Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum
Fishing in British Columbia => General Discussion => Topic started by: Shmoke Shaman on March 04, 2017, 08:43:19 AM
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Who's excited for the Pink run this year? I am.
A lot of of people pass on eating the Pink because of the light color of the meat and the softness. I actually enjoy eating the Pinks.
Having the soft meat, how does everyone cook their Pinks?
I generally wrap them in foil and cook in coals or just a simple pan fry.
If you're just getting into salmon fishing, fishing the Pink run is the best way to start. Take advantage this year since they only run every odd year.
Does anyone have any killer lures or fly's for the Pinks?
I know they generally bite anything but I have caught the most Pinks on this fly.
(https://s8.postimg.org/phn1f8kkh/fly.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/phn1f8kkh/)
I hope ya'll hyped for the Pinks now ;D
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well I will be more excited if it turns out to be a decent run. The run up north last year was pretty much a bust and 2015 was mediocre.
As for flies I generally just use some sort of simple pink marabou fly either with dumbell eyes or bead chain.
One is just a gold body a few wraps of cerise or hot pink marabou, dumbells/chain eyes and a few strands of gold flashabou. size #6 or #8
The other has a marabou tail, length of the hook,sparkle chenille hot pink or cerise body & bead chain eyes: #10 hook 1x or 2x long
A simple Pink Eve style fly also has caught me fish for decades.
I have used a rolled muddler style like yours with a hot pink yarn head clipped short.
Fact is just about any variation on these styles will catch fish as will other flies in blue green or even white with teal hackle catches pinks
For lures a kitamat in hot orange with white stripe or a pink bladed spinner work - even when the Fraser is muddy.
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After catching, bleeding and de-gilling. I bring it home and get ready to BBQ it.
Baste on some sesame oil, a little ginger and garlic, soy sauce and honey. Cooked skin side down on bbq, lid closed, directly on the grill rack. Gets a nice carmelization around the edges, and some people like the eat the crispy skin.
If I'm not eating it same day, they get brined and smoked.
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I'll be more excited in May. That said I'm looking forward to getting my youngest into his first salmon this year on his Spider-Man rod.
That's what excites me about the pink fishery. Anyone and everyone who normally doesn't give a heck about fishing can get out with friends have a good time and catch a couple fish.
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I've taken part in this fishery for decades. Its funny, you can talk to 20 different guys about what their "go to" lure is or was. And get 20 different answers.
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I've taken part in this fishery for decades. Its funny, you can talk to 20 different guys about what their "go to" lure is or was. And get 20 different answers.
My go to lure when I'm not fly or jig fishing is any old tarnished spinner that's been neglected or beat up spray painted pink. Or just the way it is.
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Hope the Fraser pinks will be better than last season's 6 million fish count. The season before it was 24 million and you can really see the difference on the Fraser and the Vedder. Squamish pinks in 2015 were pretty abundant I found, but they were quite a few of them on the small side compared to the 2013 run.
Wonder what happened with the Seymour pink run with the Rock slide. I don't think they were trucking pinks up to the spawning grounds.
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the Squamish #s in 2015 were much lower than 2013 though it didn't seem to have the 4 fold decrease the Fraser system experienced. I guess we'll have to wait and see but my guess there will be another low return on the South Coast - hopefully it's more than 6 million, not less.
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Looks like theres alot of excitement! Hopefully we see a nice healthy return this year.
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Best part is fishing early in the morning under Pattullo bridge and go to work with one fish.
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Super excited!
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Looking forward to it for sure 😀
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Fav Pink recipe is Thai Green Curry
Ingredients
4 each 6oz (170 g) thick salmon fillets, skinned, de-boned, cut into 1" cubes
1 can unsweetened coconut milk (check ingredient - only milk and water is best)
1 tbsp Thai green curry paste
1 tbsp white sugar
1 cup (240 ml) white wine or combination of cooking wine/cooking sherry
3 tbsps Asian fish sauce
Serve over rice and top with fresh chopped cilantro
Options to add:
1 tbsp tumeric
2 cups (130 g) snow peas, stem ends trimmed and strings removed
1 tbsp fresh lime juice
3 green onions, thinly sliced
Bring sauce (with all spices) to a rolling boil and add in fish - do not over cook!
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Excited to take my little salmon slayers out again for pinks.
(http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a80/Flaming_Hook/20150725_155501_zps6uks3hkj.jpg) (http://s9.photobucket.com/user/Flaming_Hook/media/20150725_155501_zps6uks3hkj.jpg.html)
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Yep - looking forward to getting my kids into the pinks this year for sure. Eldest got skunked for coho on her trips last fall, but this will be perfect and may even take the younger one too. Also going to introduce some newer Canadians (father and son) to this amazing opportunity. Did Furry Creek in 2015 with good success, two quick Qs which I hope people don't mind as Furry Creek isn't a big secret and one is a safety issue 1) how do people get to the parking on the southbound side of the road - turn around at Brittania? and 2) when should I be penciling in my calendar, late June / early July? And to answer the original question, I found the "eyed pink flies" absolutely lethal. Better than jigs, buzzbombs, spinners, etc - I was hooking up every cast once dialed in, whilst others around were getting little success - it was amazing to be part of the "10% of fisherman" for once! :D
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Excited to take my little salmon slayers out again for pinks.
(http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a80/Flaming_Hook/20150725_155501_zps6uks3hkj.jpg) (http://s9.photobucket.com/user/Flaming_Hook/media/20150725_155501_zps6uks3hkj.jpg.html)
Good stuff, that sums up the pink fishery pretty good right there.
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how do people get to the parking on the southbound side of the road - turn around at Brittania?
Nevermind - worked out from Google Maps how to get off before it and rejoin southbound north of the area. And agreed with the above - awesome pic, hope to have something like that with my fishergirls this summer!
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Take it with a grain of salt, but this is what the WDFW is projecting for us south of the border:
"Meanwhile, this year's run of pink salmon, which mostly return to Washington's waters only in odd-numbered years, is expected to be about 80 percent lower than the 10-year average. About 1.15 million pink salmon are forecast to return to Puget Sound this year."
http://wdfw.wa.gov/news/feb2817b/ (http://wdfw.wa.gov/news/feb2817b/)
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The Fraser river forecast currently is 8 million pinks. This leaves a TAC of 2 million fish for all user groups. So there will be enough fish for a sport season just not a great fishery
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Well hopefully it will be a good season and enough fish return for everyone to have some fun.
I'm interested in trying some top water flies after watching a video I believe Everyday posted in a thread a little while ago. Should add a little more excitement instead of scaring the crap out of a buddy when I turned my rod sideways and a pink grabbed my spoon only a few feet from where he was standing. ;D
Believe this is the video but I could be wrong.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIv0FAzMS-s
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The Fraser river forecast currently is 8 million pinks. This leaves a TAC of 2 million fish for all user groups. So there will be enough fish for a sport season just not a great fishery
Do you have the url link for this forecast? I hope they bump this number, up otherwise a lot of people in the Lower Fraser will find it hard to hook them.
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The 2015 pink salmon season was extremely disappointing for my family. It seemed like we were surrounded by a lot of other disappointed people as well.
Maybe we were doing it at the wrong locations. We tried mainly lower Fraser piers.
My impression was we missed most of the pink season because the river was closed to protect sockeye.
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Hmmmm.... I did really well in the 2015 pink season. Fished for 'em in Squamish and in Chilliwack and a few other spots too!
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It seems the smaller systems like the Squamish and non tidal Fraser were the better opportunities during last run.
In the wide areas of the lower Fraser it wasn't a sure thing like it had been. A lot of water to cover without the normal 'density' of pinks.
Could only find pockets of fish, not the steady flow of active fish moving through.
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Hmmmm.... I did really well in the 2015 pink season. Fished for 'em in Squamish and in Chilliwack and a few other spots too!
Just about everybody I encountered in those systems and including the Non-Tidal Fraser were limiting out within a few hours in 2015. In 2013, I remember seeing a black band of fish may be 2 feet wide, and as long as your eye can see, lining the bottom of the Vedder River that I didn't see in 2015. In 2015, it was more of steady but scattered schools, trickling in.
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Excited to take my little salmon slayers out again for pinks.
(http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a80/Flaming_Hook/20150725_155501_zps6uks3hkj.jpg) (http://s9.photobucket.com/user/Flaming_Hook/media/20150725_155501_zps6uks3hkj.jpg.html)
I remember this 2 boys, the taller one was chucking flies and slaying pinks like it was going out of style. Good job!
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Just about everybody I encountered in those systems and including the Non-Tidal Fraser were limiting out within a few hours in 2015.
The limit stayed at 2 in '15 while in most previous years it has been 4. I think 2013 was the lowest return in over 20 years. Best I know the minimum escapement for the Fraser is 3 million. Target in the past has been 7. In the 70s it was as low as 1 million. Other have said the Squish was all but empty of pinks in the late 60s and into the 70s. Fry from the Indian River were introduced into the Squish and some credit that for returning pink abundance.
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Other have said the Squish was all but empty of pinks in the late 60s and into the 70s. Fry from the Indian River were introduced into the Squish and some credit that for returning pink abundance.
The Squamish was indeed virtually void of pinks in the 80's as well. I ran chinook programs on those rivers during that time and we would literally only see a handful of pinks each cycle. Pinks eggs were transplanted from the Indian and when applicable were fertilized with Squamish pinks and then incubated at Tenderfoot Hatchery. At the eyed stage they were transported to one of the groundwater channels on the Mamquam and planted on the gravel. They were then covered with a plastic cover to keep predators out and were allowed to hatch and migrate naturally. This worked very well and juvenile migration was very good. This was done for 3 cycles and then stopped and the returns built up to about 25 000 adults. Then a couple of big Squamish floods happened and returns plummeted. Back to the Indian again in the mid 90's and repeated the process. Returns then increased and we went a bunch of cycles with good survivals and a fair bit of protected habitat was built on the Squamish, Ashlu and Cheakamus Rivers. Returns increased exponentially into the 2000"s and with the protected habitat allowed the stock to return in significant numbers even when there were large floods ( and there were a couple of huge significant gravel moving floods during that time period).
My guess is that this year will be poorer than in 2015 and significantly poorer than the huge 2013 return. We had 5 large gravel moving floods during the 2015 brood incubation period and they have been shown to be very detrimental to pink survival. It will all depend on how well the protected habitat worked. It will also depend on how badly the commercial seine fishery kills then in the planned Howe Sound commercial fishery.
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The 2015 pink salmon season was extremely disappointing for my family. It seemed like we were surrounded by a lot of other disappointed people as well.
Maybe we were doing it at the wrong locations. We tried mainly lower Fraser piers.
My impression was we missed most of the pink season because the river was closed to protect sockeye.
Hi KarateKick, there are quite a few locations where you will have a far better chance to catch pinks than in than the Fraser. Drop me an email in July and I will take you to a few.
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Fry from the Indian River were introduced into the Squish and some credit that for returning pink abundance.
Any idea why no-one has considered introducing pink fry (from the island's even year run) into the Squish and other systems to kickstart and even year run of pinks over here. Is it concern over upsetting existing runs of other species during the even years?
It seams odd to me that there is no even run, here, but there is on the Island. Does anyone know or have a theory why this happened. Normally nature abhors a vacuum or empty niche, and while you can catch the very occasional pink in even years in the Vedder etc, they have never established a big run?
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Even year pinks transplants to the Squamish have been suggested by several groups and individuals but for what ever reason the Federal - Provincial transplant committee has declined. It would benefit the ecosystem immensely with benefits to fish thru grizzly bears. One of the reasons I have heard for the decline of approval is that most even year pinks stocks on southern Vancouver Island originated from transplants from the Campbell - Quinsam system at Campbell River. It was stated that they felt that this group had been moved around enough on the Island and they did not want to move them to the mainland side of the straight. There are even year stocks on the mainland side of the straight but approval to move them has not been given. There is a very small even year component in Squamish but it appears that there are only a few hundred fish on a good year. Very hard to catch them in any amount that would result in any significant number of fry to release. A transplant is the only realistic way to have a even year pink run in this system. Not likely to happen in my opinion. To bad. Would have made a nice fishery as well as benefiting the char, trout and other species of fish that spend extensive time rearing in freshwater.
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Gotta agree bkk. Seems a no brainer to try some even year pink enhancement as the benefits, watershed wide, would be considerable.
Plan to see Matt very soon on the C-V so will ask his opinion on this.
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The Campbell system was enhanced beyond anything resembling historical abundance and some of the other systems to the south received transplants to bring back populations that were negligible or extirpated.
Suggestions to establish some fishery in even number years have been around for some time including just raising fry in pens for release.
As much as fishing pinks is a lot of fun I'd think there are better things to spend money on plus do we really want the pink salmon zoo every year?
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As much as fishing pinks is a lot of fun I'd think there are better things to spend money on plus do we really want the pink salmon zoo every year?
My thoughts were not so much the sports fishery as the benefits of gravel cleaning, carcass decomposition providing nutrients, and the fry available as food for juvenile coho, steelhead, cutthroat and various bird species.
I believe this has been tried before at Jones Creek, with no measurable success, and at the Cultus Lake Laboratory, with the same results.
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For a long time I wished we had an even year run here in the valley, even if it was not a dominant run. Farther north it's more common that while many streams have pinks every year, one year (usually the even year) is the dominant year and the other year is substantially smaller.
However I start to think that maybe mother nature knows better - there may be a reason the Fraser is swarming with pinks every September.
Dave do you know of any sizable salmon runs in the PNW that were established solely by stocking but not supported by a hatchery in the long term?
The April=May issue of Fly Fisherman has an article on rivers in Chile that have introduced runs of chinook (Cowlitz River Washington sourced). According to the article a Japanese fishery concern introduced these fish to establish a salmon ranching business. It failed but the fish went on to establish runs that are up to now self-sustaining; fish that average 25 to 35lbs and can exceed 50.
Photo:
(https://bookspics.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/picture-for-fly-fisherman-aprilmay-2017.jpg)
download: https://bookspics.com/magazines/fly-fisherman-april-may-2017/
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Off the top of my head (the pointed part), the only stock I can think of are Cowichan Browns, and they are not what most would consider a sizeable population.
Can anyone else chime in here?
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2 sockeye stocks that might meet your criteria Ralph ... in the late 70's Stellako females were crossed with Horsefly jacks; eyed eggs were planted out in river near the townsite in an attempt to establish a lower river spawning population, and
Cayenne Creek females were crossed with Upper Adams males, reared in an incubation box and later fed for a few months in a floating net pen. Gametes from returning progeny were trough reared on the banks of the Upper Adams and the fed fry released into the river. This project was a definite success as before these efforts the population of the Upper Adams was in the hundreds, if that many. Now, if they aren't fished into near extinction, numbers are close to 60,000.
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2 sockeye stocks that might meet your criteria Ralph ... in the late 70's Stellako females were crossed with Horsefly jacks; eyed eggs were planted out in river near the townsite in an attempt to establish a lower river spawning population, and
Cayenne Creek females were crossed with Upper Adams males, reared in an incubation box and later fed for a few months in a floating net pen. Gametes from returning progeny were trough reared on the banks of the Upper Adams and the fed fry released into the river. This project was a definite success as before these efforts the population of the Upper Adams was in the hundreds, if that many. Now, if they aren't fished into near extinction, numbers are close to 60,000.
The sockeye that return to Lake Washington are completely introduced, but it was done so long ago there aren't good records - they have studied genes to determine they were from Baker river (Skagit) stock. The Lake Washington watershed was so drastically changed that it had a serious impact on the fisheries available, so it was an attempt to correct for what had been done. Lake Washington used to drain out the south end into the Dwamish watershed, but it's level was raised so it would flow out the north end, connecting to Lake Union and, via the Ballard Locks, this made the lake navigable to relatively large vessels.
Although a portion of the returns to Lake Washington are hatchery origin, there are now many self-sustaining populations that spawn in the lake and in many tributaries. These fish have become quite specialized over the last century, with a smaller-bodied (and smaller humped) population adapting to the tributaries, and larger and deeper fish adapted to spawning in the lake itself.
The fall chinook that return to the Nooksack, Skagit, and Samish rivers are introduced Green River stock (although in the case of the Samish river they are produced in large numbers by the hatchery). Again, the runs were so well established in these rivers that genetic testing was necessary to determine where they were introduced from.
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More good stuff from you WAfishboy :)
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Off the top of my head (the pointed part), the only stock I can think of are Cowichan Browns, and they are not what most would consider a sizeable population.
Can anyone else chime in here?
Hey Dave, I used to fished over Vancouver island rivers a lot back in the 80's and 90's when ferry rates was quite reasonable. The Cowichan river from River Bottom road up to Marie Canyon falls was area I fished. There once a while I would catch quite few silver hatchery Brown trouts with missing adipose fin. Not sure they migrated out to sea or not but they were quite silver compared to the resident browns. The largest hatchery brown I caught was around 15". Never did bonk them even through it was legal to retain wild or hatchery trouts back then.
Silex user
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Dave do you know of any sizable salmon runs in the PNW that were established solely by stocking but not supported by a hatchery in the long term?
Depends what you call sizeable. Mcnab Creek in Howe Sound had a chum transplant into it in the '80's to support some new habitat that was constructed. It is now a small but sustaining population.
Another one is Maria Slough chinook in the Fraser Valley east of Agassiz. A small population was enhanced out of Inch Creek Hatchery for a few years along with habitat enhancement and it is now self sustaining as a small population ( a few hundred fish ) the last I heard.
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just a thought, but could it be a failure at jones creek etc because they were using odd year fish? could something like needing to come back on an odd year be genetic? maybe those failed fish were coming in one year early to match what they should have been doing?
I have tried to research why theres only odd year pinks here. no one knows why. really, it's kind of strange.
maybe trying to get an even run with even year fish from a northern river might help time it with its normal cycle?
anyone here have a theory on why theres no even year run?
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Because the rivers need to lie fallow for a year to recover?
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anyone here have a theory on why theres no even year run?
up around Agassiz there was a landslide that blocked the Fraser about 6000 years ago. The river below was dry for a period of time. I had read speculation that may have been the cause - but who can say.
If you look at some runs such as the Adams - the peak that this year will occur in 2018 is associated with dramatic nulls and mid'lin runs in between. this may relate to available feed issues - the 4 years peak in the Adams is sometimes thought to effect available feed in following years. The dominant minor 2 year pattern of pinks may reflect something similar.
BTW I have read that pinks from Siberia have recently constituted about 70% of the total salmonid biota in the Pacific.
Pink and Steelhead abundance are also supposedly negatively correlated. Point being the abundance of one species or year class may reduce the abundance of other species and year classes.
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GordJ, recover from what? Salmonids of various species spawn every year so I can't see even year pinks being a problem. They are, imo, the perfect coastal fish in that all they need (in very basic terms) is decent water flows, decent gravel, and a functioning estuary.
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up around Agassiz there was a landslide that blocked the Fraser about 6000 years ago. The river below was dry for a period of time. I had read speculation that may have been the cause - but who can say.
Yeah, I have read about that slide and have no doubt it happened … look at Mt Cheam and you can see it. What I don’t get is pinks in rivers below this slide would not have been impacted, or negligibly, especially if they or their gametes were in their natal streams at the time. Pinks are known to be probably the “straying-est” of all Pacific salmon …. gotta think after 5 or 6 thousand years they would have recovered to whatever they were.
Hey, just speculating …
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Why upset the balance of nature? If nature wanted pinks every year there would be pinks every year. Humans have done enough to screw up nature. Let it be.
I for one hate pink years. It brings out some of the worst fishing ethics. I certainly don't need to see fish dragged up on the beach then kicked back into the river every year.
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well nature wanted pinks everywhere else except the lower mainland it appears.
I believe that if there was a pink run every year it would calm down the greed, and you'd be less likely to see the crap your describing.
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I for one hate pink years. It brings out some of the worst fishing ethics. I certainly don't need to see fish dragged up on the beach then kicked back into the river every year.
By that rationale we should stop stocking chum everywhere.
I find that Pink fishers are better behaved than the average. Go to the Richmond dikes in September and you see families having a good time, everyone catching fish using ethical methods. There are way more people enjoying the fishery there than those snaggin 'n draggin on the Vedder.
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By that rationale we should stop stocking chum everywhere.
I find that Pink fishers are better behaved than the average. Go to the Richmond dikes in September and you see families having a good time, everyone catching fish using ethical methods. There are way more people enjoying the fishery there than those snaggin 'n draggin on the Vedder.
No way you can snag a fish on Richmond dikes. If snagging was possible, there would be someone snag
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Why upset the balance of nature? If nature wanted pinks every year there would be pinks every year. Humans have done enough to screw up nature. Let it be.
I for one hate pink years. It brings out some of the worst fishing ethics. I certainly don't need to see fish dragged up on the beach then kicked back into the river every year.
I have read a bunch of books from 1850 to 1950 you would be surprised at how many small systems did not have salmon or did not have money salmon in them. Yes humans have devastated stocks but have also enhanced lots of streams that never even had Chum,Coho,Chinook runs. I am sure you probably heard about the legendary fishing that took place for Exbo 86. When the government pumped tonnes of money into hatcheries in the years before (sent water bombers to seed harrison lake ext...).
I believe they did also introduce a successful run of pinks in the indian arm as well tho i cant find anything on it
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well nature wanted pinks everywhere else except the lower mainland it appears.
I believe that if there was a pink run every year it would calm down the greed, and you'd be less likely to see the crap your describing.
No nature doesn't want pinks everywhere every year except in the lower mainland. The kitimat river where I grew up only has them every other year and same with rivers in Washington state.
There is no greed in the crap that I'm describing. It's a lack of respect for the fish. People snagging fish off their reds , dragging them 10 feet up the beach , stepping on them to hold them down so they can get their hook out of its back and then kicking them back into the river.
By that rationale we should stop stocking chum everywhere.
I find that Pink fishers are better behaved than the average. Go to the Richmond dikes in September and you see families having a good time, everyone catching fish using ethical methods. There are way more people enjoying the fishery there than those snaggin 'n draggin on the Vedder.
Yes I am talking about the vedder. What happens along the tidal portion of the Fraser is tolerable.
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GordJ, recover from what? Salmonids of various species spawn every year so I can't see even year pinks being a problem. They are, imo, the perfect coastal fish in that all they need (in very basic terms) is decent water flows, decent gravel, and a functioning estuary.
Dave do you have any idea why salmon are not better adapted for warmer waters. With a birth cycled of every 2 years, that's 50 generations in a 100 years. Do they not have a very manipulative genome?
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GordJ, recover from what? Salmonids of various species spawn every year so I can't see even year pinks being a problem. They are, imo, the perfect coastal fish in that all they need (in very basic terms) is decent water flows, decent gravel, and a functioning estuary.
I am assuming that different fish spawn in different places at different times. The springs with their 4/5 year cycle have dominant runs which allow insect, gravel and plant life time to recover, both in the ocean and river. The pinks would spawn in different areas and cause depletions of different resources. Same goes for the other species (or strains or whatever coho and chum and sockeye are). This isn't an educated assertion, just a finely honed theory that I pulled out of somewhere near my back pocket.
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Dave do you have any idea why salmon are not better adapted for warmer waters. With a birth cycled of every 2 years, that's 50 generations in a 100 years. Do they not have a very manipulative genome?
I think you would have to ask a fish physiologist that question.
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No nature doesn't want pinks everywhere every year except in the lower mainland. The kitimat river where I grew up only has them every other year and same with rivers in Washington state.
There is no greed in the crap that I'm describing. It's a lack of respect for the fish. People snagging fish off their reds , dragging them 10 feet up the beach , stepping on them to hold them down so they can get their hook out of its back and then kicking them back into the river.
Yes I am talking about the vedder. What happens along the tidal portion of the Fraser is tolerable.
the kitimat river has pinks every year man. they were especially abundant in the 90's.... I am from there as well, and fished it for 25+ years before moving to vancouver. still fish it yearly when I visit family..... So not sure why your saying that? maybe your quite a bit older than me and this was occurring in the 60' and 70's? maybe the run was just tiny? I literally grew up on hirsch creek, I lived on smith st..... I caught pink, chum, springs and coho every year since I was 10 there.
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Blair,. I don't see the doom and gloom in this thread which is titled "pink run 2017" I see projections and theories with a few other things thrown in.
Maybe you enjoy the Zoo that some areas become.
Although you are right about most being well behaved and having fun there are exceptions and unfortunately they stand out in the crowds.
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Yet another THREAD has been hijacked by the DOOM & GLOOM idiots.
It started off with some nice pics of Kids enjoying the Pink Fishery.
It developed into a wonderful conversation of stocking.
Then the NEGATIVE PROPAGANDA "Fishermen" (Traitors) jumped on board to tell us about how miserable the fishery is. Full of Snaggers and Loogans. Cant go anywhere without encountering the atrocities that lurk around every corner. (Sarcasm)
It gets tiring listening to these IDIOTS comment on how horrible things are. They paint a picture of a MINORITY FEW ... being representative of the entire fishing community. They offer suggestions of more regulations, restrictions, less access and more elitism. No one else can possibly understand or follow their standards.
BUNCH of BS! Go Away .... quit filling the Post with your pathetic whinning.
I went fishing to Mamquam, Squamish, West Van. Furry Creek and the Veddar.
Didnt seem to run into the MAYHEM that these TRAITOR FISHERMEN want us to believe.
Encountered the VAST MAJORITY OF FISHERMEN having a good time enjoying the sport!
Fishing for pinks is extremely fun! I love taking out people who have never fished before and they have a blast catching pinks. I do however see terrible ethics everywhere I go on the lower vedder its pretty bad in certain spots.
For example look at some of these videos:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CknWashZVvo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWgD45vpEG8
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Any idea why no-one has considered introducing pink fry (from the island's even year run) into the Squish and other systems to kickstart and even year run of pinks over here. Is it concern over upsetting existing runs of other species during the even years?
It seams odd to me that there is no even run, here, but there is on the Island. Does anyone know or have a theory why this happened. Normally nature abhors a vacuum or empty niche, and while you can catch the very occasional pink in even years in the Vedder etc, they have never established a big run?
http://www.fishingwithrod.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=17758.msg170557#msg170557
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FWIW I have seen pinks spawning in 3 different rivers in between North Vancouver and Squamish during even years. No idea if they were strays or perhaps small even year runs exist.
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With a two year cycle that(Pinks) are the most adative species and roam ( as already stated)
There is an article on this.
I'll try to find it....Maybe, as time and memory allows.
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Fishing for pinks is extremely fun! I love taking out people who have never fished before and they have a blast catching pinks. I do however see terrible ethics everywhere I go on the lower vedder its pretty bad in certain spots.
For example look at some of these videos:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CknWashZVvo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWgD45vpEG8
The first video that guy gives out fishing reports seen one of them
The first video that guy gives out fishing reports see one of his videos
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I have read a bunch of books from 1850 to 1950 you would be surprised at how many small systems did not have salmon or did not have money salmon in them. Yes humans have devastated stocks but have also enhanced lots of streams that never even had Chum,Coho,Chinook runs. I am sure you probably heard about the legendary fishing that took place for Exbo 86. When the government pumped tonnes of money into hatcheries in the years before (sent water bombers to seed harrison lake ext...).
I believe they did also introduce a successful run of pinks in the indian arm as well tho i cant find anything on it
Re: every 'point' you made above - sorry but I don't think so.
Cheers
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Re: every 'point' you made above - sorry but I don't think so.
Cheers
Agree Ralph.
Fertilizing Harrison Lake ... really? I don't remember that happening and wonder how that would that have helped coho production? For sure though, many more coho smolts were pumped out by DFO hatcheries, and the returns were at an optimum time for ocean survivals.
Oh, for 10% survival rates again ::)
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the kitimat river has pinks every year man. they were especially abundant in the 90's.... I am from there as well, and fished it for 25+ years before moving to vancouver. still fish it yearly when I visit family..... So not sure why your saying that? maybe your quite a bit older than me and this was occurring in the 60' and 70's? maybe the run was just tiny? I literally grew up on hirsch creek, I lived on smith st..... I caught pink, chum, springs and coho every year since I was 10 there.
When I fished the kitimat river in the 70's and early 80's the pink run was every other year. Clearly something has changed.
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Agree Ralph.
Fertilizing Harrison Lake ... really? I don't remember that happening and wonder how that would that have helped coho production? For sure though, many more coho smolts were pumped out by DFO hatcheries, and the returns were at an optimum time for ocean survivals.
Oh, for 10% survival rates again ::)
Pretty sure it was fertilized for sockeye smolts
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As there was no sport fishery in fresh water as today or much of one in saltwater what relationship would fertilizing Harrison Lake serve?
Some lakes have been or were fertilzed to boost the size of young sockeye- Great Central Lake and Long Lake near Rivers Inlet are 2 but never heard of Harrison. It is so large and the inflow of the Lillooet Rover causes so much flushing it would be difficult to make it work.
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As there was no sport fishery in fresh water today or much of one in saltwater what relationship would fertilizing Harrison Lake serve?
Some lake have been or were fertilzed to boost the size of young sockeye- Great Central Lake and Long Lake near Rivers Inlet are 2 but never heard of Harrison. It is so large and the inflow of the Lillooet Rover causes so much flushing it would be difficult to make it work.
solid points, just something I heard
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Do youths need a license and have daily retention quota?
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All that info is in the synopsis.
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Thanks guys, great info
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Do youths need a license and have daily retention quota?
That is a really important question to you :)
http://www.fishingwithrod.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=40381.msg380719#msg380719
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Ha, my memory is going
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Still a few months away but any reports on the forecast or is it too early to even guess?
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DFO's scuba divers are still out at sea, manually counting the fish. Could be a while yet.
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There was an estimate released lately - it was for a return of 8 million. In 2015 the return was about 6 million IIRC though the pre-season estimate was about double.
BTW the estimates are based on fry out migration last year. They are highly variable since no information on actual ocean survival is collected until adults return. The pink return up north last year - I was in Haida Gwaii and the Skeena area was very low.
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+100 more people at Furry creek ;D
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Last year's return was lower on the island as well
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Who posted about doom and gloom earlier in this thread...?
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Probably helping to fix the GILL NETS for the COMMERCIALS & FIRST NATIONS. Dont worry.... the DFO will make sure to CLOSE the FISHERY for SPORTSMAN, while maintaining the maximum openings for Commercial & First Nations. Then they will spend their time advising "US" (Sport fishermen) on SUGGESTED Fishing techniques .... while the GILL NETS kill everything that moves. Looking forward to another year of DFO RIDICULOUS POLICIES!
I think the divers are too busy counting fish to help fix gillnets.
Besides, a diver who is a fish counter (D-FC) is a different classification than a diver who is a gillnet repairer (D-GR).
The D-FC and the D-GR are two different classifications, and have a different pay grids, and there is no overlap in job responsibilities.
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I'll have what he's having ^^^
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I heard they laid off the D-FC's.
Replaced by robotic drone dolphins that have cameras strapped to their heads.
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I heard they laid off the D-FC's.
Replaced by robotic drone dolphins that have cameras strapped to their heads.
Close - it was seals, not dolphins. They have sensors to count each fish they take a bite out of.
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Still a few months away but any reports on the forecast or is it too early to even guess?
not sure if this has been posted but here is the pre-pre season forcast. Final version should come out late may
"Pink
Northern BC: Information is not available.
Southern BC: Fraser River pink salmon return in odd years, however, below average
returns are expected in 2017 based on fry outmigration from the Fraser River.
Opportunities for directed harvest will be based on in-season information. Local pink
abundances in other areas of Georgia Strait may provide opportunities for harvest. "
"Below average returns are expected in 2017 relative to the average of 13.4 million
(1959-2013). The 2015 brood year fry abundance for Fraser Pink Salmon (230
million) was half of the long-term average of 450 million fry (1975-2013). This CU
is comprised of 100% two year olds. (2015 Outlook Category was 4; 2016 Outlook
Category was ND)"
https://www.frafs.ca/sites/default/files2/Preliminary%202017%20Salmon%20Outlook%20Dec92016.pdf
Here is a report about ocean conditions
http://www.psc.org/download/33/psc-technical-reports/8132/psc-technical-report-no-37.pdf
5 Key messages
Although it is always difficult to generalize about salmon, a few key messages seemed to emerge from this
study:
• The ocean-climate events of 2014-2016, although extreme in the instrumental records and
widespread in the salmosphere, are likely to be ephemeral if this event is similar to what occurred
in 1997/98. It came and went without leaving permanent effects either positive or negative on
21
most salmon populations. The next one should occur around 2034.
• Where widespread changes (declines) in survival have occurred, as in salmon associated with the
Salish Sea, they began in the early 1990s and have persisted to the present. These are fundamental
changes that are not well understood but have lasting consequences.
• Extreme responses by salmon to ocean-climate extrema in 2015 and 2016 were coastwide and
diverse but varied among species and region. Some runs were the most abundant during the years
studied and some were the least abundant. More often than not, the salmon anomalies were in
behaviour as they navigated their way around the novel environment.
• Evidence of late-life mortality in salmon in the sea is relatively rare. Most of what occurred in the
last few years would have affected the juvenile salmon. Those with longer oceanic lives have yet to
“show their hand.” We have already seen the effects on pink salmon and coho salmon as they live
only one year at sea. Southeast Alaska pink salmon have been much below forecast for two years, as
was the case for the 2015 return to the Fraser River. Furthermore, the region-wide survival of coho
salmon in southern British Columbia was the lowest on record for the 2014 ocean entry year.
• On a more practical note, assembling a coast-wide perspective on ocean-climate environmental
variation and even developing new indices tailored to the salmosphere was easy. Doing the same
for salmon biology was not. The main difference is that agencies responsible for the former have
committed to collecting, organizing and distributing standard data products online to a diverse set
of clients in different regions/countries. It requires an interagency commitment that has yet to
occur in salmon biology, and may not be necessary if regional comparisons are not needed.
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What is the earliest that pinks begin showing up in local catches in the salt? Late June? July? I just noticed this thread has been dead for a week so I thought I would bring it back. I'm so bored with trout I can't bring myself to go fishing lately.
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What is the earliest that pinks begin showing up in local catches in the salt? Late June? July? I just noticed this thread has been dead for a week so I thought I would bring it back. I'm so bored with trout I can't bring myself to go fishing lately.
End of July
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I've caught them in mid June (nothing to write home about) while fishing for springs and Coho in The chuck(off the. Redcan) Incedental bycatch....
Or cast a mile or two and get Lucky...
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Howe sound pinks will come thru in numbers by July 22nd
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Nothing seen at furry creek in the past few days.
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I'm excited. Counting down the days now.
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Got into a few pinks in area 14 Hornby Island area in the last few days while fishing for springs, they are on their way....
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(http://i.imgur.com/FVHAJ7o.gif)
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Reports...pinks off bowen this weekend.
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A few pinks coming around the bottom of the Island (Sooke) in the test fishery:
http://www.psc.org/TestFish/Area20GNsummary.PDF
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It really isnt looking to good this year, its alot slower compared to 2015
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May be Hatchery enhance the pinks, springs on the Squish and Vedder? The Alaskans finds money to do it. What about that surprise surplus money our BC Provincial Government has found? Trudeau's government is busy tossing borrowed money else where.
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Expectations are well managed. Pinks are the new sockeye now :'(....
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May be Hatchery enhance the pinks, springs on the Squish and Vedder? The Alaskans finds money to do it. What about that surprise surplus money our BC Provincial Government has found? Trudeau's government is busy tossing borrowed money else where.
Fraser river is forecasted for pinks to be abundant, I don't really see the commercial value to having an enhanced pink run. Leave it wild
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It really isnt looking to good this year, its alot slower compared to 2015
I am hoping things are considerably later due to the weather we had in the spring.
Lake fishing was all out of whack because of a slow start then a quick heat-up.
May be Hatchery enhance the pinks, springs on the Squish and Vedder? The Alaskans finds money to do it. What about that surprise surplus money our BC Provincial Government has found? Trudeau's government is busy tossing borrowed money else where.
I am torn about hatcheries.
Between the Russians and Alaska, there are about 4 billion pink fry release in the north Pacific each year.
All these fish compete for the limited food resources there.
https://www.adn.com/alaska-life/we-alaskans/2017/06/04/too-many-pink-salmon/
http://www.vancouversun.com/technology/Hyper+abundant+pink+salmon+outcompeting+wild+sockeye/10050284/story.html
We should look at getting an agreement on reducing these "ranched" salmon as I believe it affects all runs of salmon here.
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apparently, so I have read, steelhead abundance is negatively correlated with pink salmon abundance. That doesn't mean steelhead stocks are depressed due to pinks just that when pinks are high steelhead returns tend to be low.
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I'm no expert... nor am i arguing your point Ralph.
Just would of thought that with more nutrients (Eggs, Dead Fish) in the system ... you would think that the steelhead would THRIVE!
Interesting to know why it would be the other way around? Appreciate the discussion...
I suspect gillnet fisheries for pink and chum are part of it. Nothing survives once it hits a gillnet. Watching the test fisheries they get a steelhead once in awhile. Hardly ever says released.
Chinook stocks have been doing okay too since we have seen bad sockeye run and hardly any commercial gillnet fisheries for sockeye. I also read a report that stated chinook stocks that are part of a river system that has a lake have been increasing over recent years.
When sockeye and pink gillnets are down they clean up everything.
I am sure there is so much more to it
.
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So much doom and gloom already and the run hasnt really begun just yet but any day now... perhaps with all the bait around this season they're still beefing up for a later return? No expert by ANY means but just food for thought. ;D
No luck a week ago up howe sound ut I got one casting off ambleside a couple days back. pink zinger anchored off the cap mouth.
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Expectations are well managed. Pinks are the new sockeye now :'(....
So true!! I remember the day when pinks were considered trash fish to anglers. How things have changed.
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Matter of time when pikeminnows become the new pinks and we have Rodney to blame. ;D
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Still awfully slow on the beaches :'(
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late summer
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I suspect gillnet fisheries for pink and chum are part of it. Nothing survives once it hits a gillnet. Watching the test fisheries they get a steelhead once in awhile. Hardly ever says released.
Chinook stocks have been doing okay too since we have seen bad sockeye run and hardly any commercial gillnet fisheries for sockeye. I also read a report that stated chinook stocks that are part of a river system that has a lake have been increasing over recent years.
When sockeye and pink gillnets are down they clean up everything.
I am sure there is so much more to it
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As I said it's a correlation. Correlation does not mean causation. Also it is based on ocean wide Pacific stocks - not just the Fraser or BC etc.
However the implication was that the huge numbers of pinks that are in the Pacific, mostly from Siberia and commercially under exploited relative to pinks in Alaska and BC, consume available feed relative to steelhead.
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Matter of time when pikeminnows become the new pinks and we have Rodney to blame. ;D
after that it will be carp!
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Still awfully slow on the beaches :'(
Here's hoping it picks up soon - I have three kids chomping at the bit for beach trip #1 on Monday. May have to pack a bucket and spade or two too.
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I had no idea that steelhead had such a big ocean migration route, pretty close to sockeyes.
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I went last week and early this week. Fish numbers were low both days though angler numbers jumped markedly, up 4 or 5 times at least, last week to this week.
I stayed optimistic in 2015 though the returns ended up being much less than half the pre-season estimate.
Right now I am not optimistic that the North Shore - Squamish runs will meet expectations. I am also thinking limits in Howe Sound need to be reduced from the current 4.
That said there have been summers in the past where it switched on in the last 10 days of July. Wait and see.
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Right now I am not optimistic that the North Shore - Squamish runs will meet expectations. I am also thinking limits in Howe Sound need to be reduced from the current 4.
I agree. Furry Creek is going to be twice as busy this summer with Squamish river Pink retention dropped to 1. :-(
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Anyone know much about other runs - Sunshine Coast for example? I plan to try there a bit this year.
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Anyone know much about other runs - Sunshine Coast for example? I plan to try there a bit this year.
You can get your 4 Pinks per person at Campbell River/Quinsam and your 1 Sockeye at the Somass. I would contact a few tackle shops before going though, as some of them exaggerate more than others.
http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/rec/fresh-douce/region1-eng.html
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Some better numbers in the San Juan area 20 gillnet test fishery (15 to 25 a day) in the last 2 days.
http://www.psc.org/TestFish/Area20GNsummary.PDF
These are Fraser fish coming around the bottom of Vancouver Island.
Things look a little later than 2015 - they had decent numbers (~40) right from the start on July 13.
The real story will be told in the Area 12 seine results which should start July 21.
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Anyone know much about other runs - Sunshine Coast for example? I plan to try there a bit this year.
Lower Sunshine Coast is region 29-1 , which allows 4 pinks per day
Upper Sunshine Coast is region 16 which allows 4 per day as well
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Spent the full day thru the Squamish and nothing. Stopped at Furry Creek and seen nothing.
Last year we were on fish 13th of July.
2 years ago first pink was the 23 July.
Water clarity is still milky.
We had 2 seals follow us for for a kilometre, says it all.
Thought I would save someone gas and time.
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I was sealed at point Atkinson on Sunday afternoon. Was fighting it on the surface seal grabbed it and broke me off. Fished for a bit longer and it was following us as we trolled so just packed up and left.
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Spent the full day thru the Squamish and nothing. Stopped at Furry Creek and seen nothing.
Last year we were on fish 13th of July.
2 years ago first pink was the 23 July.
Water clarity is still milky.
We had 2 seals follow us for for a kilometre, says it all.
Thought I would save someone gas and time.
Last year july 13th on island pinks? Maybe Coho or chinook?
Edit - ohhh thru squamish.. disregard
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Spent the full day thru the Squamish and nothing. Stopped at Furry Creek and seen nothing.
Last year we were on fish 13th of July.
2 years ago first pink was the 23 July.
Water clarity is still milky.
We had 2 seals follow us for for a kilometre, says it all.
Thought I would save someone gas and time.
There was no pink run last year (I'm assuming you are talking Squamish as that is what you were referencing) so I'm not sure where the July 13th reference is from.
Patience people, they are on the way.
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Last pink season I started hooking fish off furry july 8th and by the 16-17 the major schools had passed by en-route to squamish. I have hooked 2 and seen about 5 caught this season.
Very discouraging.
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It's been weird so far with only the odd fish here and there, managed 3 fish this week (two on Tuesday and one on Wednesday) but nothing showing themselves at all.
I kinda wonder if the fish are going to show up and shoot straight up into the rivers since we have a good flow of glacial melt this year. Reason I say that is cause I hear that some pinks are already in the Mam but those are generally the early season fish if I am not mistaken.
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Any changes the last couple of days? I am heading there Sunday and will report back. Btw: With Photobucket shutting down FREE 3rd party picture hosting, how is everybody posting images to this website?
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I use imgur.com
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I use imgur.com
Thanks.
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Any changes the last couple of days? I am heading there Sunday and will report back. Btw: With Photobucket shutting down FREE 3rd party picture hosting, how is everybody posting images to this website?
I use Flickr
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Any changes the last couple of days? I am heading there Sunday and will report back. Btw: With Photobucket shutting down FREE 3rd party picture hosting, how is everybody posting images to this website?
Just got back from Squamish, although I fished the Mamquam. There are a few Pinks kicking around in the system. I saw 6 landed around me in about 4 Hrs. I hooked one but lost it and got a surprise Bull Trout. In 2015 the Pinks didn't show up in great numbers till the end of July/early August. A few people out fishing but not too many.
What a difference this year compared to 2015 on the Mamquam. 2015 was the hot dry summer and minimal snow the winter before so this year the river is probably 2-3 times the size it was in 2015.
Will probably head back up next week.
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Furry Creek beaches were as slow as can be this morning. Only a few fish hooked among all the fishermen in the entire stretch from golf hole to townhouse and nothing much after 7:30AM. This year's run is either late or very very slow.
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Still slow, but some fish showing in Squamish
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How's the water?
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How's the water?
The Mamquam is spewing perfectly clear water so for about 1km below it the water vis is about 3-4 feet
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OT: how do you guys handle the row on the beach in the hot summer?
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Summer it's important to handle your catch correctly. For me this means a cooler with ice whether I'm in the boat or beach fishing. So the roe goes in a bag in the cooler. People say pinks degrade pretty quick if not properly handled. I don't take the chance. Fresh pink on the BBQ is delicious.
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Mid august is when it heats up for me every couple years . However , going early gives U the chance to warm up for what's coming . 8)
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By mid August most pinks at furry are trough with the last ones trickling in. By this time two years ago they were in full swing with quick limits in the morning. This morning - one fish for 50 guys even the seals are bored. I'm kinda siding with Blair that "maybe" the big push might just not happen at all :o
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I fished the beaches in Squamish and Ambleside this morning and didn't see any body fighting fish. On the beach there was 3 dead pinks which apparently all came through the same school and those 3 guys all hooked fish at the same time. The other 20 or so people including me didnt fight any fish at the Beach.
I wound up with a 6lb Male on the river though. There is no surface activity like others have said, so you just hope they are there. I left the river after retaining my 1 fish.
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OT: how do you guys handle the row on the beach in the hot summer?
I bring a block of ice with me to the beach, carried in a plastic bag. I leave the cooler in the car. The roe can be stinky and the coho will still bite it so I am not worried about spoiled roe. I bring the ice to cool the salmon.
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Fished Squamish below Mamquam from 7 on. Brought a chrome male to shore on pig jig in the first hour. Two fly guys a little higher hooked into 5-6 by 9. One was already super humpy! Bite was off when the clouds burnt off.
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mostly Indian River run
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there is a smallish run into the Seymour and they are larger than the Indian/Squamish fish ...but yes most fish east of 1st Narrows will be headed to the Indian.
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I think the pinks are on time but it is just much fewer fish compared to previous seasons. If you wait for that big push, it may not come at all. Lets hope the Fraser pinks will do well.
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Maybe they long spring we had confused them a bit? Sure did my plants, lol. Might lead to a more drawn out return as they debate heading in or not....
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Went to Furry Saturday and Sunday and it was dead. No signs of fish at all. Guys were clearing out pretty quickly too. Briefly went to the Squamish but after walking up and down the bars and talking to some people we realized nothing was happening there either.
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Went to Furry Saturday and Sunday and it was dead. No signs of fish at all. Guys were clearing out pretty quickly too. Briefly went to the Squamish but after walking up and down the bars and talking to some people we realized nothing was happening there either.
There should be more fish next weekend (fingers crossed). At the beach, one guy kept trying to fish out the lures I lost to the rocks. Kind of weird when there's 300 feet of space, and he squeezes right next to me to look for the lure he saw me lose a bit earlier. I lost 3 spoons, but picked up 3 buzz bombs and a golf ball.
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Nothing rolling around, had one chaser but nothing grabbed on.
Hmm... this is only speculation/ theory on my end. But back in 2015 a LOT of pinks were still rolling around in Furry creek and the ocean side, most had already turned that brown-ish/ green-ish color and they haven't even hit the fresh water yet. Is it possible that a majority of those fish perished before they even had time to spawn? Cause by September 10th I was still hitting pinks on the ocean but they looked like they were ready to spawn and barely put up a fight which was a fair bit concerning cause I felt that maybe they wouldn't survive if they tried to migrate up the rivers especially with the water levels and temps at that time.
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Nothing rolling around, had one chaser but nothing grabbed on.
Hmm... this is only speculation/ theory on my end. But back in 2015 a LOT of pinks were still rolling around in Furry creek and the ocean side, most had already turned that brown-ish/ green-ish color and they haven't even hit the fresh water yet. Is it possible that a majority of those fish perished before they even had time to spawn? Cause by September 10th I was still hitting pinks on the ocean but they looked like they were ready to spawn and barely put up a fight which was a fair bit concerning cause I felt that maybe they wouldn't survive if they tried to migrate up the rivers especially with the water levels and temps at that time.
I agree there were some late fish in the ocean. However the squamish river was boiling with so many fish in August 2015 that it was hard to fish at times without snagging them.
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Good amount of schools going by in the squamish. Couple guys hooked a dozen or so at dusk on the lower bars yesterday
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Does the Tides matter on the Squamish when the water level is this high when you are fishing for pinks?
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Does the Tides matter on the Squamish when the water level is this high when you are fishing for pinks?
The water seems higher this year for sure. A couple people (literally - 2 of the 20ish people around me) had luck and landed a fish on the outgoing tide this weekend - but not many hookups at all. Lots and lots of people out fishing - very little action.
I prefer incoming and ebb tides myself - just pushes that fresh batch of fish in if they are staging at the mouth - but the tides did not favour us in the mornings this past weekend. I don't believe they have shown up in any decent (or even notable) numbers yet as the amount of bent rods was minimal to say the least.
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Decided to check out Furry Creek for myself today and took my youngest along. Fished for 2 hours at low tide - nada. Not a single sign of a fish anywhere. Going to give it another week or so before the next trip.
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http://www.psc.org/publications/fraser-panel-in-season-information/test-fishing-results/
More pinks being caught in area 12 the last couple of days. Hopefully they invade Howe Sound soon.
Compared to 2015, the pinks really started to pick up on July 26th.
26-Jul-15 1 3 89.30 24 0 46 4 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 1
27-Jul-15 1 3 89.30 24 0 37 0 0 0 0 7 7 0 0 0
28-Jul-15 1 3 87.00 6 0 26 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0
29-Jul-15 1 3 81.10 107 0 170 3 0 0 0 8 8 0 7 0
30-Jul-15 1 3 83.10 144 0 152 5 0 0 0 8 8 0 1 0
31-Jul-15 1 3 89.50 114 0 132 4 0 0 0 4 4 1 6 0
August
01-Aug-15 1 3 86.60 79 0 154 1 0 1 0 4 4 0 0 0
02-Aug-15 1 3 85.40 110 0 174 0 0 0 0 4 4 0 6 0
03-Aug-15 1 3 89.80 46 0 116 0 0
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Could it be possible that the pinks are swimming on the north side of the howe sound? There are a lot of fish coming into the squamish yet there are no big schools off Furry.
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Comparing the Area 20 test fisheries between 2015 and 2017, it looks like for now there is a little bit more fish than in 2015. In 2015 they did 4 sets compared to this year doing 2 sets of tests. If you double the numbers from 2017, it's slightly more than 2015. So our Fraser Pinks are looking ok and may be we will get an improvement to 8 million fish from last seasons' 6 million fish count.
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Will fraser river open to salmon on Aug 01??
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Will fraser river open to salmon on Aug 01??
Not for pink salmon. In 2015 it was like September 5th, and in 2013 was like August 31st. Seeing the sockeye numbers are so low, I don't think they will open any salmon fishing on the Fraser any earlier than that. They don't want anybody accidentally killing a sockeye while fishing for Springs.
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Could it be possible that the pinks are swimming on the north side of the howe sound? There are a lot of fish coming into the squamish yet there are no big schools off Furry.
Definitely wouldn't say there's lots coming in. Think what's happening is there might be the odd school that pushes through and hold in a spot and a few guys will get into them. If you happen to be there you might think the entire river is on fire when it's really just a small area. In past seasons the entire river would have fish rising, this year you're lucky if you can find them.
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Definitely wouldn't say there's lots coming in.
There was a fellow that hooked more fish off one of the bars in Squamish than I have seen in 5 full mornings of fishing at furry creek. There are good amounts of schools that ride the high tide at 8:30-9;30 pm you would be surprised.
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was at Furry Creek - 20 anglers & saw one fish lost - this was at a distance. I saw no rises. Went to the Squamish, above Mamquam. Visibility was about 18 inches. Saw some pinks & hooked what I believed was one and later brought a little jack spring to hand. He was round as a football. Kind of encouraging for the new fly/lure I am prototyping. I was at Furry for over 3 hours & 1.5 at the Squish.
It's hard to say why fish seems all but absent at Furry Creek - I did wonder if maybe they are coming along the north shore this year but who knows. One thing for sure it's not worth getting up before 4am.
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I've spent a fair amount of time along the north side of the Howe Sound by boat these last few weeks and havent seen a single pink. Saw more at Furry the one morning I was there.
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Thanks Tangles!
Opinion ... is it worth doing the boat trip (launching from Cates Park) and heading to the Indian Arm mouth? Any experience from anyone doing that? Approx how long would it take each way? Any real Serious Dangers to look out for?
It's not worth it, in my opinion. Super muddy rivermouth up there with tons of snags. You can't wade like you can the howe sound beaches, and I haven't had a lot of success casting off of a boat. Trolling near the rivermouth would also result in a lot of lost gear. It's pretty up there, but the Sound is a lot better for catching pinks.
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Been at the top of the Indian Arm (armpit) on Sunday evening, no salmon there. trip length - depending on the engine, gear, load, etc but generally 20 -35 mins each way.
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Thanks Tangles!
Opinion ... is it worth doing the boat trip (launching from Cates Park) and heading to the Indian Arm mouth? Any experience from anyone doing that? Approx how long would it take each way? Any real Serious Dangers to look out for?
We have made that trip a number of times. First time was in the early '60's and the fish were literally jumping in the boats.
We camped on a logging landing a stayed for a week.
The last time was last year and the tidal fishing was good. Ended up that the dock across from the Yacht club was hot. You can access the river from the road with a short hike and the fishing can be awesome.
Check it out on google earth.
Bear spray and a camera should go with you.
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Bears
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The first San Juan (area 20) seine test fishing was done yesterday - 152 pinks:
http://www.psc.org/TestFish/Area20_1PSsummary.PDF
The same day in 2005 had 3300 pinks.
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My in-law was at Furry Creek yesterday from 9 to 4:30 and saw nothing caught. Furry is like the Cap now. Lol. What a change from glory days of prior seasons!!!
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Furry creek is hit and miss for some I've heard, but for sure the pinks are pushing straight into the Squam and Mam cause they are pretty much chrome.
On a side note, please bring bear spray. Me and my buddies friends had quite a surprise, buddies girl friend said "hey look! a bear!" I turn expecting to see a black bear but instead I see about a full grown brown bear staring at me from about 80 feet away. His dog didn't bark or even growl once and I was taken by total surprise cause none of us heard a thing. This will teach me to not leave the bear spray at home again.
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Wasted 3 days at Furry, The Mamaquin and Squamish. Nothing.
Had a nice little break with a pair of bears at fishermans park today and
Finally got out.
This is nothing like the last 20 years. The fish I seen were small to the point I thought they were trout.
Elbow to elbow at the Mamaquin this morning with fly, Spey, float and 2 bottom bouncers all standing where if there was fish actually going thru. I counted 47 guys if you can believe it.
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I am curious to know what lures everybody is using for the murky section of Squamish above the Mamquam? The lures I use in clearer water don't work as well when visibility is very poor.
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Elbow to elbow at the Mamaquin this morning with fly, Spey, float and 2 bottom bouncers all standing where if there was fish actually going thru. I counted 47 guys if you can believe it.
I have a hard time believing it. How desperate must some folks be to catch a pink salmon?
Especially with it costing under 10 bucks in the stores.
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Maybe 10 different people decided to go to Squamish for a day of fishing and maybe catch a few pinks at the mouth of the mamquam. I dont think that they are going for meat being that the limit is one per day.
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I have a hard time believing it. How desperate must some folks be to catch a pink salmon?
Especially with it costing under 10 bucks in the stores.
Why does it always have to be about the meat ?
Can't people just be excited for some early salmon fishing opportunities?
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I am curious to know what lures everybody is using for the murky section of Squamish above the Mamquam? The lures I use in clearer water don't work as well when visibility is very poor.
What lures do you use? I fly fish and don't really change the sort of fly that much except maybe a bit larger flies. But even at that size #6 or #8 flies aren't what I call large.
Above the Mamquam the water clarity will be 1 to 2 feet so the fish won't see your lure from a distance much greater than that. What's more in murky water they will usually be closer to shore. If you are tossing your lure well out and reeling it back they will hardly get a look at it. Fish downstream, slow down your retrieve and use the current to activate your lure. That way the lure will flutter in front of a salmon moving slowly away from it and the fish will be able to both see it and chase & strike.
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What lures do you use? I fly fish and don't really change the sort of fly that much except maybe a bit larger flies. But even at that size #6 or #8 flies aren't what I call large.
Above the Mamquam the water clarity will be 1 to 2 feet so the fish won't see your lure from a distance much greater than that. What's more in murky water they will usually be closer to shore. If you are tossing your lure well out and reeling it back they will hardly get a look at it. Fish downstream, slow down your retrieve and use the current to activate your lure. That way the lure will flutter in front of a salmon moving slowly away from it and the fish will be able to both see it and chase & strike.
Thanks for the tips. I was also thinking about attaching a float to my line, so if I retrieve it too slow, it will keep the lure from touching the bottom and getting snagged. With the water so murky, they can't see the float anyways.
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This will teach me to not leave the bear spray at home again.
Leaving Furry Creek last week I saw a baby black bear cross the road... I didn't see momma bear but I'm sure she wasn't too far behind. Like the saying goes, "better to have something you don't need than to need something you don't have".
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Leaving Furry Creek last week I saw a baby black bear cross the road... I didn't see momma bear but I'm sure she wasn't too far behind. Like the saying goes, "better to have something you don't need than to need something you don't have".
I'll keep it on me or at least attach it to my sling pack. Ussually when I fish that river in particular I always carry either some bear bangers or spray, the one time I'm out with neither and this happens... the more I think about it the more I feel stupid about it. :o
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Why does it always have to be about the meat ?
Can't people just be excited for some early salmon fishing opportunities?
It's just a conclusion I've drawn from walking and fishing swaths of gorgeous fishing locations holding good numbers of fish with hardly any angler in sight.
All of them, were, however, no retention areas.
Compare that to a river where the chances of catching one fish (and retaining it) are decent, and all of a sudden you have 47 people on one bank mid week.
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Makes you wonder what people would be willing to spend on licenses and hatchery tags to properly build up more meat rivers
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Closing of the Fraser to all salmon fishing may have something to do with the crowds in Squamish. Guys normally targeting Fraser Springs/Sockeye are driving to Squamish instead.
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^^^ for the amount of money spent on gas finding fishing Re diverting some of that money adds up... If each person saves $50 on gas and putting that money into stock increases it adds up pretty good and seems a win win. I'd like to see a pilot project aiming to increase numbers on your standard hatchery supported rivers giving more opportunities by having an increase in salmon stamp fees possibly for certain rivers like the Vedder ie a Vedder river retention stamp and actually put that money into increasing the stocks. Maybe a standard stamp for smaller retentions for those that don't fish often and keeping the minimal costs down then a "above retention stamp" for those that want to more. $20 from each Vedder river angler would probably add up... I'd pay more if it means more opportunities.
It really seems not enough cash is going towards the hatcherys that people could still afford and still give affordable opportunities for those who don't get out often or are tight on cash.
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Hatchery reproduction of anadromous salmon and trout has proven to offer an endless set of diminishing returns. While hatcheries did produce astonishing returns when they first entered production the last generation has seen a spiral of costs per adult fish returned.They are a bad investment.
My guess is a soon as you tell people you are going to charge them an extra $50 to $100 a year to increase hacthery production, they'll just give up angling.
As it is the angling opportunities mentioned above - like squamish pinks & Fraser chinook have primarily been supported by wild stocks not hatchery stocks.
It seems better to put money into habitat imporvements and better enforcement.
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Hatchery reproduction of anadromous salmon and trout has proven to offer an endless set of diminishing returns. While hatcheries did produce astonishing returns when they first entered production the last generation has seen a spiral of costs per adult fish returned.They are a bad investment.
My guess is a soon as you tell people you are going to charge them an extra $50 to $100 a year to increase hacthery production, they'll just give up angling.
As it is the angling opportunities mentioned above - like squamish pinks & Fraser chinook have primarily been supported by wild stocks not hatchery stocks.
It seems better to put money into habitat imporvements and better enforcement.
BINGO!
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While hatcheries did produce astonishing returns when they first entered production the last generation has seen a spiral of costs per adult fish returned.
Do you know why/how?
As well, isn't part of the problem lack of food sources in the ocean itself? I mean you can send as many fishies out to sea as you like, but if there's no food for them they'll just die anyway, right? So thI answer may not lie in more hatchery production.
But this is above my paygrade...
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Hatchery reproduction of anadromous salmon and trout has proven to offer an endless set of diminishing returns. While hatcheries did produce astonishing returns when they first entered production the last generation has seen a spiral of costs per adult fish returned.They are a bad investment.
My guess is a soon as you tell people you are going to charge them an extra $50 to $100 a year to increase hacthery production, they'll just give up angling.
As it is the angling opportunities mentioned above - like squamish pinks & Fraser chinook have primarily been supported by wild stocks not hatchery stocks.
It seems better to put money into habitat imporvements and better enforcement.
RalphH
What do you think about ocean pasture restoration? Like this peace talks about http://russgeorge.net/2017/01/31/japanese-salmon-fisheries-in-historic-collapse/ (http://russgeorge.net/2017/01/31/japanese-salmon-fisheries-in-historic-collapse/)
http://russgeorge.net/2017/01/13/turning-blue-ocean-deserts-into-green-gardens-of-eden/ (http://russgeorge.net/2017/01/13/turning-blue-ocean-deserts-into-green-gardens-of-eden/)
hmm seems this guy is just trying to market his product all though some research in BC says it might work.
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/fertilizing-ocean-with-iron-to-save-salmon-and-earn-money/
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OT: are we allowed a propane bbq on the big squamish bar below mamquam?
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OT: are we allowed a propane bbq on the big squamish bar below mamquam?
Do you want to eat fresh?
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OT: are we allowed a propane bbq on the big squamish bar below mamquam?
I've wondered the same. Seems you are fine so long as it is CSA approved:
http://bcfireinfo.for.gov.bc.ca/ftp/!Project/WildfireNews/752017~100915_17%20Coastal%20Prohibition%20color%208X11L%20Info%2020170706.pdf (http://bcfireinfo.for.gov.bc.ca/ftp/!Project/WildfireNews/752017~100915_17%20Coastal%20Prohibition%20color%208X11L%20Info%2020170706.pdf)
*Prohibition Area restricts the following:
• Campfires
• Category 2 open fire
• Category 3 open fire
• Tiki and similar kinds of torches
• Fireworks, including firecrackers
• Open fire in an outdoor stove
• Sky Lanterns
• Binary Exploding Targets
• Burn Barrels or Burn Cages of any size or
description
• Gas stoves and other portable campfire
apparatuses not CSA/ULC approved
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FURRY is STILL DEAD! (weird, cause fish are coming in on the Squamish) In my opinion not even worth your time stopping. Doesn't matter time (Morning or Evening) nor does TIDE seem to matter.
The Capilano Coho run is like this too. When the river level is high, they don't stick around Ambleside beach much. They just zip into the river because the water is so inviting.
For the 2015 Pink Run, we had drought conditions and the Mamquam was closed down at one point, so more fish probably hung around the beaches longer.
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FISHING REPORT UPDATE: Furry Creek, Squamish (Mamquam)
Still mainly SLOW.
More fish are starting to arrive and move through systems.
FURRY is STILL DEAD! (weird, cause fish are coming in on the Squamish) In my opinion not even worth your time stopping. Doesn't matter time (Morning or Evening) nor does TIDE seem to matter.
SQUAMISH:
More fish are moving through. Not "Tons" but it is possible to do okay in the Morning or Evening. Afternoon.... they (What little is there) are really shutting down.
I recommend the area just downstream of the Mamquam connector. Fly Rods seem to be producing significantly more than Gear. Jigs are also working.
NO REAL ACTION as of YET with: Spoons, Spinners
Another week (and getting better every day) and the waters should be "Boiling with them".
This year we have much higher water levels than last time. Patience is needed.
Saw a Big Brown Bear going across the Mamquam the other morning. Seemed harmless and went about it's way. However, still freaks me out to this day when ever i'm around a BIG BROWN in the Wild.
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CONSERVATION OFFICERS have been at SQUAMISH (Mamquam) almost EVERY DAY.
Please make sure you have your Licence, Proper gear (Single Barbless Hooks) and only 1 Fish Retention.
Tell it like it is, GOOD POST!!!
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Fraser pink fishery:
Slightly better pink numbers in the Area 20 - San Juan test fishery yesterday - 257.
DFO estimates that the inside diversion rate of pinks is about 50/50.
50% of the pinks should be coming down the inside route instead of around the bottom of VI.
Someone here mentioned previously that they thought the inside rate was about 70%.
The Area 12 - Blinkhorn numbers are building: 1000 - 2000 range (inside route).
However, the numbers for this area in 2015 were in the 20,000 range.
They were hovering around 2000 until July 25th when they jumped to 13,000 then 25,000 and slowly tapered off into August.
I still think that everything is late.
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Just in from 4:30 am and nothing.
Mamaquin, Furry and Squamish. Seen 2 pulled from Furry at 10:30 this morning and that was it.
Bring bear bangers in the morning. There waiting for the fish to.
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Fished the same spot as Blair 6-8, no parking on no name! Landed a four pound doe half an hour in drifting a jig, currently entering my belly. Two others landed near me. Checked out Furry Creek on the way back, completely dead.
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Temperature is heating up too. Shorts and sandals weather at the squish.
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Ha, still had my longjohns and ski socks under the waders, that water is cold, man
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FISHING REPORT UPDATE: Furry Creek, Squamish (Mamquam)
Still mainly SLOW.
More fish are starting to arrive and move through systems.
FURRY is STILL DEAD! (weird, cause fish are coming in on the Squamish) In my opinion not even worth your time stopping. Doesn't matter time (Morning or Evening) nor does TIDE seem to matter.
SQUAMISH:
More fish are moving through. Not "Tons" but it is possible to do okay in the Morning or Evening. Afternoon.... they (What little is there) are really shutting down.
I recommend the area just downstream of the Mamquam connector. Fly Rods seem to be producing significantly more than Gear. Jigs are also working.
NO REAL ACTION as of YET with: Spoons, Spinners
Another week (and getting better every day) and the waters should be "Boiling with them".
This year we have much higher water levels than last time. Patience is needed.
Saw a Big Brown Bear going across the Mamquam the other morning. Seemed harmless and went about it's way. However, still freaks me out to this day when ever i'm around a BIG BROWN in the Wild.
___________
CONSERVATION OFFICERS have been at SQUAMISH (Mamquam) almost EVERY DAY.
Please make sure you have your Licence, Proper gear (Single Barbless Hooks) and only 1 Fish Retention.
Awesome Post!
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Super slow today too apparently. Stopped at furry for incoming tide. Nothing showing. Not many people. Tried lower Squamish, saw one fish to shore in about 90 minutes. Moved to the Malayan, saw a total of two fish in 2 hours rise. Likely 75-100 people fishing around the confluence and didn't see any fish brought to shore from 11:30 -1:00. No schools seen at any location.
Moving back to the salt now, and then likely to the shady tree. I'll likely have better luck there!
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I spent an hour or so in furry creek, then pushed along to Squamish after reading the above posts here and not seeing anything happening.
I fished from ~11:30am to 3:30 pm on the Squamish. I saw lots of pinks rising as they moved through. Had three bites starting at 1 but didn't hook any. Changed my hook as I was blaming sharpness, then hooked into one around 2pm. The next hour was hot for me (not so much for other people on the run unfortunately) with me getting to play 5 fish and missing a few more bites.
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No luck for me today on the rivers. Last week I had a couple of bites in the first hour and landed 1. I didn't even bother stopping by Furry Creek as I didn't think it's worth going this season unless something drastically change. I would say 1 in 10 took home fish where I was. The majority didn't even get a nibble.
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Limited out - leave. That should really be the behavior of a responsible adult.
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Limited out - leave. That should really be the behavior of a responsible adult.
Who made you the fish police? ::)
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Limited out - leave. That should really be the behavior of a responsible adult.
With a one fish limit, that would be very short day indeed! For Fraser Sockeye, I would certainly take this approach. But fly fishing for pinks that are practically in their home river?
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Pros:
less pressure on the river
fewer harmed fish
more space for other to fish (especially on a river like mamquam and squamish that are fished by lots of young people)
Cons:
lesser satisfaction
make your pick.
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There's a lot of places to fish on the Squish/Quam, there's no need to be like that, now. I'm sorry but I've come from white rock to Squamish at first light to fish for Pinks 5 trips now and every trip I get my 1 limit and then some. I don't come all that way to turn around and go home after I bonk a fish at 6 a.m.... RELAX PEOPLE I think there's still a mob of Pinks out there to come in but as of yet they have only been trickling through and if you: a) haven't put thousands of hours in fishing all sorts of fisheries and you're in "the 10 percent" of anglers who know just how to "do it" ..... or
b) you're in the right spot at the right time.... then yes, it's been slow. THEYRE COMING LOL
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You should elaborate that you HOPE they are coming, because the test catches in the marine areas are telling a different story.
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Lol I HOPE they are coming. Meh. Truth is I just can't wait till Winter Steelhead :D
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My point was please don't tell anyone not to catch and release Pinks all day long.... that's what this fishery is about IMO
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My point was please don't tell anyone not to catch and release Pinks all day long.... that's what this fishery is about IMO
You already went 5 trips to squamish? amazing
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Mid-Saturday on the Squamish - (click to make it bigger)
Which one are you :P
(http://i.imgur.com/E3iVSgb.jpg?1)
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My point was please don't tell anyone not to catch and release Pinks all day long.... that's what this fishery is about IMO
My message is for people who are ready to take that step but might need a little nudge. Obviously, not everyone will be taking that step, but some will. At one point you might feel the same way.
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Mid-Saturday on the Squamish - (click to make it bigger)
Which one are you :P
(http://i.imgur.com/E3iVSgb.jpg?1)
Lol I can't zoom in enough!
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You already went 5 trips to squamish? amazing
Pinks are the new Sockeye I heard
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since people are referring to the pinks salmon test fishing results I looked at PSC reports for 2015.
Report #7 (Aug 21 2015) list Aug 29th as the historic median date for Fraser Pink Salmon migration through the San Juan Strait. It's still early to expect test results to indicate how good or bad the return will be. Remember too there are other systems with sizable Pink returns - the Squamish, The Campbell, Broughton Archipelago & Puget Sound, many of which return earlier than the Fraser.
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Squamish River's pink salmon fishing regulations have been changed, starting tomorrow:
http://www-ops2.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fns-sap/index-eng.cfm?pg=view_notice&DOC_ID=199099&ID=all
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Removed.
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Squamish River's pink salmon fishing regulations have been changed, starting tomorrow:
http://www-ops2.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fns-sap/index-eng.cfm?pg=view_notice&DOC_ID=199099&ID=all
Ugh.
It's gonna be as tight as a dolphin's blowhole on the Squamish bar this weekend.
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Well really, the Mam isn't that much real estate to shut down. Curious to know why they did though.
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If the water clarity on the Squamish proper is as bad as some people mentioned then maybe there were some questionable ethics happening higher up in the muddy water?
Does anyone know the current clarity of the main squamish river? Also what clarity is considered decent for lures ?
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Well really, the Mam isn't that much real estate to shut down. Curious to know why they did though.
Yeah - it is only a couple hundred meters - but it sure holds a lot of anglers this time of year. Must be very few Pinks showing up in the spawning grounds.
The Mamquam (below the train bridge) is still open for Hatchery Coho though ::)
And - depending on how the regs are interpreted - one could also fish ABOVE the train bridge for Pinks (if they were not so hell-bent on bringing home a fish). One version of the regs insinuates you can catch and release what you like up there (oh and keep a hatchery Coho - AKA Mamquam unicorn)
Here is the contradicting info I'm referring to:
Region 2 Salmon Regs:
http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/rec/fresh-douce/region2-eng.html (http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/rec/fresh-douce/region2-eng.html)
States:
Mamquam River Coho Apr 01 to Mar 31 1 hatchery marked fish per day.
All Apr 01 to Mar 31 Bait ban.
downstream of the CN rail bridge
Pink Aug. 1 2017 until further notice No fishing for pink salmon (per FN0749)
Then when you click the link to the fisheries notice (http://www-ops2.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fns-sap/index-eng.cfm?pg=view_notice&DOC_ID=199099&ID=all) - it states:
Effective dates:
Effective 00:01 hours August 1, 2017 until further notice, there is no fishing
for pink salmon in the following waters:
Mamquam and Cheakamus Rivers, and Squamish River above the powerline at 9 mile.
Squamish River below the powerline at 9 mile remains open to the retention of
pink salmon with a daily limit of one (1) per day until further notice.
Soooo... NO fishing in the Mamquam for Pinks, or no fishing downstream of the CN Rail bridge for Pinks?
And sorry, I'm Canadian (very familiar with the Squamish Valley) but don't speak in miles - where is this "Powerline at 9 mile"? Is that the one near Judd Road? Just past the Cheakamus confluence? Powerhouse Channel past the Ashlu? 9 miles from what?
If you want to constrain people to certain areas - you need to get some better descriptions going (not that anyone fishes anywhere but "the spot" anyway :P).
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And sorry, I'm Canadian (very familiar with the Squamish Valley) but don't speak in miles - where is this "Powerline at 9 mile"? Is that the one near Judd Road? Just past the Cheakamus confluence? Powerhouse Channel past the Ashlu? 9 miles from what?
If you want to constrain people to certain areas - you need to get some better descriptions going (not that anyone fishes anywhere but "the spot" anyway :P).
According to Rod's anwser on FB, it is those Powerlines at the end of Judd Road in Fishermans' park. There is a nice spot just above the powerlines lol. This is not an ideal start to the Pink Season..
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best I recall pinks were usually closed above the Cheak in past seasons.
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Yeah - it is only a couple hundred meters - but it sure holds a lot of anglers this time of year. Must be very few Pinks showing up in the spawning grounds.
The Mamquam (below the train bridge) is still open for Hatchery Coho though ::)
And - depending on how the regs are interpreted - one could also fish ABOVE the train bridge for Pinks (if they were not so hell-bent on bringing home a fish). One version of the regs insinuates you can catch and release what you like up there (oh and keep a hatchery Coho - AKA Mamquam unicorn)
Here is the contradicting info I'm referring to:
Region 2 Salmon Regs:
http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/rec/fresh-douce/region2-eng.html (http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/rec/fresh-douce/region2-eng.html)
States:
Mamquam River Coho Apr 01 to Mar 31 1 hatchery marked fish per day.
All Apr 01 to Mar 31 Bait ban.
downstream of the CN rail bridge
Pink Aug. 1 2017 until further notice No fishing for pink salmon (per FN0749)
Then when you click the link to the fisheries notice (http://www-ops2.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fns-sap/index-eng.cfm?pg=view_notice&DOC_ID=199099&ID=all) - it states:
Effective dates:
Effective 00:01 hours August 1, 2017 until further notice, there is no fishing
for pink salmon in the following waters:
Mamquam and Cheakamus Rivers, and Squamish River above the powerline at 9 mile.
Squamish River below the powerline at 9 mile remains open to the retention of
pink salmon with a daily limit of one (1) per day until further notice.
Soooo... NO fishing in the Mamquam for Pinks, or no fishing downstream of the CN Rail bridge for Pinks?
And sorry, I'm Canadian (very familiar with the Squamish Valley) but don't speak in miles - where is this "Powerline at 9 mile"? Is that the one near Judd Road? Just past the Cheakamus confluence? Powerhouse Channel past the Ashlu? 9 miles from what?
If you want to constrain people to certain areas - you need to get some better descriptions going (not that anyone fishes anywhere but "the spot" anyway :P).
Do Coho like Pink jigs and flies? If so, you might have a point for catch and release pinks. Lol
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Does anyone know the current clarity of the main squamish river?
I was up there today. The main Squamish is too thick to drink, too thin to plow.
No fish evident in the Mamquam and few fishing there.
Some very bright fish being caught in the Squamish below Mamquam, but very few.
Stopped at Furry Creek and most of the parking has been closed.
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Stopped at Furry Creek and most of the parking has been closed.
Do you mean the parking by the highway? How did they close it?
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Stopped at Furry Creek and most of the parking has been closed.
Another great news from an already stellar season!
Now sarcasm aside, what part of the parking is closed, all along the fence or by the townhomes?
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Do you mean the parking by the highway? How did they close it?
There is a pullout on the water side of the southbound lanes next to the golf course. Two years ago many folks parked north of there along the highway when the few places in the pullout were full. It is now posted as no parking from the pullout north by a highway posting at the pullout.
When the pullout and the highway was full, I often parked across the highway next to post boxes on the northbound Furry Creek access road and then crossed under the highway by the pedestrian tunnel. The roadside parking was closed with traffic cones north of the post boxes.
Now sarcasm aside, what part of the parking is closed, all along the fence or by the townhomes?
You must park somewhere I am unfamiliar with. Parking by townhomes?
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According to Rod's anwser on FB, it is those Powerlines at the end of Judd Road in Fishermans' park. There is a nice spot just above the powerlines lol. This is not an ideal start to the Pink Season..
9 mile refers to the mileage markers on the Squamish Valley FSR. There is a power line crossing about 1 mile above the Cheakamus confluence. See google earth. That could it but I haven't been up that way in so long I don't know for sure
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9 mile refers to the mileage markers on the Squamish Valley FSR. There is a power line crossing about 1 mile above the Cheakamus confluence. See google earth. That could it but I haven't been up that way in so long I don't know for sure
I think the 9 mile powerline is at the top of the run at fishermans park.
(https://gyazo.com/de91d3e09838d238455bc097630cd81e)
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I think the 9 mile powerline is at the top of the run at fishermans park.
(https://gyazo.com/de91d3e09838d238455bc097630cd81e)
Funny how even Squamish regulars like us don't really know for sure. I called Barbara Mueller yesterday for confirmation but have not heard back yet.
9 mile refers to the mileage markers on the Squamish Valley FSR. There is a power line crossing about 1 mile above the Cheakamus confluence. See google earth. That could it but I haven't been up that way in so long I don't know for sure
I'm up there every other weekend and don't recall seeing any KM/mile markers before the end of the pavement.
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I called Barbara Mueller yesterday for confirmation but have not heard back yet.
Good luck.... lol
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Good luck.... lol
Bahaha! I thought so - but had to try!
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So the gong show at Squamish is rivaling the Stave River's Chum season, minus all the fish ;D
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DFO description of fishing boundaries often seem opaque. But I'd think if it was the power lines just above Fishermens Park they'd say so & not reference 9 mile.
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Sad. :'(
Something tells me we are on the verge of witnessing a total collapse of the wild salmon sports fishery.
Greed and mismanagement combined with challenging natural causes can't have any other outcome.
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Sad. :'(
Something tells me we are on the verge of witnessing a total collapse of the wild salmon sports fishery.
Greed and mismanagement combined with challenging natural causes can't have any other outcome.
Next year will be the deciding vote. If no fishery for sockeye next year we can call it dead.
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Oh. mystery of 9 miles powerline.
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Pink numbers are finally starting to build.
Blinkhorn numbers (Area 12 - Port Hardy area) are excellent - 7000 yesterday.
7000 is about double the number of fish on the same day in 2015.
(Decent Chum numbers already in that area too - 288 vs 42 in 2015)
The numbers look comparable to 2013 as 2015 was not a great year.
If you want to check for yourself, go here: http://www.psc.org/publications/fraser-panel-in-season-information/test-fishing-results/#113-2015-1480720584
I open the "All Test Fishery Summary" spreadsheet that shows all areas.
You can then compare to the links lower on that page for 2015.
It's a little tricky relating the areas from the spreadsheet to the PDF docs from 2015.
"GN" = gillnet / "PS" = purse seine.
Waiting for some fish to show at Whonnock (Maple Ridge) & Cottonwood (Albion).
Someone mentioned a week from Blinkhorn to the Fraser.
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They might be squamish fish as most pinks come into the fraser in sept. 4 years ago the seine boats came to howe sound after about 40 yrs of no fishing, is this the reason for the down trend ?
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Pink numbers are finally starting to build.
Blinkhorn numbers (Area 12 - Port Hardy area) are excellent - 7000 yesterday.
7000 is about double the number of fish on the same day in 2015.
(Decent Chum numbers already in that area too - 288 vs 42 in 2015)
The numbers look comparable to 2013 as 2015 was not a great year.
If you want to check for yourself, go here: http://www.psc.org/publications/fraser-panel-in-season-information/test-fishing-results/#113-2015-1480720584
I open the "All Test Fishery Summary" spreadsheet that shows all areas.
You can then compare to the links lower on that page for 2015.
It's a little tricky relating the areas from the spreadsheet to the PDF docs from 2015.
"GN" = gillnet / "PS" = purse seine.
Waiting for some fish to show at Whonnock (Maple Ridge) & Cottonwood (Albion).
Someone mentioned a week from Blinkhorn to the Fraser.
(https://68.media.tumblr.com/7cd0bb524575a72c6c65a2a5f0fcaddf/tumblr_inline_my13sbyDq31rz60rk.gif)
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9 Mile is the power line crossing the Squamish River about 2 km upstream from the Cheakamus River - Squamish River confluence. 9 Mile gets it's name from the old 9 Mile logging road signs on the road to the upper Squamish which was 9 miles from the log dump on the Squamish estuary. This is also a prominent native netting site of the Lewis family. This is a well known landmark for all of the old Squamish anglers but not so much for all of the newbies.
The pink salmon angling on the Mamquam and Cheakamus River was closed on Aug 1st as per the recommendation of the Squamish Sport Fish Advisory board at the March 2017 meeting. This was proposed to try and stop the gong show which had transpired on these two rivers as pink spawning time approached. The first pinks generally start spawning by mid August.
They might be Squamish fish as most pinks come into the fraser in sept. 4 years ago the seine boats came to howe sound after about 40 yrs of no fishing, is this the reason for the down trend ?
[/quote] In a nut shell ...no. Both in 2013 and 2015 there was a very large spawning escapement after the fishery. The problem on the 2015 brood was they got severely impacted by 5 major gravel moving events when the eggs were in the gravel. A monitoring program on the Cheakamus estimated only 20% of what they had been catching on previous brood years. The returning fish are the results of those floods.
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thanks for the info.bkk
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thx bkk 8)
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If you read the Fisheries Notice itself, it is clear they reference the same markers as the other species, so not sure why they chose to use "9 mile" for the pinks only.
From FN 679:
Waters: Cheakamus River, Mamquam River downstream of the CN rail bridge; and
the Squamish River downstream of the fishing boundary signs at the powerline
crossing approximately 1.5 km upstream of the confluence with the Cheakamus
River.
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The problem on the 2015 brood was they got severely impacted by 5 major gravel moving events when the eggs were in the gravel. A monitoring program on the Cheakamus estimated only 20% of what they had been catching on previous brood years. The returning fish are the results of those floods.
I wonder if the Fraser pinks were also adversely affected by these gravel moving floods. If not, then in theory we could still expect a decent return on the Fraser.
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The seals know where the sockeye buffet is on the Fraser:
http://www.psc.org/TestFish/Daily.PDF
<Cottonwood GN> Gilled vs. Tangled: Sock Adult: 3 (0). A lot of debris and moderate traffic. 3 seals observed,
actively taking fish from net.
<Whonnock GN> Gilled vs. Tangled: No Catch. Up to 3 seals observed actively taking fish.
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9 Mile is the power line crossing the Squamish River about 2 km upstream from the Cheakamus River - Squamish River confluence. 9 Mile gets it's name from the old 9 Mile logging road signs on the road to the upper Squamish which was 9 miles from the log dump on the Squamish estuary. This is also a prominent native netting site of the Lewis family. This is a well known landmark for all of the old Squamish anglers but not so much for all of the newbies.
The pink salmon angling on the Mamquam and Cheakamus River was closed on Aug 1st as per the recommendation of the Squamish Sport Fish Advisory board at the March 2017 meeting. This was proposed to try and stop the gong show which had transpired on these two rivers as pink spawning time approached. The first pinks generally start spawning by mid August.
They might be Squamish fish as most pinks come into the fraser in sept. 4 years ago the seine boats came to howe sound after about 40 yrs of no fishing, is this the reason for the down trend ?
In a nut shell ...no. Both in 2013 and 2015 there was a very large spawning escapement after the fishery. The problem on the 2015 brood was they got severely impacted by 5 major gravel moving events when the eggs were in the gravel. A monitoring program on the Cheakamus estimated only 20% of what they had been catching on previous brood years. The returning fish are the results of those floods.
Thanks for all the info! I guess I'm somewhere between old Squamish angler and newbie - now I know :D
I wonder if the Fraser pinks were also adversely affected by these gravel moving floods. If not, then in theory we could still expect a decent return on the Fraser.
No - too far away from the Fraser to make any difference. I believe the "gravel moving floods" that BKK speaks of are the rock/mudslides that wiped out many of their redds that fall. After the bigger slides - looking out over the mouth of the Squamish you could a LOT of muddy water and debris - but most settled within a couple km. My last day fishing Pinks in August 2015 started out fine - beautiful mildly silty water - then all of a sudden turned mocha brown with tons of debris along with it.
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If you are wondering about the fishing, its good in the AM. Few people are really dialed in though. (25+ hookups)
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Squamish looked preeeettttyyy milky/ murky today, yesterday you could wade out to about hip level and see bottom but today you can't see more than a foot.
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Squamish looked preeeettttyyy milky/ murky today, yesterday you could wade out to about hip level and see bottom but today you can't see more than a foot.
Lots more fish in howe sound, reports from guides in the salt now catching them
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Very slow still. Not many hookups the last few days which is pretty surprising.
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Lots more fish in howe sound, reports from guides in the salt now catching them
That is good to hear, hopefully the fish are just late and we get some stellar days out on the ocean.
But a friend who fished at Ambleside on Sunday and another friend who fished at Furry on Monday said they saw only a few fish being pulled out. Hopefully next week will be fun but I will avoid going out on Monday as it's the long BC weekend.... PREPARE THE GONG!!!! ;D
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Can someone post a google map location for the 9mile marker?
Can't find it easily.
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Can someone post a google map location for the 9mile marker?
Can't find it easily.
Somewhere close to here, based on bkk's description. Google coordinates should be added to the Fishery Notices.
49.786618, -123.185933
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More Pinks are coming from Area 12 Seine Tests:
30-July-17 4,880
31-July-17 7,085
01-Aug-17 3,364
02-Aug-17 3,025
03-Aug-17 6,070
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More Pinks are coming from Area 12 Seine Tests:
30-July-17 4,880
31-July-17 7,085
01-Aug-17 3,364
02-Aug-17 3,025
03-Aug-17 6,070
24,000 more fish that will be sold off and not return to rivers to spawn or possibly be caught by recreational fishermen.
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24,000 more fish that will be sold off and not return to rivers to spawn or possibly be caught by recreational fishermen.
So with your logic, you want them to not do any test sets, guess the numbers returning, AND have an opening for the sporties?
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So with your logic, you want them to not do any test sets, guess the numbers returning, AND have an opening for the sporties?
Ah that was me being a bit of a dreamer that - in the age of technology we live in - there ought to be a better way to get a good count or overall estimate of the runs without having to harvest one or more large schools of fish per day. I'm sure the DFO has it all figured out. :D
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First Pink of the year caught in the fraser river cottonwood gilnet test fishery yesterday!
http://www.psc.org/TestFish/DailyReports/04Aug17.PDF (http://www.psc.org/TestFish/DailyReports/04Aug17.PDF)
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Fished Friday Furry Creek still slow with few fish taken among lots of fishermen. Checked out Squamish late afternoon, lots of people and fishing still slow nothing like prior years. Tossed flies for an hour or so and saw only one fish along the entire stretch. The seals were working the runs too for the few fish in the river. The ocean may be so few fish that they have to go up river like some of us. Lol.
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Modified .... 🙃 😎
Fished Squamish this aft .... my wife caught one on her first cast.
Pink wooly bugger worked for me!
Needless to say we got our limit of 1 fish each.
. Fish were bright silver ... with sea lice.
Few small schools pushing through.
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Bobby B now you've gone and done it...
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Doh....
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Or should I say Doe!!
News is bound to get out ....considering...🎣🎣🎣
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Just Curious, are people ignoring the new no parking signs along HWY 99 at Furry Creek? It happened at the Stave River on the West side too and people parked there anyways.
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Modified .... 🙃 😎
Fished Squamish this aft .... my wife caught one on her first cast.
Pink wooly bugger worked for me!
Needless to say we got our limit of 1 fish each.
. Fish were bright silver ... with sea lice.
Few small schools pushing through.
Thanks for the great report glad to see you and your wife got your limit each fast!. Don't ever feel like you shouldn't give reports after all that's why most are here. Everyone seems to have an insatiable appetite for information from here but then don't share!
Thanks again!
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Just Curious, are people ignoring the new no parking signs along HWY 99 at Furry Creek? It happened at the Stave River on the West side too and people parked there anyways.
Not worth stopping unless you want to see the seals....dead there
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Squamish is producing (https://imgur.com/gallery/wBwXU) https://imgur.com/gallery/wBwXU
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Planning on checking out the Squamish River next week for the first time. I've got an 8' spinning rod with 15lb line and a 10' center pin rod with 20lb line. What's best to bring? Should I be floating jigs/wool/spoons or casting and retrieving lures? Thanks!
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Planning on checking out the Squamish River next week for the first time. I've got an 8' spinning rod with 15lb line and a 10' center pin rod with 20lb line. What's best to bring? Should I be floating jigs/wool/spoons or casting and retrieving lures? Thanks!
Twitching jigs and swinging spoons for your spinning rod and swinging blades under a float.
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Planning on checking out the Squamish River next week for the first time. I've got an 8' spinning rod with 15lb line and a 10' center pin rod with 20lb line. What's best to bring? Should I be floating jigs/wool/spoons or casting and retrieving lures? Thanks!
All of the above work. Try them all.
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Planning on checking out the Squamish River next week for the first time. I've got an 8' spinning rod with 15lb line and a 10' center pin rod with 20lb line. What's best to bring? Should I be floating jigs/wool/spoons or casting and retrieving lures? Thanks!
The fish I caught were in just a few feet of water, if yer castin' lures keep 'em light.
Or... just bring both..
Guy fishin' beside me did ok on a Centerpin
8-10lb leader should be more than enough..
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What's best to bring? Should I be floating jigs/wool/spoons or casting and retrieving lures? Thanks!
If you don't fly fish, swinging small spoons like 3/16 oz or 1/8 oz Crocs in pink or fire orange work well. If you prefer float fishing, drift a small silver/red Dick Nite spoon along the seam where bottom drops off. However, fly fishing is the most effective and fun method to catch pinks on the Squamish.
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Thanks for the great report glad to see you and your wife got your limit each fast!. Don't ever feel like you shouldn't give reports after all that's why most are here. Everyone seems to have an insatiable appetite for information from here but then don't share!
Thanks again!
Umm. There's a reason why there is a reports section in the forum. Somehow people here fail to comprehend that. So they start posting reports for everyone to see. Even for those who just lurk and contribute ZERO to this forum. Post reports all you want but do it the reports section where I believe people need to a certain number of posts to access.
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Umm. There's a reason why there is a reports section in the forum. Somehow people here fail to comprehend that. So they start posting reports for everyone to see. Even for those who just lurk and contribute ZERO to this forum. Post reports all you want but do it the reports section where I believe people need to a certain number of posts to access.
100% agreed so I'll just post a water/people report. Water was actually quite murky today. First light was a zoo!! but by noon there was a lot less people. Almost think it's better to sleep in and get a late start. Really wish DFO would be out there. This is the third trip in a row I've busted a guy beside me using a barbed hooked busted another guy for keeping over his limit even though it he said it was "his brother's fish" ::) Funny how he walked away with both fish though.
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Umm. There's a reason why there is a reports section in the forum. Somehow people here fail to comprehend that. So they start posting reports for everyone to see. Even for those who just lurk and contribute ZERO to this forum. Post reports all you want but do it the reports section where I believe people need to a certain number of posts to access.
Umm...there is no required # of posts access ..One can view the reports section without even logging in......
Just thought i'd contribute to a relevant thread... why y'all gotta be so particular.
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Umm...there is no required # of posts access ..One can view the reports section without even logging in......
Just thought i'd contribute to a relevant thread... why y'all gotta be so particular.
It was before so not sure why that was changed. Post away then, just don't complain when the Squamish starts to look like peg leg or scale bar in the next couple of weeks.
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Post away then, just don't complain when the Squamish starts to look like peg leg or scale bar in the next couple of weeks.
One post, or zero posts at all for that matter, wont make one iota of difference.
D'ya think it was an empty river before I showed up and caught a fish and now the hoards are a comin' just cause I posted about it...sheesh
Squamish always gets crowded when the pinks come in. As such, it was fairly crowded today too...and guess what... it was a lot of fun anyway. Guy's and Gals and kids all around me all chatting and having fun too .. nobody at all ruining it for anyone else.
Yes some people do break the rules ( barbs and over limit ) but I've seen my fair share of those types get busted so karma is indeed a bitch.
Most people just wanna have a good time and catch a fish just like the rest of us. I even helped a guy and his son setup there rigs and gave 'em some tips.... the son did get into a fish. The kid was beaming.
Life is what you make it....
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One post, or zero posts at all for that matter, wont make one iota of difference.
D'ya think it was an empty river before I showed up and caught a fish and now the hoards are a comin' just cause I posted about it...sheesh
Squamish always gets crowded when the pinks come in. As such, it was fairly crowded today too...and guess what... it was a lot of fun anyway. Guy's and Gals and kids all around me all chatting and having fun too .. nobody at all ruining it for anyone else.
Yes some people do break the rules ( barbs and over limit ) but I've seen my fair share of those types get busted so karma is indeed a bitch.
Most people just wanna have a good time and catch a fish just like the rest of us. I even helped a guy and his son setup there rigs and gave 'em some tips.... the son did get into a fish. The kid was beaming.
Life is what you make it....
Bobby, I wasn't targeting your post specifically. In fact you did provide some advice on how to catch these salmon which is what I feel this site is all about. Right now the Squamish pinks are only one of a couple of freshwater salmon fisheries around with the Fraser being closed. Since the fishable area has been decreased due to the most recent changes in Regs, common sense should be used when posting about it.
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Crowded? Interestingly I was fully expecting that yesterday but the Squamish was nowhere near as crowded as I expected it to be - I think people are getting wind of the fact that the run is pretty poor this year and the retention limits being stricter too.
The only contribution I can make is small and green seems to work best for me on that River. I seem to get more success with either a small green spinner or green flies (fly fishing or simply a fly under a float with bit of weight to keep it down). Apparently green shows better in poor viability and keeping it slow is also helpful - gives them more time to see and react to the presentation before it disappears into the murk. (I just stick a bit of green flash to a copper or silver spinners I construct myself)
Just my 2c.
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One post, or zero posts at all for that matter, wont make one iota of difference.
D'ya think it was an empty river before I showed up and caught a fish and now the hoards are a comin' just cause I posted about it...sheesh
Squamish always gets crowded when the pinks come in. As such, it was fairly crowded today too...and guess what... it was a lot of fun anyway. Guy's and Gals and kids all around me all chatting and having fun too .. nobody at all ruining it for anyone else.
Yes some people do break the rules ( barbs and over limit ) but I've seen my fair share of those types get busted so karma is indeed a bitch.
Most people just wanna have a good time and catch a fish just like the rest of us. I even helped a guy and his son setup there rigs and gave 'em some tips.... the son did get into a fish. The kid was beaming.
Life is what you make it....
As Stratocaster stated, his post was not directed at you specifically bobby. But we've seen it before where someone posts about the "hot fishing" at a particular location (including a map with directions) and the crowds go from bad to really bad. To Rod's credit, he deleted that post (lets' not dwell on that here). I'm OK with posting about general fishing conditions, what works, etc. But posting a specific location as one mentioned earlier in this thread is something I believe may not be the best idea - even though this is by no means a secret location. Just naming the system (i.e. Squamish) would suffice.
The Fishing Reports section used to require a minimum number of posts (contribution) to access that section. That would have been a better place to post more specific information. I was not aware that this restriction was removed. Perhaps Rod can comment if this is correct and why this was changed?
Yesterday we were fishing beside one of the members of this forum who is a very good fisherman and used to post lots of info on this forum. We chatted about this very issue, and there is a reason why we don't see many posts from him anymore.
Anyway, let's not dwell on the past - "it is what it is". Just go out and enjoy the weather and catch a fish...
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Just got back from the River and Beach today. I wouldn't describe the fishing as hot, but definitely luke warm. It's definitely possible to hook something, but compared to last couple of seasons it's bit of let down. I remember prior pink seasons at Furry Creek when everybody was hooking fish at the same time when the big schools go by.
I saw the no parking on highway 99 near the golf course pull out. Is there only 1 sign for the entire stretch?
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Does a green color lure work better than pink in that colored water at the Squamish? I was being out fished by a fly fisherman 3 to 1. My spoon was hot pink while he used a tiny fly that is green colored.
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buddies already back from furry, said it was amazing fast Limits, Jumpers. Definitely a lot more out there!
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So youre going to the squamish today? ;)
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Does a green color lure work better than pink in that colored water at the Squamish? I was being out fished by a fly fisherman 3 to 1. My spoon was hot pink while he used a tiny fly that is green colored.
I believe the success rate has more to do with "presentation" than the colour in your example. There are times when switching up colour can make a difference. But I've found that flies tend to outproduce gear for pink salmon in general. By presentation, I not only mean the colour and size of the fly/lure, but how it behaves in the water. The fly line with the right sink tip can put the fly right in the zone and keep it there. This can be a disadvantage too when the fish get so concentrated that the fly snags fish on every cast. Then I'll adjust by using a lighter tip, and/or starting a retrieve earlier in the drift so the fly cannot sink too fast. I've picked up lots of fish that will chase down the fly this way.
Speaking of "tips" - have you tried flies under a float? This can be deadly for pinks. I would recommend flies that are on the sparser side with a bit of contrast. Pink of course is a great colour choice. Chartreuse is another good colour. Remember, you don't have to be "fly fishing" to be successful with flies. Good luck and have fun!
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Does a green color lure work better than pink in that colored water at the Squamish? I was being out fished by a fly fisherman 3 to 1. My spoon was hot pink while he used a tiny fly that is green colored.
I did mention earier in this post that green generally works best for me on the Squamish river simply because that colour shows better in the silty conditions we get there. I don't know why smaller is better but small flies or spinners do better for me there as well - I really don't know why, maybe the feeding instinct is turned off in rivers so they are less inclined to go for large things.
I always go fishing with a bunch of options. Typically I show up with both fly and gear fishing options and I use both. I also make sure I have flies and spinners available in various sizes and colors. If I am not getting anything I keep switching up until I find something that works. I believe I have tried everything on the Squamish river and I would say it is generally true that green flies either fly fished or under a float work best on that system (..not necessarily true elsewhere - I do better with pink in the salt and I do better with spoons and spinners on the Fraser).
Also, keeping things really really slow seems to be important there too. Keep things moving as slow as possible without actually snagging the bottom gives them more time to see what is put in front of them - the water clarity is always a challenge on that system at this time of year.
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Does a green color lure work better than pink in that colored water at the Squamish? I was being out fished by a fly fisherman 3 to 1. My spoon was hot pink while he used a tiny fly that is green colored.
Maybe that was you beside me yesterday...? I fished pink buggers and muddlers and did not get much at all... switched to Chartreuse and got one on the second cast ... got 4 in a row shortly after.. 4 casts 4 fish on. Guy beside me switched too, and sure enough he was getting one after another. Maybe just just coincidence/timing.... but the same is true for most fishing..if something is not producing, switch it up.
I always find I do so much better fishing Pinks on the fly.... I bring a gear rod too sometimes but mostly it goes unused.
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Anyone know what the LIMIT is on Seagulls?
One per day. You must stop fishing once your limit is attained. :)
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Lots of fish rolling at furry, 20 fish between 100 guys, very tight lipped
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I believe the success rate has more to do with "presentation" than the colour in your example. There are times when switching up colour can make a difference. But I've found that flies tend to outproduce gear for pink salmon in general. By presentation, I not only mean the colour and size of the fly/lure, but how it behaves in the water. The fly line with the right sink tip can put the fly right in the zone and keep it there. This can be a disadvantage too when the fish get so concentrated that the fly snags fish on every cast. Then I'll adjust by using a lighter tip, and/or starting a retrieve earlier in the drift so the fly cannot sink too fast. I've picked up lots of fish that will chase down the fly this way.
Speaking of "tips" - have you tried flies under a float? This can be deadly for pinks. I would recommend flies that are on the sparser side with a bit of contrast. Pink of course is a great colour choice. Chartreuse is another good colour. Remember, you don't have to be "fly fishing" to be successful with flies. Good luck and have fun!
What you said certainly makes a lot of sense. I do cast and retrieve my lure out of the traveling lane. I have tried float fishing jigs, but not flies, is that the same thing? I find I just have more confidence in casting and retrieve lures so I seem to go back to it a lot.
Maybe that was you beside me yesterday...? I fished pink buggers and muddlers and did not get much at all... switched to Chartreuse and got one on the second cast ... got 4 in a row shortly after.. 4 casts 4 fish on. Guy beside me switched too, and sure enough he was getting one after another. Maybe just just coincidence/timing.... but the same is true for most fishing..if something is not producing, switch it up.
I always find I do so much better fishing Pinks on the fly.... I bring a gear rod too sometimes but mostly it goes unused.
Were you wearing a pale salmon red hat and then fished Furry Creek in front of the Townhomes later in the morning? If so, then yes.
I did mention earier in this post that green generally works best for me on the Squamish river simply because that colour shows better in the silty conditions we get there. I don't know why smaller is better but small flies or spinners do better for me there as well - I really don't know why, maybe the feeding instinct is turned off in rivers so they are less inclined to go for large things.
I always go fishing with a bunch of options. Typically I show up with both fly and gear fishing options and I use both. I also make sure I have flies and spinners available in various sizes and colors. If I am not getting anything I keep switching up until I find something that works. I believe I have tried everything on the Squamish river and I would say it is generally true that green flies either fly fished or under a float work best on that system (..not necessarily true elsewhere - I do better with pink in the salt and I do better with spoons and spinners on the Fraser).
Also, keeping things really really slow seems to be important there too. Keep things moving as slow as possible without actually snagging the bottom gives them more time to see what is put in front of them - the water clarity is always a challenge on that system at this time of year.
I will definite bring some green spoons to try out next weekend. I always used Hot Pink and Red on all the other rivers with success.
Lots of fish rolling at furry, 20 fish between 100 guys, very tight lipped
It was like that yesterday as well. May be it's because of the bright sun light conditions. We need thicker forest fire smoke or dark clouds to turn the bite on. Probably first and last light you'll do well as long as a school is swimming by.
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Lots of fish rolling at furry, 20 fish between 100 guys, very tight lipped
I agree..I was there just now..fishing very spotty..again most caught on the fly. Saw a guy foul hook a pink and a seal came up and grabbed his fish..seal won and was holding up the fish in triumph..was having a good laugh lol Heading to the river now.
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seal took two fish from me today，they even waited my playing until fish is tired... Hook 4 just landed 1. Fishing is slower than last two days.
Saw a whale far away.
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Been up to the Squamish a couple times since Friday.
Numbers are showing more. With lots more to come.
The males are mostly still chrome with little to no Humps showing yet.
Flys are still producing more than anything else. As mentioned, green works well ... but cant go wrong with the traditional pink.
Lots more FISH to ARRIVE! (Season is really only about 1 week behind). When there are no "Zombies or Humpy's" around..... that means way more fish to come.
POSTING REPORTS:
* I personally hope that THOUSANDS of FAMILIES go out and enjoy the FISHERY. This isnt exactly a secret "Steel Head Hole" we are talking about. The more RECREATIONAL FISHERMEN in BC who get a chance to get out and ENJOY the FISHERY..... the more people who will SUPPORT the RECREATIONAL FISHERY! This is one of the only remaining abundant fisheries that give the "Average person" a chance to really catch a nice fish (Especially Kids and Newcomers). I totally disagree with "ANYONE" who thinks likewise. In order to build a sport, one must have passionate and engaging participants.
SEAGULL CAUGHT! (lol) On Friday Morning was casting out and caught a SeaGull. The hook didnt get in, just line wrapped around the wing. I was amazed at how CALM the seagull was. Didnt even try to bite me once or move away. Just sat patiently on the ground as i unwrapped the line.
Anyone know what the LIMIT is on Seagulls?
No one said the Squamish was a "secret". Nor did I say don't post reports. I just suggested posting in the proper area of the forum and be sensible about what you post. Anyone is able to read it including those you are trying to help. Posting the specific locations of where the fish are being caught may not be a wise thing to do. Posting advice on how to catch these fish is generally welcome and encouraged.
About 12 years ago I participated in a workshop with Rodney put on by Freshwater Fisheries. As a stakeholder, I was asked to provide my thoughts on how we could increase angler participation especially with the younger crowd. They had noticed that license sales and free licenses obtained had decreased especially with the younger age groups. Many of the learn to fish programs and free fishing days were borne out of information gathered from the workshop. If you think I dont care about growing the sport you couldn't be more wrong.
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With a weaker / later run, limited fishing opportunities and people hogging a good spot all day long "killing & releasing" don't expect young people to get "the bug" because connecting with a fish is unlikely in those circumstances. If people felt obliged to leave after retaining their limit that would go a long way towards making the fishery available to more people. I see fish hooked into belly, back, tail and than 'released'. All of these is being done by fishermen who already retained their limit. This needs to change, because one fish a day limit means you harm no more than one fish.
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I did well today on the Squamish .... again, on Chartreuse...
Fished 2:30-5:30
Water seemed lower today to me ... def has gone, just slightly but, progressively lower at the spots I been fishing, since Sat.
Water still coloured ... not too bad tho
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My apologies if you took my post out of context. Was not meant in any way to be a personal implication.
It was a generalization of the "Pink Salmon's Run" importance for promotion to Young & New Anglers.
Everyone should be made aware and welcomed to enjoy. "Catching Fish" is the Strongest single thing needed to "Convert" new fishermen. If they are'nt put onto fish immediately..... there simply is no interest.
In some Urban Centres they fill "Swimming Pools" with fresh water and have Fishing Introductions. Great way to put kids onto fish in a controlled local environment.
I firmly believe that much more can be done with existing Urban Lakes to improve the "Catching Ratio". I appreciate Fresh Water Societies stockings..... but these "Sterilized Trout" are not offering enough activity. The species need to be more diverse. I've seen people go for hours / days without catching anything. That's a sure way to kill any future enthusiasm.
More Groups, Clubs .... the DFO, BC Government should be promoting the PINK FISHERY to all.
It's their for the Taking.
1000's more anglers can be created every 2 years.
Funniest thing is this: "THE GONG SHOW" is what truly creates the most fishermen.
Have we Forgotten how great the once mighty SOCKEYE FISHERY once was?
Thousands of new people out catching..... and anticipating further events.
Many continued on into a life long passion and pursue other fishing. Yes... there is a lot of Questionable methods.... but no one can deny the significance of these "Regular" bonanzas. I'm surprised they dont make "FAMILY FISHING DAYS" during the big runs.
Many fishermen do "Complain" when there are the "Gong Shows".... This is the TIME for "Experts" to be teaching and sharing out on the waters. I see a lot of guys and gals letting others land fish, show them some pointers ... share in the experience. Best TEACHERS there are!
That's what PINK SEASON is all about!
No worries, I admire your passion for this fishery. I don't think all the reports would have had much of an impact in past pink cycles because other fishing options were available but this year with the Fraser closed and the cap just merely a trickle I'm afraid of the Squamish becoming a gong show like the Fraser is during the sockeye season. Maybe I'm just overreacting a bit. It was as busy as I've seen on the Squamish on Saturday but it was civilized for the most part. I haven't seen any bouncing Bettie's out yet so that's a good thing.
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No love for me on the Squamish :( Fished from 1:30-5:30..very slow where I was with only 4-5 fish caught among 40-50 people. I did see a group bottom bouncing today with their betties and extra long leaders but all I saw them catch was....bottom. :P
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No love for me on the Squamish :( Fished from 1:30-5:30..very slow where I was with only 4-5 fish caught among 40-50 people. I did see a group bottom bouncing today with their betties and extra long leaders but all I saw them catch was....bottom. :P
Really ... I had 4-5 fish in the first hour..... prob had 12-15 total.
Got a Jack Sping too😃!
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Really ... I had 4-5 fish in the first hour..... prob had 12-15 total.
Got a Jack Sping too😃!
Were the other people fishing next to you having similar success?
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One guy above me was.... not many others were
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When i was leaving I had a few people come up to see what fly i was using.. a green bead head muddler
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When i was leaving I had a few people come up to see what fly i was using.. a green bead head muddler
Cool, I can't wait to try out some green spoons.
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Okay, just wanting to confirm - but the Squamish fishing boundary is as follows, correct? Also, I finally worked out how to post a picture from OneDrive!
(https://xf7iwg-bn1305.files.1drv.com/y4m3NLLWKZ0elmwdU3eT_OM5s1y174tWWl6kHMzf_t6gBHllWTmj8bKccACM4EltQzhWD44lNyrmJLkwxTUYy3ICLUjbv2To_ikWOZaKfDy98Wf-r73L-pIWYMyXIIOk98bt79o1MET-FWWW6dvqXxAWyjnA3G045U2K4ymQu9Bx2EdSvmXnFlsO9lQtryAF-Gq8jCQ5ICWGsWbxj3tnl2mzQ?width=950&height=765&cropmode=none)
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Okay, just wanting to confirm - but the Squamish fishing boundary is as follows, correct? Also, I finally worked out how to post a picture from OneDrive!
(https://xf7iwg-bn1305.files.1drv.com/y4m3NLLWKZ0elmwdU3eT_OM5s1y174tWWl6kHMzf_t6gBHllWTmj8bKccACM4EltQzhWD44lNyrmJLkwxTUYy3ICLUjbv2To_ikWOZaKfDy98Wf-r73L-pIWYMyXIIOk98bt79o1MET-FWWW6dvqXxAWyjnA3G045U2K4ymQu9Bx2EdSvmXnFlsO9lQtryAF-Gq8jCQ5ICWGsWbxj3tnl2mzQ?width=950&height=765&cropmode=none)
Correct.
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Really ... I had 4-5 fish in the first hour..... prob had 12-15 total.
Got a Jack Sping too😃!
Hmm I must have missed you or we were fishing on different banks...but that was the general consensus I got from the area I was fishing at. Anyway good for you..at least you were slaying! It was a pretty brutal day for me- nothing on gear was working (I don't fly fish)..Speaking of green I did try drifting a chartreuse jig and a half green/half silver trolling spoon but no takers..I suspect my presentation is still too big.
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Hmm I must have missed you or we were fishing on different banks...but that was the general consensus I got from the area I was fishing at. Anyway good for you..at least you were slaying! It was a pretty brutal day for me- nothing on gear was working (I don't fly fish)..Speaking of green I did try drifting a chartreuse jig and a half green/half silver trolling spoon but no takers..I suspect my presentation is still too big.
I am guessing the bright sun turned off lots of bites. Using the same presentation on a rainy day I bet you would have had lots of hook ups.
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On Friday Morning was casting out and caught a SeaGull. The hook didnt get in, just line wrapped around the wing. I was amazed at how CALM the seagull was. Didnt even try to bite me once or move away. Just sat patiently on the ground as i unwrapped the line.
Anyone know what the LIMIT is on Seagulls?
NBL.....
SSS...
Ok, newbie here so please forgive me.
Was on the Squamish last week for the first time using a fly rod and slightty under-gunned, but having fun.
Anyways, had one roll over my toes and seen a couple hooked and long line released.
Then there where the two guys above me who had one on the beach each and continued to fish.
FFS, people play by the rules, there is a reason why they reduced the limit and the warmer water is one reason.
Rob
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It is legal to continue fishing after retaining your limit as far as I know, with steelhead being the exception.
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I believe you have to stop once you limit out (1 per day/angler)
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I believe you have to stop once you limit out (1 per day/angler)
Applies only to steelhead. Doesn't apply to salmon.....yet
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NBL.....
SSS...
Ok, newbie here so please forgive me.
Was on the Squamish last week for the first time using a fly rod and slightty under-gunned, but having fun.
Anyways, had one roll over my toes and seen a couple hooked and long line released.
Then there where the two guys above me who had one on the beach each and continued to fish.
FFS, people play by the rules, there is a reason why they reduced the limit and the warmer water is one reason.
Rob
Undergunned? What weight rod you using?
I caught a few on Sat with my 5wt and too felt under gunned a bit .... but it was still fun.. Used a 10 ft single hand 8wt on Sun/Mon and was way better suited for a good sized fish that gets into fast moving water.. a 6-7wt would prob be ideal for Pinks..... hmm, maybe I need another fly rod.... ;D
BTW..
The retention limit on the Squamish is 1 Pink Per Day Per Angler....
If I get a nice one I keep it, I have no prob just Catch & Releasing fish after that....
Release is easier on the fish when fishing barbless and not beaching the fish.
it is a sport after all. C&R done with care can still equal a full day of fun....and a belly full of Salmon for dinner!!
Steelhead... some systems ya can keep one hatchery fish per day.... at the Vedder for example, if ya kill then it you are done fishing for that day. If ya dont kill it then ya can ....fish on!!
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From the Region 2 Synopsis:
http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/fw/fish/regulations/docs/1517/fishing_synopsis_2015-17_region2.pdf
"When you have caught and retained
your daily quota of hatchery steelhead
from any water, you must stop fishing
that water for the remainder of that day."
There is no similar regulation for salmon.
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I suspect my presentation is still too big.
Could be....the fly I use is quite small and sparse.
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Never Been Late
Split Sour Stave
Four Fudge Steaks
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There appears to be some concern about people fishing after they caught their limit of one pink on the Squamish this year. I commend your enthusiasm for the welfare of the fish, and I won't argue with anyone who chooses to leave after catching and retaining their one fish. I certainly practice this on the Fraser when the sockeye are open. When the sockeye are not open, I choose not to fish the Fraser at all (even in the springs are open). That's my choice.
But I'll present another side of the story. The pinks in the Squamish are already in, or close to, their home water. Unlike the Fraser sockeye that have to deal with great distances and warm water, the pinks have the benefit of short travel and the water is cold (glacial fed cold). If DFO was concerned about pink mortality due to low numbers and environmental conditions, they would have CLOSED the fishing for pinks. Remember in past seasons (2005, 2007, and 2009) there was a non-retention fishery for pinks on the Squamish. In fact, the river was closed in mid-August 2005 due to a chemical spill that occurred. I believe it's fair to say that a C&R fishery did not affect the run as evidenced by strong runs in 2011, 2013 and 2015.
As I've said above, if you choose to stop fishing after retaining your limit of one fish, then that's your choice. However, before preaching to others to do the same, I think it would be good to consider all the information and not compare the Squamish pink salmon fishery to the Fraser sockeye (Bottom Bouncing) flossery.
Just my 50 cents worth. Carry on and get your line on the water...:)
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Was out in Squamish on Monday, noticed some guys start trying to drift small flies with their baitcasters. Never seen this before. Does it work? Need to put some split shots along the way?
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Lots of posts and suggestions saying it does. I caught at FC with that method...
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Was out in Squamish on Monday, noticed some guys start trying to drift small flies with their baitcasters. Never seen this before. Does it work? Need to put some split shots along the way?
It's basically flossing
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Furry still slow but me and a buddy landed about 25 fish this morning at Squamish this am
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I fished both FC and the Squamish on different days over the weekend and both are better fishing early mornings. Should only be getting better.
Also been checking out the North Shore and not seeing anything promising around those waters. Judging by the few people fishing that area it looks like not much is happening. I have also noticed that there's little to no boats from the mouth of the Cap to Navvy Jack point this year.
Looks like I'll be spending more time up at FC and Squamish. Lots more fun and fish. Just hope the boats will keep there distance from the people fishing from the beach.
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It's basically flossing
How would it be flossing? It seems like a legitimate technique similar to drifting wool or jigs.
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Exactly the same as drifting a jig, except that the weights are a bit above the presentation rather than an actual part of it.
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How would it be flossing? It seems like a legitimate technique similar to drifting wool or jigs.
This method can be very effective for biting fish. But just like any method, fish can be flossed. But both Stratocaster and I can confirm that using flies under a float can work very well. Oops! I've let the cat out of the bag!!!
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...just like a clump of clipped wool on an octopus hook, huh? Like people don't 'short float' that for pinks on the Squish or the Chedder. ::)
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This method can be very effective for biting fish. But just like any method, fish can be flossed. But both Stratocaster and I can confirm that using flies under a float can work very well. Oops! I've let the cat out of the bag!!!
Hey FFM; when the fish get stacked and it gets tough not to snag and floss fish on the swing have you ever tried a straight drift through the fish using an indicator like fishing an egg pattern or nymph?
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Hey Knnn. I have to admit I've not tried that. I have had success switching to a full floating line and retrieving my fly above the school. Fresh fish would follow the fly and take it in a foot of water!
Have you tried nymphing for pinks? I imagine drifting a fly under a float may be a similar presentation and I've had success doing that. I did see a guy fly fishing with an indicator the other day. Was that you? Lol.
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Went for a short stroll along the Fraser tonight on Argue St in Poco. Seen some salmon surfacing in the water that I and another person were near 100% certain, those were Pinks we seen. For that area of the north arm, that is a good sign that there are some making it upriver.
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Hey Knnn. I have to admit I've not tried that. I have had success switching to a full floating line and retrieving my fly above the school. Fresh fish would follow the fly and take it in a foot of water!
Have you tried nymphing for pinks? I imagine drifting a fly under a float may be a similar presentation and I've had success doing that. I did see a guy fly fishing with an indicator the other day. Was that you? Lol.
Nope, just speculating it might be a fun and low risk way of fishing dor pinks.
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Went for a short stroll along the Fraser tonight on Argue St in Poco. Seen some salmon surfacing in the water that I and another person were near 100% certain, those were Pinks we seen. For that area of the north arm, that is a good sign that there are some making it upriver.
Their pinks guys in the salt are starting to catch them from sandheads to the north arm. Starting to show up in the Fraser river test fishery too.
I was out on Sunday and cought some pinks and coho. The Fraser river pink fishery I bet is going to be out standing this year. it's starting off pretty good in the salt
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Went for a short stroll along the Fraser tonight on Argue St in Poco. Seen some salmon surfacing in the water that I and another person were near 100% certain, those were Pinks we seen. For that area of the north arm, that is a good sign that there are some making it upriver.
Pinks don't favour the north side of the river along there.
For the info of tyros and novices. Every cycle people announce pinks are in the river and on walks along the bank I see people fishing from mid August to the end of the month. Don't waste your time. There are very few fish in the river and given water clarity and the expanse of the width of complexity of the channel the probability of encountering one is very low.
To date a total of 8 fish have been taken from the in river test fisheries including yesterday. It's time to cut bait and not fish. The good fishing happens next month.
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Pinks don't favour the north side of the river along there.
For the info of tyros and novices. Every cycle people announce pinks are in the river and on walks along the bank I see people fishing from mid August to the end of the month. Don't waste your time. There are very few fish in the river and given water clarity and the expanse of the width of complexity of the channel the probability of encountering one is very low.
To date a total of 8 fish have been taken from the in river test fisheries including yesterday. It's time to cut bait and not fish. The good fishing happens next month.
You are correct, pinks do not favour the north arm, but they can be found there. I have lived in this area for 8 years and every August, have seen some pinks in this stretch of the river.
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Went for a short stroll along the Fraser tonight on Argue St in Poco. Seen some salmon surfacing in the water that I and another person were near 100% certain, those were Pinks we seen. For that area of the north arm, that is a good sign that there are some making it upriver.
Pinks normally do a short roll where just their dorsal fin comes out.
Sometimes later in the season, they will do some multiple, crazy flopping on top of the water.
If you see fish rolling in the middle of the river where you see most of their body, they are probably Sockeye.
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I'm heading to the Squamish tomorrow - if anyone sees a guy with a gaggle of kids (some of them obviously not his) and sporting a weird english accent come over and say Hi - would be nice to meet some of the people from this forum IRL.
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Thanks for the video. looks a lot of fishermen who run their small business there.
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Ok... chiming in here... Not bashing just want to educate.
I really recommend the use of a net!! In the first video above the fish is 'beached' ... fine if it is gonna get bonked...
BUT if you are gonna let it go, the 'beaching' of the fish is hard on the fish ..it flops around on the rocks...kinda knocking itself out, also, any sand and grit there, will lodge into it's gills ...that would suck ( for the fish ). Imagine flopping around on the rocks and at the same time crap is getting into your lungs!! Not exactly 'releasing with care'
The second video.... you can see where a net would have been handy e.
Fish on
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Blair saw you walk in this morning. I was about 100m below you. If I had known it was you would have said hi. I left around 6 because the visibility was so poor. The Mamquam has chalked up pretty badly and visibility on the Squish is approx. 6 to 10 inches. To easy to snag fish accidentally swinging a fly so I left for furry. Hope the temperatures drop and the river clears a bit.
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Appreciate your point of view. Very Much. And certainly not taken out of context.
I would say that: "Could the release(s) have been even more "Perfect"? Yes
However, what was done is well within good practice.
No fish were "Backed Up" over a beach or rocks. One went around a brush still in the water. Both swam away nicely.
By the way.... when salmon start their runs into the rivers, they usually go through: Silt, Run up over rocks and falls.... manage to wind between logs and trees, battle Seals, Bears etc. A small amount of Sand passing through their Gills is NO WAY SIMILAR to having some sand enter INTO human lungs. Totally different. Not arguing the point -> Just clarifying that sand particles will pass through fishes gills regularly.
While... fishing for Chinny's and Coho's i will always bring a net. However, the location we were fishing really did'nt necessitate the need in my opinion.
Again, appreciate the Post and comments.
Will fish on.....
8) \m/
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I was fishing in the Brakendale area yesterday am & visibility was over a foot. I had no trouble fair hooking a number of good fish on a chartreuse and pink Clouser, some still had sea lice. Left just after 11 and checked out Furry - very slow by then. Pink salmon on the BBQ last night!
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What species can I fish at the vedder this weekend? As i understand chinook and chum are ok for retention. Pinks are still closed for retention but can i do catch and release?
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What species can I fish at the vedder this weekend? As i understand chinook and chum are ok for retention. Pinks are still closed for retention but can i do catch and release?
Don't catch and release any sockeye. There is also rainbow trout, white fish, crawfish.
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Understand no sockeye. So other salmon is fine?
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Furry still slow, squamish is good if you can dial in with the right swing or fly.
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Understand no sockeye. So other salmon is fine?
http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/rec/fresh-douce/region2-eng.html
Chilliwack/Vedder River (including Sumas River) 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. All Apr 01 to Mar 31 No fishing for salmon.
from a line between two fishing boundary signs on either side of the Chilliwack River 100 m from the confluence of the Chilliwack River and Slesse Creek downstream including that portion of the Sumas River from the Barrow Town Pump Station downstream to fishing boundary signs near the confluence with the Fraser River.
Coho Jul 01 to Mar 31 4 hatchery marked fish per day.
Chinook Jul 01 to Aug 31 4 per day, only 1 over 62 cm.
Sep 01 to Dec 31 4 per day, only 2 over 62 cm.
Chum Jul 01 to Dec 31 1 per day.
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Don't catch and release any sockeye. There is also rainbow trout, white fish, crawfish.
unlikely that there will be pinks there as yet ... still some red springs though they may be getting a little booty.
Rainbows are your best bet.
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Ditto... i am having greater success on small very sparsly tied flies
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Visibility has been a major issue this season. Funny thing is that the smallest fly's are working but the Bright Hardware is doing nothing. One would "Think" it to be the opposite.
Agree with the visibility issue. However, I have been having great luck with orange/cerise crocs. Different sizes in different types of water. All sizes have produced for me, 1/8th to 3/8th, often times outproducing fly guys around me.
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Agree with the visibility issue. However, I have been having great luck with orange/cerise crocs. Different sizes in different types of water. All sizes have produced for me, 1/8th to 3/8th, often times outproducing fly guys around me.
I also had success with spoons. It just depends on the individual and what works for that person either flies or lures. Sometimes lure guys out produces fly chuckers. But I have to admit, the most prolific fly chucker will outproduce the most prolific lure chucker.
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Actually 2015 was ahead of schedule and more prolific.
In another 5 seasons we'll have a more normal.
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I should add...
2015 was an anomaly year.
Now, everyone expects certain runs to be as early.
Fish it for a few more seasons/cycles and you'll see it is relatively normal.
Not optimum but hey.
There's mother nature.
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Fished the Squamish today 15:00 to 19:00. Had three kids with me so it was interesting. Didn't see any real action til 18:00 then some fish started rolling near us and there were a few hookups. Overall quite quiet - thought the incoming tide would be a bit better. Kids still had a blast though!
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I was on the Squamish from 7-10am. Action was sparse although there was a couple waves where several guys would catch. Guys drifting wool & blades seemed to do better than the fly guys (including me).
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Over 150 guys at furry today... Fishing was great for a total of 35 minutes from 5-5:30 am
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Over 150 guys at furry today... Fishing was great for a total of 35 minutes from 5-5:30 am
Wow. First light seems to be key - people having much luck later in day - say at dusk? With the kids it's impossible to get them out for that time.
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Better off fishing the Squamish if you are with kids. Havent fished evenings so I cant tell you
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Better off fishing the Squamish if you are with kids. Havent fished evenings so I cant tell you
Thanks - we've hit both. Think I'll hit the squish again next weekend - up all weekend at Alice Lake. Which I happened to book the family camping trip in the middle of the pink run - what a bizarre coincidence. 8)
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Fewer fish at Squamish and Furry Creek today than last weekend where I was. I wound up with 1 fish at each location. Wind really picked up around 1:30 and banished all the fly fishers from Furry Creek. Only 3 guys left on the whole beach lol.
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Obviously still early at the vedder but still try my luck since i am camping here anyways. There were few fisherman showed up too but no hookups. Dead quiet.
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We each got our 1 fish limit at Squamish in the AM...but still slow overall. Water vis was poor, 1 foot at most where we were. Dropped by Furry Creek in the afternoon and it was windy..about 10-15 fishers on the beach; buddy hooked up with a nice fish but a seal lying in wait chased it and fish broke off in a panic...otherwise it was quiet..the schools were there but most weren't taking anything.
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Obviously still early at the vedder but still try my luck since i am camping here anyways. There were few fisherman showed up too but no hookups. Dead quiet.
Still early for the Vedder. Try again in 2 weeks, and you'll probably hook into fish.
The runs seem to be late this year.
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Lots of fish this morning and even more anglers at the squish, hooked plenty drifting jigs but the fly guys ruled once more. On the way back, saw a cop at the furry creek pullout with the flashers on, feeding it to some guys in waders parked right on the highway
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Lots of fish this morning and even more anglers at the squish, hooked plenty drifting jigs but the fly guys ruled once more. On the way back, saw a cop at the furry creek pullout with the flashers on, feeding it to some guys in waders parked right on the highway
I love how they have a single sign that says no parking on Highway 99 with a single arrow pointed towards Whistler. How would you even see that sign if you parked more than 100 feet away?
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Was out wed-sat, very slow at furry creek, way too many people for the amount hooked. Wednesday was by far the best day with a lot of people with more than one fish. On the down side, I lost/stolen out of my chest bag my orange Nikon coolpix aw130 camera in black camera pouch.
If anyone finds it or sees someone using it please let me Know on this forum and I will contact you. Might also be lost at the squish too.
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I love how they have a single sign that says no parking on Highway 99 with a single arrow pointed towards Whistler. How would you even see that sign if you parked more than 100 feet away?
http://www.roadrules.ca/content/curbside-parking
The safest assumption to make about the “law of parking” is that unless parking is expressly, by signage, permitted, it is prohibited. Usually, however, whether public or private, “No Parking” signage is easy to find.
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Best I know you can't park with your wheels on the paved portion of a highway shoulder. The Police might not bother an angler parks on the shoulder depending on the extent of use. The popularity of Furry Creek however has been attracting much negative attention.
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Fished Squamish 5-7 today ... 1st hour slow but some pushing through after 6pm. Landed 4 lost 4. On both pink and green flies. Water pretty coloured up.. maybe 6-7 inches vis .
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fished the Squamish from around 9am - 4pm in a few different spots, was super slow today. Only saw a few people catch fish. Still a lot of people fishing the Mamquam, obviously not knowing the regulations or just don't care.
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Fished the Squamish on Fri with a float setup. Tried a variety of sizes of flies in both pink and green. No luck for me but the fly fishermen were catching most of the fish. So what's the difference between swinging a fly and floating one, if we're both using the same fly?
I had about a 30" leader, 30g float, most of the weight right under the float, with a few tiny split shots down the line with the last one 6" from the fly. Should I move the weights up closer to the float so the fly sinks more slowly? Do I want the fly to sink more slowly so it spends more time closer to the surface? I had it weighted so that the fly sank quickly and rode 1-2' feet above the bottom like for steelhead. Is that fine or do I want the fly closer to the surface for pinks? Or maybe it doesn't matter and it just wasn't my day to catch a fish? Thanks!
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IMO, The Squamish pinks are not late. There is just way less fish compared to the last 3 seasons. I don't buy the theory they are 2 weeks late. The test fish counts should be increasing, but it is flat to decreasing if you look at the area 12 seine test.
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No fish at furry creek this morning, seen 1 roll
Definately slow run this year
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Pink salmon are now in UK waters 😮
https://www.google.ca/search?hl=en-CA&oe=utf-8&safe=images&client=ms-android-lge&q=pink+salmon+in+uk+waters&qsubts=1502719779546&source=browser-suggest (https://www.google.ca/search?hl=en-CA&oe=utf-8&safe=images&client=ms-android-lge&q=pink+salmon+in+uk+waters&qsubts=1502719779546&source=browser-suggest)
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IMO, The Squamish pinks are not late. There is just way less fish compared to the last 3 seasons. I don't buy the theory they are 2 weeks late. The test fish counts should be increasing, but it is flat to decreasing if you look at the area 12 seine test.
IME most of the time, this is what the case is when anglers complain a run is late. I also think the last couple of pink cycles the fish were either earlier than usual or the early component of the run was much larger than usual.
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Fished the Squamish on Fri with a float setup. Tried a variety of sizes of flies in both pink and green. No luck for me but the fly fishermen were catching most of the fish. So what's the difference between swinging a fly and floating one, if we're both using the same fly?
I had about a 30" leader, 30g float, most of the weight right under the float, with a few tiny split shots down the line with the last one 6" from the fly. Should I move the weights up closer to the float so the fly sinks more slowly? Do I want the fly to sink more slowly so it spends more time closer to the surface? I had it weighted so that the fly sank quickly and rode 1-2' feet above the bottom like for steelhead. Is that fine or do I want the fly closer to the surface for pinks? Or maybe it doesn't matter and it just wasn't my day to catch a fish? Thanks!
Not sure what you mean by this question. If you are referring to someone saying above it sounds like flossing - your rig doesn't sound like a flossing rig to me.
Why did the fly guys get fish while you didn't? I can only speak for myself. I cast very much downstream, at least a 45 degree angle or less to the shore. I work the swing as slow as I can. When the line hangs more or less directly down stream I strip it back and it's not a fast strip. What I try to acheive is to hang the fly in front and above the fish for as long as I can as they move upstream. They are not that deep and they don't swim that fast. Pink salmon like to chase or follow the fly. They will often snap it a time or two before actually grabbing it. I hope this helps.
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I agree with the above. I too cast downstream at 45. I had success yesterday while others on each side of me did not .... biggest difference IMO is that they were standing way too far out and casting too far out. All the fish I got into were in about 2-3 ft of water. When the water is really coloured, Pinks are in close ... really close. Just downriver below me I could see rollers, I stepped back towards shore and cast so my swing came almost into that spot. Everyone that waded in stepped right into the spot where the fish were!!
I even told 'em "your standing right on them" ... no one listened. Even when I was catching fish behind them!!
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Not sure what you mean by this question. If you are referring to someone saying above it sounds like flossing - your rig doesn't sound like a flossing rig to me.
Thanks for the reply! What I meant to ask is why the fly fishermen do better than the float fishermen when they're both using the same types of flies. I figure it's something to do with either the technique or presentation... that's why I thought adjusting the weights to get a slower sink on the fly might help. No, nothing to do with the flossing comment above. Appreciate your suggestions :D
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As bobby b says above many people cast too far out so most of the drift or the swing isn't 'in the zone' as some say. The fish are basically 10 to 40 feet out & no more. Watch where most of the fish roll & that will help determine where their travel paths are. I suggest you shorten the amount of line under the float and be sure to let it hang below you at the end of the drift. If you watch most good anglers using a short float presentation they slow the drift down as it goes below them and then let it hang for several seconds before pulling it it back in for another cast
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IMO, The Squamish pinks are not late. There is just way less fish compared to the last 3 seasons. I don't buy the theory they are 2 weeks late. The test fish counts should be increasing, but it is flat to decreasing if you look at the area 12 seine test.
I tend to agree - although I have been going in "sub optimal" times but during those 8 hours or so I have watched myself and at least 20 anglers around me catch a total of 2 fish. That's 2 fish in 160 angling-hours, pretty lousy returns. There are still the rich veins, but it is very much famine or feast and a lot more famine than feast at the moment. To be honest, this is what was predicted, I just don't think we wanted to believe it. And likewise, this isnt going to stop me going a few more times!
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Very strange year. I didnt touch a single fish at furry the entire month of July but I was getting 10-25 fish days in Squamish. Last week furry creek was really good yet Squamish is not producing. ??? ??? :-\ :-\
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many people cast too far out so most of the drift or the swing isn't 'in the zone' as some say. The fish are basically 10 to 40 feet out & no more
So true, saw a tonne of fish hooked right at the next guy's feet.
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A what seal? ::)
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Rodney, I think Aaron is correct. That's the full term in most fishing handbooks.
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IMO, The Squamish pinks are not late. There is just way less fish compared to the last 3 seasons. I don't buy the theory they are 2 weeks late. The test fish counts should be increasing, but it is flat to decreasing if you look at the area 12 seine test.
I concur
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Thanks for the reply! What I meant to ask is why the fly fishermen do better than the float fishermen when they're both using the same types of flies. I figure it's something to do with either the technique or presentation... that's why I thought adjusting the weights to get a slower sink on the fly might help. No, nothing to do with the flossing comment above. Appreciate your suggestions :D
Mainly presentation. Pretty difficult to replicate the presentation of a fly line with a sinking tip with that of a float and weight. You could hold back on your drift to try and replicate this but the float has much more drag in the water and you will find that your presentation will be going towards the shore a bit too quickly. Remember that in these murky conditions, you basically have to shove the fly in front of their faces in order to get a bite. Technically you are swinging the fly downstream in order to present it to as many fish as possible and for the longest period as possible (by stripping in as well) Statistically speaking, the more fish and the longer the time that you present a fly to, the greater the chance of getting a bite. If you are just float fishing like you would on the vedder with bait or lure, the fly would just zing right by any fish that happens to swim in the path of your drift.
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Rodney, I think Aaron is correct. That's the full term in most fishing handbooks.
hmm, strange because when I was fishing there on the weekend, the seals seem more interested in food than fornicating
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Does anyone know what the bc regulations are for using slingshots on seals (with the intent to scare them away rather than to injure)? Are they allowed or prohibited? And will this depend on whether you are on land vs the ocean?
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Does anyone know what the bc regulations are for using slingshots on seals (with the intent to scare them away rather than to injure)? Are they allowed or prohibited? And will this depend on whether you are on land vs the ocean?
Pretty sure seals are still protected under the fisheries act so using a slingshot is not advised. Whether you like it or not, seals are part of the ecosystem and should not be singled out just so that you can fish.
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Does anyone know what the bc regulations are for using slingshots on seals (with the intent to scare them away rather than to injure)? Are they allowed or prohibited? And will this depend on whether you are on land vs the ocean?
The regulations say that you're a monster if you do that. Speaking as a fellow angler, we've already got enough PR problems.
On a side note, how long do you think before someone's cellphone video of you plinking at seals appears on Youtube, followed by a feature on CBC News, then a visit from DFO/FLNRO? :P
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Does anyone know what the bc regulations are for using slingshots on seals (with the intent to scare them away rather than to injure)? Are they allowed or prohibited? And will this depend on whether you are on land vs the ocean?
Seriously?!? You shouldn't even have to ask.
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Does anyone know what the bc regulations are for using slingshots on seals (with the intent to scare them away rather than to injure)? Are they allowed or prohibited? And will this depend on whether you are on land vs the ocean?
the are protected under the Sea Mammal Protection Act - you can be charged for using a slingshot on any large game animal in BC
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the Area 12 Seine for this year is tracking pretty much on par with 2015 excepting the big spike around the 24th and 25th of July 2015. My guess is that spike was caused by fish returning to Campbell River. 2015 was not a great year.
In an attempt to brush up on my Excel skills I've graphing this year, 2015 & 2013. At some point I'll try to post the graphs.
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The regulations say that you're a monster if you do that. Speaking as a fellow angler, we've already got enough PR problems.
On a side note, how long do you think before someone's cellphone video of you plinking at seals appears on Youtube, followed by a feature on CBC News, then a visit from DFO/FLNRO? :P
not to mention the online lynching by the anti-hunting/ fishing vegans and furry animal lovers on social media..lol :P
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The Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) applies only to USA. The Marine Mammal Regulations (Canada) does not prohibit the use of slingshots on seals
Rather than make assumptions, I prefer to ask the question. I am not saying nor am I implying it is the moral thing to do. I am specifically asking if it is legal or illegal to use slingshots on seals. It appears that I may not get the answer. I suspect the COs may not know this either.
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I was the only person I saw hook up mid day on Saturday at Furry and a fucking Seal was waiting underwater and got my fish.. was a big chrome jumping fish too... :(.. I am beginning to wonder if maybe they are spooked from Seals and not biting.. we saw fish surfacing in front of us so close but they wouldn't bite.. Seals all over too. Same at other river mouths I won't mentioned.. more Seals than fish... I think the Seal problem is real. Might explain the quickly degrading bottom fishing around the local ocean the past few years, and this summer particularly? Idk but there seems to be sooooo many Seals around.. and not many fish these days
Seems logical to me to start eating seals. :-\
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The Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) applies only to USA. The Marine Mammal Regulations (Canada) does not prohibit the use of slingshots on seals
Rather than make assumptions, I prefer to ask the question. I am not saying nor am I implying it is the moral thing to do. I am specifically asking if it is legal or illegal to use slingshots on seals. It appears that I may not get the answer. I suspect the COs may not know this either.
they are a protected mammal under federal law. You are trying to be too clever by half. You can't shoot them or otherwise harass them. The use of a sling shot or a pea shooter doesn't have to be specifically prohibited.
see; http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/sor-93-56/page-2.html#h-6:
Prohibitions
7 No person shall disturb a marine mammal except when fishing for marine mammals under the authority of these Regulations.
...
PART IVSeals
Licences
26.1 (1) Every person who fishes for seals shall hold at least one of the following licences:
(a) a fishing licence for seal — personal use;
(b) a fishing licence for seal — commercial use; or
(c) a fishing licence for nuisance seal.
without a license or some other authority (ie 1st Nations harvest) Section 7 applies.
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Graph for San Juan Seine Test fishery Pink Catch
(http://i.imgur.com/CdcbfPq.jpg)
you can see the effect of the higher diversion through Johnstone Strait. The test results are much lower compared to 2015
same graph for Area 12 Seine Pink Salmon Test Fishery
(http://i.imgur.com/3lUGtgz.jpg)
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I was at Squamish a few days ago and there were dozens of anglers up and down the river. It felt a little crowded. Does anyone know what the BC regulations are for using slingshots on anglers (with the intent to scare them away rather than to injure)? Are they allowed or prohibited? And will this depend on whether you are on land vs the water? I am not saying nor am I implying it is the moral thing to do. I am specifically asking if it is legal or illegal to use slingshots on anglers. I suspect the COs may not know this either.
On a serious note, I asked somebody who knows the BC environmental laws inside and out. RalphH's answer is right on the money! I suspect the COs are aware of the laws as well, assuming they aren't already on the forum.
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Please don't!
My waders have enough holes already...;)
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Only fly fishers are protected by law. All other gear guys and especially bottom bouncers are open year round.
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I was at Squamish a few days ago and there were dozens of anglers up and down the river. It felt a little crowded. Does anyone know what the BC regulations are for using slingshots on anglers (with the intent to scare them away rather than to injure)? Are they allowed or prohibited? And will this depend on whether you are on land vs the water? I am not saying nor am I implying it is the moral thing to do. I am specifically asking if it is legal or illegal to use slingshots on anglers. I suspect the COs may not know this either.
On a serious note, I asked somebody who knows the BC environmental laws inside and out. RalphH's answer is right on the money! I suspect the COs are aware of the laws as well, assuming they aren't already on the forum.
In stitches!!!! Thx for this
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Thank you all for your comments and feedback. As Rodney would say, "let's get back to fishing".
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At last, i saw blue sky at Furry Creek last Sunday. Just beautiful. Not sure anyone notice it or too much attention on water :) :)
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Graph for San Juan Seine Test fishery Pink Catch
Thanks.
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I assume I'd have to get both a saltwater and freshwater slingshot license, or is it more rock-dependent?
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It is better to get your PGAC (paint ball gun acquisition permit) so the problem anglers can be id'd when they become habituated. Once they get a taste of salmon they can become a real problem.
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I just take satisfaction in knowing that the seal may die as it tries to digest both of my treble hooks. Lost a 20 pound chinook earlier this summer
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I just take satisfaction in knowing that the seal may die as it tries to digest both of my treble hooks. Lost a 20 pound chinook earlier this summer
Ooohh that sounds like quite the slow and painful death. =\ Makes the idea of constipation ten times worse.
But from what I've noticed this year is that the seals seem WAY more hibituated as they seem to wait till a fish is hooked before they go after it. If a school of pinks is coming you will see them and behind them will be 2-4 seals, once a fish is hooked you will see the wakes they make going straight towards that fish.
Unfortunately, I had a seal chase a fairly large male pink straight towards the shore and it wrapped itself around another anglers legs whom I appologized to and both noted how the seal stopped only five feet from him. Then the next day something similar happened and a seal chased my fish straight towards a buddy of mine and freaked him out as he saw the black shadow bolt in front of him, and watched many more people get fish taken either far out or close to shore from seals especially when the bite is on. But to my luck I haven't had any fish taken off my line from the seal other than the very light subtle bites and thrown hooks.
Maybe this is cause of the low numbers of fish or they are now getting used to a human presense and know that a hooked fish is way easier to get than a free swimming one.
Oh and Furry was quiet so quiet on Monday that people started to leave before 8am. I had one pink follow up to shore which surprised a buddy's friend cause he was like "What the heck is that?!!?" and saw the open mouth trying to bite my spoon.
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Ooohh that sounds like quite the slow and painful death. =\ Makes the idea of constipation ten times worse.
But from what I've noticed this year is that the seals seem WAY more hibituated as they seem to wait till a fish is hooked before they go after it. If a school of pinks is coming you will see them and behind them will be 2-4 seals, once a fish is hooked you will see the wakes they make going straight towards that fish.
Unfortunately, I had a seal chase a fairly large male pink straight towards the shore and it wrapped itself around another anglers legs whom I appologized to and both noted how the seal stopped only five feet from him. Then the next day something similar happened and a seal chased my fish straight towards a buddy of mine and freaked him out as he saw the black shadow bolt in front of him, and watched many more people get fish taken either far out or close to shore from seals especially when the bite is on. But to my luck I haven't had any fish taken off my line from the seal other than the very light subtle bites and thrown hooks.
Maybe this is cause of the low numbers of fish or they are now getting used to a human presense and know that a hooked fish is way easier to get than a free swimming one.
Oh and Furry was quiet so quiet on Monday that people started to leave before 8am. I had one pink follow up to shore which surprised a buddy's friend cause he was like "What the heck is that?!!?" and saw the open mouth trying to bite my spoon.
Bingo over the last 5 years the have become completely habituated off fishermen. They key in on the boats fishing and will follow the boat around too. Best you can do when your out there is get by another boat and then speed up and hope you tag the other boat with the seal.
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Bingo over the last 5 years the have become completely habituated off fishermen. They key in on the boats fishing and will follow the boat around too. Best you can do when your out there is get by another boat and then speed up and hope you tag the other boat with the seal.
Sounds like a video game i used to play with my kids - bump into another player and they would get the timebomb
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Oh and Furry was quiet so quiet on Monday that people started to leave before 8am. I had one pink follow up to shore which surprised a buddy's friend cause he was like "What the heck is that?!!?" and saw the open mouth trying to bite my spoon.
It was the same today. Saw only one fish on beach and 40+ people fishing.
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So it sounds like things have really died down after a short period of being decent. That's my experience too, after three outings at FC over the last week.
Is the Howe Sound/Squamish run done for this cycle?
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Loads of fish in the howe sound, not by furry creek though
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Took a quick look at the lower during my travels in Richmond today.
Visibility is surprisingly good - about 4 feet but it was near the top of the high tide.
Heard a rumour that the lower will open for pinks next week.
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the river is still fishing well - I am just back from half a day.
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Loads of fish in the howe sound, not by furry creek though
That seems to be the case for Monday. Furry Creek was dead even for those venturing it out 5am. We didn't show up that crazy early but heard next to nothing result from most frustrated early risers about the morning bite when they gave up and returned to the parking area. Then we went to Squamish River and had a blast on fly. Most guys around us limited out and many just did c&r. Talked to more people showing up later at the river saying they came from FC and had nothing all day. We headed back to FC on the way home and didn't even see any body with fish nor any fish surfacing at rising tide. So FC was totally dead the whole day. What a pity there this year. More misses than hits there these days. Wonder where the fish at the river came from? Did they really avoid FC side of Howe Sound this year? It is beginning to sound more likely the case. Blame it on climate change, lol.
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That seems to be the case for Monday. Furry Creek was dead even for those venturing it out 5am. We didn't show up that crazy early but heard next to nothing result from most frustrated early risers about the morning bite when they gave up and returned to the parking area. Then we went to Squamish River and had a blast on fly. Most guys around us limited out and many just did c&r. Talked to more people showing up later at the river saying they came from FC and had nothing all day. We headed back to FC on the way home and didn't even see any body with fish nor any fish surfacing at rising tide. So FC was totally dead the whole day. What a pity there this year. More misses than hits there these days. Wonder where the fish at the river came from? Did they really avoid FC side of Howe Sound this year? It is beginning to sound more likely the case. Blame it on climate change, lol.
Just did Furry Creek - unless something enormous changes, that'll be me done for the season there. Fished the low tide from 6 - 8 pm. Not many anglers and even less fish. Even the seal looked pissed off lol.
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Bingo over the last 5 years the have become completely habituated off fishermen. They key in on the boats fishing and will follow the boat around too. Best you can do when your out there is get by another boat and then speed up and hope you tag the other boat with the seal.
Ha! That sounds like a bad game of tag, but in all seriousness I feel that there are way more seals than before and they are getting used to trying to steal fish from anglers as it's way easier than chasing down a healthy one.
It was the same today. Saw only one fish on beach and 40+ people fishing.
Yeah, took a quick look at the am but headed up to Squamish instead.
Maybe cause there are such few numbers of fish that they are heading straight in instead of staging at the mouth of the river(s)? Cause I find it a bit weird to be catching chrome bright fish either at the mouth of the Mam or half way to the Chek. Ussually in the past I've always remembered them with a bit of color like a bit of green-ish to brown-ish, even the chrome colored females are plump with eggs and look almost ready to start dropping within a few days.
With Furry creek this is a bit normal, sometimes they are there and sometimes they aren't, possibly because they are circling around Howe sound and will eventually make their way back to Furry creek as I haven't seen any fish push into that creek. But the numbers aren't big like they used to be in the past and with more pressure from people and maybe a large presense of a seal population that seems to be increasing every year, maybe they are more cautious as well as I haven't had any pink "slam" my spoons or flies like they have in the past seasons, I've had some fish hit so hard that they've pulled my rod tip from being angled 45 degrees up to straight out on more than several occasions in past seasons but none have done that this year and I've been fairly lucky to get into fish on most trips out there. Moth of the time it's just light little taps and bumps and generally I only hook then when slowly reeling in, just wait till the rod bends or there is enough tension to set the hook.
Maybe climate change and the number of fish have changed their behaviour?
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A couple days ago Furry Creek was dead slow but my buddy who was out trolling and casting around defense island and mcnab creek (across the sound) hooked into ALOT of fish. I'm positive these fish are just swimming on the other side of the sound, maybe following the water that comes out of the squamish river?
Squamish river has dropped like 5-6 feet and the visibily by mouth of mamquam is good around 1-2 feet of vis.
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I am also noticing a lot of bright chrome fish in the river this season and also at FC. They don't seem to be doing too many laps around Howe Sound, may be because of the high water level, or they don't have to line up to get in to the river at the mouth so they just go straight in.
This first photo is Furry Creek Fish dated August 15th, 2015. I am betting all of the fish you are getting are brighter like the second picture which was taken at the Squamish River a few days ago.
(http://i.imgur.com/wPH1UkH.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/eT2h1u3.jpg)
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Did anyone else notice the 1500 "other species" count in the San Juan Sockeye test fishery for Aug 12?
Typo? Herring? Tuna? Mackerel?
Good numbers of pinks there yesterday...
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Did anyone else notice the 1500 "other species" count in the San Juan Sockeye test fishery for Aug 12?
Typo? Herring? Tuna? Mackerel?
Good numbers of pinks there yesterday...
I am guessing Mackerel. Sure seems like a lot of Fraser Pinks are showing up. May be it'll be more than the 8 million pre-season prediction.
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I am also noticing a lot of bright chrome fish in the river this season and also at FC. They don't seem to be doing too many laps around Howe Sound, may be because of the high water level, or they don't have to line up to get in to the river at the mouth so they just go straight in.
This first photo is Furry Creek Fish dated August 15th, 2015. I am betting all of the fish you are getting are brighter like the second picture which was taken at the Squamish River a few days ago.
(http://i.imgur.com/wPH1UkH.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/eT2h1u3.jpg)
Last 2 trips - one last week, on this week, I've hooked a dozen or better in 4 or 5 hours. So far very few females. Only one fish yesterday either landed or that I got a good look at was a doe. That's not unusual in my experience. The males seem a bit larger than the last couple of cycles. The one I killed yesterday was 22 inches. I filleted it at home and both fillets were about 550 grams with the belly fins cutoff. That's a good sized fish for the Squamish. The doe I landed was a good size. Bigger fish make for more eggs and fry. Let's hope nature is compensating best it can for the low return.
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That suggests to me that there are still a significant number of fish to come.
It is very typical for the males to come in first and setup the redd/nest and the females to follow.
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Last 2 trips - one last week, on this week, I've hooked a dozen or better in 4 or 5 hours. So far very few females. Only one fish yesterday either landed or that I got a good look at was a doe. That's not unusual in my experience. The males seem a bit larger than the last couple of cycles. The one I killed yesterday was 22 inches. I filleted it at home and both fillets were about 550 grams with the belly fins cutoff. That's a good sized fish for the Squamish. The doe I landed was a good size. Bigger fish make for more eggs and fry. Let's hope nature is compensating best it can for the low return.
Can you really tell small males with no hump from females from the outside? Isn't it possible some of those small fish you released are males? The 2 fish i caught at Furry Creek this season look the same except only 1 had eggs.
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I was always told when a run has a bunch of large fish that it's typically going to be a smaller run.
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I was always told when a run has a bunch of large fish that it's typically going to be a smaller run.
That makes sense. Seems to be playing out like that compared to 2015. Lots of fish fish last season but noticeably smaller, this season's fish are much larger.
With regards to male vs female, my buddy caught a big chrome bar I, and a few others, swore was a female, but it turned out to be a male. Nose like a female but had that football shape to it, so it was a real tough call.
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based on body shape - the jaws, the back and the belly plus size I think it's possible to make a good call on the sex. By the time they are in the river almost all the males have at least a bit of a hump.
As far as size from cycle to cycle - there are other factors than the size of the run. Also 2015 was not a big run. Quite the opposite. Furry was better than this year but I think there is more going on there than just the size of the run.
The quantity of feed is a major factor in not just size of the fish but size of the run. Not much feed don't expect a big run. But if feed availability is ok or good and the # of fish is small due to other factors - such as low egg and fry survival then fish may be bigger as there don't have to compete for feed as much as when there are more fish out there. Of course they also compete with other species and as we are seeing other species of salmon seem to be low or even really low.
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any report from FC today? thinking to have a try after work today
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As of today, DFO says;
At this time the return of Fraser pink salmon is looking to be either early, larger than forecast or both.
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As of today, DFO says;
At this time the return of Fraser pink salmon is looking to be either early, larger than forecast or both.
More Vedder pinks! May be we'll see that black band of fish lining the bottom of the river bed from top to bottom again!
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any report from FC today? thinking to have a try after work today
FC was pretty dead yesterday afternoon / evening.
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Squish was dead yesterday aft/eve too.... Lots of fishers not so many fish. Saw 2 fish caught in 4 hours .... none of 'em by me ..
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2 years ago the 15th was the beak of the run, this year people are struggling to get a few hook ups in a day of fishing. Super late or low numbers?
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I fished the Squamish today was definitely slow but i did manage to land 2 and lose 2 after getting some tips from the guy next to me who also did pretty good other than that though didn't see many fish landed maybe the rain in the next day or so will bring in more fish but we can only hope
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How was it today?
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Thinking of heading out to fish this week, can't go as far as Squamish, but was thinking Stave, or the Chilliwack river, or even the Tidal Fraser. Anyone have suggestions? Anyone been to those places recently?
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Maybe 60 guys from mamquam mouth to the far end of the bar and maybe 10 caught in 4 hours this evening
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Steveston docks, pinks were 4$ per lb. Coho and sockeye were 8$. Red spring 10$. Chums were cheapest: 15 to 20 per fish depending on size.
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Seems like the pink run in Washington is smaller than anticipated
http://www.spokesman.com/blogs/outdoors/2017/mar/02/pink-salmon-returns-puget-sound-not-so-hot-year/
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Seems like the pink run in Washington is smaller than anticipated
http://www.spokesman.com/blogs/outdoors/2017/mar/02/pink-salmon-returns-puget-sound-not-so-hot-year/
This article is from March, talking about the low projected runs. Runs have been at least as big as predicted in most rivers, and as has been observed in BC, fish are bigger this year.
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Thinking of heading out to fish this week, can't go as far as Squamish, but was thinking Stave, or the Chilliwack river, or even the Tidal Fraser. Anyone have suggestions? Anyone been to those places recently?
What's in the Chilliwack right now?
You can find cutthroat in the Stave now. Mostly smallish fish. It's usually pretty quiet this time of year, in terms of anglers, but nice scenery.
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What's in the Chilliwack right now?
You can find cutthroat in the Stave now. Mostly smallish fish. It's usually pretty quiet this time of year, in terms of anglers, but nice scenery.
Isn't the chilliwack river the Vedder? or are they different? Also, after reading up on your guy's reports, Ambleside seems like a good place to head to in the morning or afternoon, can anyone confirm?
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pinks are 1.98 lb at superstore bright color.
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Just got back from Squamish and FC. It was super slow like people have been reporting the last couple of days. I can't believe it appears to be tapering off already. Right now is supposed to the peak of the run from what I can remember.
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Fished Squish from 3-7 yesterday..
Managed one bright fish
Guess I lucked out .. as I saw zero fish caught by anyone else that was nearby.
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How are people doing at Ambleside?
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Heading up to Squamish later this afternoon. The evening bite seemed to be better this last week.
When I go and have a look at Ambleside, there are basically no boats out front or in that area. Tried the beach fishing a few times and didn't see much happening. Everyone seemed to have the same results. . . nothing. The Pacific TAngler beach report says the reason they don't jump is because they are mainly wild Coho and fresh fish . . . .???? I don't get it. What does he mean by that??? I always thought a fresh school (pod) of fish are more aggressive and willing to bite. Bottom line is there's not much going on there. Oh. in that same beach report it says that still lots of Pinks at Furry Creek and going strong. Sounds like FAKE news to me. Just seems like a quite season in most areas.
Getting ready to head up to Squamish now.
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G'luck
Hopefully more fish push into the system.
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Could not believe how many people were fishing the Mamquam yesterday.
Above and below the train bridge.
AFAIK it is still closed for Pinks. Im surprised CO's are not more active there ..esp on weekends..
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After 7 or 8 visits to the Squamish and FC and typically seeing none or one fish caught (one time that only person was me!) I'm calling it time on that season. Hoping things improve for others but starting to get a bit worried about the health of the fishery.
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How are people doing at Ambleside?
There around
(http://www.sportfishingbc.com/forum/index.php?media/img_1717.468/full)
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There around
(http://www.sportfishingbc.com/forum/index.php?media/img_1717.468/full)
people actually catching stuff or not?
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Do the fishies do anything odd during eclipse? Curious to hear tomorrow. I would think having 4-5 hours of first light will be kinda nice for anybody heading out.
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When it is full eclipse, everybody will catch a fish ;D
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It may have been mentioned earlier in this thread, but this years return to both the Squamish system and the Indian river where predicted by some within dfo to be on the low side due to the 4 or 5 gravel moving high water events that happened after the last cycle's pinks spawned. It looks like this prediction is coming true.
Just hope we don't get any major high water events again this coming fall and winter
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people actually catching stuff or not?
Ambleside is pretty much dead since the rain a week ago. Whatever little fish have all gone up the river since then. It's a waste of time to hit the beach for current set of tides.
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I've been to Squamish 3 times over the past 10 days and its a depressing fishery this year but very low returns are not a specific problem to our rivers. I was in Deception Pass over the weekend and the beaches usually lined with anglers were empty with no boats in the Pass either. Holliday Sports in Burlington told me salmon fishing is closed for almost all Rivers In the North East this year and also closed in the salt except for 1 hatchery Chinook...no pinks or coho allowed even in the salt.
Bluenoser
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Ambleside is pretty much dead since the rain a week ago. Whatever little fish have all gone up the river since then. It's a waste of time to hit the beach for current set of tides.
Man that sucks, so the only spots for salmon right now are Squamish and maybe FC? Nothing in the Fraser Valley?
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Man that sucks, so the only spots for salmon right now are Squamish and maybe FC? Nothing in the Fraser Valley?
Best odds for nice bright Pinks in the Fraser Valley is at the Superstore. No limits - lowest costing Salmon per catch right now. Please be cautious with your backcast as shopping carts and old ladies are easy to hook.
Already cleaned and on ice for you.
If you want to exercise your flyrod, go to the Vedder and start casting.
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Best odds for nice bright Pinks in the Fraser Valley is at the Superstore. No limits - lowest costing Salmon per catch right now. Please be cautious with your backcast as shopping carts and old ladies are easy to hook.
Already cleaned and on ice for you.
If you want to exercise your flyrod, go to the Vedder and start casting.
can't spincast or float bait the Vedder? I don't know how to flyfish :(
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Fished the Squamish yesterday for a couple of hours. Saw less than 10 fish hooked between the 50+ guys up and down river of me. Was very slow. I managed to hook one but lost it.
Beautiful day to be out, though!
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can't spincast or float bait the Vedder? I don't know how to flyfish :(
Who says you can't spincast or baitcast in the Vedder?
I was talking about flycasting in the Superstore. :o
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The Area 12 Seine has reported some pretty low catches of pink in the last 4 days. If the situation doesn't improve, it's probably going to be more of a hiking trip than fishing.
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Checked out the Vedder Canal today and yesterday. Not a fish in sight. Totally barren. I've seen a few guys out, but no reports at all.
Water is very clear, so any fish silhouettes or rolls should have been visible.
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Tough fishing this season for sure. Been skunked a couple times, but finally landed a nice big hen on Sunday around 9am fresh with sea lice - but boy was it slow otherwise across the whole bar. Only saw 2 other guys get into one all morning. An RCMP member and a couple others with official looking vests were out - but seemed to be just watching and waiting for people to land one (they were waiting a while and left disappointed).
Was planning on taking a drive way up the Squamish to the spawning grounds to see what is up, but got called into work and couldn't make it. Anyone been up there to see if any have made it?
Spent some time watching one of the Great Blue Herons. He was doing his best to swallow a dead fish to no avail (not used to such large fish :P ), then saw a live one swimming by and got super excited, opened his wings, and pranced towards it. Here is a shot of him hypnotized by the challenge of taking this dinner on.
(http://i.imgur.com/SXHEz2O.jpg)
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Was planning on taking a drive way up the Squamish to the spawning grounds to see what is up, but got called into work and couldn't make it. Anyone been up there to see if any have made it?
(http://i.imgur.com/SXHEz2O.jpg)
Save your gas as there are virtually no fish on the spawning grounds. Shovelnose Creek has 5 fish, Chuck Chuck Creek has 27 fish and the Ashlu has the most of a very poor lot but it is most likely only a few thousand. Last cycle at this time all of those areas were full of spawning fish with tons of fish pouring into those areas daily. Nothing like that this year. The Cheakamus is also very poor with only a very few fish around. The Mamquam has some fish but once again very few in relation to what should be there. Makes me wonder why the pink fishery is even open?
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Save your gas as there are virtually no fish on the spawning grounds. Shovelnose Creek has 5 fish, Chuck Chuck Creek has 27 fish and the Ashlu has the most of a very poor lot but it is most likely only a few thousand. Last cycle at this time all of those areas were full of spawning fish with tons of fish pouring into those areas daily. Nothing like that this year. The Cheakamus is also very poor with only a very few fish around. The Mamquam has some fish but once again very few in relation to what should be there. Makes me wonder why the pink fishery is even open?
May be it should be closed. Looks like the 2019 run is in jeopardy.
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May be it should be closed. Looks like the 2019 run is in jeopardy.
Nostradamus :o
Pinks will be here in September with the handful of Chum.
Coho in October.
Followed by three Steelhead in January.
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Spent some time watching one of the Great Blue Herons. He was doing his best to swallow a dead fish to no avail (not used to such large fish :P ), then saw a live one swimming by and got super excited, opened his wings, and pranced towards it. Here is a shot of him hypnotized by the challenge of taking this dinner on.
(http://i.imgur.com/SXHEz2O.jpg)
saw one swallow a dead pink on the Vedder in 2013 - I was amazed it was able to choke it down without suffocating.
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Checked out the Vedder Canal today and yesterday. Not a fish in sight. Totally barren. I've seen a few guys out, but no reports at all.
Water is very clear, so any fish silhouettes or rolls should have been visible.
Man that's disheartening, I was planning on heading to the Vedder this Wednesday.
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Save your gas as there are virtually no fish on the spawning grounds. Shovelnose Creek has 5 fish, Chuck Chuck Creek has 27 fish and the Ashlu has the most of a very poor lot but it is most likely only a few thousand. Last cycle at this time all of those areas were full of spawning fish with tons of fish pouring into those areas daily. Nothing like that this year. The Cheakamus is also very poor with only a very few fish around. The Mamquam has some fish but once again very few in relation to what should be there. Makes me wonder why the pink fishery is even open?
After seeing such poor numbers of fish this weekend, I am thinking it might be best to close pink retention as well. Hopefully the Fraser run is half decent.
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Man that's disheartening, I was planning on heading to the Vedder this Wednesday.
Be disheartened not. We are still 2 weeks plus away of there being pinks in the C/V in appreciable numbers. The first waves of migrating pinks don't normally hit the lower Fraser until Labour Day weekend.
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Be disheartened not. We are still 2 weeks plus away of there being pinks in the C/V in appreciable numbers. The first waves of migrating pinks don't normally hit the lower Fraser until Labour Day weekend.
...or after. Sept 5-10th is the usual time range.
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Man that's disheartening, I was planning on heading to the Vedder this Wednesday.
Does not look there is an opening for pinks on the C/V yet...
http://(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e2/jonMal/chill.jpg) (http://s36.photobucket.com/user/jonMal/media/chill.jpg.html)
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Does not look there is an opening for pinks on the C/V yet...
http://(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e2/jonMal/chill.jpg) (http://s36.photobucket.com/user/jonMal/media/chill.jpg.html)
I think he probably meant to say: "I was going to target....uhhh...pike minnow......on the vedder"
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Retention of pink salmon is closed on the Chilliwack/Vedder River, but you can still catch and release them. Some fish have made their way into the system already, but better fishing is still a couple of weeks away.
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so no spots for salmon fishing in the fraser valley yet?
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http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/rec/fresh-douce/region2-eng.html
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so no spots for salmon fishing in the fraser valley yet?
You can fish almost anywhere you want. What you can't do is keep them.
Save On Foods is your best bet. Fresh, cleaned and cheap. ;D
(https://resources.salewhale.ca/products_sales_images/retailer_22/2017-08-18/p2_1503044737.1297/pink-salmon.jpg)
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Fraser River pinks seem small this year, caught 3 so far this year at the river mouth. Bright crommies tho made it a bit tough to identify them from small Chinook. Big sports on the tail and there slimy buggers.
all on a green hoochie
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superstore cheaper .4356 per 100 gr. for pinks
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http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/rec/fresh-douce/region2-eng.html
Thanks Rod! Might head down to C/V and try for some chinook.
Fraser River pinks seem small this year, caught 3 so far this year at the river mouth. Bright crommies tho made it a bit tough to identify them from small Chinook. Big sports on the tail and there slimy buggers.
all on a green hoochie
Where in the Fraser River did you go?
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He's in the ocean.
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Yes, he's talking about the mouth of the Fraser, not the vedder. Just to clarify ;) ;) ;)
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He's in the ocean.
Sorry should've clarified at the fraser river mouth in the ocean. I was desperate for some salmon so I kept two. I have never had pink salmon before. Cooked up half tonight and it tasted slightly better than a rainbow trout. Lean, not much fat in it. Don't know if I will keep any more. Can you smoke it? No fishy taste to it like the coho i had the other day. Tho I trimmed the brown fat off the pink
(http://www.sportfishingbc.com/forum/index.php?media/img_1738.469/full)
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has anyone tried the mouth of the coquitlam river for pinks and along the port coquitlam side of the fraser? Ive seen posts on here which they mention that the coquitlam/new west side of the river gets less pinks, is that true ?
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has anyone tried the mouth of the coquitlam river for pinks and along the port coquitlam side of the fraser? Ive seen posts on here which they mention that the coquitlam/new west side of the river gets less pinks, is that true ?
The Fraser is presently closed to salmon fishing.
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has anyone tried the mouth of the coquitlam river for pinks and along the port coquitlam side of the fraser? Ive seen posts on here which they mention that the coquitlam/new west side of the river gets less pinks, is that true ?
that's my experience from past seasons. I have talked to people who feel the south shore gets better fishing until past the Pitt River mouth
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The Fraser is presently closed to salmon fishing.
Closed to salmon fishing or closed to retention of salmon?
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Fraser River pinks seem small this year, caught 3 so far this year at the river mouth. Bright crommies tho made it a bit tough to identify them from small Chinook. Big sports on the tail and there slimy buggers.
all on a green hoochie
May be that is a good sign there is a lot of other fish fighting for the same food source. For myself, I probably caught 3 larger pinks in the Squamish this year around 6lb each, but the run turned out to be quite poor. In previous years the largest Squamish pinks for me may be tops out at 4lbs. I remember catching very small pinks at Furry Creek in 2015 early in the season.
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Ive seen posts on here which they mention that the coquitlam/new west side of the river gets less pinks, is that true ?
I agree that the north side probably gets fewer than the surrey side but there are still plenty that go up that way. I've had and seen good days in the Patullo / Port Mann area in previous years when I didnt feel like driving further.
Still worth trying that side if its more convenient for you, and also less busy so plenty of room in the past.
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Pinks have completely died off in the area 20 and area 12 test fisheries. Numbers have picked up in the Fraser test fishery. At this point DFO needs to open up the Fraser for pinks this is getting redonkulace. They said the pinks may be having an early run time. Fraser river sporties are getting the shaft.
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Closed to salmon fishing or closed to retention of salmon?
Both
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Has anyone fished Garry Point Park yet?
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Area 12 Seine Test for Pinks:
---------------------------------
13-Aug-17 2,082
14-Aug-17 2,770
15-Aug-17 3,243
16-Aug-17 2,684
17-Aug-17 2,841
18-Aug-17 785
19-Aug-17 2,292
20-Aug-17 780
21-Aug-17 1,108
22-Aug-17 413
Considering 1/2 of the fish or more are going to the Fraser, Squamish pinks are tailing off fast. There are literally more fisherman than fish on the river. Even Fraser Pinks are looking a little dicey but lets hope these tests are not representative of the entire run.
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Deleted
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Comparing the Area 12 and 20 results from 2015 it's easy to imagine same or lower returns which is pretty much a bust for the fishery. Yes, people will still catch em on C/V but the big picture looks grim so far :-\
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Drove over the mission bridge at 11 am saw about 8 guys fishing for "trout" casting out gear.
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Drove over the mission bridge at 11 am saw about 8 guys fishing for "trout" casting out gear.
Uhhh.. lame.
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Comparing the Area 12 and 20 results from 2015 it's easy to imagine same or lower returns which is pretty much a bust for the fishery. Yes, people will still catch em on C/V but the big picture looks grim so far :-\
We are heading towards the end. It will happen, I've been saying we have 10 more years max.
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San Juan is tracking pretty much on par with 2015 while Area 12 has dropped off in the last several days perhaps suggesting the number pinks diverting through Johnstone Strait has gone down. I heard Puget Sound returns were looking at least as good as forecast -perhaps better. The next 5 or 6 days will tell unless the fish really are late.
I don't believe the Squamish run is late, it's simply depressed.
FWIW I was on the Squamish this morning & fish numbers are down from a week ago. However the Squamish Nation has been harvesting both in the river and in Howe Sound since the 16th.
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Was at Squamish early morning. Definitely much less fish than last week. Water was quite chalky probably due to the high temperature yesterday causing more glacial melt. Tried FC on the way back. It was dead and a ghost down with only a few rods with no fish seen caught nor any risers. That place has been abandoned. Lol.
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Has anyone fished Garry Point Park yet?
Is Garry Point open for catch & release or retention? Or does it follow the same rules as the river?
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You guys catching in Squamish, are they still relatively clean, or fairly zombified?
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There are photos in the thread above. Yesterday I landed 3 - one was 'grey' with a white belly the other 2 were chrome with sea lice.
up until last week the fish I caught were bright often with lice however it's typical that the number of darker fish goes up as the season wears one.
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Save your gas as there are virtually no fish on the spawning grounds. Shovelnose Creek has 5 fish, Chuck Chuck Creek has 27 fish and the Ashlu has the most of a very poor lot but it is most likely only a few thousand. Last cycle at this time all of those areas were full of spawning fish with tons of fish pouring into those areas daily. Nothing like that this year. The Cheakamus is also very poor with only a very few fish around. The Mamquam has some fish but once again very few in relation to what should be there. Makes me wonder why the pink fishery is even open?
Ah that is really sad. We were up near Shovelnose in 2015 and it was amazing seeing Pinks everywhere doing their thing. I fully agree - why is the Squamish Pink fishery even open for retention still? There are few fish being caught, and I've only seen a handful of zombies/carcasses where I usually would have seen hundreds by now.
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I think the only reason it's still open is to keep people off the Fraser seeing as how it's closed while trying to let the Sox and Chinook run the last of the gauntlet . I still can't believe the Squamish is still open though considering, pretty sad indeed....unless the run is just "still 2 weeks late" hahaha even though we've been hearing that for a month
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Few fresh ones still coming in. But to be realistic, its coming to a close.
Furry creek has slowed down, along with the Squamish. There is fish being caught but nothing comparable to years prior. This time 2 years ago there was pinks coming up the shallows, dead ones, plenty rolling that have been in the river for some period of time. I saw 2 dead ones yesterday in the lower river and went for a walk up higher and only saw 3 carcasses and 2 spawners in a creek that was chalk full of them this time in 2015. Fished the incoming tide from first light to 3pm and it was slow. Few fish here and there, having to work for them and there was plenty of people that went home without touching a fish. No major flurries of hookups when a school comes in.
There have been many many reported days like this from friends over the last few weeks. Not to say we haven't hit schools of fish on the tide change and have a fish on every cast, but its been a game of being there when the fish are all year long. Has been really good some days and some days not, but the numbers just aren't nearly as close to 2015 or years prior. And for a run of fish that usually thrives and fill the spawning channels and the ecosystem around it a little concerning.
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Fished the Squamish today from 2-5:30. Saw quite a few fish caught today. The wife and I both got 3 fish...
Still pretty fresh ... didn't need to keep 2 fish, but we kept a nice fresh buck for dinner.
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Does anyone know when the Vedder opened for pink retention in 2015?
My records show the fraser open for rentention of 2 pinks per day on September 5th. Its turning into a waiting game now. :-[
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Can't remember about Vedder but on Sep 5th when Fraser opened I took a limit and released another one in 1.5hrs of fishing. Goes to show we did miss out on a few good days before that. Test nets were saying the same.
This year might be even later opening and thus spoiling it for most of the peak run in Lower Fraser....all because you can catch a bloody sockeye on a pink spoon in tidal Fraser, rrrright - Thanks DFO!
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In the 90s there were a couple of cycles when the Fraser was closed after Labour Day through to early October to protect interior coho. There was at least one season when only the Harrison below the train bridge was open for pinks
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In the 90s there were a couple of cycles when the Fraser was closed after Labour Day through to early October to protect interior coho. There was at least one season when only the Harrison below the train bridge was open for pinks
2001 actually, the pink salmon fishery never opened in the Tidal Fraser River that season.
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The nets will surely be taking theirs while we sit and watch from the sidelines.
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2001 actually, the pink salmon fishery never opened in the Tidal Fraser River that season.
IIRC they shut it down early in '99 because so many new anglers out to take advantage of the pink salmon bonanza also used it as an excuse to poach coho which were closed. Even numbered off cycle years were also closed for a time.
People should consider many of our interior salmon stocks have been troubled for decades not just the last few years. With careful management, good angler practice and agreeable weather and ocean conditions we can still have good fishing in the future. Some times however we will not be able to fish. We don't own the fish neither do we have a high priority of access. In fact sport angling is dead last. Commercial interests have complained for years that sport angling is open, stocks are good but there is no commercial harvest.
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This year might be even later opening and thus spoiling it for most of the peak run in Lower Fraser....all because you can catch a bloody sockeye on a pink spoon in tidal Fraser, rrrright - Thanks DFO!
For what it's worth, the test fisheries over the last 4 or 5 cycles show the bulk of the pink runs are in the Fraser from roughly around Sept 5-20 and my own experiences would concur, though never really tried after the 25th. A slightly delayed opening should still let you catch a good portion of the run.
As for sockeye by-catch in the Tidal Fraser, yes it's basically impossible while targeting pinks, though the subtleties between that and flossing in the non-tidal appears mostly irrelevant the DFO. Especially since there is already a conveniently defined Tidal/Non-Tidal boundary (Mission Bridge) below which 'non-selective' methods are basically ineffective, once the pink numbers reach a point of confidence in reaching escapement goals, then it seems reasonable to open at least the Tidal portion, if impact on sockeye is still a concern.
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I bet you if they opened only the Tidal for pinks today it would make a zero or close to zero "impact" on the status quo of sockeye and chinook, but then that's just me and my opinion doesn't account for much.
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IIRC they shut it down early in '99 because so many new anglers out to take advantage of the pink salmon bonanza also used it as an excuse to poach coho which were closed. Even numbered off cycle years were also closed for a time.
People should consider many of our interior salmon stocks have been troubled for decades not just the last few years. With careful management, good angler practice and agreeable weather and ocean conditions we can still have good fishing in the future. Some times however we will not be able to fish. We don't own the fish neither do we have a high priority of access. In fact sport angling is dead last. Commercial interests have complained for years that sport angling is open, stocks are good but there is no commercial harvest.
Thoes damn millennials! oh wait....
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I bet you if they opened only the Tidal for pinks today it would make a zero or close to zero "impact" on the status quo of sockeye and chinook, but then that's just me and my opinion doesn't account for much.
Derby reach would be lined up with 300 flossers, Flossing is so effective that guys were lined up fishing in the middle of the night. Hence the only fishing for salmon during daylight hours regulation
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The only thing you will catch flossing at derbys reach is a snag, there wouldn't be 300 guys flossing,there would be lots of people casting spoons and fly fishing, I have never seen a person flossing there.Theres no reason why the tidal part of the fraser should be closed to salmon fishing.
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The only thing you will catch flossing at derbys reach is a snag, there wouldn't be 300 guys flossing,there would be lots of people casting spoons and fly fishing, I have never seen a person flossing there.Theres no reason why the tidal part of the fraser should be closed to salmon fishing.
we should give our beautiful precious salmons a break this year and focus on other important and plentiful species like pikeminnow, sculpins, resident chubs and even the dolley
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we should give our beautiful precious salmons a break this year and focus on other important and plentiful species like pikeminnow, sculpins, resident chubs and even the dolley
Yes, they'll all be chasing small crocs in about a week from now ;D
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when the sockeye run is big, there are a lot 'buzz bombers' fishing the tidal Fraser. Most sockeye caught and kept are snagged. If DFO put on a major campaign to ticket such people that issue would diminish considerably.
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This might have happened when the run was 20mil, not 1.5mil. Cosidering their numbers now you might snag a steelhead or a sturgeon before any sock.
There simply isn't a logical reason to keep the Tidal closed for pinks.
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I hope it opens soon... :(
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I hope it opens soon... :(
Would be nice if they open during the long weekend or earlier. The bridge toll removal would make it cheaper but I wonder if we will get the gridlock we had with the old Portmann Bridge.
I remember driving home from the Vedder and have to go through rushhour on Saturday.
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I myself live on the side of the lower Fraser (just moved) I havnt been seeing much jump around or move. But damn have I seen a bunch of boats and nets. My question ie does the Maple ridge side of the lower Fraser see any much action? The boats are all on the other side.
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This might have happened when the run was 20mil, not 1.5mil. Cosidering their numbers now you might snag a steelhead or a sturgeon before any sock.
There simply isn't a logical reason to keep the Tidal closed for pinks.
suck it up and live with it.
They don't even have an estimate for Fraser pinks and it's not looking too bright at this point.
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According to DFO the current closure is NOT dictated by low pink numbers. And don't tell me they have no clue about the most plentiful run (as bad as it is) a few days from now.
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pardon me? ::)
If you think next weekend is the best part of the run you are mistake.
Childish whining won't open the river any sooner.
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Fraser test fisheries for pinks usually dont start to really increase until the first week of Sept. It's really only in the last few days this year's numbers can be even considered anything other than basically zero.
If they decide to open it after Labour Day there is still plenty of time to catch the bulk of the run.
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currently the Fraser River provision estimate for commercial fisheries that have started in US waters is 3.8 million.
We may get a run size projection on Tuesday but my guess it will be less than 6 million.
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currently the Fraser River provision estimate for commercial fisheries that have started in US waters is 3.8 million.
We may get a run size projection on Tuesday but my guess it will be less than 6 million.
Test fishery catches of pink salmon in the two approach areas have been
fluctuating at lower levels in recent days consistent with the previous
indications that the return of Fraser pink salmon is well below the p50
forecast of 8.7 million however, it remains too early to adopt a formal run
size change as the median 50% run timing date is August 28. For fisheries
planning purposes the Panel used a conservative run size of 3.8 million Fraser
pink salmon for planning US fisheries during the later portion of this week.
The most recent pink stock identification samples analyzed for Areas 12 and 20
purse seine test fisheries indicate Fraser origin pink salmon comprise 51% and
68%, respectively. Based on the most recent purse seine test catches the
estimated diversion rate through Johnstone Strait for Fraser pink salmon has
decreased to 37% compared to the historical median of 50%. Run size and timing
updates for Fraser pinks are likely to be made in the coming weeks.
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Even at 3.8 million it is not as bad as the Squamish pink collapse this season. Richmond might be tough at times but around Mission it won't be too bad.
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Even at 3.8 million it is not as bad as the Squamish pink collapse this season. Richmond might be tough at times but around Mission it won't be too bad.
depends on how many of those 3.8 million make it into the Fraser. At one time I read 3 million was considered the minimum escapement. Seven million was considered the desirable escapement. If the commercial catch is considerable and if the FN folks want to conduct their roe fishery there could be no much left for a sport allocation.
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Comparing the last 6 days between the 2015 vs 2017 tests on the Fraser, we are actually ahead than last pink season which is estimated to be 6 million. So the 8 million pre-season estimate is still looking possible.
Whonnock
20-Aug-15 5 20-Aug-17 1
21-Aug-15 6 21-Aug-17 14
22-Aug-15 12 22-Aug-17 19
23-Aug-15 11 23-Aug-17 9
24-Aug-15 11 24-Aug-17 39
25-Aug-15 9 25-Aug-17 61
Cotton Wood
20-Aug-15 1 20-Aug-17 12
21-Aug-15 8 21-Aug-17 0
22-Aug-15 6 22-Aug-17 1
23-Aug-15 0 23-Aug-17 11
24-Aug-15 3 24-Aug-17 11
25-Aug-15 4 25-Aug-17 27
The Area 12 and Area 20 Seine is lower in 2017 compared to 2015, so maybe they are concerned about that.
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yes well again we have to wait and see. The in season estimate is usually based on Purse seine tests in the approaches. Right now, Area 12 and 20 Seine combined is 93,000. For 2015 it was 228,000 for the same date. But that has to factor in the % of fish that are Fraser river origin caught in those fisheries. As I have mentioned above the Campbell had a huge return then which I'd expect travel through Area 12. The return there is not so big this cycle.
However most pinks runs up and down the cost right to Alaska have tanked.
Lets hope we get a decent return.
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https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1521202561278512
Squamish pinks from the clay pit anybody? Get em while they last.
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The Fraser Test Nets Continue to show slightly above par from 2015 run. Area 12/20 is fluctuating. Seems like to me the Fraser Pinks are doing well while other pink runs coming from Area 12/20 may not be.
Whonnock
20-Aug-15 5 20-Aug-17 1
21-Aug-15 6 21-Aug-17 14
22-Aug-15 12 22-Aug-17 19
23-Aug-15 11 23-Aug-17 9
24-Aug-15 11 24-Aug-17 39
25-Aug-15 9 25-Aug-17 61
26-Aug-15 28 26-Aug-17 20
27-Aug-15 31 27-Aug-17 28
Cotton Wood
20-Aug-15 1 20-Aug-17 12
21-Aug-15 8 21-Aug-17 0
22-Aug-15 6 22-Aug-17 1
23-Aug-15 0 23-Aug-17 11
24-Aug-15 3 24-Aug-17 11
25-Aug-15 4 25-Aug-17 27
26-Aug-15 1 26-Aug-17 10
27-Aug-15 5 27-Aug-17 8
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Dropped by the river on Saturday afternoon for a look.
Went near the tunnel around low tide.
Saw a few pinks jumping but didn't stay around for the whole tide shift.
(when they are usually more active on the surface).
Unfortunately, there were a few people fishing for pinks there.
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If the commercial catch is considerable and if the FN folks want to conduct their roe fishery there could be no much left for a sport allocation.
Last season, the fishing was good for opening day in the river.
Regular commercial net fishing killed it after that.
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Last season, the fishing was good for opening day in the river.
Regular commercial net fishing killed it after that.
The coho fishing was also poor right after openings on the Fraser.
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We fished for Sturgeon off shore near dump bar yesterday through the entire high tide change and maybe saw 1 or 2 Pinks roll the entire time (don't even know if they were pinks for sure). Saw 5-10 commercial boats cruise past and at least 1 with nets in the water (test fishery?)
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How's the Squamish been? Anyone know? Thinking of heading up in the a.m. but not if it's completely died off...
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We fished for Sturgeon off shore near dump bar yesterday through the entire high tide change and maybe saw 1 or 2 Pinks roll the entire time (don't even know if they were pinks for sure). Saw 5-10 commercial boats cruise past and at least 1 with nets in the water (test fishery?)
FN fishery, Musqueam fishing for chinook. Should be done after the 31st.
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Unfortunately, there were a few people fishing for pinks there.
Haven't you heard? It's the new Pike Minnow Fishery ;D
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Haven't you heard? It's the new Pike Minnow Fishery ;D
Pike Minnow - the new pink salmon
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Pike Minnow - the new pink salmon
Weren't we calling pinks the new sockeye a couple cycles ago? :-\
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Pike minnow conservation stamp on new license's coming soon
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updated my test fisheries tables this afternoon.
San Juan seine is tanking on the same day it peaked in 2015.
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run size estimate 4.8 mil
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Mostly spawners and loads of colored fish in the Squamish right now.
They really should shut it down ASAP and allow those fish to peacefully spawn since the numbers are so low but that is just my opinion.
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August 28th:
Test fishing catches and daily escapements continue to track below pre-season expectations. Daily abundances of Summer-run and Late-run sockeye continue to track below median forecast levels. At the meeting today, the Panel approved, for management purposes, a provisional pink salmon run-size estimate of 4,800,000 fish with a 50% marine timing through Area 20 of August 24
Long term target escapement is 7 million. At less than 5 pinks may stay closed in the Fraser this season.
Get ready for it.
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What was the run size in 2015, something like 6 or 7 million? Maybe someone has a reliable link to some historical numbers from previous runs for comparison.
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What was the run size in 2015, something like 6 or 7 million? Maybe someone has a reliable link to some historical numbers from previous runs for comparison.
I was just wondering the same thing. Finding a chart of returns over the years is not easy.
According the the following article around 5 million returned in 2015, however 14 million were projected to return. Also, the article mentions how the back half of the 2015 run disappeared. If you look at the 2015 area 12 test numbers they completely dropped off around this date, when historically they increased. Hopefully this year returns to a normal trend. :-\
https://beta.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/millions-of-bc-salmon-mysteriously-disappear-in-troubling-year/article27089342/?ref=http://www.theglobeandmail.com&
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August 28th:
Long term target escapement is 7 million. At less than 5 pinks may stay closed in the Fraser this season.
Get ready for it.
I sure hope they are smart enough to close it if the numbers are so dismal.
As much as I like fly fishing for pinks, I haven't even been out this year...not worth it, IMO.
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The Department is receiving questions regarding the possibility of recreational
fishery openings for chinook and/or pink salmon in the Fraser River. At this
time management measures in place are aimed at limiting impacts on Fraser
sockeye while allowing First Nations food, social and ceremonial fisheries,
directed on other species, to occur. Recreational fisheries for salmon in the
Fraser River are not anticipated to open in advance of the upcoming Labour Day
weekend. DFO will continue to monitor the migration of sockeye through the
marine areas and the Fraser River and will consider an opening for pink salmon
when it is determined that impacts of an in-river recreational fishery would be
minimal for sockeye. As Late Run sockeye can demonstrate holding behaviour in
the lower river and off the river mouth, such an opportunity is likely not to
occur in the immediate future. Due to significantly reduced FSC harvest for
First Nations this year, with very low harvests of both sockeye and chinook to
date, DFO is not considering opening additional recreational chinook fisheries
in the river at this time to provide for priority access for First Nations FSC
fisheries. For information on current recreational fishery opportunities for
chinook in other areas please see the Department’s web-site at:
http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/rec/index-eng.html
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... For information on current recreational fishery opportunities for
chinook in other areas please see the Department’s web-site at:
http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/rec/index-eng.html
On a much lighter note. there is a familiar face on the opening page of the pac.dfo link above. And who might that be??? :D
If conditions prove worthy of an opening for Fraser Pinks, I hope it happens before the the majority become too mature for the table. Not that I would take a Fraser Pink home ever again, but many others will - that's okay. Nice for the kids and seniors.
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On a much lighter note. there is a familiar face on the opening page of the pac.dfo link above. And who might that be??? :D
http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/rec/index-eng.html
I love the caption below that photo. Seems to indicate you shouldn't be buying fish from those 2 anglers ;D.
"Looking to Buy Salmon? it is your responsibility to ensure that the salmon was lawfully caught under a licence authorizing sale."
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What was the run size in 2015, something like 6 or 7 million? Maybe someone has a reliable link to some historical numbers from previous runs for comparison.
the final estimate was about 6.2 million. The estimate for '13 was 26+ million. The 20 years average was around 14 million. Estimates are based on test fisheries in San Juan Strait and Queen Charlotte Strait before they are subject to much commercial netting.
These are estimates of the total run not the escapement; fish that actually make into the river to spawn. Despite the low return in '15 there was a commercial seine fishery at the mouth. In '13 the commercial fishery was quite heavy.
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I just found this chart from:
http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/csas-sccs/Publications/ScR-RS/2017/2017_016-eng.pdf
PRE-SEASON RUN SIZE FORECASTS FOR FRASER RIVER SOCKEYE (ONCORHYNCHUS NERKA) AND PINK (O. GORBUSCHA) SALMON IN 2017
(https://i.imgur.com/g1MBRqH.gif)
Doesnt have the actual numbers but looks around 5-6 million in 2015 which is consistent with what RalphH posted.
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I love science, you guys are the best! thanks for the link!
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http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/csas-sccs/Publications/ScR-RS/2017/2017_016-eng.pdf
From the link:
The total 2017 forecast of Fraser Pink Salmon ranges from 4 million to 16 million at the 10% and 90% probability-levels, with a median (50% probability level) forecast of 8.7 million. This median forecast is below average (12.4 million).
Might even be better than 2015.
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From the link:
The total 2017 forecast of Fraser Pink Salmon ranges from 4 million to 16 million at the 10% and 90% probability-levels, with a median (50% probability level) forecast of 8.7 million. This median forecast is below average (12.4 million).
Might even be better than 2015.
the working estimate is now 4.8 million so they have dropped it by close to half based on test fisheries up to Aug 27th.
see: http://www.psc.org/publications/fraser-panel-in-season-information/fraser-river-panel-regulatory-announcements/
select Aug 28th
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Well on my lunch break today seen a school of them jumping around by knight street bridge it was good to see.
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I'll be trying for some pikeminnows and steelhead tomorrow, you never know..it's the Fraser :)
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I'll be trying for some pikeminnows and steelhead tomorrow, you never know..it's the Fraser :)
No Pink, Orange, nor Red spoons allowed ;)
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No Pink, Orange, nor Red spoons allowed ;)
Pike minnows love pink spoons.
(https://hpu4ka.bn1302.livefilestore.com/y4mpoXOdtCJLQhW3Eh_ZRe0o7zUlFUEsmucYlxi1yHHZK7lR6hrwWN7_sLZCybLtW9FaScbJSrHUUySEekI8N0kYHQotpZzPS7b-jls6OtZeoA9F6JS63UIe9_Ax31ngym2Nl_-1-78EZB-ZkIgGa_nknzemiL3oAQYVQPl3gSVptVI1h2qhmv5O-X6iKOZGh25VCNzM7L-fGKon4qhRmdSvw?width=638&height=640&cropmode=none)
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Lol, was out stergy fishing tonight and saw 4-5 guys bar fishing above the vedder,maybe they were stergy fishing, but looked funny with the bells on
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A nice spike in area 12 test numbers, 2136 sockeye and 3698 pinks.
http://www.psc.org/TestFish/Area12PSsummary.PDF
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That's a good sign. The Area 20 tests jumped up a bit as well. Hopefully this is the peak of the run that usually moves through both points at the end of August. If we see either a few more days of such number or better a continued jump we might yet get much better than 4.8 million.
Cross your fingers!
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There was also a big jump in the Area 7 (US) test fishery on Aug 20.
No boats out since then, however.
Not sure how they have 0 boats and 2 sets, though.
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Latest test fishing graphs updated.
(http://i.imgur.com/QirAWom.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/rO67Gi0.jpg)
Not sure how they have 0 boats and 2 sets, though.
reef net test fishery?
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Looking at the list a little closer, it appears that the American test fishery doesn't record the boat - only the set numbers.
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A nice spike in area 12 test numbers, 2136 sockeye and 3698 pinks.
http://www.psc.org/TestFish/Area12PSsummary.PDF
#s dropped to 715 for pinks. Few taken in the Fraser. My guess is there are not many in the lower river presently. Combined total for Juan de Fuca and Area 12 this year is much lower than '15.
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#s dropped to 715 for pinks. Few taken in the Fraser. My guess is there are not many in the lower river presently. Combined total for Juan de Fuca and Area 12 this year is much lower than '15.
Yeah when i was doing some graphing at home its looks to be close to 2005, 2007 numbers, and now it looks to be even lower then that
My rule of thumb for fishing sockeye and pink in the Fraser used to be, Not to bother going out until the Whonnic gillnet cough over 100-150 in a day.
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total Whonnock catch to date is 282, an average of 11 per day. Average since the 21st when the #s started to go up is 25. Best total to date is 61.
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I think the PSC report today will tells us how things look for an opening next week.
Checked with my local fishing store to see if they have heard anything (they get consulted/advised a few days before) - they have heard nothing.
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My rule of thumb for fishing sockeye and pink in the Fraser used to be, Not to bother going out until the Whonnic gillnet cough over 100-150 in a day.
There wasn't a single day in 2015 where whonock was over 100 pinks, but there was still some decent days. I wouldn't expect many if any this year either.
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no mention of an opening for the weekend. Forecast of 4.8 million is unchanged.
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They have already officially said that there will be NO consideration of openings before Labour Day.
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Not missing anything anyways. Having a family picnic at the river and haven't seen a single fish roll. :-\
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Run Status
DNA analysis of a fish sample recently collected from the Area 12 purse seine test fishery indicated Fraser
sockeye contributions of approximately 2% Early Summer-run, 52% Summer-run and 46% Late-run sockeye.
Analyses of recent DNA samples collected from the Area 12 test fishery indicate that 68% of the pink salmon
encountered are of Fraser River origin, 2% are from Puget Sound, and 30% are from South Coast stocks.
The estimated diversion rates of Fraser River sockeye and pink salmon through Johnstone Strait have increased since
last week to 97% and 72%, respectively, based on recent purse seine test fishery catches in the two approach areas.
At the meeting today, the currently
adopted pink salmon run-size estimate of 4,800,000 fish, with a 50% marine timing through Area
20 of August 24, was left unchanged.
Fraser River Pink Salmon
At Monday’s meeting, the Panel adopted an interim pink run size estimate for management purposes of 4,800,000
with a 50% peak migration timing through Juan de Fuca Strait of August 24. The estimated escapement of pink
salmon past Mission through August 30 is 785,100 fish.
the Area 12 test fishery indicate that 68% of the pink salmon
encountered are of Fraser River origin, 2% are from Puget Sound, and 30% are from South Coast stocks.
Based on very low sockeye encounter rates along the Juan de Fuca migration route, fisheries directed at Fraser
River pink salmon continued in U.S. Fraser River Panel waters this week. As announced, Treaty Indian fisheries
were opened with sockeye retention for ceremonial and subsistence purposes only. All Citizen reef-net fisheries
http://www.psc.org/publications/fraser-panel-in-season-information/fraser-river-panel-weekly-reports/ (http://www.psc.org/publications/fraser-panel-in-season-information/fraser-river-panel-weekly-reports/)
My Opinion:
Based on a area 20 peak run time of August 24, I would say peak for the Lower Fraser to be September 5-10. The recent crash in pink numbers is a bit concerning. If numbers don't pick up over the long weekend expect them to drop the forecast come tuesday. Every year you can see there is 3 distinct bumps these must be associated with different runs. Tho I dont believe the PSC does DNA for pink so not sure what systems they are associated with.
The graph below is every 4 years because I did a sockeye and chinook graph at the same time. So I used every 4 years
(http://www.sportfishingbc.com/forum/index.php?media/img_1761.470/full)
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Dispatched a Pink doe over the weekend on the Squamish that was riddled with parasites. The fish was in bad shape with bulging eyes...Over the past few years been seeing this more and more across all species and bodies of water.
Whatever is happening is preventing a lot of fish from reaching spawning grounds and passing on to other fish as well...
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Dispatched a Pink doe over the weekend on the Squamish that was riddled with parasites. The fish was in bad shape with bulging eyes...Over the past few years been seeing this more and more across all species and bodies of water.
Whatever is happening is preventing a lot of fish from reaching spawning grounds and passing on to other fish as well...
Any pictures?
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Dispatched a Pink doe over the weekend on the Squamish that was riddled with parasites. The fish was in bad shape with bulging eyes...Over the past few years been seeing this more and more across all species and bodies of water.
Whatever is happening is preventing a lot of fish from reaching spawning grounds and passing on to other fish as well...
Did the fish look good before you killed it? None of the ones I kept this season had that problem. Quite a few zombies on the river in the shallows yesterday. Some off chrome fish still around.
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Dispatched a Pink doe over the weekend on the Squamish that was riddled with parasites. The fish was in bad shape with bulging eyes...Over the past few years been seeing this more and more across all species and bodies of water.
Whatever is happening is preventing a lot of fish from reaching spawning grounds and passing on to other fish as well...
Dave know the cause. :-X :P
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Absolutely - caused by the recent eclipse ;D
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The fukushima incident's aftermath?
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I might take the Kayak out around Bedford channel and do some bull trout and cutty C&R fishing. I'll post up if I happen to release any and all incidentally caught pinks.
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Dispatched a Pink doe over the weekend on the Squamish that was riddled with parasites. The fish was in bad shape with bulging eyes...Over the past few years been seeing this more and more across all species and bodies of water.
Saw that today at the squam too. I was like WTF is that. Like a moor goldfish's eyes
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The fukushima incident's aftermath?
Very possible
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I've been keeping my eye on the Fraser and it's sad to report but I've seen very little evidence that there are any pinks at all. Over the last couple days I've seen maybe 6 fish roll which doesn't give me a lot of hope considering almost 800k have passed thru mission already.
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Sep 01 Whonnock 41 pinks Cottonwood 39 pinks.
Also saw quite a few rollers last night so they are definitely in.
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Compare to 2015, Whonnock caught about 100 more fish this year up to date.
However, saltwter test fishery number shows not even half of the harvest in 2015.
It is wierd. Really.........
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There wasn't a single day in 2015 where whonock was over 100 pinks, but there was still some decent days. I wouldn't expect many if any this year either.
Time to go fish the Fraser for Pinks, Its getting close to Peak run baby! (yes i know its closed), Catch is over 100!
(http://www.sportfishingbc.com/forum/index.php?media/untitled.473/full)
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Hi there. New to the forum.
I'd like to point out for the past two weeks I've been seeing LOTS of pinks in the Fraser river system.
I'm on the river from the Harrison down to the Sumas canal 4 days a week and have seen school after school with the numbers climbing every day. It looks to me to be either early or better numbers than 2015 but whatever. The numbers that I am seeing are for sure early than 2015. It pains me to see all these Pinks for weeks now and not one opportunity to target them.
To see them in the Harrison this early is deffenetly an awesome sight.
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If the Fraser is open, from Mission and above you should be able limit out pretty quickly. The limit in 2015 was 2 pinks so it should be similar this year. The Vedder with the low and clear conditions, you will have to work a little bit harder.
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So when are they going to open the river? Tomorrow?
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So when are they going to open the river? Tomorrow?
Only god knows.......
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So when are they going to open the river? Tomorrow?
If they do open the rives we will ussaly have a few days if not a week notice. That's been the standard for a while now. With no notice at this time I feel that we will be missing the bulk of the run. But that's just my opinion.
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An opening can happen very quickly.
In 2015, the opening announcement came at 4:45PM on Sept 4: Effective 00:01 hours Saturday, September 5, 2015
http://www-ops2.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fns-sap/index-eng.cfm?pg=view_notice&DOC_ID=175485&ID=all
With the PSC meeting tomorrow, I believe they will open it on Wednesday or perhaps Friday.
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An opening can happen very quickly.
In 2015, the opening announcement came at 4:45PM on Sept 4: Effective 00:01 hours Saturday, September 5, 2015
http://www-ops2.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fns-sap/index-eng.cfm?pg=view_notice&DOC_ID=175485&ID=all
With the PSC meeting tomorrow, I believe they will open it on Wednesday or perhaps Friday.
That would be swell. Finger crossed.
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Yes I remember 2015 it was overnight. No real notice that I remember, only angler speculation. Hopefully we are hours away from an opening
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Starting Thursday evening , we are heading into cooler and wetter weather.
I'm hoping it opens Thursday or Friday.
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Starting Thursday evening , we are heading into cooler and wetter weather.
I'm hoping it opens Thursday or Friday.
Wednesday would be better! ;D
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One of my friends said Garry point fishing is fine for pinks right now (in a certain area/monument)? He said an officer questioned him but let them still fish.
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One of my friends said Garry point fishing is fine for pinks right now (in a certain area/monument)? He said an officer questioned him but let them still fish.
Where's the exact boundary between the salt and the tidal Fraser?
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Sub-area 29-9 is open to salmon fishing and pink salmon retention.
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(http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/maps-cartes/areas-secteurs/images/29-eng.png)
Yup 29-9 is open, 29-11 to 29-17 are closed. 29-10 is open, but I don't know if that or 29-9 is included in Garry point.
With that said, the tidal Fraser is still closed, which I feel Garry point is a part of the tidal Fraser. But DFO might consider it 29-10?
I think it warrants a call to their office.
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It has been a long time since I fished there but there is a short section past a marker that is ocean.
Not really worth fishing as there is no reason for pinks to be there - just about 80 feet of shoreline.
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Hopefully they open it Wednesday. I just had a Facebook reminder that this day two years ago was when I caught my first pink that season.
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Plenty of Pinks in the Thompson River near Cache Creek over the weekend.
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The canal/Fraser area was boiling again today
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Not sure why some of you are thinking any day now... ::)
http://www-ops2.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fns-sap/index-eng.cfm?pg=view_notice&DOC_ID=200537&ID=all
"During the Fraser Panel call today, the run size for pink salmon was reduced
from the previous provisional run size of 4.8 million to 4.5 million with
August 23 run timing. The most recent pink stock identification samples
analyzed for Areas 12 and 20 purse seine test fisheries indicate Fraser origin
pink salmon comprise 75% and 71%, respectively. Based on a pink run size of 4.5
million the US total allowable catch has been achieved during the most recent
fisheries."
"Earlier in the season First Nations food, social and ceremonial sockeye
fisheries were restricted by a 4 week window closure protecting Early Stuart
and the earliest timed Early Summer run stocks with limited fishing
opportunities in-river directed at Chinook salmon. These Chinook directed
fisheries may continue to occur in both the lower and mid-river fishing areas
up to Lillooet and in portions of the Thompson River drainage, until the coho
window closure comes into effect. Areas in the Fraser River upstream of
Lillooet have been severely impacted by the numerous forest fires this season
which have prevented many First Nations from any fishing to date. As a result
the department is allowing for limited sockeye directed fishing opportunities
for a modest number of sockeye in a number of locations as no other species of
salmon are available for harvest in these areas. In inside coastal waters,
limited fishing opportunities directed on pink, chum and chinook have been
permitted with the retention of dead sockeye being permitted. Sockeye
encountered and kept or released in all these fisheries are accounted for as
part of the Low Abundance Exploitation Rate limits."
"The Department is receiving questions regarding the possibility of recreational
fishery openings for chinook and/or pink salmon in the Fraser River. At this
time management measures in place are aimed at limiting impacts on Fraser
sockeye while allowing First Nations food, social and ceremonial fisheries,
directed on other species, to occur. DFO will continue to monitor the
migration of sockeye through the marine areas and the Fraser River and will
consider an opening for pink salmon when it is determined that impacts of an in-
river recreational fishery would be minimal for sockeye. As Late Run sockeye
can demonstrate holding behaviour in the lower river and off the river mouth,
such an opportunity is likely not to occur in the immediate future. Due to
significantly reduced FSC harvest for First Nations this year, with very low
harvests of both sockeye and chinook to date, DFO is not considering opening
additional recreational chinook fisheries in the river at this time to provide
for priority access for First Nations FSC fisheries."
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Never had a Sockeye bite my pink spoon but whatever. We have to protect the sockeye I guess ::)
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No reason why the Chilliwack Vedder does not open for those that like to fish pinks.
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I was thinking about when they say things like "As Late Run sockeye can demonstrate holding behaviour in the lower river and off the river mouth".
My first reaction was "is that what you are observing this year?"
Seems like such a weak argument - based on an assumption.
Then I thought about the amount of manpower it would take to assess this.
DFO must be difficult to manage - for a few months of the year, you could use 100 more people.
But how do you justify that for the rest of the year?
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No reason why the Chilliwack Vedder does not open for those that like to fish pinks.
Same goes for the Harrison. But my instincts tell me since they're all connected to the Fraser system, the current lawsuit against the feds has something to do with it. I can fish for them in the salt at the mouth but not in the Fraser? Something is fishy ;)
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lots of pink rolling near No.3 rd, now.
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No reason why the Chilliwack Vedder does not open for those that like to fish pinks.
Salmon fishing is open in the Chilliwack/Vedder, although closed for retention of pinks c&r is still allowed. At least as of Saturday there were a few pinks in the river, but by no means are they plentiful. Of the fish I did see - both in the lower and upper river - many were already quite dark - big humped out males and females with striped bellies. Yes, this has been a disappointing pink season, but let's DFO can resist pressures and decides to let these fish spawn in peace, so the next cycle won't be nearly as bad. In the mean time, I will be enjoying a river that is less crowded by both non-targeted fish and inexperienced anglers.
Maybe this year will be a step forward for angler education levels, as everyone will have to work a little harder for their catch and a lack of easy targets will cause many to give up.
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Many 'boatless 'people buy the tidal license for the Fraser Pink fishery. No one thinks that they can catch a sockeye with the pink lure in tidal Fraser except the DFO 'fishing experts' with their silly and un-based conclusion. Perhaps we should have a poll on that to see the possibility of such a rare occurrence. Perhaps another demonstration fishing with pink lure to prove the ignorance of DFO and their 'experts'. To regulate a fishery based on such rare occurrence to shut down so many who have purchased the tidal license purely for the tidal Fraser pink is really what infuriates people. Perhaps DFO should allow people to cancel their license to get a refund. Such restriction on recreational fishery is not based on actual result on the fishing ground, but based on imagination of those DFO 'experts' or head honchos who don't fish a day in their life and have no business deciding the fishing opportunities of so many who are much more in touch with the reality on the tidal Fraser fishery. Why don't they just ask the actual experts on tidal Fraser like Rod on the likelihood of hitting or killing a sockeye while target pinks? Lol.
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No reason why the Chilliwack Vedder does not open for those that like to fish pinks.
Same goes for the Harrison. But my instincts tell me since they're all connected to the Fraser system, the current lawsuit against the feds has something to do with it. I can fish for them in the salt at the mouth but not in the Fraser? Something is fishy ;)
DFO manages the Fraser pinks as one big stock. Pinks do not adhere to the same 'homing' instinct on their return spawning run as other salmon. Substantial % will spawn pretty much anywhere.
Both the Vedder and the Harrison have sockeye runs - the Weaver creek run starts to show now and the Cultus Lake stock is at a concern level. Both can be successfully targeted with sport fishing methods.
Most of the pinks in the lower Harrison in early to mid Sept will actually spawn in the Fraser.
As for fishing for springs and pinks happening in the salt - that's what happens when you are at the end of the line. You get the last kick at the cat.
FWIW I don't think we'll see an opening for a week or so provided the escapement past Mission exceeds 1 to 1.5 million. That's one of the things you get for turning the pink fishery into a carnival circus.
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DFO manages the Fraser pinks as one big stock. Pinks do not adhere to the same 'homing' instinct on their return spawning run as other salmon. Substantial % will spawn pretty much anywhere. That's one of the things you get for turning the pink fishery into a carnival circus.
Where's the like button? ;)
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Will someone please tell the morons at dfo who call the shots, sockeye DO NOT GET CAUGHT in the tidal Fraser by anglers casting for pinks. This bs is beyond ridiculous now...
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Will someone please tell the morons at dfo who call the shots, sockeye DO NOT GET CAUGHT in the tidal Fraser by anglers casting for pinks. This bs is beyond ridiculous now...
Maybe DFO have found a way to catch sockeyes on the Lower Fraser :o
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During the Fraser Panel call today, the run size for pink salmon was reduced
from the previous provisional run size of 4.8 million to 4.5 million with
August 23 run timing. The most recent pink stock identification samples
analyzed for Areas 12 and 20 purse seine test fisheries indicate Fraser origin
pink salmon comprise 75% and 71%, respectively. Based on a pink run size of 4.5
million the US total allowable catch has been achieved during the most recent
fisheries.
The Department is receiving questions regarding the possibility of recreational
fishery openings for chinook and/or pink salmon in the Fraser River. At this
time management measures in place are aimed at limiting impacts on Fraser
sockeye while allowing First Nations food, social and ceremonial fisheries,
directed on other species, to occur. DFO will continue to monitor the
migration of sockeye through the marine areas and the Fraser River and will
consider an opening for pink salmon when it is determined that impacts of an in-
river recreational fishery would be minimal for sockeye. As Late Run sockeye
can demonstrate holding behaviour in the lower river and off the river mouth,
such an opportunity is likely not to occur in the immediate future. Due to
significantly reduced FSC harvest for First Nations this year, with very low
harvests of both sockeye and chinook to date, DFO is not considering opening
additional recreational chinook fisheries in the river at this time to provide
for priority access for First Nations FSC fisheries. For information on
current recreational fishery opportunities for chinook in other areas please
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Were does it say that area 29-9 and 29-10 are open.
I've been searching the DFO site but can't find anything about it.
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We'll have to set our sights lower than pinks. Chums are becoming the new pinks ;D
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Next PSC meeting is in Friday so no Fraser openings this week. With the way today's report was worded I'm pretty pessimistic on an opening during the peak of this weak run.
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Next PSC meeting is in Friday so no Fraser openings this week. With the way today's report was worded I'm pretty pessimistic on an opening during the peak of this weak run.
Didn't someone earlier say the intended escapement is 6 million pinks? With the current estimated run size of 4.5million, why would there be a sport opening for pinks at all?
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Were does it say that area 29-9 and 29-10 are open.
I've been searching the DFO site but can't find anything about it.
There was a similar closure in 2013 and some disagreement on the other fishing forums where it was said by someone that only a small part of Garry Point was open and people will get ticketed by the officers outside that area while I said that the entire 29-9 was open because 29-9 was excluded in the Fishery Notice back then (2013: http://www-ops2.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fns-sap/index-eng.cfm?pg=view_notice&lang=en&DOC_ID=153083&ID=all)
So I contacted the DFO resource manager Mr. B Matts for clarification in 2013 and he said that 29-9 is not part of the tidal Fraser River closure. You can fish basically anywhere in 29-9 based on the regulations below. Of course, everyone is encouraged to contact DFO themselves for clarification.
See here for Area 29 openings and closures. Notice Area 29-9 is closed for retention of Chinook and Sockeye but is open for retention of Chum, Coho, and Pink.
http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/rec/tidal-maree/a-s29-eng.html
(https://y7jbew-dm2306.files.1drv.com/y4mgAtRu_IpookcI5qbTrnR6A27EDJoMD85KWxx31FRb0omOVaC-9WLZ2VzcSbdwvWRVCRWxZcxNeBoDogkikMTl8v5oIwlMJRJviK7LgG_V7f0XTstDQrYOxq6o08zMtCuWSN1dHrQ3WzHHiTc4rQo5oh_9sSHWC6IweXaKrD4FP_4jCNvkIl6IBK7dOXfRCaqSvvxKgh4cpH_j23YlLRcIQ?width=894&height=717&cropmode=none)
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DFO is not considering opening additional recreational chinook fisheries in the river at this time to provide for priority access for First Nations FSC fisheries. WTF
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I guess we know where everyone is going tomorrow... ;D It should be a dandy from 4pm to sundown. I look forward to see some pics. ;)
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I guess we know where everyone is going tomorrow... ;D It should be a dandy from 4pm to sundown. I look forward to see some pics. ;)
Not me, I hate crowds. :)
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I guess we know where everyone is going tomorrow... ;D It should be a dandy from 4pm to sundown. I look forward to see some pics. ;)
Yeah! Some pics. of ticket. ;D
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Ticket?
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Didn't someone earlier say the intended escapement is 6 million pinks? With the current estimated run size of 4.5million, why would there be a sport opening for pinks at all?
"DFO will continue to monitor the
migration of sockeye through the marine areas and the Fraser River and will
consider an opening for pink salmon when it is determined that impacts of an in-
river recreational fishery would be minimal for sockeye."
Looks to me like pinks would be open if sockeye counts were not so low. Not sure what their escapement number is.
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I guess we know where everyone is going tomorrow... ;D It should be a dandy from 4pm to sundown. I look forward to see some pics. ;)
I'd rather fish pikeminnows in solitude, it's been awesome :)
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fish in fraser
chinook - > new sockeye
pink ->new chinook
chum -> new pink
coho -> new chum
pikeminow -> new coho
where to go fishing tomorrow?
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Wasn't very good yesterday in the evening, rocks aren't a easy place to fish off.
Better off chasing pikeminow
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if i fish for pike minnow and accident hook a pink salmon and release will.i get a ticket.also when is close for salmon fishing can i still catch and release them?thanks
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No fishing for salmon - can't target, catch and release.
No retention for salmon - can target, catch and release, but cannot retain.
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Things like this donot help the pinks or any other salmon. One would think charges should have been laid. https://youtu.be/80uZmWQOqcQ
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Things like this donot help the pinks or any other salmon. One would think charges should have been laid. https://youtu.be/80uZmWQOqcQ
DFO would rather target recreational fisherman, who take a tiny amount of the fish and most do so respectfully, than actually enforce the law and get tough on the polluters / aboriginal / commercial. It burns me up!
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Things like this donot help the pinks or any other salmon. One would think charges should have been laid. https://youtu.be/80uZmWQOqcQ
Doesn't matter, DFO is simply shut down recreational fishing if there isn't enough fish
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https://vancouver.craigslist.ca/pml/for/d/fresh-sockeye-salmon/6292609586.html
allowing first nations to sell socekye freely while we cant simply fish for pinks aint right !
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https://vancouver.craigslist.ca/pml/for/d/fresh-sockeye-salmon/6292609586.html
allowing first nations to sell socekye freely while we cant simply fish for pinks aint right !
Yes!! Finally we are getting some fresh sockeyes!!! May be not.... badly wounded sockeyes may be.....
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i walk my dog near there reserve and i can see catering vans picking up bags of sockeyes :-[
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Yes!! Finally we are getting some fresh sockeyes!!! May be not.... badly wounded sockeyes may be.....
Or Should I say fataly damaged sockeyes??
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it's pretty simple!
if people quit buying salmon from the First Nations there will be no market!
It is illegal for First Nations to sell their food fish and most people don't realize that.
If you quit buying them then maybe the First Nations will actually just catch enough salmon for their own consumption.
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I cruised up the Fraser with a small detour through the canal just to check things out. 3 small boats, 2 guide boats, I saw a few schools but no big numbers. It's funny what catch and release does to people. This time two years ago the canal was packed from sun up to sun down. Even during the week.
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I was out at Sand Heads last night, Pinks everywhere, Tons of schools jumping and finning. Expect good number in the river in the next few days especially if we get rain!
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The minimal rain they're expecting won't push any in.
I was out at Sand Heads last night, Pinks everywhere, Tons of schools jumping and finning. Expect good number in the river in the next few days especially if we get rain!
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The minimal rain they're expecting won't push any in.
They have been pushing in on every tide for awhile now.
Whonnock test net had 132 pinks on Sep 3, meanwhile we keep watching from the sidelines.
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They have been pushing in on every tide for awhile now.
Whonnock test net had 132 pinks on Sep 3, meanwhile we keep watching from the sidelines.
yesterday it was 42. The 2nd and 3rd were the only days over 60 excepting Aug 25th which was 61.
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By comparison in 2015 for the month of August they never hit more than 34 and for September they never hit the triple digits, so I'm not exactly sure what kind of a picture you are trying to paint Ralph?
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looking at one or 2 days and declaring some sort of abundance can be deceiving. You want to compare '15 to '17 the give us the full catch for the year to date in both cases.
Wait I can do that for you; total for '15 to 6-Sept was 669 this year 727, a difference of 60 fish. What can you make of that? Not very much.
It kind of gets me is the adolescent whining and crying about supposed abundance and the lack of fishing opportunity when it's very clear the return is low, supposedly lower than 2015 which was the lowest return of the previous 10 cycles or more.
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It kind of gets me is the adolescent whining and crying about supposed abundance and the lack of fishing opportunity when it's very clear the return is low, supposedly lower than 2015 which was the lowest return of the previous 10 cycles or more.
I don't think anyone is declaring an abundance but merely stating that if 2015 was open, that this year should be open as well. This was the first year i was going to fish the Fraser with my 2 year old son. Hell it was the first year I was planning to fish the Fraser since I was 10 and flossed for sockeye in the late 90's.
For young fishermen like myself, we have not enjoyed the opportunities that the fishermen of the last 50 years have had to rape and pillage the resource.
So yeah i'm going to whine a bit because i'm a Millennial and that's what we do
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For young fishermen like myself, we have not enjoyed the opportunities that the fishermen of the last 50 years have had to rape and pillage the resource.
Thus far, the DFO, FN, the Commies and now the Baby Boomers are all being blamed for the decline of the salmon stocks. Who is next on the blame list, Simon Fraser?
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Thus far, the DFO, FN, the Commies and now the Baby Boomers are all being blamed for the decline of the salmon stocks. Who is next on the blame list, Simon Fraser?
I'm pretty sure the Baby Boomers still run all thoes corporations ;) lol
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Bingo. Greedy sons of b's screwed it all up for their own grandchildren. Real nice thanks a lot pops
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Bingo. Greedy sons of b's screwed it all up for their own grandchildren. Real nice thanks a lot pops
You are welcome, son. Next time you check your Facebook account on your smartphone, buy your life-saving medication, get a cheap plane ticket to go to Vegas or Puerto Vallarta in just a few hours, crash your car head-on because you are texting behind the wheel but live to tell the story because of the deployed air bags, remember it was all us pops who made that possible. ;)
Go now and keep working those two or three part time jobs with no benefits that barely cover your rent (because you will never own your own home) and your junk food (because with three jobs you simply have no time to cook).
And forget the inheritance money as I am spending it on brandy, Cuban cigars and women your age and younger. :P
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You forgot about CPP and how you're making sure there will be none left for millenials :P
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Bringing this slightly back on topic. Just heard via my local hatchery that was going to go gather some pink eggs, that this won't be happening as the DFO stated that Squamish run has had less than 2% of the normal pinks return. Eesh.
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Bringing this slightly back on topic. Just heard via my local hatchery that was going to go gather some pink eggs, that this won't be happening as the DFO stated that Squamish run has had less than 2% of the normal pinks return. Eesh.
They can get them from the Fraser when it opens tomorrow lol ;D
(Just my fishful thinking)
Alternatively, The Whinnock and Cottonwood test fisheries should have some eggs left over.
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Rod, Just a FYI the number for Jennifer Nener (604-666-0789) that you posted on your Facebook page is no longer in service. Do you have another I can phone.
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Rod, Just a FYI the number for Jennifer Nener (604-666-0789) that you posted on your Facebook page is no longer in service. Do you have another I can phone.
That's the number in the fishery notice, all I have.
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http://www.psc.org/FRPWeb/Escapement/Pink_Escapement.pdf
I believe someone said the target is 1.5 million pinks past Mission (Ralph?).
Just clicked over 1.5M on Sept 5 - they may have stopped counting or are slow to update.
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That's the number in the fishery notice, all I have.
Try the assistant (removed link that may not work):
Executive Assistant : Vanessa Hodgkins
Telephone : 604-666-2409
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http://www.psc.org/FRPWeb/Escapement/Pink_Escapement.pdf
I believe someone said the target is 1.5 million pinks past Mission (Ralph?).
Just clicked over 1.5M on Sept 5 - they may have stopped counting or are slow to update.
I believe the minimum escapement for conservation purposes is 3 million. I read this many years ago. My thinking was once they saw half that number was past mission they may open it to sport fishing provided they decide the remaining sockeye run will be ok.
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...the DFO stated that Squamish run has had less than 2% of the normal pinks return. Eesh.
Wow, if the run was down by 98%+ is it not somewhat surprising that it was kept open.
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I guess we are all waiting for DFO notice today on whether the pinks will be open or not? Would not mind tossing spoons with family on the lower Fraser! If not, oh well.
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Wow, if the run was down by 98%+ is it not somewhat surprising that it was kept open.
No kidding. It is still open too.
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"The Fraser River Panel met Friday, September 8th to receive an update on the migration of
Fraser River sockeye and pink salmon and review the status of migration conditions in the Fraser
River watershed.
Daily abundances of Fraser sockeye continue to track below median forecast levels, as do
daily abundances of pink salmon. At the meeting today, the panel adopted an Early Stuart run size
of 47,000 with marine timing of July 4th, an Early Summer run size of 165,000 with marine timing
of August 4th, a Summer run size of 1,044,000 with marine timing of August 11th
, a Late run size
of 231,000 with marine timing of August 16th, and a pink salmon run-size of 3,700,000, with a 50%
marine timing through Area 20 of August 19th.
On September 7th the discharge of the Fraser River at Hope was 1,884 m3
/s, which is
approximately 21% below average for this date. The temperature of the Fraser River at Qualark
Creek on September 7th was 18.10
C, which is 2.10C higher than average for this date. Fraser River
discharge levels and water temperatures will be monitored closely to determine if specific
management actions are required during the in-river migratory period to help achieve sockeye and
pink salmon escapement goals.
All Panel Area waters remain closed to commercial salmon fishing.
The Panel did not schedule another in-season meeting, but asked for regular updates on
the migration of Fraser sockeye and pink salmon."
http://www.psc.org/publications/fraser-panel-in-season-information/fraser-river-panel-regulatory-announcements/
Finally, the anticipated Friday report.
Looks like the pink run was downgraded again to just 3.7 million fish. Sockeye final numbers 1.5 million.
I guess there will be no opening this year? No updates for pinks in the regs either.
http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/rec/fresh-douce/region2-eng.html
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I've been chasing dinos for a month on the stretch of river near the vedder river mouth and have checked it most mornings looking for the schools of pinks that should be everywhere,but they are just not there. Very few salmon rolling at all.
No one is missing out on fishing pinks because the numbers just aren't there.
I see way more sturgeon rolling than salmon on the main river on any given day.
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Nail in the Coffin of the 2017 Fraser Pink Fishery
http://notices.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fns-sap/index-eng.cfm?pg=view_notice&DOC_ID=200693&ID=all
The Department is receiving questions regarding the possibility of recreational
fishery openings for pink salmon in the Fraser River. For 2017, DFO is not
considering an in-river, recreational pink retention fishery in the river
because there is no remaining TAC for directed recreational or commercial pink
fisheries.
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It's Friday night, who wants to go catch some rats?
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Note that the current run size does not provide any TAC for a retention fishery, what the department needs to understand is that the recreational fishing sector is not the same as other sectors. We are just looking for opportunities to fish. The resource managers need to consider the possibility of opening it for catch and release only, but they don't, because that's not how they manage these fish. Phone...
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Note that the current run size does not provide any TAC for a retention fishery, what the department needs to understand is that the recreational fishing sector is not the same as other sectors. We are just looking for opportunities to fish. The resource managers need to consider the possibility of opening it for catch and release only, but they don't, because that's not how they manage these fish. Phone...
IF there is no Remaining TAC, have they closed the salt?
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No, there's enough for that, just nothing left for the commoners. ;)
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SO.................What happened . What's the science behind all this . What do the experts say ? .
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The eclipse, that's what happened.
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Note that the current run size does not provide any TAC for a retention fishery, what the department needs to understand is that the recreational fishing sector is not the same as other sectors. We are just looking for opportunities to fish. The resource managers need to consider the possibility of opening it for catch and release only, but they don't, because that's not how they manage these fish. Phone...
...just what we need, an unofficial opening for poachers! 8)
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The eclipse, that's what happened.
I just sat and stared at my computer screen for 10 mins in disbelief. Anger, Turned into depression and now acceptance.
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It's Friday night, who wants to go catch some rats?
Well, show me the way
To the next whisky bar
Oh, don't ask why
Oh, don't ask why
For if we don't find
The next whisky bar
I tell you we must die
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DX42_3ZKv8c
with acknowledgements to Bertolt Brecht
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...just what we need, an unofficial opening for poachers! 8)
::)
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I guess I'll help my neighbor catch and release some more raccoons.
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Should be some pinks in the Vedder by now...
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Now it will be nice if the Vedder will be closed too. That will be justification to organize a protest in front of DFO offices for refund of our licenses. They refund concert tickets if the show is cancelled, don't they? ;D ;D ;D
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Now it will be nice if the Vedder will be closed too. That will be justification to organize a protest in front of DFO offices for refund of our licenses. They refund concert tickets if the show is cancelled, don't they? ;D ;D ;D
...maybe Jennifer would come out and sing an encore?
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...maybe Jennifer would come out and sing an encore?
I think even a lap dance is not gonna cut it at this point :(
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If the water gets lower and warmer, a ban on fishing for pinks in the Vedder may be needed.
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Wow dfo threw the natives right under the buss in this one. Surprised to see the
Media roll with it. 25 illigal sockeye nets in one weekend. Care to comment relph thought u said they were using larger Chinook mesh. I have been a defender of their fishery but that many non compliance in one weekend is crazy.
"He said one of the hotspots for infractions is along the Fraser between Chilliwack and Hell's Gate. There, officers seized 25 sockeye mesh gillnet last weekend alone. The nets are used specifically to entangle sockeye, and Redekopp said in all 25 instances, the fishers were from area First Nations."
http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/canada/british-columbia/dfo-officers-step-up-salmon-fishing-enforcement-1.4273026?utm_source=Watershed+Watch+Email+List&utm_campaign=4bd4dd5e1c-Salmon_News_Sept8_2017&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_405944b1b5-4bd4dd5e1c-166913893&mc_cid=4bd4dd5e1c&mc_eid=f28e2c3da9
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Wow dfo threw the natives right under the buss in this one. Surprised to see the
Media roll with it. 25 illigal sockeye nets in one weekend. Care to comment relph thought u said they were using larger Chinook mesh. I have been a defender of their fishery but that many non compliance in one weekend is crazy.
"He said one of the hotspots for infractions is along the Fraser between Chilliwack and Hell's Gate. There, officers seized 25 sockeye mesh gillnet last weekend alone. The nets are used specifically to entangle sockeye, and Redekopp said in all 25 instances, the fishers were from area First Nations."
http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/canada/british-columbia/dfo-officers-step-up-salmon-fishing-enforcement-1.4273026?utm_source=Watershed+Watch+Email+List&utm_campaign=4bd4dd5e1c-Salmon_News_Sept8_2017&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_405944b1b5-4bd4dd5e1c-166913893&mc_cid=4bd4dd5e1c&mc_eid=f28e2c3da9
Thanks so much for posting this article link. It is a reminder that First Nations and non-First Nations fishermen alike not only should face much stiffer penalties for non-compliance, but all fishermen need to take much more seriously the understanding of the laws and regulations before heading out to the fishing grounds. The future of the salmon resource is critically important.
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Perhaps you'd like to comment on the sport fishing infractions also mentioned. Just conveniently left that out huh?
The native using prohibited gear were charged. What else is there to say?
Wow dfo threw the natives right under the buss in this one. Surprised to see the
Media roll with it. 25 illigal sockeye nets in one weekend. Care to comment relph thought u said they were using larger Chinook mesh. I have been a defender of their fishery but that many non compliance in one weekend is crazy.
"He said one of the hotspots for infractions is along the Fraser between Chilliwack and Hell's Gate. There, officers seized 25 sockeye mesh gillnet last weekend alone. The nets are used specifically to entangle sockeye, and Redekopp said in all 25 instances, the fishers were from area First Nations."
http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/canada/british-columbia/dfo-officers-step-up-salmon-fishing-enforcement-1.4273026?utm_source=Watershed+Watch+Email+List&utm_campaign=4bd4dd5e1c-Salmon_News_Sept8_2017&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_405944b1b5-4bd4dd5e1c-166913893&mc_cid=4bd4dd5e1c&mc_eid=f28e2c3da9
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Perhaps you'd like to comment on the sport fishing infractions also mentioned. Just conveniently left that out huh?
The native using prohibited gear were charged. What else is there to say?
Relph I did comment on it when Global News covered the story but conveniently left out the part about the fist nations
http://www.fishingwithrod.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=41352.165
I was out in the salt it's been park out front of the river mouth (Sand Heads) for days. Got checked by DFO yesterday. They said that they wrote 2 full books worth of tickets for barb hooks in one day. Thats Freaking pathetic I am ashamed at people that use them. They said that they were asked to come help out front to manage the recreational fishery by the officer in charge of the Steveston office. As the Chilliwack, Mission, Langley and Steveston DFO offices have all there members working around the clock managing the native fishery up river.
The vessels is operated out of Victoria. It is not a Coast Guard Vessel it is owned by DFO and manned by 3 officers that work 2 weeks on 2 weeks off. Coast guard provides the pilot,cook and deck hands but it's directed where it's needed by DFO. It is a mid shore vessel and they recently had two of them built in hallifax.
The river will be open for Chum and Coho, Not sure about pinks
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I guess I'll help my neighbor catch and release some more raccoons.
Awesome hahaha
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Relph I did comment on it when Global News covered the story but conveniently left out the part about the fist nations
http://www.fishingwithrod.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=41352.165
As I said the FN people involved have been charged. Do you prefer that all FN people declare themselves virgins & then be tested for it?
- perhaps you can try to spell my name correctly - it's right in front of your face - Ralph with an a - who spells in with an e?
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As I said the FN people involved have been charged. Do you prefer that all FN people declare themselves virgins & then be tested for it?
- perhaps you can try to spell my name correctly - it's right in front of your face - Ralph with an a - who spells in with an e?
Sad to see how you have degraded into a troll and bully from being an amazing poster who used to comment on on science and habitat.
I'm out for awhile while people's hostilities calm themselves
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Excuse me but you singled me out to make a comment on something I know nothing about & now I am the bully & the troll?
The usual expectation I have is such requests will quickly degenerate into the usual racist notions that FN people be held to higher standards than everyone else.
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I'm out for awhile while people's hostilities calm themselves
It is unfortunate that this forum has degraded so much in recent months. Although Rodney would probably prefer to simply shut down the forum, that would be a tremendous loss as there is a wealth of valuable fishing info - dating back for years.
As Rodney is always busy with other projects, perhaps it is time for him to have a couple of moderators who have the time and non-bias attitude to help keep this forum free of the constant infighting and hostilities toward each other - and to especially, one specific user group.
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Relph I did comment on it when Global News covered the story but conveniently left out the part about the fist nations
http://www.fishingwithrod.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=41352.165
I think he was referring to the 2nd hot spot in the article which you left out:
"Aboard the CCGS M. Charles M.B., a team of three DFO officers and their colleagues from the Coast Guard prepare to patrol the second hot spot for violations — the ocean near the mouth of the Fraser."
But that's fine. I knew what your focus was.
Yeah, I thought it was weird too why you kept calling him "Relph".
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Not even a 1 week opening with a retention of 1 fish ? It's sad. It's clear how far down the ladder we all are in the eyes of DFO. On The surface the numbers look good to me. Much better than the Squamish.
Looks like 184 last set ? Just sayin
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I also feel the forum has degraded over the last few months. Why don't the moderators identify the worst offenders and ban them from the forum. I'd be more than happy to nominate some of the worst offenders. Maybe we could conduct a poll. Another possibility would be to set up a separate discussion arena on FWR just for those who like to take shots at each other.
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I also feel the forum has degraded over the last few months. Why don't the moderators identify the worst offenders and ban them from the forum. I'd be more than happy to nominate some of the worst offenders. Maybe we could conduct a poll. Another possibility would be to set up a separate discussion arena on FWR just for those who like to take shots at each other.
It's been that way as far as I can remember, at the start of every season. We can click on the "Report to moderator" link whenever a post is offensive. Once in a while, offensive posts do get removed but not as much as I would like to see.
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I also feel the forum has degraded over the last few months.
Why don't the moderators identify the worst offenders and ban them from the forum.
The problem being is that the listed moderators have no real daily presence on these forums and which is fair enough as work, family life etc come first. Many other forums I participate in have moderators whom interact daily on the forums and also shutdown offenders and threads as soon as they start to spiral out of control.
I'd be more than happy to nominate some of the worst offenders. Maybe we could conduct a poll.
I am sure we all have our own ideas on whom the worst offenders are, but a poll can be completely self defeating as your very own name may end up on that poll - and not that I am suggesting that you should be.
Another possibility would be to set up a separate discussion arena on FWR just for those who like to take shots at each other.
One thing to think about. You would be posting shots to an anonymous person who really may not be who you think he or she really is. As the sage adage goes: On the Internet, nobody knows you're a dog. That said, like most here, I post under a handle but would not hesitate to reveal my real name to Rodney if he asked via PM.
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It doesn't take Einstein to know that the recent 'hostility' between sport fishers is due to not being out there fishing at this time of the season for pinks. It is called 'addiction withdrawal syndrome'. We are addicted to having so much fun with the pink fishery in the past, and now this... Be careful and take it easy on our loved ones too guys. Expect the withdrawal syndrome to last till the Vedder fishing picks up. ;D ;D ;D
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Someone who treats his loved ones poorly because of a lack of fishing opportunities needs to reassess their priorities. I believe it's time for me to withdraw from the fray. I'll check in occasionally to see if anyone is talking about fishing in a friendly manner. I'm going to miss Milo most
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I think this thread has run it's course.
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You people are falling for DFO lies. Simply google Whonnock test fishery. Look at the numbers of Pinks so far this year till today.
Now scroll down to 2015, enter area 29dg (Whonnock test net) compare the numbers to 2015. This year is showing far more Pinks than 2015.
Something is highly amiss with DFO and their prediction, because Whonnock says there are many more Pinks than they are claiming.
I hooked over 50 in 4 hours in the Vedder the other day, schools swarming everywhere.
today Sturgeon fishing near Aggasiz they were boiling the water.
Not only has DFO sold out on their promise to protect wild fish by allowing aquaculture to pollute our coast but now they are hoodwinking the public into believing their lies on actual numbers of fish. I have fished this River for 30 years and no way in the blue hell is this run gonna be less than 6-9 million fish. As tax paying citizens we are entitled to eat our Salmon should numbers allow and this run is far and away good enough to allow sportfishers to at least take home 2 Pinks a day.
Go out and explore before you cry the sky is falling, cause its not, you are just being sucked into a political agenda from a corrupt government agency.
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Good point. Now is pink retention allowed on the Vedder yet? That will help cut down the hostility here on this forum when people are fishing and in better mood. Lol.
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Good point. Now is pink retention allowed on the Vedder yet? That will help cut down the hostility here on this forum when people are fishing and in better mood. Lol.
No retention of pinks on the Vedder.
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Whonnock got 130 fish yesterday. They also got 132 on Sep 3rd. For comparison in 2015 we never had a day of over 95 EVER, yet we were getting limits starting on Sep 5th.
Now back to Ralph who surely will prove me wrong.
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You people are falling for DFO lies. Simply google Whonnock test fishery. Look at the numbers of Pinks so far this year till today.
Now scroll down to 2015, enter area 29dg (Whonnock test net) compare the numbers to 2015. This year is showing far more Pinks than 2015.
Something is highly amiss with DFO and their prediction, because Whonnock says there are many more Pinks than they are claiming.
I hooked over 50 in 4 hours in the Vedder the other day, schools swarming everywhere.
today Sturgeon fishing near Aggasiz they were boiling the water.
Not only has DFO sold out on their promise to protect wild fish by allowing aquaculture to pollute our coast but now they are hoodwinking the public into believing their lies on actual numbers of fish. I have fished this River for 30 years and no way in the blue hell is this run gonna be less than 6-9 million fish. As tax paying citizens we are entitled to eat our Salmon should numbers allow and this run is far and away good enough to allow sportfishers to at least take home 2 Pinks a day.
Go out and explore before you cry the sky is falling, cause its not, you are just being sucked into a political agenda from a corrupt government agency.
Hey man. DFO isn't fooling me either. I'm out there 3/4 days a week. I've seen Pinks in good number from the Harrison down for weeks now as well. I hear you loud and clear. I'm with you !
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any refunds on salmon tags? lol
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If DFO is not a government branch, they will lose all their license buying customers by now and go bankrupt. Government monopoly is never a good thing. Lol.
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they don't base the estimates on Whonnock Tangles.
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Regardless of where they get their estimates from it seems there is something...well...FISHY going on here....
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See, Tangles, you were wrong.... lol!
Here is the deal with the forum. On my to-do list, it's on the very bottom. Discussion forums are unfortunately on their dying days. It's still here because some of you still use it, and there's good info from the past 15 years. It actually costs me money to have it running. I skim through it maybe once a day unless posts are being reported. I think by now most of you are smart enough to realize that there are knowledgable individuals in here, but a few unfortunately are here to argue just for the sake of arguing, so they can feel like they are always right, more superior than others and feel better about themselves. Whatever makes you happy I guess, seems a little juvenile, and weird. I'd say just ignore it. Don't lose sleep over what some anonymous dude thinks about you lol. That behaviour just invalidates whatever the person has to say, regardless how right the information may be.
Carry on... :)
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Clearly this is all my fault and I am solely to blame! LOL!
Seriously, discussion of this nature are common everywhere people get together. It takes place in bars and at family dining room tables. It takes place in science, medicine & the arts. It's been going on for thousands of years and won't stop because someone doesn't like or considers it 'juvenile'. It's the nature of the beast.
Most other discussion forums like twitter and many of the 'comments' sections attached to media sites are often far worse. In many cases comments sections attached to on line news media sites have been disabled as it got so bad.
Overall of all the local discussion forums this one has always been among the best. Best exchange of info and the best decorum among the members. Sure there is friction over some issues and this gets irritated over a couple of issues - like closing salmon fishing on the Fraser.
When it does go it will be missed, I will miss it but business is business. The web is all about business now.
See, Tangles, you were wrong.... lol!
Here is the deal with the forum. On my to-do list, it's on the very bottom. Discussion forums are unfortunately on their dying days. It's still here because some of you still use it, and there's good info from the past 15 years. It actually costs me money to have it running. I skim through it maybe once a day unless posts are being reported. I think by now most of you are smart enough to realize that there are knowledgable individuals in here, but a few unfortunately are here to argue just for the sake of arguing, so they can feel like they are always right, more superior than others and feel better about themselves. Whatever makes you happy I guess, seems a little juvenile, and weird. I'd say just ignore it. Don't lose sleep over what some anonymous dude thinks about you lol. That behaviour just invalidates whatever the person has to say, regardless how right the information may be.
Carry on... :)
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If DFO is not a government branch, they will lose all their license buying customers by now and go bankrupt. Government monopoly is never a good thing. Lol.
Evaluating government departments on whether or not they would survive as for-profit businesses is a little silly ::)
Besides, the number of licenses sold doesn't directly affect DFO's budget. License monies are counted towards the government's general revenue, with the exception of the salmon stamp revenue; that goes to the Pacific Salmon Foundation AFAIK.
Edit: This forum's pretty good when it comes to civility. The arguments that surface around salmon season can be tiresome but generally it's a great community.
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I believe the Freshwater Salmon stamp revenue is used to directly fund habitat projects. I don't know about the Saltwater license stamp.
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I believe the Freshwater Salmon stamp revenue is used to directly fund habitat projects. I don't know about the Saltwater license stamp.
I was only talking about the saltwater stamps. I don't know where the freshwater stamps $ goes :)
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... they are hoodwinking the public into believing their lies on actual numbers of fish.
Go out and explore before you cry the sky is falling, cause its not, you are just being sucked into a political agenda from a corrupt government agency.
You say lies as if the DFO is intentionally reporting falsely low numbers for the purpose of denying the rec sector an opening.
I don't doubt that whatever data and models they are using to predict returns are probably subject to high uncertainty, and maybe they got it a little more wrong this year, but I would hope that at least their estimates are data driven, if maybe not their policy and decisions. I dont know if there's much transparency in how the run estimates are calculated so could be hard for a third party to confirm or refute.
Cool to hear that there is a lot pink activity up in the non-tidal though. Hopefully that bodes well for the next cycle.
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Chilliwack river pink are showing up. Since the water is still low, gongs stand in the water way blocked the fish going up. The fish school had to go back and forth in the pool. Not many bite of course.
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The Mission Sonar fence estimate as of Sept 7th is about 1.8 million pinks have swum past. Since Aug 31st over 100,000 pinks have swum by daily - (compare that to the Whonnock test #s); http://www.psc.org/FRPWeb/Escapement/Pink_Escapement.pdf
That is a lot of fish. Close to 1 million pinks in a week. I don't there is any other run of salmon in the river that can put so many individual fish in the river within one week and consider it's a week return.
Question is does that add up to significantly more than the 3.7 million estimate? My guess the run is more than half way competed.
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Even if the sporties took 10k pinks.....which in no way is going to happen...it wouldn't even be considered pocket change.
Again....all politics.....no math...no science...100% BS...period.
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Even if the sporties took 10k pinks.....which in no way is going to happen...it wouldn't even be considered pocket change.
Again....all politics.....no math...no science...100% BS...period.
Agreed. They made it really clear this year.
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Veddar/Chilliwack River Report (Canal Zone - Keith Wilson Bridge Down)
So .... drove to Chilliwack this morning (Not too early), arrived around 8am in the Canal Zone.
Saw LOTS of PINKS moving through the system.
Caught a total of 5 fish in the first 2 hours. I was using a Pink & Purple Jig -> Not under float just drifting with current. 3 Males (Semi Humpy) and 2 females.
When the Sun started shinning the Bite went off.
There were Lots of Recreational Fishermen out... which was nice to see.
If you have a chance to get out this week in the Morning, I do highly recommend it.
I saw a couple Pinks being Retained.
* I thought it was Catch & Release only? Maybe they were misidentified as Pike Minnow? lol
Tight Lines All!
As I said - the unofficial poaching season has begun. Some folks have no idea. Some don't care. Others armed with a deep sense of injustice will take a pink or 3 if they think they'll get away with it.
So Blair ... you didn't call this in?
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Interesting to compare the opening on the Squamish with the closure on the Fraser.
Even though it was apparent it was going to be a poor year on the Squamish the Fishing advisory board headed by a Chief of the Squamish Band recommended a sport opening with a bag of 1 fish recognizing the local economic value of the sport fishery.
On the Fraser the Sport segment doesn't seem to have any relationship to either PSC, DFO, FNs or the commercial segment. End result it doesn't even get to catch a fish this year. Not a one.
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You know... i was actually impressed. There were easily 150 guys out on that section... and i only saw (2) being kept in over 5 hrs out. Both were kept by "Old Guys". lol
No... did not "Report this".
I do not feel that seeing 2 pinks being kept is of a major concern.
I saw the MAJORITY of Rec Fishermen ... enjoying themselves, following the rules. This is the norm.
No point in "painting" a picture that is not true of the reality.
Just my Opinion.
Hopefully the DFO is out doing some REAL FISHERIES MANAGEMENT for once in the past 30 years.
There's a time and place for them to be at the Vedder, it sure wasnt today.
Are you certain they kept Pinks? Maybe they kept hatchery Coho. Maybe.
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Are you certain they kept Pinks? Maybe they kept hatchery Coho. Maybe.
Possibly hatchery coho, they were showing yesterday....
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Quite the wave of non-compliance along Tidal Fraser in the last few days. I am seeing quite a few anglers coming out of the woodwork. Interesting to see if DFO will come out with the big guns enforcing it.
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pretty doubtful they'd be coho this time of year. Spring jacks more likely.
150 guys, omg! and so the rationalizing begins.
Big risk is DFO may either close pinks specifically or just close the river to salmon fishing altogether.
If they don't a small limit may result in fewer dead fish due to poaching and hours of c&r. Many people will just take their fish and go home. I don't think pinks are as hardy as some other species.Always bothers me to hear of 'ethical' anglers who c&r some big number, like 70.
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I am very interested to see what will happen next year if millions of Sockey go up the river again.
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I am very interested to see what will happen next year if millions of Sockey go up the river again.
Why next year? Look up 3 years ago for the return and you will get an idea for next years return.
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brought in an absolutely chrome pink this morning that had me thinking coho till i got it to hand, tons of pinks rolling in the river this morning but i was after coho had 7 to hand and 2 were hatchery.
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LET THE SHOW BEGIN ;D ;D ;D
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Not a single pink at sandheads today. Rain must of pushed them all up the river. Last week schools were everywhere. If I had to go with my gut Id say that pinks are done for the year out there, if thats the case the DFO estimate is probably spot on.
Will see
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Drove by richmond today along dyke rd. Lots of fish rolling. Wish they would open the fraser even for just catch and release.😫
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Caught one and lost a couple at sandheads today they are still around
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LET THE SHOW BEGIN ;D ;D ;D
Should see flashlights on the banks right now! ;D
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LET THE SHOW BEGIN ;D ;D ;D
CARNAGE
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Scouted the Canal/Pillings/Wilson yesterday. Gauntlet of guys underneath the KWB bridge. Everyone was having a good time but no fish caught. I went down stream and worked my way back up with my spey rod. Some socks surfacing and nothing else.
Anyway lots and lots of guys out. Hardly any action to be seen.
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. I don't think pinks are as hardy as some other species.Always bothers me to hear of 'ethical' anglers who c&r some big number, like 70.
X2
I find I'm agreeing with you more and more on a variety of issues. I must have finally become an old fart. :o
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Welcome to the club Milo!
I don't believe in reincarnation but if I did I would not want to come back as a Vedder River pink salmon ... Ralph is correct, carnage is the right word.
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Do the pinks go into the hatchery? I was there yesterday and there were 12 red springs 1 coho but didn't see any pinks. I did see quite a few pinks in the Lower.
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4 guide boats in the Fraser at the Canal mouth this AM. 4 to 5 people per boat and almost everyone is nailing Pinks on all boats. Do the guides know something I don't. Seems strange to have them in the Fraser ( technically ) targeting salmon. Did they open it or something?
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3 days in a row of 129+ fish at the Whonnock gillnet(29D)
2017 YTD catch has already surpassed total 2015 whonnock numbers, with about 16 days left of test fishing this year. I don't understand it.
http://www.psc.org/publications/fraser-panel-in-season-information/test-fishing-results/#114-test-fishing-archive
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4 guide boats in the Fraser at the Canal mouth this AM. 4 to 5 people per boat and almost everyone is nailing Pinks on all boats. Do the guides know something I don't. Seems strange to have them in the Fraser ( technically ) targeting salmon. Did they open it or something?
Unless they are upriver beyond the triangle markers in the Vedder (a few hundred yards) they are still in the Fraser.
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I'd post a picture but I can't upload in this area. Maybe later I will. I'm just blown away by that. Something is wrong here. Very jealous
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With this joke of a salmon season I've just sent dfo an email asking for a refund on my salmon tags!
Perhaps next time we should all wait for them to open the river before buying tags. Massive drop in license revenues will send a strong message.
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The Mission Sonar fence estimate as of Sept 7th is about 1.8 million pinks have swum past. Since Aug 31st over 100,000 pinks have swum by daily - (compare that to the Whonnock test #s); http://www.psc.org/FRPWeb/Escapement/Pink_Escapement.pdf
That is a lot of fish. Close to 1 million pinks in a week. I don't there is any other run of salmon in the river that can put so many individual fish in the river within one week and consider it's a week return.
Question is does that add up to significantly more than the 3.7 million estimate? My guess the run is more than half way competed.
To piggy back on this thought, Just out of curiosity I looked at previous Whonnock test fishery results to try and guesstimate when the mid-way point of previous runs were by adding up the total season's catch from previous runs and determining on what date the 50% percentile fish was counted. The data is somewhat flawed as it runs from mid-August to late September so early arrivers and stragglers are not counted, however making the huge assumption that ‘most’ of the runs are accounted for, we get the following dates for the midway points:
2007 7-Sep
2009 8-Sep
2011 13-Sep
2013 12-Sep
2015 4 Sep
The ‘average date’ if that term is even valid here, would be somewhere around Sept-9 so the latest hydroacoustic numbers from Sept-7 are quite possibly right around or just prior to the midway point.
Looking at it another way, by Sept-7 the previous 5 runs had seen an average of 43% of the total test fishery catch (though there is a high of 65% in 2015 to a low of 20% in 2011), so very roughly guessing that the latest hydroacoustic numbers account for ~40-50% of this year’s run would put it at ~3.6M - 4.5M.
If the hydroacoustic method is at all accurate then the DFO estimate may actually not be all that far off when all is said and done.
Hydroacoustic counting is relatively newer but unfortunately I cant find any data for previous years so I have nothing to compare with. 2015 hydroacoustic numbers would be very interesting as the test fishery was significantly lower than this years…
I’ll make the compiled data available to anyone who wants to play around with it themselves.
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No More Pink Retention at the Mouth of Fraser, Fraser area and Nanaimo areas.
http://notices.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fns-sap/index-eng.cfm?pg=view_notice&DOC_ID=200734&ID=all
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The PSC estimates the 50% point of migration for the marine approaches. This year PSC identified Aug 19th for Area 20. In 2015 it was Aug 22nd. The historic median is Aug 29th. I don't know what all that means. I don't think any of it changes the outlook for less than 4 million fish.
To piggy back on this thought, Just out of curiosity I looked at previous Whonnock test fishery results to try and guesstimate when the mid-way point of previous runs were by adding up the total season's catch from previous runs and determining on what date the 50% percentile fish was counted. The data is somewhat flawed as it runs from mid-August to late September so early arrivers and stragglers are not counted, however making the huge assumption that ‘most’ of the runs are accounted for, we get the following dates for the midway points:
2007 7-Sep
2009 8-Sep
2011 13-Sep
2013 12-Sep
2015 4 Sep
The ‘average date’ if that term is even valid here, would be somewhere around Sept-9 so the latest hydroacoustic numbers from Sept-7 are quite possibly right around or just prior to the midway point.
Looking at it another way, by Sept-7 the previous 5 runs had seen an average of 43% of the total test fishery catch (though there is a high of 65% in 2015 to a low of 20% in 2011), so very roughly guessing that the latest hydroacoustic numbers account for ~40-50% of this year’s run would put it at ~3.6M - 4.5M.
If the hydroacoustic method is at all accurate then the DFO estimate may actually not be all that far off when all is said and done.
Hydroacoustic counting is relatively newer but unfortunately I cant find any data for previous years so I have nothing to compare with. 2015 hydroacoustic numbers would be very interesting as the test fishery was significantly lower than this years…
I’ll make the compiled data available to anyone who wants to play around with it themselves.
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Yeah, the numbers are super low. Just after the announcement to close it to the sportfishers, the DFO gives purse seine opening on on the Fraser!!!??!?!?
http://notices.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fns-sap/index-eng.cfm?pg=view_notice&DOC_ID=200734&ID=all
THIS IS MADNESS!!!!!!!
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Yeah, the numbers are super low. Just after the announcement to close it to the sportfishers, the DFO gives purse seine opening on on the Fraser!!!??!?!?
http://notices.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fns-sap/index-eng.cfm?pg=view_notice&DOC_ID=200734&ID=all
THIS IS MADNESS!!!!!!!
You linked to closure notice for pinks in salt.
Don't see any commercial opening except in the Charlottes (Haida Gwaii).
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My bad, grabbed the wrong notice. Something wonky in my browser.
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WOW. Rod obviously monitors this forum fairly often considering the speed at which all those posts got deleted.
As to why they got deleted.....hmmmm.
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My bad, grabbed the wrong notice. Something wonky in my browser.
the Musquem Band has a purse seine opening below Port Mann, Sept 11 and 12th
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You know.... that could be a possibility.
Honestly, at the time it never even entered my mind.
I was only standing about 20-30 yards away... However, I stand corrected and will say they: Could have been Coho's.
I guess without actually confirming, the benefit of the doubt should go to the Fishermen.
CASE DISMISSED!
lol
The initial gut reaction is usually the correct one. If you were that close you would most likely tell the difference the way the fish fought. I don't judge anymore unless I'm there to see it in person. I can't say that I'm always right because I thought I was making a mistake one day and then realized I was wrong about that.
I really like your statement," benefit of the doubt should go to the Fishermen." Wise words which also apply to our kids.
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Last sliver of the Fraser 29-9 now closed to pinks
http://notices.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fns-sap/index-eng.cfm?pg=view_notice&DOC_ID=200734&ID=all
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::)