British Columbia Fishing Blog

Sunday September 28th is World Rivers Day. This grassroot movement, which was started in British Columbia in the 1980s, intends to bring public awareness on the importance of our freshwater resource. On Sunday, community events will take place across British Columbia.

I will once again be involved with the celebration at the Chilliwack Fish and Game Club. Organized by the Chilliwack Vedder River Cleanup Coalition, the event will start with a garbage cleanup, which covers all sections of the Chilliwack River from Hwy 1 Bridge and the Chilliwack Salmon Hatchery. Participants will then return to the club house at noon for a BBQ, entertainment and prize draws.

Just one hour drive from Vancouver, the Chilliwack River offers fantastic salmon and steelhead fishing. Unfortunately, due to heavy recreational usage, garbage often accumulates on the river. Seeing that the problem was escalating, several volunteers formed the Chilliwack Vedder River Cleanup Coalition in 2002. Since its establishment, river cleanups have been hosted and today the program is supported by hundreds of volunteers as well as the City of Chilliwack and Fraser Valley Regional District.

With your support, we can keep this precious river clean and enjoyable for all anglers. On Sunday, come fishing early in the morning, then assist us in the river cleanup, enjoy a good BBQ at noon, possibly win a prize and resume fishing in the afternoon! What better way can an angler celebrate Rivers Day than this?

Starting on Tuesday September 2nd, anglers should be aware of some changes in the Fraser River salmon fishing regulations (read the fishery notice). These changes include a bait ban, non-retention of coho and sockeye salmon. These implementations will take place until early October when Interior coho salmon run ends.

Until about two years ago, the only management measure used during the Interior coho salmon run-time in the Lower Fraser River is a total salmon fishing closure from in September and part of October, except limited openings on pink salmon during their run years since 2003. The SFACs (Sportfishing Advisory Committees) requested the option of limited fishing opportunities for chinook and chum salmon as a management measure during this period around two years ago and Fisheries and Oceans Canada has provided it. This is particularly good for two user groups. Recreational anglers who lack the mobility and do not wish to travel far can still enjoy a salmon fishery during this period. The opportunity also provides an alternative option for Fraser Valley guides and their clients in case conditions of nearby do not favour their trips.

A bait ban is in effect during this period due to the effectiveness of roe on coho salmon. Coho also have a tendency to swallow roe, which results in deep hooking and a possible increase of mortality rate. This would counter the effort in conserving the Interior coho salmon run.

Anglers are requested to use fishing methods that would specifically target chinook and chum salmon. We are requested, not limited, because coho salmon can be caught by all methods (barfishing, spincasting with lures). Although this is the case, what all should realize and should not ignore is the fact that the questioned method (bottom bouncing, or whatever you want to call it) has a higher tendency to foul hook fish. Foul hooked fish require longer fighting time, result in longer recovery time and possibly higher mortality rate.

The fortunate yet sad reality is that the protected populations make up an insignificant percentage of all the returning salmon during this management period, therefore the percentage of by-catch is in fact quite small. This does not suggest by-catch in the sportfishing sector is not a problem, because when a species is threatened, any mortality is a concern.

The point is, as an educated angler who is aware of the fragility of Interior coho salmon and late sockeye salmon runs, one should take these into consideration and practice fishing responsibly. Spincasting for coho salmon can actually be good in the tidal portion of the Fraser River around late September and early October, but many choose not to practice catching and releasing them because some of these fish being targeted are the ones that we are attempting to protect. Bait fishing for trout, char and steelhead is in fact not prohibited during this period, but one should not use it as a loop hole to target salmon with roe and claim to be fishing for trout, char and steelhead when being checked by conservation officers.

There are dedicated individuals on the SFACs who have worked hard to provide these additional salmon fishing opportunities for the angling community. It would be unfortunate if people choose to have these taken away by fishing however they prefer that may counter the conservation effort set out by Fisheries and Oceans Canada. Keep in mind that the goal here is to protect species, not to save fishing opportunities. The status of these species will indirectly impact your fishing opportunities. If their status eventually becomes endangered, then the only management measure would be no fishing for all species.

 

Over twenty five years ago, my father regularly brought me along to his fishing trips. Although I was not heavily involved in the actual fishing at these trips, new adventures could always be had. Gobies and shrimps could be netted and observed in creeks, mussels and weeds were collected on rocks by the ocean. This constant connection with nature eventually grew to a strong fascination with fish. I was often looking for new species to catch, cutting out fish photos for my own record. This fascination has also become a life-long career, a treasured hobby and a strong willingness to protect the precious resource that we often take for granted.

A child’s life can be significantly altered when fishing is introduced into it. It isn’t so much about just catching fish, but lessons that cannot be taught elsewhere are found through this hobby. Fish can only be cared if they are seen or touched. This connection is difficult to bridge by a textbook.

The BC Family Fishing Weekend, which takes place annually on the Fathers Day Weekend, was initially designed to introduce more participants into this community. Some may disagree with the approach by reasoning that less anglers is in fact better for the resource, but the reality is that this resource, community and industry cannot survive unless there is a steady recruitment of participants. More users in a fishery does not only translate into more money, but it also creates more stewards who would guard what is enjoyable to them.

On June 14th and 15th, take a child fishing. The freshwater fishing licenses are free on those two days, for those who wish to give fishing a go. Community events will take place across the province, where newcomers can receive guidance on how to get started in this hobby.

On June 14th, I will be at the Fraser Valley Trout Hatchery for its family fishing day. Ongoing hatchery tours and trout fishing will be available from 8am to noon. On June 15th, I will be at Rice Lake in North Vancouver, where trout fishing will also be available as well as various educational activities. I look forward to see everyone!

Rodney Hsu
Webmaster, Fishing with Rod Production

 

The 21st Chilliwack River Cleanup will be happening on this Saturday, April 5th! What started out as a very localized effort by a small group of individuals in 2002 has grown to a rather large and successful program six years later.

The cleanups, which are hosted three times per year, are now attended by over 200 enthusiastic volunteers who are determined to keep our watershed clean. These volunteers come from all backgrounds, including anglers, hikers, kayakers, and local residents. Scouts, girl guides and school groups also have a big presence at these cleanups.

These cleanups are especially beneficial to anglers for several reasons. They obviously keep the Chilliwack River cleaner, making it a more enjoyable environment for fishing. Reduction of garbage problems also ensure that public access to the river is not restricted, something that British Columbian anglers tend to take for granted. It is crucial that anglers do our part, by taking more garbage out more than what we bring in. By demonstrating that we can be stewards of our rivers rather than just consumers, you and I can make sure our enjoyable fishing days on the Chilliwack River will not be lost.

If you are interested in coming to this Saturday’s cleanup, please dress wisely as some rain is expected. Waders are not necessary since all cleanups are done on dry banks but a pair of boots would come in handy. Garbage bags, plastic gloves are provided, but you may want to bring a pair of working/gardening gloves as well. There will be donuts, hot coffee and cold juice for all volunteers, courtesy of Tim Hortons.

Registration is at 8:30am – 9:30am at the Great Blue Heron Nature Reserve. During this time, directors will assign you into groups that will focus on a particular section of the river. The cleanup will wrap up by noon.

The river condition is perfect for this event as it is currently at its lowest. This allows volunteers to access more dry banks than usual to make sure they are litter-free. In a few weeks from now, freshet will begin so it is crucial that we remove all garbage otherwise they will be washed away into the ocean during that time. Don’t forget to bring your fishing rod either, because the winter steelhead season is not over yet!

For more information, please go to this page. For more information on the Chilliwack Vedder River Cleanup Coalition, please visit their website.

Watch video now!

A couple of weeks ago we spent several hours filming Steve at the Fraser Valley Trout Hatchery spawning some coastal cutthroat trout. I’ve put together a ten minute video on the process. This is actually our March subscribers’ video but we usually release one per year for public viewing. I’ve put this one up for all to view as it is quite informative.

Each month, we feature a 10 minute video diary in our subscribers section. Subscription is $20.00/year or $35.00/two years. If you would like to subscribe, please go to:

http://www.fishingwithrod.com/shop/subscription.html

Enjoy!

Rodney Hsu
Webmaster