Print

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

[chris gadsden]

Any hatch cohos by any chance? I've been getting into a bunch of ho's recently but almost every single one has been wild, all below crossing.

There is still some but the coho season is over now on the Vedder River so you would have to work hard to find one especially in the Lower river. As well the river is up a foot from a few days ago and heavy rain overnight and now so I would guess it will be quite colored.

[wildmanyeah]

It is my understanding that the wild coho population consists of three distinct return groups—early, mid, and late—along the Chilliwack River. The hatchery population was created by interbreeding these three groups. Therefore, it is not unexpected that there are frequent assertions of only encountering wild fish at the beginning and end of the season.

[Dave]

It is my understanding that the wild coho population consists of three distinct return groups—early, mid, and late—along the Chilliwack River. The hatchery population was created by interbreeding these three groups. Therefore, it is not unexpected that there are frequent assertions of only encountering wild fish at the beginning and end of the season.

You are correct, the run timing diversity is nearly gone. Historically, early run coho spawned in the upper river and tributaries of Chilliwack Lake. That group is still doing relatively well but the later run fish that spawned in December and January in off channels in the lower river are now nearly extinct.

[chris gadsden]

You are correct, the run timing diversity is nearly gone. Historically, early run coho spawned in the upper river and tributaries of Chilliwack Lake. That group is still doing relatively well but the later run fish that spawned in December and January in off channels in the lower river are now nearly extinct.

Years ago, 1980's we had good fishing in December in the Lower river for Salwein Creek fish but there was enhancment of this run of fish at that time by the Chilliwack River Hatchery. Not done now. I remember catching a bright coho salmon in January in the Canal section of the river when fishing for steelhead.

[canucksfan233]

It's just last year I did really well in November for hatch ho's but not this year, so was curious to hear what you were seeing.

[Darko]

It's just last year I did really well in November for hatch ho's but not this year, so was curious to hear what you were seeing.

2/14 of my last two trips were hatchery, last two weekends

[Rodney]

Filmed on Nov 1st: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QY6roQwR7yc

[RalphH]

You are correct, the run timing diversity is nearly gone. Historically, early run coho spawned in the upper river and tributaries of Chilliwack Lake. That group is still doing relatively well but the later run fish that spawned in December and January in off channels in the lower river are now nearly extinct.

Thanks Dave that's good info. Recently watched a video of coho at the head of Chilliwack Lake taken by a local diver:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ltm4quR_0IA

Also is the demise of the late run coho understood to any extent? To go back to WMY's comment that the hatchery  stock "was created by interbreeding these three groups.", that's one of the sins hatchery management is said to commit; not respecting the diversity that nature produced. Has the late run been mix stocked out of existence?  While the mainstem of the lower river doesn't seem to provide good spawning strata for any species, there has been work on side channels and small tributaries. Has this been insufficient? It's a shame to see this stock disappear.

[Dave]

Thanks Dave that's good info. Recently watched a video of coho at the head of Chilliwack Lake taken by a local diver:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ltm4quR_0IA

Also is the demise of the late run coho understood to any extent? To go back to WMY's comment that the hatchery  stock "was created by interbreeding these three groups.", that's one of the sins hatchery management is said to commit; not respecting the diversity that nature produced. Has the late run been mix stocked out of existence?  While the mainstem of the lower river doesn't seem to provide good spawning strata for any species, there has been work on side channels and small tributaries. Has this been insufficient? It's a shame to see this stock disappear.

I think it’s a bit of all you stated. Most of the original back channels and streams that were used by the late run coho were augmented with ground water, with water temperatures that were fairly consistent. Much of this groundwater has been recently “harnessed” by the habitat work on off channels but the numbers of spawners, at least recently, have been dismal.  As Chris mentioned, way back when at least one of these populations was enhanced but now I believe all that I’d done is to release fed fry into these streams .. their origin being the mixed stock mentioned.

[Old Blue]

Thanks Dave that's good info. Recently watched a video of coho at the head of Chilliwack Lake taken by a local diver:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ltm4quR_0IA

Also is the demise of the late run coho understood to any extent? To go back to WMY's comment that the hatchery  stock "was created by interbreeding these three groups.", that's one of the sins hatchery management is said to commit; not respecting the diversity that nature produced. Has the late run been mix stocked out of existence?  While the mainstem of the lower river doesn't seem to provide good spawning strata for any species, there has been work on side channels and small tributaries. Has this been insufficient? It's a shame to see this stock disappear.

Awesome video, love seeing all the wild fish.  I did see two clipped coho

[YESFISH]

Test