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[Rieber]

6-hours of bouncing with two of us in the boat and nothing to so for. We seen a 6' sturgeon surface a few times then just before noon a guide wheels in right on top of where the sturgeon was and within two minutes they've got him hooked up. Seen it come out of the water a few times on them. Pretty neat to see from a distance. This was obviously a well know sturgeon route because that guide wasn't around top see the fish jump be he zoomed right on top of it when they came in. Didn't see any other hook-ups/chases from anyone else.
Pretty disapointed to see they put a gate and concrete dividers/curb up to discourage people from using the old orchard launch. The way the planted the gate post people will be backing into them garaunteed. Later I drove over to Derouche launch without the boat and I see they posted as gate there as well. This is going to be a piss-off when these gates start getting closed.

[The_Roe_Man]

Is the old orchard launch the one by the cattle auction place  down a ways from grassy and bowmans bar.

[chris gadsden]

Rieber, I know the gate is a bit narrow however it took some cooperation between some fishers, the City of Chilliwack and the RCMP to keep it open. The work was done late last fall when it was closed completely. The agreement was to have it open May 1st through the fishing season which did happen.

I hate to say the word fortunate to have it open at all but it was because of major complaints of residents in the area due to the noise level of ATV, motorcyclesc etc that used the area this residents wanted it closed altogether. As well some careless users left major garbage behind and ripped through the reparian zone, and even through the water with no consideration to others or the environment.

Some may say that does no harm but there is polluction from leaking oil and killing of fry of all species by these actions. For example is was observed by the creel surveyor at Peg Leg last year as vehicles that drove across the water to the gravel bar killed salmon fry, the surveyor saw several dozen laying there after vehicles crossed. Of course others got stuck and chewed up eggs that may have been there. The eggs may not be salmon but there is lots of other fish life that spawn in these area's. Actually we should not be driving across any water in a river at all.

The other complaint came from the RCMP as it was a major party site and several stolen vehicles were torched there.

It is too bad that the actions of a few spoil it for the majority of responsible users but until people use more common sense keeping access points open will be more difficult.

As a final point we do need a proper launching area around Old Orchard and we talk about it with the City but funding along with getting a area with ample parking is always a problem. As well there is always so many issues to tackle all the time we only have so much time and energy. Suggestions for a solution from others to what we have presently here will be welcome.

[chris gadsden]

Is the old orchard launch the one by the cattle auction place  down a ways from grassy and bowmans bar.

Yes

[Rieber]

Chris,

Those are all perfectly good reasons for having a gate placed. Unfortunately the fisherman suffers. Me and my buddy run 16' prop boats so we stop using orchard launch at the begining of August due to low water/high gravel bar conditions. Jets and 12' boats still make it through. That's the same time the dirt bikes and campers also come out.

I sure wish there was a well built, wide, deeper water boat launch similar to Island 22 but that was open early 4:00am 'ish with security partol and ample controlled parking. I know I would certainly pay to use such a facility.  Ideally for me somewhere between Abbotsford and Chilliwack.