[xgolfman]

re posted with permission

So today I understand that DFO is going ahead with plans for an in-river Fraser Chum gill-net fishery next week regardless of the present total-angling-closure-for-Conservation measures in place on the Thompson.

these next two weeks are the peak of the Deadman component of the Thompson's run in the lower Fraser...NOT TO MENTION the fact that the river remains closed, regardless of test numbers.

DFO Salmon co-ordinator Jeff Grout and NEW lower Fraser area director Mel Kotyk seriously need to hear our concerns over this all to common ram-it-through opening...

For some reason every year we need to re-educate these DFO people about the importance of Interior fraser Steelhead to the Province of BC over Chum salmon.

go to this page for other DFO senior management staff....

http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/ops/fm/toppages/contacts_e.htm


Mel kotyk...Lower Fraser area director...

[email protected]

Jeff grout...Salmon co-ordinator

[email protected]

 

[young gun]

a nice boot way up the behind should open a few eyes

 

[kaitlyn]

if anyone out there has any media contacts, now might be the time to call them, before it's too late. :wallbash:

 

[Big Green Machine]

The numbers of Thompson steelhead according to the test fisheries indicates a higher number than last year with a mid October opening last year. Needless to say I'm confused. Plus despite the river still being closed there are dozens of people out there near Goldpan still fishing. I agree it's time the feds get on board with our steelhead conservation efforts.

 

[JetBoat Jim]

fed's dont care about steelhead, steelhead give them problems.

So no steelhead = no problems=more time for doughnuts

 

[young gun]

then us fishing "hicks" will come out with our shotguns and then show them that no dfo, creates no problems, more time for us to fish.

 

[JetBoat Jim]

That's areal smart thing to say! You are a gun owner ? would you like to keep your guns?

 

[young gun]

relax, it was a smart @$$ comment

 

[rln]

The numbers of Thompson steelhead according to the test fisheries indicates a higher number than last year with a mid October opening last year. Needless to say I'm confused. Plus despite the river still being closed there are dozens of people out there near Goldpan still fishing. I agree it's time the feds get on board with our steelhead conservation efforts.

don't be confused.The river should not have been opened last year with only 870 spawners counted in the spring time. Hardly a banner run. This year MoE is trying to keep DFO from allowing chum gill net openings and to be able to do so, we are kicked off of the river. The whole program sucks.

 

[Lastcar]

River is not opening to gill nets according to Rodney's site. He has an email cut and pasted from someone deemed to be in the loop.

Either way don't let this lessen the need to listen when Scott speaks about rivers and the fish within in them, his passion is very close second to his knowledge. We are lucky to have him watching over the care of our rivers and fish.

 

[hotrod]

870 spawners.That's alot when you thnk of how big the river is. Certainly not as big in the olden days but a good number these days. The cheakamus get less and they never even blink an eye to closing that even after the spill.




Hotrod

 

[Jack Straw]

For a great river like the Thompson 870 spawners is very sad. Anyone who fished it last year knows that number is pretty optimistic. :'( The Nicola alone should have as much. rln is correct in saying it should have been closed last year. Unfortunately it should probably be closed this year too...but lets hope not. SB deserves better management.

Petro can gone, Vicky's gone, mykiss gone...my heart is sore. Let us all pray for the safe return of these magnificent fish.

 

[rln]

870 spawners.That's alot when you thnk of how big the river is. Certainly not as big in the olden days but a good number these days. The cheakamus get less and they never even blink an eye to closing that even after the spill.




Hotrod

in 1984 there was 4600 spawners after a 84% harvest rate between sports, commercial and FN fisheries.
pre spill in the Cheakamus had close to 500 spawners.

 

[dinsdale piranha]

870 spawners.That's alot when you thnk of how big the river is. Certainly not as big in the olden days but a good number these days. The cheakamus get less and they never even blink an eye to closing that even after the spill.




Hotrod

so what are you saying? that one poorly managed stream should be followed by another? how can you even compare the thompson with the cheakamus? that is like comparing floppie the banjo clown with stevie ray vaughn or eric clapton!
remember the coq was closed for years even though they were getting back 800+ summer runs - and look at how small that stream is!
i hate to take issue with you here, but it sounds like you care more about the fact that you cannot fish there this year than about conserving fish or the river. as for me, i started fishing the thompson 25 years ago. i've seen great runs and crappy runs. i've sat by wishing i could fish it the years it has been closed. and if they keep it closed this year, i will begrudgingly do that for the sake of conservation.

Dinsdale

 

[hotrod]

Just making a statement on the situation. Sorry I got your dandruff all stirred up but the management of the fisheries is evidently poor. As far as I am concerned the cheak fish are much stronger fighting fish than say the Thompson but definately a unique strand of steelhead none the less.

I could care less if I fish the Thompson this year or not. It would be nice, but it's a long way to travel for maybe one or two fish. They are beauty fish at that.I believe I read somewhere that the test fishery for them was higher than the last year. I love steelhead fishing and if it means not fishing the Tommy then so be it. Besides I don't plan on keeping any . There are plenty of other places to find them.

Rln,......Boy don't we wish those numbers would return! :beerchug:

Hope that helps you understand where I'm at with this topic!


Hotrod

 

[dinsdale piranha]

Hope that helps you understand where I'm at with this topic!


Hotrod

no problem. but you see, more than a few of us are VERY passionate about the thompson. it is so much more than big fish. it is our heritage.

DP

 

[finseeker]

no problem. but you see, more than a few of us are VERY passionate about the thompson. it is so much more than big fish. it is our heritage.

Agreed!!
I've caught steelhead on both those rivers and both strains do pull the best. IMO
The "T" holds a special place in my heart and if it's closed to fishing ???
Anyone interested in a stone skipping contest at the Grease Hole on the long weekend? ??? :thumbup:
I gotta get up there for some reason :beerchug:

 

[Rib]

An excerpt from an email from a contact in DFO regarding this issue...

As background the Province has set a conservation threshold of a maximum encounter rate of 20% for steelhead and requested a 90% confidence that this will be achieved. According to their models this suggests a commercial fishery happening after November 7th. The provincial restriction applies to the Fraser River only. They have no concern for a commercial fishing being allowed in the marine environment or FN's accessing food fish. The province also feels that beach seining for Chum, with a release of all steelhead, is acceptable, therefore the upper Fraser Valley FN's are able to harvest their Chum allocation. However the lower Fraser Valley FN's and the commercial fleet do not have this capability (as they use gillnets) and are therefore closed to fishing.

DFO is attempting to facilitate a discussion between the lower Fraser FN's and the commercial sector to assist them in coming up with a technique in which Chum can be harvested without impacting steelhead. Contrary to the rumours - no gillnet fishery is currently planned. The steelhead conservation objective will be adhered to.



If anyone has difficulty understanding what is being said here, please feel free to ask before jumping to conclusions...

thx,
rib

 

[finseeker]

DFO is attempting to facilitate a discussion between the lower Fraser FN's and the commercial sector to assist them in coming up with a technique in which Chum can be harvested without impacting steelhead. Contrary to the rumours - no gillnet fishery is currently planned. The steelhead conservation objective will be adhered to.

[/i]

rib

:thumbup:

 

[young gun]

at one point there were 10,000 spawners now we've got 1/10th of that. I think the whole thing should be closed down for a few years, 4 or 5. Gillnets, chum fishery, and sportsmen on the thompson itself. These are awsome fish, than a few years of closure will allow the fish to recover somewhat, and hopefully allow us to once again open it up for sports fishing