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[redside1]

The 'lick of difference' may be correct but not the bait ban being typically followed by a complete closure down the line. All summer run steelhead rivers  on the Island have a bait ban and have for many years. Almost all have remained open to fishing. Ditto with many streams in the Skeena Region and the Squamish. The Thompson bait ban had zip to do with saving the saving the steelhead . It was about the only river in BC with an important summer run steelhead run that didn't have a bait ban.

this is where the problem lies with some of the proposed regulation changes now and in the past.
First thing that happens will be something like the proposed closure of the Kitimat river to fishing from Dec.1  to March 15.
it's already a single hook , bait ban catch and release fishery for all species.
the closure if to protect over wintering cutthroat trout that very few people actually fish for.
So in a couple of years all of region 6 will be closed to fishing in the winter "to bring it all in line" with the closure on the Kitimat.
When you read all of the proposals many are to bring what ever changes they are going to do in line with the rest of the region. They are not managing specific fisheries but managing complete regions with a one solution fits all.
 

[RalphH]

the kind of information needed for tailoring regulations requires research and research requires money. Money for research into steelhead and cutthroat fisheries isn't easy to come by. For what is available there is always the question of how likely is a particular piece of research to yield finding from what in known from similar published research or what is available anecdotally.

FWIW the closure on the Kitimat is based on specific research and it's not an attempt to bring it into line with regional norms. Just read the rational:
https://apps.nrs.gov.bc.ca/ahte/content/regulation-changes-kitimat-river

There are likely numerous CCT populations right here in region 2 that would benefit from winter and even summer closures (to protect rearing juveniles) as many of these streams much in the way of angling opportunities. Most of our cutthroat streams that lack any sort of winter steelhead opportunities could easily bear a bait ban.

[Hike_and_fish]

this is where the problem lies with some of the proposed regulation changes now and in the past.
First thing that happens will be something like the proposed closure of the Kitimat river to fishing from Dec.1  to March 15.
it's already a single hook , bait ban catch and release fishery for all species.
the closure if to protect over wintering cutthroat trout that very few people actually fish for.
So in a couple of years all of region 6 will be closed to fishing in the winter "to bring it all in line" with the closure on the Kitimat.
When you read all of the proposals many are to bring what ever changes they are going to do in line with the rest of the region. They are not managing specific fisheries but managing complete regions with a one solution fits all.

One would go further and read into United Nations Agenda 2030 and say fishing/hunting will be banned in our lifetime. Here's a thought, just go out and fish. Enjoy what ya got now.

[bigblue]

I'll say it one last time for those of you reading who care to listen. Rejecting this change would be a huge mistake.

If the biologists deem that hatchery fish are being released, and that you're unwilling to make a change that could increase retention, they can make recommendations to cut or reduce the program further. 

It happened on the Cowichan. The last 2 years on the island another 2 of the last 3 remaining hatchery programs have been cut. Chehalis summers cut. Something to think about...

I think Every Day raised a very good point. I think we may very well need to bite the bullet and accept the “2 fish limit” and also make a sustained effort as individuals to harvest hatchery fish without releasing them for sake of further enjoyment. Our failure to make this simple sacrifice may very well lead to a future without steelhead fishing as we have known and enjoyed. I personally don’t like the proposed 2 fish limit and I do also release hatchery fish as a season progresses, but I think that is a luxury we can no longer afford under the circumstances.

[redside1]

FWIW the closure on the Kitimat is based on specific research and it's not an attempt to bring it into line with regional norms. Just read the rational:
https://apps.nrs.gov.bc.ca/ahte/content/regulation-changes-kitimat-river

My point is this closure will happen if it's required or not and in a couple of years no one will remember why or how.
Then in a  couple of years somewhere else or the rest of the region will be closed to bring it in line with this closure.

Right or wrong there is little will to manage specific waters nowadays but instead manage regions or the complete province.
There are many examples of the province doing this over the years.
Just look at the 2 fish retention on the Chilliwack/Vedder being discussed. It's being done to make the entire region the same and not to really manage specific fisheries.

[RalphH]

I think it is managed to a specific need which is to increase the harvest of hatchery fish on the V/C and the Chehalis.

Improving the regional consistency is another issue they have dropped in there and overall it is part of an objective that's come out demands of anglers themselves - to simplify & improve the intelligibility of the regulations.

If you read some of the other changes you'd note they are also some  eliminating fly only regulations on specific waters as well as c&r only regulations on waters that don't naturally have self sustaining fish populations (ie Kidd Lake).

[BNF861]

With current freshwater licences and the current 20/21 synopsis about to expire on the 31st in less than two weeks, is the new 21/22 synopsis available anywhere yet to see what if any changes will be coming into effect?

[fisherforever]

New synopsis available at Chilliwack Dart and Tackle. Changes for Chilliwack/Vedder - Revised No Fishing boundaries and closure times in the areas of Slesse Creek, the Tamahi Rapids bridge and Vedder Crossing bridge. Increase daily quota for hatchery steelhead from one to two

[CohoJake]

New synopsis available at Chilliwack Dart and Tackle. Changes for Chilliwack/Vedder - Revised No Fishing boundaries and closure times in the areas of Slesse Creek, the Tamahi Rapids bridge and Vedder Crossing bridge. Increase daily quota for hatchery steelhead from one to two

Did they change the upper boundary?

[Dave]

I believe the change is a closure starting April 1 from Tamihi bridge to the boundary at Slesse Creek. Basically allowing steelhead to stage and spawn unmolested, this is something we have been pushing for years, great news.

[Rodney]

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/sports-recreation-arts-and-culture/outdoor-recreation/fishing-and-hunting/freshwater-fishing/region_2_lower_mainland.pdf

[bobby b]

Here is the info that is specific to the C/V

No Fishing upstream from a line between two fishing boundary signs on either side of the Chilliwack River 100 m downstream of the confluence of the Chilliwack River and Slesse Creek

No Fishing downstream of a line between two fishing boundary signs on either side of the Chilliwack River 100m downstream of the confluence of the Chilliwack River and Slesse Creek to Tamihi Rapids Bridge, Apr 1-June 30

No Fishing downstream of Tamihi Rapids Bridge to Vedder Crossing Bridge, May 1-June 30 No Fishing downstream of Vedder Crossing Bridge, June 1-June 30


Hatchery rainbow trout of any length 50 cm or less: daily quota = 4, July 1-Apr 30
Downstream of Vedder Crossing Bridge: (a) fly fishing only, bait ban, hatchery rainbow trout release (50 cm or less), and hatchery cutthroat release, May 1-31; (b) No Fishing June 1-30; (c) hatchery rainbow trout of any length 50 cm or less: daily quota = 4, July 1-Apr 30

Also ...

Copied from the full synopsis..

Chilliwack/Vedder Rivers:
• Revised No Fishing boundaries and
closure times in the areas of Slesse Creek, the Tamihi Rapids bridge, and the Vedder Crossing bridge.

• Increase daily quota for hatchery steelhead from one to two.

....Two Hatchery Steelhead retention as of  APR 1st 2021

[sugartooth]

Does the annual retention of steelhead remain at 10 per year?

[bobby b]

Yes

Annual catch quota for all B.C.: 10 steelhead per licence year