Chinook is KING Salmon
Capt. Noel Gyger
July 20, 2009
Terrace - Freshwater Fishing Report
The photo of the week shows Dustin Kovacvich with a nice Kalum River Chinook (King) Salmon landed yesterday, July 18, 2009. This fish is the "star" of the Podcast. Click on link to view the Podcast.
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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: [email protected]
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 12 – July 19, 2009
Dear Fishing Friends:
SUMMARY: The weather has been fair but we have had the odd rain shower. The Skeena River is in good condition and folks are catching lots of fish with both fly and conventional gear. Right now is "prime time" for Sockeye (Red) and Chinook (King) Salmon. The odd summer-run Steelhead are migrating through. The Kalum River is clean and fishing for Chinook is good. I noticed many jet boat trailers at the boat ramps. The Zymoetz (Copper) River is borderline fishable. Fishing for Chinook in the Kitimat River, Tidal section and Douglas Channel is excellent! In addition to Chinook, Chum, Coho and Pink are showing up. For all the fine details please check out the Ron Wakita report below.
July 18, 2009 One "New" podcast number 0017 posted on Podcast
Category: Mid Week fishing updates. Pro fishing guides Dustin Kovacvich and Jeff Langley invited me to fish with them for Chinook (King) Salmon on the Kalum River Saturday, July 18, 2009. The show starts with some quick photos of quality products you will need for fishing this region PLUS safety equipment including a GPS device that may save your life and lots of good fishing info. Fishing was outstanding with non-stop action! Our biggest fish was a 35-pounder. Podcast (6:01minutes) includes photos, audio and fishing video clip.
LIST OF "New" ITEMS POSTED ON THE WEBSITE THIS WEEK:
- One New item posted on "Quality Waters Strategy" July 19/09
- One New weekend Chinook fishing update "Podcast" July 19/09
- One New item posted on "Conservation" July 17/09
NOW BOOKING: Let me know if I can be of service to book you with the "best" fishing guide and/or fishing lodges for both river and ocean. 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. It is like hiring two guides for the price of one. I will promptly answer your questions and concerns. Cast here http://noelgyger.ca/special-guided.htm to read more of what I have to offer.
Many people book three trips per year to our area; one trip in the spring (March-April-May), one trip in the summer (June-July-August) and one trip in the fall (September-October-November). They love having the same guide but fishing for different fish in different areas.
Be sure to check out my website at www.noelgyger.ca for news bulletins, mid week fishing updates, conservation, my history, quality waters strategy, special guided fishing trips, video clips, podcasts, scenic river photos, wildlife photos and others, comments from past guests, informational articles, archived fishing reports from 1996 through 2002 and a sportfishing market place. I hope it meets with your entire satisfaction. I am at your service.
FISHING GUIDE REPORTS FOR THIS WEEK ARE FROM:
Ron Wakita, Ariel Kuppers, Andreas Handl, Todd Haynes, Alain St. Pierre, Tracey Hittel and Dustin Kovacvich.
CURRENT REPORT and summary for Skeena and Tributaries:
TYPE OF FISH CAUGHT: Chinook (King) Salmon, Chum, Pink, Steelhead and Trout for river. Salmon, Halibut, Bottom Fish and Dungeness Crab for ocean.
Thank you for using barbless hooks!
FISHING THIS WEEK:
POOR FAIR GOOD EXCELLENT
☺
LARGEST FISH OF THE WEEK: Specie: 52-pound Halibut. Where: Douglas Channel. Angler: Donna Arrnett
WEATHER: Cloudy with 60 percent chance of showers. High 19. UV index 3 or moderate. Sunrise 5:25 AM Sunset 9:57 PM. Today's yearly average temperatures: Maximum 23 degrees. Minimum 11 degrees.
WEATHER REPORTS VIA TELEPHONE: Terrace 250-635-4192 Kitimat 250-632-7864 Prince Rupert 250-627-1155 Smithers 250-847-1958.
SKEENA RIVER: Is fishing great! Both Chinook and Sockeye are being caught with both spin and fly. More and more excited fishermen are coming here to enjoy our fabulous, world renowned Salmon and Steelhead sport fishery!
Skeena River height: http://scitech.pyr.ec.gc.ca/waterweb/fullgraph.asp
Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO): Tyee Test Fishery for the Skeena River.
KALUM RIVER: Is clean and fishing well for Chinook (King) Salmon.
KASIKS RIVER: It is now possible to fish for Chinook at the mouth, in the clean seam, where it joins the Skeena. Sometimes the Chinook come out of the Skeena and into the clean water in search for scent of their home river.
EXCHAMSIKS RIVER: Same as above, it is now possible to fish for Chinook in the clean seam.
EXSTEW RIVER: Same as above, it is now possible to fish for Chinook in the clean seam.
Note: the above three rivers are closed to angling for Chinook except at the very low end. Please check 2009 – 2011 BC Freshwater Salmon Supplement (fancy name for regulations) at: www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/recfish for details.
ZYMOETZ (COPPER) RIVER: Is borderline fishable.
Fishing Report from: Ron Wakita of Reliable Guide and Charters
Cast on link below to view flyer: http://www.noelgyger.ca/ads/Instore_Flyer_June_2009.pdf
KITIMAT RIVER: The river is filling up with all specie of Salmon this week. There are Chinook, Pinks, Chum and even the odd Coho being caught in the Kitimat River right now. This is a great time of year to be fishing the Kitimat River. I met one group in Radley Park that consisted of three generations. Grand Pa, Mother, Father and the kids were focused on catching the Pinks but Grand Ma was looking for the "Big One". (Chinook) I thought that this was funny but everyone in the group told me that Grand Ma was the serious angler in the clan. Good Luck Grand Ma!
After a poor return of Chum and Pink last year, this year's Chum and Pink return has signs of "The good old days". Only time will tell how strong the Pink and Chum runs will be this year but the early returns to date have been really good especially the Pinks.
Fishing for Pink Salmon has become a very popular fishery on the Kitimat River particularly for the kids. The best lures to fish for Pinks are Pink Jigs or the Gibbs Cerise Clear Crystal Crocs.
The two most popular jigs are Rainbow Jigs distributed by Ron Ramsay and Jim's Jigs distributed by Redl Sports Distributors. A very good tackle tip when using Jigs is to use a quality locking snap swivel. The Butch Nickel Interlock Snap Swivel #F127 size #2 is the perfect snap swivel to use. Butch Terminal Tackle is distributed by Redl Sports Distributors who is the largest and the best Fishing Tackle Distributors in Western Canada. The Interlock Snap Swivel protects the knot during the jigging motion and allows for quick change. These Jigs perform the best when the Pinks are in slow moving water, pools or back eddies. Simply cast the Jig across the pool, let the jig sink while lowering the rod tip to the water. Then "pop" the jig by quickly raising the rod tip to 70 or 80 degrees. Then lower the rod tip to the water and reel up the slack. Pop and retrieve. Pop and retrieve. Any sudden twitch or even if the jig stops suddenly, set the hook and Fish ON! Simple, Effective and Fun!
The Gibbs 3/16oz. or the 3/8 oz. Cerise Clear Crystal Croc is the number one casting spoon to bottom bounce for Pinks when the Pinks are holding in a run with faster moving current. In the slower moving current these Gibbs Croc can be retrieved to entice the Pinks or sometimes Chum to strike. Fly fishing for Pinks is also very popular but I will cover Fly Fishing in next week's report.
July 14th. Ariel Kuppers fishing with Derek Downey and Matt hooked ten Chinook and landed five. They also landed four Chum and five Pinks. Wow a great day of Salmon fishing guys. Well done!
July 14th. Chuck, our Mobile Tackle Van Sales representative photographed Paul Lode age 16 who landed his first Kitimat River Chinook weighing 18lbs. Congratulations Paul on your first Kitimat River Chinook! Very nice photo Chuck! Well Done guys!
July 14th. Melanie Carrire fishing with her favorite unofficial "Kitimat Fishing Guide", Marc-Elie Morin landed her first and second Kitimat River Salmon. She caught these Pinks on a Pink Jig made by Ron Ramsay of Rainbow Jigs and photographed very fashionably in her pink sweater. I think Isabelle, Marc-Elie and I will affectionately refer to Melanie as "The Pink Lady" for the duration of her stay. Well done Melanie and Marc-Elie.
July 15th. "Hi Ron, Thanks for the tips and the jigs. I got my first fish today, with my kids. Here's the picture. From left to right, Clara, Rachel, Joakim and Maxime Turcotte. Regards, Eric Turcotte"
Eric Turcotte and his kids were in our Tackle Store on Wednesday asking where to catch some Salmon. Our Mobile Tackle Van had logged Pinks being caught under the Haisla Bridge. I gave Eric directions to the pool under the bridge and a few tips. I also gave the kids some "Lucky Jigs". The catch results are in the photos that Eric emailed to me. The smiling faces on the kids are the most gratifying rewards of being in the Fishing Tackle business. Thank You for the photos Eric. I am sure that you had a few proud father moments taking the pictures. Congratulations to Clara, Rachel, Joakim and Maxime Turcotte.
July 18th. I met Shelley Buswell fishing with her four year old daughter, Amanda, under the Haisla Bridge on the Radley Park side. While we were talking we watched two Pinks landed on the Rod and Gun side. I gave Shelley directions how to get to the Rod and Gun side and I also gave Amanda a "Lucky Pink Jig". Amanda gave me a Thank You hug for the "Lucky Jig". Receiving a hug from a four year old angler was a special moment. Good Luck Shelley and Amanda!
July 19th. Earl Dare caught a Pink with a Pink Jig at the Eurocan Pump House this morning. This was the only one caught this morning as High Tide is not until noon today. Earl was more than happy about catching this Pink. (Sorry no pic)
Summary: The Kitimat Tidal fishery tapered off towards the end of this week indicating the Chinook that were holding in this section have moved up river. Our Mobile Tackle Van only logged a few Chinook in the Lower Kitimat River which means that the Chinook bolted right through the lower end. Most of the Chinook this week have being caught in the middle or upper sections of the Kitimat River. It is interesting to log the Chinook catches first in our Saltwater boats, then in the jet boats fishing the tidal portion and then in the Mobile Tackle Van logs in the Lower Kitimat and in the Driftboat drifting the middle and upper sections of the Kitimat.
Anglers focused on fishing solely for Chinook on the Kitimat River should fish the rising tide and then drive up to one of the upper holes after High Tide. The Sawmill and the Powerlines are two of the holes up river that are producing Chinook. The other option is to drift the upper sections. Anyone interested in a Guided Driftboat trip, please contact Noel.
DOUGLAS CHANNEL:
July 6th. Blaine Stendie fishing with Cody Fillion and Donna Arrnett landed a 52lb and a l5lb Halibut, and some Cod in Sue Channel on July 6th. They emailed a picture for this week's report.
July 15th Blaine and his group landed a 30lb and a l5lb Halibut in the same "Lucky Spot in Sue Channel. Congratulations! We also received an unconfirmed report of a 100lb Halibut caught in Sue Channel. I will try to verify the catch and hopefully have a picture for this report.
July 16th. Alain of Alain Deep Sea Charters reports catching his clients from the Kwadacha Band, 8 Coho, two Cod and a bunch of Crab. Todd Haynes of Nautical West Adventures boated five Coho, a Halibut, some Cod and a bunch of Crab with his clients who were also members of the Kwadacha Band. I enlisted the services of Skippers, Todd Haynes and Alain St. Pierre to charter a group of ten clients from the Kwadacha Band. When I spoke to the Skippers after the trip they said, "our clients thoroughly enjoyed the Douglas Channel". Some of these folks had never been on the Saltwater before and loved the experience that Todd and Alain provided for them. Congratulations to everyone on your catch. I am happy that you enjoyed the Douglas Channel. Great Job Skippers!
The outer waters of Douglas Channel have been producing really good numbers of Halibut for most of this season and this week the Halibut holes in closer are also starting to produce. I was asked not to mention the exact locations of these spots by the boaters who reported these results. I can say that the holes are within a thirty mile radius from Kitimat. Coho are also starting to be caught in closer. Money Point is starting to produce Coho more consistently. These Coho are mixed stocks as they could be destined for a variety of rivers on the coast. Some of these Coho may be destined for the northern creeks and rivers of the Douglas Channel but I interpret the catch rates at Money Point in July as more of an indicator of Stock Strength of this year's Coho run. Usually when the Coho start showing up early and in good numbers at Money Point in July as they are this year the remainder of the Coho run is stronger. Conversely, last year, the late July indicators at Money Point and other indicator spots were average and the remainder of last year's Coho run turned out to be average. Hopefully the Good stock indicators at Money Point now will evolve into a Good Coho return this year.
JET-BOAT KITIMAT TIDAL FISHERY: (New! category while it lasts)
July 12th. Andreas Handl fishing with Thom Mier and Sepp landed three Chinook out of nine hooked. Well done Guys.
July 13th. Morning, Andreas Handl fishing with Blair and Jake landed two Chinook out of six hooked on the Kitimat River Tidal portion.
July 13th. Afternoon/evening. Andreas Handl fishing with Lucas and Christopher landed three Chinook out of eight Chinook hooked. Andreas took out two groups, one in the morning and the other in the afternoon/evening and caught Chinook for our clients on both trips. Congratulations everyone and GREAT Job Skipper!
The Kitimat River Tidal Fishery will taper off at some point and usually when it does it happens quickly. Andreas and his clients took full advantage of it while it's hot! Andreas also notes that the Kitimat Tidal Fishery is an Awesome Spot to Fly fish for Chinook, Chum and Pinks as they migrate through. "They are all fresh out of the Saltwater and in a secluded area"
Thank You to everyone who contributed to this report.
For the Kids. Remember the rules. 1st Rule "You have to have fun Fishing" 2nd Rule "The littlest people have to catch the biggest Fish". That's the rules.
Big Fish and Big Smiles.
Sincerely
Ron Wakita
Fishing Report from: Nicholas Dean Lodge
At Work Photo: Guests, Ron and Jon hold up a nice Kalum River Chinook (King) Salmon landed on July 10, 2009
At Play Photos. Hi Noel, Please find attached some friends and family pictures out Chinook plunking on the Skeena last weekend.
One picture is of Cayliegh my 4 month old daughter checking out a 15 pound Chinook her mom just caught with her grandpa Rick (my dad) holding her.
The other picture is my friend Andrew Blix's son Jake with a 25 pound Chinook he brought in all by himself after a spectacular 15 minute battle, you can tell he is tuckered out because he can hardly lift up the fish.
Cheers, Dustin Kovacvich, Owner
Fishing Report from: Tracey Hittel of Steelhead Heaven
The past couple of weeks have gone by so fast, fishing each day and the numbers this season are simply incredible. Our backtrolling and drifting trips are catching 10-20 fish each day and hanging onto a monster Chinook is the name of the game.
The pair from Whitecourt, Streb and Fast Eddy nailed some nice fish and pic 1 of the report is attached with Eddy and a chrome Nookie. These guys also spent some time out Halibut Fishing. Our repeats for many years now, Ted Hassell Family, Jim, Eric and friends, including Don and Gloria. Attached is a pic of Ted and a chromer fresh from the sea, his side-kick Bryce helping out as this was a heavy fish.
I had to add this pic of a Tyee we landed a week ago, when this rod went off, the fish hit so hard it flew out of the water and took very little drag. Once it was landed the drag was beyond tight, our guide Donny says it's how he runs his plugging gear, and a good thing as this fish would have taken us out of the pool and into the fast water before we knew it. Oh well if you'r gonna have luck it might as well be good luck.
Our Englishmen and the fellas from the Lower Mainland had a nice time with us and Martin took some pictures of eagles with his lens as long as a rod tube, check them out in the photo gallery as they are spectacular. Attached is a huge Chinook taken by his dad Rob.
With many Tyee Salmon running in on each tide I had to leave the best for last. Arnold landed a 32lb Kitimat Chinook, when the Chinook hit, Arnold said it was a hog from the pull, when it burst the waters surface we could hear the ohhs! and awwss! from the boat above us, this was the fight of the week for sure.
River conditions are excellent and the flyfishing is at its best, many Salmon are now in the system. The Skeena is also fishing very well as the river is dropping and greening up, bar fishing is extremely productive so be ready to see pics of sizeable fish as the Skeena has many fish over 50lbs in each run.
Fishing Report from: Todd Haynes of Nautical West Adventures
Dwayne Dixon with a nice Kitimat River Chinook caught with Todd Haynes of Nautical West Sport Fishing
Anna and Dwayne Dixon with Anna's first Kitimat River Chinook
Devon Dixon with a Nice 27 lb. Kitimat River Chinook caught July 12th, 2009 with guide Todd Haynes of Nautical West Sport Fishing
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 REGULATIONS WEBSITES:
2009-2011 BC tidal waters and non-tidal (Federal) Salmon fishing information:
www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/recfish
Effective April 1, 2009 to March 31, 2011
2009-2011 Freshwater (Provincial) Fishing Regulations Synopsis:
www.env.gov.bc.ca/fw/fish
Effective April 1, 2009 to March 31, 2011 (Note regs good for two years)
GUEST FISHING PHOTOS:
*** If any of you have special fishing photos, testimonials, scenic river photos, wildlife photos or articles I would love to see them.
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)
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GOOD LUCK and GOOD FISHING!
Yours sincerely,
Noel F. Gyger
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Terrace Fishing Forecast:
Fishing is GREAT right now. The weather is very good also.
Target Species:
Chinook King Chum Pink Steelhead
More Fishing Reports:
