Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum
Fishing in British Columbia => General Discussion => Topic started by: Rodney on September 04, 2015, 04:54:15 PM
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The Lower Fraser River pink salmon fishery opens on September 5th!
http://www-ops2.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fns-sap/index-eng.cfm?pg=view_notice&DOC_ID=175485&ID=all
http://www-ops2.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fns-sap/index-eng.cfm?pg=view_notice&DOC_ID=175480&ID=all
As always, this thread is set up to provide background information for beginners who would like to get into this fishery. You are also encouraged to provide updates throughout the season, not necessarily the exact fishing spots where you are successfully catching them, but river condition, catch count, tide timing can all be very helpful to other anglers. Please do not ask others where they are fishing, you can do so by email or private messaging. If they wish to publicly disclose their fishing spot, they will voluntarily post it.
This discussion is not only limited to the tidal portion of the Fraser River, but the entire Lower Fraser River up to Hope where this fishery is available.
Background Information
If you have never tried the Fraser River pink salmon fishery and are unfamiliar with it, I have put together an article on how to catch them with spinning gear. You can read it at:
http://www.fishingwithrod.com/articles/estuary_fishing/fishing_for_tidal_fraser_pink_salmon.html
There is also a video feature from four years ago:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAIqI5rFZv8
Season, Timing and Locations
You can catch pink salmon in the Fraser River during odd years in as early as mid August, but the fishery typically starts in the last week of August. The first two weeks of September can be excellent. By the third week of September, it tapers off but you can still encounter the odd fish until the end of September.
The last three hours of incoming tide is usually best at most spots, but some locations can produce fish at any given tide. Sometimes fish will also enter the Fraser River when the tide is low. It is best to visit a spot several times at different tides to determine when it is most productive.
You can catch pink salmon at any spot along the Fraser River. They will enter both North and South Arms of the Tidal Fraser River in Richmond and Vancouver, converge into one arm in New Westminster. River/Dyke Roads along the shorelines of Richmond and Delta are popular spots. The south shoreline along Langley and Mission can be popular. Going further upstream, the popular gravel bars between Chilliwack and Hope will all produce.
Important Fish Identification Information
When the pink salmon fishery is taking place in the Lower Fraser River, several other salmon species will also be making their way through the river. Some of these species are closed for retention so you must release them with care by keeping them in the water at all time and using a catch and release net. Sockeye salmon, coho salmon and steelhead are required to be released unless stated otherwise. Wild trout and char are also required to be released. It is your responsibility to identify these fish correctly. If you are unsure what species you have at the end of your line, please let it go. Here are some photographs for reference.
Pink Salmon
(http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc90/fishingwithrod/2013/130814-01_zpsa4498fb5.jpg)
(http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc90/fishingwithrod/2013/130814-02_zps2dcd8db5.jpg)
Coho Salmon
(http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc90/fishingwithrod/2013/130814-04_zps45a7129a.jpg)
(http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc90/fishingwithrod/2013/130814-03_zps294098e0.jpg)
Sockeye Salmon
(http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc90/fishingwithrod/2013/130814-05_zps7d9c41a6.jpg)
Bull Trout
(http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc90/fishingwithrod/2013/130814-06_zpsd79cff02.jpg)
Regulations
Beside your tidal or non-tidal fishing licence (depending on where on the Fraser River you are fishing), you must purchase a salmon stamp/conservation surcharge if you wish to keep your pink salmon. Make sure you are using a single barbless hook. The daily quota of pink salmon is TWO per day this year!
The following links are regulations which you should be familiar with. Please check them regularly as in-season regulation changes may occur.
- Tidal Fraser River fishing regulations (http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/rec/tidal-maree/fraser-eng.html)
- Region 2 (look under Non-tidal Fraser River) fishing regulations (http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/rec/fresh-douce/region2-eng.html)
Advise and help new anglers who may not be familiar with the regulations. If it is apparent that they are aware of the regulations but choose to ignore them, you can report the violations by phoning 604-607-4186 or 1-800-465-4336.
Good luck and have fun in the next six weeks!
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It is stupid that they also opened the upper fraser for retention aswell, talk about pressure on sockeye.
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At least it will spread out the crowd instead of us all defending of the Vedder.
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With the estimates at the low end, it might be challenging to hook them in the lower Fraser.
Fished lower fraser C&R this afternoon for and hour and a half on the incoming tide, lots of fish. Eleven hookups in total but only landed five, all male and all very fresh. One other couple fishing where I was and both got fish.
Surprising how few fish were showing on top of the water but they were there in good numbers today (likely they knew that the opening was tomorrow and they are all making a dash for it).
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Remember the limit changed to 2.
also note the bait ban:
The use of bait and fishing for coho is prohibited from 00:01 hours Tuesday,
September 8, 2015 to 23:59 hours Friday, October 9, 2015.
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Fished lower fraser C&R this afternoon for and hour and a half on the incoming tide, lots of fish. Eleven hookups in total but only landed five, all male and all very fresh. One other couple fishing where I was and both got fish.
Surprising how few fish were showing on top of the water but they were there in good numbers today (likely they knew that the opening was tomorrow and they are all making a dash for it).
Thanks for the report and lets hope they are way underestimating the 6 million run size.
Also, you're lucky you didn't get ticketed. C&R for pinks in the lower Fraser was not allowed.
They announced a complete closure to salmon fishing in the below notice. Until they announce an opening, it means it's still closed.
http://www-ops2.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fns-sap/index-eng.cfm?pg=view_notice&DOC_ID=174388&ID=all
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Hello all new to fishing for pinks. Is saperton landing a good place to fish , Is it a the major channel?
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Pretty much everywhere along the Fraser, as long as you have casting room and you time the tides you'll be fine.
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thanks for the reply, Also i know this is off topic but does jigging or casting spoons work better on the cap mouth
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Jigging is absolutely deadly techique, unfortunately most people don't know how to do it properly. I've noticed way too many people lifting the rod way too fast, resulting in consistently foul hooking the fish. You need to lift your rod tip "gently" and if you feel bumps on your lure DON'T set the hook, those are the backs of the fish underneath. 99% of the true hookups are when your lure is dropping in freefall anyway.
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Thanks for the report and lets hope they are way underestimating the 6 million run size.
Also, you're lucky you didn't get ticketed. C&R for pinks in the lower Fraser was not allowed.
From Rod's Facebook page... I will see if I can find it in the regs.
The tidal and non-tidal portions of the Fraser River are current open for salmon fishing and chinook salmon retention. Retention of all other salmon species (pink, coho, chum, sockeye) is closed so they must be released with great care when you catch one. Because it is a retention closure, not a fishing closure, you can indeed catch and release them, but please keep in mind that incidental catches of sockeye salmon are highly discouraged as all of you are aware of, their number is low.
I've found Rod pretty reliable on the regs , certainly better than me :)
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Thanks for the report and lets hope they are way underestimating the 6 million run size.
Also, you're lucky you didn't get ticketed. C&R for pinks in the lower Fraser was not allowed.
They announced a complete closure to salmon fishing in the below notice. Until they announce an opening, it means it's still closed.
http://www-ops2.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fns-sap/index-eng.cfm?pg=view_notice&DOC_ID=174388&ID=all
That fishery notice was no longer valid when the river reopened for salmon fishing and retention of chinook salmon a week ago. Catching and releasing pink salmon has been perfectly legal.
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Jigging is absolutely deadly techique, unfortunately most people don't know how to do it properly. I've noticed way too many people lifting the rod way too fast, resulting in consistently foul hooking the fish. You need to lift your rod tip "gently" and if you feel bumps on your lure DON'T set the hook, those are the backs of the fish underneath. 99% of the true hookups are when your lure is dropping in freefall anyway.
Thanks will pick some pink jigs up tomm and try around noon
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opening day on the Fraser. my morning catch at 3 Road. good luck everyone! :) :)
http://(http://i1261.photobucket.com/albums/ii581/angrymofo/image.jpg1.jpg) (http://s1261.photobucket.com/user/angrymofo/media/image.jpg1.jpg.html)
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Caught my first pink just earlier today on the incoming tide in the New West area. A 22 inch 4 lb female filled with roe..Thanks again to the guy who helped me net and land it! :)
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easy fishing this morn ! kept 2 does for roe !
gonna smoke'm up 2mrw
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5724/20986324878_e72d0135d6_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/xYupey)IMG_20150905_110246334_HDR (https://flic.kr/p/xYupey) by Ray Shogan (https://www.flickr.com/photos/129660649@N04/), on Flickr
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No shortage of willing biters in the river on opening day for sure. Water clarity is also very good. It looks like we'll have at least a couple of weeks of good fishing ahead of us.
(http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc90/fishingwithrod/2015/150905-2_zpslzt9pggg.jpg)
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Fantastic picture Rod! I'm hoping to get my two little monkeys out over the next couple days as well.
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Easy limit out today, kept two chrome does and released three big humpies before that. All from 3-4:30pm on the incoming high tide. Great clarity too as Rod pointed out.
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is all this on the lower fraser? I went out just before high tide not many people fishing no risers no jumping fish It seems like the fish have moved up river? or was it just bad timing? I'll try again tomorrow
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Easy limit out today, kept two chrome does and released three big humpies before that. All from 3-4:30pm on the incoming high tide. Great clarity too as Rod pointed out.
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Easy limit out today, kept two chrome does and released three big humpies before that. All from 3-4:30pm on the incoming high tide. Great clarity too as Rod pointed out.
high tide was at 1 o clock
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Out today at two bit bar fishing pink salmon from the first time! Caught two males on pink croc spoons within hour and a half. Between 3 and 4 was when I caught both.
Just wanted to say thank you to Rod and all the members for their helpful advise and information.
Good luck and have fun.
Oh and as a side note, I was really happy to see everyone following the regulations and using approved fishing methods and tryig identifying their catch before beaching it or landing it in a net. Everyone was hooking up with fish and having a great time.
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high tide was at 1 o clock
Yes you are correct, where I was high tide was about 2:30, my action was around 4 so just after peak tide.
I hit it just on my way to work and I didn't even check the tides, but it turned out great regardless :D
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I used pink spinners on the north arm in the early afternoon, and didn't get a single bite. Maybe I wasn't casting far enough from shore.
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i got mine all bfore 10... all in very close to shore !
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I used pink spinners on the north arm in the early afternoon, and didn't get a single bite. Maybe I wasn't casting far enough from shore.
i got all mine very close to shore !!! 10 15 feet out !
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I used pink spinners on the north arm in the early afternoon, and didn't get a single bite. Maybe I wasn't casting far enough from shore.
By north arm you mean in the south Vancouver area? I think its generally thought that hardly any go up the north arm as opposed to the south. I've been there a few times over the years and have never even seen a pink in the north arm. Not to say they arent there, but the north arm doesnt traditionally produce a lot of success for pinks...
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By north arm you mean in the south Vancouver area? I think its generally thought that hardly any go up the north arm as opposed to the south. I've been there a few times over the years and have never even seen a pink in the north arm. Not to say they arent there, but the north arm doesnt traditionally produce a lot of success for pinks...
Thank you so much for the advice. I guess I have to go either to the south arm or east to New Westminster. Should I just drive along Dyke Road and look for locations with parking spots?
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My experience is that they won't be in the north arm until mid September, south arm is the better place to go now. Good luck.
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Let's not start getting too specific about locations. Anyone can find the south arm of the Fraser on Google Maps and take it from there. And any fish that starts in the ocean and spawns, say, in the C/V, has to swim the whole way from Steveston to the Canal. There's no special spot where they stop for lunch!
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Should I just drive along Dyke Road and look for locations with parking spots?
As a starting point that's actually a good idea. Follow the crowds to figure out the productive areas to start with and then go from there.
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Let's not start getting too specific about locations. Anyone can find the south arm of the Fraser on Google Maps and take it from there. And any fish that starts in the ocean and spawns, say, in the C/V, has to swim the whole way from Steveston to the Canal. There's no special spot where they stop for lunch!
Brownsville, deas island, no 3, Gary point, derby reach. This isn't an exclusive fishery. Personally I hit deas, park in the second row at the far lot. Walk straight to the water (don't take the trail) and when your knee deep at 3/4 high tide move 3 boulders and one stone over. Nailed 80 fish in 3 casts! Every day!
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Started out today in the same spot on the south arm where I had all the success yesterday and didn't get a bite in over an hour and a half. Headed over to the North Arm and it was super quiet. After blanking there as well , headed back to the original spot for an hour and landed two fish and missed two in about 45 minutes.
I agree with the comments that the North Arm typically shows later than the South arm and generally in smaller numbers but I've certainly had it produce really well when the south arm begins to fall off later in the season (the challenge is because of the closures , I'm not sure where we are in the season yet).
Nine times out of ten the south arm seems to fish better so I'd recommend focussing there and only switch if nothing is happening.
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I heard the gill netters were already out in full force yesterday so we might hold up on the catching spree for a couple of days :/
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While fishing for pinks, I hooked a 2lb pike minnow which I released. Now I am thinking may be I should have kept it just to see what it tastes like. Anybody tried it before? It sure didn't fight as hard as the pinks.
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I've noticed in the Langley maple ridge area a pretty good number of fish moving. They all seem too be a little deeper then I usually go and there not rising as much but the numbers are really good. I've found the smaller the lure the better.
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Yes I noticed also yesterday smaller lures and crocks were killing it. I should have switched. But was stuck on my Colorado blade. Two years ago they devastated pinks. But not yesterday :'(
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What a difference!! Went out first thing opening day on the lower fraser to my fav pinking hole. Pinks rolling everywhere!! Everyone caught Pinks! Today almost nothing. Only one Pink caught between 15 fishers. Almost no Pinks rolling. Lots of boats pulling red balloons around though. Anyone else notice how small the pinks are this year or did I get into a school of small Pinks yesterday? When I mean small I mean less than 5 pounds.
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I used pink spinners on the north arm in the early afternoon, and didn't get a single bite. Maybe I wasn't casting far enough from shore.
Did you see any fish on the surface splashing or fining? If not they were probably not there. Pinks are a sight fishery, you fish where you see them. If you don't see them they are probably not there in large numbers. A pink spinner is perfect, as long as you can reach the fish you can see.
As others have said, the south arm has a stronger pink run.
As a starting point that's actually a good idea. Follow the crowds to figure out the productive areas to start with and then go from there.
I second this idea. Follow the crowds because they are following the fish. Also do not be shy of trying a lot of different places. If you have not caught or seen any fish within 0.5 to 1 hour, try another location. Also it is better to try after high tide, when the fish tend to push up the river. The further up the Fraser you are located the longer after the high tide you wait. I don't fish it much so do not know the timings. Someone else could probably chime in.
Brownsville, deas island, no 3, Gary point, derby reach. This isn't an exclusive fishery. Personally I hit deas, park in the second row at the far lot. Walk straight to the water (don't take the trail) and when your knee deep at 3/4 high tide move 3 boulders and one stone over. Nailed 80 fish in 3 casts! Every day!
Some great suggestions there, Google maps is your friend. Try them all, the more you go out, the more you will learn about what locations produce at what times relative to the tides. Ask people if they fish there often and they will generally share some information with you.
Good luck and I hope you get into lots of fish!
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gillnetters were out in full force by the alex fraser bridge.... no way for fish to get by !!!!
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Yeah I saw the gillnetters too but why are the pinks so small this year? Sorry just wondering.. Can someone post a pic of a big Fraser pink as they are known for?
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Yeah I saw the gillnetters too but why are the pinks so small this year? Sorry just wondering.. Can someone post a pic of a big Fraser pink as they are known for?
Rod and I talked about this the other day, he suggested it shows the lack of availability of food in the ocean. This may be why we are experiencing smaller size, and lower numbers this year. The Eco system is all one.
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fish I caught Friday were about average with previous years. I caught some bucks that must have been 5lbs. Biggest I ever killed was 7.
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I am taking my nephew out on Tuesday for pink fishing. Its the only day that works for him but the high tide is 5pm and he has to be home at that time. Is it worth even trying mid day in the tidal fraser for pinks or should I just take him to a river system that already has pinks in it?
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The fish are all through the river on all tides. Once you get upstream of Richmond/Delta, the tides matter less and less. What matters more is the location you are fishing. If there are mudflats at low tide, fishing a high tide is more practical. Fishing a high tide can be more enjoyable because there's less mud and slime than fishing on a lower tide.
I would say go! :)
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While fishing for pinks, I hooked a 2lb pike minnow which I released. Now I am thinking may be I should have kept it just to see what it tastes like. Anybody tried it before? It sure didn't fight as hard as the pinks.
They taste fine, lots of bones though.
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Richmond doesn't seem to be producing much so far for anybody. The usual hot spots are dead and very few fish rolling.
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Nailed 80 fish in 3 casts! Every day!
That's quite a feat !
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anyone know how long the gill net openings are ?
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Fished the normal areas around Squamish at first light, a fair bit of rollers and some very clean fish.
Managed to hook one very chrome chum on the Squamish river today as well. Put up quite the fight on a Clarus centerpin rod and 8 pound Maxima main line and leader, using a home made jig in a size 6 hook with pink marabou and pink crinkled flash. ;D
Fished the lower Fraser on Saturday, hooked into some fish but they are far and few between. Only seen a few people catching fish but that should be normal right now as it's only the start of September.
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The fish are all through the river on all tides. Once you get upstream of Richmond/Delta, the tides matter less and less. What matters more is the location you are fishing. If there are mudflats at low tide, fishing a high tide is more practical. Fishing a high tide can be more enjoyable because there's less mud and slime than fishing on a lower tide.
I would say go! :)
All don't matter except if gill net is open!
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The gill net opening is First Nations' communal chinook salmon fishery, which shouldn't affect the pink salmon run, except perhaps make them more tight lipped.
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Was out in the lower between the Port Mann and Patullo for a few hours this afternoon on the rising tide and it was slow. Only saw two rollers and only had two hits but landed one buck. A bit windy at times but otherwise good conditions and nice day to be out.
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I guess Buzzbombs really do catch all fish as advertised lol, today in the Lower I had several pecks on my pink bomb then watched as an eel of some sort chased it to shore... it was long n brown looking :-\
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Very slow in south arm today. I got no bite on the incoming tide but landed one during the out going tide.
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Yeah same here. Fished the Tidal Fraser in Richmond from 1-4:30pm or so and maybe had one bump. Didn't see any fish on but heard of a couple landed a bit farther downstream from me.
Beautiful day to be out though!
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yesterday was decent around Ridge Meadows, though saw almost no surface sign.
Landed 4 or 5 and lost a few more all twitching jigs, did better than the spoons around me. Vis was well over a foot, that really helps. All during high incoming.
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Same here, except on the Langley side. As soon as high slack hit, it tapered right off.
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Spent the last couple days tossing spoons just above the Mission train bridge.
Small pink spoons, 10lbs Spiderline, and my old 7ft Berkly (Green Blank) Lwt. . The rod most be over 35 years old but is still best thing I've used to battle pinks. My son and I only took three between us cause that all all we needed to feed the company. Besides there is still many days of fishing to go.
We released ten times that many without them ever touching the beach. Great fun! The lad is getting pretty good at it, much to the frustration of the other " SERIOUS" fishers around us.The funniest part is watching guys slowly start to creep in next to us, and look on there faces when we give up the spot with a big smiles and encouragements, only to walk over to where their were previously fishing , and start hooking up over and over again. it really is all in the attitude, a slow retrieve, the soft hands.
Get out there and goodness sakes have fun, after all people...it's just fishin! :)
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I've only fished the Fraser for pinks twice back in 2009 around September 15. Crazy action like literally one every couple of casts. Limited out really quick and this was on the fly lol...
I'm curious to know how does this year's timing and numbers compare to previous years?
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Went scouting south arm near tunnel and near 3rd today, about 2-3 pm. Saw only one definite pink roll, and one in the bag. Nobody hooking up.
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This afternoon: high tide, s. shore of Richmond: dead, dead, dead. Didn't see a single fish roll or get caught.
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Lots f fish up around Fort Langley today. Hard to get them to bite, but the ones we did get were bullets all with lice, I guess they were high tailing it.
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Guys these next few days there will be no sad faces. Trust me :o was at new west key last night with my girls. Pinks were out in force I wasn't fishing. But they were rolling and a few were trying to be birds. My girls liked watching it also. Heading out right now for a hour. My friend just called me he was in sapperton. He was into 4 all released So going to were I seen all the fish. I'll post back in 1.5 hours. Tight lines
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Got my first one about an hour ago , river road , chrome female one of two hookups in 3 hours of casting so awesome to see my 4 yr old son take the rod and fight it the last little bit before netting it wow what a smile on his face !! Too cool ! Pinks are a blast ! The little guy is a natural...
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Fished Richmond south arm as well on the incoming tide from 11-3:45. Hooked one 20 minutes in but lost it while trying to land it. Couple of fly fishermen were getting into some fish in the late morning but overall it was slow going into afternoon. Went up to Middle arm and fished from 4:30-6, one followed and mouthed my lure very close to shore (at the surface) but unfortunately it took off before I had the chance to set the hook. Overall still quite slow...
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got 2 pinks today around high tide but after that nothing
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This afternoon: high tide, s. shore of Richmond: dead, dead, dead. Didn't see a single fish roll or get caught.
Concur, I was down on the South Arm this afternoon. Saw only 1 caught.
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Concur, I was down on the South Arm this afternoon. Saw only 1 caught.
Strange that Richmond is so dead right now. Entire weekend was slow.
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Guys these next few days there will be no sad faces. Trust me :o was at new west key last night with my girls. Pinks were out in force I wasn't fishing. But they were rolling and a few were trying to be birds. My girls liked watching it also. Heading out right now for a hour. My friend just called me he was in sapperton. He was into 4 all released So going to were I seen all the fish. I'll post back in 1.5 hours. Tight lines
Heh..I was there on opening day..caught my first one there on the floating dock but it was overall slow. Good to know that it's picking up (though I wished I was there today rather than in Richmond!).
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Concur, I was down on the South Arm this afternoon. Saw only 1 caught.
You didn't see mine then... ;) I could see you, but you couldn't see me. ;D
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My dad and I were down at South Arm this afternoon from 1 to 3pm. While the usual big push of fish like we sometimes see in early September didn't happen, I wouldn't say there was a lack of fish. I could see a few rollers in front of me once every 10 to 15 minutes or so, and I've always believed that a few rollers indicate dozens of fish below them. I managed to hook into two fish during the time I fished. Extremely slow retrieve did the trick, the bites were very delicate. Here is one of them which my dad wanted a photo with.
(http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc90/fishingwithrod/2015/150907-2_zpsim6nbzyo.jpg)
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I was out this morning in Langley area on the low tide (had to work this afternoon), and I still managed 3 fish before noon. Just smoked the one I kept. There were lots rolling up to about 11, when the tide was slack, then they all moved offshore to mid channel and it died off. I too found ultra slow retrieve with the flies worked best Rod, very soft takes often just as I was ready to raise the rod to cast.
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You didn't see mine then... ;) I could see you, but you couldn't see me. ;D
Then you must have seen the 3 I hooked. ;D
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Arrived south arm at around noon, saw some people leaving with fish. I hooked 3 and landed 2. Not that slow, people around me hooked fish too.
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got out fished by a friends 7 year old daughter who got 7 to net and lost atleast 5or 6 more ! i got 5 to net plus a couple released by boat ! friend only hooked 1 !
we only kept a few does ! rest were sent on there way for there journey
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A reminder that bait ban for salmon fishing is in effect starting today for the Tidal Fraser River, fishing for coho and sockeye salmon is also prohibited. Please release all coho and sockeye salmon with care.
Let the pink salmon fest continue! :)
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I did pretty well this weekend. Limited out one day and between two of us on the boat yesterday we got 4 and missed many more. The first day I was on my own from shore and the banks got super busy. I have a question. Has anyone tried using their float tube out on the Fraser? I am going to do it. My only concern is storage of fish on the tube. I could hang the fish off the tube in the water but I am worried about seals. Anyone have any experience with this?
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I did pretty well this weekend. Limited out one day and between two of us on the boat yesterday we got 4 and missed many more. The first day I was on my own from shore and the banks got super busy. I have a question. Has anyone tried using their float tube out on the Fraser? I am going to do it. My only concern is storage of fish on the tube. I could hang the fish off the tube in the water but I am worried about seals. Anyone have any experience with this?
I've not done it, been considering also. Saw two guys in v boats on Saturday near Deas Island. Water was like a bathtub.
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Fished around noon today, hooked into a few fish and got my limit in less than an hour. The wind on the Richmond portion of the Fraser makes casting a pain in the butt. >:( I only saw a few other people fishing but with no luck... the "I am throwing a lure out as far as I can and retriving it faster than I can run doesn't work all that well. :P
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I did pretty well this weekend. Limited out one day and between two of us on the boat yesterday we got 4 and missed many more. The first day I was on my own from shore and the banks got super busy. I have a question. Has anyone tried using their float tube out on the Fraser? I am going to do it. My only concern is storage of fish on the tube. I could hang the fish off the tube in the water but I am worried about seals. Anyone have any experience with this?
I have in Langley below Crescent island. I never kill more than one at a time, so storage isn't an issue.
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My son caught a big male and I landed two female at the south arm. Rollers were found between 1:30 to 3:30.
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Realllly slow today. Fished around Mission Bridge for about 3 hours.
Saw only one guy out of the 50 or so that were there hook into anything, and that was a sturgeon, not a pink.
Some fish were rolling. Pretty surprised with the complete of lack fish caught considering the number of anglers.
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Realllly slow today. Fished around Mission Bridge for about 3 hours.
Saw only one guy out of the 50 or so that were there hook into anything, and that was a sturgeon, not a pink.
Some fish were rolling. Pretty surprised with the complete of lack fish caught considering the number of anglers.
That could be because of the seine nets, or what time of day you were there.
I stopped for a quick toss of the spinning rod, and caught nothing in 30 mins. I saw a couple guys land some fish about 8:30am.
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Fished Langley this morning and didn't do very well. Went to Maple ridge for evening tide. Took a couple hours until a school went by. Two casts = two fish. It's slower than weekend but there still seems to be good numbers out there.
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About 2 p.m. (3 hours before high tide) quite a few fish were visible from the s. shore of Richmond but they sure weren't biting. It didn't matter what we threw at them. Still, sure good to see them.
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Forgot to mention one observation. When school went by I didn't notice any risers.
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Fished Richmond south arm in the evening after work (high slack to ebb tide)...it was quite dead: no fish seen or caught..not much luck for others too.
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Ridge Meadows today and yesterday after work, pretty slow only a few seen or jigged to the net lol
weekend was way way better. Am hoping it picks up
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Went down to Garry Point around noon today for my first try at pink fishing. Saw one fish going crazy jumping around but nothing apart from that. No bites, no landed fish. Will try again tomorrow, thinking of trying Derby Reach. Never been to any of the spots on Rod's list of tidal Fraser locations. Any thoughts on Langley vs. Richmond? I'm totally new at salmon fishing :P
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I have to say I was not a fan of Derby reach when I tried there a few years back. The problem boiled down to too many power boats going by at high speed and that just seemed to push the fish way out to the middle of the river - I could not get a cast anywhere near where they were.
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Went down to Garry Point around noon today for my first try at pink fishing. Saw one fish going crazy jumping around but nothing apart from that. No bites, no landed fish. Will try again tomorrow, thinking of trying Derby Reach. Never been to any of the spots on Rod's list of tidal Fraser locations. Any thoughts on Langley vs. Richmond? I'm totally new at salmon fishing :P
That fish was likely being chased by a seal. Seals have a way of turning the bite off quick.
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First day of no bite since last Saturday. Totally dead, only saw two seals.
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Went down to Garry Point around noon today for my first try at pink fishing. Saw one fish going crazy jumping around but nothing apart from that. No bites, no landed fish. Will try again tomorrow, thinking of trying Derby Reach. Never been to any of the spots on Rod's list of tidal Fraser locations. Any thoughts on Langley vs. Richmond? I'm totally new at salmon fishing :P
Derby Reach is great if you don't want to see combat fishing. "More relaxed" and you can bring the kids too if they are into fishing. But i agree there were too many boats that passed by. Then again, you see them anywhere during this season.
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Are the three bars around Glen Valley Regional Park any quieter? I am definitely looking for non-combat zone fishing, as I don't want to have to compete for space ;) The picture on FWR looks like there's infinite room for anglers to spread out:
http://www.fishingwithrod.com/articles/region_two/glen_valley_regional_park.html
I'm heading out to fish, be there around 9:30am today. If anyone else is fishing in the same area and wants to meet up to chat about fishing (aka me asking a bunch of questions about salmon fishing), send me a PM :D
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Was out in my kayak yesterday near Fraser Surrey docks, lots of fish showing on surface and FF caught and released one and lost another. Shore fishers were doing ok but a little slow for most.
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Comparing the Area 29 Test nets between 2013 and this year it's pretty aweful. More than 10 times more fish were caught around this time last pink season.
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Are the three bars around Glen Valley Regional Park any quieter? I am definitely looking for non-combat zone fishing, as I don't want to have to compete for space ;) The picture on FWR looks like there's infinite room for anglers to spread out:
http://www.fishingwithrod.com/articles/region_two/glen_valley_regional_park.html
I'm heading out to fish, be there around 9:30am today. If anyone else is fishing in the same area and wants to meet up to chat about fishing (aka me asking a bunch of questions about salmon fishing), send me a PM :D
that's the west end of Duncan.
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Are the three bars around Glen Valley Regional Park any quieter? I am definitely looking for non-combat zone fishing, as I don't want to have to compete for space ;) The picture on FWR looks like there's infinite room for anglers to spread out:
http://www.fishingwithrod.com/articles/region_two/glen_valley_regional_park.html
I'm heading out to fish, be there around 9:30am today. If anyone else is fishing in the same area and wants to meet up to chat about fishing (aka me asking a bunch of questions about salmon fishing), send me a PM :D
No, not infinite room, but the bars themselves are large, and the shoreline is easily accessible for a good chunk from Two-bit bar right up to just below Poplar Bar. Then there are a few more accessible points here and there between Poplar and Duncan Bar. Finding a spot is usually not a problem, but you will rarely be alone for long, especially if you are catching fish.
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Comparing the Area 29 Test nets between 2013 and this year it's pretty aweful. More than 10 times more fish were caught around this time last pink season.
Yes, but that was known as an exceptional run expectations. They aren't huge every two years.
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Ive found the shallow bars around Derby to have pinks out beyond casting range.
Monday Derby and above had SO MANY people fishing from shore it was funny, never seen it like that before.
Fishing around ridge after work has not been good, lost three today and one landed out of three yesterday, all after work on the incoming tide. Jigs again outperforming spoons.
I did manage to leave my net half in the water on the rocks only to have a pink swim into it and get tangled up. Never heard of that before~
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And just like that the pinks are tapering off already...at least it certainly feels like it.
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Went out last night in the Langley area for 1.5hrs. There were about 15 anglers and I only saw 4 fish caught with very few rolling. I did manage to catch 1 so it wasn't too bad for myself.
Hopefully there are still some good days left, especially with the nets gone.
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Went out this morning from 6am until 8am at two bit bar. Nothing not a single bite nor nibble for me or the half dozen other anglers.
Water was nice and clear with calm waters. Beautiful morning but not no fishes around.
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Was just looking at todays DFO update FN1026-Salmon - Fraser River Sockeye and Pink Update - Areas 11 to 29 - September 11, 2015
http://notices.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fns-sap/index-eng.cfm?pg=view_notice&DOC_ID=175680&ID=all
And noticed this tidbit:
Daily pink escapements into the Fraser River have been estimated using the Mission hydro-acoustics and species composition information from the in-river gillnet test fisheries. Earlier in the week daily estimates past Mission approached 600,000 pink salmon but have recently declined to 117,000 on September 10th. The total estimate of Fraser pink salmon past Mission to date is approximately 4.3 million.
In other recent updates they were predicting a return of about 6.2 million. If 4.3 million are already past mission, then one could interpret that as 2/3rds of the run has already gone through. Hopefully there will be some later waves of fish, otherwise it could be a very short season compared to historical. Just based on the test fisheries from previous years, they see fairly consistent numbers until at least around Sept 20-25. Could be a very different story this year...
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That's correct DanL. The 6.2 million estimate remains unchanged after today's meeting at the Fraser River Panel.
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if past cycles are anything to go by a large portion if not most of the fish arrive in the last half of the month in my experience. Another factor to consider is that by this time in 2013 the commercial harvest of pinks was about 4.5 million higher than this year.
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Ridge Meadows again after work, best day of the week
lost 3 yesterday got maybe 6 out of ten today landed and saw 3 maybe landed by a few others
Once again jigs are the performer. Few risers, all in low incoming
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Ridge Meadows again after work, best day of the week
lost 3 yesterday got maybe 6 out of ten today landed and saw 3 maybe landed by a few others
Once again jigs are the performer. Few risers, all in low incoming
What kind of jig do you use?
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Bent Rods mostly or from my local tyer
Have to carry lots, Ive given away three this week to spoon guys lol
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No rollers, no bites. It seems that the pinks for the Richmond area is done. What a short season this cycle.
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I was out today near Langley Area. Fish were surfacing rolling but not taking any lures. I tried everything. Didn't even have a hit. Other days same place limited out in 10-20 mins.
Is it due to the warmer weather or something that keeps the bite off?
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Yesterday at New West 30 rods, 3 hours, 5 fish
Today same gig, 1 fish
and that's a wrap
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I was out today near Langley Area. Fish were surfacing rolling but not taking any lures. I tried everything. Didn't even have a hit. Other days same place limited out in 10-20 mins.
Is it due to the warmer weather or something that keeps the bite off?
It's due to being called FISHING. That and the nuclear waste is making them smarter this year. Now put your tinfoil hat on.
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Down by Glen Valley (Langley) this morning from 7 - 9:30. Saw 1 rise, 1 zombie and nothing on the line. 3 boats out in the vicinity, didn't see them connect either. Looks like it's over *sigh*
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Fished Langley area this morning. Was slow but was able to get 4 fish on the line. 3 of which got off.
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Almost over at Surrey area as well. 30 rods 3 fish in 3hrs and that's during incoming tide.
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My buddy suggested the lower Pitt River for later this afternoon/evening. Are there still fish around there, or would we be better off heading up to Langley/Mission/Abby?
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If you decide to fish the Lower Pitt River (the non-tidal portion), don't forget that there's no retention of pink salmon (or any salmon actually) allowed.
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Thanks for the reminder Rod!
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Hit the low incoming around 5 , got three and a hand full of bites, saw nothing else caught
funny after the 1st two people nearby both ran and put jigs on, although briefly
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IMO, most people are focusing too much on looking for surface activities, worrying about commercial fishery impacts. Instead more emphasis should be placed on what you are using, how you are using it, and why it is not working at the time and location you've chosen.
I don't get to fish during the pink salmon season as often as I would like anymore, but the few times we got out, we have gotten fish pretty much every time except one. This includes the times when no one else was getting anything and no fish could be spotted on the surface. Ten or fifteen years ago I was able to fish everyday in September during odd years, sometimes working through every tide. I feel because of that, I have been able to figure out when and where fish should be travelling through, and go with full confidence that we'll get fish. Even though the run has been downgraded from 15 million to 6 million fish, with 2 million fish still to come from the ocean, that is still a lot of fish to target! More often than not fish are still moving through when they are not showing themselves on the surface. In fact, I've probably caught more fish when they are not showing than when they are.
This morning was a good example of why paying attention is so important. We arrived late at Mastqui Trail Regional Park, at when the tide was almost peaking. The beach directly in front of the parking lot was packed. While the odd fish were caught, it was pretty quiet overall. Just about everyone waded out to their waist, which is probably worst thing you can do when targeting pink salmon since they are shallow travellers. I can understand why fly fishers need to, for more back casting space, but there really is no need to go that far out if you are chucking spoon with a long rod.
We decided to walk further down the river to where there were only one or two more people below us. The odd fish could be seen showing their back around 40 feet from shore, roughly the same distance where most were standing further up. As the fish travelled up, they suddenly had to change path and moved much further out. Most were probably too busy moving and avoiding human obstacles than paying attention to the lures and flies.
We stood on the beach most of the time when we fished. My dad managed to hook four during the two hours and missed quite a few others due to the light takes, they were all caught in that travelling lane. Fish were still showing up and moving out as they went upstream when we had to leave.
(http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc90/fishingwithrod/2015/150912-01_zpstk5jij4l.jpg)
(http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc90/fishingwithrod/2015/150912-02_zpsqwr1xjoj.jpg)
(http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc90/fishingwithrod/2015/150912-03_zpsfi1b3eyu.jpg)
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IMO, most people are focusing too much on looking for surface activities, worrying about commercial fishery impacts. Instead more emphasis should be placed on what you are using, how you are using it, and why it is not working at the time and location you've chosen.
Amen Rod!
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Even though the run has been downgraded from 15 million to 6 million fish, with 2 million fish still to come from the ocean, that is still a lot of fish to target!
Not to mention no more blackberries at 5 rd. it is down from hundreds to tens :-[ My daughter saw nothing on surface. very disappointing year for her as well. :'(
just wondering what the anglers did when they caught nothing :o.
Lol
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People will wade to their head if they have swimming goggles. ;D ;D
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People will wade to their head if they have swimming goggles. ;D ;D
I agree was out at Langley Duncan bar at first light which was fine. But as more and more people arrived I noticed that most looked like they were trying to wade out to where the seals were. Not to mention the boats come out and Anchor 20 ft off shore and start casting towards your spot. I don't blame the fish for zipping up and running for their natal streams.
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I don't blame the fish for zipping up and running for their natal streams.
And zipping and running they are. Here are a few of the many bright fish I hooked at the Harrison River mouth, where I headed after hearing 4.5 million fish had already past mission. Even the males had hardly a hump.
(http://teacherweb.com/BC/HDStaffordMiddleSchool/Sandquist/HarrisonPink.jpg)
(http://teacherweb.com/BC/HDStaffordMiddleSchool/Sandquist/HarrisonPink2.jpg)
(http://teacherweb.com/BC/HDStaffordMiddleSchool/Sandquist/HarrisonPink3.jpg)
(http://teacherweb.com/BC/HDStaffordMiddleSchool/Sandquist/HarrisonPink4.jpg)
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Hi Rod and thank you for the good report. I agree on all points you make 100% and I also had my fair share on Fraser pinks so no complaints there but it still doesn't change the fact that this year's cycle is nothing like the 2013 one. Numbers from test fisheries are in line with the 6mil forecast hence the much lower catch rate, it just isn't anything close to 2013. I even think (my own speculation) that the catch rate is much lower than 1/4 of 2013's if we say that the run numbers are 4 times lower, because these fish now are using different travel lanes thus often out of reach.
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I find them running in the same path they used in the last few cycles. Just fewer fish. I have caught a good number of them. I am glad they will be opening the tributaries though as it will be nice to get out for a few hours when time allows and not have to even worry about seeing other people.
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Just uploaded two fly pattern videos for pink salmon onto our YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMEfoo8Hjz8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfGwNtpYKQo
Thanks to Todd at Fred's Custom Tackle for doing this.
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was at hope 2 days ago, lots of fish surfacing, a big male broke me off my lure, fly fishers next to me were getting some. Way better than in the south part of the fraser river. going to the lake fishing next. maybe hit Hope again on the way back
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How come with all these fishermen on the banks there are not any bycatches. You'd think pike minnows and some trout would be hooked as well. But all I get is sardine sized fish bumping my lure
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Was out for a few hours Sunday on the rising tide in the lower. Only saw a few other people out but managed to land one and saw another caught.
Another thing I noticed was that the water clarity seems to be quite a bit better this year. Probably 2 ft visibility. And very little debris, ideal conditions really.
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How come with all these fishermen on the banks there are not any bycatches. You'd think pike minnows and some trout would be hooked as well. But all I get is sardine sized fish bumping my lure
A guy I was fishing beside caught two hatch steelie smolts on Thursday. Watched a kid pull in two large pike minnow yesterday.
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I caught a bunch of bycatch Pinks.
It was like they were following me.
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How come with all these fishermen on the banks there are not any bycatches. You'd think pike minnows and some trout would be hooked as well. But all I get is sardine sized fish bumping my lure
I caught a shiner perch on a 2.5" pink buzzbomb last week while fishing for pinks in Richmond..it was only barely bigger than my lure and I actually lip-hooked it..so I'm not sure why it was so fascinated by something it could not fit its mouth around.
I went out for a short fishing session out in New West in the early morning before work on Monday. Tide was high and was approaching/or at slack. Saw a few fish surfacing and had 1 hookup which I quickly lost near shore..not much action after that when the seals came in.
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I caught a shiner perch on a 2.5" pink buzzbomb last week while fishing for pinks in Richmond..it was only barely bigger than my lure and I actually lip-hooked it..so I'm not sure why it was so fascinated by something it could not fit its mouth around.
I went out for a short fishing session out in New West in the early morning before work on Monday. Tide was high and was approaching/or at slack. Saw a few fish surfacing and had 1 hookup which I quickly lost near shore..not much action after that when the seals came in.
Funny you should say that. I was at Derby yesterday for a short trip. I though I was way to early, 2 o'clock was all the time I had. It was slow until the seals showed up then I got 3 in a hurry. Think the seals kept them pinned to the shore. Only had 45 minutes, and think the school passed pretty quick, but that was the only time I was grateful to see the seals.
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As far as the hand ringing over this year's return vs 2013; 2013 was the 2nd largest return on record and was just marginally lower than 2003. 2005 saw about 10 million fish so record runs don't seem to be followed by equally large returns. When I started fishing pinks in the Fraser watershed in the early 90s, a return of 7 million seemed quite remarkable. Ten to 20 years before that the return was as low as a million fish. I just hope that this year's return isn't the start of a return to that sort of pattern.
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Landed a dime bright 12lb chinook the other day in New West, right after low slack. No pink love though.
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There was a good push of fish thru Langley area last night. Decent amount of fish showing on surface from 4 to 630-7 when I left. I was pretty excited to see this and was optimistic about getting into something after a few outings last week with no success.
I threw the tackle box at them with everything I have had success on this season and past cycles. Zero!!
Was frustrated a bit as usual but understand they can be finicky even when presenting thru good number as there were. 40 minutes of gear changes later I decided to just go outside what would be considered "normal" pink gear and threw on this crazy green with black zebra stripped croc. Never been used before and just sitting lonely with my other spoons.
Literally first cast and fish on, with another a few casts later. It wasn't spectacular but ended up with 2 more hook ups after that.
This is not a break thru in fish philosophy because alot of times going outside the box for stubbron fish holds true but just a word of advice to anyone new to fishing, to not drag that one lure forever thinking it will work "eventually" ! Just keep throwing till maybe something works, even if its the weirdest thing in the box.
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Fished incoming tide this morning with a couple of other stubborn fishermen and nothing. No bites and very little activity. Third zero fish outing for me in the lower arm.
I've yet to talk to anyone who caught anything on the North Arm this year, and with the south arm being challenging to say the least, I think lower river fishing is over for me until the bait ban is lifted and the coho return (though someone had mentioned that there was concern about the coho numbers this year).
Tomorrow I'll head upstream to Langley or Mission, continue to have good success there - think it's the funnel effect - the ratio of fish to the volume of water works in our favour.
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Landed a nice male on a buzzbomb early this morning before work, New West area again. Many rollers sighted at first light but few would take lures.
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Spent a bit of time out this morning with no success but did see some rollers and some fish caught. Water clarity degraded a bit in the past couple of days.
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Took the boat out this afternoon / evening with hope of finding some fish after last nights epiphany with an "odd" lure that had success. Found decent numbers showing around golden ears bridge shoreline but was humbled again with no takers. Emptied out the tackle box yet again around rising fish to no avail.
Water like glass, sunshine and tempting fish surfacing around me ....... still made it all worthwhile.
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Looks like the whonock and cottonwood test fisheries are showing declining numbers...
Fished all tides today. No success, water clarity has degraded over the last week.
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fished the vedder yesterday around the railway bridge. Hundreds of pinks swimming by. No interest in any of my flies. Have they stopped feeding on the way to spawn? Would first light give more chance?
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Just finished a week of pink fishing on the fly.It exceeded my expectations.I would say that at first light with a small pink and silvery,crystal flashy fly.Most I caught many multiples on were a # 10.Let it sink then steady small strips.Best day was forty plus biters all fresher fish.By mid morning it was off considerably.
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Have all the pinks moved through the lower fraser
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Fished the Langley area on the rising tide on Saturday. Hit two on the spoon and another guy already had one on the beach when I got there. No one else was in the immediate area so as far as I could see everyone got fish ;). Water clarity wasnt great though, maybe 1.5'
They are absolutely still in there for those willing to give it a shot.
Also had a nice chat with a DFO officer patrolling the area, so be sure to observe the rules.
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Fished the New West area about 5 times this month right around 2 hours before peak tide most times and I am blown away just how poor the run seems to be this year. In all my outings there I have two landed and two lost and I got completely skunked Saturday and Sunday.
In previous seasons I would typically get at least two to four on every outing. What happened?
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Fished the New West area about 5 times this month right around 2 hours before peak tide most times and I am blown away just how poor the run seems to be this year. In all my outings there I have two landed and two lost and I got completely skunked Saturday and Sunday.
In previous seasons I would typically get at least two to four on every outing. What happened?
Things change, less food out there in the ocean perhaps?
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People shouldn't be too surprised by the lack of fish as prior to the opening the estimated return had already been downgraded to 6 million fish. Your catch rate of course will be a lot lower when the run is less than half of some of the better years. Salmon runs, like most other fish species with short cycles, can fluctuate as they are dictated by the abundance of both the lower and higher trophic levels in the ocean. Too little amount of food will result in smaller fish, higher mortality due to stress. Too many predators will result in higher mortality especially when migrating out as little smolts. If conditions improve, the ocean will yield lots of fish again in two years from now.
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watched the river at low incoming on Sat in Maple Ridge, still a few pinks showing, rain started and I bailed lol
(https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtf1/v/t1.0-9/12011222_10153025609052751_3610832432017011140_n.jpg?oh=734da1209eace7f68121b37c5df18c34&oe=56649C04)
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I haven't been out for a week but the good reports of the last few days indicates the usual good runs in the last half of Sept seem to be arriving which is encouraging. It just takes a bit more effort to connect with good numbers of fish.
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I haven't been out for a week but the good reports of the last few days indicates the usual good runs in the last half of Sept seem to be arriving which is encouraging. It just takes a bit more effort to connect with good numbers of fish.
Yes sir today absolutely confirmed my optimism. ;D
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Fished outgoing tide this evening at New West..got skunked..no hookups, no rollers. :P No one else was catching anything. Did see a good- sized sturgeon taking a leap in the middle of the river..very cool to see.
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Anyone fish along the Fraser in Richmond recently? How's the activity?