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[Wade]

I came across this video where a Japanese angler was fishing for Coho on the Vedder with 2 barbless hooks on his minnow:
https://youtu.be/WHMa6e66Tz0?si=-7Zcq1468-jCJJkv

My first thought is that this must be illegal...but the synopsis only says single barbless hook is allowed on rivers and streams without mentioning how many are allowed to attach to the lure...now I'm confused...

Another video from the same guy, for steelhead:
https://youtu.be/fO1YsGQ4KDU?si=N1GrqIxmGxQTvkxu

Is this legal in BC?

[psd1179]

I came across this video where a Japanese angler was fishing for Coho on the Vedder with 2 barbless hooks on his minnow:
https://youtu.be/WHMa6e66Tz0?si=-7Zcq1468-jCJJkv

My first thought is that this must be illegal...but the synopsis only says single barbless hook is allowed on rivers and streams without mentioning how many are allowed to attach to the lure...now I'm confused...

Another video from the same guy, for steelhead:
https://youtu.be/fO1YsGQ4KDU?si=N1GrqIxmGxQTvkxu

Is this legal in BC?

No, not legal. single barbless hook means one hook

[RalphH]

ah I believe it is legal. Issue came up regarding stinger hooks on bucktail and or streamer flies. Since the objective is to catch one fish and it's usually hooked on only one hook it was deemed legal. I have to search specifically where that came from but I think that is the case.

edit:

https://www.chromecatchers.com/are-tandem-hooks-legal

[Big Green Machine]

No, not legal. single barbless hook means one hook

Single refers to a hook with only one point, as opposed to a hook with more than one point.

[Wade]

ah I believe it is legal. Issue came up regarding stinger hooks on bucktail and or streamer flies. Since the objective is to catch one fish and it's usually hooked on only one hook it was deemed legal. I have to search specifically where that came from but I think that is the case.

edit:

https://www.chromecatchers.com/are-tandem-hooks-legal

Thank you for sharing Ralph!

[clarki]

I note that the wording of the tidal salmon fishing regs parallel the non-tidal/freshwater regs wording:

In tidal waters it is illegal to angle with a fishing line that has more than 1 hook, artificial lure or artificial fly attached, with the following exceptions:
in the tidal waters of the Fraser River, where you may fish with 2 hooks, artificial lures or artificial flies (on 1 line);
when bait fishing, you may attach multiple hooks to hold a single piece of bait as long as the hooks are not arranged to catch more than 1 fish (all tidal waters).


Notwithstanding what Chrome Catchers claimed DFO and the Fish and Wildlife Branch said, the wording "Fish (with or without a rod) with one fishing line to which only one hook, one artificial lure OR one artificial fly is attached." sure seems to imply that the artificial lure only have one hook, but I can see how that can be interpreted differently to allow multiple hooks on one artificial lure.


​

[RalphH]

I have seen the interpretation quoted in a communication from a CO at a regional office that is you can use 2 single barbless hooks as long as the rig is not intended to catch more than 1 fish. The interpretation is intended as in line with the general intent of the relevant tackle regulations to not use hooks with more than 1 point and not possibly catch more than 1 fish at a time.

Anyone thinking of using such a rig should contact their local or Regional CO office to be sure.

[RalphH]

Just wanted to add;

Some years back there was a controversy around the definition of an artificial fly (current synopsis pg 80)

 "artificial fly: a single-pointed hook that is dressed only with fur, feathers, hair, textiles, tinsel and/or wire, and to which no external weight or external attracting
device is attached. Two or more hooks tied in tandem is not permitted. Where gear is restricted to artificial flies, floats and sinkers may be attached to the line. Where areas are restricted to “fly fish only” floats and sinkers may not be attached to the fly line"

back in the 80s it became common to add a metal bead to flies to add weight and flash o a fly as it was a weight and an attracting device. Some said such a flies didn't meet the definition.  The F&W Branch responded that they considered it met the intent of the regulation.

[DanL]

Notwithstanding what Chrome Catchers claimed DFO and the Fish and Wildlife Branch said, the wording "Fish (with or without a rod) with one fishing line to which only one hook, one artificial lure OR one artificial fly is attached." sure seems to imply that the artificial lure only have one hook, but I can see how that can be interpreted differently to allow multiple hooks on one artificial lure.

Agree with this assessment. It would seem illogical that 1) you can only tie on one single hook directly to your line, 2) tandem hooks are specifically forbidden on flies, but multiple single barbless hooks are somehow allowed only on lures? Therefore, can I toss a spoon covered with 100 single barbless hooks like a porcupine? You'd think enforcement officer's might have something to say if they saw that...

If there's no wording to limiting it to one (or any other specific number, like 2) hooks on a lure, then logically that same wording must permit unlimited hooks.

To be fair, there are some big lures like muskie jerkbaits, or large trolling plugs where it's quite normal to have multiple hooks. Overall, it just seems to be an unforeseen gap in the wording that's not generally being exploited so far...

[RalphH]

Notwithstanding what Chrome Catchers claimed DFO and the Fish and Wildlife Branch said, the wording "Fish (with or without a rod) with one fishing line to which only one hook, one artificial lure OR one artificial fly is attached." sure seems to imply that the artificial lure only have one hook, but I can see how that can be interpreted differently to allow multiple hooks on one artificial lure.


​

in fact it does not imply that. It means you can only use one of the 3. The artificial fly regulation only applies to waters where such a regulation so restricted. The one hook rule only applies to a bare hook, likely baited. What applies for lures isn't clear. A bucktail or similar fly used in general regulation waters is irrelevant in that regulation applies only where the artificial fly regulation is in force so can likely be regarded as a lure.

[RalphH]

found this on line. Still not definitive.

[psd1179]

Well, if this is the case, a trailer hook can add to a twitching jig. Good news for snaggers.

[RalphH]

Well, if this is the case, a trailer hook can add to a twitching jig. Good news for snaggers.

what a devious mind you have! 

[wildmanyeah]

The confusion is because these are the only laws actually on the books, Even though for example people in the ocean fish hootchies with two sets of hooks, there does not appear to be a definition for "bait" though there is one for natural bait



8 (1) Subject to subsections (2) to (4), no person shall angle with a fishing line to which more than one hook, artificial lure or artificial fly is attached.

(2) A person may angle in the tidal portion of the Fraser River with two hooks, artificial lures or artificial flies, attached to a fishing line.

(2.1) No person shall angle in the tidal portion of the Fraser River with a fishing line to which a barbed hook is attached.

(3) Subject to subsection (4), a person may angle in tidal waters with any number of hooks attached to a fishing line if the hooks are used in combination to hold a single piece of bait.

(4) A person who is angling in tidal waters for herring, northern anchovy, Pacific sand lance or squid may use any number of hooks on a fishing line.

artificial fly means

(a) in non-tidal waters, a single-pointed hook that is dressed only with fur, feathers, hair, textiles, tinsel, wire or any combination of those materials and to which no external weight or external attracting device is attached; and

(b) in tidal waters, a hook, or two hooks tied in tandem, dressed only with fur, feathers, hair, textiles, tinsel, wire or any combination of those materials. (mouche artificielle)

natural bait means any foodstuff or natural substance other than wood, cotton, wool, hair, fur or feathers. It does not include fin fish other than roe. (appât naturel)

[RalphH]

Another response from Facebook:

"I was also under the impression that a single barbless hook meant only one barbless hook can be used. But after hearing others tell me different i phoned the CO's and asked for clarification. I was told by the CO and I quote "two hooks may be used on the Shuswap lake if they are in tandem on the same line and designed to catch only one fish at a time Such as a buck tail as well as some kokanee rigs" unquote. Also get this as of this year on Kootenay lake it is OK to use as many rods as you want in your boat regardless of how many licences are on board. But only Kootenay lake. I sincerely hope it is only a test and only for one year and again only on the one lake. Or we can say good-bye to our fishery in a few short years."

... Kootenay Lake may be different considering that the population of Rainbow and Bull trout are thought to be out of balance relative to their kokanee prey species. Various methods of increasing harvest has been underway for some years.