Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum
Fishing in British Columbia => General Discussion => Topic started by: Dave on April 05, 2018, 06:04:30 PM
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This morning buck, Emmathedog, and I made our first trip to the upper Chilliwack River to count steelhead. This is the 8th consecutive year we have done this and, as usual we start with saying this is not a population estimate; we simply count fish we see at 3 different sites, at the approximate same date each year. In doing so we establish spawning times and behaviors and, possible trends. Some comments are usually included.
We lucked out as the rain stopped when we reached Chilliwack Lake. Gate locked and about a foot of snow greeted us but it was well packed so walking to the lake outlet was easy, especially for our 3rd crew member. The water level at the lake spawning area was the lowest we have seen but there is still plenty of gravel for fish to spawn on now, and way more when the lake level raises. Water conditions for observations were acceptable and we saw none. On the approximate same date in 2015 we saw 2; in 2016 we saw 7. No counts in other years were made at this app. date.
Centennial Channel was next and here we saw the usual vandalism we see every year – trees chopped down across the channel, garbage left, beer tins, etc. DFO has left the gate valve to the channel open so there is as much water in the channel as we have seen – all for the good, in our opinion. No fish were seen today, and no fish were seen in other years on this app. date.
Last stop was the Middle Creek bridge pool and spawning pad. Visibility was limited and none were observed. The only other app. dates for comparisons were in 2015, when we saw 5, and 3 in 2016. While looking for fish from the bridge we watched a float drift down … still attached to a rod and an angler. This dude was hidden under the bridge so he was not visible from the road, and when confronted claimed he did not know the area was closed. Right. His gear was high end .. this guy knew where he was. He left right away.
On returning we stopped at the hatchery where staff were spawning steelhead. The manager thought 40 females and a few less males were captured for brood. Interestingly, the hatchery staff were unable to capture many fish this season, suggesting there were not many to be found in the first good holding water in the closed area.
Much more in the next 6-7 weeks.
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Thanks for continuing this Dave, Buck and Emma. Water temps? Probably a bit colder than previous years is my guess. Not good hearing about the guy fishing under the bridge - he probably wasn't there for catch and release either.
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I knew you would bring water temperatures up ;) Will take temps from now on.
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I knew you would bring water temperatures up ;) Will take temps from now on.
At Least he didn't tell you to make sure u calibrate it in boiling water first.
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This morning buck, Emmathedog, and I made our first trip to the upper Chilliwack River to count steelhead. This is the 8th consecutive year we have done this and, as usual we start with saying this is not a population estimate; we simply count fish we see at 3 different sites, at the approximate same date each year. In doing so we establish spawning times and behaviors and, possible trends. Some comments are usually included.
I would expect, or want, nothing less! :)
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Should of taken a pic of the angler fishing in the closed area and if identified have gotten DFO to charge the poacher. Thanx for sharing.
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I have actually heard rumour of a few well known guys within the angling/guiding community fishing up there. Could you give a description of what he looked like? What gear he had, what he was using etc.
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30 ish, was with another person driving a newer white pick up, quality green center pin reel, high end rod. Guy knew how to fish ... perhaps buck can add to the description.
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I have actually heard rumour of a few well known guys within the angling/guiding community fishing up there. Could you give a description of what he looked like? What gear he had, what he was using etc.
Yup. Would not doubt it. So sad. The area is closed for a reason.
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30 ish, was with another person driving a newer white pick up, quality green center pin reel, high end rod. Guy knew how to fish ... perhaps buck can add to the description.
Did you get his plate numbers?
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Dave if you provide me your email address I can send you a photo of one of the individuals rumoured to be fishing up there. I don’t want to put it here because as of right now it is just a rumour. Maybe it’s one of the guys you saw.
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Dave if you provide me your email address I can send you a photo of one of the individuals rumoured to be fishing up there. I don’t want to put it here because as of right now it is just a rumour. Maybe it’s one of the guys you saw.
Good stuff. It's Davidpbarnes1@gmail.com
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Dave if you provide me your email address I can send you a photo of one of the individuals rumoured to be fishing up there. I don’t want to put it here because as of right now it is just a rumour. Maybe it’s one of the guys you saw.
I happen to know of someone who fishes a green pin and also owns a newer model white pick up... I wonder if I, too would be privy to this mugshot for a possible ID? rubber.down@hotmail.com
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I sent an email to Dave. I’m not about to start sending pics of people because you know someone with a centerpin and a truck ::) I just want to know if the person I heards been up there is the same person that was spotted
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I sent an email to Dave. I’m not about to start sending pics of people because you know someone with a centerpin and a truck ::) I just want to know if the person I heards been up there is the same person that was spotted
if u ID the poacher then they should be reported and charged.
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There’s no way they could press charges based on someone saying they saw them doing it. It’s good enough to shame them publicly though. Only Dave and Buck can confirm if the picture I sent him is one of the people they saw today
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Lol I tried. I REALLY wanted to see if it's a certain jackass. I'll mind my own business as I typically try and practice ;D
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Buck and I viewed the photo sent by avid angler and we don't think the angler in his photo was the person fishing illegally. We regret not being more proactive on this issue and urge others who may be in the upper river to keep their eyes open. We most certainly will be looking on our weekly visits.
I will also be calling a Fishery Officer I know well to look into this.
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Buck and I viewed the photo sent by avid angler and we don't think the angler in his photo was the person fishing illegally. We regret not being more proactive on this issue and urge others who may be in the upper river to keep their eyes open. We most certainly will be looking on our weekly visits.
I will also be calling a Fishery Officer I know well to look into this.
Thank you. These clowns need to be caught.
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Was fishing slab yesterday and we saw a float come drifting down but we could see nobody was above us. We thought that was kind of strange although it could have been a float that was jammed up and finally came loose.
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The three of us made our second trip into the upper river this morning, just missing the rain when we reached Chilliwack Lake. The snow had melted considerably but was still easy to walk on. The water level was up about a foot, covering nearly all the new gravel at the lake outlet. Because this new gravel has been dry for so long since it was added two summers ago, due to very low water levels, periphyton has not had an opportunity to grow on the gravel. This will make it difficult to determine if redds have been built or attempted at this site. Conditions were good for observations for both staging and spawning fish, but none were observed. In past years on the approximate dates: 2014 - 1(poor viewing conditions); 2015 - 14; 2016 – 4; 2017 – 1(poor viewing conditions). Water temperature was 5.0° C
Centennial Channel showed two areas that we considered were gravel movement by fish, but not real redds. Perhaps just exploratory digging as just upstream we observed 3 fish; one large female actively digging, accompanied by two smaller males. In this channel the periphyton is well established and any gravel movement is readily apparent. We saw no other fish. On the approximate date in 2012 we saw 0; in 2013 – 0; in 2014 – 0; in 2015 – 2; in 2016 – 9; in 2017 -1. Water temperature was again 5.0° C
Final stop was the Middle Creek bridge where despite good viewing conditions we saw no fish but one possible redd. Due to turbid water on previous approximate dates we only have numbers for 2016 when we saw 9, and 2017 when we saw 4. No poachers were seen today 8) and DFO has promised to do a few more patrols in this area.
On a side note there appears to be a ton of snow from about 2500' on up so we could have a larger than normal freshet this season.
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Please excuse my ignorance. What is periphyton?
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Please excuse my ignorance. What is periphyton?
It's the slimey, algae like covering on water covered rocks found in streams and lakes. Most times it's brownish colored but always it's slippery. It's like sirloin steak to invertebrates like stoneflies, mayflies, caddis, etc, and an indicator of stream productivity.
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All I hope is their is over a thousand spawners. I just read a paper that talked about when a salmon population gets below a thousand spawners that the productivity gets cut in half.
Ricker-Dep – This model includes adjustments for both larger carrying capacity as in the Ricker-PriorCap model and depensation, which reduces productivity by half when escapement to a CU falls below 1,000 fish. A variety of processes might result in depensation at low abundance; for example, inbreeding may occur, spawning fish may not find mates and higher mortality may result from predation or fishing. Depensation, where it exists, could accelerate declines or inhibit rebuilding at low abundances. There are limited empirical data to quantify the possible depensation in IFR coho – one study has shown that S-R data for the North Thompson coho population (one of five in the IFR MU) gave a good statistical fit to a variation of the Ricker model aimed at capturing depensation effects. (Chen et al, 2011).
Bradford and Wood (2004) reviewed the basis for the IFR coho recovery targets from both a genetic and demographic perspective. They concluded that achieving 1,000 spawners per sub-population outlined in the draft Interior Fraser Coho Recovery Team (IFCRT) recovery plan met the accepted standards for the maintenance of genetic diversity and persistence of subpopulations over time, but that this value was at the lower end of the range and was considered minimally acceptable. Their paper also notes the risks of managing fisheries to this minimum value.
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Buck, Emmathedog, and I made our 3rd trip into the upper river this bright and sunny morning. Still snow on the ground and no greenery at Chilliwack Lake. The snow crust was frozen from the overnight frost so walking to the lake outlet was no problem. Water clarity and conditions were optimum for viewing, but none were observed. In 2014 on this approximate date we saw 3; in 2015 – 20; in 2016 -10; in 2017 conditions were not suitable for observations. Water temperature was 7° C.
Centennial Channel was perfect for seeing fish and gravel movement. One fish was seen, along with a few minor areas of gravel movement. We had a great overhead view of this fish – fat, suggesting a female, a small scar near the dorsal fin and a very prominent adipose fin. Seeing females by themselves, at this time of year, and especially in this channel where we are confident the fish don’t hold but enter and spawn over a few days, is unusual. Invariably in this channel, females are attended by at least one, often more, males. In 2012 we saw 4; in 2013 -3; in 2014 -0 (very low water); in 2015 -5; in 2016 -8, and in 2017 -0. Water temperature was 6° C
The Middle Creek bridge site was excellent for viewing, and one was observed, holding. In 2013 we saw 4; in 2014 and 2015 no counts were made; in 2016 -0, and in 2017 -5
On the way back we stopped at the hatchery where past experience had us expecting to see fish in the entrance channel, but again, no fish were present. Talked to staff who reported not seeing any steelhead, and that all the broodstock had been recently spawned. Which made buck and I wonder … why is the river still open to anglers in April above Tamihi Creek, when the majority of fish would be either staging to spawn, actually spawning, or kelts? The telemetry study done in 1999 and 2000 showed this area to be a high density spawning area, and the only scientific rational we can think of to have this stretch of river open in April is to harvest the hatchery fish known to spawn here. But hatchery fish have been documented spawning here when the study was done, and most likely since the 1st hatchery steelhead arrived. Interestingly, these spawnings may be one of the reasons anglers are still catching adipose intact fish today. In our opinion, it’s time to close this area to angling for the month of April to provide sanctuary for wild, and whatever hatchery fish made it through the angling gauntlet.
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… why is the river still open to anglers in April above Tamihi Creek, when the majority of fish would be either staging to spawn, actually spawning, or kelts? ... In our opinion, it’s time to close this area to angling for the month of April to provide sanctuary for wild, and whatever hatchery fish made it through the angling gauntlet.
I'll vote for that; and fly-fishing only after April 1st from below Tamihi.
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The upper closure is a good idea. One that will actually improve spawner productivity and will result in more fish returning in the future. fly only below tamihi lol. Changing below tamihi to fly only is a sad
joke. It’s not a conversation tool it’s just fly fisherman looking out for their own interests. Especially when most water in that section of river isn’t even suitable for fly fishing...
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It’s not a conversation tool it’s just fly fisherman looking out for their own interests. Especially when most water in that section of river isn’t even suitable for fly fishing...
You got it right it's not a conservation tool but a conversation tool and you bite.
No fly water from Tamihi down to the canal? Where have you been fishing?
The fly guys need a decent chance of connecting and April is as good a month as any. Give these guys a break for a few weeks. We had it good for what , 13 weeks now?
Besides, my buddies need to sell more spey rods and the whole works.
I am not looking out for my own interests, are you?
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The steelhead just need to be actively managed with counts and escarpment goals. As more and more salmon fisheries get closed down recreational fishermen will come to the c/v looking for fishing opportunities.
Recreational fishermen are the sole harvesters of this stock and with that the responsibility to make sure the stock is properly managed and escarpments are met.
If Dave is sounding alarm bells they should be listened too.
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You got it right it's not a conservation tool but a conversation tool and you bite.
No fly water from Tamihi down to the canal? Where have you been fishing?
The fly guys need a decent chance of connecting and April is as good a month as any. Give these guys a break for a few weeks. We had it good for what , 13 weeks now?
Besides, my buddies need to sell more spey rods and the whole works.
I am not looking out for my own interests, are you?
The good fly fisherman have had no problem getting into a fish or two pretty much every trip since March. If they don’t know what their doing to begin with then removing gear anglers won’t make it any easier for them. I am absolutely looking out for my own interests. The late stock on the chilliwack/vedder is probably the healthiest component of the whole run. Why take away angling opportunity on the only highly accessible productive steelhead fishery in the valley for fresh arriving healthy steelhead.
I believe closing the upper vedder in April will actually increase the carrying capacity of the system. Taking gear guys out of the lower river in April... not so much
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Ok ... us Fly guys will be happy with adding the water below the crossing to the Fly only period, maybe even just from after April 15th.
Don't get excited - just kidding, sort of...more like dreaming.
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Fly guys can fish anywhere they want. Followed one down the river yesterday.
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The good fly fisherman have had no problem getting into a fish or two pretty much every trip since March. If they don’t know what their doing to begin with then removing gear anglers won’t make it any easier for them. I am absolutely looking out for my own interests. The late stock on the chilliwack/vedder is probably the healthiest component of the whole run. Why take away angling opportunity on the only highly accessible productive steelhead fishery in the valley for fresh arriving healthy steelhead.
I believe closing the upper vedder in April will actually increase the carrying capacity of the system. Taking gear guys out of the lower river in April... not so much
Nothing to disagree with you there, thanks for joining the conversation.
Time for us to get the hell out of Dave's thread. Tight lines.
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Nothing to disagree with you there, thanks for joining the conversation.
Time for us to get the hell out of Dave's thread. Tight lines.
Discussions regarding Chilliwack steelhead and their management is needed, and if it comes from this post, so be it, imo. I know for sure at least one person who is involved in management decisions for this stock is reading this thread, and he is very interested in what anglers have to say.
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Dave, as you and I have discussed, a more proactive approach for managing Vedder steelhead has to be undertaken. Now is the time to start making some meaningful decisions before numbers decline to Thompson River levels. You and I and a few others remember how good Steelheading was in the early sixties. It would be a win if we could maintain the current run size over the next decade.
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Personally I will not fish above upper Wilson Rd. after the end of March.
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As someone who actually puts in atleast 100 rod days a year vedder steelhead fishing my opinion is that in recent years the fish just aren’t utilizing much of the spawning habitat between tolmie slide and the boundary.
In 2011 the upper river took a turn for the worse holding water wise and hasn’t ever really come back. At the same time that was the start of the social media hype and the first major spike in fishing pressure as stores like Fred’s started really commercializing it with their Facebook pages. A lot of the good spots lost a lot of their depth and with the heavy angling pressure the fish just don’t stick around because they don’t have good enough water to hide in. So they just keep moving on until they reach the closed section where they finally get left alone. If you kept anglers out of Allison, cedars, prison, thurston, Borden creek, slab etc in the later part of the season these fish would once again take advantage of all the prime spawning habitat and wouldn’t be forced to compete for the water above the current boundary.
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while it would be an unpopular decision, the river should most likely close to angling from April 1 or maybe even March 15 from the Tamihi bridge upstream to give the fish a rest before spawning season. They are harassed all season long and do need a rest period at some point
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The only thing that will keep Chilliwack River steelhead a viable angling commodity will be the anglers themselves. Suggestions like these are a step in the right direction, imo.
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Our 3rd trip was made this morning and as usual we started at Chilliwack Lake. We were in luck as several groups were working in the Park so the gate was open, saving us a goodly walk. Still a bit of snow in the shady areas and the lake did not rise much from last week. Conditions were excellent for seeing fish – every square inch of spawning gravel was visible and the holding/staging area below the bridge was near ideal, but we saw 0. On this approximate date in 2014 we saw 7; in 2015 -21; in 2016- 7; 2017 was not counted due to poor viewing conditions. Water temperature was 8° C.
On to Centennial Channel where again viewing conditions were excellent, and again we saw 0; nor did we see any visible gravel disturbances. In 2011 we saw 15; in 2012- 7; in 2013- 3; in 2014 -1; in 2015 -5; in 2016 – 6; in 2017 – 0. Water temperature was again 8° C.
Last stop, the Middle Creek bridge holding and spawning area, where again viewing conditions were ideal. Nothing. Jack squat. No gravel disturbances.
Finally, a look see at the hatchery showed no fish there either.
Since buck and I started these counts in 2011, this is the first time we have not seen at least one fish at our designated sites, and this is also the first time for this date we have not seen fish at the hatchery.
The next 2 counts will tell us just how bad this year may be for early run fish. Here’s hoping this warm weather doesn’t raise the level and turbidity of Chilliwack Lake, as we feel this site is our best indicator of run strength.
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Thanx for sharing. Concerning that no fish have been sighted yet. Is it early run fish that would be staging to spawn now?
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Thanx for sharing. Concerning that no fish have been sighted yet. Is it early run fish that would be staging to spawn now?
I think nearly all C-V steelhead will be spawning about now or in the next few weeks, and I know of a few kelts caught recently. It’s my experience the bright fish caught this time of the year are nearly always gravid and very close to spawning.
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I think nearly all C-V steelhead will be spawning about now or in the next few weeks, and I know of a few kelts caught recently. It’s my experience the bright fish caught this time of the year are nearly always gravid and very close to spawning.
Hi Dave,
I have a question for you and the guys that may have a better understanding than I do about the Chilliwack lake site. I know the site you examine well and have witnessed fish on it in the past. I know putting new gravel at the site was done with good intentions but I wondering in doing so if it changed the make up of that site and maybe put fish elsewhere?
What I noticed and believe happened here anyways is that the gravel bed was actually raised, leaving more of it exposed throughout different times of the year. I had also noticed when it was put in place that the rock appeared to not have been washed prior to laying. Now I have no idea if this would even matter as I honestly have no clue that's why I ask, but could the new gravel being used have something to do with these 2 factors and maybe time will put them back on that spot?
Another question I ask my self about that spot is the size of the gravel? It appears to be larger than what was on the site before hand, maybe this is a factor there?
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Hi Dave,
I have a question for you and the guys that may have a better understanding than I do about the Chilliwack lake site. I know the site you examine well and have witnessed fish on it in the past. I know putting new gravel at the site was done with good intentions but I wondering in doing so if it changed the make up of that site and maybe put fish elsewhere?
What I noticed and believe happened here anyways is that the gravel bed was actually raised, leaving more of it exposed throughout different times of the year. I had also noticed when it was put in place that the rock appeared to not have been washed prior to laying. Now I have no idea if this would even matter as I honestly have no clue that's why I ask, but could the new gravel being used have something to do with these 2 factors and maybe time will put them back on that spot?
Another question I ask my self about that spot is the size of the gravel? It appears to be larger than what was on the site before hand, maybe this is a factor there?
It is possible there is something fish don't like about this gravel ... who knows? You are correct in that the gravel was not washed but that is standard procedure by DFO's Habitat Restoration Branch, the people who do this stuff. The first high water seems to remove or settle most of the fines. The placement was done so gravel would be available at all water levels and the size is what is considered optimal for salmonids.
If indeed the fish don't like this site now, for whatever reason(s), and they are spawning elsewhere, we don't know where.
As you probably know the upper river has a lack of suitable spawning gravel other than man made pads and off channel areas. We have witnessed the same gravel size and quality being utilized by steelhead at the Middle Creek bridge site so we think the main reason we are not seeing fish at Chilliwack Lake (yet) is because either they are staging and spawning elsewhere, or they don't exist.
Not mentioned in our reports is two trips I made earlier to the Box Canyon ... this site historically was a major staging area for upper river spawners. I have personally seen hundreds of fish in these pools back in the late sixties ... this year I saw none.
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Thanks for that information Dave. Lets hope that pad and your other sites see fish soon. Very disappointing to hear Box Canyon has been void when you have had a look this season, I always enjoyed stopping there in the mid 90's to see more than 1-2 dozen fish milling around at any given time late season.
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In Bob Hooton’s new book, Days of Rivers Past, he talks about the decline of Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island early run steelhead. He attributes this to poor logging and mining practices, habitat loss, and estuarine developments. He also mentions angler harvest as being a major factor in declining early run stocks.
Back in the 50’s and 60’s most steelheading was done from late November to January. After that they had a full freezer or went back to work. Angler effort and catch limits were high and C&R was not yet being practiced. Indeed, he mentions one angler fishing the Capilano in either the late 40’s or early 50’s who caught 167. In 15 years this same angler never caught less than 75.
I started fishing the C-V in the 60’s and remember many anglers killing their limit of 40 fish every year. These harvest rates, claims Hooton, were unsustainable but catch rates continued to be high even into the 90’s because ocean survivals were at the time >12%. I totally agree with Bob’s assessment of this.
Now the upper Chilliwack has far fewer spawners, and the progeny of these fish are facing an ocean that is delivering, at best guess, 1-2% survival rates. Steelhead spawning areas (good ones that is) is very limited, and I wonder at times if fish can even find it. Centennial Channel is a good example of this.
Factor into this equation the mining of app. 80 survivors (fish I believe to be comprised of mainly early run stock that would spawn in the upper river) every year to sustain a hatchery program and you begin to see why I am somewhat pessimistic about their future.
I hope next week's count and next year’s float counts prove me wrong.
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I think nearly all C-V steelhead will be spawning about now or in the next few weeks, and I know of a few kelts caught recently. It’s my experience the bright fish caught this time of the year are nearly always gravid and very close to spawning.
Sorry, but I disagree with this, there is always new arriving fish in April that are clear finned dime bright new arrivals that aren’t even close to spawning. Obviously I’m sure these late run fish mature faster then the early stock but there’s not a chance there any less then several weeks away from spawning. This includes a handful of hatcheries that I retained with very tight skeins and small eggs. The late stock was actually really strong this year compared to years past which is better then the return not materializing at all. Also I’ve been meaning to ask do you guys wear polarized glasses when your looking for these fish?
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True enough, there are always outlyers. I can recall catching hard fish in May but that was the exception. And for sure steelhead spawn into June. But I think you have hit upon something I am starting to believe; run timing is later than say, 40 years ago. There was always a lull in fishing around February where as now that seems to be the prime month.
I would love to know where these late run fish spawn.
We wear polaroids when the conditions warrant them. Sometimes at Centennial Channel they are a hindrance but a bonus at Chilliwack Lake - all depends on the sun angle and shadows.
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You guys should have a pair of dark lense and a pair of amber lense. There is a lense shade for every condition and always better then the naked eye. It’s impossible to tell where the late fish spawn/stage although imo it is below Osborne. The majority of them don’t seem push through as fast as the early stock.
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True enough, there are always outlyers. I can recall catching hard fish in May but that was the exception.
I agree with this observation. The reason I don't retain any April hatchery fish. Haven't done so iin many yrs now. I agree with with AA on the late run this yr. April was fantastic this season for fresh chrome steelhead numbers with limited angler pressure. At least in the areas I like to fish. I often found myself all alone on runs catching fish. On the other hand the early run this season sucked in my opinion.
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I agree with this observation. The reason I don't retain any April hatchery fish. Haven't done so iin many yrs now. I agree with with AA on the late run this yr. April was fantastic this season for fresh chrome steelhead numbers with limited angler pressure. At least in the areas I like to fish. I often found myself all alone on runs catching fish. On the other hand the early run this season sucked in my opinion.
I hope people understand it's primarily the early fish we are counting.
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As Dave was unavailable for our 4th trip to count steelhead, I took on the task which started at the outlet of Chilliwack Lake. I was not very optimistic after no fish were observed spawning or staging in the deep water below the foot bridge last week. Visibility was excellent and the water temperature was 6.7 C. To my surprise there was a pair of fish spawning on the new gravel pad just upstream of the foot bridge. Both fish were in excellent condition and looked to be in the 12 lb range.
I was then off to Centennial Channel were I observed 6 more fish actively spawning in the upper 3rd of the the 3 kilometre channel. It’s interesting to note that most of the fish Dave and I have observed over the last 8 years seem to prefer the upper section of the channel. It appears these fish like to spawn in 12-18 inches of moderately fast water, just upstream of a riffle. We can almost pick out by observing flow, depth and riffle gradient as to whether steelhead will be present. The only problem is the lack of fish.
Next stop was 3rd bridge. Visibility again was excellent but only 1 fish was observed holding in the deep water. No fish were on the spawning pad.
Last stop was the Chilliwack Hatchery, but once again there were no fish holding. Most years there are between 30-100 fish spawning just below the visitors foot bridge.
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Buck have you noticed since the limit hole closure that less steelhead are entering the hatchery because there able to hold in limit hole unharrassed. Just a personal observation of mine.
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Glad there are a few fish around after all. Perhaps they are just later than normal this year? Also, are the fish that you have observed spawning below the hatchery generally clipped fish?
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Avid Angler/CohoJake
I’m sure that at least some fish would be holding and then spawning at that site. Next year there is money available for float counts so we can confirm your observation. I also have a gut feeling that some of the wild fish are putting the brakes on when they come in contact with hatchery fish in and around the hatchery. Box Canyon used to be a holding and staging area for steelhead but the last couple of years we have not observed a single fish. About 10 years ago during one of the last float counts a few fish were observed above the hatchery but 80 fish were counted in 3 holes adjacent to the facility.
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Thanks Pete. I will compare your numbers today with previous years and post it next week after our count. Good to hear Centennial had a few.
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Buck, Emmathedog, and I made our 6th trip into the upper river this morning, but first some additional numbers from past years to add to buck’s report last week. Last week Chilliwack Lake had 2 fish … in 2012 on the approximate date we saw 14; in 2013 -35; in 2014 -14; in 2015 -16; in 2016 -12; in 2017 – 9
Last week at Centennial buck saw 6. In 2011 we saw 20; in 2012 -9; in 2013 -9; in 2014 -13; in 2015 -4; in 2016 -1; in 2017 -12.
Last week at the third bridge buck saw 1. In 2013 we saw 18; in 2014 – 2; in 2015 -4; in 2016 -1; in 2017 -3
Today’s report is … Chilliwack Lake was very high making poor viewing conditions so no counts were recorded. Water temperature was 10°C. In previous years on this approximate date … 2012 -14; in 2013 – 35; in 2014 -14; in 2015 -16; in 2016 -12; in 2017 -9.
On to Centennial where we saw 5 steelhead and one trout, with at least 2 of the steelhead being female. Fish seemed smaller than usual and were very skittish. In 2011 we saw 32; in 2012 -7; in 2013 -18; in 2014 -4; in 2015 – 2; in 2016 -1; in 2017 -8 ( 2 were females). Water temperature was 9° C
The water was too high and turbid for counts at the third bridge but in previous years … in 2011 – 3; in 2012 – 5; in 2013 -0; 2014 was high and turbid; in 2015 -4; in 2016 -0; in 2017 -2
As usual we stopped at the hatchery, where no fish were seen.
At one point I was fairly proficient at graphing data but that was then ;D If anyone out there would like to graph and post our data pm me your email address and when we have finished for the year I will forward the spreadsheet. It is only a small data set but it might make all the numbers more meaningful.
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Buck was unable to make today’s count so Emmathedog and I made our 7th trip into the upper river this morning. Due to freshet conditions we did not go to Chilliwack Lake so started at Centennial Channel. As I anticipated lots of campers getting ready for the long weekend I wanted to walk the channel before people disturbed the fish so we got an early start. As expected there were people set up in about any wide spot in the road, and of course at the channel. Most appeared to be respectful of the environment but as usual there were a few groups that had garbage strewn about but the worst was the cutting of trees and falling them in the channel. Conditions for seeing fish were excellent – such is the value of a controlled flow system. None were observed but 3 areas had recent gravel disturbances indicating recent spawning activity. On this approximate date in 2011 we saw 19; in 2012 – 4; in 2013 – 18; in 2014, 2015 and 2016 it was not counted; in 2017 – 4.
Final stop as usual was at the hatchery where again no fish were seen. We will do at least one more count this season so stay tuned for next week. We are still looking for a volunteer to graph our data; pm me your email address if you are interested.
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Thanx for the report. Disturbing to hear trees being cut down into the channel. I'm guessing after the long weekend is over the camping spots along the river is going to look like a war zone.
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Buck, Emmathedog and I made our 8th and last trip into the upper river this morning and as expected, we saw nothing. Chilliwack Lake and the Middle Creek bridge site were too high for counts, but Centennial Channel was perfect for observations … only thing missing was fish. What was present however was garbage and environmental damage from last weekend’s campers. More trees dropped into the channel, diapers and human waste, and at least 60 beer cans that we picked up. Time to put another locked gate at the entrance to keep the scum bags out. On previous dates: in 2012 we saw 7; in 2014 – 1; in 2017 -5. Water temperature was 10° C at Centennial and 11° C at Chilliwack Lake.
Last stop was the hatchery, where again, no fish were seen. This is the first time in about 30 years buck has not seen hatchery fish in the entrance channel.
A forum member has volunteered to graph our data which should illustrate our concerns for the future of these early run fish.
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Thanks again Dave and Peter for another year of counts and reports.
Interesting as always to hear your weekly updates and observations and how they compare to previous years.
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I would also like to say thank you. I’m sure I speak for many when I say that I appreciate the work that you guys do, and that you take the time to share the results with us.
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(https://i.imgur.com/ff3WNgd.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/vyKQuEa.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/NeBgmmR.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/1dxXTL2.png)
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Many thanks to wildmanyeah for graphing this data. Although it's sparse, the trend is obvious... early run Chilliwack River steelhead are declining. We would appreciate the thoughts of anglers as to what we can do to stop this.
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April closure above Allison pools. Improved fish handling by sports fisherman. No wild fish out of the water like in Washington
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April closure above Allison pools. Improved fish handling by sports fisherman. No wild fish out of the water like in Washington
If these are early fish we are talking about protecting, isn't April too late for this closure?
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No, these fish spawn in April/may so it will give these fish access to all the spawning habitat in this section of river without harassment
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Why not C+R,Fly only starting April 1st from the Crossing up. Shut down the entire river May 1st.
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Why not C+R,Fly only starting April 1st from the Crossing up. Shut down the entire river May 1st.
T-50 for the Alison pool? ;) In reality, a fly only regulation would probably have a better chance than a straight closure, imo. Some form of closure for this area really does seem like winner for the fish, but the problem to the Province might be a few more hatchery fish may spawn. And, I would be surprised if this initiative would be supported by the local tackle shops and guides.
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Why not C+R,Fly only starting April 1st from the Crossing up. Shut down the entire river May 1st.
Because this is about protecting fish in their preferred spawning areas from harassment. Not catering to one user group. Crowds in April are minimal on the vedder. The fly fisherman have plenty of room to fish wherever they want.
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So if there is an eventual closure as suggested above Tamihi in April, how long will it be before we are asking to have the river closed below Tamihi and above the crossing during the same period?
Yes many early fish can be found in April in this area, but for the most part the ethical steelheaders have learned these are not the fish we need to be targeting and find fish elsewhere. Personally I have not fished above Tamihi in April for more that 10 years as I know the fish I encounter will more than likely not be the prime fish most Steelhead fishers enjoy catching. Not to say you will not find prime fish, but in my experience the ratio WAS very lopsided.
Now if this proposed closure takes place, will it put more fish on those counted grounds? I think it would help, but I can't help to think these areas are already closed and should present the same opportunity now as they did before. Maybe the problem is the unregulated harassment and angling in these closed areas?
Maybe more enforcement of the current regs are required and not more restrictions that will eventually restrict the responsible anglers entirely off the river.
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If this closure took place you would honestly see less in those counted grounds. The fish would stop moving and stage where they want instead of where there forced to by angling pressure.
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If this closure took place you would honestly see less in those counted grounds. The fish would stop moving and stage where they want instead of where there forced to by angling pressure.
I agree, more staging in the deeper pools would happen, but these fish would spawn eventually, somewhere. I can't see why they wouldn't move upstream when sexually mature.
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I agree, more staging in the deeper pools would happen, but these fish would spawn eventually, somewhere. I can't see why they wouldn't move upstream when sexually mature.
Not sure I agree with this. Up until pressure exploded even 5 as little as 5 years ago I used to see lots of spawning fish particularly in the section from Allison to Borden. Once it got to the point where every good piece of water got pounded on all day long the fish stopped hanging around.
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wow. the data does not lie. Kudos for such detailed observations.
this is horrifying .
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How Many Steelhead are Returning to the Chilliwack-Vedder River?
https://bcfishingjournal.com/journals/how-many-steelhead-are-returning-to-the-chilliwack-vedder-river/
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Great read. Very informative. Kudos to Dave and Pete. Thanx for posting this.
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Excellent read...thanks to Jesse for pulling the information together...