Northwest BC Canada Fishing Report
Capt. Noel Gyger
March 24, 2010
Terrace - Freshwater Fishing Report
The photo of the week shows a beautiful scenic shot on the Kitimat River this week. Todd Haynes of Nautical West Sport Fishing took the photo when he was out scouting for changes in the runs and pools before the start of his guiding season. He explained, he hooked a Steelhead but lost it and may have had another couple bites. His objective was to decide where and how to fish his guests. His goal is to get his guests into fish!
Noel Gyger - WEEKLY FISHING REPORTS for Smithers, Terrace, Kitimat and Prince Rupert
March 14 to March 21, 2010
Number 164
Dear Fishing Friends:
SUMMARY: Weather has been good. Spring is here. The guides have started their season. Many anglers are fishing for Cutthroat Trout, Dolly Varden Char and Steelhead using both fly, spin and conventional gear. The talk is about catching that first Chinook (King) Salmon. The water is at normal heights for this time of year. The lower end of the Zymoetz (Copper) River is fishing good for Steelhead and Trout. The Kalum River is fishing fair for Steelhead. The Kitimat River is in good shape and fishing fair for Cutthroat Trout. The odd Steelhead is being caught also, more and more are coming in with every high tide. Check out the Ron Wakita report below. Winter Chinook fishing in the Kitimat Harbour and Douglas Channel is poor right now and is weather dependent. Crab fishing is excellent. Winter ocean Chinook fishing in Prince Rupert is good when the weather is good. Check out the Jeff Carlson report below. The Smithers anglers are itching to fish for Steelhead. Check out the Cory Koenig report below. Jason Munday in Terrace reports a Steelhead and Dolly's landed on the mainstem Skeena River and good Trout fishing on the other rivers. Check out his report below. The main stem Skeena River is getting some good action for Steelhead. There is a possibility to hook a Chinook also.
Special Report:
Todd Haynes of Nautical West Sport Fishing invited me to go fishing with him for Dungeness Crab and Winter Chinook in the Douglas Channel out of Kitimat BC on Thursday, March 18, 2010. The Winter Chinook fishing was slow but the Crab Fishing was outstanding. Todd asked me if he should cook a couple of Crabs for lunch, it took me less than one second to say YES... Contact me anytime to book a guided fishing trip with Todd on river or ocean. His equipment and operations are first class!
Have "YOU" entered the following draw yet? ONLY a week and a half left to enter!!! Thank you to those who have...
Cast on link to view full size http://www.noelgyger.ca/articles/win-a-FREE-driftboat-fishing-trip.doc?
With the participation of some of the Best Dealers (Tackle Shops) in the Northwest I have distributed DVD players and Video clips featuring the Best Fishing in the Northwest highlighting several of the Best Guides and Charters in the Northwest using a variety of the Best Fishing Products on the Market today. The dealers that have the DVD players are: Home Hardware in Kitimat, J&E Tackle and Hunting Shop in Prince Rupert, Oscars Source for Sports in Smithers and Fish Tales Tackle Shop in Terrace. Please visit these shops to watch the shows.
LIST OF "New" ITEMS POSTED ON THE WEBSITE THIS WEEK:
- One New item posted on "Conservation" Mar 15/10
NOW BOOKING for 2010: 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, Chad Black, Glen Kilcup and Jeff Carlson
CURRENT REPORT and summary for Skeena and Tributaries:
TYPE OF FISH CAUGHT: Steelhead, Trout and Dolly Varden Char for river. Salmon, Halibut, Bottom Fish and Dungeness and King Crab for ocean.
Thank you for using barbless hooks! (This is a BC fishing regulation)
FISHING THIS WEEK: GOOD
LARGEST FISH OF THE WEEK: River: estimate 10-pound Skeena River Steelhead. Ocean: estimate 30-pound Halibut from the Douglas Channel.
WEATHER: Cloudy. 40 percent chance of showers late this morning and this afternoon. High 8. Sunrise 7:35 AM Sunset 7:48 PM. Today's yearly average temperatures: Maximum 9 degrees. Minimum - 0 degrees.
WEATHER REPORTS VIA TELEPHONE: Terrace 250-635-4192 Kitimat 250-632-7864 Prince Rupert 250-627-1155 Smithers 250-847-1958.
SKEENA RIVER: More and more anglers are fishing the mainstem Skeena River for Steelhead. There is a good chance to catch Chinook (King) Salmon also. Water is up and in good shape.
KALUM RIVER: More anglers are heading out to try their luck fishing for Trout and Steelhead. Fishing has been reported as fair. The water is coming up from its winter lows.
ZYMOETZ (COPPER) RIVER: Steelhead fishing is reported as fair. The upper section is closed as of December 31 but the lower section below the first canyon will stay open for Steelheaders to enjoy.
Fishing Report from: Ron Wakita of Reliable Guide and Charters, Kitimat BC
Cast on link below to view New! flyer: http://www.noelgyger.ca/images/Instore_Flyer_Oct_2009.pdf
KITIMAT RIVER:
The Kitimat River height bumped up slightly with some rain we had this week and then dropped back down later in the week. The change in river height usually influences the fishing in two ways. An increase in river height will attract more fish into the river, which this time of year would be Steelhead. The other effect the changing river height will have, is the fish in the river will move around, which this time of year would be the Trout.
We have witnessed both of these influences in the results of the catch numbers of the anglers. Many anglers were reporting very good results in their favorite holes when the river was low but after the river bumped up, the same anglers reported that the Trout had moved.
We also received more reports of anglers hooking fresh Steelhead this week which we assume migrated into the Kitimat during the higher water. The challenge now is to figure out where the fish went. Many anglers are in search mode looking at the changes in the river and identifying new Steelhead runs and holding pockets. ( I call these Steelhead motels). My Associates for Reliable Guide and Charters are out doing Pre-client trips (I call them homework drifts) to locate the best runs for the upcoming Steelhead season. Many of the avid Steelheaders are doing the same. Steelheaders follow a similar strategy as Big Game hunters. Scouting out certain areas prior to the season usually means success can be measured in the results of those who did a little "homework".
The passion for fishing for Steelhead is something that cannot be explained. It is something that has to be experienced.
Mar 16 Travis lost a couple of Trout on Fly. He was using Green Egg Sucking Leech.
Mar 17 Justin Lowes reports losing a Steelhead right at the beach. Justin was out fishing the Kitimat with Emma Kuppers but they weren't able to get a photo when Justin managed to get the Steelhead into the shallows. Justin comments that it was a bright, silver buck and he sounded pretty fired up when I was talking to him.
Mar 19 Marc Girard lost a Steelhead and landed a Trout drifting the lower Kitimat with Al Smith and Richard Piche.
Steelheading is just getting started on the Kitimat River which will improve with every tide. Many Steelheaders are on the Kitimat both drifting and walking into and down their favorite runs. The Cable Car launch is now open to launch driftboats as Marc Girard drifted this stretch on Friday morning. I plan to organize my driftboat for a drift right after I submit this report to Noel. See you on the water!
DOUGLAS CHANNEL:
A Fisheries consultant was in our store saying that he caught a bunch of Eulachon in the Kitimat River. Fishing partners of my father always said that Bottom fishing and Crabbing usually improved when the Eulachon started to show. Feeder Chinook also improves when the Herring in the Kitimat Harbour are spawning which continued this week.
Although there are signs of improved Bottom fishing and Winter Chinook fishing, many boaters continue to be focused on Crabbing, particularly King Crab.
Most boaters are Crabbing with hoop traps and there have been reports of pretty good results. A group of local residents harvested 5 King Crab on Saturday. Anglers are reminded that the daily quota for King Crab is 2 per day. Many other boaters are also reporting excellent results with Dungeness Crab saying that, "they are big and they are all full".
Special Report:
March 20 Glen Kilcup of Fish Hawk Guiding kindly submitted this to me. For more info please contact Glen. "bgkilcup" mailto:[email protected]
So after a 2 week wait for weather, Mike Primeau, Jeff Langley and I finally got out on the ocean down the work channel for a day. The weather was calm, not much sun, but no wind all day...that was great.
We started trolling for a few hours on the hunt for Chinook, but this showed nothing. On our last pass Mike hooked a small ling cod trolling but he was quite small and was released. We then migrated over to a favorite Halibut spot were in less than 10 minutes we had our first quillback rockfish...( we caught 5 for the day) After a few quills, Sculpins and the odd gray cod, the Halibut finally showed up after a couple of hours for a half an hour of none stop action...we all got our Chickens! I even hooked a sea cucumber...I always seem to get those! Even though it was a good day and numbers of fish weren't bad, we still didn't see any large fish at the popular spots. Nearing the days end we came across a herring bloom about a quarter mile long...that was cool. Mike had a herring rig and he caught multiple herring (sometimes 4 or 5 at a time) so we had lots of those little nickel firecrackers and a few 4 inchers to add to our bait selection...It was a gas just watching him!. I jigged a chrome Buzz Bomb under the herring at 50 feet and got 4 greenling, which are quite tasty so I'm told. My buzz bomb also hooked 2 halibut at 160 feet.. Mike also had success on a similar setup. Jeff employed a Gibbs Mudraker with a large squid tail and herring. He was diligent all day waiting for the big payoff...but it never happened...tough day there for Jeff. Our jig rods and reels consisted of Calcutta 400's by Shimano and St Croix wild river steelhead rods 10' 6 medium action and Jeff had an Abu Garcia 7000 with an HMX rod. Rod lines were Berkley XT 20lb. On the meat sticks we used Abu Garcia 6 foot Workhorse rods with Big Game 10000 reels loaded with Berkley Big Game 130lb braid. The terminal end was Gibbs spreader bars and 1lb ball weights with 9/0 Gamakatsu hooks and Cortland fluorescent green 200lb braided Dacron line. For Halibut fishing, this is strong and real easy to untangle when things get messed up down there as it does some times. Great day with great friends. Glen
March 21 Rob Lafferty sent me these photos of 2 King Crab that he and Joel Bonneville harvested. Well done and Bona Petite!
The bounty of Seafood that can be harvested from the Douglas Channel is incredible and the decision of what to target is sometimes difficult. The beauty of our lives in the Kitimat is that we are blessed to live in a place where we can enjoy the magic of the Sea within minutes of our homes. Stay Tuned!
Reminder to all Anglers that Fishing Licenses expire March 31st.
Thank You to everyone who submitted photos and info for this Fishing Report.
Good Health and Good Fishing!
Sincerely
Ron Wakita
PS We have started to book up for the 2010 Fishing Season. To ensure we can accommodate your dates please book early. Please inquire about our All Inclusive packages and our Combo packages. Any interested anglers please contact Noel Gyger [email protected]
Fishing Report from: Chad Black, Nicholas Dean Lodge Terrace, BC
Hello Anglers,
Spring is nearly here and for myself and the crew at Nicholas Dean Lodge, this can mean only one thing ??? the start of our season is upon us and fresh Spring Steelhead are our quarry! After the cool Winter months (which in reality haven't been all that cool this year), we all look forward to the start of our guiding season and getting clients into the memorable and trophy fish the Skeena system is recognized for.
In our quest to provide some of the most exciting and productive fishing for clients, we're always going that extra step in reconnaissance work. And, I use the term "work" lightly. Really, recon is just plain fun and a great excuse to go fishing. So, last Saturday, Dustin, Sky and I piled all of our gear into the back of the truck and headed north to check on a few coastal rivers that often hold Steelhead in early March, so long as river levels are adequate. Unfortunately for us, the rains that we'd had in Terrace had fallen as snow in the mountainous terrain that we were targeting, so rivers were low, clean and not affording the best of Steelhead conditions.
Instead of making the drive back to Terrace right away, we decided to do a little prospecting where a few small streams enter the main river, as we've found that Steelhead will often hold at the mouths of these rivers while waiting for the creeks to rise. Though the first two creeks and their mouths did not produce, on the third we hit the fish jackpot. Walking up the floodplain, Dustin found a small slough which varied in depth from a few feet to well over six. A remnant from higher waters during the Fall, the slough was slightly turbid and stacked full of Coastal Cutthroat and Dolly Varden averaging 12 to 18 inches...with a few in the 20 inch mark.
In all my years of trout fishing, I've had some fantastic days, with large fish on my home waters, the Grand River in Ontario, and caught good numbers of fish on a few Skeena tribs during the Spring and Fall. However, I have not yet experienced anything like we did in that small slough last weekend. I landed three trout on my first three casts, and that set the tone for the rest of the morning and afternoon. When we hadn't had a strike in half a dozen casts, we'd say to ourselves that the fish must've gotten off the bite, then catch several others in subsequent casts. All told, I hesitate to say how many fish we actually caught because it defies common fishing sense. It was that good. So, while we didn't exactly go looking for trout on this day, they certainly were a good "Plan B" and more than a pleasant surprise.
Since finding this trout haven, we've already made plans to go back and check it out with lighter gear. And you know what? For just this once, the trout will be Plan A, and Steelhead will be "Plan B."
Until next week, tight lines and screaming reels...
Chad Black
Fishing Report from: J & E Tackle Shop, Prince Rupert BC
Hi Noel. Now that Spring has arrived and the weather clearing in the last few days I have heard numerous reports of people taking to the water this weekend. I will be looking forward to hearing from some of them in the next few days. The majority of the winter Springs have been of hatchery decent with the majority being American Fish.
Salmon Head Recovery Program:
- 6 Chinook were all taken from Washington State.
- 5 Chinook all were caught from the Columbia River system and 1 from Quinault Lk hatchery north of the Columbia River.
Tight Lines and enjoy our North Pacific Playground...
Combo Rod and Reel on SALE now! Prawn Trap on Sale for $39.95
Click here to view the New! Instore Flyer
Penn Fishing Reels www.purefishing.com
Captain Jeff Carlson BC STYLE Fishing Charters
To book your charter for Winter Chinook onboard the Trish-Anne please contact Jeff Carlson of BC STYLE Fishing Charters www.bcstylefishingcharters.com
Noel please tell the folks I will be running 2 boats this year. This boat is a 2359 Trophy Bayliner
Prince Rupert Weather: http://www.theweathernetwork.com/weather/cabc0236
Prince Rupert Tide Charts:
http://www.waterlevels.gc.ca/cgi-bin/tide-shc.cgi?queryType=showFrameset&zone=18&language=english®ion=1&stnnum=9354
www.bcstylefishingcharters.com
Thanks. Jeff Carlson – owner
Fishing Report from: Fish Tales Tackle Shop, Terrace BC
Hello again Noel, Well this week I have some more fishing action from Willie McCleary! Willie was out on the lower Skeena last week and was treated very well. Willie reports catching & releasing 75 fish in 2 days on the river! The Skeena was (is) very productive for Dolly Varden and Steelhead. The Dolly's being caught are of great size and are very aggressive. Lots of fun! Thanks Willie for sharing these awesome pictures for all to see. Willie was using a Sage RPL+ 8110-4, Islander FR #2 , Scientific Angler WF8 line and Seagar fluorocarbon leader 14.5 lb.
Happy Fishing to all from Fish Tales Fly & Tackle Shop!!
Cheers! Jason Munday
Fishing Report from: Cory Koenig of Webflyz, Smithers BC
Cory Koenig is taking custom fly orders for any species now at www.webflyz.com
Highest Quality, Durable, and Competitively Priced Flies for any Species!
Hello Everyone! Major melting has taken place in the Bulkley Valley, as it snows heavily at the moment...
Look for awesome flies, the best discussions, and everything you need to know about SPEY fishing with Webflyz B.C.'s latest sponsor, Dana Sturn, founder of SPEY CLAVE!!!
Webflyz B.C. is also sponsoring flies for 25 year founder of Fins and Skins Media group, along with Hosting Fins and Skins http://www.finsandskins.com/index.php and Fishing the Flats http://www.fishingtheflats.com/index.php?module=newser&func=display&topicnum=&nid=106&writer=0 television shows Henry Waszczuk! COMING SOON. Look for beautiful salt and fresh water species being caught with Webflyz B.C.flies!!!
Webflyz B.C. is also a team member of Altenkirch custom fly and gear rods. After 3 generations and 75 years of rod building, Altenkirch rods has a full line of rods and reels, also custom builds to your specifications.
Over the years, Altenkirch has provided premium rods for these well known anglers, Steve McQueen, Babe Ruth, Ernest Hemingway and George Bush and many more!
Currently, I am pushing orders out the door for anglers around the world. In between orders I am stock piling Rainbow Alley Flies, STEELHEAD flies, Coho Jigs, and BIG trophy trout flies for Lodges on Great Slave Lake and the YUKON!
Within a couple of weeks, Lake Kathlyn supports great opportunity to fly fish for cutthroat, rainbow and cuttbows, eating most any baitfish imitations you may have! Check out GUMMY MINNOWS and LEECHES for great success, especially for sea-run trout!
Babine Lake has provided some decent char and rainbow trout ice fishing, although the ice is becoming submerged with water. Many small lakes around Tukkii Lodge and the Nilkitkwa road and the entire Babine Lake road leading up to Babine Lake are filled with an abundance of cutthroat and rainbows. We have many fishing opportunities in the Bulkley Valley, time to take advantage! Check Ebay for even better prices on excess stock of flies by WEBFLYZ B.C.
... Need CHAR, BULLTROUT, or PIKE catching flies? How about TOUGH CHINOOK INTRUDERS???Then look at webflyz.com or give me a call 1-250-877-2021 or, ...if you are in need of lures or anything else for ice-fishing, contact Steve Hidber at Oscar's Source for Sports http://www.oscarssports.com/
Anticipation is definitely on spring fishing in the Terrace/Kitimat area for steelhead. Many new anglers/customers are asking about this years steelhead fishing in our beautiful province!
Do you need to top up your fly box?!?! No time to tie flies? Check out Webflyz B.C.! Any flies can be custom made for your specific fishing situation.
Contact Cory at WEBFLYZ B.C. www.webflyz.com for ice-fishing flies and more.
Check newly added fly photos at www.webflyz.com or... if you are planning a trip to hotter destinations like Belize, Mexico, Bahamas, or even the Cayman Islands check out WEBFLYZ B.C.'s website for select boxed flies that are working for many anglers right now!!! Bonefish, Tarpon, Permit and Stripers are sought after at the moment! From Steelhead to Jack Crevale, Salmon to Marlin, this years' fishing has already begun in some of the lower 48 states!
Check your 2009-2011 Freshwater fishing Regulations synopsis for all details concerning B.C. Lakes and upcoming spring/summer steelhead fishing in Region 6.
Good luck everyone. Yours sincerely, Cory Koenig
PRODUCT PROFILE Pure Fishing www.purefishing.com
Today, Abu Garcia is the world's most advanced fishing reel factory, as its fine Swedish engineering and craftsmanship continue to develop and produce rugged, dependable rods, reels and lures for all types of fishing.
Abu Garcia Today
Tagline: For life
Products: Baitcast Reels, Spinning Reels, Spincast Reels, Combos, Equipment
Sub Brands: Revo, Ambassadeur, Cardinal, Soron, Pro Max, Black Max, CS Pro Rocket, 7000i, Record, Classic Inshore, Abumatic,
What the Press is saying: "...power to handle anything from yellowtail to giant Chinook salmon" - Rich Holland New Revo Toro Baitcaster Bullies Big Fish, October 2008
The Number One Levelwind Reel fished in the Northwest.
Ambassadeur Reels are available at City Centre Hardware in Kitimat, J & E's Tackle Shop in Prince Rupert, Fish Tales in Terrace and Oscar's Source for Sports in Smithers.
Visit the Abu Garcia website: http://abugarcia.com/
AREA RIVER RECORDS: Chinook Salmon: Skeena River, 92.5-pounds; Kalum River, 85-pounds; Kitimat River, 74-pounds; Steelhead: Skeen
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.
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
Fiberglass fish reproductions:
This 42 x 23.5 inch Steelhead was estimated to weigh 30-pounds. There are many sizes and positions available, and pretty much any species. Call Carey Braun anytime at 250-639-3769 and he will be happy to build one for you. Yes, that's Carey in the photo. Place your order NOW
WIN a FREE one day DRIFT BOAT FISHING TRIP down the Kitimat River for three people by signing-up your friends, family and fishing partners for my WEEKLY FISHING REPORT. This trip is supplied by Reliable Guide and Charters and is for the 2010 season. The LUCKY WINNER will be drawn on April 30, 2010. Cast to this link to open a form showing how to enter names. Send the completed form via e-mail or postal mail. When I receive it I will reply confirming your name is entered into the draw - GOOD LUCK
To receive my WEEKLY FISHING REPORT and PHOTO via e-mail please send your name and e-mail address to: Noel Gyger [email protected]
GOOD LUCK and GOOD FISHING!
Yours sincerely,
Noel F. 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
Sign-up for Weekly Fishing Report: www.noelgyger.ca/subscribers_form.htm for Smithers, Terrace, Kitimat and Prince Rupert
RECORD SALMON & STEELHEAD Spin or fly-fishing
RIVER, LAKE, STREAM or OCEAN!!!
Follow Noel Gyger updates on Twitter: http://twitter.com/guided_fishing
Website Sponsors
Redl Sports | Normark | Simms | Tuf Line | Baitrix | Pure Fishing | Ace Line Hauler | Islander Reels | Lyman Lures | Scotty | Bubba's Bait Barn |
Terrace Fishing Forecast:
Spring is finally here...and the Steelhead fishing is fair to good.
Target Species:
Steelhead
More Fishing Reports:
