Subject: FN1171-Recreational - Salmon - Coho - Region 2 Lower Mainland Non-tidal Fraser River Mainstem - Opening - Effective immediately

This notice advises fishers of recreational Hatchery Marked Coho Salmon fishing opportunities in non-tidal portions of the Fraser River mainstem.

Waters: Fraser River in Region 2 from the downstream side of the CPR Bridge at Mission, BC to the Highway 1 Bridge at Hope, BC 

Management measures – Coho Salmon:

Effective immediately until November 30, 2025
-The daily limit for Coho salmon is two (2) hatchery marked only.
-Fishing for salmon is only permitted from one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset each day.
- No fishing for Chinook, Chum, Pink, Sockeye, wild Coho Salmon or Steelhead.
-You must not use bait when fishing for salmon

Variation Orders in effect: 2025-RCT-488, 2025-RFQ-487, and 2025-GMB-486.
 
NOTES AND REMINDERS:

Barbless hooks are required when fishing for salmon in tidal and non-tidal waters of British Columbia.

No fishing is allowed within 100 meters of any government facility operated for counting, passing or rearing fish.

It is illegal to willfully foul hook a salmon. If you accidentally foul hook a salmon in the ocean, it may be retained if the species is open to retention. If you accidentally foul hook a salmon in any lake or stream, including the tidal parts of coastal streams, it may not be retained and you must release it immediately with the least amount of harm as possible.

The term "marked", "hatchery marked", or "adipose fin clipped" means a fish that has a healed scar in place of the adipose fin.

All anglers must have a licence to fish in non-tidal waters in BC. Apply for your BC non-tidal waters recreational fishing licence and non-tidal salmon surcharge at: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/sports-culture/recreation/fishing-hunting/fishing/recreational-freshwater-fishing-licence

Anglers are advised to check at: http://bcsportfishguide.ca and https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/sports-culture/recreation/fishing-hunting/fishing/fishing-regulations for fishing closures and other recreational fishing regulations and information.

Fishers are encouraged to participate in the Salmon Sport Head Recovery program by labelling and submitting heads from hatchery marked Chinook and Coho Salmon to head depots. The head-off measurement can be used by enforcement officers to assess compliance on size limits if you remove the head from Chinook or Coho. Recovery of microscopic coded-wire tags found inside hatchery marked Chinook and Coho heads provide critical information for coast-wide Salmon stock assessment programs. Contact the Salmon Sport Head Recovery Program toll free at 1-866-483-9994 for further information.

Report suspicious activity or violations by email at DFO.ORR-ONS.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca or by calling the 24-hour, toll-free Observe, Record, and Report line at 1-800-465-4336 or 604-607-4186 in greater Vancouver.

The 24-hour, toll-free information line for fishery notices regarding openings and closures is 1-866-431-3474 or 604-666-2828 in greater Vancouver.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Please contact the nearest Fisheries and Oceans Canada office or visit our website at http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Fisheries and Oceans Canada Operations Center - FN1171
Sent November 3, 2025 at 12:39
Visit us on the Web at http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca

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I have two pairs of Simms boots that are still in pretty good condition, but the felts are worn pretty thin. They need new felt or I'll unfortunately have to toss them. Does anyone know a shop or cobbler that still does this kind of thing?

A year or so ago I posted the same question on this site and had a good answer from Dan, or Daniel. Forget his last name. Krentz maybe? He used to post a lot on this site and also sold roe flies on this site and maybe also Facebook. Anyway, he mentioned that he posted a video on Instagram showing how he re-felts his wading boots. Unfortunately, I can't locate this past discussion on this site (I did do a key word search), nor can I find the video on Instagram.

I do have a pair of Korkers with replaceable soles. I find they are fine for summer/fall, but for steelhead when I'm walking a lot, the Simms boots (esp the G3s) are just WAY more comfortable. So I'd really like to re-felt them rather that buy new boots.

I would rather pay someone to do this for me. Seems like a bit of an iffy job getting the new sole glued and clamped well to get proper adhesion. Would suck to buy the adhesive and felt and have the sole peel off prematurely.

Does anyone known a guy or business that still does this? Express Reel did back in the day (he has been closed for several years).

Lost at Dewdney Slough.  Silver ring sentimental value.

But the bait ban really confuses me.  Never have we had a bait ban when coho was open.

You can still use bait and fish for sturgeon?

if I was to partake in the bar fishery targeting Hatchery coho I would use the bait of choice and if or when a DFO officer stopped by to check my tackle I would claim to be fishing for Sturgeon. Roe works for sturgeon and there is no law on what size, type or brand of tackle must be used when sturgeon fishing.
The bait ban is a pile of garbage put in place by a government agency that has no clue on what's happening out there.
Zero steelhead caught in the test fishery at Albion this year. The chances of catching one will be so slim this late in the season you have a better chance at pickign the Lotto Max numbers.

- No fishing for Chinook, Chum, Pink, Sockeye, or wild Coho Salmon.

Make sure to use lures that only hatchery coho bite too!

But the bait ban really confuses me.  Never have we had a bait ban when coho was open.

You can still use bait and fish for sturgeon?

DFO can never just write a Notice that is easy to understand.
Copy and Paste, it's that easy.

That's an understatement !

If you want to fish all day without feeling any strain on your arms, learn it the right way.

Or the left way!

Tidal waters of the Fraser River from the Port Mann Bridge to the downstream side of the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) Bridge at Mission(PFMA 29-15 and 29-16).

- Fishing for salmon is only permitted from one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset each day.
- The daily limit for Coho Salmon is two(2) hatchery marked only.
- No fishing for Chinook, Chum, Pink, Sockeye, or wild Coho Salmon.
- You must not use bait when fishing for salmon.

Looks like it is open between Port Mann and Mission.

But the bait ban really confuses me.  Never have we had a bait ban when coho was open.

You can still use bait and fish for sturgeon?

DFO can never just write a Notice that is easy to understand.
Copy and Paste, it's that easy.

Looks like it is only downstream of Port Mann Bridge (29-17)

https://notices.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fns-sap/index-eng.cfm?pg=view_notice&DOC_ID=336117&ID=all

I personally have a hard time to understand people who cast with their right and then switch to reel with their right .

This is exactly the outcome of someone teaching people that handedness is a preference.
If you want to fish all day without feeling any strain on your arms, learn it the right way.