Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum

Fishing in British Columbia => General Discussion => Topic started by: Blood_Orange on September 02, 2017, 10:31:49 AM

Title: River Treasure
Post by: Blood_Orange on September 02, 2017, 10:31:49 AM
I went to the Stave River last week and this bright lure caught my eye from the bottom:
(https://preview.ibb.co/huQx8a/IMG_20170902_101601.jpg) (https://ibb.co/bOcYgv)

So I went out yesterday with a snorkel and fins to see if I could find any other river treasure. Came back with this in my box:
(https://preview.ibb.co/k0tg1v/IMG_20170901_184620.jpg) (https://ibb.co/g1gquF)

Which cleaned up to produce this:
(https://preview.ibb.co/neLGZF/IMG_20170902_100843.jpg) (https://ibb.co/d2NkTa)

Mostly junk but a couple of keepable bits for the tackle box, including the giant colourful lure. One iffy hook, the rest were rotting or dull. I picked up old line that I found, even if it didn't have anything else attached. Good karma I figure, for all the stuff I've left snagged in lakes and rivers :D

Total hooks: 11 (Both days)
Treble barbed: 2
Single barbed: 1
Semi-barbed: 2 (Can't tell if it was pinched poorly or just damaged by being in the river)
Single barbless: 6

If anyone else does this, I'd love to see pics of your treasure! Also curious about the breakdown of barbed vs. barbless hooks.
Title: Re: River Treasure
Post by: Blood_Orange on September 02, 2017, 10:38:01 AM
Also dug up this pic from Dec 21, 2016 at the Stave. The jigs were still in decent shape then, unlike the 3 rotting smelly ones I found yesterday :P This shot is just the decent stuff, I didn't think then to take a pic before I sorted out the trash. I was in waders that day so everything was found either on dry land or in a couple of feet of water.

(https://preview.ibb.co/cftg1v/IMG_20161221_151523.jpg) (https://ibb.co/moi3EF)

Total hooks: 14 (Garbage hooks not shown in photo above)
Treble barbed: 0
Single barbed: 6
Semi-barbed: 0
Single barbless: 8
Title: Re: River Treasure
Post by: Tylsie on September 02, 2017, 10:56:09 AM
That if pretty cool. I have found a few lures and jigs while out fishing, quite a few on the Skagit actually but never took any picture of them.

That being said, I am a bit disturbed that the it appears both lures you found have treble hooks and there is quite a few singles with barbs.
Title: Re: River Treasure
Post by: Fish Assassin on September 02, 2017, 10:58:35 AM
There are treasures to be found if you take the time to look. In 2015 while fishing for pinks, I found over 60 lures (mainly buzz bombs, jigs and spoons) including a big cod jig.
Title: Re: River Treasure
Post by: 1st lite on September 02, 2017, 12:36:01 PM
Yeah. I picked up numerous lures and some flies during the 2015 pink season. A good percentage of them looked like they were lost on the first cast. No scratches, chips, or dings on the lures. That season I did see what I assumed were a lot of newbie anglers on the water. They had the fishing rod with the plastic wrap and manufacturing label still on the rod. Some of us thought they would purchase the rod on Friday and return to the store for a refund on Sunday. This is what I consider a true "weekend fishing warrior".
Title: Re: River Treasure
Post by: cutthroat22 on September 02, 2017, 12:40:41 PM
http://www.fishingwithrod.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=26478.0  :)

Since then I've been meaning to buy a shorty wetsuit as I don't tolerate the cold water well.
Title: Re: River Treasure
Post by: leadbelly on September 02, 2017, 04:31:07 PM
Nice work. Been doing that for over 15 years lol. I think that is how I found fishing forums originally, selling lead and gear back to people~ The Coquitlam river mouth used to be good too, now its just weird stuff~ (FYI there is a clean up on the Coquitlam on the 9th)
(https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/20933894_10154704184597751_1840720079293686742_o.jpg?oh=7926ef218482ccdb3e21c1236d978074&oe=5A2029D9)
Title: Re: River Treasure
Post by: Blood_Orange on September 02, 2017, 04:31:20 PM
http://www.fishingwithrod.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=26478.0  :)

Since then I've been meaning to buy a shorty wetsuit as I don't tolerate the cold water well.

Awesome thread, thanks :D

You mean you don't have a wetsuit? Your photos were posted in March... did you go in during that time of the year?

The Squamish would be loaded with gear right now but I'm guessing the water stays cloudy all the time? And it's probably cold year-round?
Title: Re: River Treasure
Post by: Fish or cut bait. on September 02, 2017, 04:35:31 PM
Plus hooks and stuff attached to a lime and rod  held by one of the hundreds lining the bank....
Title: Re: River Treasure
Post by: Blood_Orange on September 02, 2017, 04:38:05 PM
Plus hooks and stuff attached to a lime and rod  held by one of the hundreds lining the bank....
LOL, I was thinking more after the pink run is over  ::)
Title: Re: River Treasure
Post by: milo on September 02, 2017, 10:49:36 PM
The best harvest is when the water drops quickly after being high for a few days. This was all found at the same snag in the Vedder canal two years ago:

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v131/milivoj/HardwareBounty.jpg)
Title: Re: River Treasure
Post by: Blood_Orange on September 02, 2017, 10:53:10 PM
Nice Milo! Anything that involves Blue Foxes is a good find but it looks like you got a bunch of usable hardware  8)
Title: Re: River Treasure
Post by: Damien on September 03, 2017, 09:28:09 AM
Its probably the same guy that got pissed off losing blue foxes, so he switched to home spinners.
Title: Re: River Treasure
Post by: fic on September 03, 2017, 01:25:23 PM
Just came back from the beach today with these. 
(https://i.imgur.com/XT7VDek.jpg?1)
Title: Re: River Treasure
Post by: Blood_Orange on September 03, 2017, 03:00:11 PM
Furry creek I'm guessing? I came back with a few golf balls last time I was there :P

Also saw a bunch of golf balls in the Stave but they were too hard to hold on to while swimming so I left them.
Title: Re: River Treasure
Post by: fic on September 03, 2017, 03:15:54 PM
Furry creek I'm guessing? I came back with a few golf balls last time I was there :P

Also saw a bunch of golf balls in the Stave but they were too hard to hold on to while swimming so I left them.
Yep, you should norkel there. Should be tons of lures and golf balls that are too deep for people with waders on.
Title: Re: River Treasure
Post by: Blood_Orange on September 03, 2017, 03:53:09 PM
Yep, you should norkel there. Should be tons of lures and golf balls that are too deep for people with waders on.

I'd be scared that an orca would mistake me for a seal... all sorts of crazy stuff lives in the ocean  ::)
Title: Re: River Treasure
Post by: sbc hris on September 03, 2017, 10:33:36 PM
I used to snorkel the Stave a few times every summer. I had a big plano tackle box full of the stuff that I found, but by now I have used the good stuff and tossed the junk. My best find was a complete set up, Southbend rod and reel. It was obviously not of high quality, but it was in great shape and I caught A LOT of fish on it over the years. There was always lots of treasure to be had there if the water levels were right and not too frigid. It was also very neat to just float down the river with a mask and snorkel observing the fish.

Edit to add: I would say that there was barbs on 75-90% of what we recovered from the river...
Trebles were a regular occurence as well.
Title: Re: River Treasure
Post by: clarki on September 03, 2017, 10:58:46 PM
Back in the sockeye and chinook  heydays of Scale Bar, the amount of bottom bouncing rigs that you could collect in the fall when the season closed, and the water dropped, was astonishing.
Title: Re: River Treasure
Post by: milo on September 03, 2017, 11:49:02 PM
Back in the sockeye and chinook  heydays of Scale Bar, the amount of bottom bouncing rigs that you could collect in the fall when the season closed, and the water dropped, was astonishing.

True that. I know a dude who turned bouncing betties into 10 pound lake boat anchors - that's how much lead he was able to salvage. :o
Title: Re: River Treasure
Post by: danielk on September 04, 2017, 04:22:13 PM
It would be a good investment to snorkel the cable pool on the cap this time of the year. I'm sure you would cash in the water is so low.  But beware of fly fisherman haha 
Title: Re: River Treasure
Post by: cutthroat22 on September 04, 2017, 04:59:48 PM
It would be a good investment to snorkel the cable pool on the cap this time of the year. I'm sure you would cash in the water is so low.  But beware of fly fisherman haha

I saw a dude years ago doing just that in a canyon section with good success.
Title: Re: River Treasure
Post by: Jk47 on September 04, 2017, 10:04:48 PM
Funny that the percentage of illegal barbed gear found far outweighs the barbless. Seems those practicing ethical standards tend to lose less gear. Hmmm.. coincidence? Oh ya, and also rarely tend to hook em in the back (just sayin!!) :-* :-*
Title: Re: River Treasure
Post by: Steelhawk on September 06, 2017, 05:47:57 PM
That may be related to the skill of the fishermen. The barbless hooks are mostly from seasoned, law abiding anglers. The barbed ones are from newbies or those without skill or confidence that they can hook, play and land a fish with skill without losing the majority of the catch. Another thing is that the barbless folks are mostly short floaters and they don't lose too many setups , and the others are mostly bottom scratchers regardless of how shallow they fish. Lol.
Title: Re: River Treasure
Post by: Rieber on September 06, 2017, 06:17:07 PM
Just came back from the beach today with these. 
(https://i.imgur.com/XT7VDek.jpg?1)


Kramers?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzuXgptaKDM (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzuXgptaKDM)
Title: Re: River Treasure
Post by: Blood_Orange on September 06, 2017, 08:03:39 PM
I'm more impressed that he found a rod and reel  ;D
Title: Re: River Treasure
Post by: Blood_Orange on September 22, 2017, 09:08:35 PM
Found a bit of treasure today at the Coquitlam River, just downstream of the railway bridge. Looks brand new; the barbs are still sharp. If it's yours please PM me your name, contact info, and angler number :)

(https://preview.ibb.co/jnRM9Q/IMG_20170922_165935.jpg) (https://ibb.co/bLuV3k)
Title: Re: River Treasure
Post by: fishingwithjohn on September 23, 2017, 11:53:09 PM
I just picked up an all gold 3 at Walmart today and clamped that treble off as soon as i got home...first tackle ive ever had to buy ahaha
Title: Re: River Treasure
Post by: Blood_Orange on December 03, 2017, 05:28:06 PM
Was out at the Stave today fishing with trout beads for the first time. No bites, no fish. I think the gear and setup were correct but not sure that I was in the right place or that I wasn't making some other kind of mistake. Tried both sides of the river... saw a guy catch a gorgeous chrome chum on the West side in the AM :o Was quiet after that so my buddy and I switched sides. There were 6-8 people fishing for coho in the marsh. I saw a handful of old cohos on their redds but nothing that looked worth catching. Didn't see anyone hook up.

I was keen to get out on the hunt for treasure and came back with a modest haul. The water level was higher than I'd hoped... the dam had three spillways open. Clarity was mediocre. Usually the Stave is pretty clear despite the weather but after the rain this week I'll take what I can get.

(https://preview.ibb.co/nH09qG/IMG_20171203_164951.jpg) (https://ibb.co/mjQaVG)

Total hooks: 7 (Forgot my tupperware today so didn't pick up garbage hooks)
Treble barbed: 0
Single barbed: 2
Semi-barbed: 0
Single barbless: 5
Title: Re: River Treasure
Post by: cdjk123 on December 04, 2017, 12:48:31 PM
Seeing that amount of single barbless is pretty good, especially on the Stave!
Some of those are nice jigs too.
Title: Re: River Treasure
Post by: Blood_Orange on December 04, 2017, 05:40:16 PM
I PM'd you some pictures :D
Title: Re: River Treasure
Post by: Blood_Orange on December 16, 2017, 11:12:42 PM
Found my second usable river dustpan! I also pulled a couple of batteries out of the river and will drop them in the recycling container at work. I also got a 30g float and Filip Flisiak's wallet. I think the wallet's been in the river for about ~5 years based on two membership card expiry dates. The CareCard (third from left) turned a weird dark gray colour.

I'll put in a couple of calls to the card issuers in the wallet but doubt they'll help me find the guy. If you happen to know him, please PM me. There's one card in particular that he'll be happy to get back. Lost in the Coquitlam River in 2012 would be my guess :o

Edit: I kept the cards but threw away the wallet. It smelled terrible  ;D

(https://preview.ibb.co/b5CuPm/IMG_20171216_123137.jpg) (https://ibb.co/fgFsAR)
Title: Re: River Treasure
Post by: Novabonker on December 17, 2017, 01:26:32 PM
Any cash?  ;) ;D
Title: Re: River Treasure
Post by: Blood_Orange on December 17, 2017, 03:57:17 PM
No cash but there was a salmon egg and a dragonfly larvae inside  ::)
Title: Re: River Treasure
Post by: Noahs Arc on December 17, 2017, 06:00:15 PM
Tim Hortons gift card?
Title: Re: River Treasure
Post by: Blood_Orange on December 31, 2017, 12:51:46 PM
Found the owner of the wallet through the Save-On card!

He and his wife lived in Coquitlam back in 2012. The guy was at home one day when thieves broke into his house and stole some things, including his wallet. They kept the cash and the driver's licence and threw the rest into the river. There was a $120 Lululemon gift card in there but either they didn't notice it or were just looking for cash. The wallet floated downstream about 2km over five years. He and his wife live in Kelowna now so I'm mailing them the cards. Happy ending plus an interesting story!
Title: Re: River Treasure
Post by: psd1179 on December 31, 2017, 02:45:02 PM
Found the owner of the wallet through the Save-On card!

He and his wife lived in Coquitlam back in 2012. The guy was at home one day when thieves broke into his house and stole some things, including his wallet. They kept the cash and the driver's licence and threw the rest into the river. There was a $120 Lululemon gift card in there but either they didn't notice it or were just looking for cash. The wallet floated downstream about 2km over five years. He and his wife live in Kelowna now so I'm mailing them the cards. Happy ending plus an interesting story!

Good story.
Title: Re: River Treasure
Post by: 96XJ on December 31, 2017, 05:27:03 PM
Hey good on you Blood_Orange , way to follow up on this , that's definitely good karma
Title: Re: River Treasure
Post by: Seahawk on January 01, 2018, 09:22:36 AM
Found the owner of the wallet through the Save-On card!

He and his wife lived in Coquitlam back in 2012. The guy was at home one day when thieves broke into his house and stole some things, including his wallet. They kept the cash and the driver's licence and threw the rest into the river. There was a $120 Lululemon gift card in there but either they didn't notice it or were just looking for cash. The wallet floated downstream about 2km over five years. He and his wife live in Kelowna now so I'm mailing them the cards. Happy ending plus an interesting story!

This is called basic human decency.  Well done for doing this.  The world in general needs a lot more people and actions like this!!!
Title: Re: River Treasure
Post by: Blood_Orange on March 10, 2018, 09:04:13 PM
Was out at the Stave today. Water levels very low... lots of treasure to be found!

Interesting thing:
-The dude who was futzing around in the water on the East side below the dam, about level with the spawning channel bridge. Went over later and found a tin of sardines with the lid cracked open an inch, sitting in a foot of water about ten feet from shore. I removed the tin from the water but didn't pack it out with me because it was smelly.

Checked out both West and East sides of the river. Found one giant tangle lower down on the East side:
(https://preview.ibb.co/fQwL3S/IMG_20180310_094323.jpg) (https://ibb.co/hxXtOS)

My buddy took it home and cleaned it up:
(https://preview.ibb.co/dxnSiS/image.jpg) (https://ibb.co/eNf2Hn)

I found a handful of lures while roaming around. Some good hardware but most of the hooks were in various stages of decay. Two questions: Are the Pixee Spooon-type lures any good for chum? Never seen them before today but found two. Second question, the pink thing at the bottom, from what I found online, is an articulated fly with two hooks. Is that legal for use in rivers? And fly fishing or drift fishing? I'll try it out if it's legal.
(https://preview.ibb.co/mTNtOS/IMG_20180310_185702.jpg) (https://ibb.co/gLiNHn)

Total hooks: 40
Treble barbed: 1
Single barbed: 3
Semi-barbed: 4
Single barbless: 32

The percentage of single barbless hooks found was very high today  :D
Title: Re: River Treasure
Post by: pwn50m3 f15h3r on March 11, 2018, 09:46:20 AM
I’m 95% sure that having 2 hooks on a fly is illegal in rivers
Title: Re: River Treasure
Post by: sbc hris on March 12, 2018, 10:21:03 AM
Pixee spoons are good for coho in big/coloured water. They’ll probably catch the odd chum too. The guy with the sardine can was surely trying to attract crayfish. He was probably coming back later to pick off the ones that would be hanging around it.
Title: Re: River Treasure
Post by: colin6101 on March 12, 2018, 03:15:16 PM
I’m 95% sure that having 2 hooks on a fly is illegal in rivers

You are correct, it is illegal to use these flies in our rivers. You can however use them in some places in the ocean.
Title: Re: River Treasure
Post by: Bavarian Raven on March 12, 2018, 04:57:35 PM
Cool story about the wallet!  8)
Glad you're cleaning up the river (and getting some neat loot). :)

If you're ever diving in Buntzen lake (or anyone else lol), I lost (read dropped) a willow leaf with a red wedding ring in the northwest corner of the lake (near the river that goes under the bridge), and I lost a ford fender about a hundred meters north of the dog park along the shore. Big 4-5 pound trout (had the drag set too light and was in a kayak) pulled it through a log and tangled it hopelessly. :( It was my lucky rig too. :S