Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum

Fishing in British Columbia => General Discussion => Topic started by: deepcovehooker on July 19, 2012, 07:56:45 AM

Title: Diff between the Whonnack and Albion gillnet numbers
Post by: deepcovehooker on July 19, 2012, 07:56:45 AM

I was wondering why at Albion they have reported catching only 3 sockeye and 32 springs whereas Whonnack has report over 500 sockeye and 120 springs from July 1st.   In my mind the two areas are not that far apart is the Whonnack report from somewhere other than the Fraser.

Title: Re: Diff between the Whonnack and Albion gillnet numbers
Post by: Easywater on July 19, 2012, 08:53:58 AM

The Whonnock gill net is designed (smaller holes) to catch Sockeye while the Albion nets are designed to catch Springs (most Sockeye slip through).
The Albion system alternates between 2 sets of nets - one with smaller holes and one larger.

Title: Re: Diff between the Whonnack and Albion gillnet numbers
Post by: Brook Trout on July 19, 2012, 12:54:59 PM

Quote from: Easywater on July 19, 2012, 08:53:58 AM

The Whonnock gill net is designed (smaller holes) to catch Sockeye while the Albion nets are designed to catch Springs (most Sockeye slip through).
The Albion system alternates between 2 sets of nets - one with smaller holes and one larger.

nailed it. :)

Title: Re: Diff between the Whonnack and Albion gillnet numbers
Post by: typhoon on July 19, 2012, 02:19:46 PM

Anyone have a link to the Whonnock test fishery numbers?

Title: Re: Diff between the Whonnack and Albion gillnet numbers
Post by: Easywater on July 19, 2012, 02:59:32 PM

Pacific Salmon Commission - psc.org - Scientific Info - Test Fishing - YTD Summaries

http://www.psc.org/info_testfishing_summaries.htm

Title: Re: Diff between the Whonnack and Albion gillnet numbers
Post by: typhoon on July 19, 2012, 03:20:52 PM

Quote from: Easywater on July 19, 2012, 02:59:32 PM

Pacific Salmon Commission - psc.org - Scientific Info - Test Fishing - YTD Summaries

http://www.psc.org/info_testfishing_summaries.htm

Thanks. So PSC and DFO do separate test fisheries in the Fraser?
That seems odd.

Title: Re: Diff between the Whonnack and Albion gillnet numbers
Post by: deepcovehooker on July 19, 2012, 04:03:31 PM

Thanks guys that was very informative.  Good to know.

Title: Re: Diff between the Whonnack and Albion gillnet numbers
Post by: Easywater on July 19, 2012, 06:22:00 PM

Quote from: typhoon on July 19, 2012, 03:20:52 PM

Thanks. So PSC and DFO do separate test fisheries in the Fraser?
That seems odd.

DFO and PSC are totally different organizations (PSC includes the US) and probably want to keep their own data.
PSC does a huge amount of fish testing.

If you look at this map: http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/rec/tidal-maree/index-eng.htm
You can compare the area numbers from PSC to the proper places.

I'll sometimes watch the numbers daily to try to monitor fish returning to the Fraser.
You can start to watch the salmon enter at the top of Johnstone Strait (area 12) after they pass by Port Hardy and through Broughton Archipelago.
You can then see the numbers grow through area 13 (north of Campbell River & near the Tyee Pool).

At the same time, you can check the south end of Vancouver Island in area 20, just north of Sooke.
Apparently, 60% of the salmon destined for the Fraser come down the outside of the Island.

Area 29 is the mouth of the Fraser, then from there, the Cottonwood (Delta) then Whonnock (Ft. Langley) tests.

Between test fisheries and knowing about commercial openings on the Fraser, you can tell which days will be the good days fishing.