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Author Topic: Stave River water level  (Read 2398 times)

Blood_Orange

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Stave River water level
« on: March 14, 2022, 05:29:16 PM »

Anyone been past the Stave in the last 24 hours? Planning on heading out there for a couple hours tomorrow but want to check that the water's not super high yet. Last year around this time the water was up 6 or 7 feet above normal range and the bridge over the spawning channel was underwater. Went looking through my old photos to find the date but couldn't find the photos. Thanks!
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Blood_Orange

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Re: Stave River water level
« Reply #1 on: March 14, 2022, 06:02:37 PM »

So I kept looking through my Google photo drive... good lord, I'd forgotten about these photos. Not BC Hydro's finest moment, to put it politely. Taken on March 21, 2019 in the marsh. Curious to see what next year's salmon returns look like :-X







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canucksfan233

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Re: Stave River water level
« Reply #2 on: March 14, 2022, 08:12:48 PM »

I went last week of Feb. and it was super low just in general.
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Blood_Orange

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Re: Stave River water level
« Reply #3 on: March 14, 2022, 11:09:13 PM »

Found the photo I was thinking of but it was taken on July 24, 2020. I think COVID's really messed with my ability to gauge the passing of time. The last two years feels like a really long three months :o

I'm pretty sure it floods like this around freshet time some years when the water from the dam can't escape into the Fraser, especially during high tides. I'll see how it looks tomorrow and hopefully it's fine :D

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clarki

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Re: Stave River water level
« Reply #4 on: March 15, 2022, 10:10:01 AM »

Found the photo I was thinking of but it was taken on July 24, 2020. I think COVID's really messed with my ability to gauge the passing of time. The last two years feels like a really long three months :o
I'm pretty sure it floods like this around freshet time some years when the water from the dam can't escape into the Fraser, especially during high tides. I'll see how it looks tomorrow and hopefully it's fine :D
Yeah, I didn't want to call BS on your first post but I had no recollection of water being that high in March two years ago. :)

2020 freshet was a little unusual. 20 year flows if I recall correctly. Some heavy rain upcountry in early July really added to the flows and the flood risk. I recall the Fraser being high well into August, which is unusual.

Let us know if you see any cutthroat slashing at fry!           
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RalphH

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Re: Stave River water level
« Reply #5 on: March 15, 2022, 11:57:39 AM »

pink fry are out in the Fraser back waters chilliwack area and above.
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Blood_Orange

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Re: Stave River water level
« Reply #6 on: March 15, 2022, 05:35:53 PM »

Went out today between 10:30 and 1:30. The Fraser and Coquitlam rivers were both very high due to the tides and I wasn't too optimistic about the Stave. It wound up being 12-18 inches below normal levels. The marsh had more water in it than this time in 2019 but a fish that entered at the bottom of the marsh wouldn't be able to make it up to the spawning channel due to exposed gravel bars blocking the way. Water was cloudy in the marsh, with very little flow. Saw a single fry swimming around below the boat launch.

Water in the main river was clear as ever. No fish action of any kind. It was one of those days where, ten minutes in, you're sure you're going to get skunked. Might be another few weeks before things wake up in there. Found a bunch of river treasure thanks to the low water, waders, and a trekking pole to fish out the lures. Got two decent spoons... one is Gibbs Koho, anyone know what the other one is? It's super thick. Three usable jig heads. Total of 8 hooks: 5 crimped, 1 semi-crimped, 2 barbed. Better % of crimped than usual in the Stave. As always, just good to get out 8)



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Blood_Orange

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Re: Stave River water level
« Reply #7 on: March 15, 2022, 05:36:43 PM »

Yeah, I didn't want to call BS on your first post but I had no recollection of water being that high in March two years ago. :)     

I've come to the realization that I'm adrift in time and space ::)
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Fish Assassin

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Re: Stave River water level
« Reply #8 on: March 15, 2022, 07:56:09 PM »

Other spoon looks to be a Gibbs Candlefish. Don't make them anymore.
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coastangler

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Re: Stave River water level
« Reply #9 on: March 19, 2022, 12:45:48 PM »

Thanks for sharing, Blood_Orange, and also for cleaning up the river. I always come back from the Stave with my pockets full. One trick I like to use to avoid getting my sleeves wet is to use the magnet from the landing net to grab the tackle I see stuck between the rocks. I believe there are custom made fishing rods with a magnet in the butt section for this purpose.
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Blood_Orange

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Re: Stave River water level
« Reply #10 on: March 19, 2022, 07:22:02 PM »

I believe there are custom made fishing rods with a magnet in the butt section for this purpose.

Great idea! I usually bring a collapsable hiking pole and clip it on my wading belt. Helps with walking on loose logs, sketchy river crossings, getting my line unstuck when I catch the bottom, and pulling out river treasure. I'll look at the pole and see if I can figure out a sneaky place to install a magnet. Amazing idea, thanks!
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Novabonker

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Re: Stave River water level
« Reply #11 on: March 22, 2022, 03:09:15 PM »

I've come to the realization that I'm adrift in time and space ::)

Looks like no barbs on the hooks.
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