There are giants in the Fraser River, and a Chilliwack fishing guide just found one.
In June, Kevin Estrada of Sturgeon Slayers guided a group to one of the most remarkable catches in recent memory — an 11-foot, 8.2-inch white sturgeon on the Fraser River, estimated to weigh between 1,100 and 1,200 pounds. The fish surpasses the previous record, which was also set by a Sturgeon Slayers outing in 2021.
What makes the catch even more remarkable is that neither fish had ever been caught and tagged before — meaning they were true unknowns, growing quietly in the Fraser for decades without human contact.
"The significance of both these record-setting fish is that conservation works," said Estrada. "These fish are getting bigger, and the fact that both had not been caught and tagged before is incredible."
The white sturgeon is the largest freshwater fish species in North America, with a history stretching back millions of years. The Fraser River is home to one of the most important white sturgeon populations on the planet — but their long-term survival depends on careful stewardship. Sturgeon Slayers operates entirely on catch-and-release principles, with a focus on minimizing fight times, proper handling, and guest education.
Estrada, who also co-chairs the Fraser Valley Angling Guides Association, was awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal last year for his contributions to sturgeon conservation. The company is part of the Sturgeon Monitoring and Assessment Tagging Program, a collaboration with the Province of BC, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, and several research organizations that tracks sturgeon movement, growth, and population health over time.
"We don't own the river. We steward it," Estrada said. "Every fish we catch is treated as a living record, not a trophy."
In nearly two decades of guiding, Sturgeon Slayers has welcomed anglers from around the world to the Fraser River and attracted attention from outlets including National Geographic, BBC Earth, and Discovery Channel. But this latest catch might be their best story yet.
