Marc Laynes, the original owner and guide of Cascade Fishing Adventures, started Cascade in 1990. The 2012 season will mark Cascade’s 23rd year of operation on the Fraser river and its valley tributaries.

Marc’s fishing career started early in life and he can vividly remember his first trout at the age of 6. A summer stint of saltwater salmon guiding at world famous Painter's Lodge in Campbell River and on Rivers Inlet's big open water in 1986 started the guiding fascination immediately. This “summer job” changed Marc's perspective on fishing ever since - the guiding aspect was a whole new challenge for him that he found incredibly satisfying!

Thus it was the beginning of a new business and a venture that was virtually non-existent at that time on the Fraser river.  The time reflected a period of no Facebook, no internet – not even cell phones.  It was a time spent educating the adventurous angler looking for world wide fishing secrets, not to mention educating the locals about the phenomenal fishing of the Fraser Valley.  Heck, most people in our town didn’t even know what a sturgeon was back then, let alone know they existed in numbers in the Fraser river.

In 1987, Marc received a post-secondary education from the British Columbia Institute of Technology in two fields: Fish and Wildlife Management and in Forest Resources. His motivation to gain this education stems from his desire to work with fish and wildlife resources in British Columbia. From 1995 through 1998, Marc was hired by the Ministry of Environment to bring his experience to the Ministry of Environment's Fraser River White Sturgeon Spawning Study and various dredging impact studies and assessments through the early 2000’s.  Much of the work Marc has been involved in has been ground-breaking field work, offering very rewarding experiences stemming from discovering unknown Fraser river sturgeon habits.

There is no other guide on the Fraser river that has the combination of education, knowledge and varied experience with the Fraser river and its fish than Marc. If you are interested, you will find him pleased to share his knowledge of the region's geography, ecology and the fish, animals and plant life that inhabit the area. There is no better way to pass the quiet times on the boat than to talk about and share the knowledge of the unique and scenic area that encompasses you.

When Marc has any free time, he is happy to fish on his days off, and fish with family and friends.  Hunting has always been a great way for Marc to get away from it all, and he enjoys climbing around BC’s mountainsides for bighorn sheep and mule deer. 

Background Experience

1995 – 1997 Fraser River White Sturgeon Study

Marc Laynes was selected by the British Columbia Ministry of Environment to capture and tag sturgeon for the Ministry's Fraser River White Sturgeon Spawning Study. In approximately 125 sampling days, over 650 sturgeon were tagged and safely released throughout the lower Fraser river. Biological data including lengths, girths, and weights were taken, and surgery was performed to determine the sex and maturity of the larger fish. This surgery is necessary because it is not possible to determine the sex of any white sturgeon by examining exterior characteristics. In addition, any fish deemed to be a pre-spawning sturgeon was fitted with a radio transmitter so that subsequent radio tracking may provide information regarding feeding, and more importantly, spawning migrations. The fish captured ranged in size from as small as 2 lbs. to in excess of 800 lbs., which measured 12' 4" total length! With a healthy and solid abundance of fish through all the age classes, the Fraser river can expect to continue it's long and rich history with white sturgeon.

1998 – 1999 Fraser River White Sturgeon Spawning Study

Marc's primary role in sturgeon research on the Fraser river was to assist in locating and identifying white sturgeon spawning areas - a pioneering effort on Fraser river white sturgeon. This proved to be a very difficult task, but with local knowledge and luck, sturgeon eggs and newly hatched sturgeon larvae, a historical first on the Fraser River, were captured. These captures assisted in pinpointing several white sturgeon spawning areas that will be protected and naturally sustained to maintain healthy populations of wild sturgeon.

1999 – 2003 Impacts and Effects of Dredging on the Fraser River

Various sites have had dredging occur on the Fraser river for navigational, construction material and transfer pit uses. The effects and impacts on water flows, fish habitat, benthic life and fish use were studied by collecting fisheries related samples and measurements using a variety of techniques.

1999 – 2002 Eulachon Distribution and Spawning Timing on the Fraser River

Eulachon populations have hit a critically low level in relation to historically high abundances. The eulachon is an important food source for sturgeon in the spring – peak migration periods for Fraser river eulachon is generally late April. The study collated data to determine range of spawning eulachon and out-migration timings for eulachon larvae.

2003 – 2004 Pre and Post Assessments of Various Dyking and Gravel Removal Projects

Beach seining specific locations where in river projects were occurring provides excellent information on various fish species’ use of the area and how these projects will impact them.

Office Manager  

    On most occasions, the first person from Cascade Fishing Adventures that you may speak with will be Marc's wife, Maggie. Maggie oversees the guiding and accommodation bookings, as well as the necessary duties required to maintain day to day business operations. With a smile on her face and a cheery voice, Maggie looks forward to assisting you with planning your next fishing holiday! Maggie's experience as an office administrative manager is an exceptional asset - her assistance with the business is always professionally accomplished and very much appreciated.

Guides

    Our guides are comprised of a hand-picked crew that reflect what we feel are positive attributes required to be working in this industry - a passion for fishing, the desire to succeed in meeting and exceeding your expectations, a great sense of humour, and a responsible disposition that is built on experience and knowledge of the river. Cascade Fishing Adventures' guides are usually setting the standard because they are keen, self motivated individuals that fully understand the commitment you made to get here. Our guides will reciprocate to give you a successful outing in every aspect.

CEJ, Rob, Walt, Jim and Brett are cornerstone guides for Cascade Fishing Adventures. Their enthusiasm and ability to consistently bring their best every day to each guided fishing trip is always appreciated by us and our guests.

Our Commitment to Our Guests

Our commitment is simple; to provide you the best possible guided fishing trip on the Fraser river.

We can accomplish this because we believe in the basic ideals required to do so: we enjoy fishing, guiding anglers, the people we meet, and we love the adventure as much as the guests themselves.

A Word About our Rates

Our rates compare very favorably in the industry when you recognize the quality and standard of our boats and fishing equipment that we offer, not to mention the personal service, our 20+ years guiding experience and our knowledge of the rivers.

There is no substitute for real experience.

Everyone at Cascade Fishing Adventures wishes you tight lines, and the best in all of your fishing adventures!