Well back after watching the Leafs continuing
rolling, rolling, rolling right along 
with a 4-2 win over Tampa Bay. It was nice to have the third period on tape as I could watch the Leaf goals a few times.
No need for that beer but I imagine Fish Assassin is crying in his.
I better check Sports Chat but I imagine the other boys are quiet this morning after the Canucks lost two nights ago. As I thought, no posts from them.
I arrive at the Chehalis around 7:30 and decide to park in the Hatchery parking lot, mainly for security reasons but I also wanted to see a fellow I know who is now working there. Also I was curious to see what the newly dug channel, to let some water down to-wards the hatchery area now looks.
I get ready for a few hours of fishing, packing my lunch in a backpack, along with the rest of my gear. I have seen a few other anglers using a backpack and I find it more comfortable than my fishing vest,although locating things is not as convenient at times. A good tip, I find if you are fishing an area and not moving around too far from the spot take your vest or backback off, more comfortable and easy on our aging backs.
I see Jim drive in, I slip into the office and we have a nice visit discussing a few fishing issues including all the sweeping etc. going on these days. He is concerned as I am and I fill him in on the movement now going on including some meetings to try and improve fishing ethics by education, regulation changes, enforcement and gear changes if necessary. Jim says Coho returns are not up to par on the Chehalis similar to the Vedder, hopefully this could change as the Chehalis fish come in later than the Chilliwack system.
As it is work time for him and fishing time for me we part, I hike out to-wards the outlet of the intake channel, no one fishing there which is unusual but the dropping water does not offer much of an area to fish, in my mind anyway. I notice oodles of chum in the channel, no coho but as the Master told me several times, most of the coho head into the canyon area, stage there, developing their reproductive organs before dropping back down river, to then entry the hatchery or spawn in the lower river's prime spawning area.
The channel has been dug all the way down from the Easter Seal to the outlet channel, the walking is easy for most of the way. The newly dug channel has created a new home for the spawning chum who are busy at work, procreating for the future run of their species.
I reach the Easter Seal after cutting through part of the bush at the top end of the channel, a park like setting, some trees are turning into their dress of golden, aided by the last few days of frost. 3 or 4 anglers fishing, 3 others gabbing on the bar,sipping coffee or some other other beverage from silver thermos'. The like the surrounding forest are feeling the effect our the current mornings cold spell. They, like most of us are most likely taking about the lack of coho, the topic of the day these days it seems. A mystery to many what has happened to them, Province wide. Is it ocean survival, lack of feed in the sea, over harvest in the big pond, warmer fresh water conditions cause by warmer temperatures and lower snowpacks. Some say hatchery cutbacks because of government decreases in funding the program is the main cause or as one forum member said recently we seem bend in destroying so many of our prime rearing areas, small creeks in the name of progress. However why are the chum in this river doing so well, maybe they spend no time here after hatching as they head to the ocean estuary areas soon after emerging from the gravel beds. Looking at them maybe they are harder fish as well.
On talking to one fellow who is flogging the still perfect river conditions he tells me he had not personally seen a coho taken this morning, nearly 3 hours in the fishing day. I have never seen the Seal so vacant of anglers, it is like a ghost town. I do not hold up much hope even though as I said conditions were "A 1", down maybe 6 inches from the previous night. I cast half heartily for maybe 30 minutes before moving on, leaving the 3 remaining anglers to try and break the mornings coho less day.
I move up to where The Master and I fished Sunday evening where I did break off a small coho,here once again trying to break my coho less streak.
I settle in quickly, begin casting some perfect roe that The Master had left to me, most likely feeling sorry for me but hey he has not got any either in the Vedder or the Chehalis. I donot know anyone that makes bait like the Master does. Saying he has not taken any either is not completely true as he had taken some very nice coho on the fly, in Harrison before the rains moved them out. He was guiding a chap from Scotland and boy did they get some tanks by the look of the pictures he sent me, fairly good numbers of them too. Nick told me they had to work very hard to get them. More patience than this angler has.
I am into chum right away very colored ones, I lose track of how many maybe 3 or 4, all buck toothed saber looking fish, strong fighters but I am looking for a coho. I take a break, snack on the goodies from the pack and tie on a blade that The Master gave me but it does not intice a coho or even a chum, back to roe.
Once again float down, another chum I think but no, a small fish is airborne, a small jack coho. I bring it to-wards me, looking for a missing adipose fin as no fresh fish in the pan for a while, 3 weeks is it?
As it comes in close, it flips again and bides me adieu as the hook flys out, darn no fresh fish.
Talking about says goodbye I have to do that too as my eyes are becoming heavy, even with the feeling of jubilation of the Leaf win last night. I will leave the computer now as I did the Chehalis shortly after losing that coho jack. I will be continuing The Journal's journey, as I headed to Dewdney along with more adventure on the way.
I may finish it before I head for a goose hunt in about 5 hours and more outdoor adventure, good night now that is if if there is anyone still on the forum at this ungodly hour.
Hi Nina but I guess it is morning with you now.
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Topic: Three Rivers, 3 Days Of The Journal (Read 8782 times)