Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum
Fishing in British Columbia => General Discussion => Topic started by: RalphH on August 10, 2024, 08:28:38 AM
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Not quite the middle of August and already a closure on fishing Chum salmon is in place
https://notices.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fns-sap/index-eng.cfm?pg=view_notice&DOC_ID=305746&ID=all&fbclid=IwY2xjawEkZfFleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHR2EsKU57FQmNfn8psaYAjoIs25sU_RKJYWz6U8fex63WNiAqPAZ3DjTMg_aem_9XVqNlI756GwQVulxkLJ6Q (https://notices.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fns-sap/index-eng.cfm?pg=view_notice&DOC_ID=305746&ID=all&fbclid=IwY2xjawEkZfFleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHR2EsKU57FQmNfn8psaYAjoIs25sU_RKJYWz6U8fex63WNiAqPAZ3DjTMg_aem_9XVqNlI756GwQVulxkLJ6Q)
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Good they’ve suffered enough, to bad it’s not gonna stop bait hungry steelheaders from slitting and tossing them.
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Taking shots a steelheaders us funny because it has been priven that the commercial fishing for Chum is a leading cause of Steelhead decline. What a wild system we live in.
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The DFO contract people who do fish counts often open dead females to check if they have spawned successfully. That may account for many or most of the slitted does reported. If it is done by anglers I doubt it is only 'steelheaders' who do this. Roe is used for salmon and sturgeon as well.
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The DFO contract people who do fish counts normally cut the fish in half to show it has been counted not slit the bellies.
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The DFO contract people who do fish counts normally cut the fish in half to show it has been counted not slit the bellies.
I actually talked to a DFO contract employee who was slitting the belly on a dead doe about it. I even mentioned that anglers on the Chilliwack thought a slit fish was an example of poaching roe but 'dumping' the doe. This was on the Harrison but he said all the contract people do this with dead does. They take stats on how many have successfully spawning or have no roe - indicative of spawning. I have watched them many times when they do counts. They don't necessarily cut them in half.
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What ever SalNam
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What ever SalNam
Wow! What a comeback.
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You're both right. Whether the fish are cut in half depends on many variables; number of predators, potential high water events, size of river/stream, degree of accuracy required, etc.
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Thanks Dave. As I mentioned the slit I saw cut had nothing to do with counting the fish. It was to check if there was still roe in the fish... had it spawned or not. In that instance the person also collected the otoliths, put them in a numbered specimen bag and recorded it in a logbook.
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What ever SalNam
What does this even mean? The only Google results are about Sierra Leone expats living in Manitoba.
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Looking at the test fishery for chums in Area 12, it looks like an improvement over the last couple of years. There may be a Fraser opening which will mean more coho's will be netted. We'll also be busy again unhooking chums that we don't want to keep.
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Alaska had better chum returns this year as well, interestingly it seems some areas are also reporting better steelhead returns as well.
still early in lots of areas so will see,
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Chum closure. A mostly closed Chilliwack river and silty water conditions for the parts that will be open. Sounds like a bust of a season. Sure there are other hatchery coho rivers but man o man will they ever be busy!
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Chum closure. A mostly closed Chilliwack river and silty water conditions for the parts that will be open. Sounds like a bust of a season. Sure there are other hatchery coho rivers but man o man will they ever be busy!
People wont fish them after striking out, there is a reason everyone goes to chilliwack. Even once you learn the other flows, a lot of who are dependant on rain events for moving fish they are far from constant. They are not for the meat fishermen.
I'm sure people will still find plenty of access to vedder
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within the last 5 or 6 years the Fraser experienced low returns while other nearby rivers such as the Nanaimo had good returns allowing commercial harvest so how rivers in Alaska or what the Area 12 tests are may not be indicative of what will happen on the Fraser. It's still at least a month before Fraser Chum start to move through the Marine approaches and fish in Area 12 are likely bound to mainland rivers north of the Fraser that have earlier returns.
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within the last 5 or 6 years the Fraser experienced low returns while other nearby rivers such as the Nanaimo had good returns allowing commercial harvest so how rivers in Alaska or what the Area 12 tests are may not be indicative of what will happen on the Fraser. It's still at least a month before Fraser Chum start to move through the Marine approaches and fish in Area 12 are likely bound to mainland rivers north of the Fraser that have earlier returns.
Indeed, Ralph, it is still quite early; the chum test for the Fraser River and Johnston Strait does not commence until October.
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I could not keep the chum off yesterday in the ocean at the mouth of the fraser yesterday, Its typically fairly hard to target and catch them as they typically do not bite in the ocean near the fraser. Landed some nice hatchery coho as well. One report does not make a return but it seems that its a stronger year for coho and chum.
JS chum test fishery is also looking stronger this year, I would not be surprised if some commercial fishing is triggered.
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JS chum test fishery is also looking stronger this year, I would not be surprised if some commercial fishing is triggered.
Please....don't put any ideas into their heads. We're having a great season on the Fraser Tribs so far. Amazing how good the fall fisheries are when there is no commercial fishing.
As far as I'm concerned, I'd love to see the chum numbers stay near rock bottom....keeping the coho and steelhead numbers higher.
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As far as I'm concerned, I'd love to see the chum numbers stay near rock bottom....keeping the coho and steelhead numbers higher.
If chum numbers don't rebound, the whole eco-system will suffer even more than it does already. Chum are an essential link in the food chain, providing food to numerous animals and nutrients to the river.
Your coho and steelhead can't thrive without chum being part of the equation.
Wanting to see chum numbers "stay near rock bottom" is tantamount to wanting to see the eco-system collapse.
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An adult chum salmon returning to spawn contains an average of 130 grams of nitrogen, 20 grams of phosphorus and more than 20,000 kj of energy in the form of protein and fat.!
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Humans is what needs to be removed from the equation. Too many people in the world with too much money. Exporting chum roe to Asia for the almighty dollar. Time to start spay and neutering humans after one child. If your IQ is less than 50 you don't get to procreate at all.
There you go, pick apart my writing skills...
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Humans is what needs to be removed from the equation. Too many people in the world with too much money. Exporting chum roe to Asia for the almighty dollar. Time to start spay and neutering humans after one child. If your IQ is less than 50 you don't get to procreate at all.
There you go, pick apart my writing skills...
We are all so outraged [yawn]
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To say that chum numbers should stay near rock bottom, I suggest is narrow and self-centric thinking.
To echo Milo, the nutrients that chum salmon deliver from the ocean support so many other species in our west coast ecosystem: bears, eagles, cutthroat trout, the forests, and even the next generation of other salmon.
When chum runs are thriving it means everything else from ocean conditions to coastal forest ecosystems are working as they should. And isn't that more important than catching coho or steelhead?
But I think I get your point. Lots of chum means lots of netting means lots of interception and bycatch of other species. But the chum aren't the problem...
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Wait, who are we neutering first?
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If chum numbers don't rebound, the whole eco-system will suffer even more than it does already. Chum are an essential link in the food chain, providing food to numerous animals and nutrients to the river.
Your coho and steelhead can't thrive without chum being part of the equation.
Wanting to see chum numbers "stay near rock bottom" is tantamount to wanting to see the eco-system collapse.
A little dramatic from you, but maybe I'll rephrase what I said a bit.
Instead of having Chum numbers at rock bottom, lets keep them just below the borderline of whether the gillnetters go out or not.
Humans is what needs to be removed from the equation. Too many people in the world with too much money.
You first.
Time to start spay and neutering humans after one child. If your IQ is less than 50 you don't get to procreate at all.
Easy. I got just the tool for that. How long will you wear the cone of shame for?
When do you want to meet up?
There you go, pick apart my writing skills...
It's not your writing skills that concerns me.
To say that chum numbers should stay near rock bottom, I suggest is narrow and self-centric thinking.
To echo Milo, the nutrients that chum salmon deliver from the ocean support so many other species in our west coast ecosystem: bears, eagles, cutthroat trout, the forests, and even the next generation of other salmon.
Bears are doing more than fine. Bears and Eagles will eat whatever they can find. Salmon meat is just the easy answer.
As for cutthroat, I've been fishing them since the early 80s. We've had many up and down cycles of chum since then. The sea run cutthroat have been on a very steady decline since then. The good cycles of chum did NOT improve the sea run cutthroat numbers. Unfortunately, the sea run cutthroat fishery is a mere shadow of what it used to be both in size of fish and size of each run. Improving chum numbers won't fix the sea run cutthroat problem.
When chum runs are thriving it means everything else from ocean conditions to coastal forest ecosystems are working as they should. And isn't that more important than catching coho or steelhead?
Lots of decomposing chum is a good thing...I agree.....but it is not a fix all for the things mentioned here.
With that said.....healthy coho and steelhead runs are more important to me. Chum is so gross to the point of inedible. Coho is a wonderful protein.
But I think I get your point. Lots of chum means lots of netting means lots of interception and bycatch of other species. But the chum aren't the problem...
Exactly. Commercial gillnetting the lower Fraser for chum roe is a crime of corporate greed beyond comprehension.
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Instead of having Chum numbers at rock bottom, lets keep them just below the borderline of whether the gillnetters go out or not.
Commercial gillnetting the lower Fraser for chum roe is a crime of corporate greed beyond comprehension.
I agree one hundred percent.
Chum is so gross to the point of inedible. Coho is a wonderful protein.
Have you ever had ocean caught chum? Or those silver bullets that were once abundant in the Squamish river?
From my experience, chum smokes far better than coho, so does chinook. (higher fat content).
But I'll give you that on the grill, coho is hard to beat. :)
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Instead of having Chum numbers at rock bottom, lets keep them just below the borderline of whether the gillnetters go out or not.
Instead of hoping for low chum numbers, we should lobby to eliminate all gill netting from mixed stock waters.
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Among all the species, I would consider smoked chum to be the finest. For canned options, I prefer sockeye, while coho is best suited for barbecuing. Chinook ranks in the middle across all preparation methods.
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Among all the species, I would consider smoked chum to be the finest. For canned options, I prefer sockeye, while coho is best suited for barbecuing. Chinook ranks in the middle across all preparation methods.
x2
That said, I really like chinook (both red or white or marbled) in sashimi.
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Instead of hoping for low chum numbers, we should lobby to eliminate all gill netting from mixed stock waters.
Many groups have been trying this since the early 90s. Literally falls on deaf ears....nothing received back other than lip service.
I think you would have a better chance of Joe Biden not falling off his bicycle.
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Have you ever had ocean caught chum? Or those silver bullets that were once abundant in the Squamish river?
Yeah....an old friend of mine was as good as they get when it came to smoking fish. He had some chrome chum from the chuck and even did a fancy batch with some Grand Marnier.
I just can't get the flavor of chum. It doesn't resemble the other Pacific salmon at all.
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I think the only thing that was controversial about chum was the super enhancement of the early fall fish and put the main commercial harvest during the period IFS and IFC (and some other stocks) co-migrated upstream.
... and yeah we need to end the gill net fisheries but progress has been made though it needs to stop completely.
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I think the only thing that was controversial about chum was the super enhancement of the early fall fish and put the main commercial harvest during the period IFS and IFC (and some other stocks) co-migrated upstream.
... and yeah we need to end the gill net fisheries but progress has been made though it needs to stop completely.
all because no one liked gill netting in the cold months of November/early December. Incredibly poor decision making back then.
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Gillnetting is a relatively simple technique that allows a small group of individuals to earn income. In contrast, other fishing methods are more conducive to communal efforts.
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all because no one liked gill netting in the cold months of November/early December. Incredibly poor decision making back then.
from what I read, the Commercial fishermen were more concerned with the frequency of gales in the Salish sea and the offshore waters late in season & loss of life.
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opening in the ocean
ategory(s):RECREATIONAL - Salmon
Subject:FN1033-RECREATIONAL Salmon - Chum - Areas 11 to 20, 28, 111, 121 to 127 and Subareas 29-1 to 29-5, 29-8 - Opening - Effective October 5, 2024
Effective 00:01 hours October 5, 2024, until 23:59 hours March 31, 2025, the daily limit of Chum salmon is two (2) in the following waters:
Areas 11 to 21, 28, 111, 121 to 127, and Subareas 29-1 to 29-5 and 29-8.
Local fisheries management measures remain in place including finfish closures and rockfish conservation areas. Please check your local area regulations before fishing.
Variation Order: 2024-RFQ-407
NOTES AND REMINDERS:
Barbless hooks are required when fishing for salmon in tidal and non-tidal waters of British Columbia.
The term "marked", "hatchery marked", or "adipose fin clipped" means a fish that has a healed scar in place of the adipose fin.
All anglers must have a licence to fish in tidal waters in BC. Apply for your BC tidal waters recreational fishing licence and salmon conservation stamp at: https://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/rec/licence-permis/index-eng.html.
Anglers are advised to check: http://bcsportfishguide.ca for fishing closures and other recreational fishing information.
Rockfish Conservation Areas (RCAs) are currently in effect and are closed to all fin-fishing. Descriptions of RCAs and other closures such as finfish closed areas, salmon non-retention areas, and other recreational fishing information, can be found on the internet at:
https://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/rec/index-eng.html
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Oh no...... I've already had people telling me that chum is open. And I've had to correct them that it's marine waters only. I'm personally in the boat of keeping it closed even if the numbers are good.
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May be Region 2 will open next week. So many cohos and springs still going really strong on the Vedder, not sure if many people will take their 1 chum.
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See, healthy chum runs ARE important 😀
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=XH_U6Y3wj9Q
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So they opened it up, but not for lower mainland...
"FN1053-RECREATIONAL Salmon - Chum - Areas 11 to 20, 28, 111, 121 to 127 and Subareas 29-1 to 29-5, 29-8 - Opening - Effective October 12, 2024"
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test numbers for chum are looking excellent. the fact that it is not open is purely political at this point, as usual
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So they opened it up, but not for lower mainland...
"FN1053-RECREATIONAL Salmon - Chum - Areas 11 to 20, 28, 111, 121 to 127 and Subareas 29-1 to 29-5, 29-8 - Opening - Effective October 12, 2024"
This is an increase from the 2 chum per day to 4 chums per day. It was opened on October 4th for 2 chums per day.
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test numbers for chum are looking excellent.
I have not followed the numbers at all this year so was surprised to see how high they are so far. To date it's in the ballpark of the returns of the mid 2010's which I think were considered quite healthy?
edit:
"FN1053-RECREATIONAL Salmon - Chum - Areas 11 to 20, 28, 111, 121 to 127 and Subareas 29-1 to 29-5, 29-8 - Opening - Effective October 12, 2024"
Are areas 29-[1-5] expected to be majority Fraser bound? If so, it would seem illogical to not only open the tidal, but even increase the retention limits without eventually opening some sort of terminal fishery...
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The Stave Chums must be stacking up pretty nicely by now. Unfortunately the parking situation is difficult.
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Are areas 29-[1-5] expected to be majority Fraser bound? If so, it would seem illogical to not only open the tidal, but even increase the retention limits without eventually opening some sort of terminal fishery...
there will be no recreational opening in the Fraser itself due to the IFS conservation measures. The current opening exclude the immediate areas directly off the Fraser. I am also sure that other stakeholders which as well as FNs would also include community hatcheries may be reluctant to agree to recreational chum openings due to the abysmal returns of recents years.
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It's clear not many here remember real good numbers of chum on spawning beds. No need to open a rec fishery for them. Leave em be, and hopefully we will at some point see a repeat of those days.
It's very interesting to me, listening to everyone wanting more. There's more than enough hatchery raised coho and Chinook Togo around.
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Keep it closed, but allow c and r in freshwater.
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Looking at the Commercial chum salmon update for Oct 10th for the mid-Island it states that escapement targets have to be met at 75% before commercial openings would be considered.
https://notices.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fns-sap/index-eng.cfm?pg=view_notice&DOC_ID=309591&ID=all
quite a ways to go in those cases. It's a high bar and if applied for the FV there may not be in river openings.
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They have open mix stock troll and seine in JS
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They have open mix stock troll and seine in JS
when did it open? interesting to see the IFS return at Albion has been zero now since October 7 after a decent showing for September
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Holy... the number of people fishing for chum on both sides of the Stave River is nuts, I thought it was closed even for the REC sector/ catch and release till further notice? what the heck is going on?
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when did it open? interesting to see the IFS return at Albion has been zero now since October 7 after a decent showing for September
https://notices.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fns-sap/index-eng.cfm?pg=view_notice&DOC_ID=309659&ID=all
FN1064-COMMERCIAL - Salmon: Seine - Chum - Area B - Johnstone Strait - Areas 12 and 13 - Opening - October 21 and 22, 2024
"The Area B Johnstone Strait Chum fishery will be managed as a full fleet derby fishery. Subject to in-season assessment information, the fishery will open for 10 hours on October 21, 2024 and for 6 hours on October 22, 2024. The start of this fishery is planned to occur in a harmonized area encompassing the lower portion of Area 12 and the upper portion of Area 13 as described below on dates that respect the intent of the Interior Fraser Steelhead window closure for Areas 12 and 13."
https://notices.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fns-sap/index-eng.cfm?pg=view_notice&DOC_ID=309425&ID=all
"FN1044-COMMERCIAL - Salmon: Troll - Chum - Area H - Johnstone Strait - Area 12 and 13 - Opening - October 12, 2024
Area H Troll Johnstone Strait Chum harvest opportunities will be managed as an Individual Transferable Effort demonstration fishery subject to in-season assessment information. The total number of boat days available to the fleet is 180. Each licence will be assigned an allocation of nine (9) days of transferable effort. The Area H Troll fishery is expected to open on October 12 and remain open until October 31 or until the maximum 180 boat days has been fished, whichever comes first. The fishery will close for one day on the first day of the Area B Seine fishery scheduled for October 21, 2024 and will re-open on October 22, 2024. Area H vessel masters must follow the requirements of the conditions of licence to provide daily catch reports prior to 08:00 following each day fished as it will determine how long the fishery will remain open. If a vessel has filed a start fishing report and has not closed a fishing trip, it will be counted towards the total boat days and the fishery may close prior to achieving 180 boat days."
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Holy... the number of people fishing for chum on both sides of the Stave River is nuts, I thought it was closed even for the REC sector/ catch and release till further notice? what the heck is going on?
I believe most of them are aware that chum are non retention, but not the fact that its illegal to target them, and so as a result they were just catching them for fun.
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I believe most of them are aware that chum are non retention, but not the fact that its illegal to target them, and so as a result they were just catching them for fun.
Hmmm not surprised, something like this is going to cause issues cause there were a LOT of anglers targetting chum. Some maybe targetting coho but a majority you can see are hooking chum and pulling them in.
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Hmmm not surprised, something like this is going to cause issues cause there were a LOT of anglers targetting chum. Some maybe targetting coho but a majority you can see are hooking chum and pulling them in.
I was down at stave yesterday and everyone around me was hooking chum including me. I was not intentionally targeting chum, but they kept on hitting my jig. The stave is pretty much taken over by chum right now.
I dont understand why chum is closed to even catch and release though, its quite hard not catching them since they are quite eager to bite your setup.
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I was down at stave yesterday and everyone around me was hooking chum including me. I was not intentionally targeting chum, but they kept on hitting my jig. The stave is pretty much taken over by chum right now.
I dont understand why chum is closed to even catch and release though, its quite hard not catching them since they are quite eager to bite your setup.
Change your set up, and change location. If there are that many chum in the area you are fishing there will not be many coho.
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Are they still counting fish at Vedder Crossing? Should have a pretty accurate YTD assessment of the number of chums making it into the Vedder. Would be interesting to know. Seems like lots so far.
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I am not sure but they typically announce the inseason estimate for fraser chum around this time and that should eaither trigger openings or not.
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From 2020 it had this in FN1108,
Catch in the Chum net through October 13 totals 1,728 Chum Salmon. Combining this data with the historical information in a Bayesian non-linear regression model results in an expected terminal Fraser River Chum Salmon return of 1,082,000 Chum (median estimate), with a 50% migration date of October 22. The return is expected to be between 688,000 and 1,738,000 (80% probability), and it is very likely that the return will meet the escapement goal of 800,000.
We exceeded that this year by a few dozen fish, so it'll be interesting to see what they have to say this year.
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From 2020 it had this in FN1108,
Catch in the Chum net through October 13 totals 1,728 Chum Salmon. Combining this data with the historical information in a Bayesian non-linear regression model results in an expected terminal Fraser River Chum Salmon return of 1,082,000 Chum (median estimate), with a 50% migration date of October 22. The return is expected to be between 688,000 and 1,738,000 (80% probability), and it is very likely that the return will meet the escapement goal of 800,000.
We exceeded that this year by a few dozen fish, so it'll be interesting to see what they have to say this year.
If i could like and thumbs up this post i would
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I was down at stave yesterday and everyone around me was hooking chum including me. I was not intentionally targeting chum, but they kept on hitting my jig. The stave is pretty much taken over by chum right now.
I dont understand why chum is closed to even catch and release though, its quite hard not catching them since they are quite eager to bite your setup.
It’s closed because there is a conservation concern. They are being protected. Move spots. Sounds like DFO needs to pay the Stave river a visit.
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Interested to know why the big interest in the size of the chum return?
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Interested to know why the big interest in the size of the chum return?
Rumour has it that if the number exceeds a certain "number" that they will open a catch and release only fishery.
But with the way people are blatantly breaking the laws I expect some form of reprecussion from this, give them any excuse to close something (like last year they closed the crossing for a period of time due to people hooking to many Cultus Sockeye) and they will.
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Ya the stave is a known spot for chum harvesting I've had people send me photos of chum hidden in rocks with there bellies split open.
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Ya the stave is a known spot for chum harvesting I've had people send me photos of chum hidden in rocks with there bellies split open.
Report to the DFO.
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call RAPP:
(https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/environment/research-monitoring-and-reporting/reporting/rapp-smaller.png)
good for DFO and the Province
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It's been reported don't worry.
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From 2020 it had this in FN1108,
Catch in the Chum net through October 13 totals 1,728 Chum Salmon. Combining this data with the historical information in a Bayesian non-linear regression model results in an expected terminal Fraser River Chum Salmon return of 1,082,000 Chum (median estimate), with a 50% migration date of October 22. The return is expected to be between 688,000 and 1,738,000 (80% probability), and it is very likely that the return will meet the escapement goal of 800,000.
We exceeded that this year by a few dozen fish, so it'll be interesting to see what they have to say this year.
... according to this report (prepared in april 2022) the Fraser Chum return was below escapement 2017 to 2021:
Fraser River Chum Salmon spawning escapement failed to reach the escapement
goal 2017-2020.
Escapement assessments in 2021 are currently underway; terminal return will
likely be close to the lower end of in-season predicted return (~400,000) and will
likely be the 2nd lowest recorded escapement in over 20 years (with only 2019
escapement being lower).
pg 2
if so whatever the model quoted above said is means little. In the FV (other than the mainstem Fraser) chum were open for retention per FN0789
https://notices.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fns-sap/index-eng.cfm?pg=view_notice&DOC_ID=235674&ID=all
The IMFP for the current year states that the run size will be assessed mid-October. The minimum estimate for some recreational angling is still 800k plus.
The discussion of the Fishing plan or Fraser chum begins on pg 318; https://waves-vagues.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/library-bibliotheque/41248089.pdf
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... according to this report (prepared in april 2022) the Fraser Chum return was below escapement 2017 to 2021:
pg 2
if so whatever the model quoted above said is means little. In the FV (other than the mainstem Fraser) chum were open for retention per FN0789
https://notices.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fns-sap/index-eng.cfm?pg=view_notice&DOC_ID=235674&ID=all
The IMFP for the current year states that the run size will be assessed mid-October. The minimum estimate for some recreational angling is still 800k plus.
The discussion of the Fishing plan or Fraser chum begins on pg 318; https://waves-vagues.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/library-bibliotheque/41248089.pdf
Excellent post Ralph and good discussion
perhaps they will post something by friday afternoon
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FN1086-almon - Chum - Area 29 - Fraser River - October 18, 2024 Update.
The current run size estimate is sufficient to allow for recreational and commercial opportunities (including First Nations Economic Opportunities) in the Fraser River, subject to confirmation of the final run size estimate. Additional information on potential fishing opportunities will be provided via separate fishery notices.
The final planned in-season Fraser River Chum update will be provided in the week of Oct 21, 2024.
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FN1086-almon - Chum - Area 29 - Fraser River - October 18, 2024 Update.
The current run size estimate is sufficient to allow for recreational and commercial opportunities (including First Nations Economic Opportunities) in the Fraser River, subject to confirmation of the final run size estimate. Additional information on potential fishing opportunities will be provided via separate fishery notices.
The final planned in-season Fraser River Chum update will be provided in the week of Oct 21, 2024.
There goes whatever Thompson steelhead are migrating in the river and the North side rivers cohoes which is a later run scooped up in the nets. What a waste of a resource so chum roe can be sold to Japan.
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I don’t believe the commercial fishery can open till November
Given ongoing declines in IFR Steelhead escapement and the designation of the Thompson and
Chilcotin River Steelhead as Endangered by COSEWIC, DFO is continuing with a
comprehensive, precautionary approach to the management of all fisheries in Southern BC that
are likely to impact this stock of concern. Within the Fraser River (including sub-Areas 29-6, 29-
7, 29-9, and 29-10), a 42-day closure will apply to commercial gill net, purse seine, beach seine,
and shallow seine fisheries (including EO fisheries) and a 27-day closure will apply to
commercial troll fisheries. Further, a 42-day closure will apply to Fraser River recreational
fisheries and a 27-day closure will apply to Fraser River FSC fisheries. Areas and dates for the
window closure are identified in Appendix 9.
(21-Sep 1-Nov)
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Let’s hope so. I will LIKE this post.
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Let’s hope so. I will LIKE this post.
X2
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The lower Vedder seems to have many chums. We were targeting coho with spoons in canal and often accidentally caught a chum because there are so many of them. Will it be possible a hatchery based system like the Vedder be open to chum retention? Not that I like chum, it is just a curious question.
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Observed a good number of chum salmon showing today. landed 2, one a fresh run doe. There is a good number in Peach Creek as well.
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Chum salmon update FN1110: https://notices.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fns-sap/index-eng.cfm?pg=view_notice&DOC_ID=310285&ID=all
"Catch in the Chum net through October 21 totaled 3,684 Chum Salmon. Combining this data with the historical information on return size and timing in a Bayesian non-linear regression model resulted in an expected terminal Fraser River Chum Salmon return of 1,126,000 Chum (median estimate), with a 50% migration date of October 20. The return is expected to be between 628,000 and 2,121,000 (80% probability), and there is a 76% chance the run size will meet the escapement goal of 800,000.
The current run size estimate is sufficient to allow for recreational and commercial opportunities (including First Nations Economic Opportunities) in the Fraser River. Additional information on potential fishing opportunities will be provided via separate fishery notices.
A reminder that opportunities to harvest Chum Salmon for commercial, recreational, and First Nations Food, Social, and Ceremonial purposes in the Fraser River mainstem will be constrained by management objectives for Interior Fraser Steelhead, a population of concern presently co-migrating with Chum Salmon in the Fraser River. Moving window closures are in place for all salmon fisheries located along the migratory route of Thompson and Chilcotin River Steelhead, including Southern BC marine waters and the Fraser River and tributaries downstream of Thompson and Chilcotin River Steelhead spawning areas, as outlined in the 2024/2025 South Coast Salmon Integrated Fisheries Management Plan (IFMP). Harvest opportunities in all fisheries will be planned in line with these management measures.
While no additional in-season updates are planned at this time, we will continue to closely monitor Chum Salmon catch at the Albion test fishery over the coming days. Should new information indicate the need to update the current run size and timing estimate, additional updates will be provided."
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FWIW First Nations FOS fisheries with drift and set nets below Port Mann and in the Tsawwassen Treaty Waters began today.
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Opening on Nov 3.........don't understand why so late, it was opened up on Oct 22 in 2022, aren't we having a better return this year?
FN1117-Recreational - Salmon: - Chum - Region 2 Lower Mainland Non-tidal Fraser River Mainstem - Opening - November 3, 2024
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Recreational fisheries are included in the Steelhead 42 day closure.
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Opening on Nov 3.........don't understand why so late, it was opened up on Oct 22 in 2022, aren't we having a better return this year?
FN1117-Recreational - Salmon: - Chum - Region 2 Lower Mainland Non-tidal Fraser River Mainstem - Opening - November 3, 2024
FWIW First Nations FOS fisheries with drift and set nets below Port Mann and in the Tsawwassen Treaty Waters began today.
Makes no sense, but I suppose if there is a FOS fishery the rec guys need one too....................
I mean really, who's out targeting chum on the main stem fraser above Mission Bridge in November other than sturgeon fisherman?
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and then it's go time for those that like chum fishing in the Fraser Tribs
Category(s):
RECREATIONAL - Salmon
Fishery Notice - Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Subject: FN1119-RECREATIONAL - Salmon: - Chum - Region 2 Lower Mainland Tributary Systems - Opening - October 26, 2024
Further to FN1110, the in-season expected Fraser River Chum salmon run size estimate for the return to the Fraser River of 1,126,000 Chum is sufficient to allow for recreational fishing opportunities in some Region 2 tributaries as follows:
Effective October 26, 2024 to November 30, 2024, the daily limit for Chum salmon is two (2) in the following waters:
-Alouette River and tributaries, upstream of the 216th Street Bridge to a line between two fishing boundary signs at Allco park; and
downstream of the 216th Street Bridge to the confluence of the Pitt River.
-Chehalis River downstream of the logging bridge 2.4 km downstream of Chehalis Lake, including tributaries to that part.
-Chilliwack/Vedder River (including Sumas River) from a line between 2 fishing boundary signs on either side of the Chilliwack River 100 m downstream from the confluence of the Chilliwack River and Slesse Creek downstream including that portion of the Sumas River from the Barrow Town Pump Station downstream to fishing boundary signs near the confluence with the Fraser River
-Harrison River, from the outlet of Harrison Lake downstream to the Highway 7 Bridge; and
from the Highway 7 Bridge downstream to the confluence with the Fraser River.
-Nicomen (including Dewdney) Slough, from the Highway 7 bridge at Dewdney downstream to the Fraser River.
-Serpentine River downstream of 168th Street at Bothwell Park.
-Stave River, downstream of BC Hydro Dam to the CPR Railway Bridge, except you shall not fish for Salmon in that portion of the Stave River, known as the Ruskin Spawning Channel on the east bank of the BC Hydro park from the inlet near the dam, downstream to the boat ramp crossing.
Variation Orders in effect: 2024-RCT-429, 2024-RCT-016, 2024-RFQ-434, 2024-GMB-018.
NOTES AND REMINDERS:
Barbless hooks are required when fishing for salmon in tidal and non-tidal waters of British Columbia.
No fishing is allowed within 100 meters of any government facility operated for counting, passing or rearing fish.
It is illegal to willfully foul hook a salmon. If you accidentally foul hook a salmon in the ocean, it may be retained if the species is open to retention. If you accidentally foul hook a salmon in any lake or stream, including the tidal parts of coastal streams, it may not be retained and you must release it immediately with the least amount of harm as possible.
The term "marked", "hatchery marked", or "adipose fin clipped" means a fish that has a healed scar in place of the adipose fin.
All anglers must have a licence to fish in non-tidal waters in BC. Apply for your BC non-tidal waters recreational fishing licence and non-tidal salmon surcharge at: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/sports-culture/recreation/fishing-hunting/fishing/recreational-freshwater-fishing-licence
Anglers are advised to check at: http://bcsportfishguide.ca and https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/sports-culture/recreation/fishing-hunting/fishing/fishing-regulations for fishing closures and other recreational fishing regulations and information.
Fishers are encouraged to participate in the Salmon Sport Head Recovery program by labelling and submitting heads from hatchery marked Chinook and Coho Salmon to head depots. The head-off measurement can be used by enforcement officers to assess compliance on size limits if you remove the head from Chinook or Coho. Recovery of microscopic coded-wire tags found inside hatchery marked Chinook and Coho heads provide critical information for coast-wide Salmon stock assessment programs. Contact the Salmon Sport Head Recovery Program toll free at 1-866-483-9994 for further information.
Report suspicious activity or violations by email at DFO.ORR-ONS.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca or by calling the 24-hour, toll-free Observe, Record, and Report line at 1-800-465-4336 or 604-607-4186 in greater Vancouver.
The 24-hour, toll-free information line for fishery notices regarding openings and closures is 1-866-431-3474 or 604-666-2828 in greater Vancouver.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Please contact the nearest Fisheries and Oceans Canada office or visit our website at http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca
Fisheries and Oceans Canada Operations Center - FN1119
Sent October 24, 2024 at 12:14
Visit us on the Web at http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca
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2 chums allowed for the Vedder? It has always been 1 when it was open in the past.
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They also opened the Squamish main stem (not tributaries) for Chum catch & release. That's great news and something I thought I'd never see again in my lifetime. Wonder if they will ever consider opening retention for pinks or chums ever in that system again (at least in the main river)
https://notices.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fns-sap/index-eng.cfm?pg=view_notice&DOC_ID=310341&ID=all
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Mid Vancouver Island Chum Update (Areas 14 to 19)
AREA ESCAPEMENT AND UPDATES:
Area 14
Escapement estimates to date are as follows:
Oyster River, October 18 - 1500 Chum
Little River, October 24 - 46 Chum
Wilfred Creek, October 6 - 8647 Chum
Rosewall Creek, October 23 - 3997 Chum
Englishman River, October 30 - 551 Chum
Puntledge River, October 23 - 30000 Chum - Target Escapement 60,000.
Big Qualicum River, October 30 - 28828 Chum - Target Escapement 85,000.
Little Qualicum River, October 16 - 205 Chum - Target Escapement 85,000.
Due to low pre-season forecast levels of abundance, in-river escapement targets would need to be almost achieved (70% of Puntledge, 75% of Little Qualicum and of Big Qualicum) before full-fleet commercial fishing opportunities would be considered.
The Area D gill net assessment fishery is planned to occur at the beginning of next week to collect in-season run size information for mid-Vancouver Island Chum, unless the escapement target to trigger full fleet opportunities is met by Nov 1.
Areas 15 and 16
Escapement estimates and observations to date are as follows:
Theodosia River, October 23 - 52012 Chum
Sliammon Creek, October 28 - 9083 Chum - Target Escapement 11,000.
Lang Creek, October 28 - 8459 Chum
Anderson Creek, October 22 - 982 Chum
Sechelt Creek, October 16 - 0 Chum
Myers Creek, October 23 - 289 Chum
Chapman Creek, October 18 - 60 Chum
Angus Creek, October 29 - 158 Chum
Okeover Creek, October 22 - 877 Chum
Snake Bay Creek, October 22 - 74 Chum
Burnett Creek, October 29 - 38 Chum
Carlson Creek, October 22 - 5 Chum
Chaster Creek, October 23 - 63 Chum
Wilson Creek, October 29 - 64 Chum
Roberts Creek, October 27 - 556 Chum
Hutchinson Creek, October 24 - 45 Chum
Ouillett Creek, October 24 - 31 Chum
Brittain River, October 25 - 360 Chum
Deserted River, October 25 - 19363 Chum
Skwawka River, October 25 - 27371 Chum
Tzoonie River, October 25 - 6644 Chum
Vancouver River, October 25 - 588 Chum
The target escapement for the Jervis/Narrows aggregate (Skwakwa River, Tzoonie River, Brittain River, Deserted River and Vancouver River) is 85,000.
Commercial fishing opportunities are not expected in 2024 due to low pre-season forecast levels of abundance.
Areas 17, 18, and 19
Escapement estimates to date are as follows:
Nanaimo River, October 27 - 30639 Chum - Target Escapement 40,000.
Cowichan River, October 29 - 143613 Chum fence count - Target Escapement 160,000.
Goldstream River, October 30 - 3956 Chum - Target Escapement 15,000.
Sooke River, October 29 - 11271 Chum
Chase River, October 23 - 411 Chum
ARIS counters will be installed and operational on the Nanaimo and Cowichan Rivers and bi-weekly stream surveys will be conducted on the Goldstream River this upcoming season.
Demonstration fishery triggers in Areas 17-19 are a combination of the escapement estimate and run timing. At this time benchmarks have been reached in Areas 17 and 18 only.
The 24 hour toll-free phone-in line for fisheries notices is 1-866-431-3474.
The next Mid Vancouver Island Chum Update will be provided late next week.
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They also opened the Squamish main stem (not tributaries) for Chum catch & release. That's great news and something I thought I'd never see again in my lifetime. Wonder if they will ever consider opening retention for pinks or chums ever in that system again (at least in the main river)
https://notices.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fns-sap/index-eng.cfm?pg=view_notice&DOC_ID=310341&ID=all
Was up there last weekend . Got into 3 chum all day . Not much around . Nice big chromers though . Brook off 2 near the shore . I thought I had a big coho but ended up landing a clean chum on 8 lb. floral . The Chek and Mam were void of anything , mind you the water was quite colored up .