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Sweet September, the magic month, the month that quickens the pulse
of all steelhead anglers. When all thoughts turn to this Steelhead
paradise in Northern BC, and the world famous waters of the Skeena,
Copper, Kalum, Kispiox, Babine, Sustat, Bulkley, Morice and smaller
tributaries, a Who's Who of the best waters, and the biggest Steelhead
on the planet.
The distinct smell of decay, the leaves starting to turn into the
kaleidoscope of color, fresh snow on the mountains, clear rivers,
mountains wandering in and out of the clouds, the heavy morning
fog and as the fog burns off, the opening of nature's palette. It
is a time to feel really alive.
September also brings the world's anglers from every corner of
the globe. License plates from all over Canada, the USA and Europe.
The airport is full of rod cases, bed and breakfast places are getting
a second season of guests, and our towns have a welcome surge of
income leading into winter.
Passion for steelhead?
What is this passion for steelhead? Outside of a steelhead being
probably the most beautiful game fish in the world, and one of the
best fighting, it is the country where you find them. You see, steelhead
are found in some of the prettiest places on the planet, and that
is as good reason as anyone needs to fish for them. How special
are steelhead? Well in some very exclusive lodges you may pay up
to $5500 US just to fish for a week, and most of the guests are
repeat clients.
Special
Steelhead are special because unlike the salmon, steelhead can
spawn and return to the ocean and come back another day, sometimes
returning two or three times. That is why steelhead is catch and
release only and we hope it remains that way.
This year
This year's steelhead index looks good and reports will just keep
getting better and better as the season progresses. This year we
also have several coho openings on our waters with some of the best
coho returns in many years.
(All previous issues are stored in the ARCHIVE
for your convenience)
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Check the Fishing Report for legal waters.
Ocean
Some great fishing is still available on the ocean.
There have been some huge halibut taken recently and the northern
coho are showing up. We have seen some pictures of these 20 pound
plus coho and they are real beauties.
Honest anglers
I neglected last week to give thanks to some of the
honest anglers on the Babine. I was fishing for the sockeye, enjoying
my fellow anglers and the travels of the grizzly. As I was packing
up, an angler was in need of some flies so I just gave him my fly
box and told him to replace what he used. Another angler had broken
a rod so I gave him a spare rod I had, and a third angler didn't
have the right line so I gave him an extra reel and line.
An empty rod case
In the flurry of activity I left my rod and reel sitting
there. I felt sick the next morning when I noticed the empty rod
case. I phoned Parks to see if Wes could check to see if it was
still there. Sure that it was gone, I still held out a faint hope
for its return. An hour later, Wes phoned to say it was in his hands
and would be delivered back to Smithers in the afternoon. The rod
and reel had sat there all night and for four hours of daylight
without anybody picking it up. Kind of restores your faith doesn't
it? I wouldn't recommend anyone else trying this, but I sure am
thankful for its return.
Attention Anglers. We need pictures of your kids fishing.
Gibbs, the great BC tackle company is hosting the "Take a kid
fishing derby." It is not about the big fish, but kids enjoying
themselves out fishing. There is no entry fee and Gibbs and Oscars
Source for Sports are giving away ten prizes of $50 each worth of
Gibbs Tackle. Contest closes September 30. See derby rules.
Check the Photo page for
Babine Weir and grizzly photos.
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