Hmm interesting.
What was positive:
at 18 to 19+ million, largest return since 2011. Of those close to 18 million fish passed Mission and a few are still coming.
at this point looks to be the 6th largest return since 1959
exceeded the average annual return of 11 million by about 80%
the tail of the run was long and sizable, providing pretty good fishing right to the end of the season
huge numbers of people got to participate
despite everything that has been lost on the Fraser fishery, the summer chinook fishery and the fall bar fishery etc, it made us realize how good it can still be
What wasn't so positive:
The pre-season forecast of 27 million was out by close to negative 10 million
The high pre-season forecast was used to hype the return far beyond the actual result. Also demonstrated once again the pre-season forecast is useless as a planning number
The final in season forecast of 10.5 million fish was low by + 8 million fish. Proving again the forecast system isn't that reliable
The return was remarkably early. By my figuring the peak (50% of escapement ay Mission) was Sept 4th. The river was low, warm and dirty on the Fraser, which put a damper on catch results.
Fishing conditions were exceedingly crowded. Huge numbers of people participated.
Reminded some of us of everything that has been lost on the Fraser fishery. Not too many years ago we could be looking forward to the Fall bar fishery which often got rolling in the last week of September.
I went out 3 times. Once I got a limit. Once I caught a fish and once I got skunked. I decided that was enough and pursued something else that was for me more enjoyable
I don't think 8 of 10 is unreasonable but I'll call it 7. Not close to any of great years I recall like 2011, 2003 and 2001.