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The Skeena. River of Mists. The supersalmon highway, is running
full as all five types of Pacific Salmon make the push up to their
natal stream. Spring Salmon are still coming up the Skeena but
it is now that the pink, sockeye, coho and some chum salmon are
taking over the numbers game. Steelhead are also starting to show
up in the upper tributaries, not yet in large numbers, but enough
to get the anglers anticipation level up.
Inspiring
What a time to be fishing on the some of the world’s
best salmon waters. The next swing of the fly, or bounce of the
spin
n glo, or wobble of the spoon could result in the explosion of
water, the adrenaline rush of a salmon or steelhead. The great
Skeena, bringing fish up to the fabled waters of the Kalum, Copper,
Kispiox, Sustat, Babine, Bulkley, Suskwa and Morice. A Who’s
Who of the best salmonid angling rivers anywhere.
Salmon fever has taken over the Northwest. While we can still
hook some of those monster hog springs, we now have salmon for
the whole family and available for anglers at all levels of ability.
The smallest of the salmon, the pinks, or humpies, are aggressive
and easily caught with flies or pink spoons. Pinks like the softer,
slower waters of the inside bends. Lighter tackle is preferred
and many can be caught on fly rods as small as 4 weights or light
trout spinning rods. Sink tip fly lines should be in the 3-4.5
inch per second range
Sockeye
Sockeyes are one of the best eating of the salmon. The
brilliant red flesh is a true gourmet delight. Sockeye are wild,
explosively
strong fish and require steelhead sized tackle. They usually run
2.5 to 5 kilos (5-12 pounds. The mainstem Skeena and the Babine
have openings for sockeye and you are allowed 2 per day, 4 possession.
Babine
The Babine is fly fishing only, single barbless hook. The
Babine was slow on opening day but will improve each day as the
run builds.
It can also be very crowded. Parks staff are requesting that all
sockeye be taken up to your vehicle immediately. That’s is
a good policy ensuring fewer problems with the Grizzly Bears and
enabling a rotation of anglers giving everyone a chance. You don’t
mind taking a rest if you know you will soon get a chance to step
back into the run.
(All previous issues are stored in the ARCHIVE for
your convenience)
Bob's
Weekly Fishing Report is back
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They
also want no food or packs on the river with all those enticing
smells that bears love. Look for sockeye in the faster water where
a seam will concentrate their upstream movement. Sink tip fly lines
should be in the 8- 9-inch per second sink rate
Coho
Those huge numbers of feisty coho are now entering our rivers
and soon there will be some coho opening announcements. The average
coho is now in the 4-6 kilo range (8-14 pounds). Coho are aggressive
and attack flies, spoons and spinners as well as the bottom bounced
spin 'n glos.
Chum
Chum or dog salmon are short upstream travelers
and seldom come as far as Terrace. They are wild, psycho fighters
and can tear
you up. Chums get a bad rap especially from those who have
not caught a chum on a fly rod. Believe me it is all you can do
to
land a big chum on the fly. Chums have high oil content and
smoke up beautifully. The Kitimat River, right now, has abundant
chums
and pinks ready to make your arms cry uncle.
Fish on
Whatever your level of ability or size of tackle the Skeena,
and its world renowned tributaries have something for you. From
small
pinks to huge springs they navigate the salmon highway to their
home water. And the mountains echo the excited cry of “fish
on.” Three times this past week I stood thigh deep in the “river
of mists.” One day a brilliant bluebird day, another day
under a mackerel sky, and the third day the river living up to
her name. A gentle rain, misting mountains and beams of sunlight
highlighting neon rainbows. Each day different, and yet the same.
Downstream the salmon roll, a soft rise for the pinks, an eruption
of water for a sockeye or could it be a coho, or the huge porpoising
of a big spring? Always activity.
Next fish
The next fish could have my name
on it, or maybe not, it does not matter. The osprey, eagle and
bear are enjoying the day as much as I am. The push of the familiar
current, the whispering swish of the shooting head sliding through
the guides, the line lazering out over the river, the visualization
of the fly gliding over the bottom rubble, and the moment when
time stands still as the salmon takes. Coho? Pink? Sockeye? Spring?
Steelhead? Or maybe a Dolly Varden? It really does not matter.
For here on the “River of Mists” there is no better
place.
Let us know your thoughts. Click on discussion
group or email
me and
give us some input.
Check for new photos on the Photo
page
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and past photos on the Slideshow |
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