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British Columbia, Canada - Skeena River & Nass River
Capt. Noel Gyger
July 9, 2007
Terrace - Freshwater Fishing Report
Skeena River Chinook (King) Salmon mayham!
The photo of the week shows my son-in-law Troy Ritter and charter guide Wes Owen with a beautiful Douglas Channel Chinook (King) Salmon landed on July 4th. We had a great day fishing for Salmon and Dungeness crab and were successful on both counts. More detail below. I managed to shoot a video clip which is now posted at http://www.noelgyger.ca it is Chinook New clip number 0005.
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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
RECORD SALMON & STEELHEAD Spin or fly-fishing
RIVER, LAKE, STREAM or OCEAN!!!
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Noel Gyger - WEEKLY FISHING REPORT dated July 1 – July 8, 2007
Dear Fishing Friends:
The Skeena River has been up and down all week and dropping by weeks end. It is borderline fishable. If the weather holds it may be totally fishable in a few days? Fishing the “clean seams” at the mouth of the tributary rivers is still a good option. The Kalum River is high but clean enough to fish. I have a report of Chinook (king) Salmon being hooked and landed from the bank on the lower end. I counted 5 boat trailers at the boat ramps early this morning. The Kitimat River is smoking hot! High water has moved in a lot of fish. My fishing buddy Rob Vodola reports hooking 10 Chinook from his Hyde drift boat with three rods and limited out by 10am on July 5th. Chum and Pink Salmon are starting to show now. Ocean fishing in Prince Rupert is “record breaking”! More details below.
My family and I fished with Douglas Channel ocean charter guide Wes Owen on his roomy, comfortable, 11 foot beam, Bayliner "Lil Kris" on July 4th. Wes has a "life-time" of experience fishing these beautiful waters…and did I say he also has a “few” fishing stories? We hooked two Chinook and landed a beauty weighing in at 24-pounds (it looked like 30-pounds to me)...and kept 17 Dungeness crabs. Wes did a fantastic job, if you would like to experience a charter with him, let me know.
If I can be of service to find you the “best” guided fishing adventure let me know. Cast here to check out more of what I have to offer and review the latest updates regarding last minute openings at: http://noelgyger.ca Please note many of these trips are now being offered at a discount price. 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.
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 (King) Salmon in river and ocean.
Thank you for using barbless hooks.
FISHING THIS WEEK: GOOD
LARGEST FISH OF THE WEEK: Specie: 40 -pound Chinook Where: Kitimat River Angler: Client of pro guide Mike Herzberg
WEATHER: Showers. Highs to 16 degrees C. Region normal: Max. Temp. 22 degrees C. Min. Temp. 11 degrees C. Sunrise 5:10 am Sunset 10:09 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
WATER CONDITIONS: The Skeena River has been dropping and cleaning over the last few days. The Kitimat River is up and down but is fishable on most days. The Kalum River is high but is clean enough to fish.
CURRENT WATER HEIGHTS FOR:
SKEENA RIVER:R AT USK (08EF0
http://scitech.pyr.ec.gc.ca
KITIMAT RIVER:
http://scitech.pyr.ec.gc.ca
SKEENA RIVER: has been up and down all week and is dropping steady by weeks end. It is borderline fishable now. The main stem is the “highway” for Salmon heading to their many different tributary rivers.
KALUM RIVER: Chinook (King) Salmon are available in the lower five mile section. The water is still high but is clean enough to fish. You can now launch jet boats at the two boat ramps on the lower end. I have a report of bank fishermen landing fish. I checked the boat ramps this morning and noted five boats out.
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 The angler is Dennis Therrien.
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.
EXTEW RIVER: Same as above, it is now possible to fish for Chinook in the clean seam.
GITNADOIX RIVER: The Chinook will be entering the river soon. You are limited to fishing for them downstream of the powerline crossing near river mouth.
Note: sadly, the above three rivers are closed to angling for Chinook except at the very lower end. Please check 2005 – 2007 BC Freshwater Salmon Supplement (fancy name for regulations) at: www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca for details.
ZYMOETZ (COPPER) RIVER: Like other Skeena tributaries, the Chinook (King) Salmon will start coming in now. You may fish the whole river for Chinook until July 23rd, then it closes upstream of the Highway 16 bridge.
CRANBERRY RIVER: Chinook (King) Salmon will be entering this river soon. It may be fished for Chinook to July 31. Limits 4 per day, only 1 of 65 cm. Monthly quota = 1 over 65 CM
KINCOLITH RIVER: The BIG fresh, silver, Chinook (King) Salmon are coming into the river in the high tides. One may angle for Chinook downstream of white triangle boundary signs located at the Kincolith River Bridge. You would be fishing in the river but it is actually tidal water, so please remember you must have a salt water license to angle here. Cast here to buy them on line:
http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/recfish/Licensing/online_e.htm
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: Chinook will be coming in soon with the high tides. You may fish for them until July 9. You must release the BIG ones. You may retain “Jacks” DFO describes limits as 4 per day, none of 65 cm.
ECSTALL RIVER: The main Chinook (King) Salmon runs start into this 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.
OCEAN FISHING PRINCE RUPERT:
The two photos above were sent to me from Randy Janzen of Unreel Charters in Prince Rupert. Randy reports the fishing has been the best he has seen in 17 years. This should bode well for folks who target Chinook (King) Salmon on the Skeena River.
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
Cast to this link for Prince Rupert tide tables http://www.waterlevels.gc.ca
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.
CURRENT REPORT and summary for Northern Coastal Rivers:
Fishing Report from: Reliable Guide and Charters
KITIMAT RIVER:
Every indication of a large Chinook run is coming true. It doesn’t hurt that the guides know some good techniques. Mike Herzberg has perfected a key technique he calls “Scarface”. Proof is in the results. He has shared this method with the other guides. Mark, Alex, Pat and Ron had good results also.
The bank fishermen are also doing well. The “Pump House” pools went 10 for 22 Monday all before 10am
Dave Hawke of “Vision Hooks Manufacturing” landed 3 of 8 hooked in the mid to “Lower Dike” section.
Our Mobile Tackle Van has logged numerous catches all week from all the runs.
The following is a sub report from associate guide Mike Herzberg:
Summary for July 4th. We ended up 7 for 9: Kept a 40 lb. Released 40, 32, 28, 25, 20, 20 lb. Lost 2. Two exhausted fishermen.
Here's the photos of the two we landed and kept early in the drift. In total today we fought 12, landing 7, plus 5 solid whacks. Size ranged from 7 to 30 lbs.; several that got away were over 30 for sure. All fish hooked were on the Scarface brothers again. We hit fish at: Cablecar sidechannel meets river, Mouth of Hirsch, Coho Flats, Swamp Hole, Wop's Rock, Blue Lagoon and Bridge.
These are the two fish we landed today. They weighed 7 and 22 lbs. One hit a silver/blue scale K13, the other Scarface. We hooked three, landed one up at Cablecar. Hooked three, landed one in the Intake Pool. Had two good whacks as well.
Total for the last four days is 36 chinook fought, 16 landed. Today I fished with Manny Arruda and his son Lucas. See you on the river tomorrow.
DOUGLAS CHANNEL:
Alain of Alain Deep Sea Charters on July 5th caught 20 Coho , 4 Chinook and 5 Ling Cod as well 5 Red Snapper fishing the outer waters of the Douglas Channel. We have received many other reports of Coho encounters on the outer waters. The Coho are a welcome addition to the catch totals of our many clients and visitors.
The terminal fishery in the Kitimat Harbour continues to be sporadic with the Kitimat River high with the recent bigger tides and killer whales in the harbor, the three influences pushed the chinook into the river, this may explain the exceptional results in the river.
Congratulations to all anglers. I predict lots of Chinook to come. Please contact Noel to book your trip. Tight Lines to all!
Report and photos from Ron Wakita and Mike Herzberg of Reliable Guide and Charters
Cast to this link for Kitimat tide tables http://www.waterlevels.gc.ca
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.
Craig Murray did not report this week.
Fishing Report from:
Nicholas Dean Lodge Fishing Report for the Week of July 1 to 7, 2007
The Kitimat River has continued to fish very well over the past week. Sky Richard, along with a few friends, hiked into a long pool on the upper drift from the Terrace-Kitimat highway, and hooked into 6 chrome Chinooks. The fish fought extremely hard and a few fish broke off downstream several hundred yards. Fresh Chinooks definitely live up to their reputation as being very strong, bulldog fighters! And yesterday Sky took a few guests out on the lower drift of the Kitimat, and hooked 9 large Chinooks on spoons and by backtrolling plugs. Typically, the plugs used are Kwikfish or Hotshots, and when the big Chinooks hit these lures, they are not shy about it!
More fishing opportunities have become available over the last week, as the Kalum Chinook season opened on July 1. Though the Skeena is still somewhat high, the Kalum and other Skeena tributaries are fishable, and can provide good fishing, especially at clean seams. Be sure to check out the fishing regulations for each body of water you plan on fishing, as some rivers are closed to Chinook fishing.
And though we have not been out trout fishing personally, this is still prime time for Rainbow Trout fishing at Rainbow Alley on Babine Lake, as well as the Terrace area lakes. At Rainbow Alley, the stonefly hatch should be well underway, and chironomid fishing near Terrace can yield fantastic results.
We are excitedly anticipating the start of our summer season early next week, and should have a few more “fish stories” then. If you would like to create a few memories or fish stories of your own, it’s still not too late to fish with us in the prime time weeks for Chinook Salmon and Summer Steelhead. The week of July 21 to 27 and August 4 to 10 are typically two of our most popular weeks of the year, but due to cancellations a few weeks ago, they are now available. If you are interested in fishing for the Chinooks that have made the Skeena world famous, fish up to 100 lbs, or the incredible Summer Steelhead of the Skeena, be sure to contact Noel today.
Until next week, tight lines and screaming reels.
Chad Black
Operations Manager
Nicholas Dean Lodge…where every cast is an adventure!
FISHING REGULATION WEBSITES:
2005/2007 BC tidal waters and freshwater Salmon fishing information:
http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca
Effective April 1, 2005 to March 31, 2007
2006/2007 Freshwater Fishing Regulations Synopsis:
http://www.env.gov.bc.ca
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)
Help Wanted: Nicholas Dean Lodge would like to hire a fishing guide. Please e-mail or fax your resume. Fax: (250) 635-7971 or E-mail: [email protected]
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 [email protected]
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 [email protected]
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
Home page: www.noelgyger.ca
More Fishing Reports:
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