as local and interior lakes, with Tony and his dad since he was a kid. An original team member of BC Sport Fishing Group’s opening in 1996 and a guide for STS, he describes himself as optimistic, patient and always ready to fish, even under hard conditions. Merr enjoys helping our clients to catch fish as much as he enjoys catching them himself – he isn’t satisfied until his clients are busy battling fish!
Born and raised in Chilliwack, Ryan began fishing when he was four years old with his grandfather. Since high school he gained experience fishing with many of the local “Top Rods” and became knowledgeable on various species of fish and the many different techniques for catching them. Ryan spends his spare time on the water with friends and family, or can be found hunting, quadding and spending time with his family.
Fishing all his life, Jeff joined STS and BC Sportfishing Group in 2007 and has no plans of stopping. Patient and open-minded, Jeff is happy showing our clients why he loves fishing so much and helping them to experience an unforgettable day. In his spare time, Jeff continues to improve his fishing skills around the Province and spends time with his wife.
Pat began fishing in Chilliwack with his dad when he was a teenager and still remembers the “good old days” when they would fish at Nicola Lake. With 20 years experience fishing and guiding all around beautiful British Columbia Pat joined STS Guiding Service and BC Sportfishing Group in 2006. Spending the fall months teaching our clients to fish Pat guides in the Queen Charlotte Islands in the summer months. He currently lives in the area with his wife and their two dogs.
Danny grew up in the area and has been fishing the Fraser River and its tributaries for over 40 years, 25 of which have been spent guiding with the BC Sport Fishing Group and STS Guide teams! Always looking for the next “hot spot,” there are not many spots in the Valley that haven’t been fished by Dan. In his spare time, Dan enjoys hockey, swimming, golf, and hiking – though most of his hikes are around water, checking out new fishing locations! Dan’s good humor and constant pranks along with his great ability to find fish consistently make for a great day on the water.
Frank Kozel – Frank has lived in the Fraser Valley most of his life and is our Operations manager and guide for BC Sportfishing Group and STS Guiding Service. Over his many years of sport fishing Frank has learned the art of fly fishing, spent countless hours Sturgeon fishing, bait fishing and spoon fishing. He really takes his fishing seriously! When not working, sport fishing or running the tour boat he is pursuing his other passion as a professional musician playing guitar and singing in a few local bands. You will also find Frank helping in the office, making sales calls, doing boat maintenance / repairs, or he might even be your shuttle driver for the day. Whatever it is, he’s committed to help make your experience with STS Guiding the best it could possibly be.
Ever since he can remember Jordi has been fishing. With a combined 25 + years of fishing experience on our local waters he joined STS and BCSFG in 2004 after spending three seasons with Redfern River Lodge in Tweedsmuir Provincial Park and Kau Tapen Lodge on the Rio Grande River in Tierra del Fuego, southern Argentina. He and his wife live nearby the Harrison and Fraser River systems where they can often be found walking their daughter and throwing sticks their dog.
Also born and raised in Chilliwack, Derek began fishing at a young age with his father and younger brother. When he isn’t guiding, Derek enjoys spending his time fishing with friends and family. If you can pry a fishing rod out of his hands, you might also find him out hunting or enjoying some of the other great outdoor activities the Fraser Valley has to offer with his wife and son.
Matt was born and raised in Chilliwack, so he has been a frequent fisher of the Vedder and the Fraser River since he was a kid. Matt enjoys taking others out to have the unique experience of reeling in a big Sturgeon. When he’s not fishing you’ll find him at the golf course or spending time with his family.