DFO Draft Policy on Bycatch

There is a Draft Policy on Bycatch coming from DFO. It can be seen here.
Our response is copied below.
Feedback is accepted until Feb.29 at Consultations@DFO-MPO.GC.CA


DFO Discussions
Fisheries & Oceans Canada
13th Floor North
200 Kent Street, Mail Station 13N159
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0E6

RE: Draft Policy Framework on Managing Bycatch and Discards

The North Coast Steelhead Alliance is a group committed to securing the escapement of wild steelhead in sufficient numbers to sustain healthy wild steelhead stocks and a robust sport fishery in northwestern British Columbia. The NCSA is dedicated to working with all levels of government, industry, community and stakeholder groups to preserve Skeena steelhead.

Our submission today will focus on the issue of interception of Skeena steelhead by commercial fisheries and how it relates to the Draft Policy on Managing Bycatch and Discards.

By far the biggest problem we have this document is the overarching consideration that commercial fisheries that inflict these bycatch/discard damages take precedence over and above everything else. This document is on fishery bycatch and discards, written by the Department of Fisheries, whose role is to facilitate commercial fishing activity. It seems zero consideration has been given to not sanctioning the fisheries in the first place if impacts are too negative or the impacts outweigh the benefits. It appears commercial activity clearly dominates and actually skews the Department's consideration of what is the best use of fisheries resources for Canadian society, when in many cases this is just not true anymore, such as with Skeena steelhead.

Moreover, while Conservation is supposed to be the prime management directive, the Department completely misinterprets one key definition of conservation: that being 'not to waste'. In the Skeena example, this equates to the Department allowing and even facilitating the killing of large percentages of the yearly returns of very valuable Skeena summer run steelhead in order to allow barely viable gillnet fisheries to occur. This is a form of social welfare, not fishery management, carried out on the backs of both Skeena steelhead themselves and the upriver sportfishery tourism industry that relies on them.

Skeena steelhead are worth literally thousands of dollar each to the in-river sportfishing tourism industry that has grown over the last 30 years to out-contribute the commercial fishery in gross income to the overall economy of the region. (* Blewitt; 2008 Economic Dimensions of the Skeena Watershed Salmonid Fisheries).

Why are we as a society allowing completely non-selective gillnet fisheries, those that have no hope of minimising or ameliorating their impacts on bycatch, to continue to inflict such negative impacts on a species and a successful, green industry that relies on them?

How does your Draft Policy answer those types of questions and concerns? The following passage from the 'Guiding Principles' section is one of few to mention socio-economic benefits and relative contributions the resource makes to Canadian society, yet we submit this is sheer lip service to any other use other than commercial fishing exploitation. We come to this belief from decades of seeing and experiencing the results of commercial fishing bycatch on our valuable steelhead. Consistently, Skeena steelhead come out on the bottom of management decisions regarding commercial fisheries and we see no reason for any of that to change within this new Draft Policy.

The fishery is a common property resource to be managed for the benefit of all Canadians, consistent with conservation objectives, the constitutional protection afforded Aboriginal and treaty rights, and the relative contributions that various uses of the resource make to Canadian society, including socio-economic benefits to communities.

Year after year, we see the Department make the value judgement that allowing non-selective gillnet fisheries, which kill thousands of valuable Skeena steelhead, is an acceptable trade-off. Even when confronted with hard economic data from truly independent sources which clearly state the economic disparity between the two activities, the Department blatantly ignores the information, the impacts, and allows the bycatch killing to continue. Where in this Draft Policy is any verbiage to suggest this attitude from the Department will change?

Where in your Draft Policy is there verbiage which allows a fulsome discussion of the cost-benefit considerations of allowing various fisheries? Where is the Policy to guide Managers on reaching socio-economic decisions where commercial fishing is not the best use of the public's fishery resources?

The Department's history of trying to manage the bycatch/discard issue of non-selective gillnetting by dressing up gillnets in short length forms, short set lengths, mesh size configurations, and on and on ad nuaseum are truly pathetic attempts to keep an outdated and outmoded method of fish capture alive at the great expense of valuable steelhead and sportfishery businesses that rely on them.

We dont beleive new policy papers like this one will deal with the core issues of Skeena steelhead bycatch. The root causes are the systemic, built-in bias of a bureaucratic department whose sole function it seems is to facilitate commercial fishing at any cost. Add to that industry bias, a geographic bias of basing the Department's office in the chronically depressed town that relies heavily on commercial fishing and shoreworker jobs and you have a recipe that no new Policy will overcome with regard to fairly managing the Skeena steelhead issue.

We have just learned this Draft Policy available on-line, with feedback and comments invited until the end of February, has actually already been re-written and accepted. This just typifies the Department's approach to new Policy; first, the Policy itself is completely lacking, and second, your Department had already written the real final document without considering any public input.

And finally, we would sum up this Draft Policy as just one more in a long line of Departmental verbiage that will be ignored by Managers on the north coast as they continue to do whatever they want in terms of allowing non-selective fisheries to continue. This Bycatch Policy will join the Wild Salmon Policy; the Selective Fishing Policy, and dozens of other DFO policies that sit on shelves completely ignored by north coast fishery managers. We wonder how much public funding was wasted in this paper process exercise when very little, if any, benefit to Skeena steelhead will reach the water?

Yours

Keith Douglas
Chairperson
North Coast Steelhead Alliance
Smithers, BC
http://www.ncsteelheadalliance.ca

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Joint News Release

We are pleased to announce our participation in a joint news release with the Steelhead Society of BC and the BC Federation of Fly Fishers.
In the release the groups are critical of DFO for poor management with regard to steelhead bycatch and discards in the commercial fisheries of BC.
Here is a link from the BCFFF page:

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Latest Fishing Report from Oscar's to September 1st

Steve Hidber with a nice steelie caught recently.
Latest Fishing Report from Oscar's

Enjoy your long weekend! Go fishing!
Fishing report for September 1st.

Bulkley River

The entire Bulkley is in good shape. The water level is still fairly high for this time of year however. Let's hope for a drier fall. Pinks and Coho are being caught in the Bulkley. Use jigs, spinners or spoons for Coho. Blue, green and silver are the top colours. Colorado blades are also working. Fishing for Coho seems to be best in the lower parts of the Bulkley. Fish for them early in the morning for best success. A few Steelheads caught this week as well. Some on dry flies.... Way to go Lane....

Kispiox River

The Kispiox is high. It should come down unless we get hit with more of the wet stuff... Coho are in... Steelhead should not be far off...

Skeena River

The Skeena River is in good shape but still on the high side. Steelhead fishing is good on the lower Skeena.

Morice River

The Morice is in very good shape. Steelhead being caught in the lower parts of the river.

Babine River

The Sockeye fishery on the Babine River is now closed (no more retention). The water is still fairly high. Steelhead season is fast approaching on the Babine.

Babine Lake

Babine Lake is still producing lots of fish. The limit has been increased to 4 fish on the lake. Please see notice in the news and events section of our website! (osv

If you are going to the ocean please read the halibut notice on our news and events section!

NOTE:

Don’t forget that it is September 1st, and on most rivers you will now need your classified waters stamp and regardless if you are targeting them or not; your steelhead stamp.

Check your regulations book to be sure you have the correct licence!

A beautiful steelhead caught on the Babine River using a dry line. Nice job Steve!

1214 Main Street
Box 550
Smithers BC
V0J 2N0
Phone:(250)847-2136
Fax:(250)847-3679
www.oscarssports.com
info@oscarssports.com

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Latest Oscar's Fishing Report

Fishing Report, August 26^th

The water levels are dropping ever so slightly! It's almost steelhead season!!

Bulkley River

The Bulkley River above Telkwa is in great shape. The Telkwa River is cleaning up; good news for people who want to fish the Bulkley downstream of Telkwa. Pinks and Coho are being caught in the Bulkley. Steelhead are starting to show up as well.

Kispiox River

The Kispiox is still out. Lots of rain and snow up higher in the drainage system. Pinks and Coho in the Kispiox....

Skeena River

The Skeena River is high and not really fishing at this time.

Morice River

The Morice is in good shape. Coho and some Steelheads caught.

Babine River

Still lots of Sockeye caught in the Babine River! Heavy sink tips are used with weighted flies....

Babine Lake

Babine Lake is still producing lots of fish. The limit has been increased to 4 fish on the lake. Please see notice in the news and events section of our website!

Thank you, and have a great weekend!

Steve Hidber

1214 Main Street

Box 550

Smithers BC

V0J 2N0

Phone:(250)847-2136

Fax:(250)847-3679

www.oscarssports.com

info@oscarssports.com

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DFO: Outlived its usefulness...??

DFO has had a busy year in 2011. First, they spent some time and energy screwing the saltwater recreational sector over the halibut quota issue. DFO then moved on to screwing the saltwater recreational fishery and fishing tourism industry in Port Alberni by allowing the gillnetters and seiners to pillage the returning sockeye run. To add insult to injury, DFO allowed extensive openings right before the lucrative and important July long weekend. After the commercials cleaned out the Inlet, the tourists and fishermen left in droves...the negative impact felt on the Port Alberni tourism economy was large.

DFO then moved onto screwing the Skeena steelhead, its sportfishermen, and related tourism industry by allowing more extensive gillnet openings. Worse yet, selective fishing measures were not required for the earlier openings thus impacting an already below average early steelhead return.DFO didnt care or flinch one bit as questions about this were raised. The IFMP was ignored and gillnetting was  sanctioned to double the preseason estimate....and they havent even formally finished yet. For every gillnet opening in mid-August thousands of steelhead will be negatively impacted.

How, in the year 2011, do we allow an industrial activity to kill upwards of 30% of a return of fish just as bycatch in fishing for other fish? It is absolutely criminal behaviour by an agency that purports to know better...and actually tries to tell international marketing schemes such as MSC Certification, that it does an excellent job of managing BC's fisheries. DFO defined the term 'smoke and mirrors' through a long history of saying one thing to the public while allowing a completely different story to unfold on the water.

Now, we learn DFO has rescinded longstanding selective measures on the central coast where gillnetters are fishing for depressed chum and sockeye. The fishery impacts probably the best known steelhead race on earth: the vaunted Dean river fish.
Again, it is absolutely criminal mismanagement that allows fisheries of dubious economic contribution to negatively impact individual fish that are worth thousands of dollars each to sportfishing related businesses and the tourism economy in general.

Are we so stupid as a society to continue to allow this happen again and again? I know the answer is: NO. No, we are not going to sit idly by and allow a morally bankrupt bureaucracy piss away one of the most unique resources in the world.

It is time to seriously consider taking a run at and dismantling the agency known as DFO. It would involve reaching out to the broad constituency of conservation, sportfishing, and sportfishing tourism related sectors in order to apply as much political pressure on the federal government as possible.
Maybe a large enough contingent arriving at the Cohen Commission hearings with a demand to eradicate the completely lost agency would work. Face it, DFO cannot be fixed...they are institutionally bereft of moral compass and damaged beyond repair.

Time for a change...now.

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Early Tyee Steelhead graph

Here is a quick graph showing the very early Tyee steelhead index to to July 4th. Looks to be tracking similar to 2010.

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Interesting article on DFO and fishing rights in Canada

Article: DFO & Fishing 'Rights'

Interesting article relating an exchange in the Cohen Commission proceedings between a DFO staff person and lawyers for the BC Driftfishers and BC Wildlife Federation.
In his testimony, Barry Huber, a senior Aboriginal Advisor with DFO, admitted that he "...believes non-native Canadians don't have a right to fish recreationally, but rather a privilege, and that he takes that attitude into negotiating rooms where he works with First Nations leaders."
The gist of the article from Christie Blatchford seems to be "...that the very fellow charged with negotiating new fishery deals with First Nations on behalf of all Canadians — on the "government-to-government" or "nation-to-nation" basis increasingly demanded by native leaders — is arguably prepared to give away the store because he doesn't believe non-natives have a leg to stand on."

The exchange outlined in Blatchford's article is a very interesting glimpse into DFO perspectives on fishery negotiations with First Nations. It also raises questions about whether this is official DFO Policy or whether this fellow is following his narrow interpretation of orders from above? Either way, the article reflects badly on DFO, who is shown to yet again be a poor manager of our fish resources and reinforces the call for a complete overhaul of this bureaucratic dinosaur.

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Old Pipelines still in northwest rivers

Here is an issue that comes up periodically up our way: the remains of old Pacific Northen Gas pipelines stuck in our rivers. The last image below of the Copper river was sent to us just recently by Pierce Clegg. The first three are of the Kitimat river from Terrace guide Gill McKean.

The last image shows PNG gas pipeline in the lower Copper river. Presumably these are the remnants from the damage that occurred several years ago due to a large landslide. However, how the pipe got there really isnt the issue. The issue is why is it still there? Where are our habitat protection regulations and enforcement bodies? This is major river pollution that has been allowed to remain on-site for years now.
And the lower Copper is only one of several sites with pipe lying around like this.

Here's a response from PNG to a recent inquiry on this subject:

Thanks for bringing your concerns to Pacific Northern Gas on this issue, in the past Pacific Northern Gas and the DFO have been working on these issues as they arise each and every year and will continue to do so in the future. As you being a fishing guide or a member of the Northern BC Steelhead Guides Association you may understand what is required in the removal of pipe sections in any stream, rivers or watershed systems in our area. There is a large amount of paperwork required as well with DFO approvals in any removals within a stream bearing fish habitat, reds etc as well as the associated cost in completing these removals in a safe reliable manner. We will be contacting our Environmental team with regards to this issue and hopefully can resolve this concern ASAP. Once Pacific Northern Gas and the DFO reach the necessary agreements and approvals we would be glad to keep you informed on this process of removal once reached.

Again Thank you for bringing this forward to Pacific Northern Gas.

Yours truly,

Manager Construction Maintenance
Pacific Northern Gas Ltd.

PNG almost make it sound like its the public's inquiries that are 'the issue' to be dealt with...not the actually cleaning up of their mess. Time to get DFO to enforce the regulations and order PNG to start the remediation process. These pipes have remained in our rivers for far too long already....Time to clean it up.

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BC FFF Newsletter

Here is the latest BC FFF newsletter outlining alot of their good work.
http://bcfff.bc.ca/newsletter/FlyLines.V10N1.pdf

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Newspaper article on Skeena fishery

Interesting article from the Prince Rupert Daily News outlining the poor fishing season for gillnetters. Plus, taking some shots at the growing sportfishery in Chatham Sound.
Obviously written prior to the announcement in the last post.



Where have all the gill nets gone

By Monica Lamb-Yorski - The Daily News

After a 30-hour gill net fishery opening between June 24 and 25 on the Nass River, fisherman Nick Stevens was able to sell six chinook and 85 sockeye. He kept a seventh chinook because a seal had eaten some of it.

There’s a scheduled opening for July 12 for gill net in Area 3, 6 and 8.

Stevens feels that might be a bit early, but admitted some fish have been showing up earlier than normal, perhaps because of the slow snowpack.

Stevens will also wait around because he’s hoping the Skeena River might open later this month, but he isn’t holding his breath.

“Right now DFO is estimating a run size of 633,000 for the Skeena.

“They need 1.1 million for the river to open and want to see 1.5 million before they will actually open it,” he said.

According to Joy Thorkelson of the United Fishermen and Allied Worker’s Union, the average gill net fisherman caught four chinook this year. There were 135 gillnetters that brought in a total of 746 chinook.

Comparing those numbers to previous years, 253 gillnetters went out in 2003 and 409 in 2004.

In its latest North Coast Salmon Update dated June 29, DFO said it is the lowest chinook catch for this fishery, when comparing to previous years’ catches.

No further chinook gill net fishery is being planned unless the run size increases significantly.

Thorkelson said she’s avoiding thinking about the fishing season. “That’s how bad it is,” she added.

The report also indicated a total of 150 commercial fishermen caught 3512 sockeye, three pink, 43 chum and 199 chinook on June 15.

On June 21, 168 commercial fishermen caught 5111 sockeye, 45 pink, 268 chum and 168 chinook.

“It’s pretty tough right now. Two hundred and eighteen out of our 658 fishermen have gone out. We used to have 1,200 gill netters in the 1990s,” Thorkelson commented.

In reference to the North Coast Troll that opened on June 15 for Chinook and pink salmon, the estimated catch to date is about 29,000, out of a troll total allowable catch of 107,100.

There are 122 troll vessels hailed out. A gear count on opening day by the FPV Arrow Post counted 88 trollers operating, said the report.

And while DFO’s early forecast for the Total Return for Canada for Nass sockeye appears to be slightly below the average return of 648,000,

Harry Nyce, Director of Fish & Wildlife for the Nisga’a Lisms Government, said the numbers aren’t surprising.

“We’re basically holding our own regarding sockeye, are a bit concerned about chum and the chinook are lagging behind,” Nyce told the Daily News.

Nyce has been involved with fisheries on the Nass River since 1987 and after the Nisga’a Treaty was signed in 2000, became Director of Fish & Wildlife for the Nisga’a Government.

According to Nyce, the Nisga’a use a Fish Wheel Program for managing the fisheries, and have specified an escapement goal of at least 200,000 salmon for spawning in Meziadan Lake.

“We are quite firm on those numbers for reasons that other places are collapsing,” Nyce explained.

When asked about the presence of sports fishing on the Nass, Nyce explained under the Nisga’a Treaty there were fish charters that were grandfathered in and the Nisga’s Fisheries department is firm on helping them maintain their abilities.

However, Nyce emphasized, it is a privilege to operate a sports fishery and those operators should be aware when they are asked to curtail operations they need to heed those requests.

The arguments between commercial and sports fishery won’t be going away anytime soon, and over the last three decades Nyce has seen the sports fishery come up from behind and gain momentum.

“There needs to be discussions to alleviate pressure and tensions between each other. From here, we’re willing to sit down and work things out,” he said, adding that sometimes that’s easier to do when you’re off the main drag like he is.

For Stevens, who is also the UFAWU Vice President, the term “sports” fishery as a misnomer.

“It’s a commercial operation in the sense that charter operators are making a living,” he said.

The statistics Stevens saw for 2009 in Barkley Sound indicated 25,000 chinook were taken out of the area by sports fishing.

“That’s almost double what was caught the year before. We went down there and never did catch our allocation. It’s not that we don’t want to share the fish, but we feel they don’t want to share with us and there should be room for everyone,” Stevens said.

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Sportfishing Update

Sportfishery update from Oscar's Source for Sports, Smithers


Luck of the Irish

There are not many situations that can quicken an anglers pulse more than being on one of our Northwestern rivers when the salmon are in. The sights of salmon rolling, yells of "Fish On", the expletive deleted of fish lost, and the excitement up and down the river is hard to beat. This weekend the waters of the Nass, Kitimat and Skeena drainage will host some of the biggest Spring/Chinook Salmon in the world and their hopeful anglers. Each angler feeling like they are in the final few of a lottery and their time has come.

The sights and sounds of salmon on the move keeps you enthused long past the usual energy limit. Rests are short, because each minute not casting is a lost opportunity, and the next cast may be your time. And when it comes to the last cast and time to go, I know for me and my buddies, that last cast may be the longest moment in sport. We just don't want to leave.

So whether you are pulling plugs, casting spoons, bouncing Spin-N-Glos, bar fishing or swinging a fly, this is your time. Kids are out of school and there are more visitors around but our rivers have lots of room. On some of our more popular rivers crowding can become an issue on the easily accessible holes but if anglers practice the "rotation ethic" everybody can get along.

On one trip with three other fly fishing buddies on a very busy area on the Kitimat, we saw an angler firmly planted right in the middle of our favoured run. During the 15 minute walk to the area he had not moved. What to do. Go to another area that likely would also have lots of anglers or convince him to use the "rotation method"?

As it turns out he was a visiting angler from Italy. An accomplished angler, he had fished New Zealand, Argentina and Alaska but no one had explained the "rotation" to him. He readily agreed and we spent the most enjoyable next seven hours fishing that riffle. The five of us swapped fishing tales, helped each other land and release many salmon, took pictures and shared some lunch. It was a great afternoon and the visiting angler said it was the most enjoyable day he had ever had, and thanked us profusely for including him in the group. The thanks was ours for letting us come into a crowded situation. It was the ultimate win-win scenario and a very memorable trip.

The Springs/Chinook are in the Nass system, the Kitimat is absolutely prime right now and the whole Skeena drainage now has salmon in the Copper(Zymoetz), Kispiox, Babine, Bulkley and Morice and all downstream tribs of the Skeena.

Proper tackle is a must. 8 1/2 foot to 12 foot rods rated 25-40 pound with 25-40 pound mono or 50-65 pound braid is necessary. Many anglers are using the new Line Counter Ambassadeur reels and really like them, especially when drifting, pulling plugs or trolling. A large net is recommended. Nothing worse than a monster in too small a net. Single barbless "sticky sharp" hooks are not only recommended but mandatory.

My last salmon trip was a memorable one. We were fly fishing one of our favourite riffles. There were many Springs in the river and the Chums were also showing up. I hooked a very hot fish who screamed out 75 yards of backing like there was no drag. I turned the rod to adjust the drag to a heavier setting but inadvertently pointed the rod at the fish. The rod was ripped from my hand. The panicked dive for the rod missed and I as I stood up dripping wet I thought "What a stupid mistake". There goes a perfectly good Sage rod and reel donated to the river. The group of anglers from Ireland that were below us offered their condolences through heaving shoulders. My buddy said "What are you going to do?” “I have another rod in the truck, I'll go get it".

Returning a half lour later to the river I was about 100 yards from my buddy when one of the downstream Irishmen said 'I've hooked an orange line". It was my backing line. My buddy moved down and here comes the fly rod. The Sage was miraculously unbroken. As he handed the rod to me he said "I think the fish is still there".

Sure enough that fish was still on a half hour after the initial hookupl. Thirty five minutes later I landed a 35 pound Spring Salmon. Unfortunately that salmon was foul hooked through the dorsal fin, which is why I couldn't control him on the initial hookup. Never have I wanted to take a salmon so bad as that salmon. The half hour walk, the expected non return of a perfectly good Sage rod and Sage reel and that "dummy" feeling wanted me to savour every bite of that fish, but, legally you must release every foul hooked fish. So I released it and thanked that salmon for returning my rod and reel and for the story. One other thing, I will never again doubt the "luck of the Irish".

There is not much that can match the feeling on a salmon river when the run is prime. The feeling of expectation, the screaming of the eagles, the occasional bear, that unexpected seal head popping up in front of you, the wild yells as someone first hooks up.

Wherever you fish this holiday weekend, Enjoy yourself.! Be Safe and may the "Luck of the Irish" be with you.

Kitimat River

Lots of fish caught on the Kitimat this past week. Reports are better with a combination of high tides and higher water to bring the fish in. Good results with those anglers drifting from mid river and down pulling either Hot Shots or Kwikfish plugs. On lower river at Pump House, Hatchery Island Lower Dike most anglers are bottom bouncing or bar fishing with their favoured Spin-N-Glo/hoochie combo. Some anglers are more comfortable casting Gibbs #65 Koho spoons and doing well. Best fish this past week was a 62 pound beauty.

Because of the single barbless hook restriction on all our rivers many fish are "long distance released". Some days are like that. Make sure to use premium hooks and line and tackle is in good working order.

The Kitimat Tidal Fishery is hot right now as the Springs stage in the bottom of the river. Springs hold here and come in with the higher tides or water conditions. Mainly a jet boat guided or good local knowledge situation. A limited time unique opportunity for some great fishing

Douglas Channel

Fishtrap, Sue Channel, Kitsaway and all the way out to Money Point reporting very good fishing for Spring/Chinook and the outer reaches of the Douglas also reporting quite a few Coho. Good Halibut and Gray Cod, Yeloweye Rockfish in some areas.

Terrace area

The Skeena dropped over the last week and fishing has been described as excellent on the main stem Skeena, first time this season described as such. As water drops more bars will become fishable and will tend to concentrate the seams where the fish are running. Bottom bouncing and bar fishing most preferred method, but many anglers are finding that the fly, either single handed, or with Spey rods can be very successful, and rewarding, fighting a big Spring. The Kalum is still high but in good shape and the Copper(Zymoetz) is now fishable.

Prince Rupert

Excellent fishing now found throughout the Rupert Area. Good reports from Work Channel, Dundas, Zayas, Squatterrie, Stephens, Eddy pass, Humpback Bay and Tsum Tsadai. Some triple digit Halibut and lots of rockfish. Many anglers don't bother with the abundant rockfish as they target the favoured halibut and salmon but they can be a lot of fun with light driftfishing/jigging techniques against the rock walls and kelp beds in the less travelled areas.

Bulkley

If fish are rolling in the Morice, then they have to have gone up the Bulkley! Rumours are going around that fish are now being caught at Idiot Rock and places downstream. Water is looking great but is still high. Use slightly bigger weights, lures, and/or spin n glos to get down on the bottom because of the high water.

Morice

Water is great and fish are seen rolling in some pools.

Kispiox

Fishing is reported as good. Fish are being caught throughout the river. River was looking great although they have gotten a bit of rain in the last 2 days, so it may bump up a bit.


Added Note:

Any ladies who are interested in learning or perfecting their fly-casting are welcome to join Kerry’s Casting Classes. The classes are taught by her alone, usually spread over two evenings. Cost is $50. You can bring your own gear, or she has some available as well. For more information, please stop by and talk to Kerry!

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Latest Skeena region sportfishing update

Here is the latest Skeena regional sportfishing update courtesy of Oscar's Source For Sports, Smithers.

The point about fish handling is extremely important. Commercial fishing lobbyists assert the sportfishery kills a great deal of steelhead. We disagree strongly with that assertion, but encourage steelhead anglers to treat their catch with the utmost respect. Keeping the fish in the water while any measurements or photos are taken is paramount. Just imagine yourself running a marathon then someone holding your head underwater....How well would you fare? This analogy describes the steelhead's side of the catch and release story very well.

So, please be smart and considerate towards our fantastic quarry. Moreover, dont give the commercial lobbyists any ammunition to criticize our fishery with poor fish handling techniques.

The image shows a well handled and photographed fish.



Sweet September

For an angler and especially a Steelheader few months hold the magic of September. Cooler nights, pleasant days, glorious colours and some of the biggest Steelhead in the world make their way home to the rivers and streams of North Western BC. It is our favourite time of the year. All Steelhead water is beautiful, but none more so than the magic of the Skeena and Nass drainage. The Kalum, Copper, Kispiox, Sustat, Babine, Bulkley and Morice are whispered wherever Steelheaders talk of their own personal Valhalla, Nirvana or Steelhead Paradise.

September holds the promise of a postcard day, and a willing chrome buck or doe rising through the gin clear water to take your offering. It is also much more than that. It is the mountains framing the river, the eagle in the tree across from you, the black bear browsing the bank and the old friends and new acquaintances you will meet. The only problem with September is that it doesn't last long enough.

Steelhead and the waters they live in are special and that is why we need to insure that we take the greatest care in preserving these values. Hooking a fish is great but the proper landing and release insures that fish survives.

Most steelheaders take great care in the proper playing, handling and release of their fish. Steelhead should be played with adequate tackle strong enough to do the job quickly. A fish played too long on light tackle will tire the fish unduly. Most of us use line/leaders of 12#-15#. Play the fish as quickly as tackle will allow. Bring the fish to hand in a couple feet of water. Fish should never be skidded up on shore to thrash around on the rocks. All hooks must be barbless which makes hook removal easy. Cradle the fish under the pectoral fins and around the tail until fully recovered. A fish released too early may seemingly swim away but succumb later. Take the time for proper release. Trout studies have shown that a fish out of water for 60 seconds may have 60% mortality. Keep the fish in the water.

We all like a memory of the fish and everyone has a digital camera now. If you want a picture compose the picture beforehand. Choose your background, how the fish is held, angles, framing in advance. Many shots are spoiled by the glare off the fish's side, so agree beforehand to tilt fish up or down to avoid that spoiled shot. With everything planned ahead the fish can be lifted and the picture taken quickly.

Most pictures are the Cheesy grins we have all seen. One of the best pictures I ever had of myself with a steelhead was taken by a fishing companion who gave me the best advice on fish pictures I have ever had. When I looked at the camera with that usual cheesy grin John told me "I don't want to see that ugly mug, it's all about the fish, look at the fish." He was right. Anybody looking at the picture knows it is you, the fish is the subject.

Prime time on Steelhead water can make for some crowding. Etiquette is important to insure yours and other anglers trips are pleasurable. It is nice to be the first into the run but that is not always possible. If other anglers are present either move to another hole or ask to fish above them as they move through the hole. A common practice is rotation. When fishing in a group, if the downstream angler gets a fish, after landing that fish he steps out of the water so the upstream angler now has a chance for the next fish. By rotating like this it allows a number of anglers to fish the run.

Never step in below another angler on the same run. That would be the same as cutting in line at the supermarket, theatre or ski lift. No manners, no respect.

One day in July four of us went on a trip to a coastal river for salmon. The river is very popular, especially it's lower reaches. Upon arrival we saw one angler firmly planted right in the centre of the run. As we walked out to the bar we discussed what we should do. He was a visiting angler from Italy. His English was strained but he understood the rotation ideal "Ahh, rotundo to circle." The now 5 of us spent the next eight hours helping each other land springs, chums and pinks on the fly and swapping fish tales. He thanked us profusely when he left for including him in the group and we all enjoyed his company. Sometimes it just takes a little communication.

Bulkley River
River looks great but continues to drop and even the rain we got doesn’t affect it too much. Still lots of Pinks around with the males starting to get quite a hump on their backs. Quite a few Coho are being caught as well as Steelhead. Lots of anglers heading out for the long weekend, and prospects look good. A late Spring (around 25lb) was caught in Moricetown this past week.

Morice River
Pinks are still dominating this beautiful river but guys are landing Steelhead and Coho. The Coho being caught are mostly between 5-8lb.

Kispiox River
River and weather look fantastic. Fishing has been a bit tougher but there are Coho as well as Steelhead still being caught throughout the river. Pinks are still thick and you have to watch where you step so you don’t step on one!

Douglas Channel
Coho fishing around Kitimat is the best it has been in years. Good Coho at Money Point, Sue Channel and Jesse Falls. Most Coho in the 10-14 pond range but some high teens starting to show up. Hoochies and anchovy most popular baits but Apex and Coyote spoons also working well. Kitimat Chamber of Commerce Derby this weekend with some great prizes. Call 250-632-6294 or 1-800-664-6554 for more info. Good fishing in the Harbour.

Kitimat River
Great fishing for Coho in the river with impressive numbers of fish. Many hooked but less landed. Coho are just that way. So wild and easy to lose on the barbless hook, Make sure hooks are sticky sharp, Hotshots size 25 drifted are good as well as Gibbs Koho spoons in blue or copper, Vibrax spinners.

Prince Rupert
More Northern Coho being taken out of Rupert. Great catches on Coho with some fish now getting close to 20 pounds. Anchovy and hoochies best bets but spoons, Apex and drift-jigging also very productive. Halibut on jigs and bait. Big Ling and Red Snapper in outer islands.

Terrace Area
Steelhead throughout the Skeena watershed. Pinks and Sockeye getting towards tailend of their cycle. Early returns on Steelhead in Nass and Skeena are promising.

Thank you and have a wonderful long-weeked!

Oscar's Source for Sports
Box 550, 1214 Main St.
Smithers, B.C.
V0J 2N0
ph250 847 2136
fx250 847 3679
www.OscarsSports.com
info@oscarssports.com

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Latest sportfishing update from Oscar's

Here's the latest regional sportfishing update provided by Oscar's Source for Sports in Smithers.



Coho and Steelhead Returns

We hear much in the media about the catastrophic returns of salmon to the Fraser River System. Fortunately, the Skeena system has been spared from the poor returns. Although Sockeye Salmon numbers are down we are still allowed to fish and keep those delicious Sockeye. However when it comes to Steelhead and Coho returns we have good news.

The Tyee Index http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/northcoast/webdocs/Tyee%20Test/QDailyIndices.htm shows returns so far are above the decade average for both species. Great news for the local and visiting anglers. Nobody complains if we all get a fair share of the salmon returns and leave enough escapement for the future.

Coho Salmon in the ocean or fresh in the river are sometimes incorrectly identified as Chum Salmon. Check out http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/rec/species-especes/salmon-saumon-eng.htm for easy identification. Coho will have a wide tail base, almost square tail, white gums and spots on the top of the body and tail. As spawning advances Coho will show the darker spawning colours as the males develop the hooked jaw and females also get darker.

Coho are athletic, strong fish and put up a determined fight usually with a lot of jumps. In the saltwater they readily take Coyote Spoons. Apex, Hoochies, Squid and needlefish and herring, anchovies. Driftfishing lures like the Buzz Bombs, Pirkens and Zeldas have a loyal following and many anglers specialize with the various bucktail type of flies. In freshwater you can bottom bounce with Spin-n-Glos, Gooey Bobs with wool. Marabou jigs either bottom bounced or used with a float are very good. Probably the most popular method for Coho is casting the proven spoons and spinners. Gibbs Koho spoons have been a standby for BC anglers for years. Kohos in sizes #35-#65 depending on water depth and speed are used in Silver, silver/red, blue, blue/red and copper/red. Pixee spoons are the most popular in Alaska and are very good in our waters. The best colours are pink, red, blue/red and chartreuse/blue. For spinners the Mepps in #3 and #4 in blue/red and the Vibrax in size #3-#5 are best. Vibrax colours silver, gold, blue, blue/red and copper are all well proven. Many guides will cut the hook off the Vibrax and install a good quality split ring with a quality single hook. They claim better hooking and landing of Coho with this slight modification.

All hooks most be single, barbless and replacing with a high quality Gamakatsu Siwash or Octopus hook is recommended. Because we are often bouncing, and hooking bottom, hooks should be checked for sharpness often. A sticky sharp hook is the single most important thing you can do to improve your luck. The Easy Lap Model S sharpener is good but the best for ease of use is the Dr. Slick diamond sharpener, perfect for lures or flies and has a coarse and fine side.

Fish the current seams and make sure your lure is close to the bottom. You will lose tackle but that is where the salmon travel so make sure you are in the zone.

Limit on Coho in most rivers is 4 but only 2 may be over 50 cm (20 inches).

Regulations can be found for both fresh and saltwater at http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/rec/species-especes/salmon-saumon-eng.htm

Check your area and river for complete info.

Enjoy your weekend. Be safe.

Bulkley River
The hot weather that we have had the last couple days has made the water a little murky, its a shade of cement green right now because of the glacier melt. A ton of pinks have been caught and can be seen rolling in all their favorite spots on the Bulkley. Coho are also moving in and quite a few are being caught, they make for a great fight and great eating. Even the odd steelhead is being landed as the early run comes through with more expected in September and October

Kispiox River
The water is super low right now and the river seems almost a trickle. Lots of pinks around with some coho. Usually when the river is low like this, fish wait at the mouth of the river for some more water (possibly like the rain they got last night) and then make their move. 8 steelhead were caught in native nets, one of them being around 50lb!! So the steelhead are moving to!

Morice
The river is really nice and clear and again is full of pinks! Quite a few coho being caught as well as some steelhead. Don't forget any fish you catch that have a tag, you must report.

Prince Rupert
Coho fishing still great out of Rupert and now some of the Northerns are starting to show up( the 18+ pounders). As the forecasts show we are having a good return of the coho. When the Coho are really biting it is not uncommon to have 2 or 3 fish on at once. What a rodeo often becoming a garage sale as lines cross and with their frequent jumps you lose track of your fish. Often we will keep a cast/spin rod close with a Buzz Bomb or Zelda rigged to cast to the jumpers. If you can cast into the rings quickly enough hookups often occur. Big Halibut now being taken as the Halibut follow the runs in. Halibut in Hecate Strait, Tree Knobs and Melville Island. Coho at Stephens Island, Dundas and Work Channel, Humpback Bay.

Douglas Channel
Good Coho fishing throughout the Douglas Channel with many limit catches from Money point right into the harbour. Pinks and Chums still part of the catch and red snapper grey cod and halibut for the bottom bouncers.

Kitimat River
Good Coho, Chum and Pink fishing in the river. The Pink return is abnormally high. Some really big Chum have been taken and a few of the northern Coho are showing up. A great year on the Kitimat with so many fish.


Terrace area
River has really dropped in the last couple of weeks and many gravel bars are now showing. Although Sockeye numbers are down there is still a lot of fish being caught. Pinks are numerous and many anglers are less than tickled Pink as they fish for Coho and Sockeye. Many of the early Steelhead are also being caught on the popular bars around Terrace and upriver. Hard to beat when a possible 6 different species can be hooked in one day.

NOTE:

The Bulkley Valley Fall Fair is coming up on the last weekend of August. They are again hosting their 5th Annual Fly Casting Competition. Come into Oscar's to sign up. There is a women's division, kids, and men's open division. Everyone is welcome to come out and show off their stuff. The competition is based on accuracy as well as distance and all fishermen/women will use a 5wt rod to do their casts.

Ladies, kids, and open eliminations at 7pm Thursday, August 27th at Chandler Park.
Finalists finish off in the Rodeo Arena at the Fall Fair on Saturday August 29th at 12 noon.
There are lots of great prizes to be drawn and we encourage everyone to sign up!
More info at 250-847-2136 or info@oscarssports.com

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Moricetown tagging update

Here is an update on the sonic tagging program at Moricetown on the Bulkley river.
Information courtesy Min. of Environment, Smithers

A pilot, steelhead sonic tagging project was initiated this month; throughout the summer/fall, 65 tags will be placed on steelhead captured in the Moricetown Canyon dipnet and beach seine fisheries – the objective is to assess drop-back in order to calibrate the Moricetown Canyon mark-recapture derived steelhead abundance estimate. If you do recover a steelhead with a sonic transmitter attached to the base of the dorsal fin (see attached photo: Sonic Tag), please do not handle the transmitter but report the capture location, fish and tag condition via e-mail or telephone (250.847.7297). Approximately 466 steelhead have been captured to date in the Moricetown Canyon mark-recapture fishery (230 dipnet, 236 beach seine). Twenty sonic tags have been applied, 10 in each fishery.

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Latest sportfishing update

Here is the latest regional fishing report courtesy of Oscar's Source for Sports in Smithers.


Bulkley

The weather is HOT and the water has colored because of some snow melt. Fish are being caught throughout the Bulkley. Lots of fish are rolling and jumping down in Moricetown. Anglers and fish alike are finding their favorite holes and spending time in them. Most anglers are hooking into fish between 12-30lb with the odd 40lb fish being caught.

Morice

The water is clear and lots of fish are being seen. Fishing is good and many anglers are taking their boats out and finding their favourite spots, while others are taking up their spots on the river bank.

Kispiox

The river looks great and fish are being caught. Many people are taking good sized fish home while others are content with just going for a swim to cool down .

Terrace area

The Skeena has dropped 1/2 meter in the last week and is fishing excellent for the Springs. One 70+ pounder reported in the last couple of days. Sockeye fishing is good right now and early summer run Steelhead are in the river as well as Coho, Chums, and Pinks. The Kalum is in good shape and fishing well for the big Springs. The Copper is fishable. Good fishing off the mouths of all feeder streams and rivers.

Kitimat River
The Kitimat is still giving up some big Chinook but the Chums and Pinks are the most abundant. Pinks keep everyone entertained and bite readily and are real suckers for Gibbs Cerise Crystal Crocs and pink jigs or pink/red flies. Be prepared though because the Chums and Springs will often take the same flies or lures. Some early Coho are also showing up in the river. I love fishing the Kitimat when it is boiling with fish and you don't know what the next fish will be.

Douglas Channel

Lots of Coho and Pinks being caught down the Channel. So far reports of a good Coho forecast are holding up. Bottom fishers doing well in some spots for Pacific Grey Cod and Halibut. Halibut fishing will further improve as some of these salmon carcasses start to wash down into the Douglas.

Prince Rupert

Fishing good around Rupert. Still some Springs but Pinks and Coho now making up the bulk of the catch. In Rupert as well as the Douglas Channel predictions of a good return of Coho seem to be holding true. Good catches from Porcher. Stephens, Lucy, Squatterrie, Melville, Dundas and Work. Bottom fishing off the more remote kelp beds and rock walls is always good with the various drift jigs. For drift jigging use a smooth 3-4 foot lift with a quick drop. Most bites come at the end of the drop. Use barbless hooks for quick release of unwanted fish.

Thank you and have a great long-weekend!

Oscar's Source for Sports
Box 550, 1214 Main St.
Smithers, B.C.
V0J 2N0
ph250 847 2136
fx250 847 3679
www.OscarsSports.com
info@oscarssports.com

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Skeena Recreational Sockeye fishery

With the Skeena sockeye commercial fishery still shut down, we thought we would clarify what is happening with the recreational fishery.
Here is a quote from DFO Area Chief on why the recreational fishery is still open when sockeye numbers are considered too low to allow commercial fishing:

The conservation limit that we use is 400,000 below which all fisheries are shut down. At 550,000 (ie 400,000 plus the FSC amount above Tyee) we start discussing FSC reductions with First Nations. At 650,000 we close the rec fishery. At 800,000 we reduce the rec fishery to 1. At 1,050,000 (the production spawning escapement target of 900,000 plus FSC) we start considering commercial fisheries. This is all in the Decision Rules for Area 4. Specifically, the rec decision rules are in section 4.5.4.4.
The Skeena sockeye run was estimated at approx 895,000 late last week.

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Black Hole syndrome at work....

Still no response to this June 19th inquiry to both fishery management agencies,MOE and DFO.
http://skeenafisheriesblog.blogspot.com/2009/06/recent-ncsa-inquiry-about-steeelhead.html

Seems like both agencies are suffering from 'black hole' syndrome right now. Why cant they let the sportfishing community, tourism industry sector, upriver Towns and Chambers of Commerce know why they cannot...or wont....agree on management objectives for valuable Skeena steelhead?

Why wont either agency take responsibility for conserving such a valuable public resource from being impacted so negatively and wastefully from commercial fisheries?

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BC Chamber of Commerce AGM, Prince Rupert

Last weekend the NCSA travelled down to the BC Chamber of Commerce Annual General Meeting. This year it was being held, in of all places, Prince Rupert.
We assisted the Smithers Chamber of Commerce in presenting a draft policy focusing on maintaining a vibrant sportfishery in our region. It was also a great opportunity to advocate for steelhead and publicize the wasteful bycatch of them in the commercial fishery.

The AGM Policy Sessions were fast paced with delegates presumed to have studied the materials well before the meetings. Votes are tallied by the Chair's eye or actually counted depending on how close it appears.

Needless to say, a policy advocating the sportfishery, the conservation of steelhead, and the proposal of shifting the sockeye catch to inriver selective locations was not readily accepted by some delegates. The Prince Rupert Chamber reps could not agree to any measures that appeared to be 'anti-commercial fishing'. Several other community reps with commercial fishing interests also voiced concern. But really it seemed they were just against anything they thought would be harmful to their commercial industry.
After some 'wordsmithing' changes to our original policy and a very close vote, we are pleased to report the policy passed. This is significant in that the BC Chamber Policy manual is presented to government and actually gets serious consideration.
We feel the real value was in having steelhead and fishery management being discussed on such a prominent stage, plus having all the regional Chambers ( Houston, Smithers, Terrace, Burns Lake) all engaged in the value of steelhead discussion.
All in all, a very successful event. A big thank you goes out to the Smithers Chamber folks for putting forth such a policy and advocating for steelhead and fishery management. Also thanks to those regional Chambers who voted for the policy.

Here is the press release from the Smithers Chamber of Commerce.



Press Release
From the Smithers District Chamber of Commerce
May 25, 2009

The Smithers District Chamber of Commerce was successful in presenting a policy resolution at the 57th Annual British Columbia Chamber of Commerce AGM and Conference, held May 21 to 23, 2009 in Prince Rupert. Over 140 delegates, representing 133 individual Chambers, met for two days in policy review meetings to discuss various resolutions including the Smithers District Chamber of Commerce’s “Policy for Maintaining a Vibrant Sport Fishing Industry in British Columbia, which passed at the meeting.

The policy’s preamble included the continuing negative impact of the mixed stock fishery at the mouth of the Skeena River, where steelhead are caught incidentally by fisheries targeting sockeye and pink salmon. On average it sees from 1/3 to 1/2 of the returning steelhead in any given year killed unnecessarily as “by catch”. The preamble stated that the associated sport fishery, that is dependent on the returning steelhead, are negatively affected and, as the steelhead sport fishery is a major economic contributor to BC’s economy, management of this resource must consider sport fishing and its associated tourism industry in regulations committed to increased annual returns of Skeena River steelhead and salmon.

The resolution recommended that the federal government acknowledge the importance of the sport fishing tourism industry in fisheries management in British Columbia and that the Ministry of Environment support a Province-wide Steelhead Recovery Plan.

David McKenzie, president of the Smithers District Chamber of Commerce, stated, “This is an extremely important issue as businesses throughout the north are dependent on the health of the sport fishing industry. We listened to their concerns about declining species, unable to maintain their cycle under existing fishing pressure, and advocated on their behalf. When the BC Chamber of Commerce presents this issue to the government we feel confident this will result in improved stock abundance and the enhancement of angling opportunities and economic benefits in our region.”

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Complacency

One of the biggest enemies of steelhead and steelhead advocates is complacency. Complacency permeates the history of this issue from our side.

Complacency always seems to set in for steelhead advocates whenever the Tyee Index starts to look above average. 2008 is one of those years. After two horrible years for steelhead returns in 2006 and 2007, the numbers this season look far more promising. And this is where people tend to relax and think everything is ok in the world. Wrong...wrong...wrong...
We couldnt disagree further.....We feel the steelhead sportfishing community cannot continue to stagger from crisis to crisis or accept the leftovers from the commercial fishery anymore. Steelhead and their associated sportfishing related economy deserve much more than to be an afterthought in the Skeena fishery management process.
We should view these supposedly strong run years with skepticism by putting them in relation to what really could have been. What could have been without Alaskan interception...what could have been without the Skeena commercial fishing impacts...?? The potential in our steelhead runs is incredible but it isnt being fully realized because of commercial interception. So, when a strong steelhead run comes along and Tyee numbers look good even with intense commercial fishing we tend to relax our focus. This is completely the wrong time to get complacent in our opinion. We need to take advantage of these abundances and work even harder to assure that when the next weak run arrives it has a chance to make it through the commmercial gauntlet.
2008 is definitely not the year to get complacent if you are interested in steelhead at all. It is time to stay focussed and continue the push for systemic change in the management of the Skeena fishery.

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Sportfishery enforcement

Sportfishery Infractions
The commercial sector is always harping about the 'uncontrolled' sportfishery in attempts to deflect attention from their impacts on fish stocks. And we are always more than ready to shine the light on commercial transgressions, so in fair play we thought we'd show some sport sector transgressions.

Apparently, there was quite a high profile enforcement blitz executed by the Provincial Conservation Officer Service last week in the lower Skeena.
Along with the usual assortment of sportfishing violations such as barbed hooks, over limit, etc, the CO's interestingly found numerous instances of steelhead killed and misidentified as chinook. Charges are pending. This situation is interesting from several angles; firstly, it shows all sectors require a certain level of enforcement presence in order to maintain the integrity of the regulations. Second, it highlights the disparity between the apparent empathetic treatment the commercial industry receives from DFO Fishery Officers versus the detached treatment CO's give toward sportfishers. It also provides ammunition to commercial fishers who do comply with the rules and carefully release steelhead to question 'why bother' if sporties cant even tell what they are killing upstream.
However, in a reality check the logarithmic scale factor of commercial impacts versus sportfisher mistakes must certainly be taken in consideration in all this. Remember, one gillnet opening can impact thousands of steelhead.

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