Spring & Summer Chinook STARTING NOW
Capt. Noel Gyger
May 26, 2008
Terrace - Freshwater Fishing Report
The photo of the week shows Gill McKean, owner of Westcoast Fishing Adventures and his grandpa Jake holding a beautiful, bright pacific spring Chinook (King) Salmon.
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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 May 18 – May 24, 2008
Dear Fishing Friends:
SUMMARY: The weather has been good all week but the water heights have been very high making it a challenge to fish for Chinook and Steelhead although some success was had by experienced guides and anglers. The upper Kalum River closed for Chinook (King) Salmon fishing May 24th. The lower Kalum is still open and is fishable although conditions are difficult with the high water. Scroll down for a photo of the record fish. Fishing at the mouths of rivers where tributaries enter side channels of the Skeena River is also a good bet at this time. Some folks have given up and went ocean fishing. Don't forget good Trout fishing in our local lakes also.
LIST OF "New" ITEMS POSTED ON THE WEBSITE THIS WEEK:
- May 22/08 one item posted on "Conservation" http://www.noelgyger.ca/conservation.htm
- May 22/08 one item posted on "Conservation" http://www.noelgyger.ca/conservation.htm
- May 22/08 one item posted on "Conservation" http://www.noelgyger.ca/conservation.htm
Note: the above is not a typo all three Conservation items were posted on the same day. Two bad news and one good news.
NOW BOOKING FOR 2008 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. 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, 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.
CURRENT REPORT and summary for Skeena and Tributaries:
TYPE OF FISH CAUGHT: Steelhead, Chinook and Trout
Thank you for using barbless hooks.
FISHING THIS WEEK:
POOR FAIR* GOOD EXCELLENT
LARGEST FISH OF THE WEEK: Specie: 40-pound Chinook Where: Kalum River Angler: Greg Buck
WEATHER: Sunny with cloudy periods. High 24. UV index 6 or high.. Region normal: Max. Temp. 18 degrees C. Min. Temp. 6 degrees C. Sunrise 5:13 AM Sunset 9:45 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 is very high and not fishable. The lower Kalum River is very high. Kitimat River is high and dirty. Zymoetz (Copper) River is dirty. Most small coastal streams are in good shape.
CURRENT WATER HEIGHTS FOR:
SKEENA RIVER:
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: The water is very high and not fishable. This is what is needed to bring in the Chinook (King) Salmon runs.
KALUM RIVER: The water in the low end is very high but still fishable.
As the upper Kalum River is now closed to Chinook (King) Salmon I thought you would want to take a look at the record 84-pound fish. The huge fish was landed by local Terrace resident Gordon McDonald in 1984. For your information, fishery employees have found carcasses of Chinook Salmon on the river bank weighing 107-pounds. Lots of fish landed this year but nothing that big…or well, maybe next year.
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: 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 2005 – 2007 BC Freshwater Salmon Supplement (fancy name for regulations) at: www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/recfish for details.
ZYMOETZ (COPPER) RIVER: The water is high and dirty now.
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 for the Week of May 18 to March 24/08
Though there have still been a few fishing opportunities in the Skeena region near Terrace during the past week, conditions remain much the same as last week – high water and lots of it. Our warm, Spring weather has finally caught up with us, and the past few days have been warm, sunny, and pleasant. Greg Buck has made the most of this weather, and was able to consistently tie into some chrome Spring Chinook on a tributary of the Skeena, the largest of which were in the 40 lb range.
Other fishing opportunities in the area include ocean fishing, and trout fishing in lakes. Dustin, Ruby (the happy newlyweds!) and friends have done well fishing for crabs and prawns in the waters off Prince Rupert and in Douglas Channel, with the occasional halibut in between sets. However, if you were to target halibut or other bottom fish for most of a day, the fishing would likely be quite good. Sky Richard, being the adventurous angler he is, hiked into a few small, local lakes with an Abel Craft (a small, inflatable single person raft), and fished scud and leech patterns on long leaders for the large rainbows that cruise shoals. Sitting in deeper water, casting towards shoals, and retrieving your fly back through the depths is a common tactic and one of the best for enticing Rainbow and other trout species to the fly.
Over the next few weeks, we expect that the main channel Skeena will likely have some volume to it, but there will still be a few high percentage locations where Chinook fishing will be good. And, once the water conditions have improved even more, our guests will be able to enjoy some of the most exciting fishing of the year – Chinook up to and over 70 lbs! Contact Noel today if you're interested in targeting the huge fish of the Skeena…
Until next week, tight lines and screaming reels…
Chad Black
Operations manager
Nicholas Dean Lodge…where every cast is an adventure!
CURRENT REPORT and summary for Northern Coastal Rivers:
Fishing Report from: Ron Wakita of Reliable Guide and Charters
KITIMAT RIVER: The Kitimat River was very high last Saturday and Sunday with the rain and hot weather we received last weekend but steadily dropped all week. By Friday, the river had dropped and cleared up nicely and was in great shape. We received some 20 degree weather today (Saturday) which caused the Kitimat to rise again and at the time of writing this report the river was starting to dirty.
There were two Chinook reported to be landed at the Pump House pool on Monday. Once the word circulated, the Pump House Pool was packed with anglers bar fishing elbow to elbow for the remainder of the week. There was only one report of a Chinook lost on Wednesday morning.
Chinook should start to migrate into the Kitimat River in sporadic numbers through May and the catch numbers should start to grow in June. The only hazard to this year's Chinook fishery may be the huge snow pack we have in the mountains. It would not be a bad thing if we receive hot weather now while the Chinook run is in its very early stages.
DOUGLAS CHANNEL:
Todd from Nautical West Sport Fishing boated two Chinook and a 22lb Halibut with his clients last weekend down the Douglas Channel.
There were three Chinook reported caught in the south end of Kitimat Harbour on Monday.
With the Kitimat River high and producing dirty water in the harbour most boaters were fishing in the Bish creek area where the water clarity was better.
Todd boated another 15lb.Chinook with his clients on Friday.
The catch rates should increase steadily in the Harbour fishery but erratic winds have prevented smaller boaters from getting out. With some favorable winds there should be some Chinook caught this weekend.
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:
Fishing Report from: Nimmo Bay Resort
This chrome beauty was caught May 22nd on one of the Mainland rivers. Nimmo Bay's Steelhead season is drawing to a close but next year we will be Steelhead fishing from December - May at a price of $9995 per person plus tax. There will be 4 anglers to a helicopter and 2 professional Steelhead guides. It is possible to also have a private helicopter for just two anglers.
Let Noel know if you want to reserve some space at Nimmo bay.
Craig Murray, Owner
Nimmo Bay Resort (Est. 1980)
To Fly is Human ...To Hover, Divine
Note from Noel: This year in 2007, out of 10 Heli fishing and tour resorts and lodges from around the world, Nimmo Bay Resort was voted number one by the prestigious, New York based Forbes Traveler magazine. Congratulations Craig, Deborah and staff.
FISHING REGULATION WEBSITES:
2007-2009 BC tidal waters and freshwater Salmon fishing information:
www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/recfish
Effective April 1, 2007 to March 31, 2009
2008-2009 Freshwater Fishing Regulations Synopsis:
www.env.gov.bc.ca/fw/fish
Effective April 1, 2008 to March 31, 2009
NOTE: For In-season Regulation Changes posted on the web check the above URL's
GUEST FISHING PHOTOS:
*** If any of you have special fishing photos, 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)
MARKETPLACE (Sportfishing related items only please) Contact me anytime to list your items
Buy, sell, trade or swap your item or items by listing them here today
Your Ad will receive LOCAL, REGIONAL, NATIONAL and INTERNATIONAL exposure:
• Your Ad will be posted on my website
• Your Ad will be promoted in my Weekly Fishing Reports
• Your Ad will be posted on other websites who host my fishing reports
Examples of what to list: Boats and accessories, Motors, Vehicles, Air Craft, Rods, Reels, Tackle, Real Estate (i.e. fishing lodge), Rentals (Cabins Cottages), Lakeshore, Tourist accommodation, ATV, RV's, RV sites, Taxidermy, Books, Magazines, Videos, Photographs, Antiques, Artwork, Clothing, Employment, Trade/Swap and Wanted, Help Wanted, etc.
To view the items currently listed please cast to: http://www.noelgyger.ca/market-place.htm
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
Terrace Fishing Forecast:
Chinook (King) Salmon fishing is just starting. As soon as the water cleans up fishing will become easier.
Target Species:
Chinook (King) Salmon
More Fishing Reports:
