Why does this not read "The method of bottom bouncing for salmon on the Fraser River is closed and illegal until further notice"? We wouldn't be having this discussion. Okay I have been advised to avoid using this fishing method. Okay I take your advisement or "recommendation" and choose to fish the most productive and legal way of fishing on the Fraser that I know of right now and that is bottom bouncing.
fishyfish, I'm not sure how much clearer they can make it:
The first principle of selective fishing is to avoid catching non-targeted
stocks. This means that anglers should use methods that do not catch sockeye.
The following fishing methods enable anglers to catch chinook and chum salmon
and avoid sockeye salmon interceptions:
Bar Fishing
Trolling Spoons at Creek mouths
Float Fishing
Pulling Plugs
Fly FishingThe fact that "there are no recreational fishing opportunities for sockeye in Region 2," and that "avoiding sockeye" is recommended suggests that there is
no fishing for this species (including CnR). In other words: bottom bouncing
is currently closed on the Fraser (*my interpretation).
I'm sure you are free to ignore these requests, and probably won't get a ticket for bb'ing if DFO comes around to check licences. However, if you believe what others have said, then you -- along with others that do so -- are threatening the future of this fishery, and possibly others, by continuing to bb for chinook while a "low run" of sockeye are passing through. One fish today, no more next year.
Until you give all of the above fishing methods an honest try, it would be best if you left the betties at home.
Myself, I'll be fishing for chi's tomorrow; using a float. Even if it's just as productive as the four hours I spent hucking betties without a spring to show for it I reckon I'll drag out fewer belly-hooked sox while I'm at it and experience fewer piercings of my waders by guys that can't handle their 15 foot leaders properly, so will probably have a better time as a result. I've never tried this method of fishing for springs, but have heard good things.