CATCH ME IF YOU CAN: FEMALE ANGLER ON STURGEON SLAYERS EXCURSION ON FRASER RIVER SETS ANOTHER RECORD FOR UNTAGGED WHITE STURGEON
Latest Milestone Measures 11’ by 4’ and Continues Incredible Season for Conservation- Focused Operation That is Dedicated to Preserving, Promoting Fraser Valley Fishery
Chilliwack-based fishing guide group Sturgeon Slayers is measuring up another milestone catch in an incredible 2026 after a guest on one of its recent Fraser River excursions reeled in a 11-foot, 4-inch White Sturgeon believed to be one of the largest fish ever landed in freshwater by a female angler.
The massive Sturgeon measured 11’ and 4” inches to the fork with a 60-inch pectoral girth and a 70-inch belly girth — truly staggering numbers, says Sturgeon Slayers Owner and Guide Kevin Estrada — and helps put an exclamation point on yet another wild fishing tale for the ages authored by the conservation-minded, catch-and-release-focused guiding operation.
Even more significant from a conservation perspective is the fact that the fish was untagged. Estrada carefully documented the catch and subsequently affixed the first tag to the fish before releasing it, adding valuable information to the ongoing scientific monitoring and conservation of BC’s iconic White Sturgeon population.
“This was an absolutely incredible fish,” says Estrada, who founded Sturgeon Slayers in 2008 and is also Co-Chairman of the Fraser Valley Angling Guides Association. “When you see a fish with these kinds of measurements, you realize how special the Fraser River is. And what makes it even more meaningful is that it was untagged. We were able to put a tag on it and contribute valuable information to a Fraser River Sturgeon population that represents an irreplaceable natural resource.”
Back in June, Estrada was also guiding an outing that helped write a new worldrecord for a white sturgeon catch when it landed a monster 11’ by 8.2” fork length White Sturgeon with an estimated weight of 1,100 to 1,200 pounds, surpassing his previous world record set five years earlier when another of his excursions landed, tagged and released an 11’ by 6.5” fork length fish.
Sturgeon Slayers’ extraordinary 2026 season will also be featured in the upcoming film ‘More Than a Catch’ from Fargone Media, which documents the pursuit of Fraser River giants and the remarkable stories behind the fish. The film will highlight the journey from the Slayers’ 2021 record through its 2026 catch that surpassed that mark, and the subsequent capture and release of this most recent 11-foot-4-inch example.
And while the adage of ‘size matters’ certainly applies to these excursions, it isn’t the defining factor when it comes to the true importance of these monumental catches, says Estrada.
“These White Sturgeon are one of BC’s most iconic freshwater species, and the Fraser River population represents an irreplaceable natural resource. We have spent years promoting responsible catch-and-release angling, tagging, education and conservation. Every one of these big fish tells us something. We want people to appreciate how remarkable these fish are, but also to understand that they are worth protecting. The goal is to see these giants continue to swim in the Fraser for generations.”
The Fraser River White Sturgeon is the largest freshwater fish species in North America and is considered one of the most remarkable fish populations on the planet with a history that stretches back millions of years. While the fish can reach extraordinary sizes and live for more than a century, their long-term future depends on continued conservation efforts, habitat protection, research and public education.
To that end, Sturgeon Slayers’ focus is fixed firmly on consideration of conservation best practices, mandatory catch-and-release methods, showcasing proper fish handling and recovery, minimizing fight times, teaching calm, controlled landings and providing guest education on sturgeon care.
The group operates with a simple truth: that there is no future in guiding without conservation. Every trip it makes on the Fraser River is guided with respect for the fish, the ecosystem, and the responsibility that comes with access to one of the world’s most important white sturgeon fisheries.
Sturgeon Slayers also is a key member of the Sturgeon Monitoring and Assessment Tagging Program that also includes the FVAGA, the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation, InStream Fisheries Research, the Province of BC and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada. The data collected by each of these partner organizations helps track sturgeon movement, growth and population health and guides how the species is protected long term.
The company’s conservation-focused approach has attracted international attention and has been featured by major media organizations including National Geographic, Discovery Channel, BBC Earth, Animal Planet, Disney+ and more. Sturgeon Slayers has also hosted prominent digital creators and wildlife personalities, including Coyote Peterson of Brave Wilderness and members of Googan Squad bait and tackle, introducing millions of viewers to the Fraser and its extraordinary, world-class sturgeon fishery.
To stay up to date on the latest catches or enquire about booking a trip, go sturgeonslayers.com, follow @sturgeonslayers on Ins
ABOUT STURGEON SLAYERS
Founded in 2008, Sturgeon Slayers is an award-winning professional guiding operation offering luxury, fully serviced sturgeon fishing trips on BC’s picturesque Fraser River — which winds its way through the Fraser Canyon and the towns of Mission, Chilliwack and Agassiz — and brings deep local knowledge and a controlled, experience- and conservation-first approach to every day on the water. With more than 20 years of sturgeon experience, the group’s guides lead private and group trips for anglers of all skill levels and ensure every trip is intentional, and every detail matters.
