Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum

Fishing in British Columbia => General Discussion => Topic started by: chris gadsden on May 01, 2012, 04:05:06 PM

Title: Steelhead Smolt Release Into The Vedder River, May 1, 2012
Post by: chris gadsden on May 01, 2012, 04:05:06 PM

Filmed the first truck load release of steelhead into the Vedder River by Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC staff today, fish for the future. ;D ;D ;D
http://youtu.be/Y7ek984Rm1Y

http://youtu.be/LbIQ330pN8M
Title: Re: Steelhead Smolt Release Into The Vedder River, May 1, 2012
Post by: typhoon on May 01, 2012, 04:28:46 PM
How large are the smolts?
Title: Re: Steelhead Smolt Release Into The Vedder River, May 1, 2012
Post by: Stratocaster on May 01, 2012, 04:31:22 PM
I'll know where on the Vedder I will be fishing in 4 or 5 years! ;D
Title: Re: Steelhead Smolt Release Into The Vedder River, May 1, 2012
Post by: leapin' tyee on May 01, 2012, 04:32:27 PM
Hi Chris, Thanks for the videos, looks like they released those smolt just below the crossing.  I thought  they usually release steelhead smolt at the train bridge or the canel area ?
Title: Re: Steelhead Smolt Release Into The Vedder River, May 1, 2012
Post by: chris gadsden on May 01, 2012, 05:55:18 PM
Thanks for the good questions. Here is some information from FFSBC.

"The smolts are 83 grams average and they are not just released at the crossing bridge, we are staggering the releases all through the lower river, Crossing, Peach, Lickman, Train Bridge, and top of the Canal, because the fish will imprint on those areas."

Title: Re: Steelhead Smolt Release Into The Vedder River, May 1, 2012
Post by: Dave on May 01, 2012, 06:16:44 PM
Averaging 83 g ... wow, they sure gained weight quickly!  If that weight is indeed correct perhaps forum sites like FWR that have members advocating for the mandated 80 g parr, are doing some good ;D
Title: Re: Steelhead Smolt Release Into The Vedder River, May 1, 2012
Post by: chris gadsden on May 01, 2012, 06:21:32 PM
Averaging 83 g ... wow, they sure gained weight quickly!  If that weight is indeed correct perhaps forum sites like FWR that have members advocating for the mandated 80 g parr, are doing some good ;D
I see you were mentioned in the video. ;D
Title: Re: Steelhead Smolt Release Into The Vedder River, May 1, 2012
Post by: samw on May 01, 2012, 07:19:12 PM
Yup.  I heard the guy say 70-80 gms and bigger than last year in the video.  Would have been interesting to have an underwater camera there as well (that was mentioned in the video too).
Title: Re: Steelhead Smolt Release Into The Vedder River, May 1, 2012
Post by: chris gadsden on May 01, 2012, 07:41:54 PM
Yup.  I heard the guy say 70-80 gms and bigger than last year in the video.  Would have been interesting to have an underwater camera there as well (that was mentioned in the video too).
I better ask for one someday soon but will invest in a better video camera first although mine has weathered many a storm including trying to be an underwater camera couple of year back. ::)
Title: Re: Steelhead Smolt Release Into The Vedder River, May 1, 2012
Post by: 777fishing on May 01, 2012, 07:44:22 PM
 :o thanks Chris!
Title: Re: Steelhead Smolt Release Into The Vedder River, May 1, 2012
Post by: typhoon on May 01, 2012, 08:02:50 PM
Awesome! Thanks Chris.
Title: Re: Steelhead Smolt Release Into The Vedder River, May 1, 2012
Post by: armytruck on May 01, 2012, 08:17:23 PM
What do u think were the total amount of steelhead smolts released ?  100,000 or so  8)
Title: Re: Steelhead Smolt Release Into The Vedder River, May 1, 2012
Post by: samw on May 01, 2012, 08:28:48 PM
I better ask for one someday soon but will invest in a better video camera first although mine has weathered many a storm including trying to be an underwater camera couple of year back. ::)

An inexpensive camera with a monopod extender like the X-Shot these days can do a decent job.  I've now just posted a few old videos that were taken with a 3 year old camera for examples.  The videos are heavily compressed by youtube so they aren't as nice as the originals. 

But it is just an idea.  It is great just to see the steelhead being released.  Not something many of us have seen.  Thanks for that.
Title: Re: Steelhead Smolt Release Into The Vedder River, May 1, 2012
Post by: leaping steely on May 01, 2012, 09:08:32 PM
An inexpensive camera with a monopod extender like the X-Shot these days can do a decent job.

If you want to take it a step further, add the X-Shot to an actual monopod. You might have to do some modifications if you want to dip the camera into some faster moving water, but it works great if you want to get closer to the fish without spooking them/getting swept away yourself. I used this setup last year to get some close-ups underwater.
Title: Re: Steelhead Smolt Release Into The Vedder River, May 1, 2012
Post by: samw on May 01, 2012, 09:19:27 PM
If you want to take it a step further, add the X-Shot to an actual monopod. You might have to do some modifications if you want to dip the camera into some faster moving water, but it works great if you want to get closer to the fish without spooking them/getting swept away yourself. I used this setup last year to get some close-ups underwater.

Maybe I made a mistake in my post.  I should have said camera extender instead of monopod extender.  The x-shot is a monopod.

http://xshot.com/products/xshot-2
Title: Re: Steelhead Smolt Release Into The Vedder River, May 1, 2012
Post by: leaping steely on May 01, 2012, 09:23:20 PM
Maybe I made a mistake in my post.  I should have said camera extender instead of monopod extender.  The x-shot is a monopod.

http://xshot.com/products/xshot-2


You can attach the X-Shot to a much longer monopod as well.
Title: Re: Steelhead Smolt Release Into The Vedder River, May 1, 2012
Post by: chris gadsden on May 02, 2012, 05:54:21 AM
What do u think were the total amount of steelhead smolts released ?  100,000 or so  8)
Not sure, will try to find out.
Title: Re: Steelhead Smolt Release Into The Vedder River, May 1, 2012
Post by: chris gadsden on May 02, 2012, 06:07:54 AM
Also some still pictures on the Fraser Valley Salmon Society's FB page for anyone interested.

Title: Re: Steelhead Smolt Release Into The Vedder River, May 1, 2012
Post by: firebird on May 02, 2012, 07:05:11 AM
What do u think were the total amount of steelhead smolts released ?  100,000 or so  8)

They haven't all been released yet. Releases will continue today and tomorrow.
Title: Re: Steelhead Smolt Release Into The Vedder River, May 1, 2012
Post by: chris gadsden on May 02, 2012, 07:28:33 AM
They haven't all been released yet. Releases will continue today and tomorrow.
Right, the information on the numbers will be avaiable then. Last year around 105, 000 were released.
Title: Re: Steelhead Smolt Release Into The Vedder River, May 1, 2012
Post by: Rodney on May 02, 2012, 03:17:20 PM
(http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc90/fishingwithrod/2012/120502-1.jpg)

Four more loads today. One day left! :)
Title: Re: Steelhead Smolt Release Into The Vedder River, May 1, 2012
Post by: chris gadsden on May 06, 2012, 02:08:10 PM
From Dusty this morning, "Here's the numbers for the Vedder River Smolt Release from the Chilliwack Hatchery.
118,246 Smolts"
"Average Size 80.51 grams"


Thanks Dusty for the update. ;D
Title: Re: Steelhead Smolt Release Into The Vedder River, May 1, 2012
Post by: Dave on May 06, 2012, 03:02:12 PM
And excellent work by the staff at the Chilliwack River Hatchery and social media for ensuring these fish were released at optimum size.
Title: Re: Steelhead Smolt Release Into The Vedder River, May 1, 2012
Post by: gmachine19 on May 07, 2012, 07:12:32 PM
I'm just curious... What's the return rate for these smolts?
Title: Re: Steelhead Smolt Release Into The Vedder River, May 1, 2012
Post by: Dave on May 07, 2012, 09:00:32 PM
I'm just curious... What's the return rate for these smolts?
Great question.  With so many variables and no stock assessments, your guess is probably as good as anyones.  The fact this years released juveniles were larger than the past few years bodes well for their future but only if ocean conditions continue to be favourable.