Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum
Fishing in British Columbia => General Discussion => Topic started by: andrew5 on August 31, 2010, 12:41:18 PM
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Hi guys,
I live in New West, and though I would prefer to be up on the bars in Chilliwack fishing for Sockeye, I can't get there until the weekends. If i was going to fish the sockeye in the lower reaches of the river in New West and/or Richmond, does the same bouncing betty approach work down in the lower reaches of the Fraser?
Any suggestions on how to vary my approach for greter success inthe lower river is greatly appreciated.
Andrew
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Why would you need any more than 4 sockeye per week, for crying out loud?
Do you have a dozen hungry kids or something?
I mean, seriously, how much fish does a person/family need?
Are you wanting to supply the whole extended family/neoghbourhood?
Your post makes you sound greedy, Andrew.
To answer your question, lose the bouncing betty and try some big spoons.
Cast it out, wait a few seconds and retrieve at various (slower rather than faster) speeds.
You'll get the occasional fish if you hit the right tides.
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Milo, I think you've been reading too many sockeye posts. ;)
I must be missing something, I can't seem to find anything in Andrew's post about wanting more fish. All he was asking is tactics in the tidal portion of the Fraser River because he can't get to the non-tidal part until the weekend.
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Why would you need any more than 4 sockeye per week, for crying out loud?
Do you have a dozen hungry kids or something?
I mean, seriously, how much fish does a person/family need?
Are you wanting to supply the whole extended family/neoghbourhood?
Your post makes you sound greedy, Andrew.
To answer your question, lose the bouncing betty and try some big spoons.
Cast it out, wait a few seconds and retrieve at various (slower rather than faster) speeds.
You'll get the occasional fish if you hit the right tides.
Ha, ha my turn.
I think Milo is saying that Andrew can fish both days on the weekend and take home 4 sockeye over the 2 days.
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Just because Andrew wants to fish more than two days per week (or maybe he's only fishing one day on the weekend), it doesn't mean it would catch more than 4 fish or he would want to keep more than 4 fish in total, especially when he's just starting out:
http://www.fishingwithrod.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=24779.0
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Yeah, sockeye flossing overload. ;D
(and yes, Easywater, that's exactly what I meant.) ;)
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Why would you need any more than 4 sockeye per week, for crying out loud?
Do you have a dozen hungry kids or something?
I mean, seriously, how much fish does a person/family need?
Are you wanting to supply the whole extended family/neoghbourhood?
No need to jump all over Andrew for asking a honest question. Sheesh
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No need to jump all over Andrew for asking a honest question. Sheesh
AND WHO THE HECK ARE YOU TO TELL ME WHAT I NEED OR DON'T NEED TO DO, EH? >:(
Just kidding, boyz... :).
I am done...I won't read any more threads with the word sockeye in it anymore this season.
Before I leave...Andrew, good on you to ask questions, and keep doing so, but PLEASE remember: don't take bouncing betties anywhere with you after the sockeye retention season is over. They don't belong in a real angler's fishing arsenal. They are a snagging tool, not a fishing tool.
Cheers,
Milo
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Hi Milo/ guys...
Honestly, I wish I was getting 4 sockeye a week... I am that fishing buddy that is cursed with bad luck, but too stobborn and too in love with fishing to find another sport/hobby.
I went both days to the peg last week and only got one fish for my efforts. I would like to have 6 fish in the freezer, and amybe have one or two to give to the parents as a gift.
Right now, I am jsut focused on practicing as much as I can and getting more hours under my belt to gain experience, not to mention, it would be nice to discover a nice spot not too far from my doorstep.
not to worry about leaving teh betties out of the tackle box after the closure - I am focused on learning angling the right (see "ethical") way. If only I could turn into someone's apprentice on this site, I think my learning curve woudl accelerate!
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Hi Milo/ guys...
Honestly, I wish I was getting 4 sockeye a week... I am that fishing buddy that is cursed with bad luck, but too stobborn and too in love with fishing to find another sport/hobby.
I went both days to the peg last week and only got one fish for my efforts. I would like to have 6 fish in the freezer, and amybe have one or two to give to the parents as a gift.
Right now, I am jsut focused on practicing as much as I can and getting more hours under my belt to gain experience, not to mention, it would be nice to discover a nice spot not too far from my doorstep.
not to worry about leaving teh betties out of the tackle box after the closure - I am focused on learning angling the right (see "ethical") way. If only I could turn into someone's apprentice on this site, I think my learning curve woudl accelerate!
well the fish are right outside your door there in the fraser, being the tidal section it wont be too easy . Follow Rodneys link and that should provide some tips, basically need to put in the time casting spoons/spinners...you might get lucky. There are a few bar fishing spots close to new west...there may be some chinook jacks moving up the river at this time and you can use lighter gear in the tidal section. I used to catch coho from a bar near new west.
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Just because Andrew wants to fish more than two days per week (or maybe he's only fishing one day on the weekend), it doesn't mean it would catch more than 4 fish or he would want to keep more than 4 fish in total, especially when he's just starting out:
http://www.fishingwithrod.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=24779.0
And even if he did want more than 4 fish , what business is it of milo's? ::)
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Attach a spin-n-glo at the end of long leader, attach a hook before the head of spin n glo. Does any one have expereinces of this for sockeye.
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Hry Vsnvook,
thasnks for the advice. If you feel like PMíng some better spots in and around the New West area, I would be very grateful. I can't imagine there are too many "secret spots" in New West.
I have found the Sapperton docks... how is this place. still haven't tried it yet. Any others?
Cheers,
Andrew
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I've been to the sappron docks a few times this season, lots of snags. :'(
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Hry Vsnvook,
thasnks for the advice. If you feel like PMíng some better spots in and around the New West area, I would be very grateful. I can't imagine there are too many "secret spots" in New West.
I have found the Sapperton docks... how is this place. still haven't tried it yet. Any others?
The question regarding good/best/favourite fishing spots in the tidal portion of the Fraser River comes up again and again on the forum, in my email, in my private message box, in comments to our YouTube video, etc. The answer that I give remains the same each time. While some spots may produce slightly better than others, all spots are good along the Tidal Fraser River because all migratory fish have to travel past it. The location does not determine your success, but your timing does. At any particular spot, the water level changes throughout the day due to tide. Some spots produce better at low tide, some spots produce better at high tide, some spots produce better when the current is slow, while some spots produce better when the current is strong. You'd need to head down there repeatedly to figure it out. I'd head down there at high tide on one day, at low tide on another. During low tide, note where all the snags and structures are so you know where they are when submerged at high tide. Water clarity also changes between low and high tide as well.
Good luck.
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Unfortunately you cannot see the snags at Sapperton as it drops of fast either from the dock and the piers and is not a "bar".
I have tried fishing sockeye now in Richmond, New West, and Annacis Island and am always skunked and end up fishing for pikeminnows...
Sapperton maybe has a better chance to produce as you have access to a little deeper water then you do on the normal bars around here and maybe the fish cruise along the edge?
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I am in the same situation as Andrew and I don't believe any of the posts here have given satisfactory answers. I was told by the experienced guys at my favourite tackle store that fishing the lower Fraser for Sockeye is very problematical. That the flossing techniques that work above Mission don't work in the lower Fraser. Fishing the salt water offshore was recommended, but Sunday was somewhat windy for a small boat.
My experience on Sunday at the mouth of the Fraser in my small boat seems to confirm this. Despite sockeye jumping all around very few were caught, and it appears to me, strictly by snagging. And a lot of people left empty handed. The current seemed (out flow tide) too slow for flossing to work, though perhaps it can be done with a very light setup, but how is exactly what Andrew and I are asking advice about.
Clearly, a different technique is called for on the lower Fraser. I'd be interested in a boat technique and a from-shore technique.
Just my two bits.
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Attach a spin-n-glo at the end of long leader, attach a hook before the head of spin n glo. Does any one have expereinces of this for sockeye.
I have heard about this method in some slower flowing water of the upper bar, using spin-n-glo with a shorter leader under a float, but have any body tried this in tidal Fraser?
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http://www.fishingwithrod.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=24744.0
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I am in the same situation as Andrew and I don't believe any of the posts here have given satisfactory answers. I was told by the experienced guys at my favourite tackle store that fishing the lower Fraser for Sockeye is very problematical. That the flossing techniques that work above Mission don't work in the lower Fraser. Fishing the salt water offshore was recommended, but Sunday was somewhat windy for a small boat.
My experience on Sunday at the mouth of the Fraser in my small boat seems to confirm this. Despite sockeye jumping all around very few were caught, and it appears to me, strictly by snagging. And a lot of people left empty handed. The current seemed (out flow tide) too slow for flossing to work, though perhaps it can be done with a very light setup, but how is exactly what Andrew and I are asking advice about.
Clearly, a different technique is called for on the lower Fraser. I'd be interested in a boat technique and a from-shore technique.
Just my two bits.
alot of guys in the chuck are trolling for socks using a flasher and a pink hoochie...if you're near steveston I recommend going into Nikka fishing and marine, they should be able to help you out with a good salt water approach
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http://www.fishingwithrod.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=24744.0
This is a good link. Thanks Rodney.
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Only an idea so far, but seems promising as a new way to catch sockeye in the delta area.
To address the problem of slow current in the lower fraser near the mouth, I have the idea of inserting a round lead weight inside of a golf ball size rubber ball, and using the ball as a weight, to be used with standard flossing techniques.
The rubber ball weight will reduce the buoyancy of the lead metal core and together will is bullky size, this should insure that the current will move it along, thus standard flossing methods should work.
I will try it this weekend if I have a chance to get out. If any one else tries it, let us know!
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From what I saw on Monday after work, the preferred shore technique in the Lower Fraser is 2 or 3 oz of lead weight on the end of your line, a hook 3 or 4 feet up from the weight and a second hook another 3 or 4 feet further up from the first hook (Are you allowed more than one hook on the line?). A bit of wool tied to each hook. They cast it out and rip/reel it in (they called it "jigging"). Alot of guys were using this method; a few others were tossing spoons. I watched for about 30 minutes. There were a few jumpers within their casting distance, but no fish were hooked.
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Tossed spoons and spinners at the Lower Fraser this morning. Sockeyes started jumping all over the place at high slack. Called it quits after an hour and headed to the Steveston Wharf. Quite a few people out and still buying sockeyes off the boats. Saw one lady who purchased 40 sockeyes !
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From what I saw on Monday after work, the preferred shore technique in the Lower Fraser is 2 or 3 oz of lead weight on the end of your line, a hook 3 or 4 feet up from the weight and a second hook another 3 or 4 feet further up from the first hook (Are you allowed more than one hook on the line?). A bit of wool tied to each hook. They cast it out and rip/reel it in (they called it "jigging"). Alot of guys were using this method; a few others were tossing spoons. I watched for about 30 minutes. There were a few jumpers within their casting distance, but no fish were hooked.
I saw one caught by this technique on Sunday...not sure how many hooks, but it does not look very productive overall.
In principal I don't see why the flossing methods shouldn't work on the Fraser, if one could adjust for the slow current. So another idea I'm consider is adding a short piece of old floating fly line to the leader to keep the leader just off the bottom. I assume large hooks must be a necessity to increase one's chances.
I should disclose that I don't have much experience with this kind of fishing. So my comments should be taken as speculative.
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From what I saw on Monday after work, the preferred shore technique in the Lower Fraser is 2 or 3 oz of lead weight on the end of your line, a hook 3 or 4 feet up from the weight and a second hook another 3 or 4 feet further up from the first hook (Are you allowed more than one hook on the line?). A bit of wool tied to each hook. They cast it out and rip/reel it in (they called it "jigging"). Alot of guys were using this method; a few others were tossing spoons. I watched for about 30 minutes. There were a few jumpers within their casting distance, but no fish were hooked.
that sounds like intentional snagging to me, which is illegal.
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I saw one caught by this technique on Sunday...not sure how many hooks, but it does not look very productive overall.
In principal I don't see why the flossing methods shouldn't work on the Fraser, if one could adjust for the slow current. So another idea I'm consider is adding a short piece of old floating fly line to the leader to keep the leader just off the bottom. I assume large hooks must be a necessity to increase one's chances.
I should disclose that I don't have much experience with this kind of fishing. So my comments should be taken as speculative.
Topography of the river bottom isnt' conducive to bouncing. Your weight will get stuck the big rocks on the bottom. You need a river bottom with lots of smooth "medium sized" rocks and a fast enough current to keep your weight ticking along.
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Topography of the river bottom isnt' conducive to bouncing. Your weight will get stuck the big rocks on the bottom. You need a river bottom with lots of smooth "medium sized" rocks and a fast enough current to keep your weight ticking along.
What kind of water depths are you guys talking here??
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Topography of the river bottom isnt' conducive to bouncing. Your weight will get stuck the big rocks on the bottom. You need a river bottom with lots of smooth "medium sized" rocks and a fast enough current to keep your weight ticking along.
This is true, however there are a few places you can bounce in the lower Fraser and catch your limits. Many years back I heard of such a place and decided to try it, yes I did bounce a 2 oz ball in the lower river effectively. Sockeye results were poor for me but saw a few caught and did hear people limiting out. I wont disclosed the location as this place should be kept a secret to the selective few who discovered the place. Information that might be of use would be outgoing tides near the lowest tidal cycles, big run size and timing....just a 2 hour window at this. Another method we used in the lower Fraser was trolling up river from Steveston on flood tides with a small flasher and a hot pink hoochie, this works as I've caught my socks.
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that sounds like intentional snagging to me, which is illegal.
One of the older guys who was doing this was very candid; he said that once the sockeye enter the river, they don't bite and and the only way to catch them is to floss or snag them.
On the other hand, I went back yesterday and saw two other guys fishing. One of the funniest things I ever saw. They were using one spinning rod which one guy held downside up (spinning reel on top and winding in reverse to bring line in). The mainline was tied to a 18 inch stick and a 2 foot leader with a hook and a piece of wool was tied to the stick. The second guy would take the stick in one hand and about 60 feet of the mainline coiled in the other hand and fling the whole rig out as far as he can. The first guy would just hold the rod and let the stick float down the river. At the end of the drift, he would reel in the rig and they would do it again. They told me that they caught two sockeyes in the last week using this method.
One other guy using a spoon said he managed to catch 3 on the outgoing tide in the morning, when the sockeye were resting close to shore. But most of the guys I talked to said they have had no luck in catching a sockeye from shore in the Lower Fraser.
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Topography of the river bottom isnt' conducive to bouncing. Your weight will get stuck the big rocks on the bottom. You need a river bottom with lots of smooth "medium sized" rocks and a fast enough current to keep your weight ticking along.
Well said, but if you read my earlier post (just above a little), you will see that I am speaking in the context of an innovation that may address the topography challenge (which in the lower fraser probably consist of dunes of silt). Here is my post:
Only an idea so far, but seems promising as a new way to catch sockeye in the delta area.
To address the problem of slow current in the lower fraser near the mouth, I have the idea of inserting a round lead weight inside of a golf ball size rubber ball, and using the ball as a weight, to be used with standard flossing techniques.
The rubber ball weight will reduce the buoyancy of the lead metal core and together will is bullky size, this should insure that the current will move it along, thus standard flossing methods should work.
I will try it this weekend if I have a chance to get out. If any one else tries it, let us know!
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Yup. Missed that. Interesting. Would be interesting to see this applied, for example around Fraser river foreshore park... current is farily zippy there.
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I have tried a fair amount for sockeye in the lower Fraser this season..probably 10 hours total. I live in Vancouver so fish some rover access spots down by Southlands, Angus lands. Its funny, b/c I dont see many fish. I am out before / after incoming tides. I was staring at the water for 3 hours on sunday and didn't see a single fish. Are most of the fish moving up the North or South arm of the river? It seems they must be up the South arm.
If we assume that fish move up the North arm in any numbers there should be spots where they rest. There are some great looking 'Fishy' pools that I have found but nothing. Except for this 5 lb white fish I caught. I will post a pic if anyone wants to see it.
So, are the salmon (all species) moving more up the North or South arm?
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Sockeye seem to avoid the North Arm from I've seen (based on fish jumping). I would like to see the big whitefish..