Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum

Fishing in British Columbia => General Discussion => Topic started by: RalphH on March 12, 2022, 08:26:31 AM

Title: Just how big a fish can a Heron swallow?
Post by: RalphH on March 12, 2022, 08:26:31 AM
Came across this blog post from Paul Cipywynk with the Byrne Creek Stream keepers in Burnaby. This past fall I watched a GB Heron take a similar sized fish out of a small stream in Surrey. I wasn't sure what species (likely coho).

(http://cipywnyk.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/cipywnyk_heron_fish_byrne_burnaby_1_20201014.jpg)

(http://cipywnyk.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/cipywnyk_heron_fish_byrne_burnaby_2_20201014.jpg)

(http://cipywnyk.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/cipywnyk_heron_fish_byrne_burnaby_3_20201014.jpg)
(http://cipywnyk.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/cipywnyk_heron_fish_byrne_burnaby_4_20201014.jpg)

(http://cipywnyk.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/cipywnyk_heron_fish_byrne_burnaby_5_20201014.jpg)

(http://cipywnyk.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/cipywnyk_heron_fish_byrne_burnaby_6_20201014.jpg)

source: http://cipywnyk.com/blog/2020/10/14/great-blue-heron-catches-large-fish-on-byrne-creek/?fbclid=IwAR3KtR_b9a5NnyQEABMPJt4IlmvuIPhtej65tuXFgcYzwJyfuvXRqfq2Q_U (http://cipywnyk.com/blog/2020/10/14/great-blue-heron-catches-large-fish-on-byrne-creek/?fbclid=IwAR3KtR_b9a5NnyQEABMPJt4IlmvuIPhtej65tuXFgcYzwJyfuvXRqfq2Q_U)
Title: Re: Just how big a fish can a Heron swallow?
Post by: dennisK on March 12, 2022, 10:52:22 AM
I don't know to be disgusted or amazed.
Title: Re: Just how big a fish can a Heron swallow?
Post by: RalphH on March 12, 2022, 01:45:12 PM
it's ok to be both! Open your horizons! Embrace your feelings!
Title: Re: Just how big a fish can a Heron swallow?
Post by: Roderick on March 12, 2022, 02:04:04 PM
Respect the herons.  They know more about fishing then any of us ever will. 
Title: Re: Just how big a fish can a Heron swallow?
Post by: Dave on March 12, 2022, 02:05:44 PM
Lets hope Tom Sewid doesn't see this, lol! ;)
Title: Re: Just how big a fish can a Heron swallow?
Post by: Darko on March 12, 2022, 02:13:12 PM
awesome post, that stream has had some tough times due to spills but the volunteer effort is amazing. swallowing a coho is rather impressive haha. I live nearby and actually go to the school named after the creek. Awesome stuff.
Title: Re: Just how big a fish can a Heron swallow?
Post by: iblly on March 12, 2022, 03:48:06 PM
I once saw a heron try and grab a guys sockeye he had just beached near Hope so they are ambitious birds.
Title: Re: Just how big a fish can a Heron swallow?
Post by: RalphH on March 12, 2022, 05:21:33 PM
Lets hope Tom Sewid doesn't see this, lol! ;)

you know those heron spey hackles sell for a couple $ each! Another chance for an FN industry?

just kiddin' folks!
Title: Re: Just how big a fish can a Heron swallow?
Post by: RalphH on March 12, 2022, 05:22:30 PM
awesome post, that stream has had some tough times due to spills but the volunteer effort is amazing. swallowing a coho is rather impressive haha. I live nearby and actually go to the school named after the creek. Awesome stuff.

I'm within a couple of blocks of the school.
Title: Re: Just how big a fish can a Heron swallow?
Post by: Darko on March 12, 2022, 05:56:00 PM
I'm within a couple of blocks of the school.
maybe the car I see with the BC Kokanee Fishing sticker on the back is your then  ;)
Title: Re: Just how big a fish can a Heron swallow?
Post by: Fish Assassin on March 12, 2022, 08:55:21 PM
Once I saw a heron with a coho. Had trouble swallowing the fish. Saw the heron gagging as he tried to swallow. I could clearly see the fish flopping in the gullet. Thought the heron was going to choke to death but after about 10 minutes he managed to swallow it.
Title: Re: Just how big a fish can a Heron swallow?
Post by: Rodney on March 12, 2022, 09:07:23 PM
Not really Byrne Creek or heron related, but I took these a couple of days ago.

(https://i.imgur.com/JgF0Iwl.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/nmBcP6O.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/QGYAraY.jpg)
Title: Re: Just how big a fish can a Heron swallow?
Post by: RalphH on March 12, 2022, 09:56:28 PM
maybe the car I see with the BC Kokanee Fishing sticker on the back is your then  ;)

Nope. No stickers on my vehicles. Someone within a block has a spey/swing sticker on his car.

I saw a heron take a large coarse fish in the Fraser once & for a while  it couldn't get it's head out of the water and I wondered if it would drown... might have had it's head stuck in the mud.
Title: Re: Just how big a fish can a Heron swallow?
Post by: RalphH on March 12, 2022, 09:57:37 PM
Not really Byrne Creek or heron related, but I took these a couple of days ago.

(https://i.imgur.com/JgF0Iwl.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/nmBcP6O.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/QGYAraY.jpg)

better tell Tom we also have too many eagles!
 ;D
Title: Re: Just how big a fish can a Heron swallow?
Post by: Arkatek on March 13, 2022, 03:36:45 PM
Amazing shots all round, the birds seem to be having more success than me most of the time  ;D
Title: Re: Just how big a fish can a Heron swallow?
Post by: Blood_Orange on March 13, 2022, 07:52:23 PM
Amazing shots, Rod!
Title: Re: Just how big a fish can a Heron swallow?
Post by: clarki on March 15, 2022, 09:51:18 AM
Great photos, Ralph and Rod. Thanks for sharing