British Columbia, Canada - Skeena River & Nass River
Capt. Noel Gyger
July 30, 2007
Terrace - Freshwater Fishing Report
Both the Kitimat and Skeena Rivers are fishing well now for Chinook (King) Salmon. Other species of Salmon are also becoming available...and soon the wild Steelhead will be here also. Come of out and enjoy some of the BEST guided fishing British Columbia has to offer
The photo of the week shows Bill and Jackie Schnupps from Idaho with a very fresh Chinook (King) Salmon landed on the Kitimat River while being guided by Robin Roots (right) of Reliable Guide and Charters. The fish weighed 35-pounds.
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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 22 – July 29, 2007
Dear Fishing Friends:
The Skeena River water level has been dropping over the past six days but has started to rise again due to heavy rain up river. Even though the river is rising the fishing conditions are holding. I have reports of good catches of Chinook (King) Salmon. I also have reports of guided fishermen hooking Chinook while fly fishing. They are also catching Sockeye. The Kalum River is in good shape and Chinook are being hooked there also.
The Kitimat River is still red hot. Check out Ron Wakita’s report below. There are lots of Chinook available. There is talk that fisheries “may” leave the river open for another week since the run is so strong. It normally closes on July 31.
I read the following interesting, short article in Macleans magazine, July 30 issue, page 6, “The transportation Safety Board came down hard on CN Rail for a string of errors that caused a derailment in 2005. The accident spilled caustic soda into a stream near Squamish, B.C., killing more than 500,000 fish. Among the errors: two engines in the middle of the exceptionally long train were set up to pull in the wrong direction. Remarkably, the river has bounced back. The elimination of predatory fish led to a record migration of chum salmon this spring, and huge schools of young steelhead. That Ma Nature is one tough broad-she ought to run a railroad”.
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.
FISHING GUIDE REPORTS FOR THIS WEEK ARE FROM:
Ron Wakita
Craig Murray
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, Coho, Chum, Sockeye and Pink in the river.
Thank you for using barbless hooks.
FISHING THIS WEEK: GOOD
LARGEST FISH OF THE WEEK: Specie: Chinook Where: Kitimat River Angler: Bill Schnupps
WEATHER: Periods of rain. Risk of a thunder shower. Highs to 14 degrees C. Region normal: Max. Temp. 23 degrees C. Min. Temp. 11 degrees C. Sunrise 5:40 am Sunset 9:42 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 water levels have been dropping for the past six days but have started to rise again due to some heavy rain up river. Today conditions are holding. The Kitimat River is up and down but is fishable on most days. The Kalum River is high but fishable. Zymoetz (Copper) River cleaned up for most of the week but is now dirty. Other Skeena tribs towards Prince Rupert are clean.
CURRENT WATER HEIGHTS FOR:
SKEENA RIVER: RIVER AT USK (08EF001 RIVER AT USK (08EF0
http://scitech.pyr.ec.gc.ca
KITIMAT RIVER:
http://scitech.pyr.ec.gc.ca
SKEENA RIVER: is fishing well for Chinook and Sockeye. 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 fishable today.
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 are entering the river now. 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 are entering the river now. 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:
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
Winners of the OL’ KEG, CITY CENTRE HARWARE, Labatt’s, Coca-Cola DERBY
Largest Halibut Rob Lafferty 138lbs $500.00
2nd Largest Halibut Brian Fulsom 63lbs $500.00
Largest Chum Rick Perry 19lbs $500.00
Largest Chinook Kim Siepman 29lbs $500.00
Congratulations to all the winners and all the anglers
KITIMAT RIVER:
The Kitimat River is producing an exceptional number of bright chinook especially for this time of year. The pictures attached to this report demonstrate how silver the chinook are that are being caught in the lower river. Our drift boat guides are catching record numbers in the drift boats. I have the same reports from other drift boaters. The middle section of the Kitimat seem to contain the largest number of chinook with the lower portion producing the brighter fish on the rising high tides. The chinook are not holding in the lower holes as they typically do and anglers have to be working the slots on the high tides. Either way, this has and continues to be a banner year for chinook.
The chum, however are very late this year with very few reports compared to previous years. The hatchery rears six million chum so we can expect a large number of chum returning at some time soon. I suspect that we will experience a huge group of chum all at once. Stay tuned.
Pinks have been the bright spot for the last three years and this year continues the trend of strong pink returns. It is an excellent fishery that has been well received by the sport anglers especially the family angling groups. The pinks have also evolved into a great fly fishery. For anyone interested in starting to fly fish for salmon, pinks are an excellent fish to start with. They don't require a long cast and there are lots of them. Anyone interested, please contact me as I am a F.F.F certified casting instructor and I would be pleased to help you get started.
The Haisla bridge, the Hatchery, The Hatchery island and the lower dike are the hot spots for pinks in the lower Kitimat. The pink 1/2 oz. jigs and pink crocs are the hot lures for pinks.
DOUGLAS CHANNEL:
Dan Dumont's 196lb halibut mentioned in last week's report is featured in this report. Congratulations Dan! That is one heck of a fish!
The Douglas Channel continues to produce some pretty good numbers of halibut. Todd and Larry of Nautical West Charters have done really well as demonstrated by the pictures of their clients holding up some pretty nice halibut.
There also continues to be really good numbers of Coho being caught on the outer waters of the Douglas. This is a really good indication of what we can expect in this year's Coho return. Stay tuned.
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
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.
It's the luck of the Irish. Some guys just have the knack of how to catch and land fish. This Nimmo Bay guest created a moment for himself and a memory to share with others with this wild Pacific Chinook. It was released seconds after the photo was taken.
Salmon season is on us and there are many species to fish for. In some systems you never know what will end up on the end of your line. In others, you know what the river will give up and you prepare for it.
The sale of our Hardy Fly fishing equipment is going well. We sell exclusively Hardy products with single and double hand rods, Zane, Angel and Marksman reels, custom leather rod & reel cases and Hardy clothing. The rods are custom made for us with extra tips. Check out our on line store by visiting our web site at www.nimmobay.com to order this beautiful and well made fishing gear.
Andy Murray and Andy Smith have visited us from the House of Hardy and taught fly casting at Nimmo Bay. Perry Wilson, one of our guides has been coached by these gentlemen and is skilled in the art of single and double hand casting, and also at catching fish on the fly. Fly fishing courses are arranged for our guests at Nimmo Bay and they come away better anglers. Craig & Fraser Murray are also involved in the lessons to visiting anglers, as are our Helicopter pilot / guides.
One day you will want to try our Heli-fishing Odyssey.
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
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) Contact me [email protected] anytime to list your items.
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]
Cast to http://www.noelgyger.ca to view the items.
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
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Home page: www.noelgyger.ca
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