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Anyone here if the escapement was successful for the Socks up the Canal ???
(since there wasn't a sockeye fish this year)
Cape R
(since there wasn't a sockeye fish this year)
Cape R
Sockeye - Alberni Canal
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Last I heard from a couple weeks ago was that of the early portion of the run 70,000 had traveled up the sss, as most are lake fish. The sss fish should be showing up soon. There is no plans for a comercail, native or sport fisheru at this point from what im hearing. Estimated escapement for this year was supposed to be around 150,000 :-[
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hey Fishaholic,
What is the norm.
Is the 150,000 low ??
Cape R
What is the norm.
Is the 150,000 low ??
Cape R
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3 million would be nice to see....... don't have to look to far back for those numbers. Which was i believe around the peak for this artificial run
....If Ironoggin stumbles upon this one he would be the one to shed some light on this
....If Ironoggin stumbles upon this one he would be the one to shed some light on this
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Long term average for the run ranged from 1.1 through 1.5 million. It took only a little more than a decade of unregulated intense in-river gill net fisheries to reduce that to 10% of that average (~ 140K).
For those that aren't aware...
There never was much if any presence of sockeye in the SSS system historically. Took emplacing ladders at Stamp Falls and on the Sproat, with introduction of sockeye from Henderson Lake, and a fairly rigorous lake fertilization program to first establish, then bring the numbers up to what they were. At one point, this resource provided an excellent sport fishing opportunity. Folks could fish in the reasonably protected waters of the Inlet, and limits were the norm. Shortsightedness and greed coupled to bring about the run's near extinction. Annual loss to the area is in the neighborhood of several million dollars per annum, and there is little in the way of relief in sight.
Major issue I personally have with this matter: Those that hit the stock the hardest (often catch rates exceeding those of escapement) did so claiming "traditional right of access". Complete BullHoockey, as this is very much a introduced and maintained run. All at a cost to Joe Taxpayer. But, those who don't pay taxes managed to find a way to capitalize. No real surprise there I guess...
Hopefully the numbers continue to roll in, and we'll get a decent showing on the spawning grounds. With a little restraint, we might yet see this once excellent run back in good enough shape to provide for future angling opportunities... One can hope anyway...
Cheers,
Nog
For those that aren't aware...
There never was much if any presence of sockeye in the SSS system historically. Took emplacing ladders at Stamp Falls and on the Sproat, with introduction of sockeye from Henderson Lake, and a fairly rigorous lake fertilization program to first establish, then bring the numbers up to what they were. At one point, this resource provided an excellent sport fishing opportunity. Folks could fish in the reasonably protected waters of the Inlet, and limits were the norm. Shortsightedness and greed coupled to bring about the run's near extinction. Annual loss to the area is in the neighborhood of several million dollars per annum, and there is little in the way of relief in sight.
Major issue I personally have with this matter: Those that hit the stock the hardest (often catch rates exceeding those of escapement) did so claiming "traditional right of access". Complete BullHoockey, as this is very much a introduced and maintained run. All at a cost to Joe Taxpayer. But, those who don't pay taxes managed to find a way to capitalize. No real surprise there I guess...
Hopefully the numbers continue to roll in, and we'll get a decent showing on the spawning grounds. With a little restraint, we might yet see this once excellent run back in good enough shape to provide for future angling opportunities... One can hope anyway...
Cheers,
Nog
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Yup I was close :thumbup:IronNoggin said:
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Thanks Nog,
I fished the Canal for years and for the past 15 or so I noticed the stock (sockeye) going down down down, now no fishing.
I noticed that the springs are also hurting but they say things are fine, I am a bit worried about this fish as well :'(
Cape R
I fished the Canal for years and for the past 15 or so I noticed the stock (sockeye) going down down down, now no fishing.
I noticed that the springs are also hurting but they say things are fine, I am a bit worried about this fish as well :'(
Cape R
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461 Posts
Numbers and sizes of springs are nowhere near what they were like when I started fishing Alberni 20+ years ago. Does anyone remember when the derby winners were always over 50 pounds? Now they're lucky if the derby winner tips the scales above 40. Tyees will probably be a thing of the past if things keep going the way they are headed. Way to go DFO.
I spent the long weekend in July camping at China Creek. I had my pick of 80% of the sites and could have moored a boat anywhere in half of the marina. The lady running the store alikened business to a cold winter month. Dead. Hopefully collective responsibility will rebuild the fisheries, but what about the local businesses. How long can supportive industries hold on in times of drastic change. I am, however, glad to see a total closure for all interested parties (including afformentioned "entitled" groups) but some will receive subsidy (entitled groups) while others bare the economic burden. I hope enough people will enjoy all that Port Alberni has to enjoy so that small business will survive to serve our need in the future. I enjoyed my camping trip up there with my family, and definitely will be back.
As per derby winners in the 40's, lets just hope there is a derby this year.
johnny.
As per derby winners in the 40's, lets just hope there is a derby this year.
johnny.
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At the risk of starting an argument...you can't blame DFO soley...they are put under extreme pressure from "certain" user groups that don't play by the rules. There are many times that DFO has had to keep their mouths shut while blatant law breaking occurs in the form of not just over fishing but huge amounts of waste (rotten fish) and illegal selling of those poached fish. It is impossible to effectively manage fish when not all user groups play by the rules set out. The only way for DFO to effectively manage the fisheries is to not buckle under political pressure from dingleberries that have never even seen a live fish nevermind know how to manage them, so these guys listen to the loudest whine and then force poor DFO to make it work. And just to make it even easier on DFO, some of these user groups don't listen to the recomendations set forth by DFO and decide to take matters into their own hands, and when confronted raise such a stink that they are left alone to pillage the river systems. The only thing that DFO can be faulted for is not speaking up and making every user group recognized for their actions whether they are good or bad. People need to stop blaming DFO and start going after the higher ups (the ones that use "contributions"). It is impossible for them to do their jobs when their hands are politically tied and their mouths are politically shut. Look at all the evidence before placing blame for the poor returns. Thats just my :2cents:
Family_man
Family_man
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Thanks for your comments guys :thumbup:
I too have fished the canal for a long long long time, like you I am disappointed with what has happened to the fishing and both comments above make excellent points. I once was interested in working for the DFO so I asked what I would need to get in , thinking Biology was the way, I was told no engineers are needed, that really surprised me and I chose to take another direction out of frustration. My personal feeling is we have to stop making simple problems, major problems, simple let the escapement get threw first then open it to the various groups.
Why do they open it to the various groups and then hope they get the escapement after they let the gill netter / seiner fleets out :wallbash: :wallbash: :wallbash: :naughty:
Just me I guess but had to get this off my chest
issed:
Cape C
Hopping the fish come back up the canal in a big way ........... very soooooon and china creek is a great place for it to happen
I too have fished the canal for a long long long time, like you I am disappointed with what has happened to the fishing and both comments above make excellent points. I once was interested in working for the DFO so I asked what I would need to get in , thinking Biology was the way, I was told no engineers are needed, that really surprised me and I chose to take another direction out of frustration. My personal feeling is we have to stop making simple problems, major problems, simple let the escapement get threw first then open it to the various groups.
Why do they open it to the various groups and then hope they get the escapement after they let the gill netter / seiner fleets out :wallbash: :wallbash: :wallbash: :naughty:
Just me I guess but had to get this off my chest
issed:Cape C
Hopping the fish come back up the canal in a big way ........... very soooooon and china creek is a great place for it to happen
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Not looking to hijack this thread, but it looks like it's pretty near petered out anyways. I love staying at China creek, it is a great family campground. I've taken the kids there for many years. However this year, I don't think I'll be going there. The crowds don't bother me, but I'm tired of the commercial gillnetters and seiners sucking the inlet dry as soon as the fishing starts to get good. I've even had a seiner try to run me down one time because he wanted to drop his net where I was trolling. I think I will bypass the inlet entirely this year and fish Barkley Sound and the north island instead.
Regarding the DFO, salmon stocks are depressed everywhere along the coast compared to historic levels. As I stated previously the average size of the largest fish is also diminishing. Ultimately the blame has to be laid at the DFO doorstep, as they are the federal agency responsible for managing the fishery. Just compare the DFO's stewardship to the IPHC. The IPHC (originally International Fisheries Commission) has succesfuly managed the US and Canadian Halibut resource for 85 years. The Halibut stocks are probably in better shape now than when the IFC was created in 1923. Compare that to the DFO's track record, this is the agency that almost mismanged the Atlantic Cod fishery into extinction. Let's just hope they don't do the same thing on this coast as well.
Of course, they're not the only ones to blame. We all must accept personal responsibility for our use of the resource. I was as guilty as anyone in the past. I used to fill my freezer to capacity every year when Tyees were easy to come by. Now however, I rarely keep a big spring. My kids keep the odd spring, but I have taught them that we can't keep all we catch. So, I am not just passing the blame along. I feel I am doing my part to conserve Salmon sportfishing for the future. I just wish the DFO would start doing the same.
Regarding the DFO, salmon stocks are depressed everywhere along the coast compared to historic levels. As I stated previously the average size of the largest fish is also diminishing. Ultimately the blame has to be laid at the DFO doorstep, as they are the federal agency responsible for managing the fishery. Just compare the DFO's stewardship to the IPHC. The IPHC (originally International Fisheries Commission) has succesfuly managed the US and Canadian Halibut resource for 85 years. The Halibut stocks are probably in better shape now than when the IFC was created in 1923. Compare that to the DFO's track record, this is the agency that almost mismanged the Atlantic Cod fishery into extinction. Let's just hope they don't do the same thing on this coast as well.
Of course, they're not the only ones to blame. We all must accept personal responsibility for our use of the resource. I was as guilty as anyone in the past. I used to fill my freezer to capacity every year when Tyees were easy to come by. Now however, I rarely keep a big spring. My kids keep the odd spring, but I have taught them that we can't keep all we catch. So, I am not just passing the blame along. I feel I am doing my part to conserve Salmon sportfishing for the future. I just wish the DFO would start doing the same.
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Ya BG , I agree !
This will be my last trip to the Canal if they let the commercial fleet out when I am there this time.
I feel sorry for China Creek and Port Albeni, they will be the bigest losers of the cash spin off from the rec fishing.
I too don't like the hassle with them and it can get very very dangerous dealing with aissed: commercial fisherman, because they are there for one reason, $$$$$$. They should be sent out 10 miles off Bamfield to do there job or just payed out and make it a sports fishery only.
I am thinking of Port Renfrew , I have been there before and it was good.
Cape R
This will be my last trip to the Canal if they let the commercial fleet out when I am there this time.
I feel sorry for China Creek and Port Albeni, they will be the bigest losers of the cash spin off from the rec fishing.
I too don't like the hassle with them and it can get very very dangerous dealing with a
issed: commercial fisherman, because they are there for one reason, $$$$$$. They should be sent out 10 miles off Bamfield to do there job or just payed out and make it a sports fishery only.I am thinking of Port Renfrew , I have been there before and it was good.
Cape R
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