|
The annual Sockeye Madness begins on Thursday, August 1, when the
Babine River opens for the taking of two sockeye. There was some
doubt as to whether there was going to be an opening, but it was
decided a couple of months ago, to give sport anglers a chance.
Many anglers, including myself, really look forward to this fishery.
It is true that there can be a lot of people fishing, but there
a lot of fish.
Skeena
For those anglers who can't stand the crowds, they can hike downstream
or find some bars on the Skeena where you are also allowed two sockeye
per day. These early sockeye are chrome bright, strong fish, and
the fish that have been taken on the lower Skeena around Terrace,
have shown some good size. Fishing is fly fishing only, single barbless
hook, no external weight, meaning you can't attach any lead, and
no floats or strike indicators.
Right Equipment
Anglers must have the proper lines to have a chance of success.
This usually means a sink rate of at least six inches per second
and up to 9.5 inches per second. Lines such as a Scientific Anglers
Express 350, 450 or 550, Airflo's 400 or 500, Teeny's 300, 400 or
500 will catch fish. However, this year extremely high water on
the Babine may necessitate the heavier lines. Word from the guides,
and Park staff, say the water is three feet plus higher than last
year. My wader's leak at the armpits, yours probably leak at the
same place, which will make for very tough wading and access. It
would be highly recommended for all anglers to have a personal flotation
device with them.
Sockeye are very strong fighters and this is no place for a wimpy
trout rod. We have seen more fly rods broken on sockeye than any
other fish. Absolute minimum is a seven weight but your steelhead
eight or nine weight is better. Because there are large numbers
of fish, some foul hooking is inevitable, but you can minimize the
foul hook by waiting for the bite or strike.
(All previous issues are stored in the ARCHIVE
for your convenience)
|
Let the little touches go, and if you do get a foul hook break
it off immediately, please do not follow the fish a 100 meters downstream
and try to land. It is unfair to the fish. If there are anglers
below you, ask if they could unhook for you.
Room to land
There is not a lot of room to land fish, and a net is recommended,
especially with this high water.
This is a fun, big grin type of fishing. It is interesting to watch
anglers up and down river with fish on, the whoops of delight, the
lost fish, the incredible jumps of hooked fish, the gasps as some
angler hooks a big spring. True, it is a circus at times, but, I
like a circus and anybody who can't go up to the Babine and enjoy
themselves should take up lawn bowling.
Eating
Sockeye, are to many anglers, the best eating of all the types
of salmon. I agree. Because they are such a gourmet delight they
deserve to be taken care of properly. That means they should be
cleaned and put on ice ASAP.. Salmon start deteriorating immediately
and if you want the best taste, take care of them. We have found
the best way is to place the fish in a plastic fish bag and then
dump a bag of ice cubes surrounding the fish. Squeeze the air out
and tie off. The fish arrive home so cold you can hardly touch them.
This weeks tip:
Watch, look, listen.
If you want to become a better angler, watch what successful anglers
are doing, look around to see what is happening, and listen to some
advice. As a kid I was what you could call a tackle shop junkie.
I was always in the shop watching, looking and listening, trying
to pick up as much knowledge as I could. Luckily, some older, more
experienced anglers took pity on me or just got tired of my endless
questions and took me fishing. Now, there is an unbelievable amount
of info available in videos, books, the Internet that the learning
curve can be much shorter, if you have the desire. Most anglers
picked up their fishing education off their fathers, grandfathers
or family friends. Now with many single parent families there is
not that opportunity. However, most anglers are willing to help
out the newcomer if asked politely.
|
.gif){kind=spacer}
