This scene will hopefully be repeated soon as the first sockeye are now entering the Fraser River and have already passed by Mission. Everyone is looking forward to this fishery and it is hoped that the run will just continue to build. The Department of Fisheries and Oceans is requiring the commercial Fishers begin to gear up and register to have on board observers. The commercial boats will be required to have 20% of the catch validated by an independent on board observer and all catch will have to be landed at approved designated offloading areas for more accurate assessments of the catch total. If the commercial boats intend to offload at other sites, they must first register those sites with the DFO independant observer. All this must be done by July 18th in order to participate in the commercial fishery.
20 commercial boats are already registered for the test fisheries so things are falling into place should the fish start to enter the Johnstone Strait.
DFO is also increasing the allowable catch for coho in anticipation of an increased run. Currently you can retain 2 hatchery coho in the southern Vancouver Island/Juan de Fuca areas 20 and 19-1 to 19-4. In September this will change to keeping 2 coho of which one may be an un-marked fish.
Last but not least, the Vedder has been starting to produce red springs of which a 40 pounder caught on the weekend is making the rumor mill spin.
The Fraser continues to drop and clear up, with much less debris it will be good to head out for sturgeon to get some big ones before they get too fat and picky with all the sockeye they will soon be gorging on.
Tight lines and book a trip for what will likely be a memorable salmon season.
20 commercial boats are already registered for the test fisheries so things are falling into place should the fish start to enter the Johnstone Strait.
DFO is also increasing the allowable catch for coho in anticipation of an increased run. Currently you can retain 2 hatchery coho in the southern Vancouver Island/Juan de Fuca areas 20 and 19-1 to 19-4. In September this will change to keeping 2 coho of which one may be an un-marked fish.
Last but not least, the Vedder has been starting to produce red springs of which a 40 pounder caught on the weekend is making the rumor mill spin.
The Fraser continues to drop and clear up, with much less debris it will be good to head out for sturgeon to get some big ones before they get too fat and picky with all the sockeye they will soon be gorging on.
Tight lines and book a trip for what will likely be a memorable salmon season.
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