Never say die when it comes to Sturgeon fishing.  Yesterday we were out and the first fish was in the boat in about 20 minutes but then the tide changed and bites were hard to come by.  At the end of the day we moved downstream to a "Hail Mary" spot that would be our last resort to tie into a "shore fish" (a fish big enough we would have to go to shore to land and measure it).  I told Neil and Hardy they had 12 minutes left to hook a shore fish.  No sooner had I said it than we had a small bite but missed it.

orThe fish bit a second time and we missed it again.   I did not think a sturgeon would bite a 3rd time so I told Neil and Hardy they had one minute left and no sooner but the tip of the rod went down a 3rd time and Neil set the hook!  I thought it was about a 3 footer until it breached and looked closer to 5 to 6 feet!

Neil and Hardy were in for a battle and after putting on fighting belts each took turns to try and subdue the fish but it would have none of that!  The fish ran beneath the boat and wrapped around the anchor line.  I thought it was a goner and slowly raised the anchor and then reached to bring the rod from the back to the front of the boat.

After a few tries, I got the rod between the boat and anchor line and unwrapped it twice and felt the pull of the fish again!  I handed the rod back to Neil and the battle resumed.  After about 16 minutes the fish finally started to relent and I began to tow it to shore for measurement.  However, the fish had other ideas and wrapped around a snag.  I had to back up the boat and Dave helped free the fish and keep it near the surface.

We finally got the fish to shore and it measured 1.5 meters with a 59 cm girth.  Just a really nice fish to end the day!

If you want to come out, give me a call at 1 778 870 3241 or e-mail me at peterk12@live.com

Tight Lines

​Peter

In the inaugural Krahn Family Sturgeon Derby on Saturday, it was Trevor and his son Bailor that scored the top two fish of the day.  It didn't take long after they got on board that the first fish a solid 121 cm starter fish was hooked and landed by Bailor.  This fish had never been tagged before and now Bailor's name will forever be associated with this fish.

Trevor and Bailor helped with the insertion of the microchips which will help track the life cycle of these fish.  The data recorded is sent in to the Fraser River White Sturgeon Society biologists who will compile it and submit it to the B.C. Provincial Government which assists in the development of management and conservation programs.

The big fish of the day was a 160 cm fish that gave quite a show by breaching twice and then giving Bailor everything he could handle in an epic tug-of-war......It seems even Trevor had to assist by taking the rod for a while.  In the end, a great day for fishing and family fun and some more important data collected for science and wildlife management.