Welcome to the forum Bob...
First of all, I hope that in reading that article you didn't get the impression I thought the people who floss for sockeye on the Fraser are "disgusting"...
In no way whatsoever was I trying to imply that I felt that way. It is the method of "flossing" that gets carried over from the sockeye fishery to other species of fish and to other river systems that I believe is an irresponsible, unsporting and unnecessary method to use in our other river fisheries...
I sincerely believe that the only way to catch sockeye in our rivers is by this method. In light of conservation concerns and a closure to all sockeye fishing on the Fraser, the flossing needn't be applied this time of year.
There is also a big difference between flossing and bottom bouncing. Flossing utilizes an extremely long leader. I think these days 15-20 feet is common. When I fished the sockeye fishery many, many years ago, 6-8 feet was the norm. Either way it was still flossing. Bottom bouncing would typically be a short leader, at around 2 feet maximum, using bait, spin n glows, and any number of other terminal items. It is a technique that is employed quite commonly in the rivers south of the border and is very effective. Flossing takes bottom bouncing and extends the leader to the previously mentioned ridiculous lengths, and adds a peice of wool to the end, it also adjusts the technique somewhat.
I am off to do some fishing right now, so for now I'll leave you with this so that you might understand part of what I meant on how this flossing method is irresponsible and unnecessary on our rivers. Check out the "Short floating" link I placed in that article. You will see it is highlighted in Blue within the body of the piece. Click on that link and it should get you thinking about this concern of mine and highlight some of the reasons why flossing is so irresponsible and dangerous to the sport.
Thx for reading,
rib