The photo of the week shows pro angling guide Glen Kilcup of Fishawk Guiding with a bright Doe Steelhead landed on the Kalum River Monday, March 8, 2010. His fishing rod was a Shimano Scimitar 8' 6" Line weight 8-17lb medium fast action. 14lb Berkley Trilene XT green and a Rapala RAP SX4i 30 reel. The lure was a Gibbs Koho 55 silver red back. Hope this detailed tackle info helps "you" catch more fish.
Noel Gyger - WEEKLY FISHING REPORTS for Smithers, Terrace, Kitimat and Prince Rupert
March 7 to March 14, 2010
Number 164
Dear Fishing Friends:
SUMMARY: Weather was fair during the week but now we have wind and rain. Many anglers are fishing for Cutthroat Trout, Dolly Varden Char, Bull Trout and Steelhead using fly, spin and conventional gear. The water is very low. The fish are spooked so a stealthy approach is needed to catch them. Using smaller terminal tackle is a good idea also. The lower end of the Zymoetz (Copper) River is fishing good for Steelhead and Trout. The Kalum River is fishing fair for Steelhead. The Kitimat River is in good shape and fishing fair for Cutthroat Trout. The odd Steelhead is being caught also, more and more are coming in with every high tide. Check out the Ron Wakita report below. Winter Chinook fishing in the Kitimat Harbour and Douglas Channel is poor right now and is weather dependent. Winter ocean Chinook fishing in Prince Rupert is good when the weather is good. Check out the Jeff Carlson report below. The Smithers anglers are itching to fish for Steelhead. Check out the Cory Koenig report below. Jason Munday in Terrace reports a few Steelhead landed on the Kalum River and good Trout fishing on the other rivers. Check out his report below. The main stem Skeena River is getting some action for Steelhead. There is a possibility to hook a Chinook also. The fishing guides are preparing to start their season tomorrow, March 15 on the Kalum River. Guiding is allowed on the Kalum River from March 15 to October 15.
Have “YOU” entered the following draw yet? Thank you to those who have...
Cast on link to view full size http://www.noelgyger.ca/articles/win-a-FREE-driftboat-fishing-trip.doc?
With the participation of some of the Best Dealers (Tackle Shops) in the Northwest I have distributed DVD players and Video clips featuring the Best Fishing in the Northwest highlighting several of the Best Guides and Charters in the Northwest using a variety of the Best Fishing Products on the Market today. The dealers that have the DVD players are: Home Hardware in Kitimat, J&E Tackle and Hunting Shop in Prince Rupert, Oscars Source for Sports in Smithers and Fish Tales Tackle Shop in Terrace. Please visit these shops to watch the shows.
LIST OF “New” ITEMS POSTED ON THE WEBSITE THIS WEEK:
- Sorry, no new posts this week.
NOW BOOKING for 2010: Let me know if I can be of service to book you with the "best" fishing guide and/or fishing lodges for both river and ocean. There are NO extra charges to book through me, just a lot of free information and advice from a person with years and years of fishing and fish guiding experience. It is like hiring two guides for the price of one. I will promptly answer your questions and concerns. Cast here http://noelgyger.ca/special-guided.htm to read more of what I have to offer.
Many people book three trips per year to our area; one trip in the spring (March-April-May), one trip in the summer (June-July-August) and one trip in the fall (September-October-November). They love having the same guide but fishing for different fish in different areas.
Be sure to check out my website at www.noelgyger.ca for news bulletins, mid week fishing updates, conservation, my history, quality waters strategy, special guided fishing trips, video clips, podcasts, scenic river photos, wildlife photos and others, comments from past guests, informational articles, archived fishing reports from 1996 through 2002 and a sportfishing market place. I hope it meets with your entire satisfaction. I am at your service.
FISHING GUIDE REPORTS FOR THIS WEEK ARE FROM:
Ron Wakita, Gill McKean, Ariel Kuppers and Jeff Carlson
CURRENT REPORT and summary for Skeena and Tributaries:
Type of fish caught: Steelhead, Trout and Dolly Varden Char for river. Salmon, Halibut, Bottom Fish and Dungeness Crab for ocean.
Thank you for using barbless hooks! (This is a BC fishing regulation)
FISHING THIS WEEK: GOOD
LARGEST FISH OF THE WEEK: River: 18-pound Kitimat River Steelhead landed by Andi Handl. Ocean: none reported this week.
Weather: Rain. Rain mixed with snow this morning. Rainfall amount 5 to 10 mm. High plus 4. Sunrise 7:52 AM Sunset 7:35 PM. Today’s yearly average temperatures: Maximum 7 degrees. Minimum - 1 degrees.
WEATHER REPORTS VIA TELEPHONE: Terrace 250-635-4192 Kitimat 250-632-7864 Prince Rupert 250-627-1155 Smithers 250-847-1958.
Skeena River: More and more anglers are fishing the mainstem Skeena River for Steelhead. There is a good chance to catch Chinook (King) Salmon also. Water has been dropping all week.
Skeena River height: http://scitech.pyr.ec.gc.ca/waterweb/fullgraph.asp
Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO): Tyee Test Fishery for the Skeena River.
Kalum River: Since the weather is good more anglers are heading out to try their luck fishing for Trout and Steelhead. Anglers are reminded of a bait ban January 1 to March 15. Fishing has been reported as fair. The water is very low and the fish are spooked in the shallow sections. Try to fish in the deep cut-banks. Trout fishing has been OK...but has really slowed down...as a result of the bait ban.
Zymoetz (COPPER) RIVER: Steelhead fishing is reported as fair. The upper section is closed as of December 31 but the lower section below the first canyon will stay open for Steelheaders to enjoy.
Fishing Report from: Ron Wakita of Reliable Guide and Charters, Kitimat BC
Cast on link below to view New! flyer: http://www.noelgyger.ca/images/Instore_Flyer_Oct_2009.pdf
KITIMAT RIVER:
The weather this week ranged from clear and sunny to 3 to 4 inches of snow but the fishing conditions on the Kitimat River continue to be very good and there are still good numbers of Trout being caught. There seemed to be more Dolly Varden caught than Cutthroat for awhile but the catch rates have returned to their typical proportions this past week. The most popular methods are float-fishing Bubba's Bait Barn's Dew worms and Fly Fishing. The most popular flies are egg and minnow patterns. There were also a few more reports of Steelhead being caught.
Mar 8 Travis James and Justin Lowes hooked 2 Steelhead and 4 Trout all on a Fly. Travis landed a small Steelhead on an Egg Sucking Leech and Justin lost his on the same fly. They also landed 1 Cutthroat and 1 Dolly Varden Char fishing the lower Kitimat. Congratulations Guys!
Mar 9 Derrick Downey hooked what he estimated to be an 8lb Steelhead in the lower Kitimat River. Derrick was using a Hot Shot with a Luhr Jensen Side Planer.
Mar 9 Ariel Kuppers landed 4 Trout on the lower Kitimat River across from the Hatchery. He landed 2 Cutthroat and 2 Dolly Varden. Ariel was float fishing with Gibbs float and a Berkley 3" Power Bait Worm.
Mar 9 Ferd Bouzanne and Dave Olsen landed 14 Cutthroat and 1 big Dolly Varden fishing the mid Kitimat River.
Mar 13 Andi Handl of Kingfish West Coast Adventure Tours landed an 18lb Steelhead drifting the upper Kitimat. Wow! Nice fish! Andi caught the largest Steelhead to date. Up until now, most of the Steelhead that have been reported have been 8 to 10lbs. Congratulations on a very nice fish! Well done!
The Steelhead are coming! The Steelhead are coming! With each tide more Steelhead are starting to migrate into the Kitimat River. Although it is still early, Steelheaders are starting to get pretty fired up about the Kitimat River Steelhead season and many have been out scouting the Kitimat River. There are many changes to the Kitimat River especially in the middle and upper sections. Some areas have experienced major changes, Please be aware when drifting. The changes in the river add to the mystique of finding this Prized species of Sport Anglers. Stay Tuned to this report because... "The Steelhead are coming!"
DOUGLAS CHANNEL:
Richard from MK Bay Marina reports that the Herring are starting to spawn. He said, "this morning, the shore was white with Herring spawn all along the beach either side of MK Bay Marina. The first 30' to 40' of shoreline was covered with Herring roe". The Sea Lions, Seals, Seagulls and Eagles are feasting during this natural spawning cycle of the Herring but most boaters seem to be focused on Crabbing. I think after the long winter without having fresh Crab, many boaters are focused on harvesting their first Dungeness Crab feed of the season. There is always a gratifying feeling when you pull the traps yourself, take them home and cook them and then enjoy the harvest of your efforts. It is similar to the feeling gardeners have after harvesting the vegetables that they have grown.
King Crab are also starting to be harvested. Ariel received a report this morning from an angler who caught some King Crab yesterday (Saturday). I suspect that when the Saltwater boaters satisfy their appetite for Crab, they will start to focus on the Feeder Chinook and the Bottom fish. Right now, Crab is number one on the Menu.
Special Report:
Mar 8 I had the pleasure of fishing with my cousin, Mike Wakita and his good friend Dave Llewellyn on the Kalum River. My good friend, Glen Kilcup was kind enough to take us in his Jetboat. Glen landed this beauty on a Gibbs Koho 55. (See Photo of the Week above). Dave had a strike on a Fly and lost another on a Spoon. Although we were a bit early, it was a great day on the river with my cousin Mike and his friend Dave. A Big Thank You to Glen to help create a wonderful fishing experience for us.
Reminder to all Anglers that Fishing Licenses expire March 31st.
We are also booking for the 2010 Fishing Season for both Drift boat trips on the Kitimat and Saltwater trips down the Douglas Channel. Any interested anglers please contact Noel
We also have a Draw for a Driftboat Trip for 3 down the Kitimat River for anyone who signs up their friends on the Mailing List for this Fishing Report. The Draw date is approaching soon. April 30th.
Thank You to everyone who provided photos and info to this Fishing Report.
Good Health and Good Fishing!
Sincerely, Ron Wakita
Fishing Report from: Gill McKean, Westcoast Fishing Adventures, Terrace, BC
Hello Noel. We are now looking to book our Salmon dates, there are still a few primetime weeks to fill. If you have been thinking Alaska for Kings (Chinook) think no More and book with Westcoast Fishing Adventures through Noel Gyger. We can Hook you up in B.C. Our anglers don’t leave disappointed. No crowds, at least not where we take them. Our guides seek water that not only hold large fish, we also get away from the summertime rush .. The Skeena drainage is 600KM long. With all that water there is no need to fish in someone's back pocket, no need to pay for classified rod day fees. Fish don’t fly over the un-crowded un-classified sections of rivers. At Westcoast Fishing we have spent our time and hard earned money learning the entire Skeena, Nass, and Kitimat drainage. No stone is left unturned. This is why after 13 years in the guiding business with all the ups and downs in the world today we just keep putting smiles on peoples faces from all around the world. See photos attached of Happy clients with Big Chinook !!!!!
Gill McKean, Westcoast Fishing Adventures
Fishing is our addiction – Guiding is our passion
Adventure is in our blood
Fishing Report from: J & E Tackle Shop, Prince Rupert BC
Hi Noel. The weather is extremely poor this weekend with lots of wind and rain, not conducive to ocean fishing but I have had a few reports of folks catching some Winter Springs when the weather breaks. The main run of Chinook will be heading for the river mouths soon, mainly the Skeena and Nass Rivers. Then the fun really begins. PLUS bottom fish and lots of BIG Halibut. Start gearing up for it now! And book your charters also. If you leave it until the last minute you might be disappointed. When the weather is not co-operative, the Prawning and Crabbing is a good alternative and is usually very productive this time of the year. Take advantage when the weather is nice and take to the water.
Tight Lines and enjoy our North Pacific Playground
Combo Rod and Reel on SALE now!
Prawn Trap on Sale for $39.95
Click here to view the New! Instore Flyer
Penn Fishing Reels www.purefishing.com
Captain Jeff Carlson BC STYLE Fishing Charters
To book your charter for Winter Chinook onboard the Trish-Anne please contact Jeff Carlson of BC STYLE Fishing Charters www.bcstylefishingcharters.com
Prince Rupert Weather: http://www.theweathernetwork.com/weather/cabc0236
Prince Rupert Tide Charts:
http://www.waterlevels.gc.ca/cgi-bin/tide-shc.cgi?queryType=showFrameset&zone=18&language=english®ion=1&stnnum=9354
www.bcstylefishingcharters.com
Thanks. Jeff Carlson – owner
Fishing Report from: Fish Tales Tackle Shop, Terrace BC
Cutthroat Trout (note red slash in lower jaw)
Hello Noel. Well, I had another chance to get out and cast a fly Friday afternoon. I didn’t have much time as I got out there fairly late in the day. But the day was rewarding! I was able to snap a picture of a beautiful silver cutty! I had caught and released 4 like the one in the picture. These fish are like little jewels. I so enjoy fishing for them, lots of fun. Again I was using my Sage 480-4 ZXL, Scientific Angler WF4 line and a Dragonfly 5X tapered leader. I was using a little minnow pattern. I didn’t see any fry along the banks on this trip but fry patterns work well. The water is still very low but if you can find a deeper bowl that offers some cover or a good cut bank there is a very good chance a Cutty is holding in there. What a way to enjoy this beautiful backyard that we all have! Happy Fishing to all from Fish Tales Fly & Tackle Shop!