The photo of the week shows a "huge" Chinook (King) Salmon landed and released on the Skeena River by Gerard Mathijssen of Holland while Spey fly fishing a few years ago this time of year. By measurement, catch and release formula, the fish was estimated to weigh 62-pounds. Wow! Photo credit: Andrew Rushton of Kalum River Lodge.
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Noel Gyger – Guided Fishing Adventures and Weekly Fishing Report
4012 Best Street, Terrace BC V8G 5R8, Canada
Tel/Fax: (250) 635-2568
Cell: (250) 631-2678
E-mail: noel@noelgyger.ca
Home Page: www.noelgyger.ca
Fishing Reports: www.noelgyger.ca/past-fishing-reports.htm
RECORD SALMON & STEELHEAD Spin or fly-fishing
RIVER, LAKE, STREAM or OCEAN!!!
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Home Page: www.noelgyger.ca
Noel Gyger - WEEKLY FISHING REPORT dated July 29 – August 5, 2007
Dear Fishing Friends:
The Skeena River has been dropping (like a stone) all week and the Chinook (King) Salmon fishing is Excellent! I have many reports of good catches. The experienced, knowledgeable, pro fishing guides have been doing exceptionally well. Sockeye fishing is also good with the fly or spin rod. The river closes to Chinook fishing tomorrow, August 6 at midnight in a zone from the mouth of the Exchamsiks River to 1.5 Kilometer above the mouth of the Kalum River. The rest of the river is open. There are lots of fish in the system but due to poor water conditions in mid to early July getting at them was difficult. Reports from the tourism office expressed concern that the numbers of anglers were down this year compared to previous years, which is probably related to the flood concerns we had in June. Luckily, this did not seem to interfere with the runs of Salmon. They seem to have come back in good numbers, flood or no flood. The anglers that came experienced less crowding.
Pinks, Coho and summer-run Steelhead are now being caught in the lower end of the Skeena River.
See below for a detailed report on the Skeena River a day or two before the closure.
The Kalum River is in good shape with lots of BIG Chinook being caught. It also closes midnight August 6.
The Kitimat River fishing for Chinook was "fantastic" this season. It closed on July 31. There was talk to keep it open for another week but that did not happen. The Chum and Pinks are showing in good numbers now. Check out the Ron Wakita fishing report below.
Let me know if I can be of service to book you with the "best" fishing guide and/or fishing lodges. There are NO extra charges to book through me, just a ton of free information and advice from a person with years and years of fish guiding experience. Your questions and concerns will be promptly answered by me. Cast here http://noelgyger.ca/special-guided.htm to read more of what I have to offer and review the latest updates regarding last minute opening. Contact me for all the details and to book. These dates are updated on my website whenever there is a change.
Be sure to check out my website at www.noelgyger.ca for more info on my history, Quality Waters Strategy, special guided fishing trips, video clips, scenic river photos, wildlife photos and others, comments from past guests, informational articles and archived fishing reports from 1996 through 2002. I hope it meets with your entire satisfaction.
FISHING GUIDE REPORTS FOR THIS WEEK ARE FROM:
Chad Black
Ron Wakita
Craig Murray
CURRENT REPORT and summary for Skeena and Tributaries:
Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) Salmon forecast for 2007: Chinook look very good for the Skeena and Kitimat systems; Coho are good to excellent; Pink expect a reasonably good run; Sockeye returns to the Skeena are expected to be good this year; Chum average return.
TYPE OF FISH CAUGHT: Chinook, Coho, Chum, Sockeye and Pink in the river.
Thank you for using barbless hooks.
FISHING THIS WEEK: Excellent
LARGEST FISH OF THE WEEK: Specie: 55-pound Chinook Where: Skeena River Angler: Mike Bingham
WEATHER: Sunny with cloudy periods. Highs to 24 degrees C. Region normal: Max. Temp. 23 degrees C. Min. Temp. 11.2 degrees C. Sunrise 5:52 am Sunset 8:29 pm
WEATHER REPORTS VIA TELEPHONE: Environment Canada taped messages constantly updated, giving current conditions and three day forecasts. Terrace 250-635-4192 Kitimat 250-632-7864 Prince Rupert 250-627-1155 Smithers 250-847-1958.
For current Terrace weather information please cast on:
http://www.theweathernetwork.com/weather/cities/can/pages/CABC0292.htm?ref=wxbtnold
WATER CONDITIONS: The Skeena River water levels have been mostly dropping for the past seven days. The Kitimat River is up and down but has been fishable all week. The Kalum River is in great shape. Other Skeena tribs towards Prince Rupert are clean. Fishing conditions on all waters are excellent.
CURRENT WATER HEIGHTS FOR:
SKEENA RIVER: RIVER AT USK (08EF001 RIVER AT USK (08EF0
http://scitech.pyr.ec.gc.ca/waterweb/fullgraph.asp?stnid=08EF001
KITIMAT RIVER:
http://scitech.pyr.ec.gc.ca/waterweb/fullgraph.asp?stnid=08FF002
SKEENA RIVER: is fishing great for Chinook and Sockeye. The main stem is the "highway" for Salmon and Steelhead heading to their many different tributary rivers.
August 3…Andrew Ruston of Kalum River Lodge reports his two guests hooked into nine Chinook with conventional tackle. The biggest weighed around 40-pounds. Another guest of Andrew's hooked and landed two Chinook on the fly rod. One was estimated to weigh 20-pounds and the other 30-pounds. This is just GREAT fishing.
August 4…I had the pleasure to fish with Chad Black and Jeff Langley, guides of Nicholas Dean Lodge and we had a great day. The water and weather were perfect. We started off Chinook fishing with conventional gear in the main stem Skeena for a couple of hours but didn't hook anything. The fish were there as we witnessed many other boats and bank fishermen catching them. The bite was really on in the morning. We decided to go fishing for Sockeye, Pinks and summer run Steelhead with the fly rods. We hooked and landed two Sockeye and a dozen Pinks. No Steelhead. It was "great" fun with fly rods. These are fresh and scrappy fish. We kept the two Sockeye for dinner. I didn't fish I just took photos and video clips. I am editing now and should have them posted on the website early next week. Chad's Sage fly rod broke in half and he spent the rest of the day fishing with only half a rod, the tip. He had the fishing reel tucked inside his waders. Even with this "handicap" he was still able to hook fish. He put on a "clinic" how to hook fish with half a rod. However, it is a little awkward fighting a big fish as the photo below shows:
KALUM RIVER: Chinook (King) Salmon are available in the lower five mile section. The water is in good shape and fishing for them is great. Had a chat with the fish wardens and they said not too many boats on the Kalum. I guess this is good news for the fish.
This is a Classified River year round and can be guided from March 15 through October 15 only. The Steelhead record is 32-pounds. To see a photo of this fish cast to: http://noelgyger.ca/records/Record003.jpg The angler is Dennis Therrien.
KASIKS RIVER: Waiting for Coho now.
EXCHAMSIKS RIVER: Same as above, it is now possible to fish for Chinook in the clean seam. It closes for Chinook on the Skeena upstream from this river. Downstream it is still open.
EXTEW RIVER: Waiting for Coho now.
GITNADOIX RIVER: Waiting for Coho now.
ZYMOETZ (COPPER) RIVER: Waiting for Steelhead now. I have a report of a few Steelhead hooked already in the lower end.
KINCOLITH RIVER: Waiting for runs of Coho to come in with the high tides.
TSEAX RIVER: This is a Nass River tributary. Chinook (King) Salmon fishing begins around July 1st. You may retain one big fish per month.
KWINIMASS RIVER: Waiting for Coho now.
ECSTALL RIVER: The main Chinook (King) Salmon runs start into the river around July 15. You may retain one BIG fish up until July 31 after that the big ones must be released but you still may retain a "Jack" under 50 cm. This is PRIME TIME now.
OCEAN FISHING PRINCE RUPERT:
A summary of what is available year round can be read in the Archived Fishing Report dated April 13, 1997. For a direct link cast here: http://noelgyger.ca/archived-fishing-reports/Old%20Fishing%20Reports%201997.doc
Cast to this link for Prince Rupert tide tables http://www.waterlevels.gc.ca/cgi-bin/tide-shc.cgi?queryType=showRegion&language=english®ion=1
AREA RIVER RECORDS: Chinook Salmon: Skeena River, 92.5-pounds; Kalum River, 85-pounds; Kitimat River, 74-pounds; Steelhead: Skeena River, 45-pounds; Coho Salmon: Skeena River, 27-pounds.
FISHING REPORT FROM: Nicholas Dean Lodge Fishing Report for the Week of July 29 to August 4, 2007
This week, I am happy to report that the Skeena River and its many tributaries have continued to drop and clear, and although fishing conditions are not quite ideal, they are very good indeed. It has been the heart of the Chinook Salmon run on the Skeena, and a few giants were caught last week. Cliff Kreutzberg and Mike Bingham of Sacramento, California landed 50 and 55 lb Chinooks respectively, and while fishing on his day off, Sky Richard also landed a 50 lb fish. These fish are incredibly strong, and when combined with the Skeena's large volume of water, can be a handful to land!
The Sockeye Salmon, as well as the Pinks are moving through the Skeena in good numbers, and even a few Coho have been caught. Despite their smaller size, these fish are like chrome bullets and fight very hard! Steelhead have been caught by a number of anglers targeting Chinook Salmon, and a few have been landed on the fly; it is expected that the run will build in the coming weeks.
There is still some space available here at the lodge for our Fall Steelhead and Trophy Coho and Early Winter Steelhead packages – if you are interested in targeting these impressive fish, contact Noel for more details.
Until next week, tight lines and screaming reels…
Chad Black
Operations Manager
Nicholas Dean Lodge
CURRENT REPORT and summary for Northern Coastal Rivers:
Fishing Report from: Reliable Guide and Charters
KITIMAT RIVER:
The Chinook closed on July 31st midnight as per the regulations and was NOT extended. Mike Herzberg landed a Coho and a 25lb chrome Chinook. He also drifted the upper Kitimat Thursday and landed six Chinook in the upper drift.
On a personal note I fished the 31st on an evening drift with my favorite fishing partner Natalie and she landed a 26lb Chinook. Nat's energy and enthusiasm for fishing is infectious and she is truly a pleasure to fish with.
This year's Chinook season has truly been outstanding despite difficult conditions with the record snow pack and high water conditions. Full marks to my associate guides Mike Herzberg, Pat Oliver, Mark Girard, Alex Nemeth and Gord McKean for getting dialed into the sweet spots to catch our clients fish under difficult conditions. The same gratitude to Bonnie and Dianne on our Mobile Tackle Van and the entire staff at our tackle shop for helping our customers catch numerous large Chinook. Well done and Great job everyone!
This year's return as indicated by the size of the majority of chinook, were mostly four year olds. This year's showing of four year old chinook has huge implications on next year's return of five year olds, which is the dominant age return for the Kitimat River. Hatchery Staff are predicting excellent return of five year olds next year. In short, next year will have more and larger Chinook. Smart money says make your plans early for next year.
The Chum have started to run in better numbers with the bigger tides we had this week but are still not seeing the numbers we have been accustomed to. Most of the chum are still bunching up in the lower holes of the Kitimat River. The gravel bar below the Hatchery and the Railway hole are two spots that have better numbers of Chum. The Hatchery island and the mouth of Hirsh creek is also starting to hold better numbers of Chum as well.
The "Pinks are thick everywhere". Pink Jigs, pink crocs, pink spin n glos and pink flies. Doesn't seem to matter what colour as long as it is "Pink". The highest success rate for pinks is enjoyed by the kids. Equipped with 7' trout rods and pink jigs, the kids (mostly under 12) are landing pinks everywhere on the lower river. Great Job Kids!
There has been a higher than average number of Coho caught in the Kitimat River for this time of year. This is a good sign for things to come for this year's Coho season.
DOUGLAS CHANNEL:
Armando Santos and a group of friends from Prince George weighed in a 150lb. halibut Friday August 3rd. They were fishing the outer waters of Douglas Channel in the Campania Island area. Congratulations to Armando and his group!
The Douglas continues to produce some big halibut as Todd and Larry from Nautical West Charters and other charters and boaters continue their success rates for halibut. They are also reporting lots of Coho in the outer waters of the Douglas Channel which is consistent with what we are experiencing in the river with the higher than average numbers of Coho.
This year's Coho season has "Large" written all over it. Stay Tuned!
Thank You to every one who contributed to this report.
Report and photos from Ron Wakita of Reliable Guide and Charters
Cast to this link for Kitimat tide tables http://www.waterlevels.gc.ca/cgi-bin/tide-shc.cgi?queryType=showRegion&language=english®ion=1
CURRENT REPORT and summary for Central Coast/North Van Island Wilderness Rivers:
DFO Salmon forecast for 2007: Coho return is expected to be normal; Chinook were at or above average, so good fishing is anticipated; Chum are always strong; Pink returns are expected to be normal, which means very plentiful; Sockeye is not expected to be high.
On July 31 at 1 PM, at an elevation of 4170 feet, Keith and Tara were married, with the backdrop being the Waddington glacier with Mount Waddington rearing its summit on the top left of the photo.
Here stands a fisherman with the catch of his life.
After a week of fishing at Nimmo Bay, catching and releasing big Chinook and Coho, Keith and Tara found a catch that neither one of them would have to let go.
A perfect end to a perfect week of fishing at Nimmo Bay. It's your turn?
To Fly is Human ...To Hover, Divine
Craig Murray, Owner
Nimmo Bay Resort (Est. 1980)
FISHING REGULATION WEBSITES:
2005/2007 BC tidal waters and freshwater Salmon fishing information:
http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/recfish
Effective April 1, 2005 to March 31, 2007
2006/2007 Freshwater Fishing Regulations Synopsis:
http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/fw/fish/regulations/intro.html
Effective April 1, 2006 to March 31, 2007
NOTE: For In-season Regulation Changes posted on the web check the above URL's
2007 TV SHOW SCHEDULE FOR SPORTFISHING BC with host Mark Pendlington
CHANNEL Friday Saturday Sunday
Sportsnet Pacific 6:30 AM PST
(9:30 AM EST)
Knowledge Network 1:30 PM PST
(4:30 PM EST) 1:30 PM PST
(4:30 PM EST) 11:30 PM PST
(2:30 PM EST)
A Channel 7:00 AM PST
(10:00 AM EST)
World Fishing Network Check local listings
CATCH & RELEASE FORMULA: Chinook: girth squared x length x 1.54 divided by 1000 (inches) Steelhead: girth squared x length x 1.33 divided by 1000 (inches)
MARKETPLACE (Sportfishing related items only please) Contact me anytime to list your items.
For Sale: 12 foot Port-a-bote folding boat. $1000. Terrace BC Phone 250-631-3161
For Sale: 16 foot Aluminum boat with a 40hp Evinrude. Boat, trailer and motor $1500. Complete with Hummingbird sounder, VHF marine radio, downriggers $2000. Kitimat BC E-mail wakita@telus.net
For Sale: Three 20 foot Custom Flat Bottom Jet Sleds (build by Dennis Farnsworth) with Mercury 90hp/65 Jet and trailers. $8000 each OBO Houston BC E-mail James Britton moriceriver@mac.com
Cast to http://www.noelgyger.ca/market-place.htm to view the items.
To receive my WEEKLY FISHING REPORT and PHOTO via e-mail please send your name and e-mail address to: Noel Gyger noel@noelgyger.ca
GOOD LUCK and GOOD FISHING!
Yours sincerely,
Noel F. Gyger
Back to: http://noelgyger.ca/past-fishing-reports.htm
Home page: www.noelgyger.ca
