British Columbia, Canada - Skeena River & Nass River
Capt. Noel Gyger
October 8, 2007
Terrace - Freshwater Fishing Report
Guided Spey Fly Fishing for BC Steehead Terrace BC Canada
The photo of the week shows Kurt Arens “rolling out” a perfect cast with a spey rod on a remote Skeena tributary, with the help of head guide and Nicholas Dean Lodge manager, Dustin Kovacvich. Photo by: Keith Kaneko
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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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Home Page: www.noelgyger.ca
Noel Gyger - WEEKLY FISHING REPORT dated September 30 – October 7, 2007
(Number 39)
Dear Fishing Friends:
I don’t usually start off the report with a photo but I thought this one is rather special as it is linked to the above photo of the week. Photo is courtesy of Chad Black of Nicholas Dean Lodge.
Water is fishable on some of the rivers. The Skeena has been dropping all week but is on the rise today as the Zymoetz (Copper) River blew out because of heavy rain last night. Decent numbers of wild Steelhead and Coho are being caught now using both spin and fly fishing methods. Fishing is slowing down on the main stem Skeena as most fish are entering their home rivers now. We have had some rain (heavy Saturday night), typical for this time of year and most of it stayed in the mountains as snow.
Guides ventured north with their clients to fish the Nass and tributary rivers and the fishing was great. Steelhead and Coho were caught in all the rivers and in good numbers. The scenery this time of year is absolutely beautiful. Cast here http://www.noelgyger.ca to view some of them. If any of you have scenic river photos or wildlife photos I would love to see them and post them on my site.
For a detailed report on the Kitimat River and Douglas Channel read the Ron Wakita report and photos below. In addition, other guides have reports. See below.
Concerns were expressed by the local Sport Fishing Advisory Board (SFAB) in Terrace and Prince Rupert regarding the size of the Coho runs in the lower Skeena River tributary Rivers. A conference call was planned to discuss the situation but was cancelled when on October 2nd the DFO said, "The coho situation on the lower Skeena appears to be improving. It appears that the runs are late and the most recent field information we have shows good numbers of bright fish are showing up. There is not allot of fishing effort but success is good in most areas where there is effort. Given this information we are not contemplating any management actions to the in-river sport fishery at this time. We will continue to monitor and hopefully get good aerial counts once the water clears up and the levels drop."
NOTICE Cast here http://noelgyger.ca to view open dates for the guides and lodges. Their seasons are running short and there are not many open dates left.
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 to read more of what I have to offer and review the latest updates regarding last minute openings. Contact me for all the details and to book. These dates are updated on the website whenever there is a change.
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.
FISHING GUIDE REPORTS FOR THIS WEEK ARE FROM:
Dustin Kovacvich
Randy Marshall
Ron Wakita
Chad Black
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: Steelhead and Coho in the river.
Thank you for using barbless hooks.
FISHING THIS WEEK: ***Good***
LARGEST FISH OF THE WEEK: Specie: 18-pound Steelhead Where: Skeena trib Angler: Mike Linehan
WEATHER: Scattered showers. Wind southeast 40-60 km/h becoming south 20 this afternoon. Highs to 9 degrees C. Region normal: Max. Temp. 12 degrees C. Min. Temp. 5 degrees C. Sunrise 7:47 am Sunset 6:58 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, Kitimat and Kalum Rivers are in fishable shape. Other Skeena tribs towards Prince Rupert are also in fishable shape and the Nass tributary rivers are in great shape.
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: The River has been dropping all week but has started to come up today. Coho are showing up in average numbers. Fly fishing and spin fishing for Steelhead is slowing down as most of the fish have moved through by now. The main stem is the “highway” for Salmon and Steelhead heading to their many different tributary rivers.
KALUM RIVER: The water is in good shape both top and bottom and is fishing good for both Steelhead and Coho. It is possible to catch both Steelhead and Coho on the same day although each species requires specific location and technique.
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: Coho are the target fish. Most fish have already moved to the top pools as the water has been high. Our record fish was a 27-pounder. See photo below:
EXCHAMSIKS RIVER: Coho are in the whole river now. The water is a good height and clean. The fish are starting to hold in deep pools and runs on the upper end.
EXSTEW RIVER: Coho are in the river now. This is a difficult river to fish because the water is a dark green colour.
Think about hiring an experienced jet boat fishing guide for the above three rivers for fall Coho (Silver) Salmon. It will change your life…believe me!
GITNADOIX RIVER: The Coho are throughout the whole river and may be into the lake by now. Access to this river is very difficult. Experienced jet boat operators only please.
ZYMOETZ (COPPER) RIVER: Water blew out last night from the heavy rains and is now NOT fishable.
KINCOLITH RIVER: Coho should be coming in on high tides and should be dispersed through the whole river. With each high water the fish move further up the river.
ISHKHEENICKH RIVER: This is a fantastic river for Coho this time of year. The water needs to be rising and falling to keep the fish moving up river.
MEZIADIN RIVER: Both Steelhead and Coho can be hooked on the same day plus numerous local trout and Dolly Varden char. To clarify: Fishing for Steelhead and Salmon are only allowed at the very low end of the river below the boundary sign (you are actually fishing the clean seam of the Meziadin River in the Nass River). Trout fishing is available throughout the whole river and lake. Please check the fishing regulations.
The fall colours in the Nass and trib region are absolutely beautiful this time of year. Cast to http://www.noelgyger.ca view some of the scenic photos.
In addition to scenic photos cast to http://www.noelgyger.ca to watch a few video clips from the beautiful Nass River system.
CRANBERRY RIVER: Both Steelhead and Coho can be hooked on the same day. Access to this river is not very good.
TSEAX RIVER: Has a late run of Chinook. The fish should be throughout the whole river. I have a report of good numbers of Chinook landed in the lower end down near the mouth. Coho should be right behind the Chinook or even mixed in with them.
KWINIMASS RIVER: Coho are coming in now. More rain the better.
ECSTALL RIVER: Coho should be coming in now with the higher tides.
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.
Fishing Report from: Randy Marshall of Randy’s River Guiding
October 1 – 2 plus the rest of the week: Randy reports good success for his two clients fishing the lower Skeena tributaries for Coho. They landed five on October 1 and five on October 2 and lost a few. Jeff and Ernie are from England and enjoyed the fishing and really enjoyed the beautiful river scenery. Fishing on the main stem Skeena was slow. Fishing on the Kitimat was GREAT in the upper reaches with six Coho landed. Of special note, a “fresh” fish with sea lice still attached and a large “fire engine” red one with a big hook nose (this fish has been in the river for awhile). A drift in the lower end produced nothing. Maybe most of the fish have moved through with the high but clean water. Maybe a “bump” of new fish will come in? Once the fish get upstream of the Hwy 37 Bridge they are safe from anglers. To protect the spawning Coho, as per regulation, most rivers close to Coho fishing on October 31.
Fishing Report from: Dustin Kovacvich of Nicholas Dean Lodge
September 30 and October 1 -2: Dustin guided a group of three anglers from Ontario. Fishing for Steelhead and Coho was fantastic! They landed over 20 Steelhead plus numerous Coho. They were fishing the Ontario developed "high-tech" balsa float fishing system with 14-foot noodle rods and free-spooling center-pin reels. The rods were actually modified 14 foot Spey fly fishing rods. They "bumped up" their tippet strength to 12-pound test to handle our bigger fish. One of their favorite reels is the “Steelheader” by Island Reels of British Columbia.
Fishing Report from: Chad Black of Nicholas Dean Lodge
Report for the Week of September 30 to October 6, 2007
It really is the proverbial Catch-22. The rivers, streams, and lakes of the Skeena region, the fish that reside in them and, in turn, anglers, are dependent on rain and cold water. However, it is these same rains that can and often do make the rivers rise and turn off fishing completely. Such is the case for fishing this week. The Steelhead fishing was very good early on in the week, as heavy rains elevated river levels and the corresponding drop in water height and improved clarity (that great Steelhead green stage) seemingly induced a bump of fish in the rivers, or at least made them more active. As the rivers continued to drop and clear though, the fishing began to taper off, for both Steelhead and Coho. Currently, as I write this, there have been major rains and the rivers have risen again, but this just means that the fishing will likely pick up when it starts to drop and clear again. More or less, it seems like everything else in life – it’s not good having too much or too little – somewhere in between is just perfect.
With this being said, the guests at our lodge experienced great fishing for Steelhead early last week. A number of anglers were using Spey rods to swim large, Intruder style flies through the holding water, and even a few were caught on a waking dry fly. Some of our guests were also using conventional float fishing gear and spoons, and were very successful. And surprisingly, one of our guests found that Coho can be quite receptive to a number 10 Prince nymph in shallow water conditions – not something that you’d expect! This is prime time for Steelhead when water conditions are right, as the rivers have received their Summer Run fish, and fall and early winter fish will continue to feed the building run. It is also the time for the “Northerns,” the big Coho of the Skeena and its tributaries, which are typically larger than the early run fish. If the Steelhead fishing is a little slow, don’t be afraid to try swinging or stripping a large fly through the “frog water,” as you might latch onto a chrome, hard fighting Coho…
Until next week, tight lines and screaming reels…
Chad Black
Operations Manager
Nicholas Dean Lodge
"Most people fish their entire lives without realizing it's not the fish that they're really after." - David Adams Richards
Cast here www.kermodeitourism.ca for “all” the details of what Terrace BC has to offer. It may be the best cast you every made!
CURRENT REPORT and summary for Northern Coastal Rivers:
Fishing Report from: Ron Wakita of Reliable Guide and Charters
October 4 mid week update: Ron Wakita reports the Kitimat River fishing conditions remain volatile as the water level rises and falls with the fall rains. Although the river has not risen in height and that the river is not fishable, the fishing is far from ideal. Alex Nemeth guided Pat Butler who hooked six coho and landed only one on Sunday, September 30th. The river is dropping today and conditions should improve.
KITIMAT RIVER:
The Kitimat River has dropped and cleaned with the better weather and is producing Coho for anglers who venture out.
Pat Oliver an associate guide with Reliable Guides and his fishing partner Andi hooked five Coho and landed three on October 4th drifting the Kitimat in pontoon boats. Pat and Andi only did an afternoon drift and had a pretty good outing.
The angler effort on the Kitimat is minimal this time of year but there are plenty of Coho in the system. When the river conditions are good, Coho fishing can be exceptional. At this stage of the Coho season Coho can be found distinctly grouped in large schools. I discovered this when I had the amazing opportunities of being an observer during some helicopter flights over the Kitimat River with Department of Fisheries while they were doing fish counts. The flights were usually done in October and during low, clean river conditions. The most notable observation was that the Coho were stacked up in huge groups. From the air I could see up to two or three hundred Coho in one group. Even more amazing was that we would fly for sometimes two or three miles before seeing another group. This was the same situation on all the systems that we flew. The Dala, Kildala, Brim, Kemano, Chief Mathews, Wee Wananee, Kuntz as well as other rivers exhibited the same distinct grouping of Coho. The difference in the run timing of the specific systems was determined by where the Coho were grouped. If the Coho were observed in the lower sections, then Coho return on that system was in its early stages. If most of the Coho were observed in the upper sections then accordingly the run would be the later stages. These fly overs were an amazing experience and a huge lesson on how and why we fish for Coho the way we do.
When we drift a river for Coho we would fish a particular spot and catch a bunch and then drift for sometimes miles before fishing another hole. The trick is to find them and when you do, fish them hard because as observed from the air, there is usually a lot. Important to note that most of the Coho in the Kitimat are in the middle and upper sections of the river.
Anglers gather information from many sources to improve their ability to catch fish. I was fortunate to participate in the helicopter fly over which definitely increased my ability to find and catch fish so I thought I would share with the readers of this fishing report. Cheers!
DOUGLAS CHANNEL:
The Douglas Channel in the fall has plenty of opportunities for the sports anglers. Although the Coho trolling in the salt water is pretty much done, trolling for Winter Springs (feeder Chinook) should start soon. Crabbing and Prawning can be exceptional this time of year. Bottom Fishing is also good this time of year.
Todd of Nautical West Adventures fishing with his clients Corey,Stephen, Zak and Gerry from Edmonton landed six Halibut and twelve Grey Cod during an outing on Sunday September 30th.
The weather is an important issue this time of year so it is always good practice to get the marine weather report prior to going and monitor the marine weather channel during the outing.
Good Luck to all and Stay Safe!
Thank You to everyone who contributed to this report.
Report from Ron Wakita of Reliable Guide and Charters
Cast to this link for Kitimat tide tables http://www.waterlevels.gc.ca
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)
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Wanted to buy: 18-20 foot flat bottom jet boat with centre console, motor and trailer a bonus but not mandatory. Peachland BC Contact Rob 250-767-6456 or 250-864-8644 or [email protected] or Rick 250-212-2314 New Sept 1/07
For Sale: magnificent Fishing Lodge in the heart of Patagonia. Located in what probably is the very best spot for salmon runs in the whole South American continent. Ask for full information by contacting Carlos Hernandez of Hunting & Fishing in South America via e-mail [email protected] New Aug 30/07
Wanted to buy: large arbour reel for 9-10 wt Spey rod. Would consider a used one in good condition. Terrace BC E-mail Rick Morrison [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 view the items currently listed please cast to: http://www.noelgyger.ca
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GOOD LUCK and GOOD FISHING!
Yours sincerely,
Noel F. Gyger
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Home page: www.noelgyger.ca
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