Skeena River Guided Fishing Adventures
Capt. Noel Gyger
April 6, 2009
Terrace - Freshwater Fishing Report
The photo of the week shows Whitey, a long time repeat guest of Andrew Rushton, owner of Kalum River Lodge, with a beautiful wild Steelhead landed with his spey fly rod on the Skeena River last August. YES, Whitey and his fishing partner Troy are already booked to come back this August. Scroll below to read the full report of their fishing adventures last year. Contact me [email protected] anytime to book a Steelhead guided fishing trip. Photo by Troy Adams
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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]
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Fishing Reports: www.noelgyger.ca/past-fishing-reports.htm
RECORD SALMON & STEELHEAD Spin or fly-fishing
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Home Page: www.noelgyger.ca
Noel Gyger - WEEKLY FISHING REPORT dated March 29 – April 5, 2009
Dear Fishing Friends:
SUMMARY: The weather has been fair all week. The most important thing is the temperatures are getting warmer and the water is rising. Trouble is the water is rising slowly and is still too low for jet boats but rafts and drift boats are doing OK. Fish guiding has started "big time". The guides are working very hard to get their clients the best guided fishing experience possible despite conditions. With the current low water this has been a challenge. Despite conditions, pro guide Tracey Hittel has gotten his clients into many Steelhead. See his full report below. Both upper and lower sections of Kalum River are in good shape but the water is very low. The lower Zymoetz (Copper) River is still holding a few Steelhead and a few fresh ones are coming in now. I have a report of a few fish being caught on the fly rod and spin gear. Most of the ice that was floating in the river has melted. A few fishermen are now starting to fish on the main stem Skeena River looking for that spring run Steelhead. In the meantime lots of Cutthroat and Dolly Varden Char to keep the fishermen entertained while waiting for Steelhead. For the Kitimat River and Douglas Channel please check out the Ron Wakita report below.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) 2009 Salmon Stock Outlook:
Skeena Region:
• Sockeye: variable 2 million fish expected
• Chinook: variable; average returns similar to recent years are anticipated
• Coho: outlook is good for the middle and upper Skeena stocks. Outlook for lower Skeena trib is less certain.
Full document: http://www-ops2.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/xnet/content/salmon/webdocs/SalmonStockOutlook2009.htm?
LIST OF "New" ITEMS POSTED ON THE WEBSITE THIS WEEK:
One New item posted on "Conservation" April 4/09
One New DFO 2009 SALMON STOCK OUTLOOK March 31/09
One New item posted on "Special Guided Fishing Trips" March 30/09
NOW BOOKING: 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
Todd Haynes
Tracey Hittel
CURRENT REPORT and summary for Skeena and Tributaries:
TYPE OF FISH CAUGHT: Steelhead and Trout for river. Salmon, Halibut, Bottom Fish and Dungeness Crab for ocean.
Thank you for using barbless hooks.
FISHING THIS WEEK: FAIR
LARGEST FISH OF THE WEEK: Specie: 15-pound Steelhead Where: Kitimat River Angler: Jesse Houston.
WEATHER: Cloudy. Periods of rain near Stewart. 60 percent chance of showers this afternoon. High 8. Sunrise 6:56 AM Sunset 8:18 PM. Today's yearly average temperatures: Maximum 11 degrees. Minimum 0.7 degrees.
WEATHER REPORTS VIA TELEPHONE: Terrace 250-635-4192 Kitimat 250-632-7864 Prince Rupert 250-627-1155 Smithers 250-847-1958.
SKEENA RIVER: Is in good shape, low and clean but still frozen over in spots. Be very careful walking on those ice shelves. Should be a few Steelhead and Trout one can catch.
KALUM RIVER: Is in good shape. Good numbers of Steelhead are in the river now. Fishing for them with fly or spin tackle works well. The water is extremely low and the fish are easily spooked. Walking around is getting a little easier as a lot of the snow has melted. The boat ramps are getting easier to access.
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.
ZYMOETZ (COPPER) RIVER: Is fishing well for Steelhead right now. The upper section is closed to angling as of December 31 but the lower section below the first canyon will stay open for the winter Steelheaders to enjoy.
Fishing Report from: Ron Wakita of Reliable Guide and Charters.
KITIMAT RIVER: We received sunny weather most days this week except April 1st. April Fools Day morning received another snowfall. Mother Nature has a warped sense of humor but she was only kidding because most of the snow melted away by noon.
In addition to the snow on Wednesday morning, April 1st was the first day that Fresh Water Licenses had to be obtained online. With every dealer in the province logging on to the government server at the same time overloaded the system. Long delays, constant error messages and inability to print licenses were an exercise in frustration at our Tackle Store as well as for anyone else trying to obtain a Fresh Water License. We had better success after hours. Anyone wishing to obtain their Fishing License please be patient and allow plenty of time. Please, for your own sanity, do not leave it until the last minute.
Despite the snow and the difficulty with Fresh Water Licenses, Steelhead fishing on the Kitimat River picked up a bit this week. Jesse Houston an employee of our Tackle Store caught another Steelhead on Tuesday. He was fishing with one of his fishing partners, Tom Keohane and his brother Kodi Houston and they both lost a Steelhead. They were fishing on the Island across from the Kitimat Hatchery and they were all using the Bubble Gum Pink worm.
I spoke to two other anglers in the store on Tuesday who fished the gravel bar below the Kitimat Hatchery and they also lost a Steelhead. Wally from Spey Lodge was in the store on Wednesday after he drifted the Kitimat and he landed a Steelhead. Todd Haynes of Nautical West Fishing Adventures also drifted and reports landing two Steelhead. Another angler reports having landing three Steelhead already this season.
Many other anglers are planning to head out fishing the Kitimat River this weekend and the warm temperatures should help. The Kitimat River water level remains very low and a little snow melt would help. In the North West a person has to be careful what he wishes for. A little rise in the water level would be nice but we received a substantial snow pack in the mountains this winter and too much warm weather would not be good either. I would hope that the snow melt is gradual and the river remains fishable throughout the snow melt which is more typical on the Kitimat. The Steelhead fishing will continue to get better as usually Easter weekend is when Steelheading usually starts to get really good.
The water level is too low to drift with driftboats and most anglers that are drifting are doing so with pontoon boats or inflatables.
Anyone interested in a Guided Trip on the Kitimat River for Steelhead with Reliable Guide and Charters please Noel Gyger [email protected] and he would be more than happy to accommodate.
DOUGLAS CHANNEL: Crabbing is the main focus with many boaters. We have not received any more reports of King crab since we reported Rick Taylor's catch in last week's report. Dungeness crab is the target especially since it has been a long winter and fresh crab has not been on the menu.
Most boaters are just starting to get their boats ready for this years fishing season. I spoke to many boaters who are planning Halibut trips for Easter weekend.
Anglers are reminded that the new 2009 to 2011 Tidal Synopsis are available. Tidal Water licenses are still being issued on paper with no delays. Sometimes the proven but true methods are still the best way of doing things especially with fishing.
Our tackle Store, City Centre Hardware and Sporting Goods has many preseason specials. To view out in-store Flyer click on this link http://www.noelgyger.ca/ads/instore-flyer-01.doc
Tight Lines
Ron Wakita
City Centre Hardware & Sporting Goods
"Kitimat's Largest Tackle Shop"
Fishing Report from: Todd Haynes of Nautical West Adventures
Ocean Boat will be in the water next week for the first time this year and we are excited as we have outfitted the vessel with some new features. We have added a third downrigger for our center rod, added a new fish cleaning station, swimgrid fish box, new inverter for increased wattage output, video camera mounting bracket plus a few other operational feature to make life even more enjoyable out on the water. To view our Sea Sport Adventures in action this year, be sure to follow our Fishing Podcast "The Bites On" on our website www.nauticalwest.com
For complete package information and trip planning tips please contact Noel Gyger
Nautical West Steelhead Dates still open for the Kitimat River May 1, 2, 3, 2009.
Contact Noel Gyger [email protected] for details.
Fishing Report from: Tracey Hittel of Steelhead Heaven
Spring Steelhead Report from Steelhead Heaven BC Canada 2009
We started week 1 of our guiding season with a bang as our clients from Vancouver landed some very large Steelhead this weekend. Rod Toth of Bent Rods showed us that his jigs are the top producers when it comes to fishing for Steelhead. Rod landed a 21.4lb Steelhead, a 19.5lb Steelhead and a 17lb Steelhead not to mention other small males and fresh females arriving from the sea.
Rod felt very confident in his jigs and the nice thing is that they are all made in the lower mainland by his family and friends. When you tie thousands of these every year you need extra help. Rod fished different varieties of jigs with his float, centre-pin reel and 13.5 ft rod, his magic colors were pink, green and olive. We concentrated on the deep pools some as deep as 19.5ft, yes! And this was where the big boys were holding.
His fishing partner for the trip was Wes the Bass Pro Master, well versed in Eastern Canada Steelhead. This young lad was as organized as any fisherman I have ever guided. His style and technique was flawless and a great tip I learned was that the guys would use fly floatant on the line approx 25ft of it, to ensure the dead drift they wanted to present in the water was always there, with little or no drag on the surface of the water. Wes tied the most amazing Tarentino bags, as he calls them to keep his secrets close to his chest, moms the word with me. Wes hooked some large males during the trip and some he landed and some were long line releases. One of the fish Wes landed had sea lice on it so that day we did catch a lot of fresh chrome hen Steelhead.
Spoonman and Billy Bob were partnered with Bark Bark, these guys hooked some very nice Steelhead and Spoonman fished with the metal his entire trip and fished some of the nicest spoons, all special ordered and in various weights and size. Billy Bob is pictured with one of the chromers the guys landed that day, a fresh run for sure.
With the spring melt soon to happen, we fished very cold water conditions at 36F and some of the lowest river levels all year. As April arrives and the sun melts the snow off the mountains we should get a nice bump in water levels and a push of fresh Steelhead, so anglers can expect some excellent conditions in the next week.
I still have a few dates open, please contact Noel Gyger [email protected] to book them. Thanks. Tracey Hittel
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 REGULATIONS WEBSITES:
2007-2009 BC tidal waters and freshwater Salmon fishing information:
www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/recfish
Effective April 1, 2009 to March 31, 2010
2008-2009 Freshwater Fishing Regulations Synopsis:
www.env.gov.bc.ca/fw/fish
Effective April 1, 2009 to March 31, 2011 (Note regs good for two years)
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.
Full report from Troy Adams and his fishing buddy Whitey:
Hi Noel, already spring how time flies. Well I had not gotten a chance to tell you about my fall trip last year, the one where Whitey and I spoiled ourselves to 14 days straight on the river with Andrew at the Kalum River Lodge. I can tell you the conditions were changing daily, it was beautiful one day and then 3 days and nights of rain, then rain and wind, and overcast then nice again. But we had an unbelievable trip, the river went up 2ft. and we watched large trees wash off the cut banks into the river while we caught fish every day. The weather doesn't affect you when the fishing is so good. We honesty landed at least 10 fish each a day. There was 3 days I landed 5 Steelhead myself; I set my new personal best 23.5lb. Steelhead, 30lb. Skeena River Chum, 14lb. sockeye. We took on numerous Coho's in the high teens and as usual we still lost more fish than we caught. I took over 227 pictures, had a moose swim through the run, a deer swim by, saw bear, beaver, eagles, and every day was a new adventure. Even with adverse conditions Andrew was able to get us good fly water every day, that is where 20+ years on the river and the ability to read the water really pays off, no need to say that we are already signed up for this year. You know I could go on and on but I will save it till we come up and I'll get Andrew to bring you out with us for a day or two of fishing. I will include a picture of Whitey and Andrew with a Skeena River sea lice covered Steelhead that will test backing that you don't know you have. By the way last night I went to the Fly Fishing Film Tour, and it had a lot of good fishing clips of all over, including B.C. Dry fly and wet fly for Steelhead, but one film is on northern California, where I live called Rivers of a Lost Coast about the beginning of fly fishing plus rise and fall of the Salmon and Steelhead fishery with commentary by people like Lani Waller and Jim Adams, whom you know to also be very familiar with the Skeena and her tributaries, one of the last great rivers with no dams or hatcheries, maybe check out the clip on the web it is also an interesting look at what happens to unprotected watersheds, you can also see more on the film tours web site. I am sure everyone up there is lining up rod's and getting ready for those Huge Spring Steelhead, so stay warm and we will talk soon, thanks' Troy Adams
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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GOOD LUCK and GOOD FISHING!
Yours sincerely,
Noel F. Gyger
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Terrace Fishing Forecast:
Spring is here, fishing is good now even with the low water conditions
Target Species:
skeena river spey fly fishing steelhead
More Fishing Reports:
