Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum
Fishing in British Columbia => Fishing-related Issues & News => Topic started by: jimyvr on August 28, 2010, 06:53:52 PM
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Hey there. Long time reader and new time member. I went out Thursday Aug 26 with a couple of friends to try some luck sockeye fishing on the mighty Fraser but instead witnessed some really bizarre and dangerous behavior by my fellow fisherman.
First off was Seabird bar near Agassiz where it was unbelievably crowded for 7am. Got a spot after much hunting and basically saw no action for hours. No one told us that a commercial opening just happened haha. Oh well. But what was strange is how people kept trying to push into the smallest spots. Like only 5 feet between rods! I kid you not. One fellow was drifting with a 20ft leaders and managed to hook another man in the collar while casting. All hell broke loose since the hook was barbed and nearly missed the guy’s artery. The guy hooked pulled out a knife and cut off the line, ran up to guy who hooked him and threw his rod/reel into the water. He yelled a bit more and then walked back and continued fishing. This was a bit too much excitement (and lack of fish for us) so we packed up and went to a bar off the St. Elmo road exit.
We found a nice bar in geared up in the middle of about 25 fishermen. People were accommodating and it seemed like our luck would change. There were even some families there with little kids. We thought this would be a good vibe. About 20 mins later - and still no fish we saw two little girls coming up to fisherman along the bar offering to sell some fishing gear they found along the bar. It was cute but sort of dangerous because one of the girls nearly had herself accidentally hooked by a man casting above her; a close call again. Now the really bizarre thing was 10 minutes later this totally enraged male in his 30s (tattoos on his arms and neck) was charging up the river demanding to know who talked to his little girls. We shrugged and he kept moving a bit up and started screaming at this guy near the end of the bar. He was yelling at him about how no one is allowed to talk to his girls and actually seemed threatening. We were going to call 911 since it looked like someone was going to be pushed into the river. It was amazing because there was so much screaming you’d think someone got stabbed. If anyone knows this tattoo-ed guy from St. Elmo with 2 girls - tell him he needs anger management. So much for mellow fishing LOL…
We stuck around a bit longer but got skunked again. The commercial fishing really halted things - and the local fisherman were also complaining about how bad it was.
Again we packed up and tried a bar on Laidlaw a miles down the road. We were lucky since there were hardly any people there for some reason and cast in. Within 5 minutes all 3 of us had snags! Lol Now we knew why no one was there. We kept plunking but had no luck and lost a ton of betties. A sacrifice to the fish gods haha.
After an hour we walked away and had a great dinner in Chillliwack – of sockeye burgers of course.
So lessons learned: Don’t fish after a commercial opening and be careful out there – there are a lot of careless people fishing AND easily enraged people threatening each other over nothing..
(http://img842.imageshack.us/img842/5126/elmbarismo.jpg)
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Welcome to sockeye mania. ;D ::) ??? Try the peaceful art of bar fishing next time but a boat is needed o get away from what you saw. We had a bar all to ourselves on Thursday and Friday and got one adult chinook salmon and a good size chinook jack.
The next three years should not see a sockeye opening because of low returns and the Fraser will return to some type of order.
When the sockeye season closes this year the silence on the Fraser River will be deafening.
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When the sockeye season closes this year the silence on the Fraser River will be deafening.
But the solitude will be disrupted by the sounds of jet boats and outboard motors of boats of bar fishers. ;D
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Why does anyone bother to go sockeye fishing on these packed bars full of stressed out fishermen when you can buy them from the commercial fishermen for $15 a fish, or 4 for $50 (as mentioned in another thread). Just think how much you spend on gas, food, tackle and other things especially if you have to drive out from Vancouver or Richmond. I am not sure if it's worth the trouble when sockeyes are selling so cheaply on the docks.
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Yep... ;D
this fishery brings out some of the worst users and the worst of some users.
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Yes its crazy, fishing at these local bars is totally ruin. Thanks to the sports stores and the internet.
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Got to love the sockeye fishery and everything that goes with it. ;)
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FISHFINDER nailed it... What a cupcakes-show full of Banjos & inbred hillbillies!!!!!!!
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Why does anyone bother to go sockeye fishing on these packed bars full of stressed out fishermen when you can buy them from the commercial fishermen for $15 a fish, or 4 for $50 (as mentioned in another thread). Just think how much you spend on gas, food, tackle and other things especially if you have to drive out from Vancouver or Richmond. I am not sure if it's worth the trouble when sockeyes are selling so cheaply on the docks.
Im guessing your looking at it in the perspective that most they sportsfisherman live outside of Chilliwack. But for those Living in and around Chilliwack (most people), It is way cheaper to go catch your 2 fish then drive out to vancouver or richmond and purchase of the commercials. Also Iv noticed the people who are coming from the west end of the Valley usually come in packs, kids and all. One tank of gas and 10 sockeye still works out pretty good. Most people find its half the fun to get out and catch a fish for themself, Although I agree with you, it is stressful sometimes expecially if your without a boat.
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Even if you have a boat the Fraser looks like Highway 1 during the weekend. It was packed from Peg leg all the way up past Spaghetti bar. I stopped counting after 150 boats, and those were the ones beached. There were loads of boats in holding pattern looking for fishing spots. It was really crazy.
Yes, I was writing from the perspective of coming out from Vancouver. You guys living in Chilliwack have it good being so close to all the bars. I agree half the fun is catching the fish yourself, but with this kind of fishing everyone is an expert after two days, or at least they sure act that way. Anyway, stay safe and remember to have fun out there.
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Yep. I experienced exactly the same thing and pretty well decided sockeye fishing is not for me.
Here's a question? Are some people doing this financially hard up in some way? BigFisher's comment got me wondering about this because some of the people out there are pretty serious about getting their meat to the point that they will act aggressively toward anyone who strays into their space...just wondering.
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Personally I just think it is the mindset of some people. Some people take sockeye fishing way too seriously.
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that was a great photo of the anglers crowding each other. Looks like a parking lot.
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Hey there. Long time reader and new time member. I went out Thursday Aug 26 with a couple of friends to try some luck sockeye fishing on the mighty Fraser but instead witnessed some really bizarre and dangerous behavior by my fellow fisherman.
First off was Seabird bar near Agassiz where it was unbelievably crowded for 7am. Got a spot after much hunting and basically saw no action for hours. No one told us that a commercial opening just happened haha. Oh well. But what was strange is how people kept trying to push into the smallest spots. Like only 5 feet between rods! I kid you not. One fellow was drifting with a 20ft leaders and managed to hook another man in the collar while casting. All hell broke loose since the hook was barbed and nearly missed the guy’s artery. The guy hooked pulled out a knife and cut off the line, ran up to guy who hooked him and threw his rod/reel into the water. He yelled a bit more and then walked back and continued fishing. This was a bit too much excitement (and lack of fish for us) so we packed up and went to a bar off the St. Elmo road exit.
We found a nice bar in geared up in the middle of about 25 fishermen. People were accommodating and it seemed like our luck would change. There were even some families there with little kids. We thought this would be a good vibe. About 20 mins later - and still no fish we saw two little girls coming up to fisherman along the bar offering to sell some fishing gear they found along the bar. It was cute but sort of dangerous because one of the girls nearly had herself accidentally hooked by a man casting above her; a close call again. Now the really bizarre thing was 10 minutes later this totally enraged male in his 30s (tattoos on his arms and neck) was charging up the river demanding to know who talked to his little girls. We shrugged and he kept moving a bit up and started screaming at this guy near the end of the bar. He was yelling at him about how no one is allowed to talk to his girls and actually seemed threatening. We were going to call 911 since it looked like someone was going to be pushed into the river. It was amazing because there was so much screaming you’d think someone got stabbed. If anyone knows this tattoo-ed guy from St. Elmo with 2 girls - tell him he needs anger management. So much for mellow fishing LOL…
We stuck around a bit longer but got skunked again. The commercial fishing really halted things - and the local fisherman were also complaining about how bad it was.
Again we packed up and tried a bar on Laidlaw a miles down the road. We were lucky since there were hardly any people there for some reason and cast in. Within 5 minutes all 3 of us had snags! Lol Now we knew why no one was there. We kept plunking but had no luck and lost a ton of betties. A sacrifice to the fish gods haha.
After an hour we walked away and had a great dinner in Chillliwack – of sockeye burgers of course.
So lessons learned: Don’t fish after a commercial opening and be careful out there – there are a lot of careless people fishing AND easily enraged people threatening each other over nothing..
(http://img842.imageshack.us/img842/5126/elmbarismo.jpg)
For those that like the hillbilly theme, here is a nice song to listen to while reading the report.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHZJej98_T0&p=012D055209B9ADD4&playnext=1&index=10
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I went with a buddy today and that's crazy. Never tried bottom bouncing before and I don't think it my thing. I found the whole thing to be stressful. I go fishing for fun and to relax if i want to get mad and stressed I will go to work. We lost alot of gear so in the end it would have been cheaper to buy the fish. We did catch our limit but I would rather catch no fish somewhere else than be part of that gong show again. If you need meat for your family then go for it, but if you are going for recreation this is not for you. Just my take.
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I find these post interesting because in all the times I've been out, for the most part I have only experienced friendliness & cooperation from others on the bar. If you're out expecting or looking for a fight then you are probably going to find it but I don't think the common denominator there is Sockeye fishing on the Fraser.
The other thing is, if you have a boat, it's not hard to find a piece of land to fish from all by your lonesome if you want. And if you are going to say that those spots are not good for fishing I call BS - I can show you plenty of pictures of nice salmon on some very empty Fraser river bars, you just have to figure out what to look for and put in the time to find them.
Finally, some of the arguments against this fishery from people on this board, fishermen, are the same arguments that I hear PETA and the like making against fishing and hunting in general. Let's not be hypocritical here. We fish cause we like it and some of us also enjoy the table fare that goes with it ... but make no mistake, whatever the (legal) method we choose the fish certainly don't like it and that argument can be made against every style of fishing out there. To think that one is more ethical than another is just, as bigfisher said, perspective. At the end of the day, regardless of the method, the result is the same - if you're in it for the meat you bonk them and if you simply like to harass them you release them and try to do it all again. The fishing community arguing over the means to these ends year after year is foolish and does not help our cause at all.
OK sorry for the rant, I feel better now! :)
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I went with a buddy today and that's crazy. Never tried bottom bouncing before and I don't think it my thing. I found the whole thing to be stressful. I go fishing for fun and to relax if i want to get mad and stressed I will go to work. We lost alot of gear so in the end it would have been cheaper to buy the fish. We did catch our limit but I would rather catch no fish somewhere else than be part of that gong show again. If you need meat for your family then go for it, but if you are going for recreation this is not for you. Just my take.
You will not have to worry the next 3 years as things will return to some sort of order as they most likely will be no sockeye opening. Also I heard a rumour a 3 foot leader restriction may be in effect by then too.
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Chris, I think you are right on regarding closure for the next few years where Sockeyes are concern.
As for the posting about the crazies out there on the bars, I have no doubt that it is getting worse, and it is not true that you will only see and experience it if you go out looking for it. I started fishing the Fraser some 25 years ago, and i can tell you then, fishing with fellow fishermen were nothing but a real pleasure because there existed a spirit of true cooperation and shared enjoyment of the sport. I can recall how we met total strangers on the bars, and by the end of the day, we were all almost fishing buddies and yes, i kid you not, this is the truth. In those days, when you get a spring and have to run down river to play the fish, you could tell the guy next to you to save the spot, and then after you have got your spring, could come back to the same spot and still available to you. Sometimes, people would ask permission to step in temporarily in your absence and give up he spot when you return. Well gone are those days, and so also the etiquette. I was one of those who frequented the bars accessible on foot, until I noticed that the tides of good behavior was replaced by rudeness, anger, frustration, greed and downright stupidity. In fact it shocked everyone when the first case of stabbing with a fillet knife occurred quite a number of years ago at the Scale Bar. Well, my final trip before starting to fish exclusively on bars accessible by boat, was about 7 or 8 years ago when I was again at my favorite bar at the Scale, and the run of Springs was red hot. There were a group of guys, loud and intimidating, who took it upon themselves shout at anyone even remotely in the way, as soon as one of them hooked a Spring. They would proceed to clear the entire bar down river and there were so much shouting and aggression, and that was when I told my young son who was with me, that we are done with this type of fishing, and never to return again and i am so glad I never did because no amount of fish is worth the stress of being in the midst of mindless idiots.
However, now that I have been fishing on bars which are only accessible by boats, I regret to say that I am once again beginning to see some level of mean spirited individuals who seem to love to shout at occupants of other boats for no real good reasons. Just because he was about to leave his spot after catching his limit, and just because someone in another boat happen to cast out he was enraged and shouted on top of his lungs. He could have simply waited for the guy to finish his drift which is only a have a minute, he took to anger.
I fear for the worst my fellow anglers. PLEASE BE GRACIOUS AND LETS ALL ENJOY WHAT GOD HAS GIVEN US TO ENJOY.
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First of all, the context of Sockeye fishing here was for shore fisherman. Believe me it makes a difference. Listen I already have some sockeye in the freezer, but late this afternoon, I thought I would take a look to see how bad it is at Peg Leg. Holy smokes, bang the gong twice, in the time I have been in the valley I have never seen that area so busy! The time I decided to drop by was about 4:30 p.m. and I can't imagine it being worse than what it already is. Cars are parked all along Ballem Rd., and the little road leading up to Peg Leg was full right up to the top of the main road. Basically it was a traffic jam if you wanted to work your vehicle down to the Peg Leg channel crossing. Heaven forbid if there were a bona fide accident as I don't know how emergency crews would get down to you in a timely manner. At the top of the water leading in to Peg Leg, guys are wading in right past their hips with waders and no waders, casting away to try and get a fish. I could not help but notice none of these fellows was wearing a PFD. How soon we forget the drowning tragedy that occurred earlier this week. But the same thing could occur there as one wrong misstep and the person is fighting for their life.
Can somebody explain to me why this mania for the Sockeye? And it is not like it is a fish for every cast as very few people were getting into anything at all during the time I watched. Last but not least, I had to go over the highway overpass between Chilliwack and Sardis and noticed that it was grid lock traffic leading into Vancouver.
So my advice to those coming in from the Vancouver area to fish for sockeye is to plan on spending the whole day out in the Chilliwack/Hope area, and to bring along plenty of ice so your catch does not spoil on the long ride back home.
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Let's see:
Gas to Chilliwack or Hope and back: 30-40$
Terminal tackle: 10$
Food, drinks and ice for the day (for 2): 20$
Total: 60-70 bucks
Four freshly caught, chrome sockeye from my friendly FN neighbour: 50$
Definitely not worth putting up with the hillbillies that keep casting their spinning setups over my line all the time.
I'm done with the madness. Fishing it is NOT.
Plus, the freezer is full anyway. ;D
Let's focus on other fisheries now.
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Can somebody explain to me why this mania for the Sockeye?
As I have mentioned before I feel it is in the human make up from the early days of man to bring back food for the family waiting at home, its makes us all feel good to being able to get food from the wild for our loved ones.
I can visualize way back in time when the head of the family is coming back from the field, to the front of the cave holding some type of game and greeted by the hungry family. There was no supermarkets then.
I think we all at some time are greeted by our wife or family with the question "get any fish today"? ( No except for the one I bought at the fish market or a F/N salmon stand. ;D) All part of the equation, as silly as it may seem.
Also BB for sockeye or other fish as I also have mentioned has no learning curve as it is so easy to do. Most of the people out there would never spend the time to fish to make a fish actually bite. Those that bar fish know that in most cases it takes time to get a chinook and as well those that fish coho in the Vedder the last while know how hard it is to get one.
Those that long line into stacked up fish pull them in regularly. ::)
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We went out a few times but we stayed away from the crowds.
It may be snaggy where we fished but we did not have to deal with the idiots.
The problem is "THE IDIOTS WILL PROBABLY NEVER GET TO READ THIS THREAD" and learn some fishing etiquette.........................
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As for the posting about the crazies out there on the bars, I have no doubt that it is getting worse, and it is not true that you will only see and experience it if you go out looking for it. ..... In those days, when you get a spring and have to run down river to play the fish, you could tell the guy next to you to save the spot, and then after you have got your spring, could come back to the same spot and still available to you. Sometimes, people would ask permission to step in temporarily in your absence and give up he spot when you return. Well gone are those days, and so also the etiquette.
Wow ... I must be fishing totally different bars than you because almost every time out I've been able to step right back into my spot after walking a spring down the bar and I haven't even had to ask anyone to save it for me. Along the way I've even had people offer to lend me their net and even offer to be the netter for me. Sometimes when I get back someone has stepped in to fish the "lucky" spot while I was away but they have always stepped out and let me back in when I returned. I have also done the same when others have left their spot to fight a spring. I do not fish scale or peg leg so maybe that's the difference. Weird how we could both have such different experiences on such a small section of the same river. ??? I think I'm gunna stick to my regular spots!
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You will not have to worry the next 3 years as things will return to some sort of order as they most likely will be no sockeye opening. Also I heard a rumour a 3 foot leader restriction may be in effect by then too.
3 foot leader restriction is a great idea. Hopefully that is put into effect sooner than later. Has there been any talk to ban bottom bouncing all together?
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Krazy: not to be picking on you, but I can't help but notice you have put some shameless plugs for your own website at the end of your posts. You are allowed your opinion on things and you are free to voice those especially on your own fishing blog. However, IMO you are taking some things out of context. For instance, you stated the following:
"Finally, some of the arguments against this fishery from people on this board, fishermen, are the same arguments that I hear PETA and the like making against fishing and hunting in general. Let's not be hypocritical here. We fish cause we like it and some of us also enjoy the table fare that goes with it ... but make no mistake, whatever the (legal) method we choose the fish certainly don't like it and that argument can be made against every style of fishing out there. To think that one is more ethical than another is just, as bigfisher said, perspective"
How in the world PETA got dragged into this arguement, I don't know. I am pretty sure everyone that replied to this thread would be in agreement that Sockeye fishing on the Fraser River is a harvest fishery. You basically floss your two fish and go home. What disappoints a lot of people who have fished the Fraser River for a number of years is the lack of ethics this long line flossing has caused amongst some anglers. They take this method and start using it on the smaller systems like the Vedder and Chehalis and the flossing on those smaller systems soon changes over to downright snagging. But, I think what really bothers people about the sockeye fishing season is it brings out the worst from some anglers as they lose sight of the fishing aspect, and become obsessed with getting their two fish for the freezer, no matter what.
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Haven't posted for awhile but readiing this thread makes me want to speak to the positive experience I have had this year flossing sox. Earlier in the opening, I was launching out of the 'peg' at the bottom of Ballam and a few of the times I had my young daughter with me as she wanted to come with daddy to see where the fish were coming from. We experienced very friendly and gracious people each of the half dozen times we went out there, both when I was getting the boat ready (12 footer out of the back of my pickup) and on the bar proper. People always (every time we went) offered to help unload and load the boat with me (without me asking) and on the bar met a very friendly older couple who took it upon themselves to befriend my daughter and myself, and even entertain the little one when the fishing was slow. Another two other sets of families were very friendly with my little girl and entertained her while I was readying the boat. Lately I've been launchiung out of Gill and found the same freindly people, happy to help. Today, I took our 15 month old Staffy out on the bar today, and since he was so exited to be there, he was very yappy at first, but some friendly folks even spoke to me about their experiences in dealing with their staffies and offered training tips. Along with getting a limit of sox today, I found EVERYONE to be very respectful and friendly. Given the numbers of people out there, I was very pleased with the behaviour and mood of the fishing community. Peace folks and enjoy the bounty.
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Krazy: not to be picking on you, but I can't help but notice you have put some shameless plugs for your own website at the end of your posts. You are allowed your opinion on things and you are free to voice those especially on your own fishing blog. However, IMO you are taking some things out of context. For instance, you stated the following:
"Finally, some of the arguments against this fishery from people on this board, fishermen, are the same arguments that I hear PETA and the like making against fishing and hunting in general. Let's not be hypocritical here. We fish cause we like it and some of us also enjoy the table fare that goes with it ... but make no mistake, whatever the (legal) method we choose the fish certainly don't like it and that argument can be made against every style of fishing out there. To think that one is more ethical than another is just, as bigfisher said, perspective"
How in the world PETA got dragged into this arguement, I don't know. I am pretty sure everyone that replied to this thread would be in agreement that Sockeye fishing on the Fraser River is a harvest fishery. You basically floss your two fish and go home. What disappoints a lot of people who have fished the Fraser River for a number of years is the lack of ethics this long line flossing has caused amongst some anglers. They take this method and start using it on the smaller systems like the Vedder and Chehalis and the flossing on those smaller systems soon changes over to downright snagging. But, I think what really bothers people about the sockeye fishing season is it brings out the worst from some anglers as they lose sight of the fishing aspect, and become obsessed with getting their two fish for the freezer, no matter what.
Dennyman I'm not trying to promote anything & I don't see what having my personal site in my sig has anything to do with anything. I rarely post on this subject as it is usually futile but I just couldn't believe all the negativity I was reading and simply wanted to share the positive experiences I've had with this fishery and to point out how, in my opinion, it's hypocritical for anyone that impales fish with a hook via any method preach that one method of impalement is more ethical than another. The PETA reference was just to point out that "those" types of people are using the same arguments against fishing in general as some fisherman are now using against each other and I don't feel it helps us out any. That is my opinion, whether on this forum, my website or in person. From my experiences I don't see that this fishery "brings out the worst from some anglers" but obviously my experiences have been different than yours. I guess i have just been fortunate to find areas to fish that have been positive so I will consider myself lucky and continue in those spots and avoid the ones referred to as hostile in this thread. Anyway that's all for me as I'm quite sure nobody is going to change anyone's mind here.
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that was a great photo of the anglers crowding each other. Looks like a parking lot.
Yeah, because down a the Steveston docks, it was so much better ::)
(http://www.fotothing.com/photos/d6c/d6c1e1a9bb00e0814407722c88afbef2_26f.jpg)
:D
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lol... Are they all lining up for those jumbo sardines??? ;D
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lol... Are they all lining up for those jumbo sardines??? ;D
$5/lb!!! with HEADS (the sox - not the prawns :D)! You can get filets that price at some supermarkets!
The prawns were going by the 10's of pounds... It was buying mania.
I talked to a friend that had been down there. He waited in line for his sockeye and was handed a fish and told "$20".. He asked if he could have a look at another instead. the fisherman said "This one or end of the line for a different one."
My friend took his fish ::)
Nice to see the commercial sector is so accomodating of their clients.
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I am new to sockeye fishing , have fished trout for years.While at the beginning of the opening it was good on the bars, it has gotten worse lately .Maybe people are tense because they know the run will end and not be back for 3 years.
.It has been well publicized through the media that the size of the run is historic .This in turn has motivated more people to get out who normally would not. Some of these would understand proper procedure and common sense ,unfortunately some of them do not understand the spirit of fishing , it seems its just like a free- for- all.
I was out on the bar with my son and met great people , one who even gave me a sockeye seeing that I was having no luck that night.Another person i swapped some tackle with , who in turn was the only person who was into fish that night . Seems like good karma !
A positive experience for me , hopefully people remember to enjoy while it lasts.
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Can somebody explain to me why this mania for the Sockeye?
Probably because sockeyes are the tastiest of the Pacific Salmon. With the exception of this year a sockeye will cost you between $30-40
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The Vancouver sun on thursday said Sockeye are being sold for 1.25/lb. ???
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The Vancouver sun on thursday said Sockeye are being sold for 1.25/lb. ???
As usual improper reporting lol. That's amazingly low. I've seen dirty pinks being sold in stores for $17 a fish, wth?
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That was $1.25/lb to the processing plants. The suckers lining up pay a premium.
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That was $1.25/lb to the processing plants. The suckers lining up pay a premium.
Story is they caught so many sockeye last week they ran out of ice. And have had to ship it down from Prince Rupert. Maybe thats how they justify jacking their prices back up?!?
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, it seems its just like a free- for- all.
That's because it is a free-for-all. When I go out sockeye fishing, I don't tell my wife that I'm out 'fishing'. I tell her that I'm out 'getting' Sockeye. I've bonked 22 now and I've just about got what I need for canning, smoking, and freezing...not to mention how many we've eaten fresh already.
This is NOT 'real' fishing...no matter how much a person tries to convince themselves. It's taking part in a gong show. For us, it has lowered our August grocery bill substantially by not having to buy steak and chicken.
Especially for a guy like me who lives in Chilliwack. It's cheap for me to fish...and I use almost no gas. I do agree though that with all the commercial and native fishing, IF you lived in the city (Vancouver), it is NOT worth it to drive all the way out to Chilliwack for sockeye when you can buy them off the dock for 15 dollars. There is a good chance that 'rookie' sockeye fishermen will drive all the way out here and catch nothing...or not know where to go. Lately there have been a lot of days that are mediocore at best.
But then again....you want to talk about gong show...living in Vancouver is a gone show. why anyone would want to live out there while spending 3/4 of their paycheck to pay for their closet space of a home is beyond me. Living out here is better. Cheaper homes and the Fraser and Chilliwack/Vedder rivers at our doorstep.
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We have been out 10 times during the sockeye season. The first 9 times, the people around us were just as blueback described. Helpful, friendly and fun to fish beside. People helping others net fish, lending out nets, moving out of the way if required and having a lot of laughs. No complaining about tangles among anglers and accommodating to other boats that arrived. We would run into people we had met on previous trips and have more laughs. People were having fun. People caught their two fish and left so others could take their spots.
Yesterday was not the same. I was very disappointed to end our sockeye season like that.
We landed our boat in a gap of about 100 feet between boats and immediately a fellow above us comes down from above and says they were fishing there and we should move down. They weren't as there was no one standing in that 100 foot section. And they never did. They were fishing out of their jet boat. They obviously already had their limit of sockeye as they caught and released sockeye for the whole time we were there. (4 hours) We fished below our boat and kept away from their lines as much as we could even though they drifted way down below us. Then we heard them on the phone inviting friends to come and bring their boat right above them. They already had friends anchored closely above them. One old fellow came from the new boat and fished below us. He was friendly and more like we expect. Once we had our limit of sockeye, we left so others could have room to fish.
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Yesterday was not the same. I was very disappointed to end our sockeye season like that.
We landed our boat in a gap of about 100 feet between boats and immediately a fellow above us comes down from above and says they were fishing there and we should move down. They weren't as there was no one standing in that 100 foot section. And they never did. They were fishing out of their jet boat. They obviously already had their limit of sockeye as they caught and released sockeye for the whole time we were there. (4 hours) We fished below our boat and kept away from their lines as much as we could even though they drifted way down below us. Then we heard them on the phone inviting friends to come and bring their boat right above them. They already had friends anchored closely above them. One old fellow came from the new boat and fished below us. He was friendly and more like we expect. Once we had our limit of sockeye, we left so others could have room to fish.
I know I might get blasted for saying this, but I don't care.
I'd be willing to bet they were guides.
Some of the guides on the Fraser think they own the river. I can spot a guide pretty quick on the Fraser, and lets just say that very few of them are enjoyable to fish beside. They think because they are earning a living that they should have first dibs and that you better give them as much room as they need. They can be very rude in telling you that their clients need more space. I got news for them...sometimes it's crowded and as guides they are NOT getting special rules.
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But then again....you want to talk about gong show...living in Vancouver is a gone show. why anyone would want to live out there while spending 3/4 of their paycheck to pay for their closet space of a home is beyond me. Living out here is better. Cheaper homes and the Fraser and Chilliwack/Vedder rivers at our doorstep.
Better for what?
I spend only 20% of my paycheck on my mortgage for quite a bit more than closet space, and I have the best of world's cuisine and entertainment a few steps away form where I live. I don't need a car to commute to work (or for anything in the city for that matter), just a short ride on a very regular and uncrowded bus or a leisurely walk takes me where I want.
Why would anyone want to live in Chilliwack or other such redneck little town when there is a fascinating international metropolis on the seaside just 90 clicks away is beyond me. ::)
Each to their own, Robert.
I wouldn't trade my beautiful condo in Vancouver for any house in the 'Wack - fishing be damned.
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Better for what?
I spend only 20% of my paycheck on my mortgage for quite a bit more than closet space, and I have the best of world's cuisine and entertainment a few steps away form where I live. I don't need a car to commute to work (or for anything in the city for that matter), just a short ride on a very regular and uncrowded bus or a leisurely walk takes me where I want.
Why would anyone want to live in Chilliwack or other such redneck little town when there is a fascinating international metropolis on the seaside just 90 clicks away is beyond me. ::)
Each to their own, Robert.
I wouldn't trade my beautiful condo in Vancouver for any house in the 'Wack - fishing be damned.
Agree 100% lol.
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I spend only 20% of my paycheck on my mortgage for quite a bit more than closet space.
Damn Milo, you're loaded! :o ;D
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Damn Milo, you're loaded! :o ;D
Agreed.
Anyways....I knew that would get some people here going. It is 'to each their own' however, but as an avid outdoorsman, I would feel claustrophobic living in a condo in Vancouver. Not to mention if there was ever a major earthquake, your odds of surviving in a small town are astronomical compared to living in a big city full of highrises.
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Damn Milo, you're loaded! :o ;D
Not at all. I am just a working stiff who manages to keep his head above the water.
I also got into the housing market on time and capitalized nicely on my first condo purchase.
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Agreed.
Anyways....I knew that would get some people here going. It is 'to each their own' however, but as an avid outdoorsman, I would feel claustrophobic living in a condo in Vancouver. Not to mention if there was ever a major earthquake, your odds of surviving in a small town are astronomical compared to living in a big city full of highrises.
To continue with the derailing of this thread. Most new towers in Vancouver should withstand a large earthquake.Also, highrises don't line every block of the city. In fact the vast majority of vancouver is low-rise apartments and single family homes. The only ones to really worry about an earthquake are those that live in Richmond or Delta in a building that was built before 1994 (Rodney).
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I'll take driving 2.5 hours to be on a nice lake in the interior somewhere over this crap any day!
what irks me is when people call this "fishing".this is NOT fishing. this is closer to anarchy on a river. are these peole really having fun? I doubt it. anyways...if you enjoy it have at it, just don't call it fishing, it's not. if the fish were willfully biting it would be fishing, but this is NOT fishing, so don't call it that.
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stop dissing my little redneck town milo! :D
who wouldn't love to live in a town that's overpopulated with cheap dutchmen and smells like cow$hit year round??? ;D
Its whatever you get used to I would say...i was born and raised here, and don't think I could live closer to Vancouver than I do right now.
Personally, I would rather pay for steak and chicken, than fish like they are fishing out there right now. And I am feeding a family of six....2 adults and 4 (yes 4!) teens with hollow legs.
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Better for what?
I spend only 20% of my paycheck on my mortgage for quite a bit more than closet space, and I have the best of world's cuisine and entertainment a few steps away form where I live. I don't need a car to commute to work (or for anything in the city for that matter), just a short ride on a very regular and uncrowded bus or a leisurely walk takes me where I want.
Why would anyone want to live in Chilliwack or other such redneck little town when there is a fascinating international metropolis on the seaside just 90 clicks away is beyond me. ::)
Each to their own, Robert.
I wouldn't trade my beautiful condo in Vancouver for any house in the 'Wack - fishing be damned.
X2
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stop dissing my little redneck town milo! :D
;D ;D ;D
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X2
Not too mention the smog, and lack of jobs. If you have to commute to Vancouver your wasting 1/3 of your life commuting and all your savings on your property just got eaten up on commuting costs. Oh did I mention the smog?
I live in Maple Ridge. Nope its not Vancouver but we have several rivers, creeks and lakes. Not too mention no smog. We also have some of the best trails in all the Mainland. Its about an hour commute to Vancouver unlike that 2.5-3 hour commute from Chilliwack ( luckily I live and work in Maple Ridge but my wife has to do the commute )
You like living in the smog capital of BC? You can keep it!!
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stop dissing my little redneck town milo! :D
Hey, you know I love your little redneck town. (the nearby salmon and steelhead bearing river is one of my favourites ;D).
I just prefer to make it a weekend leisure destination. ;)
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That's because it is a free-for-all. When I go out sockeye fishing, I don't tell my wife that I'm out 'fishing'. I tell her that I'm out 'getting' Sockeye. I've bonked 22 now and I've just about got what I need for canning, smoking, and freezing...not to mention how many we've eaten fresh already.
This is NOT 'real' fishing...no matter how much a person tries to convince themselves. It's taking part in a gong show. For us, it has lowered our August grocery bill substantially by not having to buy steak and chicken.
Especially for a guy like me who lives in Chilliwack. It's cheap for me to fish...and I use almost no gas. I do agree though that with all the commercial and native fishing, IF you lived in the city (Vancouver), it is NOT worth it to drive all the way out to Chilliwack for sockeye when you can buy them off the dock for 15 dollars. There is a good chance that 'rookie' sockeye fishermen will drive all the way out here and catch nothing...or not know where to go. Lately there have been a lot of days that are mediocore at best.
But then again....you want to talk about gong show...living in Vancouver is a gone show. why anyone would want to live out there while spending 3/4 of their paycheck to pay for their closet space of a home is beyond me. Living out here is better. Cheaper homes and the Fraser and Chilliwack/Vedder rivers at our doorstep.
This sockeye fever has now changlng Chilliwack into a gong town ;D, like Vancouver, be like Milo and all of you stay home in the big city except come to Chiliwack on Septemberthe 26Th to take part in the Chilliwack Vedder River Cleanup Society's BC Rivers day event, check us out at www.cleanrivers.ca. Also a Fraser River cleanup after that, if we get it of the ground to cleanup the bars after Crazy people sockeye fishing; Seabird, St.Elmo, Laidlaw and elsewhere have gone back to Vancouver. ;D ;D
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I'll take driving 2.5 hours to be on a nice lake in the interior somewhere over this crap any day!
what irks me is when people call this "fishing".this is NOT fishing. this is closer to anarchy on a river. are these peole really having fun? I doubt it. anyways...if you enjoy it have at it, just don't call it fishing, it's not. if the fish were willfully biting it would be fishing, but this is NOT fishing, so don't call it that.
Commercial guys call what they are doing "fishing". Would you like them to change the name as well? ;D
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(((((((FISHFINDER nailed it... What a ****-show full of Banjos & inbred hillbillies!!!!!!!)))))
Ignorrant comment. Most of the people fishing the banks do not fit this description. Think about it... There are idiots fishing everywhere, but not as many as you think... Once again, snobbish attitude...
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Commercial guys call what they are doing "fishing". Would you like them to change the name as well? ;D
Good point, lets call it harvesting instead, because as far as I can tell, netting and flossing are not really fishing anyhow.
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I grew up in the city and couldnt wait to leave...i now live in the wack the last 8 yrs and couldnt be happier...great fishing on my door step...drove into the city the other day and took me hrs because of all the traffic and construction >:(...I don't know how you guys do it commuting out here to fish and then back on a regular basis ??? For sure i would be buying my socks if lived in the city.Lifes too short to be stuck in traffic and stressed out all the time.
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Wow some people ar aggressive :)
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You will not have to worry the next 3 years as things will return to some sort of order as they most likely will be no sockeye opening. Also I heard a rumour a 3 foot leader restriction may be in effect by then too.
Did the 3-foot leader restriction ever went through??
I guess the more we worry about our resources, less the feds' concern...
Enjoy flossing salmon on Fraser over the next few weeks as the Feds/DFO are busy with their own political agenda. BTW, what was the latest formal reaction to Cohen's inquiry?? With millions of $$ spent out of taxpayers pockets, did the report really result in any substantial changes??
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Did the 3-foot leader restriction ever went through??
I guess the more we worry about our resources, less the feds' concern...
Enjoy flossing salmon on Fraser over the next few weeks as the Feds/DFO are busy with their own political agenda. BTW, what was the latest formal reaction to Cohen's inquiry?? With millions of $$ spent out of taxpayers pockets, did the report really result in any substantial changes??
Still being worked on,of course anything to do with government moves slowly at best.
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Crowded fishing and bad behaviour wasn't created by the sockeye bb fishery and isn't unique to it. I've been fishing the FV for 50+ years and have seen similar things on the lower Fraser bars at the height of the fall coho fishery and on the small Surrey streams like the Nic and Little Campbell of all places. It happens whenever people get the impression there are so many fish avialble anyone can catch a few. Beaks and neophytes aren't the only perps as I've seen bad behaviour by experienced anglers who simply can't cope with crowds.
For the most part people are polite and do their best to get along in my experience. Usually it's the odd very unreasonable and/or unbalanced person that causes problems. I saw one fellow give another person the gears because there should be at least 20 feet between anglers. The distance between the 2 was at least 50 feet. Either that was a vision problem or intimidation.
There are also spots with shore access where you can have lots of room if you know where they are. Where I've been I've had 100 feet or more between me and the next angler. These are not classic bars but they are fishable and I've had good luck 2 trips out.
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Did the 3-foot leader restriction ever went through??
I guess the more we worry about our resources, less the feds' concern...
Enjoy flossing salmon on Fraser over the next few weeks as the Feds/DFO are busy with their own political agenda.
FOC/DFO has no control over fishing regs on the Fraser or any other non-tidal water in the Province. All it can do is close or open fishing for salmon & regulate retention limits. Cohen made no recommendations regarding tackle and there are far bigger ethical issues in the Province than leader lengths on the Fraser or if a fish is hooked outside the lips or in. :D
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I always fish with a three foot leader, fifteen foot rod, ten to fifteen feet of T-17, three foot leader. I always try to keep Chris happy. ;D Sockeye love the fly at the end of that three foot leader. ;D ;D
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Why would anyone want to live in Chilliwack or other such redneck little town when there is a fascinating international metropolis on the seaside just 90 clicks away is beyond me. ::)
....because not everyone thinks Vancity is the centre of the universe.
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....because not everyone thinks Vancity is the centre of the universe.
2nd that
I moved out here from Toronto only to find Vancouver snobs may be even worse, city people will never understand the beauty in not having a starbucks and gas station on every corner. Its nice to live in a place small enough to know a few people around town by name and doesnt have a stoplight every 100m.
I wish I could afford to commute from outside the city better yet find a good paying job in Nelson or Revelstoke.
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Not too mention the smog, and lack of jobs. If you have to commute to Vancouver your wasting 1/3 of your life commuting and all your savings on your property just got eaten up on commuting costs. Oh did I mention the smog?
I live in Maple Ridge. Nope its not Vancouver but we have several rivers, creeks and lakes. Not too mention no smog. We also have some of the best trails in all the Mainland. Its about an hour commute to Vancouver unlike that 2.5-3 hour commute from Chilliwack ( luckily I live and work in Maple Ridge but my wife has to do the commute )
You like living in the smog capital of BC? You can keep it!!
Do you really think Maple Ridge is all that?
Where else have you lived for comparison?
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Why would anyone want to live in Chilliwack or other such redneck little town when there is a fascinating international metropolis on the seaside just 90 clicks away is beyond me. ::)
Each to their own
I tend to think the opposite of you. Not that Chilliwack is without its own issues, but I do enjoy that it is quieter, less congested and its proximity to the outdoors, yet when I find something fascinating in the "international metropolis along the sea side" I am only ninety clicks away.
Not that fishing trumps everything but fishing does play a large part in my life, probably more so than a lot of people, so I really enjoy being a little closer to the countless fishing opportunities and locations the area provides.
You're right, to each their own. We cannot all live in the same location, so it is a good thing people like different things about different areas :)
Oh, and if you think Chilliwack is a redneck little town you must not have spent too much time or at least stopped at most towns outside of the lower mainland :D
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Oh, and if you think Chilliwack is a redneck little town you must not have spent too much time or at least stopped at most towns outside of the lower mainland :D
I realize I'm generalizing here but why is it that a lot of people that live in the lower mainland bubble think that every town on the fringes is a hick or redneck town?
BNF, you could use your exact same analogy (quieter, less congested, proximity to outdoors) to the towns outside the lower mainland bubble to Chilliwack. The same way you did when comparing Chilliwack to Vancity.
All depends where you came from, where you've been, and where you want to end up.
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I don't disagree with you at all.
All depends where you came from, where you've been, and where you want to end up.
Exactly :)
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Not too mention the smog, and lack of jobs. If you have to commute to Vancouver your wasting 1/3 of your life commuting and all your savings on your property just got eaten up on commuting costs. Oh did I mention the smog?
I live in Maple Ridge. Nope its not Vancouver but we have several rivers, creeks and lakes. Not too mention no smog. We also have some of the best trails in all the Mainland. Its about an hour commute to Vancouver unlike that 2.5-3 hour commute from Chilliwack ( luckily I live and work in Maple Ridge but my wife has to do the commute )
You like living in the smog capital of BC? You can keep it!!
Kinda thought you'd disappear..............
Just wondering, did you and Milo end up going halfers on a high horse?
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Kinda thought you'd disappear..............
Just wondering, did you and Milo end up going halfers on a high horse?
Your bringing up something from 4 years ago so what brought you back here?
I got a new job almost 2 years ago so I no longer work in Maple Ridge. I have to commute to Vancouver 5 days a week. I enjoy visiting Chilliwack but to be honest it would not be a choice I would prefer to live. My father grew up in the Sumas Prairie I know the area very well. I have lived all over the LM as well as have lived on the Island.
I am hardly on my high horse but if you read all 5 pages this post I made was in retaliation to other posts. When I retire I plan on having two homes. A house in the interior and a condo somewhere down south. Got myself a nice union job now just like my wife. We will be comfortable when we retire. So I can live the best of both worlds.
So now that you have the update whats new with you, 4 years later? Oh and I bought my sockeye this year. 10 fish, cleaned gutted for $15/fish.
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Not really.
I'm happy you got a union job, I truly am. Too bad you have to commute, I did that once. Time you'll never get back but you have to do what you have to do. Sounds like you have a good job, I'm happy for you.
I just take offence when you think MR is the best place on earth. It truly isn't, not even close. It was a great place to grow up in the 80's, 90's and even 20's.........but not now.
I've lived in MR and Chilliwack, and I know which would be my preference. I did notice that didn't mention the crime and poverty in MR when comparing it to Chilliwack. There are some awesome places to live in MR and Chilliwack. Just don't think one place is so much better than the other unless you've spent some time there. I graduated from the same school as you, I just don't think the same towards MR as you do.
So where else have you lived for a decent amount of time?
I kinda think along the same lines as you. A place in the interior and the Fraser Valley would be awesome. But who knows by the time you and I both retire.
Fyi- I'm trying to buy my sockeye this year.
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Not really.
I'm happy you got a union job, I truly am. Too bad you have to commute, I did that once. Time you'll never get back but you have to do what you have to do. Sounds like you have a good job, I'm happy for you.
I just take offence when you think MR is the best place on earth. It truly isn't, not even close. It was a great place to grow up in the 80's, 90's and even 20's.........but not now.
I've lived in MR and Chilliwack, and I know which would be my preference. I did notice that didn't mention the crime and poverty in MR when comparing it to Chilliwack. There are some awesome places to live in MR and Chilliwack. Just don't think one place is so much better than the other unless you've spent some time there. I graduated from the same school as you, I just don't think the same towards MR as you do.
So where else have you lived for a decent amount of time?
I kinda think along the same lines as you. A place in the interior and the Fraser Valley would be awesome. But who knows by the time you and I both retire.
Fyi- I'm trying to buy my sockeye this year.
Are you older or younger? I am 40
I hardly think MR is the best place on earth or even the best place in the LM. Drugs are pretty bad here. Its just not as dangerous as Surrey where I grew up. I did not want to raise my 3 kids in Surrey. Growing up Surrey was fine, a nice growing municipality. Things changed, population was growing way too fast and with that crime.
If I could live anywhere with my kids I would move back to the island. Loved it!! Only problem is work, there is none.
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In opinion, MR is the new Surrey. It has been for many years.
Unfortunately, drugs are bad everywhere.
Tragic actually as MR was once a beautiful place to grow up.
You are correct sir, the island is a beautiful place to live. That's where the wife and I would love to end up. Who knows what it's like when we retire though. Could have gone through the same cycle as MR. There's actually lots of work, you just have to be adaptable.
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Your bringing up something from 4 years ago so what brought you back here?
I got a new job almost 2 years ago so I no longer work in Maple Ridge. I have to commute to Vancouver 5 days a week. I enjoy visiting Chilliwack but to be honest it would not be a choice I would prefer to live. My father grew up in the Sumas Prairie I know the area very well. I have lived all over the LM as well as have lived on the Island.
I am hardly on my high horse but if you read all 5 pages this post I made was in retaliation to other posts. When I retire I plan on having two homes. A house in the interior and a condo somewhere down south. Got myself a nice union job now just like my wife. We will be comfortable when we retire. So I can live the best of both worlds.
So now that you have the update whats new with you, 4 years later? Oh and I bought my sockeye this year. 10 fish, cleaned gutted for $15/fish.
Go to your 1991 yearbook and turn to page 27........... I'm the guy with Mr. Herman :)
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In Lillooet now and they are TOWing away here too, for sockeye.
Last week tried float fishing for sockeye in the Thompson with ghost shrimp with no success but the BB crew were getting them.
Enjoyed watching the First Nations dip netting at Bridge River, lots of history there. Spent the night camped at Carpenter Lake, bit of an experience on the drive in, a lot of falling rocks. A bear nearly ran into the Leaf Mobile on the way out, off to the Thompson now for some chinook jacks.
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In Lillooet now and they are TOWing away here too, for sockeye.
Last week tried float fishing for sockeye in the Thompson with ghost shrimp with no success but the BB crew were getting them.
Enjoyed watching the First Nations dip netting at Bridge River, lots of history there. Spent the night camped at Carpenter Lake, bit of an experience on the drive in, a lot of falling rocks. A bear nearly ran into the Leaf Mobile on the way out, off to the Thompson now for some chinook jacks.
Did you see many Sockeye just below the dam?
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Did you see many Sockeye just below the dam?
Sorry I did not think to look and did not know they went up that far. Am I right in remembering a few years ago they spilled the dam and he wasted away a lot of spawn down river?
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Sorry I did not think to look and did not know they went up that far. Am I right in remembering a few years ago they spilled the dam and he wasted away a lot of spawn down river?
Well, they have always spilled from the dam in order to maintain a certain water level in Carpenter Lake, so I am not quite sure what you are talking about. Sockeye, Coho and Chinook continue to spawn in the river just below the dam.
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Well, they have always spilled from the dam in order to maintain a certain water level in Carpenter Lake, so I am not quite sure what you are talking about. Sockeye, Coho and Chinook continue to spawn in the river just below the dam.
I recall there was a lot of water released for some reason that washed out a lot of the redds below the dam a few years ago.
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I recall reading about something like that (in the book by Randy Nelson) where a dam released water and did tons of damage to the channel, habitat etc...
but I'm not sure if thats the same location...