The photo of the week shows Leigh Buysse with a nice Dolly Varden Char she landed on the Kitimat River while fishing on March 21, 2010. Leigh was float fishing with Bubba's Bait Barn Dew worms. Her boyfriend Travis was fly fishing using an Egg Sucking Leech. Between them, they landed four Dolly Varden Char.
Noel Gyger - WEEKLY FISHING REPORTS for Smithers, Terrace, Kitimat and Prince Rupert
March 21 to March 28, 2010
Number 164
Dear Fishing Friends:
SUMMARY: Weather has been fair during the week but very windy on the weekend. More and more anglers are fishing for Steelhead, Cutthroat Trout, and Dolly Varden Char using both fly, spin and conventional gear. The talk is about catching that first Chinook (King) Salmon. The water is at normal heights for this time of year and is coming up slowly which usually means good fishing conditions. The Skeena River is coming up slowly and fishing for Steelhead and Trout is fair. There is a possibility to hook a Chinook (King) Salmon also. The lower end of the Zymoetz (Copper) River is fishing good for Steelhead and Trout. The Kalum River is fishing good 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. Crab (Dungeness and King) fishing is excellent. Winter ocean Chinook and Halibut 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 good Steelhead and Dolly Varden Char fishing on the lower mainstem Skeena and Kalum Rivers. Other rivers have good Trout Fishing. Check out his report below. Please remember your current fishing licenses will run out on March 31st.
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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:
- One New item posted on "Conservation" Mar 24/10
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, Ariel Kuppers, Tracey Hittel, Chad Black 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 and King 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: estimate 14-pound Kalum River Steelhead. Ocean: estimate 50-pound Halibut from Prince Rupert.
Weather: Light Rain Shower. Wind from the South 46 km/h gust 58 km/h. High 8. Sunrise 7:17 AM Sunset 7:02 PM. Today’s yearly average temperatures: Maximum 10 degrees. Minimum 0 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 is up and in good shape.
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: More anglers are heading out to try their luck fishing for Trout and Steelhead. Fishing has been reported as good. The water is coming up very slowly.
Christiaan Doyle did extremely well fishing the Kalum River this week. Here are a couple of pics he sent me. He was float fishing with Fenwick HMX 11 foot 12-20lb, Abu Garcia Ambassadeur Eon 6601 and 12lb Maxima Ultra Green. He is seriously thinking about hanging up the conventional gear and start spey fly fishing for Steelhead. Thank you Christiaan for the report and the pics. Noel
Special Report from David Russell: Hey Noel, Just writing in to say thanks first off, your weekly fishing reports are a highlight of my Sundays, checking out the pictures and seeing what's going on locally in our area. It's helpful for when you can't get out fishing. Your gear tips from guides are great for new and novice fishermen. On days when I can't get out fishing the reports let me live vicariously.
Today, March 23rd, however I was able to get out and managed to hook up with a 7lb steelhead in the lower Kalum River, finally a pay off after flogging the water throughout the winter. It took a Colorado Blade floated under a Gibbs foam float in a boulder run just as I was moaning about how I haven't even caught any trout yet this year.
Anyways, thanks again and keep up the good work.
-David R
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.
Special Douglas Channel Report from Dean Melo of Kitimat BC and his couple of days Crab fishing:
Sat. March 20. Carlos,Kenny,Chris,Dean. Landed 35 Dungeness Crab, and 17 Kings in 5 hrs
Mon. March 22. Hi Noel, went out today and took my uncles and my dad and this is what we got. Wasn't as good as Saturday but they had a blast. Largest king was 41.5" span. You can post them if you'd like.
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 Kitimat River is producing lots of Trout this week. Some of the catch numbers are incredible. There have been some huge Dolly Varden being caught also. Steelheading is also improving steadily as more Steelhead have been reported this week.
See photo of the Week above
Mar 21 Travis James and girlfriend, Leigh Buysse caught 4 Dolly Varden on the Kitimat River. Travis was Flyfishing using an Egg Sucking Leech and Leigh was float fishing Bubba's Bait Barn Dew worms.
Mar 21, 22, 23 Ferd Weunche landed an approx. 100 Trout over the past 3 days using 3" Berkley Power Bait worm.
Mar 23 Ariel, Clint and Eric drifted the upper Kitimat. Eric lost a Steelhead with a Luhr Jensen Hot Shot.
Dolly
Steelhead
March 24 Ariel Kuppers and Nicolette and Justin Lowes and Emma Kuppers landed 30 plus Kitimat River Trout. Emma also landed a small Steelhead. They were float fishing the 3" Berkley Power Bait Worm with a piece of Bubba's Bait Barn's Worm.
Dolly Varden Char
March 27 Donny Weber weighed in a 6.6lb Dolly Varden at our store. Donny fishing with his friends Gavin and James caught many other Dolly Varden all over 3lbs. They also reported releasing 2 Steelhead in the upper Kitimat. Wow! Congratulations on a great day of Fishing Guys!
The Steelhead numbers are starting to improve with each tide as expected but the huge numbers of Trout that are being caught and the size of the Dolly Varden have been a welcome surprise.
DOUGLAS CHANNEL:
Crabbing is still the focus of many Saltwater boaters, especially King Crab. Other boaters are also doing some prawning
Mar 17 Dean was crabbing with his Uncles and they caught 17 King Crab and kept 8 King Crab on Saturday March 20. Dean also said that they only caught a few Dungeness Crab.
Mar 22 Dean and his Uncles went out again crabbing and they caught 6 King Crab on Monday 22. They caught less King Crab on their outing but they caught a whole bunch more Dungeness Crab. Wow! Nice catch!
Mar 26 Dean Melo and his friend, Ernie and his Uncles caught a total of 23 Dungeness, 31 King Crab and 1 Box Crab. They only kept their daily quotas but they had an outstanding day of crabbing. Wow! Dean lives 2 doors down the street from my home. I think I am going to see if there are any Crab left in the pot!
Please Note: Noel has already posted some of Dean's Crab photos...see above
The Douglas Channel will continue to provide fresh Seafood for all those who wish to harvest from her bountiful abundance. We are truly blessed to live in an area where we can enjoy the scenic wonders of the Douglas Channel and dine on the fresh harvest of our efforts.
Steelhead
Special Report: Mar 25 Trent Vines emailed me this photo of a Steelhead that he caught on the upper Kalum River. Thank You to Trent for sharing this photo and Congratulations on a very nice fish
Thank You to everyone for submitting photos and info for this Fishing Report.
Good Health and Good Fishing!
Sincerely
Ron Wakita
PS Any angler wishing to book our Guide and Charter Services please contact Noel Gyger
Fishing Report from: Chad Black, Nicholas Dean Lodge Terrace, BC
Hi Noel, Dustin and I had a chance to get out fishing with Robby for a few hours on Friday on one of our favourite Skeena tribs, and had a fantastic day of Steelhead fishing on the fly! Rob landed a 13-14 lb buck, and I landed two hens – one around 10 and the other 12. We also lost two other Steelhead and released several trout. It seems like warming air and water temperatures are making the fish more aggressive this Spring, just in time for the start of our Spring Steelhead guiding season! With the snowpack reportedly 50% of normal, we anticipate that this Spring might just be one of the best in recent years, as a small snowpack means logging roads open much earlier and that means access to more of our favourite coastal rivers. We do still have availability during a few prime weeks for those anglers interested in big Steelhead in small streams…
Tight lines and screaming reels…
Chad Black
Fishing Report from: Tracey Hittel, Steelhead Heaven and Lodge, Kitimat, BC
The season opener this past weekend was a doozy as Stemmer, the Saltwater fly fisherman from Key West Florida, landed a pair of sea run Steelhead. Stemmer fished a Thomas & Thomas 7wt and a 9wt, with new lines from Rio. Stemmer also hooked a monster Steelhead under a log pile and his hook was bent straight as this hog eluded him.
Dave, the pilot, as he flies up to Kitimat each year to fish, was our paired angler and you can see he landed fish as well. Weather conditions were fair and the water is in perfect shape.
The Skeena is alive with Eulichan's swimming up the river, followed by hundreds of Seagulls and Eagles feasting on what appears to be a good indication that this summer will be a good one.
Tracey John Hittel
Fishing Report from: J & E Tackle Shop, Prince Rupert BC
Hi Noel, I was very fortunate to be invited back on board the Alouette Gal Sunday March 21st by the owner/operators Miles and Denise Fuller. It was a bit overcast with a slight drizzle, but all in all the day was not without its moments. A curious sea lion hungry for a meal followed us while fishing for salmon in the harbour. Humpback whales were also sighted. Word has it that the current herring biomass is 8,000 ton.
Contact information for a charter aboard the Alouette Gal:
Phone: 250-692-6878
Email:
Prawn Traps on Sale for $39.95 Combo Rod and Reel on SALE now!
Penn Fishing Reels www.purefishing.com
Click here to view the New! Instore Flyer
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
Noel please tell the folks I will be running 2 boats this year. This boat is a 2359 Trophy Bayliner
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