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[DanL]

Every year its always interesting to look at the Albion test fishery numbers to get an idea of when the fish are starting to move in then taper off.

http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fraserriver/commercial/commercialalbionchum_e.htm

Looking at the chum catch numbers from Sept 5th – Oct 3rd going back to 2005, I have to wonder if something's going on with 2011?

year  #chum -----  ------- 2005   1,312 2006   1,546 2007   520 2008   1.388 2009   879 2010   1,365 2011   191

With the exceptions of 2007 & 2009, previous years have shown about ~1,400 fish over the same 1 month period. However this year shows a mere 1/7th of the historical numbers. That seems shockingly low.

They also have a page where you can get the data for ‘Catch Per Unit Effort’, and 2011 is way, way down from previous years.

Also, if you look at catch numbers, previous years always show a spike sometime between Sep 23rd - Oct 1st as the bulk of the run starts to move in, but that just has not occurred so far this year. Its possible that the run is simply late, which could explain the numbers, but it would have to be a full two weeks late to account for such low returns so far.

I don’t know if the catch methodology or reporting has changed and comparing year-to-year numbers like this simply isn’t appropriate? I haven’t heard any projections on the expected chum returns for this year, so maybe someone has additional info to chime in with.

[iCemAn]

Strange, maybe just taking their time getting here? The overall Chum returns were huge last year with that higher test fishery. Things that make you go HMM.

[Dogbreath]

Perhaps a better indication of run strength would be returns through Johnstone Strait particularly numbers taken in the commercial fishery.

[scuntor]

Seems like everything has been a little late this year. Still catching fresh pinks today in the Vedder. Stupid pinks.

[DanL]

Strange, maybe just taking their time getting here? The overall Chum returns were huge last year with that higher test fishery. Things that make you go HMM.

If you recall, chum retention was closed mid-season in 2010 due to low returns. So obviously the test fishery numbers can be somewhat hard to compare on a year to year basis. The extremely low numbers for thus far for 2011 really seem to stand out though, and not in a good way ...

Perhaps a better indication of run strength would be returns through Johnstone Strait particularly numbers taken in the commercial fishery.

Do you know where/if that data is available? I'd be very interested in having a look at those numbers as well.

[Morty]

I've been out in the CHedder several times this Fall, several places each trip.  I have yet to see even one Chum.

[lapa]

I've been out in the CHedder several times this Fall, several places each trip.  I have yet to see even one Chum.

I saw 3 landed.Already black.

[BwiBwi]

Try this site

http://www.psc.org/info_testfishing_summaries.htm#2011

[adriaticum]

Everything is a couple of weeks late this year.

[DanL]

Thought I'd update the numbers now that its been a little over a week:

Sept 1st - Oct 14

year  #chum -----  ------- 2005   2,633 2006   3,782 2007   1,476 2008   2,681 2009   2,671 2010   3,476 2011   566

Still deplorable numbers. Only about 1/5th of the average of the previous six years.  I'm not so sure we can simply say its just a couple weeks late anymore..

[hamster]

I was out on the harrison today and couldn't beleive the incredibly low numbers of chum.  I only caught one chum in about a 4 hour stretch.  About 3 or 4 years ago, I went out to the Harrison and it was polluted with so many chum my arm was sore at the end of the day. I understand the chum run was closed last year and there is talk again of closing the chum run this year.  What is going on? Where did they all go?   

PS I did meet some really nice locals who helped us find a shop so we could get our 20 hp Merc motor running. It was really appreciated!

[dennyman]

Who knows, but also noticed the lack of chum in the Vedder too. And you are right four years ago, they were so thick in certain parts of the Vedder they were a nuisance.  Some stocks on the rebound, but does not seem to be so for Chum salmon in the Vedder and the Harrison.

[fishfulthinkin]

I've heard some theories say it's because the runs are 3 weeks behind schedule of passed years?.. lets hope the strange weather has just got them
a little behind. They don't have a calandar so they judge times of the year by weather and ours is above normal right now right?

[typhoon]

Any update on a potential closing Rod?
The numbers are now 4 weeks behind last year. How can they justify keeping it open?

[milo]

FWIW, on Sunday on the Vedder there were a couple pushes of fresh chum where everybody at the location we were fishing was into a chum. There were a couple of quintuple headers with five guys fighting a chum at the same time.
It sure reminded me of the good old days.

Also, I visited a northern trib the same day and found it full of chum.
Hopefully they are just late.

It would be nice if all fishing groups showed more respect for the chum and started harvesting chum for the meat, too, not only for their eggs.Fresh chum are delicious both cold and hot smoked.