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Fly-fishing
is often called the quiet sport. A sport of serenity, close observation
of your
surroundings,
non-competitive
and the
best way to escape the stressful world.
Disgusted
Unfortunately, on the Babine
River in sockeye season, it is none of the above. Many have expressed
their displeasure with the conduct of some of the anglers and feel
intimidated, threatened and disgusted. What could be a great experience
for the whole family, has for many, become a place they wouldn’t
take their family.
Babine
The Babine is a unique place. There are few spots in BC
where you can drive and enjoy the salmon migration on a wilderness
river,
catch sockeye, and also have a very good chance to see other
wildlife, especially Grizzly bears.
The price
Popularity often comes with a price. The price on the
Babine has meant crowded conditions, a few anglers with no manners
and
or
no ethics and a general lessening of what should be a memorable
trip.
A code of conduct and some good old common sense would greatly
alleviate the problems, and make all visitors experiences on the
Babine in sockeye season, an enjoyable one.
Recommendations
In discussion with other anglers, we have come up
with some recommendations. We would also like input from you.
Please join
the discussion group with your thoughts. Recommendations are in no particular order.
You can not legislate ethics, but we can say this is how we conduct
ourselves on this river. Peer pressure is sometimes the best
pressure.
1 - Spacing
Anglers should be two rod lengths apart. This gives you
and your fellow angler enough room to cast safely and have a reasonable
chance to land a fish. If some one tries to cut in just see “Sorry
buddy, like the sign says, two rod lengths apart. You will have
to wait your turn.”
2 - Rotate
If the river is crowded anglers must rotate. An angler
catching a fish must exit the river and the other anglers move
up. The new
angler comes in at the bottom. This solves the problem of anglers
planting themselves in one spot all day.
(All previous issues are stored in the ARCHIVE for
your convenience)
Bob's
Weekly Fishing Report is back
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3
- Foul hooked
Foul hooked fish should not be played and should be broken
off immediately.
It is not ethical or fair to try and drag a foul hook to shore.
Maximum leader size should be 15# so a break off can occur.
4 - Cleaning
Fish should be cleaned and entrails thrown well out in
the river to avoid the bear problem
5 - Put it away
Fish caught should be taken to the vehicle at once.
We don’t
need the grizzlies patrolling the shore looking for the free handout
as happened last year.
6 - No catch and release
Because the sockeye fishery is a terminal
or meat fishery, there should be no catch and release. Catch your
allotted
limit
and leave
so some else has a chance to fish. This isn’t a sport fishery
as such. Although sockeye are great eating and wild on the fly
it isn’t right to yank on them all day and play catch and
release with the resultant incidental mortality. If we allow catch
and release to continue we will soon have visiting anglers lined
up shoulder to shoulder in one spot for weeks at a time with no
opportunity for other anglers. No catch and release may not sit
well with some anglers but it is the fairest for everybody and
for the salmon.
Get to know
Last year three of us were fishing a coastal river
for Chinook and Chum Salmon. Upon arrival we found a visiting angler
firmly
planted in this popular hole. He was there before us and had every
right to fish, but because the river is a crowded spot you also
have to expect other anglers. We explained the rotation system
to him. He wasn’t familiar with it in his home country. We
caught fish, helped each other land fish, took pictures and swapped
fish tales. We took the time to talk, share the stories and made
him a part of the group. His experience and ours was much richer
for taking the time to become acquainted. That is the way it is
supposed to be. Sharing relaxing and helping. He thanked us profusely
at the end of the day and said it was one of his best fishing memories.
We also thanked him for giving us some insight into his fishing
experience.
It is really just common sense and courtesy, being fair to everybody,
and taking the time to know your fellow anglers in a crowded atmosphere.
Signs
Signs could be posted at each end of the bridge in English,
German and Italian explaining the code of conduct and that this
is how
we conduct ourselves on this river. Anything less will mean the
loss of your chance to visit the Babine, see her beautiful bears
and enjoy the chance to catch a sockeye.
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
....................
and past photos on the Slideshow
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