OUTLOOK
August is almost upon us and we’re excited for some more great summer weather and fishing!
We had a few slow mornings on the salt but overall the fishing has been consistent and will only continue to get better as we move into August. The mouth of the Fraser will open to chinook fishing on August 1st so we’re looking forward to getting down there and checking things out. Eddie’s full report is below, including an overview of his top producing gear for the week. For beach fisherman we’re looking at afternoon low tides for the first week of the month, so be sure use smaller patterns.
There have been some good reports from Interior lakes and some of the Whistler lakes as well so those are worth checking out. Local lakes have been fishing slow with another week of heat. If you’re heading out river fishing be sure you are familiar with the regulations as many of our smaller rivers are closed. Details are in the freshwater section below.
August also brings one of our favourite events, the Vancouver Chinook Classic. A great weekend on the water with a chance to win a $25,000 cash prize all while raising money for the Pacific Salmon Foundation and Capilano Little Ones. Read on below for details.
VANCOUVER CHINOOK CLASSIC
New name, new date, new location – same great derby! The 4th Annual Vancouver Chinook Classic Catch and Release Derby is fast approaching.
Join us this year for your chance to win over $50,000 in cash and prizes.
The Vancouver Chinook Classic is the premier catch and release salmon fishing event hosted annually in Vancouver. With a new location, based out of the new marina at the amazing Pacific Gateway Hotel in Richmond derby entrants will be much closer to the mouth of the Fraser and be able to enjoy the amenities of the hotel throughout the tournament. Held one week earlier to maximize on this years big chinook return, this 2-day event awards the largest cash prize of any fishing derby in Vancouver.
Not only do you have the chance to win amazing prizes, the tournament is also an opportunity to support local charities and salmon stewards. The Vancouver Chinook Classic raises awareness and funds for Capilano Little Ones School and the Pacific Salmon Foundation. Last year’s tournament raised $10,000 for the Pacific Salmon Foundation!
Tournament Dates: Saturday August 29th and Sunday August 30th
Entry Fee: $1,500 per boat (includes up to 4 anglers)
Your tournament entry includes moorage, registration gift bag, hot fisherman’s breakfast both days, gourmet dinner including 2 drink tickets on night one, entertainment, awards ceremony and barbeque with 2 drink tickets on day two, and special daily prizes from our sponsors.
For more details and to register visit the Vancouver Chinook Classic Website!
REGULATIONS UPDATE
Fishery Notice – Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Subject: FN0769-RECREATIONAL – Salmon: Area 29 (Fraser River Mouth) and Tidal Fraser River. Subareas 29-6, 29-7, 29-9 and 29-10 (Fraser River mouth):
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Effective 00:01 hours, Saturday, August 1 until 23:59 hours Thursday, December 31, 2015, the daily limit for chinook is two with a minimum size of 62 cm.
Tidal waters of the Fraser River (downstream of the CPR Bridge at Mission):
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Effective 00:01 hours, Saturday, August 1 until 23:59 hours Monday, August 31, 2015 the daily limit for chinook salmon is four with only one greater than 50cm.
Effective 00:01 hours, Saturday, August 1 until 23:59 hours Thursday, December 31, 2015 the daily limit for pink salmon is four.
Effective 00:01 hours, Saturday, August 1 until 23:59 hours Thursday, December 31, 2015 the daily limit for chum salmon is four.
There is no retention of sockeye salmon permitted at this time. Given the low abundance of sockeye and the expected en-route mortality impacts on sockeye are to be minimized and DFO is working with all users of the resource to limit impacts on sockeye.
While fishing for pink, chinook and chum salmon, anglers should avoid using fishing methods that catch sockeye salmon and fish selectively. The first principle of selective harvesting is to avoid catching non-targeted stocks. This means that anglers should use methods that do not catch sockeye.
The following fishing methods enable anglers to catch pink, chinook and chum salmon and rarely intercept sockeye salmon:
• Bar Fishing
• Trolling Spoons at Creek mouths
• Float Fishing
• Pulling Plugs
• Fly Fishing
We encourage anglers to continue to use these methods to target pink, chinook and chum while avoiding sockeye.
Please note that bottom bouncing is NOT considered a selective fishing method and is strongly discouraged. The Department requests that selective fishing techniques be used and will continue to closely monitor the situation to ensure impacts on sockeye are at a minimum.
Should DFO feel that the rate of compliance is insufficient to ensure the adequate passage of sockeye, spot closures or a “no fishing for salmon” restriction may result.
The Department will continue to review stock status and environmental information on a regular basis to help inform future fisheries management decisions and fishing opportunities. Updated information will be announced by fishery notice.
Variation Orders: 2015-369, 2015-370
Notes:
Barbless hooks are required when fishing for salmon in tidal waters of British Columbia.
The term “marked” means a hatchery fish that has a healed scar in place of the adipose fin.
Sport anglers are encouraged to participate in the Salmon Sport Head Recovery program by labeling and submitting heads from adipose fin-clipped chinook and coho salmon. Recovery of coded-wire tags provides critical information for coast-wide stock assessment. Contact the Salmon Sport Head Recovery Program toll free at (866) 483-9994 for further information.
Anglers are advised to check http://bcsportfishguide.ca for fishing closures and other recreational fishing information.
Did you witness suspicious fishing activity or a violation? If so, please call the Fisheries and Ocean Canada 24-hour toll free Observe, Record, Report line at (800) 465-4336.
For the 24-hour recorded opening and closure line, call toll free at 1 (866)431-FISH(3474).
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Barbara Mueller
DFO Lower Fraser Area
Tel: (604)666-2370
Email: barbara.mueller@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
Visit us on the Web at http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca
COURSES
We’ve got space in one great course in August. Matt is teaching his introduction to fly fishing. Don’t miss out on one of the few spots left.
Introduction to Fly Fishing
This course was specifically designed to give the new fly fisher the basic knowledge, casting skills and fly fishing strategies to effectively fish our local BC waters. This course is comprised of two sessions; 3hr evening seminar and a 3hr casting session.
Cost: $125.00
Seminar: August 11, 6:30pm to 9:30pm
Casting Date: August 16, 2pm to 5pm
FRESHWATER REPORTS
Squamish
We are still hearing solid reports from the Squamish Mamquam confluence. This is where the Mamquam River meets the Squamish River. The Mamqaum River is closed above the rail bridge but it is still fishable at the mouth. So be sure to familiarize yourself with the regulations.
From the last couple days we have heard that the spinners and floats with jigs have been out fishing the fly fisherman but this seems to shift from day to day with different schools of fish coming in on different tides. Look to fish around high tide to catch the fish moving in.
Techniques
We provided an overview of techniques last week but as a reminder when fly fishing the Squamish use light to medium sink tips with short 4ft 10lb leaders. I tend to use pink patterns in the 1.5 to 2 inch size and tie them bushier than the beach style patterns so they stand out in the water. Come by the shop and we can show you some options.
If you are gear fishing focus on pink and white spoons as well as pink and chartreuse spoons and hoochie spinners. Another great option is to float fish with pink and purple jigs. As we mentioned in previous reports the hoochie spinner is also an effective addition under a float. If the water is coloured go with bigger lures and if it is clear go as small as you can. In short we recommend having a variety of options with you when you head out.
The limit for Pink salmon is 2 per day on the Squamish but all other species are catch and release and it is strictly a single barbless fishery.
Matt
Chehalis
The Chehalis is closed to fishing.
Skagit
The Skagit is closed to fishing.
Capilano
The Capilano is closed to fishing above the Highway No. 1 Bridge, be sure to familiarize yourself with the river and the closure location.
Chilliwack
The Chilliwack can continue to fish well into mid August but you likely won’t be catching as many fresh ones. Fish lower down in the river Peach Road to Train Bridge area to increase your odds of hooking up with a bullet. Fish are spread throughout the system now so it’s up to you to find the honey hole. Swinging spoons is another option for these summer chinook, fishing Kitamat and Koho Spoons can be quite effective as well. It’s a good change up presentation.
Sam
STILLWATER REPORTS
Local Lakes
Although it is late July, we have heard some good reports from the urban Whistler lakes. Fly fishing with both wet and dry flies has been producing fish. Morning and evening are your best bet during the summer months. The low elevation lakes in and around Vancouver are best left for your fall fishing excursions.
Interior Lakes
I heard some great reports from Tunkwa Lake this week. The ‘bomber’ sized chironomids have started to hatch pretty strong. After the system moved through last week the hatches were heavy with chironomid shucks everywhere. Guys were fishing size 8-10 chironomids tied in in green and black with red rib. Mayflies were hatching in the evening as well and fish were taking sub-surface nymphs and mayfly dries. Look to have this kind of stuff in your box this time of year. Island, Calling and Stoney Lake are also fishing well.
Andre
SALTWATER REPORTS
Beach Fishing
Just before the full moon the fishing was great with lots of pink salmon with coho mixed in but with the big tides Wednesday the pink salmon moved on to Indian Arm. There was a few coho swimming around but the challenge was back on to get one of this fish to bite. You can really feel the absence of the pink salmon with a fewer bent rods. Early this week the low tides are going to be in the afternoon, which will make a little tougher fishing on the bright sunny days. From August 5 the low tides shift into the morning again so until then it if you can go first thing in the morning, anchor up in the bay with a floatation device of your choice.
Guest Sam with a pink landed on a guided beach fishing trip with Andre.
See you on the beach,
Andre
Local Saltwater
Last week the fishing was hot and cold and so was the weather. Overall the fishing was pretty good but last weekend and Monday’s cold days of rain were good news for river fishermen but not for coho fishing off West Vancouver. A lot of our cohos got past us and escaped up the river.
A nice days catch!
Hopefully it’ll draw some bigger fish and the numbers should build up in the next little while. We’re now focusing on schools of pink salmon and a few chinook that have already arrived. When you do find a school of pinks and they are on the bite the action is non-stop! In amongst the pinks expect a few good hits on chinooks and cohos as well. Productive areas have been around the QA, Bell Buoy, T10 and Point Atkinson. The depths have been between 40′ to 80′ depending on the area.
Dimitri’s guest with a well-earned chinook!
As an example, Last Wednesday there was a simultaneous bite for Chinooks off Point Atkinson at 50′ t 80′ and at the Bell Buoy at 40′ to 60′. Anchovies are the primary lure but small pink hoochies are the ticket if its pinks you’re after. A Runny Nose and Spackle Back Anchovy teaser heads have been working best for me. I should note last Tuesday one of our guides Todd hooked up a 20lb chinook on a pink hoochie. Unfortunately it got away but now it’s out there for someone else to battle! I had a trip in which we had our limit of pinks and I swapped out the pink hoochies for mini white hoochies and hooked a very nice big wild coho. I also found that the pinks liked the mini whites as well.
Haley with her first chinook!
We’ve covered the various flashers in previous reports but my choices are Chartreuse glow, Green Onion and green betsy flashers. It looks like we have another spell of nice dry weather and the tides will only get better as we phase out of a full moon. I do expect the fishing to really start to heat up!
Tight lines,
Eddie + the PA Saltwater Team, Jason, Dimitri and Warren.