Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Dave]

Lew Chater and I were in the upper Chilliwack this morning, first looking for dumped garbage to be “harvested” on the April 14th CVRCS cleanup and second, looking for spawning steelhead in Centennial Channel.
We were pleasantly surprised by the lack of big garbage dumps but as usual there are areas that need attention that will be addressed on the 14th, but overall, the riparian area looks pretty good.   
We were however surprised at the number of anglers fishing the upper river at this time of the season for staging, near spawning fish
The upper river and especially Centennial Channel are extremely low and at least two areas have windfalled trees and beaver cuttings that would block upstream migration of steelhead.  Although we knew we were early, a start date for these enumerations is necessary and is something a few of us enjoy doing … we saw no fish or redds and reported our findings to staff at the Chilliwack River Hatchery who agreed to increase water flows to this vital spawning/rearing area if snowmelt and higher water is further delayed.
This thread will be continued, hopefully on a weekly basis.

[Dennis.t]

Were they fishing legally?

[Dave]

Gwyn, Chris and I did our second check of Centennial Channel this morning with better results than last week. We observed only 2 fish but they were a spawning pair, the female redd building and the male chasing off a small trout.  Conditions in the channel were much better as Chilliwack R hatchery staff had increased flow, making last weeks obstructions now passable. 
Alder buds are just starting and still no fry showing yet in this colder upper watershed, where the lower river is loaded. 

[chris gadsden]

Thanks for the invitation to take part, it was as well a lovely walk during a Spring morning, we certainly are lucky to live so close to a beauiful watershed.

[Dave]

I did the third walk of Centennial Channel this morning, counting 7 steelhead.  2 pairs were actively spawning while the other 3 appeared to be just hanging out.   Viewing conditions were poor (heavy rain) so no doubt I missed a few.   6 redds were also observed.  Water conditions were perfect in this off channel gem, while the mainstem Chilliwack, just opposite, was roaring.

[Dave]

The three old retired geezers, Buck, KP and I walked Centennial Channel this morning and counted 9 steelhead.  Expectations were for a higher count and we were also disappointed in the low number of redds and the lack of gravel movement.  But, it's still early and we're hopeful that fish will soon arrive in numbers.  Again, no coho fry were seen, another indicator that this is a later than normal season for fish related activities.
We also had a look at the gravel pad at the outlet of Chiiliwack Lake - here we were able to identify 14 steelhead but conditions for observations were poor and in reality there could have been twice that amount.  I wanted to report "an estimated 20 fish" but KP, always the consumate professional (and way bigger than me) said no, you only count what you see!  So, 14 it is

Sometime this winter there must have been a hell of a wind storm in that area judging by the blowdowns at the lake.
More next week.

[silver ghost]

on average how many fish do you count per season?

[Dave]

on average how many fish do you count per season?

We normally do these counts on a weekly basis the same time and place each year.  Counts typically peak towards the end of May, with the highest live count observed being 41 late last May.  I believe these fish spend minimum time in the channel spawning and although I can't prove it, indications are we see mainly different fish each trip. 
Obviously these enumerations are just a snap shot of the total spawning population but over a few years they do provide some information, especially spawner condition and timing, channel obstructions and predation.  Over the years I have only seen one otter killed steelhead and so far no evidence of poaching

[Dave]

Buck, KP, Gwyn and I had an enjoyable day squiring provincial biologists Mike and Kenji around on our weekly steelhead count.  We started at Centennial Channel where once again we locals were disappointed in a count of only 7 steelhead and 1 trout. One fish was in pretty rough shape, another nearly as beat up.  Lots of gravel had been moved and more redds were observed than last week, giving weight to our theory the fish are not in this channel for long.  Next stop was the outlet of Chilliwack Lake, where after much discussion we decided we had seen 30 different steelhead.  For many reasons this spawning area is difficult to count but it is certainly well utilized by steelhead.
Heading back, Angel Wing Channel, another gorgeous piece of off channel habitat, was checked and 7 more seen.  Topping it off, we also saw 6 off the last bridge near the Foley Lake/bench road turnoff, one of the few areas of decent quality spawning gravel easily accessible on the upper main stem.   At least one more trip, maybe two.

[Dennis.t]

Interesting! Thanks for sharing!

[Dave]

Mr and Mrs KP and I did our weekly steelhead count this morning. We started at the outlet of Chilliwack Lake and counted 31 but again, there could easily be twice that many present as it is a difficult site to cover.  Were they the same fish as last week? … wish we knew!  Next stop was the disappointing Centennial Channel where a dismal 4 fish were observed.  We find this strange as the inlet to this channel, which, imo has in years past been a limiting factor for spawner abundance, is as good as we have seen it.  Migrating fish would have no difficulty finding and accessing this waterway.  Of note, 2 of the fish seen could have been large trout or small (5-6 lb) steelhead.  No fish were seen in Angel Wing channel, and 3 were seen holding below the bridge described in the last report.
Perhaps one more count next week and KP is already designing a more elaborate and labor intensive monitoring program for next season.

[Dave]

Buck, Ron V from the Chilliwack R Hatchery, and I did our weekly, and probably last, steelhead count today, starting at Centennial Channel.  7 fish were seen, definitely different fish from last week as a few were real slabs.  As well, there appeared to be more gravel movement (redds).  The water level was higher which we thought may be the reason for increased numbers over last week.  Water is adjustable for this channel so increasing flows may be an option in future years to get more spawners on this quality gravel.  For anyone travelling up this way, the gate on the road to Centennial is again locked.
Next up and last was the outlet of Chilliwack Lake where 8 fish were seen. 
I continually rave about the spawning and rearing potential of Centennial Channel and will continue but this year I realized just how important the man-made gravel pads at the outlet of Chilliwack Lake are to the steelhead in this system.   Kudos to
MOE’s Bruce Usher and Rheal Finnegan, who years ago were responsible for this work.
I believe the limiting factor for increasing production of wild fish in the upper Chilliwack is the lack of gravel but that issue may be addressed soon as a portion of the gravel taken from the lower river for flood control has been earmarked for reintroduction into the upper river. 
Combine an almost pristine, closed to angling area, quality spawning gravel, good rearing habitat, and added nutrients and you have, I think, a recipe for future wild steelhead and coho

[firebird]

And throw in that magic ingredient Dave, good ocean conditions both near-shore and off-shore, and we'll have wild fish runs so thick you'll be able to walk across them in the upper Chilliwack  

[Dave]

So true firebird, without favourable ocean conditions good freshwater habitat is pretty much useless for anadromous fish.

[Jack Straw]

Thx Dave, great updates from the steelheads annual spawn...hope a few more show up yet

Any large char in your enumeration adventures Dave? A few monsters have been witnessed in the lower as well as a fine spring or two.