Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum
Fishing in British Columbia => Fishing Reports => Members' Fishing Reports => Topic started by: chris gadsden on January 08, 2006, 08:17:39 PM
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He is hard to believe another week has slipped by, a week since the 62 nd steelhead derby wrapped up.
Most of the week saw the river in poor fishing condition but I was pleased to have picked up my second fish of the year on Tuesday, between rain storms and turbid water conditions.
Checking the river this a. m. visibility looked in the 12 inch range so after church I checked it again this time at Lickman and I could see it was a little better. Talked to Doug who was fishing there and said the upper was in good condition but he and his partner had nothing when I saw them around noon.
With the forecast saying another 5 days of rain in a row for the coming week I thought I better give the afternoon fishery a try or I may not get back out for a while.
Thought I would go to where I picked up the 12 pound hen on Tuesday as they always say if you catch a fish in a particular spot there is a good chance another fish will be in the same spot at a later date. ;D
Arriving at the river I think I am at the intersection of Granville and Georgia Streets in Vancouver. No they were not anglers but scores of walkers enjoying a stroll along the beautiful backdrop of the Vedder River.
I think back to the days when we use to drive where these newcomers to Chilliwack now walk, the days when you could count the nunber of anglers on your two hands in a particular section of the river.
Of course they have as much right to be out enjoying nature as much as I, but I do object to those agencies that have allowed developement on numerous subdivisions so close to yours and my beautiful and irreplaceable Vedder.
I quickly try to close my mind to the hordes and start the same route as on Tuesday. The water is higher than Tuesday of course and in not as pleasant of colour but I can see the top of my Helly Hanson boots as I wade up to my knees. Having caught fish in similar conditions before I was glad that I had come out.
Fishing the first spot as I did Tuesday morning the drift was better than Tuesday but once again the drennan float remained at the surface on the couple of dozen casts. I worked from the far side first, shorting my casts each time to try and lure a bar of chrome to taking my roe sack that was filled with a nickel size piece of steelhead bait.
I see no other anglers except for the one set of fresh human tracks. tracks embedded in the fresh sand that a couple of days ago was covered with 8 inches of water. As I move towards the Tuesday "hot spot" I check for other holding water, seeing none I am soon in position for that first cast that I hope may be virgin water as the tracks appeared to have bypassed it.
It did not look as prime a spot as it was on the last visit but there was still a nice seam there. The first cast tells me the speed looks good as does the drennan float with the blue and white Maple Leaf emblem as it bobs up and down through the bit of choppy water.
It was on the second or third cast, not sure which one but as quick as a Sundin wrist shot the red topped float is no where in sight. ;D Reflexes seem better this year, far improved from the last season and I firmly flick my forearm.
No sooner done and the tell tail head shake of a fish telegraphs up the Sage rod and at the same time line begins peeling off the centre pin. ;D ;D The excitment quickly mounts as the steelhead clears water completly in the first few seconds after being hooked. My mind quickly flashes back to the trouble I had with Tuesday's fish where I fought not only the fish but all the obstacles as well before being very luckly to land her.
The walkers on the trail are now spectators as a few stop to view the action. The steelhead does not seek the root wads but heads downstream a few yards but even though the current is quicker today the silver beauty does not go far downstream and I am able to coax it into swimming towards me. It tires quickly as it comes close to my feet and the shoreline, maybe a tired moving fish. I see it is another hatchery, another doe in the 10 to 11 pound range. As I said in my report on Tuesday the next hatchery would be released. I edge her to the shore noting a seal has taken a small part of her tail off. I do not bother to put her through any more stress in trying for a picture as I easily remove the #1 gammy from her mouth. With the hook out I right her to a upright position, for a moment she remains motionless, free of my grasp, saying thanks in being released maybe. I have the time to admire her before she scoots back to her watery home, as she disappears I think in my belief she is one of God's most beautiful fish.
I of course am more than satisfied as I am off to a better start than most steelhead season's landing all 3 I have hooked so far, all in the tune of 8 days.
I try the spot again for a few more minutes wondering if another, her mate may be there but if he is he will not take my offering. I move towards another run as two anglers appear and head my way.
I fish a number of other spots but I am offered no more chances. I finally meet up with the two other anglers and just as they told me they had seen the flash of my fish, on its jump I guess my cel phone rings and it is CEJ phoning for a update. As I talk to CEJ the two anglers move off heading down river. I think of moving to another section of the river but decide to stay in this area for the last hour of fishing time. Just before I pack up two fellows come down river in a canoe, they pull up on a bar across from me and enjoy a beer. I wonder if it would be there last as I certainly would not be out on the river at this time of year in a canoe. At least they had life jackets on.
I find no more fish in that last hour but find a few beer tins including one full one and one float. ;D
As the walkers head to their vehicles, the 2 canoeist continue their faithful journey, and the last flock of gulls disappear over the hills towards Cultus Lake I too leave very pleased with my afternoon outing.
What could be better than finding a steelhead, a float and a full tin of beer. Come to think of it I think I will toast that beautiful steelhead now with that natural cooled tin of beer both from the Vedder River, that is if you don't mind Fish Assassin. ;D ;D ;D
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Great read as always. Did you drink that beer you found? What brand? :D
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He's saving it for when the Make Beliefs win the Stanley Cup ;D
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you make it seem too easy
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Thanks chris for the wonderful read
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Chris, is it another Master in the making? You make it sounds too easy. Congratulation. Good read as usual.
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well i gotta say congrats on the fish, and also i gotta say this aswell, every time i see you post a report i cant wait to read it they are the best reports ever it like i am ther with you.
great job ;D
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Great stuff again Chris. ;)
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Right on chris
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Nice report Chris , looking forwards to a great season this year. Last year went bust for me :-\ . I hope that will change for me this year ;D
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He's saving it for when the Make Beliefs win the Stanley Cup ;D
:D :D ;D no offense Chris, another great read..but damn that's funny!!!
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You know Chris ... I always enjoy reading your posts.... and I am very happy for you and all the steelhead you have been catching this year...I just want to make sure you realize that your.. make beliefs are going to get owned tommorrow night...hahahahahahhhahahhaha....thats all just had to throw a jab in there
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He's saving it for when the Make Beliefs win the Stanley Cup ;D
:D :D ;D no offense Chris, another great read..but damn that's funny!!!
FA has lots of spare time on his hands so he usually find something in my journals fishing to try and get my goat which is hard to do when I am catching fish and the Leafs are winning. ;D ;D
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Be aware that the skunk is around the corner and the winning streak is about to come to an abrupt halt. You heard it here first ;D
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Great read CG. Looks like your season is shaping up :D Keep up the good work.
THICK RICK I have your spring picture from last summer at "Canuck Bar" would you like a copy?
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Well Chris, you have now caught me again, so I guess that I will have to get back out there soon!!! ;) Great job on the fish, and I only hope one day that I will be able to write interesting and informative reports such as the ones you share with us!! ;D ;D
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Well Chris, you have now caught me again, so I guess that I will have to get back out there soon!!! ;) Great job on the fish, and I only hope one day that I will be able to write interesting and informative reports such as the ones you share with us!! ;D ;D
Thank you. Nothing wrong with your stories and your taking several young fishers out on the Vedder this season is something I admire very much. I am sure they enjoyed seeing the vet catching that steelhead on Wed.
Things donot look too good this week with all the rain in the weather forecast for the week. It gets me as in the Vancouver Sun today Phil Reimer says it would be light rain today and the rest of the week. If this is light rain we are having today in Chilliwack I would hate to see his forecast of heavy rain as it would be raining heavier than cats and dogs. ;D ;D
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Yeah, BS really knows his stuff when it comes to fishing, no doubt. If he can prove himself in 15 minutes, I can only assume he is one of the best out there. Another good read Chris, I can't wait for this rain to let up so we can all hook into some more.
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Yeah, BS really knows his stuff when it comes to fishing, no doubt. If he can prove himself in 15 minutes, I can only assume he is one of the best out there. Another good read Chris, I can't wait for this rain to let up so we can all hook into some more.
Well I don't know if I would go that far Big Fisher!!! :-[ :-[ But thanks none the less!! I wouldn't be able to go out there and catch them if it wasn't for some of the old pro's that showed me the ropes when I started!! They know who they are....( Searun 17). So, it is the least I can do to try and show other Young fisher's some of the things that I was showed and learned over many hrs on the flows!! ;D
To Chris, thank you as well. I have also learned some tricks from some of your posts. I'm getting ok at reading between the lines at times!! ;)
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BS, Chris' secret is that damned ##^%@#$ hat ;D
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That's funny, because NOT wearing one is mine!!! ;D ;D
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my god you guys ...... i can see b.s.'s head swelling from delta hehehe. ya, yer doing pretty good dave..... for an out of province transplant hehehe.... but a steelhead veteran hehehe, i'll say no more LOL and yes, i'm just ribbin ya. but hey.... as of today, 4 hatchery, 5 wild and now, 4 self released..... it's on dude!!! hehe
released a good sized buck and bonked a 7/8 lbs hatchery doe this mornin ;D, i my fav spot that i hike into...... gonna be there in the a.m. tomorrow
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Way to go Mr. Gadsden 2-1 up on Bazzy he will love that you better let him know. But I am sure that will change huh?
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What's with this Mr. Gadsden ? Chris already has an ego the size of Manhattan ;D
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What's with this Mr. Gadsden ? Chris already has an ego the size of Manhattan ;D
I believe you meant to say Toronto. ;D ;D ;D
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Way to go Mr. Gadsden 2-1 up on Bazzy he will love that you better let him know. But I am sure that will change huh?
3-1, you are behind the times. ;D
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Just heard that the two anglers one being Blueback that I meet up on the river yesterday saw the canoe I related about. Blueback said they almost overturned after they hit some gravel after they left the area I was in and headed down river.
This is not the time of the year to be out with a canoe with all the high water, maybe ok in the Summer months during low water but not now, silly and asking for trouble in my mind.