Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum

Fishing in British Columbia => General Discussion => Topic started by: Kaerevek on August 24, 2010, 02:31:09 PM

Title: Salmon Fishing the Capilano river
Post by: Kaerevek on August 24, 2010, 02:31:09 PM
Hello all. I have a friend that has a 35 foot grady white fishing boat and wants to take it out for the salmon running up and down the Capilano river.

He wants to go in september some time, and I was wondering if any of you have some knowledge on the subject. I have literally 0 experience salmon fishing up that river, so any help is much appreciated.

Possibly there is a specific weekend or days that most the salmon gather or head down river or something like that. Any specific times or locations I should check out for sure? He mentioned something about ambleside as well. I'm not even sure where that is. Thought I'd get some general knowledge from all you fisherman then dive into some research from there.

Thank you very much for your help!
Title: Re: Salmon Fishing the Capilano river
Post by: c-pin on August 24, 2010, 02:39:06 PM
You cannot take a boat up the Capilano River - the river is waaaaay too small.

My suggestion is that you fish at the mouth of the river and troll along Ambleside.

John
Title: Re: Salmon Fishing the Capilano river
Post by: jon5hill on August 24, 2010, 04:48:29 PM
Troll along the mouth, right now, for coho and chinook.
Title: Re: Salmon Fishing the Capilano river
Post by: ynot on August 24, 2010, 05:45:32 PM
the ones heading down the river are smolts. you might get a nice white spring in sept. nr the mouth and along w.van shoreline.
Title: Re: Salmon Fishing the Capilano river
Post by: yakideath12 on August 24, 2010, 10:43:39 PM
Troll along the mouth, right now, for coho and chinook.

fully recovered? ;D
Title: Re: Salmon Fishing the Capilano river
Post by: anorden on August 24, 2010, 11:05:52 PM
the ones heading down the river are smolts. you might get a nice white spring in sept. nr the mouth and along w.van shoreline.

That big spring I lost last year did a pretty good job of heading back to sea!
Title: Re: Salmon Fishing the Capilano river
Post by: Matt on August 24, 2010, 11:38:40 PM
Please take a video if you attempt run up the Cap in a 35' Grady White :D
Title: Re: Salmon Fishing the Capilano river
Post by: Fish Assassin on August 25, 2010, 12:03:34 AM
Please take a video if you attempt run up the Cap in a 35' Grady White :D

 ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Salmon Fishing the Capilano river
Post by: Kaerevek on August 25, 2010, 11:55:42 AM
Please take a video if you attempt run up the Cap in a 35' Grady White :D

haha. Yea I don't know how big the river is, and I'm guessing we won't make it. I'll post a vid of my catch maybe?
Thanks everyone for the tip and info. Much appreciated.
Title: Re: Salmon Fishing the Capilano river
Post by: gigahoo on August 25, 2010, 05:38:05 PM
There is another reason you can't do the Capilano River, even if you have a small enough boat.   

The lower section of river is the private property of the Capilano reserve.     I did motor up the river last year, and made it to where it is not navigable.    The natives promptly came out and told me I was trespassing.   

They followed me on shore all the way out to make sure I complied. 

I enquired further later.   Apparently with the Lions Gate bridge was being constructed, they moved the river several hundred yards on to the reserve....so apparently it is legal.   The native that followed me out however, told me their claim goes out to the bell buoy that is well into the salt chuck....that I don't buy.
Title: Re: Salmon Fishing the Capilano river
Post by: carpenter on August 31, 2010, 04:47:58 PM
best bet is trolling past the sand bar in front of ambleside the river has no fish in it right now do to the low water level so they are all holding in the chuck around the mouth. good luck ;D
Title: Re: Salmon Fishing the Capilano river
Post by: ericd on September 17, 2010, 11:39:09 AM
Hey, I just checked the Cap cam and the water is running!! First time since for months that the water level is over 0. It's almost up to 2. Can anyone tell me when's the best time to go? After high-tide? Will the fish be there yet?
Title: Re: Salmon Fishing the Capilano river
Post by: Eagleye on September 17, 2010, 12:03:44 PM
Thanks for the heads up.  A water level of 3-4 is much more ideal.  If you want to hit it asap maybe try the lower river near the mouth on the high tide.  Hopefully the rain this weekend will result in a more substantial flow and the fish will shoot up.
Title: Re: Salmon Fishing the Capilano river
Post by: vancook on September 17, 2010, 12:20:30 PM
They must have let some water go, checked it last night and it was sitting well below the 1 mark.
3 -4 has been best when I've gone, those coho move up all day when the water is up.
Title: Re: Salmon Fishing the Capilano river
Post by: Fish Assassin on September 17, 2010, 12:21:28 PM
Reminder  there is a bait ban in effect.
Title: Re: Salmon Fishing the Capilano river
Post by: ericd on September 17, 2010, 12:38:57 PM
What works best there? Wool or spinners?
Title: Re: Salmon Fishing the Capilano river
Post by: vancook on September 17, 2010, 01:12:57 PM
On the river I have had success floating a hammered copper colorado blade
you can have alot of success fly fishing the slow deep pools
Title: Re: Salmon Fishing the Capilano river
Post by: ericd on September 17, 2010, 01:37:06 PM
What about for fishing the mouth today? Buzz bombs? Spoons?
Title: Re: Salmon Fishing the Capilano river
Post by: vancook on September 17, 2010, 01:56:19 PM
I dont have much experience fishing the mouth, but buzz bombs and spoons are the lures of choice of the regulars out there
Title: Re: Salmon Fishing the Capilano river
Post by: andrew5 on September 17, 2010, 03:17:05 PM
On the river I have had success floating a hammered copper colorado blade
you can have alot of success fly fishing the slow deep pools

any light you could shed on flies / techniques / leader weight and length would be appreciated.

might see if my 6 weight can pull this off, just for fun.
Title: Re: Salmon Fishing the Capilano river
Post by: nickredway on September 17, 2010, 04:31:03 PM
Sneaky little beggars - looks like they started letting some out mid morning. Took a look at 6.30 and it was still trickling down. Thanks for the info. If theres an extra 2' of water in there it will be worth a look.
Title: Re: Salmon Fishing the Capilano river
Post by: Spiznack on September 17, 2010, 04:52:21 PM
When you are checking the cap river cam remember the 1st white line is 1 not 2.  This means that the cap is currently running at just around 1 which is not near enough water.  Like everyone else on here says it is best at 3-4.
Title: Re: Salmon Fishing the Capilano river
Post by: ericd on September 17, 2010, 07:00:06 PM
Fished the mouth at high tide today. No luck with buzz bombs or spinners. Went to the bridge by park royal over to indian reserve and watched them pull in some springs and chinook. water level is 12" short of flowing over the rock barriers they have setup. went an looked further up river by upper levels, didn't really see anything in the water.
Title: Re: Salmon Fishing the Capilano river
Post by: Eagleye on September 17, 2010, 07:10:20 PM
FYI springs=chinook
Title: Re: Salmon Fishing the Capilano river
Post by: ericd on September 17, 2010, 07:54:25 PM
sorry, meant springs and coho.
Title: Re: Salmon Fishing the Capilano river
Post by: ericd on September 19, 2010, 12:08:53 PM
The water level is way up now after last nights rain. Anyone give it a try yet? Catch anything???
Title: Re: Salmon Fishing the Capilano river
Post by: fic on September 19, 2010, 03:25:34 PM
The water level is way up now after last nights rain. Anyone give it a try yet? Catch anything???

I was at the lower part of the river to check things out.  I saw one guy land a wild spring around 4 pounds (Is this a normal size for the Cap?) I didn't see any jumpers while I was there.
Title: Re: Salmon Fishing the Capilano river
Post by: vancook on September 19, 2010, 03:56:38 PM
I was at the lower part of the river to check things out.  I saw one guy land a wild spring around 4 pounds (Is this a normal size for the Cap?) I didn't see any jumpers while I was there.
Sounds like a jack chinook. There bigger fish to be found in there, my friend caught a 20 pound white chinook 2 years ago
Title: Re: Salmon Fishing the Capilano river
Post by: ynot on September 19, 2010, 04:14:54 PM
fish should be coming in on the high tide around 5pm. might be good in the morning.
Title: Re: Salmon Fishing the Capilano river
Post by: gman on September 19, 2010, 06:53:05 PM
Fished from a boat at the Cap mouth at dusk yesterday (Saturday). Arrived late in the day after some slower sockeye fishing at sandheads and tried the Cap before going in. Landed 2 springs in about an hour, one about 14, the other 24 pounds. Bu the time we were done with the second one the other boats were gone and it was pretty dark.
Title: Re: Salmon Fishing the Capilano river
Post by: gman on September 19, 2010, 06:58:49 PM
Hello all. I have a friend that has a 35 foot grady white fishing boat and wants to take it out for the salmon running up and down the Capilano river.

He wants to go in september some time, and I was wondering if any of you have some knowledge on the subject. I have literally 0 experience salmon fishing up that river, so any help is much appreciated.

Possibly there is a specific weekend or days that most the salmon gather or head down river or something like that. Any specific times or locations I should check out for sure? He mentioned something about ambleside as well. I'm not even sure where that is. Thought I'd get some general knowledge from all you fisherman then dive into some research from there.

Thank you very much for your help!

Kaerevek, you and your friend wil lbe able to fish the ocean in front of the cap very well with that boat. Basically from the Lions gate heading west as far as the pink apartments. Ambleside is the park that is immedaiatley west of the cap mouth. You will see other boats so there is no secret where to fish.We had our luck trolling flasher/spoons at 90' deep. The fishing is sgood there now, I understand it will be good for a while yet, should be good in September when you plan to go. Good luck.
Title: Re: Salmon Fishing the Capilano river
Post by: lovethewater on September 20, 2010, 08:20:09 PM
There is another reason you can't do the Capilano River, even if you have a small enough boat.   

The lower section of river is the private property of the Capilano reserve.     I did motor up the river last year, and made it to where it is not navigable.    The natives promptly came out and told me I was trespassing.   

They followed me on shore all the way out to make sure I complied. 

I enquired further later.   Apparently with the Lions Gate bridge was being constructed, they moved the river several hundred yards on to the reserve....so apparently it is legal.   The native that followed me out however, told me their claim goes out to the bell buoy that is well into the salt chuck....that I don't buy.

Can anyone describe where the land is native and where it is not?  I thought the line was Keith Road?  Roughly how far up from the mouth does the Native land stretch?
Title: Re: Salmon Fishing the Capilano river
Post by: Matt on September 20, 2010, 08:30:37 PM
Capilano has a BAIT BAN in effect.  There's roe all over the rocks along the river. >:(
Title: Re: Salmon Fishing the Capilano river
Post by: pocketdrifter on September 20, 2010, 09:24:49 PM
their are spots on the river now. where it is exactly like the fraser people are flossing and and ripping their lines through the school. Its sad to see people call them selves fishermen when donig that....Hint hint its in the lower part of the river. Today was slower than yesterday for sure.
Title: Re: Salmon Fishing the Capilano river
Post by: vancook on September 21, 2010, 09:35:17 AM
their are spots on the river now. where it is exactly like the fraser people are flossing and and ripping their lines through the school. Its sad to see people call them selves fishermen when donig that....Hint hint its in the lower part of the river. Today was slower than yesterday for sure.
Those casual "fishermen" tend to go to the easy access spots. Same as the vedder or any river system...I try and avoid these people like the plague
Title: Re: Salmon Fishing the Capilano river
Post by: ericd on September 21, 2010, 11:29:07 AM
Yesterday was my first day river fishing. Tried the pool near upper levels highway. Didn't catch anything. My rig wasn't setup right, probably too short. Can someone suggest the proper lengths for float -> weight and leader from weight -> hook?
Title: Re: Salmon Fishing the Capilano river
Post by: Rodney on September 21, 2010, 11:33:35 AM
Yesterday was my first day river fishing. Tried the pool near upper levels highway. Didn't catch anything. My rig wasn't setup right, probably too short. Can someone suggest the proper lengths for float -> weight and leader from weight -> hook?

http://www.fishingwithrod.com/articles/2003/1003_01.html

http://www.fishingwithrod.com/articles/2010/0910_01.html

http://www.fishingwithrod.com/articles/2004/1104_01.html
Title: Re: Salmon Fishing the Capilano river
Post by: Damien on September 21, 2010, 11:43:44 AM
For the guy in the 35 footer wanting to fish the 'mouth'.  Easy answer is DON'T, it is VERY shallow close to the mouth.

Just troll along with the other boats out there.  Follow the line of the guide boats to get a feel for the place. 

Depths change quickly, there are thousands of down rigger balls sitting on the sea floor out there, lol.
Title: Re: Salmon Fishing the Capilano river
Post by: pocketdrifter on September 21, 2010, 09:48:09 PM
yup cap is low and slow now, water is down to a stream again, gotta hit the vedder soon. THe fish are already spooked up.
Title: Re: Salmon Fishing the Capilano river
Post by: carpenter on September 23, 2010, 09:14:21 AM
Yesterday was my first day river fishing. Tried the pool near upper levels highway. Didn't catch anything. My rig wasn't setup right, probably too short. Can someone suggest the proper lengths for float -> weight and leader from weight -> hook?

if you want to find how deep to fish start with your float pretty short and slowly adjust the depth longer and longer untill its gets hung up yank her out and raise it just slightly now you are fishing the bottom. ;)
Title: Re: Salmon Fishing the Capilano river
Post by: ericd on September 23, 2010, 09:15:44 AM
thanks carpenter! That's the tip I was looking for.
Title: Re: Salmon Fishing the Capilano river
Post by: ericd on October 09, 2010, 12:52:48 PM
Isn't the bait ban going to be lifted soon?

Does it really make an difference to use roe to fish the cap? Is the bite percentage that much higher than wool?
Title: Re: Salmon Fishing the Capilano river
Post by: Rodney on October 09, 2010, 12:56:04 PM
http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/fw/fish/regulations/docs/1011/fish-synopsis_2010-11_region2.pdf
Title: Re: Salmon Fishing the Capilano river
Post by: ericd on October 09, 2010, 12:58:02 PM
Okay, bait ban is until October 31 on Cap.

But does roe perform better than wool? Do the fish really care?
Title: Re: Salmon Fishing the Capilano river
Post by: vancook on October 09, 2010, 01:18:09 PM
Okay, bait ban is until October 31 on Cap.

But does roe perform better than wool? Do the fish really care?
Yes roe performs better IMO, it provides scent etc. Some condition wool can be effective, eg very clear water and used as a small presentation
Title: Re: Salmon Fishing the Capilano river
Post by: Fish Assassin on October 09, 2010, 02:17:36 PM
Yes roe performs better IMO, it provides scent etc. Some condition wool can be effective, eg very clear water and used as a small presentation

X2
Title: Re: Salmon Fishing the Capilano river
Post by: ericd on October 09, 2010, 02:18:47 PM
Okay, some come October 31 everyone will be switching to roe on the Cap?
Title: Re: Salmon Fishing the Capilano river
Post by: ejeffrey on October 09, 2010, 10:55:23 PM
Okay, some come October 31 everyone will be switching to roe on the Cap?

There is still a bait ban on Oct 31. I think you mean Nov 1.
Title: Re: Salmon Fishing the Capilano river
Post by: one more cast on October 10, 2010, 02:41:47 AM
There is still a bait ban on Oct 31. I think you mean Nov 1.

Most fish will have made it to the fish ladders by then...the odd boot, but you don't need roe to bust your pole.
Title: Re: Salmon Fishing the Capilano river
Post by: ericd on October 27, 2010, 04:06:56 PM
How many fish will be coming in after Nov. 1? 20% of the run for the season?
Title: Re: Salmon Fishing the Capilano river
Post by: tmilley on October 27, 2010, 09:35:55 PM
Fishing for Springs should still be good after Nov. 1.  Nothing shiny but still some worth keeping.