The photo of the week shows Kiesha Herman who is all smiles after learning how to fly fish and catching her first Pink Salmon on the fly. Pinks, Sockeye, Coho and Steelhead are being caught in the Skeena River and its tributaries near Terrace. Photo credit: Nicholas Dean 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 August 5 – August 12, 2007
Dear Fishing Friends:
Some of you may have noticed I sent last weeks fishing report out early, around 11 AM instead of the usual late afternoon time. The reason for this, I was invited to fish with Ron Wakita on his ocean boat in the Douglas channel. I met him at Moon Bay Marina at noon. It was kind of a family fishing day with Ron, Natalie, Corry, (Ron's son) and two of his young friends. Ron had fresh Dungeness crab cooking onboard when I arrived. I ate fresh, cooked Crab all day. Re: fishing. To make a long story short the fishing was absolutely fantastic! The rods were "jumping" ALL day with fish-on! Ron worked, non-stop to keep all four rods fishing properly. Ron really knows his stuff. Natalie was also very helpful with the rods and Cory did a masterful job steering the boat. Me being helpful…well, my excuse, I am a river fisherman, don't know much about ocean boats or ocean fishing. The day was mostly a "blur" of action but I remember we caught three Coho, a dozen Pink and three or four Chum…plus our limit of Crab. We also lost a lot of fish. After fishing we went to a barbeque Ron had for his assistant guides, staff, clients and friends to "celebrate" a successful spring Steelhead and summer Chinook season (March 1 to July 31). Fun was had by all, especially me… I ate more Crab. I got home late to clean and cook my limit of six Crabs…and ate more Crab. The next day I ate crab again for dinner. By then, I was "crabbed out". Thanks to everyone who helped put on a fabulous barbeque!
The Skeena River water level continues to drop and fishing is "excellent" for Sockeye and Pink Salmon for both spin and fly fishermen. Steelhead and Coho are starting to show but NOT in any great numbers…so far. Concern is being expressed, by many anglers as to the size of the (summer-run) Steelhead run this year. It is very low according to the Tyee Test Fishery: http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/northcoast/skeena/indexhelp.htm Cast to North Coast Steelhead Alliance: http://www.ncsteelheadalliance.ca/ for conservation updates and I will do my best to keep you informed in these reports and through items posted on the News Bulletin page.
Cast to http://www.noelgyger.ca/video-clips-web.htm and watch three New video clips posted this week. Two videos of Sockeye fly fishing and one of Pink fly fishing all on the Skeena River.
Cast to http://www.noelgyger.ca/for-sale-videos-dvd-photos.htm and check out one New river Scenic photos. This one is of the Kasiks River, described as "the most beautiful river in the world", by one of my past guests. Bright silver Coho should be "swimming in" the lower end right now.
As the Kitimat River spin and fly fishermen celebrate the end of their Chinook season, everyone is happy to not target them and let them spawn. Coho, Chum and Pink are entering the river now. Ocean fishing in the Douglas Channel is great. Check out the Ron Wakita report and photos 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 lot of free information and advice from a person with years and years of fishing and 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 openings. Contact me for all the details and to book. These dates are updated on the 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.
Correction: I incorrectly described the area of the Skeena River Chinook Salmon closure in my last report. It should have read: The Chinook closure on August 7 is from the Lakelse River mouth upstream to the Skeena River Overpass (new Hwy 16 bridge) at Ferry Island. I had inadvertently described the Classified Waters section thinking it was the same zone for the closure. I guess it pays to read the regs.
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: Coho, Chum, Sockeye, Pink and Steelhead in the river. Halibut, Bottom Fishing and Coho in the ocean Kitimat Douglas Channel and Prince Rupert.
Thank you for using barbless hooks.
FISHING THIS WEEK: Excellent
LARGEST FISH OF THE WEEK: Specie: 20-pound Steelhead Where: Skeena River Angler: Dusty Schad. In addition: a 126-pound Halibut from the Douglas Channel was caught by Marco Bravo.
WEATHER: Cloudy with sunny periods and 60 percent chance of showers. Highs to 15 degrees C. Region normal: Max. Temp. 19.3 degrees C. Min. Temp. 10.6 degrees C. Sunrise 6:04 am Sunset 9:15 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 dropping for the past seven days. The Kitimat River is up and down but has been fishable all week. 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: Fishing is good for Sockeye throughout the whole system. Pinks are showing in abundant numbers. Coho seem to be strong. Steelhead fishing is slow. The main stem is the "highway" for Salmon and Steelhead heading to their many different tributary rivers.
KALUM RIVER: Waiting for the main run of Coho now. The early run that swims quickly through the whole river and into Kalum Lake has started. The distance is about 20 kilometers. They seem to mill around in the lake at the mouth of the Beaver (upper Kalum River) and Cedar Rivers until the water is the correct height, then they shoot up. If your timing is good you can catch them in the lake. Sockeye are in the river now but are closed to angling.
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. A few will be swimming in on the low end.
EXCHAMSIKS RIVER: Waiting for Coho now. A few will be swimming in on the low end.
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 August 5 to 11, 2007
"Tight lines and screaming reels," my favorite catch phrase for signing off on a weekly report, could not be more accurate than for this past week. The fishing in the Skeena and its tributaries is on fire. Pink, Sockeye, Coho and Chinooks have been making a strong appearance on the Skeena, and when in combination with the famous Skeena Summer Steelhead, you never know what the next pull on your fly will be. Take for example Jeff Paffrath and his family and friends. They had been out fishing in the Queen Charlottes for Chinook and Coho, but wanted a change of pace, something different, so our guides took them to a few of their favorite spots. Jeff and the gang quickly understood why the Skeena is such an incredible fishery. Between the 6 of them, they landed between 250 and 300 fish in one day. The ever numerous Pinks provided the bulk of the action, but the crew also landed about 20 early run Coho and 50 scrappy Sockeye. But, as always, the best is always saved for last…
Dusty Schad was letting his fly swing slowly through the riffle when he felt his line stop suddenly. It could have been any type of Salmon, but both he and the guides knew right away that this was no Salmon. Fresh chrome, bullet chrome, white chrome are all words used to describe fresh Skeena Steelhead, and this was no different. After a rod bucking, line peeling fight, Sky Richard tailed 20 lbs of Summer Steelhead for Dusty. Certainly a great way to etch into your mind a memorable encounter with one the ghosts of the Skeena…and to foster that feeling of Steelhead fever…
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 Kitimat River continues to produce an abnormally large number of Pink Salmon. It is also producing a larger than normal amount of Coho for this time of year. The river conditions are excellent although it is higher than the average yearly river heights. The height of the river during the early migration of the Coho return has a major effect on the Coho fishery in both the Kitimat River fishery and the Douglas Channel harbour fishery.
Our mobile van logs the height of the river at least twice daily. We document the river catch rates when the river is high in the early stages of the Coho return and the catch rates when the river is low. When the river is high the catch rates in the river are higher and accordingly the catch rates in the Kitimat harbour fishery declines. This is very logical because the higher water attracts more Coho to migrate the river and hence they are not available to the salt water fishery.
It is interesting to note that the last two years have the extreme scenarios of low and high water. Last year the Kitimat River as well as most rivers in B.C experienced record low river conditions. This year we have had record snow pack accordingly record high river conditions. It will be interesting to see what evolves depending on what "Mother Nature" provides for weather. Stay Tuned!
DOUGLAS CHANNEL:
The Douglas Channel has "exceptional" numbers of Coho in the outer waters. "Piles of them…it's stupid", are two quotes from boaters.
There also continues to be more large halibut being caught. Marco Bravo, one of the owners of our local Irly Bird Building Supplies store caught a 126lb. halibut this week.
The halibut fishing in the inner waters of the Douglas should start to peak as the halibut migrate up this end to feed on the spawned out Chinook, Chum and Pink salmon carcasses. With the abnormal amount of pinks should entice more halibut in closer?
Life is short! Fish Lots!
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.
A female Pilot / guide and a happy customer, that's what Nimmo Bay is all about. Catherine and her charges caught many of these beauties over 4 days
Today there were many fish caught and two of them were 35 pound chinook. Pictures to follow in next weeks fish tale.
August is a fantastic month for all our rivers and for all species of Pacific salmon. Fresh bright Coho10 -18 pounds, Pink salmon are a blast on light fly gear. Along with great fishing the weather is superb. Making available a host of other activities.
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 photos of 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
