Download Skeena River - Four Seasons of Angling Paradise

http://www.tuf-line.com
Skeena River - Four Seasons of Angling Paradise
© by Noel Gyger
Terrace, British Columbia, is located 600 air miles north of Vancouver, B.C. and is situated on the
Skeena River, the second largest river system in the province. To the native Nisga'a people, the
"Skeena" means "River of Mists," and within its pristine valleys are countless rivers and streams
that flow rich with Pacific salmon, trout and steelhead. This area held the world-record Chinook
salmon of 92 and one-half pounds; the record coho salmon which weighed in at 25 and one-half
pounds; and a 36-pound steelhead.
Even average size fish in the Skeena region are considered trophies when compared to catches
taken elsewhere. Steelhead weigh more that twenty pound and chinook over fifty pounders are
not uncommon. Local biologists have also netted several world-record size chum salmon as well
as chinook in excess of one hundred pounds.
Sheltered amidst the coastal mountain range of the Canadian Rockies, Terrace is surrounded by
fishing opportunities. Discover ancient forests, majestic waterfalls, glaciers, volcanic boulder
fields, fossil beds, not spring, eagles, mountain goats and the elusive Kermodei bear.
In March, steelheading is in full swing. Water levels are low and weather conditions are
improving. On a warm day it can almost feel like summer. By April, although there is always the
chance of wet snow or rain, weather conditions are generally favorable. Fresh runs of steelhead
make their way up rivers and mingle with winter populations. These aggressive fish offer
explosive action, whether it be fly-fishing from shore or hot-shotting by drift boat. Also, giant
chinook salmon begin making their way up the Skeena and enter the Kalum River. In May, the
chinook can be found throughout the Skeena and Kalum, a Skeena tributary, where the fishing is
often outstanding; steelhead can still be caught, although their numbers decline once spawning is
over.
Summer
In June, spring run-off is at its maximum on the main Skeena, so high murky water leads us to
focus on other productive Skeena tributaries. By mid-June, rivers such as the Kitimat are full of
silver-fresh chinook, and ocean fish are always an option that can enhance the total catch. July is
prime time for targeting kings everywhere, but on the main Skeena, where the largest salmon
spawn, the most memorable battles await you…In addition, summer-run steelhead begin their
long migration upstream; these radiant fish can reach up to 20 or 30-pounds and in warm water,
are especially spectacular fighters. In August, the chinook season begins to wind down in the
main rivers as their spawning period approaches. In some tributaries, catching silver fish is still
possible, but we tend to focus more attentively on the fresh runs of the steelhead and coho
entering the Skeena.
Fall
In September, summer-run steelheading is outstanding and fly-fishing conditions are usually
ideal. In addition, the main runs of northern hooked-jaw coho begin filling most rivers. These hard
fighters can average 15-pounds and fish over 20-pounds are not uncommon. Dolly Varden are
also plentiful. In October and November, fly-fishing for steelhead and coho is in full swing. Float
fishing and spinning is also effective - there's lots of fish and they're aggressive.
Winter
In December, January and February, the focus narrows to steelhead only. There are three icefree rivers in the Terrace area that hold wintering steelhead. In cold low water conditions, a subtle
approach often leads to excellent results. Fly-fishing, spinning and float fishing are the most
popular methods.
THE SKEENA, For World Record Chinook
The Skeena River is "where to be" when angling for world record Chinook Salmon! While the
nearby Kitimat River also has a large run of Chinook, on average, they are smaller fish. Fishery
employees have found carcasses of Chinook spawned out along the banks of the Skeena system
that weighed more than 107-pounds!
Anglers from around the world come to Terrace and the Skeena River to angle for these famous
giants. It's approximately a one hour flight from Vancouver, B.C. by modern jet aircraft. The best
time to fish is the whole month of July and the first week of August. The days are long with many
hours to fish and warm summer temperature of plus 27 degrees Celsius. The best fishing results
can be obtained when the water is clean. Around the Cottonwood area near the mouth of the
Kalum River exceptionally large fish can be seen rolling all day. This is an incredible sight and it
really gets my adrenaline flowing.
The boat launch known as "Fishermen's Park" is only a five-minute drive from downtown Terrace
and it's usually full of vehicles and empty jet-boat trailers. Summer is an exciting time of year!
Several years ago, a world record Chinook (weighing 92 ½ - pounds) was landed by Mr. Heinz
Wickman of Terrace, from the Skeena River near the mouth of the Kalum River. This fish was
caught with a Lure Jensen Crocodile lure. Our lodge record Chinook weighed 83-pounds.
Ninety per cent of the Chinook in the Skeena River are wild fish. Some hatchery Chinook do
exist, but most are wild fish. The Kitimat river probably has more hatchery Chinook because of
the $10 million fish hatchery.
My personal fishing diary goes back some 15 years fishing the Skeena River. My log pays special
attention to fish over 70-pounds. The ultimate challenge in river sportfishing is to try and land one
of these "giants". It's especially difficult because of the fast-flowing, six-mile-per-hour river current.
While angling for Chinook you may also hook "fresh" summer-run Steelhead. These fish are in
the system migrating further upstream to distant tributaries for spawning. The silver chrome fish
will surely give you a tackle-straining experience. I believe more could be hooked if it weren't for
Chinook chasing and spooking them as they defend their "reds."
The preferred method of angling from the shore is "plunking" or "still-fishing" with large Spin and
Glow size #00, (double ott) number six or seven hooks and eight oz. Pyramid lead weights. Some
folks like to add salmon eggs to the hook but I don't think this is necessary. This is all rigged with
a triple swivel. Make sure your fishing rod is stout enough and well secured in a good rod holder.
(I've seen many broken rods and rods that were jerked into the river by strong fish.) Put a small
bell on the tip of your fishing rod and wait for the bite! You can also bottom bounce, use a lure or
try fly-fishing. Terrace goes all out to make sport fishermen from out of town feel welcome.
Terrace has many hotels, motels and camping sites, all located near the fishing grounds. There
are several well-stocked tackle stores to serve you.
My favorite fishing method is "pulling-plugs." I like to use the big magnum Hot Shots with number
seven Gamakatsu hooks, razor sharp. I use Ambassador 7000 reels filled to capacity with Ande
30-pound test line.
The bottom line: to have a very successful fishing trip, you need: 1) A good run of fish. 2) Proper
timing of the runs. 3) Good water and weather conditions.
Unfortunately, we cannot control the water conditions, but with so many watersheds available,
quality angling can always be found.
OCT0BER dreaming
This is a fantastic time to angle for both steelhead and coho salmon plus resident Cutthroat,
Rainbow Trout and Dolly Varden Char in northwest British Columbia, Canada. Let's talk about the
Coho salmon first.
You too can make this dream a reality if you come here to angle for these beautiful salmon. When
hooked they jump, roll and tumble, wrapping themselves up in your line, like a pretty package.
The rolling and tumbling is a Coho characteristic! The Americans know them as "silvers"....but we
call them "Yo Ho"...the Coho!.
The Skeena river and its many tributaries are fortunate to have many large runs of these "silver"
beauties. The first migrating Coho are of average size but later, in October, the "larger" Coho
start to appear. We call these larger fish "northerns" because, not only is their average weight
higher, they also have the distinctive large "hooked" nose that we commonly refer to as the
"northern nose". Even the females have the hooked nose although not as prominent as the male.
The regular Coho average between 6 and 12-pounds but the "northerns" average between 12
and 20-pounds with the odd fish weighing more than 25-pounds. Northwest Fishing Guides lodge
record Coho weighed an amazing 27-pounds. This fish was landed by a repeat guest, Mr. Jack
Baikowitz, in middle October 1995 in the Kasiks river. Mr. Baikowitz now wants to be called "Mr.
Coho" from now on. A 20 x 30 inch poster photo of this record fish hangs on the wall at the lodge.
Yo Ho!...that's the "battle cry" in the fall that most of us yell when the Coho start coming. This is a
very exciting time of year.
The Coho arrive into the Skeena system at the beginning of August. The smaller Coho enter the
river first as they have the furthest to travel. The "BIG" Chinook Salmon runs are coming to an
end and all but over. Even though there are still Chinook Salmon in the rivers, most are getting
too dark and usually are left alone to spawn, preferring to angle for brighter fish. If you talking
"table fare"...why would anyone want to kill a dark fish? Everyone's attention turn to the bright
silver Coho Salmon. A good angler can hook many more Coho than Chinook. Nature dictated that
the smaller fish will be more plentiful. What a great way to end the salmon season...with "blowout" Coho fishing.
This is the most "anti" combat angling area you can find anywhere, especially in the fall. Many
time when fishing for Coho you will be the only person in the pool. I am referring to the isolated
coastal rivers, only accessible by jet-boat, near Terrace. My favorite river is the Kasiks. The jetboat ride up this river is fantastic. For 8 miles you wind your way upstream through mountain
flanks that touches the river on both sides. Slate gray rock faces confined the river to a narrow
slot. A thousand tiny waterfall skittered down the rock faces plunging into the small river.
Even though the runs are strong in our area, it is still wise to practice conservation. We want
these Coho here forever. Please learn the correct way to catch and release and teach your
friends. It will work for Coho as well as it has been proven to work for Steelhead. Do not stress a
fish by playing it too long (usually caused by using too light a line) or dragging it in too quickly, so
that it beats its head on the rocks. Keep the fish off the rocks and in deep water. The angler
should be wearing chest waders or at least hip waders so he can accomplish this. Use "barbless"
hooks or hooks that have small barbs, such as Gamakatsu. To assist in landing a fish use a glove
or sock to grip the tail. For a large fish use a glove on both hands. Do not pick them up only by
the tail and lift them high into the air as this puts too much stress on their backbone. Keep the fish
horizontal by supporting the belly with the other hand. Do not use a landing net as the mesh can
cause excessive scale loss and split fins. Try and keep their head in the water as much as
possible, then hold them up for a quick "kiss" and photo then let them go. Take the hook out
gently. If you do this correctly you will not need the pliers. If the fish has the strength to wiggle its
tail, let it "kick" out of your hand and swim, do not hold it back. Celebrate!
If you keep a fish to eat, make sure that it is silver and fresh. Do not keep a dark fish as it is
probably too near to spawning and the meat will not make good table fare.
One basic rule applies when fishing for Coho: if you can't see them rolling, don't fish. Coho like
just about any terminal tackle that is properly presented. Presentation is everything. And to have
some fun with the colors they should be silver, blue or green.
I love using the flyrod in a weight 8 or 9 or a light spinning rod and reel filled with 12-pound test
and a jig as terminal tackle. The jig works well in very clean water, calm or slow moving deep
pools where you know fish are holding and you cannot see them, except for the odd "roll" or "rise"
now and then. If you find a pool or run where you can see the fish because the water is very clear
and not that deep, your terminal tackle choice should be a lure such as the Lure Jensen
Crocodile or a light thin spoon weighed if needed, with split shot. Use something thin that glides
through the water and is designed to represent small fish that the Coho think are a threat to their
spawning "reds" or area. Sometimes a spinner such as the Blue Fox #4 or 5 is the correct bait.
The spinner blades cause it to be retrieved slowly, letting the fish have a good look at it and
thereby making a decision to strike.
With other terminal tackle, such as thin lures most folks retrieve them too quickly. Slow down your
retrieve. I know this will cause you to lose a few lures but you have to be down deep and your
lure has to be moving slow enough to give the fish a chance to react. Always keep you hook
sharp. After awhile, not matter what your using or how you present it, the fish will spook or
develop "lock jaw" and stop biting. In that case, you are advised to find another "fresh" or unspooked pool.
Float fishing or bottom bouncing works the best when the water is higher, the fish are not
spooked and the current is moving at the correct speed. Many types of terminal tackle will work
when float fishing but I think the best bait is "dime size" egg bags fished on number 2 hooks.
October is "PRIME TIME" for "wild" B.C. Steelhead in our area. They are referred to as wild
because there are no hatchery steelhead in the whole Skeena river and it's tributaries. Both
conventional and fly tackle users will be in "heaven". The main rivers we fish are the Skeena,
Copper and Meziadin. We also fish in the Meziadin Lake. At this time of year the lake is full of
spawning Sockeye Salmon, consequently the fishing for Dolly Varden Char is fantastic. These
are big Dolly's that weigh up to 6-pounds and Rainbows to 5-pounds. At the end of the lake,
where the lake turns into river is the best spot in the world for steelhead and Coho fishing. The
river is jammed with fish. No matter how bad the weather, this river remains fishable all the time.
Another river in our area, called the Copper, excellent for Steelhead at this time. Care must be
taken when wading this river because the bottom is strewn with large and small boulders and one
can trip over them if not careful. If the water is very clean, the flyrod will hook many fish.
Convention tackle users will have no trouble hooking up to six or more fish per day.
Our lodge record steelhead weighed 32-pounds. It was caught and released by Dennis Therein
from the Kalum river in 1995. It measured 40 inches in length and had a girth of 24.5 inches. The
weight was estimated by using a formula of length x girth squared x 1.33 divided by 1000.
Catch & Release formula…Chinook: girth squared x length x 1.53 divided by 1000. Steelhead:
girth squared x length x 1.33 divided by 1000 (inches)
Noel Gyger http://www.noelgyger.ca