[rynchus]

Just returned from the Thompson and heard a rumour that the province is set to close the river Nov 1. Has anybody else heard this?
Fishing has been generally poor according the the river guardian, makes me wonder if the province places more value on the creel than the Albion test fishery.
I can live with a closure, what I can't accept is the recent chum opening last Thursday.

 

[kevbine]

The poor fishing this week may have more to do with high water. I'd heard the COs were being fairly optimistic about keeping it open.

 

[lil Buddha]

Chum Salmon Gill Net fishery was open today as well from 08:30hrs-18:30 hrs. All through the mouth of the Fraser and lower river itself.

There were economic opportunity fisheries opening from 08:00hrs to 18:00hrs this Saturday, October 25 and Sunday, October 26 (Musqeaum and Tsawwassen) below the Port Mann.

Gill net and Drift Gill Net fisheries being employed.

This puts Gill Nets nets in the mouth of and in the Lower Fraser itself for 12 hours on October 23, 12 hours on the 25th and 26th of October, and 12 more on October 28.

There was a fishery that took place on the the Fraser; Port Mann to Hope Bridge of the river on October 21/22 executed with beach seines (08:00hrs to 16:00hrs). This was an economic opportunity fishery for multiple First Nations.

Hopefully all non target stocks were released safely.

There was another set net fishery occurring; Fraser River from Port Mann to Hope Bridge on October 26 from 08:00hrs to 18:00hrs and Drift Nets from 07:30 to 11:00hrs .

God Speed to all non Target Salmon and Steelhead co migrating at this time!

Hope they are moving through at night.

These fisheries constitute a large portion of the entire lower Fraser River (Hope Bridge to Mouth of the Fraser) for the portion of one week during daylight hours (October 21-28).

Finally, there is an experimental seine fishery scheduled for tomorrow at the Fraser Mouth targeting Chum Salmon. This will employ brailing (sorting out of no target species in the WATER.....imagine?!?!) of catch and is worded as an experimental fishery to see if this method is effective.

Check it out; http://www-ops2.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fns-sap/index-eng.cfm?pg=view_notice&DOC_ID=165584&ID=all

NOW THIS IS THE WAY THESE TERMINAL CHUM FISHERIES SHOULD BE EXECUTED!

About the river closing......check notices and look for an announcement Thursday or Friday of this week.

 

[Steelheadfreak]

Just returned from the Thompson and heard a rumour that the province is set to close the river Nov 1. Has anybody else heard this?
Fishing has been generally poor according the the river guardian, makes me wonder if the province places more value on the creel than the Albion test fishery.
I can live with a closure, what I can't accept is the recent chum opening last Thursday.

Read your regs man! The river is SUPOSED, to close on Nov 1st unless otherwise posted.

 

[rynchus]

Read your regs man! The river is SUPOSED, to close on Nov 1st unless otherwise posted.

OK, put differently, the river may not open Nov 1(by directors order). Same outcome. I always read the regs and refer to any in season changes.
With 3 fish in the Albion chum sets on the 26/27, the numbers are looking encouraging for an open fishery to Dec. 31
Fingers crossed.

 

[Outcast]

Unless I'm reading the albion incorrectly, those were chinook's not Steel on the 26th and 27th.

 

[lil Buddha]

Chinooks, not Steelhead recorded on October 26 and 27.

 

[rynchus]

Damn,
I read the wrong column. Thanks for the correction.

 

[lil Buddha]

Twas the night before opening?,

The Moon in its House.

The Steelheaders keep hoping,

for good news when they rouse.

The river's been rising,

to the angler's disdain.

Fall North Thompson storms,

have brought nothing but pain.

But all is not hopeless,

for when nights bring the frost,

The waters will recede,

so the season's not lost.

With a lift and a set,

the anglers let fly,

their feathered creations,

Hoping for a Steelhead's reply.

If the fish don't respond?,

Weak returns, they bring fear!

Like the Los Angeles Dodgers,

Better wait 'til next year.

 

[rise2thefly]

http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/fw/fish/regulations/changes/1315/region3.html

New update as of today

 

[bigbadbrent]

Bring your anchors. Sounds like river is as high as it's ever been in 15 years

 

[rynchus]

I just heard the CO's have busted 5 scissorbills for fishing with roe. Not surprised as I found a skein of treated roe left on a rock at one of my own favourite spots.
Pleased to hear the river will remain open, however I'll be fishing the Bulkley /Morice until the Thompson drop some.

 

[Rustybee]

I just heard the CO's have busted 5 scissorbills for fishing with roe. Not surprised as I found a skein of treated roe left on a rock at one of my own favourite spots.
Pleased to hear the river will remain open, however I'll be fishing the Bulkley /Morice until the Thompson drop some.

Good to hear. Hope they throw the book at these ass-tards.
Saw a whole bunch of used roe bags when I was up there mid October.

 

[Steelhans]

At times like this I wonder if it would be best for all if the T was closed. If you all remember back in 2010 the Thompson steelhead fishery did not open. There was still a 'shotgun' opening announcement back then. This was also the same year of the last big sockeye run which much like this year the DFO left open way too late well through September. This despite all commercial and sport fishing interests and quotas being reasonably satisfied. Steelhead and coho were being bycaught in commercial and native nets then as I'm sure they have been this year yet it remained open into late September. This year DFO in its infinite wisdom threw a curve ball in the form of a recent commercial chum opening (WTF??) giving these few remaining steelhead even less of a chance to return to the T and spawn. If it were to remain closed for a season or two (or more?) common sense says that it can only be good for the fish although very sad for anglers. It's a tale of two separate yet very similar years (2010 & 2014) and there's no way that the fish are in any less need of help than they were four years ago. Just my two cents, SH.

 

[Steelheadfreak]

I have 2 trains of thought on this. Close it for 5 years and see what happens. There must however be a guaranteed opening after the 5 years. The problem is once something closes, its pretty tuff to get it reopened from my point of view. I'm pretty sure DFO/MOE would like nothing better than to see all the steelhead extinct in this river. Less headaches for them!

#2 is the line of thinking that as long as there is a fishery on this river, be it with fly or gear, people are involved. People are excited and talking about it. As long as there is an open fishery, the river wont fade away from peoples minds. If there is an open fishery, people WILL GIVE A $HIT.....