Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum
Fishing in British Columbia => Fishing Reports => Members' Fishing Reports => Topic started by: rymack on October 03, 2011, 12:31:25 PM
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Hit the mid/ upper this morning. Started out slow and we hiked to find a little friendlier water for my dad to fish. We were not having much luck. I saw a little run that looked promising but it was a dicey wade. My dad decided to le me go on ahea and explore and I am glad to say he did! The run I originally saw didn't pan out but the frog water above it did!
I don't have slot of experience fishing the vedder so i'm not sure how common a sight what I saw was today. More on that in a second. Second cast in with a small croc produced a 8-9 pound chrome coho ... No adipose so bonk! Next cast fis on and off. After I had the 4th fish landed ( 2 wild released and one more hatch bonked ) my dad decided to brave the wade in his hip waders . We endEd our day with 5 bonked hatcha and let go maybe 8. Lost another 6-7. All in all best day of river fishing in my life!
As for the pool there were without exaggeration 20-30 coho holding in there with maybe a half dozen pinks and what looked 3-4 springs or perhaps larger coho. I couldn't believe my eyes!
Great day!
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Nice report and way to go! I don't fish the Vedder because I've found a pretty productive spot closer to home, but in my limited experience fishing the Chilliwack/Vedder, i've found that if you really put in the effort to explore and get to the hard to reach or less populated spots (always being safe as possible of course), you could have outstanding days - just like the one you had. Thanks for the report!
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I know the area. Can be very good fly water. Coho like to mill around in frog water ,thanks for telling me, now I might be up there fishing it too, haha.
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Now that's a day of fishing! :)
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Now thats a good day!
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Just saw all the grammar and spelling mistakes. That's what you get from posting on a iPhone !
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We had a good day, or bad day, depending on who you ask. ;)
This morning we decided to do our first Vedder coho trip. It of course started with a rather sleepless night filled with excitement. The alarm went off at 4:00am and we were on the road by 4:45am. Because the water is so low and hearing success from our friends recently, we decided to bite the bullet and fish one of the more popular spots in the lower section. We arrived by the river at 6:30am with not many people in sight, which was wonderful. The rain may have something to do with it. For the first 30 minutes or so, we were almost alone so the water was not spooked, which is ideal for coho salmon.
Nina started out with the spoon casting outfit as it's pretty common for undisturbed coho salmon to chase down a piece of moving metal. Sure enough, she was into one fish after a few casts, but it quickly wiggled itself off like what a coho salmon would do.
Once there was enough light to see the float, I sent a piece of freshly cured pink salmon roe out. The water where we were fishing was perhaps 4 or 5ft deep, so I had the float depth adjusted to about 3ft, which should avoid all the aging pink salmon and submerged twigs. The float actually did not dive in the first 15 minutes or so, which was not necessarily strange. During most of our morning outings in the past, fish don't usually come on the bite at first light, but a period of time after. Is it possible that fish are simply moving from the shallower part of the water where they rest at night into the deeper part as day breaks?
Just when I was about to question how effective my roe was, the float finally took a dive. The first couple were missed as always by my sleepy eyes and arms, then there was a solid hook-up. The fish leaped several times further downstream so I couldn't see what exactly it was until I brought it closer. It was a rather bright chum salmon, which I released.
Once I rebaited my hook and started fishing again, there was a series of poor hook-sets. At one point, the float dove in three consecutive drifts, but each hook-set only sent the float combo flying back in the air with an empty hook. Sensing that the bite was on, I told Nina to switch to her float setup right away.
While I kept concentrating on fishing further out in the middle, Nina drifted her roe closer to where we were standing as she couldn't cast further out. That turned out to be a good problem because she had a take-down after a few casts. The hook-set was spot on. After holding out breaths for a couple of minutes, she beached her first hatchery-marked coho salmon of the day. Actually, it was her first coho salmon ever from the Chilliwack River.
(http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc90/fishingwithrod/2011/111003-02.jpg)
Knowing that there was a school of active fish right in front of us, we quickly rebaited and sent our floats back into the water. Just when we were expecting to have one of the better days on the flow, more bodies started showing up and lined up just above us. Don't get me wrong, I in fact enjoy having company fishing around us as some of you have noticed that during the Tidal Fraser River pink salmon season. ;) What really determines how the fishing day turns out is the type of crowd you are fishing with. As expected, long leaders and constant thrashing of the rig in the water turned the bite completely off unfortunately. It was like a switch between night and day. I told Nina that they didn't stop biting for no reasons.
After a long period of inactivity, there finally was a sign of life. Nina hooked into another good fish. The constant silver flashes in the water and surface splashing suggested another coho salmon, which was similar in size to the first one she landed. She played it nicely into the shallow but the hook popped out right before it was to be tailed.
We then experienced a few good take-downs. At one point, Nina's float dipped quickly but not fully so she failed to set the hook. I made the following cast to do the same drift and said, "I haven't had a bite for long time." Just as I finished the sentence, the float disappeared completely. Of course, the lack of focus sent the empty hook flying back into my face once again! Slightly frustrated, I decided to switch to the spoon setup. Within a few casts, I had a solid hit and hooked into a lively fish, which also unconnected itself in less than a minute!
As the morning progressed, more people appeared behind us and were not afraid to take over the little space there was. I consider myself very easy going when it comes to being surrounded by anglers and try not to judge how anyone fishes, but certain common courtesy should be expected, such as vocally expressing your interest in fishing near me. One individual, who did not have waders, did just that and I was glad to have him fishing not too far downstream from me. We timed our drifts to avoid tangles and it worked out just fine. Another late arriver did the complete opposite. While I walked ten feet away from my spot to take out more roe from the bag, he proceeded to act as my replacement. ;) I kindly informed him that I am still interested in fishing next to my wife. He didn't seem to understand so I repeated myself one more time until he moved. The same individual also didn't quite understand that if my rod tip can touch your nose, you maybe causing inconvenience. Finally, his shifty feet performed some cat-like moves. Everytime I moved slightly upstream to help Nina, he moved onto where I was standing. Apparently I was standing on the sweet spot. ;D In the end, as more people showed up, we decided to move much further downstream to the tailout of the run and he of course helped himself to our spot before we even made our way down. This wasn't a big deal of course, one should choose to take it with humour. As I've pointed out in the past, if you choose to stand by a toilet, don't complain about the smell and flies. :D
While fishing the shallow tailout, I spotted some coho salmon moving into the run. I decided to shorten up the float depth and focused more on where they were rolling. As expected, the float took another dive and this time my hook-set was pretty precise. The way this fish fought suggested that it was definitely a coho salmon. The silver body, roughly around the same size as Nina's fish, made its way to me pretty fast. I carefully guided it into the shallow water, but it took one more dash into the deep and I felt the dreadful pop once again! :'(
The rain became heavy at 10:30am, but this did not stop more people from showing up. We finally felt a little uncomfortable and decided to leave the spot. Before we packed it up for the day, I suggested that we should check out another spot where no one was fishing. The high bank made it difficult, but the slot seemed to be untouched and looked very fishy. It didn't take many drifts of a big piece of roe to confirm my curiosity. The float was taken down hard and a rather heavy fish shook its head repeatedly without surfacing. It was not a coho salmon, but a small chinook salmon. I walked the fish downstream until we found a suitable spot to land it. Nina climbed down and grabbed onto its tail perfectly. The fish was around 8 to 10lb. We decided to release her as one fresh fish in our cooler was already enough for tonight's fine dinner.
(http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc90/fishingwithrod/2011/111003-1.jpg)
Overall, I'd say it was a pretty good outing, excluding a few episodes. ;) The hooking wasn't too bad, now we just need to improve on the landing. While the spot maybe productive, the atmosphere indeed plays a big role on the quality of our trip, so I'll have to rethink whether we will put ourselves in that situation again anytime soon. ;D As others have pointed out, it is a long river and quiet spots are not uncommon. Once the river rises, fish should spread out quickly and better fishing experience will come shortly.
The change in water level indicated in today's hydrograph wasn't noticeable to us while we were fishing, but we noticed a slight change in water clarity as the day went on. Visibility remains pretty good by the time we left but it definitely was not as clear as when we first arrived this morning.
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GREAT Report as usual.... Thanks, Rod!
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Rodney fishing the Vedder, I guess that means pinks are officially over in the Lower Fraser. ;D
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"frog water"? can somebody explain what you mean by this?
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"frog water"? can somebody explain what you mean by this?
Water with minimal current, almost still.
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Great report Rodney (and rymack, of course!) It's very refreshing to listen to your experience in this fishery, with the type of anglers we all encounter daily. It was especially nice to know you were rewarded for taking the high road out of there and continuing your successful outing.
"Don't get me wrong, I in fact enjoy having company fishing around us as some of you have noticed that during the Tidal Fraser River pink salmon season. "
Me and a buddy spotted you a few weeks back and I regret not shaking your hand. After I hooked into my first Pink of said evening, you were quick to disappear. You didn't even get your line wet before you left, either.
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Great report and excellent read, Rod, as usual.
Glad to know you and Nina had an exciting sleepless night before the trip too. :o
i started at lower river around 8am today, flossers were around and in full force too. I fished with freshly cured roes, in two hours one wild doe of about 6lbs and a hatchery jacks were landed, a couple more were lost (including a very good size one). Bite died off around 10am so i switched to jighead, first cast produced a male pink of around 4lbs. When the number of flossers close to the area increased exponentially, i decided to pack up and go have lunch at Jackson's Steak and Grill.. yummy..
After lunch, i checked out my newly explored hole near Allison pool, and found that the water was still a bit low.. it would be better in a week i guess.. Back down to another part of lower river, fished roes and colorado to no avail..... left at around 5pm. The next rain will sure bring in tons of fish， fingers crossed!
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Nice to see you in the water rodney the moment that you and nina went home the Bright neon sign "THE BITE IS ON" just went on like crazy until 12:30 pm my buddy hook 2 coho all wild :D I hook up with 4 coho 2 landed Hatchery 8) 2 bright pink buck all in all it was a good day for fishing ;D
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Lovely report..thanks much Rodney. Its interesting to hear that even the most experienced don't always escape the crowding issues :)
(..I am always hearing about all these uncrowded spots on the Vedder that I am never able to find very easily but I know its been tough with the river levels lower)
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Monday Oct 3rd started out the day in the Yarrow stretch of the river. Not much happening there saw 3 grayish springs landed in the first couple of hours and that was it other than a dozen or so pinks (all released).
Next moved up to the UPPER Wilson road area - spent about an hour exploring up there - lots of pinks milling around, didn't see any Coho or Springs activity at all.
Moved all the way up to just below the Cement Slab area and met a very nice Creel Survey gal up there. She informed us that 2 adult bears, 1 with 2 cubs, had taken up residence in the Ranger Run area. There's been a few reports of the bears "chasing guys off the run". Her boss had instructed her to not patrol the river but stay at the parking area to interview anglers. Apparently, the bears wander the shore selectively dining on Pink bodies. We took a walk along the run between Ranger and Slab just to see what was happening. Apparently 'some' Coho are moving through there and the patient short-line flossers are managing to get the odd Coho.
Ended the day in the canal, tide had just turned and a few grayish Springs were splashing around. Over an hour there, amongst 8 anglers I only saw 2 Coho jacks hooked but both were lost 20' out. Looks like we're in that in-between stage where the early run has passed through and the main run isn't quite here yet. The big rain that God usually sends to blow-out the Pink bodies will likely bring 'em in.
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I like you use the term "patient shortline flosser" ;). Things I don't understand is fish do bite in pocket water.
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"Patient short line flossers" Never heard that one before. Can you explain it more im not sure what that means.
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I believe he might mean short line sight fishing, wait for the fish to come up in the shallows, cast ahead of it and hope the hook ends up in the mouth, quite exiting, but is not exactly that ethical. It does take alot of patience and it isn't that easy to do successfully. Site fishing with roe might actually trigger a bite. I actually caught a steelhead last season with a blade sighting it out, I was shocked to see it sitting right in front of me a few feet when I was fishing a piece of water thru. I casted ahead of it I could see the blade working its magic, then bam! fish on. Although that fish moved to hit the blade. I remember that being an epic day with 9 fish landed, and a few lost, most of them where caught using ghost shrimp.
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I was out today and did come across some bear tracks but did not see one
not much happening for me
had a small trout take my wool presentation
lots of springs moving up most of the morning just could not get them to bite
did not see any ho's
I was fishing mid river
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The best part of Rods reports, other than the awesome report itself, is pictures of gorgeous fish being held by Pink or Orange nail polished fingers. Dont really see that anywhere else!
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"Patient short line flossers" Never heard that one before. Can you explain it more im not sure what that means.
Mikeyman gave a really good explanation. Because most of the river through that run is big white-water, the technique involves waiting for a fish to pass by near shore then slide the leader into/near it's mouth. The challenge is to try and land them before they can move 2 feet away into the fast white-water.
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The best part of Rods reports, other than the awesome report itself, is pictures of gorgeous fish being held by Pink or Orange nail polished fingers. Dont really see that anywhere else!
Yes, and sometimes Rod takes a picture of Nina holding a fish too. ;D
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Glad to know you and Nina had an exciting sleepless night before the trip too. :o
:-[
Yes, and sometimes Rod takes a picture of Nina holding a fish too. ;D
:-[
Nice to see you in the water rodney the moment that you and nina went home the Bright neon sign "THE BITE IS ON" just went on like crazy until 12:30 pm my buddy hook 2 coho all wild :D I hook up with 4 coho 2 landed Hatchery 8) 2 bright pink buck all in all it was a good day for fishing ;D
Yeah. I actually returned today and was told how good it was after we left... :-\ This is what happens when you bring the wife fishing. She catches one, it starts raining, "Let's go home." :P
Me and a buddy spotted you a few weeks back and I regret not shaking your hand. After I hooked into my first Pink of said evening, you were quick to disappear. You didn't even get your line wet before you left, either.
I think that was actually the few times this seasons I go to the river, went home because I forgot something and came back soon after. ;D That tends to happen during the pink season since the house is only ten minute drive from the fishing spot. ;D Next time! :D
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Mikeyman gave a really good explanation. Because most of the river through that run is big white-water, the technique involves waiting for a fish to pass by near shore then slide the leader into/near it's mouth. The challenge is to try and land them before they can move 2 feet away into the fast white-water.
I saw 2 people trying to do this. First one was a young boy, I'd say 16 years old and he did manage a few hook ups including foul hooking a pink that he let go. Another guy who is local was quite good at this technique and he had fish on quite frequently. It sounds simple, but I'm guessing you need a bit of practice to get good at it.
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Not quite the way I've seen it done...fishing the upper river last year watched 2 guys across the river hook countless coho. They would hook them hard and then try to land them pretty much on the hook set. Thought they were magicians until I saw the 6" - 10" inch leaders and no roe. Still not exactly sure but it seemed that they sighted the fish, because they ran up and down the shore following them at times and then held the line out so that they got the lead weight close to the fish and yanked. If they had roe then the fish would possibly bite and game on but the way they did it did not look like fun to me. They lost most of the fish hooked but they did take limits out. Young guys too with nice gear, doesn't seem like something you would pick up unless you were taught.
BN
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the ol tamahi dip method
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Monday Oct 3rd started out the day in the Yarrow stretch of the river. Not much happening there saw 3 grayish springs landed in the first couple of hours and that was it other than a dozen or so pinks (all released).
Next moved up to the UPPER Wilson road area - spent about an hour exploring up there - lots of pinks milling around, didn't see any Coho or Springs activity at all.
Moved all the way up to just below the Cement Slab area and met a very nice Creel Survey gal up there. She informed us that 2 adult bears, 1 with 2 cubs, had taken up residence in the Ranger Run area. There's been a few reports of the bears "chasing guys off the run". Her boss had instructed her to not patrol the river but stay at the parking area to interview anglers. Apparently, the bears wander the shore selectively dining on Pink bodies. We took a walk along the run between Ranger and Slab just to see what was happening. Apparently 'some' Coho are moving through there and the patient short-line flossers are managing to get the odd Coho.
Ended the day in the canal, tide had just turned and a few grayish Springs were splashing around. Over an hour there, amongst 8 anglers I only saw 2 Coho jacks hooked but both were lost 20' out. Looks like we're in that in-between stage where the early run has passed through and the main run isn't quite here yet. The big rain that God usually sends to blow-out the Pink bodies will likely bring 'em in.
Maybe those bears will run into those illegal snaggers/flossers/poachers. Since our DFO wont do anything, let nature do it for them!
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Two weeks ago while sitting on the log jam and looking in to deep clear water below wit my polarizers, I discovered stacked pinks,layer of fish on the top of another layer. It must been few hundred of them, with occasional spring on the bottom. I decided to experiment. I gently lowered all kind of lures and observed reaction. I avoided hookups by pulling the hook up before they grabbed it, so I did not spooked them. Surprisingly best reaction was received by single egg imitation made from peach yarn. The smaller the better. They just inhaled and exhaled them. Jensen egg was much less successful but still gathered some attention. Little chunks of boraxed roe received least response. It was very educational.
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Two weeks ago while sitting on the log jam and looking in to deep clear water below wit my polarizers, I discovered stacked pinks,layer of fish on the top of another layer. It must been few hundred of them, with occasional spring on the bottom. I decided to experiment. I gently lowered all kind of lures and observed reaction. I avoided hookups by pulling the hook up before they grabbed it, so I did not spooked them. Surprisingly best reaction was received by single egg imitation made from peach yarn. The smaller the better. They just inhaled and exhaled them. Jensen egg was much less successful but still gathered some attention. Little chunks of boraxed roe received least response. It was very educational.
Great lesson Tadpole. Really speaks to the need for sharp hooks, keeping a tight, short line from hook to float amd knowing how to read float indicators. I had a similar lesson many years ago. I was upstream of my dad and drifting past him. He saw the jack spring twisting on my line before it even registered on my float and I knew that I had him on.