Thanks Dave that's good info. Recently watched a video of coho at the head of Chilliwack Lake taken by a local diver:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ltm4quR_0IA

Also is the demise of the late run coho understood to any extent? To go back to WMY's comment that the hatchery  stock "was created by interbreeding these three groups.", that's one of the sins hatchery management is said to commit; not respecting the diversity that nature produced. Has the late run been mix stocked out of existence?  While the mainstem of the lower river doesn't seem to provide good spawning strata for any species, there has been work on side channels and small tributaries. Has this been insufficient? It's a shame to see this stock disappear.

Awesome video, love seeing all the wild fish.  I did see two clipped coho

Like ff suggests, keep flies in the smaller range: 12’s and 14’s are perfect. I’ve fished larger nymphs tied in a size 8 for cutthroat and they were too big for the whitefish.

In my experience, whitefish aren’t fussy and will pick up anything that looks buggy and edible.

I tie a little pattern that uses Coq de Leon (or sometimes pheasant) for the tail, dubbing and wire rib for the body, and a few wraps of CDC for a hackle. A simple little representative pattern that looks like nothing, and everything. 

Sorry OB, I’m feeling helpful tonight

Think about it for a while and what would be the food source that draws them in?

Instead of asking for instant gratification put in some work and try to figure it out and reward yourself with the effort.

Size 12/14 Copper Johns, stone fly nymphs have always produced for me. Be gentle with them as they have a fragile mouth.

Here is the GoFundMe page for Brad:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-the-werbowski-family-as-they-search-for-bradly

Hello everyone,
I would like to try fly fishing for mountain whitefish in the stave during the winter, what flies work best for them?
Thanks in advance

Thanks Dave that's good info. Recently watched a video of coho at the head of Chilliwack Lake taken by a local diver:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ltm4quR_0IA

Also is the demise of the late run coho understood to any extent? To go back to WMY's comment that the hatchery  stock "was created by interbreeding these three groups.", that's one of the sins hatchery management is said to commit; not respecting the diversity that nature produced. Has the late run been mix stocked out of existence?  While the mainstem of the lower river doesn't seem to provide good spawning strata for any species, there has been work on side channels and small tributaries. Has this been insufficient? It's a shame to see this stock disappear.

I think it’s a bit of all you stated. Most of the original back channels and streams that were used by the late run coho were augmented with ground water, with water temperatures that were fairly consistent. Much of this groundwater has been recently “harnessed” by the habitat work on off channels but the numbers of spawners, at least recently, have been dismal.  As Chris mentioned, way back when at least one of these populations was enhanced but now I believe all that I’d done is to release fed fry into these streams .. their origin being the mixed stock mentioned.

The article says he was with a friend. What happened to the friend? Did they get separated or somethin?
Sorry to family I hope they find some answers. this is my wife’s biggest fear.

Brad went up into the Canyon and his friend did not want to go into the canyon. They agreed to meet up at Brads truck at the end of the day. Brad never returned to his truck unfortunately that evening. His friend notified the authorities. Still no sign of him. SAR has been searching on foot and with a chopper. The native band has been searching the reserve side of the river. The native band have been very supportive throughout this ordeal. The family is devastated. Brad was married with two young children.

Man I used to scramble all over that canyon when I was much younger. Often alone. Count my lucky stars I guess. Terrible tragedy. My condolences to friends and family.

You are correct, the run timing diversity is nearly gone. Historically, early run coho spawned in the upper river and tributaries of Chilliwack Lake. That group is still doing relatively well but the later run fish that spawned in December and January in off channels in the lower river are now nearly extinct.

Thanks Dave that's good info. Recently watched a video of coho at the head of Chilliwack Lake taken by a local diver:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ltm4quR_0IA

Also is the demise of the late run coho understood to any extent? To go back to WMY's comment that the hatchery  stock "was created by interbreeding these three groups.", that's one of the sins hatchery management is said to commit; not respecting the diversity that nature produced. Has the late run been mix stocked out of existence?  While the mainstem of the lower river doesn't seem to provide good spawning strata for any species, there has been work on side channels and small tributaries. Has this been insufficient? It's a shame to see this stock disappear.