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Fishing in British Columbia => Fishing Reports => Members' Fishing Reports => Topic started by: Stealth on December 05, 2008, 06:14:03 PM

Title: Chilliwack River, December 5th 2008: 1st Steelhead this season
Post by: Stealth on December 05, 2008, 06:14:03 PM
Well I had a couple of errands to run to day out in the Valley so I figured it would be a good excuse to have a look at the Vedder and check out some spots for the up coming winter steelhead season. The river is in great shape and it had at least one fish in it to day. Only fished for 20 min or so and got this 7 lb hatch doe in 2 ft of water. Nice surprise! always good to get a head start on the season.

(http://www.stealthfishing.com/gallery/19.jpg)
Title: Re: Chilliwack River, December 5th 2008: 1st Steelhead this season
Post by: younggun on December 05, 2008, 06:39:17 PM
Steve u always seem to amaze me. Wow, that is one nice fish. Atleast we know that if there was only one in the river it went somewhere. I've been eyeing that rod of yours, what is it?
Title: Re: Chilliwack River, December 5th 2008: 1st Steelhead this season
Post by: Spoonman on December 05, 2008, 07:10:10 PM
Nice! Resisting the urge to put on my waders right now! :P Might go tidy/restock the vest though! ;D
Title: Re: Chilliwack River, December 5th 2008: 1st Steelhead this season
Post by: troutbreath on December 05, 2008, 07:36:27 PM
Thanks for showing us how it's done :) Looks real tasty.
Title: Re: Chilliwack River, December 5th 2008: 1st Steelhead this season
Post by: typhoon on December 05, 2008, 07:38:27 PM
Wow! Great early fish.
The river will be busy this weekend  :D
Title: Re: Chilliwack River, December 5th 2008: 1st Steelhead this season
Post by: Fish Assassin on December 05, 2008, 08:09:55 PM
Now you've done it. The river will be gong show this weekend. ;D
Title: Re: Chilliwack River, December 5th 2008: 1st Steelhead this season
Post by: BigCoho on December 05, 2008, 08:51:11 PM
nice work! What did you nail it on?
Title: Re: Chilliwack River, December 5th 2008: 1st Steelhead this season
Post by: Hook Set on December 06, 2008, 11:41:05 AM
Nicely done, can't wait to get out there myself.
Title: Re: Chilliwack River, December 5th 2008: 1st Steelhead this season
Post by: rhino on December 06, 2008, 12:47:27 PM
very very nice!! :) I'm going fish the stamp tomorrow and with any luck I'll have some pictures to post for everyone!
Title: Re: Chilliwack River, December 5th 2008: 1st Steelhead this season
Post by: mr.pink on December 06, 2008, 01:02:17 PM
sweet,that gets the blood flowing.cheers.
Title: Re: Chilliwack River, December 5th 2008: 1st Steelhead this season
Post by: BigFisher on December 06, 2008, 01:13:02 PM
Stealths flying off the shelfs, flocks heading to the river.
Title: Re: Chilliwack River, December 5th 2008: 1st Steelhead this season
Post by: Fishin_Squirrel10-4 on December 07, 2008, 12:32:57 AM
anyone goin to the vedder on sat? i'd love to tag along with someone since i got no ride.
the water might be really really high by then.
this really is getting me excited  :D
beautiful fish, looks good enough to eat.
during november i also hooked on to a steelhead but didnt take a picture. its from my secret place  :P
Title: Re: Chilliwack River, December 5th 2008: 1st Steelhead this season
Post by: river walker on December 07, 2008, 04:25:28 PM
it in volves reading water. being in the right place right time... and usually a pink dink!

Title: Re: Chilliwack River, December 5th 2008: 1st Steelhead this season
Post by: Dr. Backlash on December 07, 2008, 08:09:04 PM
nice fish stealth!....just curious, how would a novice like me be able to positively identify a chrome steelhead like that, and not mistaken it for a jack spring (because it has spots all over the tail)?  The only way I know how to differentiate a steelhead from other salmon is by the pink stripe and pink cheeks, but this fish is so chrome, it doesn't have any pink anywhere.  Any info would be greatly appreciated!
Title: Re: Chilliwack River, December 5th 2008: 1st Steelhead this season
Post by: Fish Assassin on December 07, 2008, 11:12:53 PM
nice fish stealth!....just curious, how would a novice like me be able to positively identify a chrome steelhead like that, and not mistaken it for a jack spring (because it has spots all over the tail)?  The only way I know how to differentiate a steelhead from other salmon is by the pink stripe and pink cheeks, but this fish is so chrome, it doesn't have any pink anywhere.  Any info would be greatly appreciated!

Steelheads have a square tail.
Title: Re: Chilliwack River, December 5th 2008: 1st Steelhead this season
Post by: younggun on December 07, 2008, 11:15:31 PM
even though its a doe u can see a little bite of a kype on the lower jaw. And i find steelhead to be a longer fish than a jack spring of the same weight
Title: Re: Chilliwack River, December 5th 2008: 1st Steelhead this season
Post by: HOOK on December 08, 2008, 08:07:01 AM
it also helps that in th vedder the winter spring population is so small its like winning the lottery if you catch one LOL ( and return it !!) so its pretty obvious you caught a steely in that river. I mean yes there will be some resident bows around and Bull trout also however these fish are pretty obviously not steelhead  ;)
Title: Re: Chilliwack River, December 5th 2008: 1st Steelhead this season
Post by: Coho Cody on December 08, 2008, 12:25:28 PM
it also helps that in th vedder the winter spring population is so small its like winning the lottery if you catch one LOL ( and return it !!) so its pretty obvious you caught a steely in that river. I mean yes there will be some resident bows around and Bull trout also however these fish are pretty obviously not steelhead  ;)

you cannot always say that just because there is a small run or no run at all, that it has to be the certain species. A few salmon and steelhead get lost as opposed to where their spawning river is, and become strays. It is definately not a good idea to judge the species by the statement of "must be a steelhead, we dont get coho in this river".
Title: Re: Chilliwack River, December 5th 2008: 1st Steelhead this season
Post by: HOOK on December 08, 2008, 12:51:35 PM
ya well i was being river specific and ive never seen any coho or whatever after Jan1st in that river. I have seen a winter spring though  ;D talk about chrome. i guess that yes there could be strays that late in the season however its pretty unlikely.
Title: Re: Chilliwack River, December 5th 2008: 1st Steelhead this season
Post by: bbronswyk2000 on December 08, 2008, 03:38:35 PM
If you dont know what it is release it. If you dont know your species bring a regulations book with you to identify the fish. Never EVER assume!!!!!
Title: Re: Chilliwack River, December 5th 2008: 1st Steelhead this season
Post by: Nitroholic on December 08, 2008, 03:44:52 PM
If you dont know what it is release it.

these words here should be printed in bold and size 48 in the regulations imo
Title: Re: Chilliwack River, December 5th 2008: 1st Steelhead this season
Post by: Coho Cody on December 08, 2008, 04:55:33 PM
what is the daily quota for spruce and pine and how long do they have to be?
Title: Re: Chilliwack River, December 5th 2008: 1st Steelhead this season
Post by: Camman on December 08, 2008, 05:08:11 PM
i love stick fish, i think in area 29, it is 20 inches. ???
Title: Re: Chilliwack River, December 5th 2008: 1st Steelhead this season
Post by: Mike D. on December 08, 2008, 07:40:17 PM
Myself....I would release it if I couldn't accurately tell what species it is.  Like early this year I had to bring an identification booklet to determine if the branch I landed was pine or spruce, even then it was hard because it had been in the river for quite some time.

(http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d171/SportsFisher/DSCI0040.jpg)

This is a RARE bald spruce stickfish....I couldn't keep it however as only 2 return to the river every year  :-\ too many have poached this poor species....put up a great fight! They love bubbly gum worms  ;D
Title: Re: Chilliwack River, December 5th 2008: 1st Steelhead this season
Post by: Fish Assassin on December 08, 2008, 08:21:10 PM
http://www.kingcounty.gov/environment/animalsAndPlants/salmon-and-trout/identification/steelhead.aspx
Title: Re: Chilliwack River, December 5th 2008: 1st Steelhead this season
Post by: Fish Assassin on December 08, 2008, 09:23:29 PM
http://www.kingcounty.gov/environment/animalsAndPlants/salmon-and-trout/identification/steelhead.aspx

Yes FA but look at the tail in the pic I provided! I would not I.D. a fish as a steelhead just because it has a square tail.

Point taken. 2008-2009 Freshwater Regulations defines a steelhead as "a rainbow trout longer than 50 cm in waters where anadromous rainbow trout are found. A rainbow trout is described as : small black spots mostly restricted to above the lateral line, radiating rows of spots on the tail, and no teeth at the back of tongue.
Title: Re: Chilliwack River, December 5th 2008: 1st Steelhead this season
Post by: umpo4 on December 09, 2008, 02:02:48 PM
All good in comes first by looking in the MOUTH............. Black or gray tung and gums is a salmon. White mouth is a trout ( steelhead). Then you go from there. Springs, Kings, chinook,,,,all have BLACK tong & gums, hence the name " Blackmouth".  Coho/silvers have black tong gray gums. Just remember the trout family has NO black
Title: Re: Chilliwack River, December 5th 2008: 1st Steelhead this season
Post by: LargeMouthMinnow on December 09, 2008, 04:07:13 PM
That was actually the clearest explanation, I have heard yet.  Thanks, from a newbie!!!
Title: Re: Chilliwack River, December 5th 2008: 1st Steelhead this season
Post by: Dr. Backlash on December 09, 2008, 08:30:45 PM
All good in comes first by looking in the MOUTH............. Black or gray tung and gums is a salmon. White mouth is a trout ( steelhead). Then you go from there. Springs, Kings, chinook,,,,all have BLACK tong & gums, hence the name " Blackmouth".  Coho/silvers have black tong gray gums. Just remember the trout family has NO black

Thanks umpo4 and FA!  I'll look at the mouth to make sure its white from now on
Title: Re: Chilliwack River, December 5th 2008: 1st Steelhead this season
Post by: hotrod on December 10, 2008, 06:59:14 AM
Steelheads have a square tail.


What would this be then?


(http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i291/s_dykstra/Fishing/IMGP3170.jpg)

 I would say that this is a Chinnok!   8)


   Hotrod
Title: Re: Chilliwack River, December 5th 2008: 1st Steelhead this season
Post by: bbronswyk2000 on December 10, 2008, 07:45:13 AM
I agree with Hotrod its a Chinook
Title: Re: Chilliwack River, December 5th 2008: 1st Steelhead this season
Post by: Coho Cody on December 10, 2008, 08:24:20 AM
i hope so to :-X
Title: Re: Chilliwack River, December 5th 2008: 1st Steelhead this season
Post by: Richmond on December 10, 2008, 10:16:08 AM
not your usual looking blue back
but its a Coho
Title: Re: Chilliwack River, December 5th 2008: 1st Steelhead this season
Post by: Tex on December 10, 2008, 10:21:51 AM
The shape and a lot of the colouration/spotting screamed "chinook!" to me at first, but closer inspection of the head and mouth, along with the tail, have swayed my opinion back over towards coho.
Title: Re: Chilliwack River, December 5th 2008: 1st Steelhead this season
Post by: coho_killer on December 10, 2008, 10:24:07 AM
Well thats the first coho i've ever seen that looks like a spring jack!

                                                 CK
Title: Re: Chilliwack River, December 5th 2008: 1st Steelhead this season
Post by: Mike D. on December 10, 2008, 01:53:18 PM
looks like a big fat coho doe....can tell just by looking at the head and tail, I notice that some coho almost have or do have a square tail!
Title: Re: Chilliwack River, December 5th 2008: 1st Steelhead this season
Post by: Trout Slayer on December 10, 2008, 05:11:24 PM
HAHA thats a "chinook" wow they really do need to make a fishing license test. Coho not even disputable.
Title: Re: Chilliwack River, December 5th 2008: 1st Steelhead this season
Post by: Steely on December 10, 2008, 05:37:04 PM
The fish is clipped which also means it's probly a coho and no spots on the tail. It's a coho but a weird looking one
Title: Re: Chilliwack River, December 5th 2008: 1st Steelhead this season
Post by: wagz on December 10, 2008, 06:16:29 PM
I agree - Coho.
Title: Re: Chilliwack River, December 5th 2008: 1st Steelhead this season
Post by: bederko on December 10, 2008, 06:51:06 PM
It's great to see people learning how to identify the fish they catch, it's also disheartening to see guys who are "regulars" consistently misidentifying fish... :-\  Please learn how to id fish before you go fishing. If you're not sure or have questions, post photos and ask.  We should take it easy on the newbies but c'mon guys who are on here regularly, get with it.  Everybody starts out a Beak, just don't stay one!  Thanks for posting the photo of the nice fat coho doe Ghost Fish.


Title: Re: Chilliwack River, December 5th 2008: 1st Steelhead this season
Post by: canso on December 10, 2008, 09:34:22 PM
Coho, but I'm saying Buck.

it looks like he's forming his Kype.


Coho Buck

what do I win?
Title: Re: Chilliwack River, December 5th 2008: 1st Steelhead this season
Post by: bbronswyk2000 on December 10, 2008, 10:35:37 PM
At first glance it appeared to have black gums. After you said coho I took another look and saw the white gums. Dont assume just because its a clipped fish that its a coho. Their are clipped chinook.
Title: Re: Chilliwack River, December 5th 2008: 1st Steelhead this season
Post by: coho_killer on December 11, 2008, 08:19:31 AM
It's great to see people learning how to identify the fish they catch, it's also disheartening to see guys who are "regulars" consistently misidentifying fish... :-\  Please learn how to id fish before you go fishing. If you're not sure or have questions, post photos and ask.  We should take it easy on the newbies but c'mon guys who are on here regularly, get with it.  Everybody starts out a Beak, just don't stay one!  Thanks for posting the photo of the nice fat coho doe Ghost Fish.




come on dude you mean to tell me at first glance you didn't think it was a chinook? yeah right don't kid yourself! i bet over half the regulars including yourself at first glance thought it was a spring!  ::) ::) ::)

                                                                                                                       CK
Title: Re: Chilliwack River, December 5th 2008: 1st Steelhead this season
Post by: Tex on December 11, 2008, 08:40:44 AM
It's great to see people learning how to identify the fish they catch, it's also disheartening to see guys who are "regulars" consistently misidentifying fish... :-\ 

To be fair to those who misidentified it (as I almost did), looking at a picture of a fish is much different than being on the river and having it to hand.  I agree with CK in that I bet a large % of members who saw that fish thought "Chinook" or "Chinook jack" at first glance.
Title: Re: Chilliwack River, December 5th 2008: 1st Steelhead this season
Post by: Terry D on December 11, 2008, 09:07:32 AM
I'm a newbie when it comes to fishing for these but if you "regulars" have so much trouble then we need better identification guides.
Title: Re: Chilliwack River, December 5th 2008: 1st Steelhead this season
Post by: Coho Cody on December 11, 2008, 09:50:14 AM
It's great to see people learning how to identify the fish they catch, it's also disheartening to see guys who are "regulars" consistently misidentifying fish... :-\  Please learn how to id fish before you go fishing. If you're not sure or have questions, post photos and ask.  We should take it easy on the newbies but c'mon guys who are on here regularly, get with it.  Everybody starts out a Beak, just don't stay one!  Thanks for posting the photo of the nice fat coho doe Ghost Fish.




come on dude you mean to tell me at first glance you didn't think it was a chinook? yeah right don't kid yourself! i bet over half the regulars including yourself at first glance thought it was a spring!  ::) ::) ::)

                                                                                                                       CK

coho killer, for you to say that is selfish. at first glance, it is clearly a coho...just like bederko and trout slayer said. I dont know  how anyone could even think its a chinook....
Title: Re: Chilliwack River, December 5th 2008: 1st Steelhead this season
Post by: bederko on December 11, 2008, 12:08:27 PM
come on dude you mean to tell me at first glance you didn't think it was a chinook? yeah right don't kid yourself! i bet over half the regulars including yourself at first glance thought it was a spring!   

Coho killer - Actually I could tell that was a coho doe right away but that's because I've been working with them and fishing for them for quite a while.  Even if I couldn't tell, my point is that the "newbies" on this site respect the "regulars" and I think that it's a good idea for the "regulars" to think twice before they post.  This is a great medium for new anglers to learn but they have to learn correctly.  If you're going to post something that someone may take as gospel truth, just think twice about it before you type it...

Terry D. and any other new guys out there, if you want to learn identification, I suggest going to one of the local hatcheries on a spawn or sort day.  You'll be able to pick up some of the differences in chum, coho, chinook, sockeye just by watching the staff going through the fish.  And keep asking the questions here before you go out on the river and do something you may regret later...
 


Title: Re: Chilliwack River, December 5th 2008: 1st Steelhead this season
Post by: bbronswyk2000 on December 11, 2008, 01:12:37 PM
come on dude you mean to tell me at first glance you didn't think it was a chinook? yeah right don't kid yourself! i bet over half the regulars including yourself at first glance thought it was a spring!   

Coho killer - Actually I could tell that was a coho doe right away but that's because I've been working with them and fishing for them for quite a while.  Even if I couldn't tell, my point is that the "newbies" on this site respect the "regulars" and I think that it's a good idea for the "regulars" to think twice before they post.  This is a great medium for new anglers to learn but they have to learn correctly.  If you're going to post something that someone may take as gospel truth, just think twice about it before you type it...

You absolutely right, my mistake. I should have given it a second glance. If I had I would have said coho.
Title: Re: Chilliwack River, December 5th 2008: 1st Steelhead this season
Post by: river walker on December 11, 2008, 03:11:39 PM
ho... no doubt
no spots on the tail like a spring or a steel
dunno, release !
Title: Re: Chilliwack River, December 5th 2008: 1st Steelhead this season
Post by: bentrod on December 11, 2008, 06:40:11 PM
I id'd that fish with my eyes closed, hands behind my back drinking a beer and nose up to the monitor, and did it in .0157 seconds.  Really, is this a competition?  pictures can be deceiving and challenging to work with.  What is important is if you can field id a fish.  If not, go with someone who can and have them teach you.  I have friends who sample adults and juveniles every day in hatcheries, screw traps and by hook and line.  They still have issues from time to time.   
Title: Re: Chilliwack River, December 5th 2008: 1st Steelhead this season
Post by: kingpin on December 11, 2008, 07:01:35 PM
thats pretty obviously a coho, no spots on the tail, and look at the head.
Title: Re: Chilliwack River, December 5th 2008: 1st Steelhead this season
Post by: Big Steel on December 11, 2008, 08:28:09 PM
Everything you could every want to know about steelhead is probably in this thread.... it's a lot of reading though!! ;)

http://www.fishingwithrod.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=8802.0 (http://www.fishingwithrod.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=8802.0)