Take an opportunity to be a part of one of the most Unique Northern BC Experiences around! The 2 day Upper Fraser White Sturgeon Tour allows the average person to assist with the gathering of data on one of the most unique fish in this region. We have partnered with the Lheidli Tenneh and Environmental Dynamics to deliver a tour where guests learn and experience what it takes to find and catch these “Dinosaurs” of the past. We use two jet boats to navigate the historical Upper Fraser River in search of these creatures. Guests will learn about and be immersed in this data gathering project. We will use radio telemetry to track the fish, and then take physical measurements like age, girth, length, sex, weight, and DNA. Fish will be scanned, tagged and have radio tags inserted into them. This once a year opportunity is an event that the inquisitive and adventurous person does not want to miss!
This years tour takes place May 3-4, 2018 out of Prince George, BC
Large Sturgeon getting ready to be released after measurements doneSmaller Sturgeon getting ready to be releasedUsing Radio Telemetry to find previously tagged sturgeonInserting a radio tag into sturgeonAll hands on deck when weighing a large sturgeonAngling for sturgeonTaking a DNA sampleRadio Telemetry TagA few measurement tools needed for data collectionLooking after a small sturgeonA closer look at a small sturgeonReleasing another small sturgeon
We have three great tours lined up for the Prince George area this spring. Exploring the history of our region via train and jet boat as we visit remote and hard to reach sites rich in early 1900’s stories of the past. We also provide an opportunity to be a part of one of the most unique biological tours in the province. We assist the Lheidli Tenneh Fisheries program in locating, capturing and tagging Upper Fraser White Sturgeon “The Dinosaurs of the River”.
The Nechako and Fraser Rivers are our highways for these three tours as we explore the two of the largest canyons on the Fraser River and remnants of our early 1900 transportation methods. Our knowledgeable accompanying resource persons will provide facts and stories to make this one of the most memorable trips you have ever been on. You do not want to miss out on these amazing trips.
Upper Fraser White Sturgeon Biology Experience – May 3-4, 2018 Historic Fort George River Journey – May 11, 2018 Ghost Towns of the East Line: History of the Upper Fraser – May 12, 2018
The Telemetry receiver in actionHistoric Ft George Canyon Historic Ft George River Journey TourSturgeon on the Upper Fraser RiverOld Beehive Burner at eh Eastline Ghost Town of PennyRingbolt in the Grand Canyon of the Fraser
One of the most unique research projects in Northern BC is now available for the community to take part or for professional development purposes for biologists. The White Sturgeon Biology Tour in partnership with Lheidli Tenneh fisheries allows individuals to experience the searching, catching, observing and recording of white sturgeon on the upper Fraser River. One of the first techniques that the guests are exposed to is the use of radio telemetry in tracking previously tagged White Sturgeon. By using an antenna and receiver we can pin point the location of these prehistoric creatures. The tour is conducted in jet boats as we boat to known holding locations of the fish and then use angling and set lines to catch these fish for the research project.
May 4-5, 2017 Prince George, BC
The radio Telemetry ReceiverLheidli Tenneh Fisheries Technician looking for sturgeonThe Telemetry receiver in actionAnother Tagged Upper Fraser White Sturgeon
This two day tour is one of our most unique with the opportunity to participate in an active Sturgeon tagging program. The guest swill actively participate in the catching and observing the inserting of radio telemetry tags inside the belly of the sturgeon. Guests will learn how to search for past tagged sturgeon with the radio telemetry equipment. The use of set lines and angling equipment will be used to catch the magnificent creatures and then perform a variety of measurements for research purposes. The following video provides a good overview of the two day tour.
Have you ever wanted to be a part of a very unique and exclusive research project. The White Sturgeon Biology Project in partnership with EDI Environmental Dynamics and the L’heildli Tenneh First Nation. This two day tour on the upper Fraser River we track Sturgeon with radio telemetry equipment and then attempt to catch them with set lines and angling gear. Guests learn all about these prehistoric fish and all the surgical and measurement techniques that are done for each fish caught. This years two day Jet Boat Sturgeon Project takes place on May 4-5, 2017.
Upper Fraser White SturgeonRadio Telemetry TrackingRadio telemetry receiverTracking sturgeon with telemetry receiverInserted radio tag coming out of the sturgeon
The jet boat is one of the most versatile modes for transporting guests into remote and otherwise inaccessible locations. These boats have alot of horsepower that allows us to carry 5 guests per boat and move them up rivers to amazing places with incredible scenery. Most of our tours utilize jet boats for a portion of the trip as we navigate larger rivers like the Skeena and Fraser and then smaller tributaries of the Skeena and rivers off remote ocean inlets. Navigating up and down rivers provides an exhilarating experience as you never know what is around the next corner. They are great for photography as they can be stopped quickly and held in place to allow guests to get that shot of a lifetime.
Jet Boating remote riversPhotographing the amazing sceneryAround every corner is another experience
This is the 2nd year of this one of a kind experience to participate in a unique northern BC Tour.
This two day on the river experiential biology field tour will introduce participants to White Sturgeon biology and conservation and an opportunity participate in an active sturgeon research project. Guests will be participating in an active research project to catch and tag Upper Fraser White Sturgeon under the guidance of fishery biologists and the local First Nations fisheries technician. This special and unique tour allows guests to be part of an exclusive opportunity that is otherwise unavailable to the public.
Guests assisting with one of the white sturgeon caught for the research
The trip also incorporates a tour through the historical Grand Canyon of the Fraser. Participants will travel via jet boat to locations on the upper Fraser River to learn about the following:
• Setline techniques
• Angling techniques
• Suturing
• Basics of radio tagging and telemetry
• Basics of PIT Tagging
• Basics of FLOY Tagging
• Sturgeon capture and handling
• White sturgeon determination of sex and sexual maturity
• Determining white sturgeon age
Sturgeon in the cradleProfessional Fisheries Biologist inserting a radio tag
A one-of-a-kind experience. Since 2014, UNBC Continuing Studies has been offering awe-struck adventurers rare access to seldom-visited historic sites, wondrous wildlife, and stunning natural scenery that is distinctly Northern British Columbia. See our list of past and new tours that are now open for registration. Check back daily for blog posts on all of the tours!
Sturgeon caught for research purposes Fraser River White Sturgeon Tour
Upper Fraser White Sturgeon Biology Experience May 4-5, 2017
Prince George, BC
Canneries of the Northcoast
May 8-June 11, 2017
Cassiar Cannery, Port Edward, BC
Cassiar Cannery Canneries of the North Coast Tour
Historic Fort George River Journey
May 15 or June 17, 2017
Prince George, BC
Historic Ft George Canyon Historic Ft George River Journey Tour
The Port Essington Experience
May 27, 2017
Terrace, BC
The Port Essington Experience Tour
“The Town That Got Lost” Anyox Exploration
June 3-4, 2017
Terrace, BC
The Anyox Powerhouse “The Town That Got Lost” Anyox Exploration Tour
Northwest BC Grizzly Bear Discovery Tour
June 6-10, 2017
Terrace, BC
Grizzly Bear walking the shore Northwest BC Grizzly Bear Discovery Tour
Skeena River Historical Jet Boat Journey
August 1-6, 2017
Hazelton – Port Edward, BC
Navigating the 200 km trip down the Skeena River Skeena River Historical Jet Boat Journey Tour
Ghost Towns of Northwest BC
August 20-26, 2017
Terrace, BC
The Ghostly and Abandoned Kitsault Shopping Centre Ghost Towns of Northwest BC Tour
Combining the knowledge of local experts with unique destinations and activities, Continuing Studies’ jet boat tours will provide you a spectacular story all your own.
“It was indeed one of the best travel and educational experiences that I have encountered.”
Our 2016 lineup of Educational Adventure Tours are all scheduled and filling up. We Have an amazing promotional video highlighting a couple of the tours. Check it out some of the amazing sites and scenery Northern BC has to offer.
Canneries of the Northcoast – May 29-June 3, 2016
Jet Boat Photography Tour – June 5-11, 2016
Skeena River Historical Jet Boat Journey – August 5-10, 2016
Ghost Towns of Northwest BC – August 21-27, 2016
Historic Transportation Methods of Fort George – May 6 or 15, 2016
Upper Fraser River White Sturgeon Biology Tour May 7-8 2016
We are pleased to announce that we are working in conjunction with the Lheidli T’enneh on this White Sturgeon Capture and Release Program and are providing an opportunity for the public to be a part of this unique experiential Tourism Program.
