Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum

Fishing in British Columbia => General Discussion => Topic started by: Darko on September 28, 2022, 12:04:02 PM

Title: Capilano
Post by: Darko on September 28, 2022, 12:04:02 PM
Has anyone been to the cap recently? I went a couple times in late july but the fish were extremely tight lipped. Ive been tracking the dam and they havent opened it in a long time. Does anyone know why and when they release it? Is it when the water levels get too high in the lake?. I cant imagine that there's barely any fish entering ie new chinook and coho even though the water is low.
Title: Re: Capilano
Post by: Fish Assassin on September 28, 2022, 12:54:03 PM
Wait for the fall rain
Title: Re: Capilano
Post by: coastangler on September 28, 2022, 02:32:48 PM
I went a couple times in late july but the fish were extremely tight lipped.

It usually takes me about 5 outings to bring home a single Coho in the summer run, and even though I've done it for years I still cannot have consistent numbers. Some days I get to the pool on first light and I can swear that I'm the first angler there, approach the bank with stealth and ducking... and is crazy that those fish won't take my flies/eggs/spinners. Extremely frustrating but when you get rewarded is amazing. With regards to the fall run, is a bit more unpredictable but if you get really lucky (rain + push of fresh fish + no people) it can be good, just need to put the time! Just be careful if you hike around. Cliffs are steep and treacherous, and of course water levels can fluctuate during heavy rains so ensure you always have a escape route
Title: Re: Capilano
Post by: Darko on September 28, 2022, 05:01:45 PM
Wait for the fall rain
I have been waiting for the last 3 weeks and am worried this rain may come third week of october.
Title: Re: Capilano
Post by: Darko on September 28, 2022, 05:07:17 PM
It usually takes me about 5 outings to bring home a single Coho in the summer run, and even though I've done it for years I still cannot have consistent numbers. Some days I get to the pool on first light and I can swear that I'm the first angler there, approach the bank with stealth and ducking... and is crazy that those fish won't take my flies/eggs/spinners. Extremely frustrating but when you get rewarded is amazing. With regards to the fall run, is a bit more unpredictable but if you get really lucky (rain + push of fresh fish + no people) it can be good, just need to put the time! Just be careful if you hike around. Cliffs are steep and treacherous, and of course water levels can fluctuate during heavy rains so ensure you always have a escape route
thanks for the advice. Do you know what tends to be the migration cycles? Do the spring tend to come in first during the fall or the coho?
Title: Re: Capilano
Post by: coastangler on September 28, 2022, 05:38:46 PM
thanks for the advice. Do you know what tends to be the migration cycles? Do the spring tend to come in first during the fall or the coho?

Based on my notes from past years, Sept 25th-Oct 10th is go time for Chinook and after Oct 15th towards end of November I've consistently encountered Coho.
Title: Re: Capilano
Post by: wildmanyeah on September 29, 2022, 11:11:46 AM
I have been waiting for the last 3 weeks and am worried this rain may come third week of october.

crazy how there is zero rain in the 14 day forecast
Title: Re: Capilano
Post by: Phronesis on September 29, 2022, 11:31:52 AM
crazy how there is zero rain in the 14 day forecast

Exactly...and its really warm for this time of the year, this is going to be the norm I suppose or maybe worse
Title: Re: Capilano
Post by: Phronesis on September 29, 2022, 11:33:37 AM
Has anyone been to the cap recently? I went a couple times in late july but the fish were extremely tight lipped. Ive been tracking the dam and they havent opened it in a long time. Does anyone know why and when they release it? Is it when the water levels get too high in the lake?. I cant imagine that there's barely any fish entering ie new chinook and coho even though the water is low.

Never had success on the capilano ........ I just stopped going there lol
Title: Re: Capilano
Post by: dobrolub on September 29, 2022, 02:38:47 PM
Need rain - no fish can enter when the water is so low.
Title: Re: Capilano
Post by: Darko on September 29, 2022, 03:06:38 PM
Need rain - no fish can enter when the water is so low.
they can't enter? unless the mouth is 100% dry how can it be that they cannot enter. If it is true then can I expect to go to the cap mouth and see thousands of fish sitting there waiting for rain. This would then mean they have been waiting and might be hungry. Maybe then they will be anxious to bite my lures  ;D If this fantasy of mine was true I would definitely be heading there instead of the vedder! Assuming fishing from shore as I do not have a 40,000$ boat. Maybe my inflatable will do  ::)
Title: Re: Capilano
Post by: canucksfan233 on September 29, 2022, 03:15:54 PM
Fish physically can't move up the river with no water coming out of dam. Ambleside has a lot of jumpers in the salt and can easily cast from shore with a buzzbomb, spoon or carolina rig setup.
Title: Re: Capilano
Post by: dobrolub on September 29, 2022, 05:54:27 PM
This would then mean they have been waiting and might be hungry. Maybe then they will be anxious to bite my lures  ;D

You should take a trip to Capilano and see that whatever fish does enter ends up in the nets of the FNs who blocked the river with weirs. So yea, no fish makes it past the Marine Dr. bridge for sure.
Title: Re: Capilano
Post by: Roderick on September 29, 2022, 06:05:03 PM

Right now the river is so low that there are places where you can literally cross the river without getting your feet wet by hopping from rock to rock.

The FN set up a rock weir every year at the high tide mark that stops the fish going upstream in the summer when the river is low.  Right now there are many fish jumping around close to shore near the mouth.  Last time I was there those jumpers were looking a little dark and were not biting.  20+ guys on the shore and I saw 1 fish caught and it was wild. Good fishing but not much catching.  Lots of boats targeting the springs in deep water where the tidal current is strong.

When it rains and the river goes up to above 1.2m on the graph, the weir gets washed out and the fish can enter the river.  Wait for the rain.
Title: Re: Capilano
Post by: dennisK on September 29, 2022, 06:06:38 PM
some obstacles. not sure if they would be up this late in the season..

https://youtu.be/FpyCFAQe_Ao

https://youtu.be/iuseR1aYsDc
Title: Re: Capilano
Post by: Darko on September 29, 2022, 09:47:06 PM
Right now the river is so low that there are places where you can literally cross the river without getting your feet wet by hopping from rock to rock.

The FN set up a rock weir every year at the high tide mark that stops the fish going upstream in the summer when the river is low.  Right now there are many fish jumping around close to shore near the mouth.  Last time I was there those jumpers were looking a little dark and were not biting.  20+ guys on the shore and I saw 1 fish caught and it was wild. Good fishing but not much catching.  Lots of boats targeting the springs in deep water where the tidal current is strong.

When it rains and the river goes up to above 1.2m on the graph, the weir gets washed out and the fish can enter the river.  Wait for the rain.
thats what i expected aswell. Thanks for sharing
Title: Re: Capilano
Post by: Darko on October 19, 2022, 06:55:09 AM
river rised last night about 12 cm. Does this mean they released the dam? Is this enough to get fish moving through? its back to normal now.
Title: Re: Capilano
Post by: Rodney on October 19, 2022, 10:04:30 AM
Some drunk guy peed into the river obviously....

Sometimes a little change of level would trigger the move. There is only one way to find out lol...
Title: Re: Capilano
Post by: wildmanyeah on October 19, 2022, 10:42:47 AM
whos taking friday off?
Title: Re: Capilano
Post by: Phronesis on October 19, 2022, 11:02:30 AM
I guess some people will..........I am taking a day off next week :D.....since it is showing RAIN !! Finally......
Title: Re: Capilano
Post by: Rodney on October 19, 2022, 11:19:53 AM
You guys work on weekdays in October?

Amateurs.... ;D
Title: Re: Capilano
Post by: Darko on October 19, 2022, 11:21:23 AM
whos taking friday off?
I take every friday off to go fishing  8). Hmm now do I go vedder or capilano
Title: Re: Capilano
Post by: Chum Slayer on October 19, 2022, 01:17:32 PM
Go to Vedder, after the rain it should be good for chum, springs and coho also you can get a few trout if the salmon are not biting.
Title: Re: Capilano
Post by: Darko on October 19, 2022, 05:01:20 PM
Go to Vedder, after the rain it should be good for chum, springs and coho also you can get a few trout if the salmon are not biting.
yea you're probably right. hopefully the smoke clears a bit by then too.
Title: Re: Capilano
Post by: Darko on October 25, 2022, 04:33:17 PM
Rodney I saw your post on facebook about the request for anglers to not fish on the cap for the 27th. I was wondering if theres any more info you can share with us. Also was wondering why its a request and not a closure. Wouldnt that be more affective?
Title: Re: Capilano
Post by: ynot on October 26, 2022, 07:33:10 PM
Capilano hatchery staff are working with Squamish Nation and Metro Vancouver to get a pulse of water and weir opening in the Capilano River system for a one-day period on Thursday, October 27, 2022.  This is the result of low water levels and low returns of fish to date into the hatchery.  This emergency action is intended to allow for clear passage of fish through the river for this one day and the Department is requesting all fishers to refrain from fishing in the Capilano River on this date.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Contact Hamid.Seshadri@dfo-mpo.gc.ca or the nearest Fisheries and Oceans Canada office or visit our website at http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca.
Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN1209
Sent October 25, 2022 at 1551
Title: Re: Capilano
Post by: Blood_Orange on October 27, 2022, 09:40:06 AM
Rodney I saw your post on facebook about the request for anglers to not fish on the cap for the 27th. I was wondering if theres any more info you can share with us. Also was wondering why its a request and not a closure. Wouldnt that be more affective?

To add to ynot's post, it's probably impossible for the local level organizations (hatchery, FN, and Metro Van) to go through DFO to implement a closure that quickly. Enforcement of a closure would also be challenging when anglers could honestly say they didn't know about because it's an unexpected situation. Only anglers that checked the regs in the last 48 hours would be aware. Sure, they could put up signs to educate anglers but the hatchery staff would be hard pressed to design, print, laminate, and then delegate someone to go out and post them at popular spots. All that costs extra money too. My guess is that putting it out there as a request rather than a closure is the easiest, fastest, most cost-effective way to get it done at the regional level. It's not perfect but emergencies never are :P
Title: Re: Capilano
Post by: ynot on October 27, 2022, 11:03:27 AM
when they start letting the water drop great fishing time  and tomorrow should be good.
Title: Re: Capilano
Post by: Darko on October 27, 2022, 12:44:35 PM
when they start letting the water drop great fishing time  and tomorrow should be good.
seems it rose 14 cm then stopped at about 10 cm above the pervious norm. Not sure how much this will affect entrance levels.
To add to ynot's post, it's probably impossible for the local level organizations (hatchery, FN, and Metro Van) to go through DFO to implement a closure that quickly. Enforcement of a closure would also be challenging when anglers could honestly say they didn't know about because it's an unexpected situation. Only anglers that checked the regs in the last 48 hours would be aware. Sure, they could put up signs to educate anglers but the hatchery staff would be hard pressed to design, print, laminate, and then delegate someone to go out and post them at popular spots. All that costs extra money too. My guess is that putting it out there as a request rather than a closure is the easiest, fastest, most cost-effective way to get it done at the regional level. It's not perfect but emergencies never are :P
I guess so, politics and governments are just so slow. I dont see why they cant get one individual from each group couldnt have had a meeting online for 30 m and have a notice sent out. Maybe its not that important or not necessary. With the tech these days youd think things would be faster and faster but I guess the old saying stays true that people dont change.
Title: Re: Capilano
Post by: Roderick on October 27, 2022, 04:53:12 PM
Well.  Nothing happened.  On the bright side water is entering the reservoir at 140 m3/s and rising.  Maybe they are waiting for dark?
Title: Re: Capilano
Post by: canucksfan233 on October 27, 2022, 05:44:48 PM
Well.  Nothing happened.  On the bright side water is entering the reservoir at 140 m3/s and rising.  Maybe they are waiting for dark?

100%, can't risk a death again. I honestly thought they would open the dam at 9pm last night, but it 100% has to be this night. We've had so much water and granted its snowing in the mts, but they have to open it at some point with all of the inflow of water.
Title: Re: Capilano
Post by: Darko on October 27, 2022, 06:49:42 PM
100%, can't risk a death again. I honestly thought they would open the dam at 9pm last night, but it 100% has to be this night. We've had so much water and granted its snowing in the mts, but they have to open it at some point with all of the inflow of water.

Is the flow more important to look at or river level?, River level seems not to change too much but flow is more drastic. I guess with more flow means faster water equals blowout but not an expert on these things and it seems different for each river.
Title: Re: Capilano
Post by: canucksfan233 on October 27, 2022, 07:27:24 PM

Is the flow more important to look at or river level?, River level seems not to change too much but flow is more drastic. I guess with more flow means faster water equals blowout but not an expert on these things and it seems different for each river.

1.2-1.4m water level is what you want ideally
Title: Re: Capilano
Post by: Darko on October 30, 2022, 11:32:27 AM
Cap is officially BLOWN, 1 m above previous avg. I'm assuming if it slows down the fishing should be good mid week or next weekend.
Title: Re: Capilano
Post by: HamidSeshadri on October 31, 2022, 11:20:02 AM
To add to ynot's post, it's probably impossible for the local level organizations (hatchery, FN, and Metro Van) to go through DFO to implement a closure that quickly. Enforcement of a closure would also be challenging when anglers could honestly say they didn't know about because it's an unexpected situation. Only anglers that checked the regs in the last 48 hours would be aware. Sure, they could put up signs to educate anglers but the hatchery staff would be hard pressed to design, print, laminate, and then delegate someone to go out and post them at popular spots. All that costs extra money too. My guess is that putting it out there as a request rather than a closure is the easiest, fastest, most cost-effective way to get it done at the regional level. It's not perfect but emergencies never are :P

this reasoning is 100% correct.

We could not get a closure within the short notice of time. The level of clearance required was too high, so an official request was the best we could do. It worked for the most part. There's always some who want to do what they want to do but most stayed away.
AND I did manage to print a couple of notices and posted them in the most accessible places. I didn't delegate that job, I did it myself!  :)

The pulse of water from the dam coincided with collaboration from Squamish fish guardians opening the weirs. We actually did it twice, once on the night of oct 18th, and then the once more on the night of the 27th... 4CMS released for 6 hours... it may not seem like much but as a result we had over 1200 coho and 40 chinook enter the hatchery. Before that, from the period of oct 1-19th we had zero fish coming in. I'm taking that as a success.

I'm also very happy to say that Metro Van, Squamish Nation, and the hatchery are working more closely with each other then ever before; it's taken several years to build these relationships, and there's a lot more we will be working on together. 

Currently the reservoir is filled up to the bottom of the drum gate and is spilling freely.
Title: Re: Capilano
Post by: vancook on October 31, 2022, 12:14:57 PM
this reasoning is 100% correct.

We could not get a closure within the short notice of time. The level of clearance required was too high, so an official request was the best we could do. It worked for the most part. There's always some who want to do what they want to do but most stayed away.
AND I did manage to print a couple of notices and posted them in the most accessible places. I didn't delegate that job, I did it myself!  :)

The pulse of water from the dam coincided with collaboration from Squamish fish guardians opening the weirs. We actually did it twice, once on the night of oct 18th, and then the once more on the night of the 27th... 4CMS released for 6 hours... it may not seem like much but as a result we had over 1200 coho and 40 chinook enter the hatchery. Before that, from the period of oct 1-19th we had zero fish coming in. I'm taking that as a success.

I'm also very happy to say that Metro Van, Squamish Nation, and the hatchery are working more closely with each other then ever before; it's taken several years to build these relationships, and there's a lot more we will be working on together. 

Currently the reservoir is filled up to the bottom of the drum gate and is spilling freely.
Thank you for taking the time to post this update and inform us how things went. It's great to hear that it was successful.
Title: Re: Capilano
Post by: Darko on October 31, 2022, 04:11:08 PM
Thank you for taking the time to post this update and inform us how things went. It's great to hear that it was successful.
x 2
Title: Re: Capilano
Post by: Blood_Orange on October 31, 2022, 08:59:26 PM
AND I did manage to print a couple of notices and posted them in the most accessible places. I didn't delegate that job, I did it myself!  :)

Awesome! No offence intended :P I appreciate your work.
Title: Re: Capilano
Post by: HamidSeshadri on November 01, 2022, 10:43:45 AM
Awesome! No offence intended :P I appreciate your work.

hahah no offense taken, it was more of a poke at myself, its nice to get out of the office and run around the river!  ;D
Title: Re: Capilano
Post by: Darko on November 04, 2022, 05:48:46 PM
I fished the Capilano today, from 1-2 I was at cable pool. Visibility was maybe 1.5 ft. As usual there were fish showing themselves, jumping, darting around ect. 90% of them were pretty dark. I fished blades, wool, tried some roe I found on the bank. No action at all. Similar to what I experienced in the summer. I tried hike the lower river to try and find a spot. It was either too shallow, I fished a few shallow runs I thought should have some fish but no luck. I ended the day in a big snag, so I decided to go home. Thought there would be fresh fish that wouldnt be lip locked but looks like I was wrong. Maybe they all just swam straight to the hatchery.
Title: Re: Capilano
Post by: canucksfan233 on November 04, 2022, 06:05:41 PM
I fished the Capilano today, from 1-2 I was at cable pool. Visibility was maybe 1.5 ft. As usual there were fish showing themselves, jumping, darting around ect. 90% of them were pretty dark. I fished blades, wool, tried some roe I found on the bank. No action at all. Similar to what I experienced in the summer. I tried hike the lower river to try and find a spot. It was either too shallow, I fished a few shallow runs I thought should have some fish but no luck. I ended the day in a big snag, so I decided to go home. Thought there would be fresh fish that wouldnt be lip locked but looks like I was wrong. Maybe they all just swam straight to the hatchery.

been the story of myself and everyone i've talked to on this river. Was decent fishing the first day they opened the dam, then dead quiet after.
Title: Re: Capilano
Post by: Darko on November 04, 2022, 06:18:38 PM
been the story of myself and everyone i've talked to on this river. Was decent fishing the first day they opened the dam, then dead quiet after.
good to know it's not just me! So leads me to question when is fishing actually GOOD on this river.  ???
Title: Re: Capilano
Post by: canucksfan233 on November 04, 2022, 09:59:23 PM
good to know it's not just me! So leads me to question when is fishing actually GOOD on this river.  ???

Reason its called the 3 day wonder. Just this year with the late rains, more like a 1 pump chump 😂
Title: Re: Capilano
Post by: Darko on November 04, 2022, 11:11:09 PM
Reason its called the 3 day wonder. Just this year with the late rains, more like a 1 pump chump 😂
;D, I think I'm starting to understand this river. There is some decent coho fishing in late may/ mid june. Mainly on roe. Then liplocked fish the whole summer during low river when they cant migrate. Then 90% of the fish go through the river in a few days. During a high river. When there is an influx of snaggers. Then pretty much you are fishing for the 8 steelhead left in the system and and the two dozen coho for the rest of the year. XD. Looks likes there might only be 2-3 spots that actually produce, sometimes...
Title: Re: Capilano
Post by: canucksfan233 on November 05, 2022, 07:47:00 PM
;D, I think I'm starting to understand this river. There is some decent coho fishing in late may/ mid june. Mainly on roe. Then liplocked fish the whole summer during low river when they cant migrate. Then 90% of the fish go through the river in a few days. During a high river. When there is an influx of snaggers. Then pretty much you are fishing for the 8 steelhead left in the system and and the two dozen coho for the rest of the year. XD. Looks likes there might only be 2-3 spots that actually produce, sometimes...

Really good spots in the canyon, just bring someone to scout it for the first time and understand the risks for a couple of fish.
Title: Re: Capilano
Post by: cutthroat22 on November 12, 2022, 01:44:41 PM
Took a walk into my favourite, idyllic spot in the canyon 2 days ago.  It's been a while since I have been.
 
The steep, slippery trail I used to gallop down in the dark with a dim flashlight had me clinging to roots with my knees trembling   :o

Going up was easier on the knees but harder on the quads.    Legs still sore 2 days later.

Water low, lots of stagnant coho milling about.





Title: Re: Capilano
Post by: SuperBobby on November 12, 2022, 05:27:17 PM
Years ago, there used to be really good fishing in the salt for Cap Coho....easy to limit out.
How is it these days?
Title: Re: Capilano
Post by: canucksfan233 on November 13, 2022, 12:25:06 PM
Years ago, there used to be really good fishing in the salt for Cap Coho....easy to limit out.
How is it these days?

was garbage this year, fish got so stale from sitting in the salt about 1.5 months longer than normal.