Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum

Fishing in British Columbia => General Discussion => Topic started by: fish_on on November 16, 2008, 08:40:49 PM

Title: Downstream Chehalis spawning channel
Post by: fish_on on November 16, 2008, 08:40:49 PM
Tackle shop operators are telling me that Chehalis river runs straight through below the bridge.  Downstream from the Chehalis spawning channel - fishing boundary - "was" good several years back (can't remember exactly now???).  Has anyone fish that run last few days? Is there any decent fishable water since this week's deluge?

Reports appreciated.

Title: Re: Downstream Chehalis spawning channel
Post by: catch22 on November 16, 2008, 09:36:59 PM
hello fish on ,i was there on Friday for the first time in years,and the main river has moved a long way from where it was before.its at least a half an hour of walking and bush whacking to get to the main river from the hatchery.the only thing i saw on the way there was alot of shallow water a million ugly chum and a bunch of rtards trying to snag the few tomato coho that were around.i don't know what to tell you the main river has changed so much its unreal,once i battled my way to the river i was disappointed to find very little nice coho water,it was just a big strait run of fast water.if you find any nice water please let me know,good luck .
Title: Re: Downstream Chehalis spawning channel
Post by: Mike D. on November 16, 2008, 11:36:35 PM
there is no nice water...I have hiked the whole river from the canyon exit down to the mouth several times side to side looking for decent coho water....there isn't reely any...they just shoot up! if they shoot in at all  :-\
Title: Re: Downstream Chehalis spawning channel
Post by: fish_on on November 16, 2008, 11:51:07 PM
Catch 22 and Mike D, thanks for the reports. It's really sad. No wonder, there is so much more pressures on the other rivers.

Well, mother nature may one day divert the river flow again. Just like the Chilliwack above the Vedder crossing bridge - it used to run next to Tesky rock, then besides the cottages and now sort of flowing in between.

tight lines
Title: Re: Downstream Chehalis spawning channel
Post by: norm_2 on November 17, 2008, 08:57:29 AM
Mike D., how long does it take to walk from the canyon to the mouth?
Title: Re: Downstream Chehalis spawning channel
Post by: GoldHammeredCroc on November 17, 2008, 05:02:14 PM
The river now flows probably a good 8-10 feet or so below the bed of the former channel that took water by the hatchery outflow.  If there are any good gravel removal projects, this is one place that holds good potential to re-establish the channel split again and eventually restore the fishery that was.
Title: Re: Downstream Chehalis spawning channel
Post by: fish_on on November 17, 2008, 06:14:12 PM
Cammer, my question isn't about fishing boundary or no fishing zone. The topic is on the main flow or used to be the main flow. Sorry if there is any confusion. The no fishing zone is from the hatchery proper to where it used to meet the main flow; somewhat of a Y shape if you can picture it.
Title: Re: Downstream Chehalis spawning channel
Post by: BwiBwi on November 19, 2008, 08:15:53 PM
Hatchery coho DON"T get to spawn. 
Title: Re: Downstream Chehalis spawning channel
Post by: BwiBwi on November 20, 2008, 12:12:12 AM
cammer we are talking about the ones on heading up the hatchery channel.  They won't end up in the canyon.  They are heading into the the hatchery.
Title: Re: Downstream Chehalis spawning channel
Post by: Morty on November 20, 2008, 05:28:15 PM
Coho will sometimes go up to the pools in the start of the canyon to "ripen" then go downstream and into the hatchery channel.
Title: Re: Downstream Chehalis spawning channel
Post by: clarki on November 22, 2008, 07:47:05 PM
Coho will sometimes go up to the pools in the start of the canyon to "ripen" then go downstream and into the hatchery channel.

Just curious your source for this, Morty?
Title: Re: Downstream Chehalis spawning channel
Post by: Morty on November 22, 2008, 08:58:01 PM
Good question Clarki. 
It's been several years since I learned that tidbit.  If I remember correctly, it was one of the staff at either the Chehalis or Inch hatcheries. 

I had a day a few years ago when I was fishing the pool just at the entrance to the canyon.  There were dozens of Coho just idling there, and about a dozen large Chinook hanging in the channel just below that.  None of them were hitting anything.  After a few hours of casting accuracy practice I decided to make it into a hatchery tour day.