Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum
Fishing in British Columbia => General Discussion => Topic started by: lapetitebuse on April 23, 2016, 01:09:51 PM
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just wondering if it is worth going there yet...
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If you want to make your trip worth it...go out in June.
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April 28. Caught 2 fish on roe.
Earliest I have seen fish caught by another angler is April 16.
Go and put in the time.
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first week of may - roe , got 2 right away .
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April 7th last year I believe, hooked 4 in about 6 casts. Little school was going by and I happened to intercept them I guess. There's fish in there now and there's gonna be fish in there in 2 months, just go fish.
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The weirs are up as of this sunday.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iuseR1aYsDc
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That early? They didn't usually set the weirs until later part of June when the river is low. This is ridiculous. How is the hatchery going to get some early brood stock? I guess the highest tide should let some fish up hopefully for the sake of the fish stock. I hope they do this only at the train bridge section. But if they block from Marine Drive Bridge, then even the highest tide can't get over the weirs.
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Not that I like it.
(The weirs)
But, they will get their brood stock.
The First Nations didn't build a dam and decimate a natural migration of fishes.
But folks need water more than fish.
It's a put and take fishery for the most part.
Treaties and such favor the First Nations.
All this goes much further than their rights to fish unfortunately.
But it is what it is and has been so for more than 50 years.
50 years ago there wasn't a third of the population.
Poor planning,; much like our roads.
We're playng by yesterday's rules.
Sucks?
Ya!
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Typically 2nd to 3rd week of June during the freshet can be really good- anywhere from 2 to 4 on the water level stick at the Hatchery weir is a great level. The trick is to fish the tides. We would fish under the highway bridge about 2 hours after high tide. You would find a surge of fresh fish shooting up river and a bunch would get caught. Then after maybe half an hour there and seeing a few fish caught, if you didn't catch anything yourself, we headed up river to the Cable Pool and below area. About 3-5 hours after high tide you'd see that same surge of fish come through again. If you can find a travel lane where fish would hold just a small piece of wool would work. These fish are fresh and aggressive. As soon as the fish hole up though and the water comes down, they tend to shut their mouthes. So fishing the travellers with a bit of water in the river really puts the odds in your favour.
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How big are these early cohos typically?
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2 to 4lbs
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My experience was that the fish were close to (or under) the 2 pound mark in the spring and closer to 4 pounds in the later spring/early summer. Which is what you would expect from fish that had longer to feed in the ocean.
I've heard these early Cap coho called "bluebacks" which is reminiscent of the colloquial name given to immature coho caught in Georgia Strait many years ago when there was a strong fishery for them. I haven't caught an early Cap coho for many years, but my recollection is that their backs were indeed deep blue in colour
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Anybody gone out there recently? Must be a total gong show right now
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I am checking it regularly. There were more fisherman last week. I saw only two today. There are 4 or so fish in the cable pool. A couple of fish in the hatchery ladder.
The weirs at the mouth are pretty high. So I guess need high water.
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I have another source who lives in NV and has fished Cable Pool frequently told me the story similar to what dobrolob is reporting. It is dead slow and not many fish in the pool even after that major rain and not many fishermen either. Unless the fish are late, this year does not look promising so far as we are nearing mid June, supposedly the prime time of the early run. If the hatchery has not cut back stocking, then perhaps ocean condition is not helping the fish. Too much herring roe fishery for the commercials??? If last year's Vedder coho is any indication with their generally small size, the ocean food source for coho may be declining.
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I think the run might be a little bit late but there are still some fish going up. I find they are really booting up the river fast. Most schools stick in pools for no more then 10 minutes a time. I observed a school that sat in the tailout of the cable pool for 2 minutes before heading up. I have already landed a couple fish while intercepting these schools.
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Low tide, Capilano weirs vid, today, around 3:00 PM. Water level at Cap at about 1ft.
https://youtu.be/tk9073IpFSE
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What are we meant to observe here?
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Rock weirs.
That is not a natural rock formation.
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That much I know. But, are we supposed to be seeing fish in there? Is it a commentary on the water level? Explanation for the lack of fish? I just don't know what exactly the video is trying to show...
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Just an update on the water levels perhaps? or maybe to prove that salmon can make it past the weirs?
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That vid should be an explanation for why only a few fish will make it up river, when the fish do show up.
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What about in high tide ?
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Those small rock walls have zero effect as soon as the river blows out or even is at like 4 feet so stop complaining. This is not the reason for a low fish count, Blame someone else!!!
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4 feet is extremely rare event in the summer. Even 2 feet is pretty rare. Last summer it was almost always below 1ft. Things are a little better this summer, but not by much. You will need to wait for the blow out till Sept or Oct. This thread is about summer cap coho.
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Considering how high and fast some of the runs get even at two feet, which the fish are able swim up and through as a matter of course, those weird really don't look like much of a hurdle. But I ain't no expert...
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Probably not a big deal if there is no one with a net. Check video on the first page of the topic.
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i agree. Once you add a whole bunch of guys with nets chasing the fish, the fish had no chance to find any gaps to go through. They ended up dashing around frantically behind the weirs only to be scooped up as seen from the notorious video. I hope some fish can go through when the tide is 14' or above. It is hard to tell as the highest tides are mostly around mid-night. But if they also set up weirs under the Marine Drive bridge (I have seen these in the past), then not even 16' tide can allow the fish to get past the weirs.
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Was there yesterday and saw quite a few coho booking it upriver. They sure move quickly through the river.
Saw a school of at least 20-30 fish swim past me at the highway 1 bridge area.... they did not stick around long at all.
Cable Pool had a good number of fish in there but did not see, or hear of, anyone getting any. Saw lots and lots of roe getting cast in from every rock ledge just to be ignored by all the fish in there.
Was at the bottom of Cable Pool and saw at least a dozen fish zoom through the tailout and right into the pool. The ones I saw were all a decent size. they looked strong, fast and really skittish. In the clear low water their backs really do look blue!
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Was there yesterday and saw quite a few coho booking it upriver. They sure move quickly through the river.
Saw a school of at least 20-30 fish swim past me at the highway 1 bridge area.... they did not stick around long at all.
Cable Pool had a good number of fish in there but did not see, or hear of, anyone getting any. Saw lots and lots of roe getting cast in from every rock ledge just to be ignored by all the fish in there.
Was at the bottom of Cable Pool and saw at least a dozen fish zoom through the tailout and right into the pool. The ones I saw were all a decent size. they looked strong, fast and really skittish. In the clear low water their backs really do look blue!
I was there in the morning in a different pool and saw nothing except smolts following my spoon.
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For those who need or care to know...
My prediction...
Tomorrow could be epic at the Cap...probably going to be the only good day this spring.
Epic meaning 2 fish.
First light for 4 hours.
3/8 to 1/2 spinners and spoons...if you loose a few your doing it right.
10 lb fluorocarbon leader.
Leave roe at home.
Fish anywhere except Cable Pool.
Fencepost, cast and repeat.
Was going to but just realized that I am not motivated enough.
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For those who need or care to know...
My prediction...
Tomorrow could be epic at the Cap...probably going to be the only good day this spring.
I predict it will be a disappointing day tomorrow, based on last years returns. I'll still go on the weekend, but I'm not missing work for it.
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I predict it will be a disappointing day tomorrow, based on last years returns. I'll still go on the weekend, but I'm not missing work for it.
Where did you get the return numbers? Never really looked for them before.
However bleak they may be...tomorrow's potential is not just a whim. Even if the run is late or small there is no denying that dozens or even a hundred or more fish are eagerly waiting for a run...I have seen a few bright fish every time I've visited the hatchery in the past couple of weeks.
This is also the historical peak starting point for the runs return...theoretically the mouth could even be swarming with fish. Now, the weirs could prevent most from making their journey...but wait!
Have you seen the river level?
(http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc478/Penskyfile/image.jpg1_16.jpg) (http://s1213.photobucket.com/user/Penskyfile/media/image.jpg1_16.jpg.html)
Forget the useless kayak cam. This real time chart tells me that the river is currently prime at 1.2 - 1.5 feet...at least at the spots I like to go to. I presume that the other pools would be equally fishable at this level. Any higher there is too much flow, and you can't get your lure to sink enough without adding weight. Also, each segment of the chart is 4 hours, so the height will maintain until daybreak and for several hours afterward...unless the dam is released (little chance of that) the river will be a perfect height.
Now, couple this with a high tide at 5ish...well now you've got fish moving into a perfectly flowing river at first light...how can you fail? A river that you can cast to the other side, directly intercepting fish that you know are coming up...just get something shiny in the water and it's a sure thing. Personally, I don't think that first light is a necessity, but hey...why not have all the odds in your favour.
Also, my reasoning for not using bait is also due to the limited possible fish present. Bait casting is too slow...with lures you can keep an active trigger in front of the travel lane more of the time. With a higher collection of fish present you can use bait...but the Cap fish mostly zoom up river in 2 hours or less.
Tomorrow is a rare perfect storm.
However, don't give up on the weekend...you can always try the random odds too.
P.S.
This is the best tide chart...tideforecast.com
(http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc478/Penskyfile/image.jpg1_17.jpg) (http://s1213.photobucket.com/user/Penskyfile/media/image.jpg1_17.jpg.html)
Easiest to read and visualize...It has a real time dot that moves with the tide (not shown)
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I think I should go out and kill the only 4 fish swimming up the river and then this bickering can end.
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I think I should go out and kill the only 4 fish swimming up the river and then this bickering can end.
LOL...you can also C&R and give us all a go...
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I don't know about tomorrow, but it is a disappointment for everyone fishing at Cable Pool and the rapids below today. I went there after work after seeing the Cap level shot up. But not a fish on the shore or rock. I was fishing houserock rapids and had some very nice pocket water. Didn't see or touch any fish fishing from 6 to 8. Then went down to the care home run as the Cap camera was at 3' and possibly some fish could come up even at low tide. But nobody there and nothing, no fish rolling at all. This is prime time for early coho and so far not very good. Saw about 3 or 4 fish at the hatchery fish ladder. Normally those ladders would have been filled with fish with this level of water. Well, just hope your prediction will turn out right. If the fish are not hitting up the river at tonight's high tide, then there isn't many fish around the river mouth.
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My work hours allow me to hit the cap every day untill 11:30ish am. Ive been out 4 times in the last couple of weeks.
I have only seen 1 fish caught and a gauntlet of rods.
It has been beyond slow.
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LOL...you can also C&R and give us all a go...
It's a put and take fishery, those fish are meant to be killed, sorry no C&R on my part for them! Besides those little morsels are too tasty to let any go!
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So has anymore caught any coho at ambleside recently ? ?how big?? Someone explain in detail when is best time to fish at ambleside park in relation to high or low tide? I don't understand and you need saltwater license right ? At mouth of ambleside park?
Rod has a few articles on this site which explains it pretty well. Also search for the word "Cap" or Capilano in the forums to see what it has been like in previous years. I have to agree that Cap coho is very tasty. May be it's because it's so close to the ocean and didn't waste any energy traveling up the Fraser.
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Below the train bridge is considered TIDAL.
Hence, a TIDAL licence.
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I wonder if any one has experience to know how fast the fish can travel up the river at this kind of water level (2-3' at Cap Camera)? Assuming the bulk of fish is coming up from last night high tide, do you think they can make up to the hatchery in 1 day? I have never explored mid river pools and runs below Dog Leg. Usually lower river from H1 bridge and down or upper river. I will fish the river tomorrow. May be worth to explore mid river pools if they don't travel that fast.
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I was curious to see if my prediction would be accurate, and also because I decided to not get out on the the river today...perhaps if there was some activity in the ladder I wouldn't get discouraged the next time. I needed to meet a client in ambleside after work, so I thought I should go check it out while I was in the area.
I'll admit that I had a doubt or two due to the skepticism voiced, and my own observations of fewer fishermen than in previous years...but here's what I found in the hatchery windows...
(http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc478/Penskyfile/image.jpg1_18.jpg) (http://s1213.photobucket.com/user/Penskyfile/media/image.jpg1_18.jpg.html)
(http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc478/Penskyfile/image.jpg2_4.jpg) (http://s1213.photobucket.com/user/Penskyfile/media/image.jpg2_4.jpg.html)
(http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc478/Penskyfile/image.jpg11.jpg) (http://s1213.photobucket.com/user/Penskyfile/media/image.jpg11.jpg.html)
(http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc478/Penskyfile/image.jpg6_1.jpg) (http://s1213.photobucket.com/user/Penskyfile/media/image.jpg6_1.jpg.html)
(http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc478/Penskyfile/image.jpg7.jpg) (http://s1213.photobucket.com/user/Penskyfile/media/image.jpg7.jpg.html)
(http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc478/Penskyfile/image.jpg9.jpg) (http://s1213.photobucket.com/user/Penskyfile/media/image.jpg9.jpg.html)
(http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc478/Penskyfile/image.jpg5_1.jpg) (http://s1213.photobucket.com/user/Penskyfile/media/image.jpg5_1.jpg.html)
(http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc478/Penskyfile/image.jpg10.jpg) (http://s1213.photobucket.com/user/Penskyfile/media/image.jpg10.jpg.html)
All of the windows were teaming with fish...even the right side windows that usually have smolts and juveniles.
They were all bright between 3-5 lbs, and even a few larger ones...they were jumping up the ladders in a constant influx.
I estimate between 80-100 fish were in the windows at that moment...the most that I have ever seen there since I started 3 seasons ago.
Surprisingly there were only 5-6 novice anglers in the cable pool.
Go figure?
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That's cause you told us all to skip the cable pool!
I hooked into three, landed two this afternoon. Made my day, I've fished that River so many times this year without a hit.
I was there from first light til ten without so much as a nibble, watching two guys across the run limit out...
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That's cause you told us all to skip the cable pool!
I hooked into three, landed two this afternoon. Made my day, I've fished that River so many times this year without a hit.
I was there from first light til ten without so much as a nibble, watching two guys across the run limit out...
WTF! That is awsome...I've listened to your many empty handed past experiences, and can only imagine the feeling you had from your diligence finally paying off.
The delayed action could be that you got dialled in just right when it started working for you...the Cap is an unusual river that you can feel when things are just right.
Remember that Mojo and utilize it next time...sometimes it's just not there.
Another bit of superstition is when the Heron hangs around things are looking good.
I've yet to land two in one outing...bravo!
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Thanks man!
I was pretty damn thrilled, that's for sure. And oh man, dinner was a treat!
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Congratulations. I was out this afternoon lower down and not a sniff.
Did you get them on the fly by any chance?
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Definitely fish moving through yesterday. Most people I saw had seen some caught or caught some.
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The odds are better in your favor if you go try.
But! It is no means good at this time.
Not to discourage anyone from trying but it's being in the right place at the right time.
My timing has been a bit off ::)
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Knnn...
On roe. My skills aren't quite there yet with the flyrod. A bit of a menace to others if I'm not by myself;)
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lol , like I thought , roe is the trick ....
but "keep your roe at home and use gear (c) from someone above" :D
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lol , like I thought , roe is the trick ....
but "keep your roe at home and use gear (c) from someone above" :D
Hey Hyena,
That's great that roe is working out for you...it is the perfect Bait!
And more importantly use whatever gives you confidence.
But it's actually not a trick...it's fish food.
I had my reasons to exclude the use of bait, and I explained them. I actually like roe for the Fraser, but in my personal experience for Cap fishing...metal is best for me.
Actually, rather than boast and chime in your opposing opinion. Why don't you draft something of substance, so that you can add to the content of this and the other threads that you have smiley faced.
Perhaps then I will be able to understand your point.
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I've been to the Cap nearly every day this June and what I've seen is that the fish just started to come in with the high water this tuesday/wednesday. Hatchery is holding lots of fish now, probably in the hundreds.
Fish is moving up river pretty fast, making it very hard to target. My buddy and I were able to find fish on the move yesterday evening only to see them come through a run within 10–20 minutes.
The fish I've seen caught was about 40cm. I can attest to 6 or 7 fish caught. Only one guy I had met was carrying two fish, after the high water.
You need to hit the right run at the right time to have some luck and that proved nearly impossible for most fisherman I've seen or talked to.
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Also! ALL unclipped fish to be released.
Know how to identify your fish.
(There are a few Steelhead in there and they have to be released both clipped and unclipped; as well as smolts and a few cutthroat.)
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So has anyone caught any coho at capilano yet?? What size??where exactly?
This issue has come up over and over again. Please do not as for specific locations on this forum (General Discussion especially), unless you want to bring your own rock to stand on. Yes, coho have been caught. You can pick up a map of the Capilano that includes trails. Here is an example:
http://www.fishingwithjames.com/214600052
And no - I'm not trying to "hide" secrets or keep the river to myself. In fact, I'm probably not even going to bother fishing the Cap (I'm too busy with my princesses). Good luck and have fun!
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3 friends of mine went 5am ish on Wed morning .... by 6am they had all limited out.... I had to work so I missed out.....dang.
Next day they went to the same spot ....no fish at all .....timing ( and luck ) is everything.
I stopped in at Cable Pool for a bit yesterday eve..... was floored by the sheer # of anglers on the rocks there....Gong show, barely room to move .... I skipped on fishing there. Went for a long hike ....found a nice spot... sun was still up...barely ...... then ......in a patch of 'frog water' .... I GOT ONE on the fly!!!!! Whoohoo !!
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Read your first paragraph of your last post.
It was not YOU.
But when we share on the interweb....
We share with all. :o
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Read your first paragraph of your last post.
It was not YOU.
But when we share on the interweb....
We share with all. :o
Perhaps this thread should really be moved to the REPORTS section?
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Anybody tried the Cap lately? Any new cohos or springs coming in?
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I'm no Cap expert, but we took some family visiting from Australia up to the hatchery to see the salmon and sights. The river was just barely dribbling. Talked to a guy fly fishing the tail out of the cable pool and he said it's been slow.