Fresh Richmond Fishing Reports

After a phenomenal winter Chinook fishery in our local waters that started in October and didn't slow down even up to March 31st, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) has implemented for the 3rd straight year a Chinook fishing closure in our local waters until at least July 15th or July 31st depending on what side of the pond you are fishing. On a positive note, August 1st opening is better than the two previous years' September 1st openings for fish management areas 28 and 29. I could ex-pound on the Science and evidence based marked selective fishery (hatchery salmon with the adipose fin clipped) which continues to fall on deaf ears at he upper management levels above DFO: Justin Trudeau, Joyce Murray (Fisheries Minister) and Rebecca Reid (DFO regional director). Under a DFO sponsored program, I am licensed to catch and release Chinook after obtaining a DNA sample, fishing guests can still enjoy getting out on the water, set prawn and crab traps and then fish for science. As of May 1st, lingcod and bottom fishing is open and can be targeted on the Vancouver Island side of the Salish Sea. July 15th, Chinook retention opens on that side as well. Come August, we are hoping for a Sockeye salmon opening as every 4 years there is a large return expected. But no one can predict any science based decisions from the previous forementioned politicians and bureaucrats. Come out and get a bucket of succulent spot prawns and dungeness crabs which will definitely quench your seafood cravings for the time being as were only 3 weeks away from targeting some tasty lingcod. Let's go fishing!

The decision whether we agree or not with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) has been issued and for the local Vancouver area fishermen, we are in the non-retention mode till August 1st. All other effected areas on the BC Coast from the northern end of Vancouver Island down the US/Canada border will open up July 14th. There are open areas on the west side of Vancouver Island and coastal BC but they are remote and not heavily fished or populated. Unfortunately, with current Covid travel restrictions, no mainland fishermen will able to travel to these destinations. The Sports Fishery Advisory Board (SFAB) and the Sports Fishing Institute of BC (SFIBC) have been working very hard over the past few years and presented fishing proposals that would address conservation measures to protect of "stocks of concern" and reduce sports fishing retention to only hatchery Chinook Salmon known as a marked selective fishery. However, on the brighter side, the non-retention in 2020 lasted until September 1st so at least we will be able to target the Chinook run in August. I and other Vancouver guides belong to the Avid Angler Program which allows us to go out and catch and release Chinook Salmon for the purpose of obtaining DNA samples for scientific research for....yes...DFO. I can tell you that the last 3 trips out, fishing no more that 3.5 hours, I have brought at least 14 Chinook salmon to the boat each time. Each trip out I experiment with all sorts of colors and gear. Since January, I have been experimenting by running dummy flashers with spoons, plugs, or bait in teaser heads and found it to be very productive. It's a better fighting sensation not having to drag up a flasher with the fish. There are lots of wild and hatchery Chinook stock in local waters. The commercial prawning season is open and typically lasts till the end of June. I don't drop the prawn traps now till about September when the stocks have recovered and the catch rate goes up. The crabbing has been excellent and there has been no problem getting one's limit but the commercial crabbing season is about to open. May 1st was opening day for lingcod (1 per day) and fishing the typical reef areas on the Nanaimo side has been good to very good. Remember though, it's now the law that you have descending device to safely return unwanted or non-retention species of rockfish. Be safe and enjoy the water and our precious resource. We are just coming to what we hope and expect is another great Coho season and retention of only hatchery coho. Also being an odd numbered year, the Pinks are coming as well. We'll be in great shape by playing these feisty Coho and Pinks before the Chinook fishery opens up, LET'S GO FISHING!

As we turn our backs on 2020 and welcome 2021 with anticipation of being vaccinated, we can all look forward to a healthy and prosperous year for our families, friends, communities and our countries. During these past couple months as Covid cases have risen requiring new health orders, many of the local guides have been personally fishing within their own local bubble or by themselves as there has been a expected downturn in our usual winter charters. Well one thing for sure is that the local feeders of Chinook Salmon have not disappointed us. For those with a boat, this is the time to get out and put some Chinook catches on your licenses since we were closed from April 1 to August 31 for Chinook retention. The winter feeders are absolutely the best tasting Chinook. Typically the bait these Chinook are feeding on are small immature herring, anchovy, shiners (perch) or sticklebacks. Each time out we have been most successful by matching the bait by using small 3-3.5" spoons, squirt size hootchies or cut down herring when rolling cut plugs. The main thing is to get down deep on the downrigger. Lower to the bottom and then up a few feet. I run 18 lb balls and typically it takes about 20-30 feet more line of indicated depth on the rigger than the depth showing on the sounder. For those who don't like reeling a smaller salmon from these depths, try running a dummy flasher off the cannon ball then run a naked spoon, anchovy rig or cutplug. The prawning has been phenomenal and the crabbing is just to come on. When the heath restrictions are relaxed, give us a call for your next salt water adventure. Good luck and Lets Go Fishing!

Well the long awaited Chinook fishery that has been closed from April 1 - August 31 in our local waters is here and hasn't disappointed. Waves of these large Fraser River bound salmon are here and arriving daily. Thankfully, we have had no rain so the fish are slow to actually go up the Fraser. With the exception of a couple of days where both the resident and transient Killer Whales have migrated through making the Chinooks very scarce, hooking up with these hard running brutes has been very good. Places that are normally targeted is the North Arm of the Fraser from Iona Jetty and north to the Bell Buoy, T-10 and of course the very popular Sandheads or South Arm of the Fraser. All 3 areas have had great reports of multiple fish a day per boat with several hook ups and misses which is all part of fishing. We even been hampered by the ravenous seals and sea lions picking off easy meals after we have done all the hard work by getting the salmon almost to the boat. It's actually exciting to see a large mammal take your salmon and make long runs away and have a tug-a-war for several minutes, but once is enough. The salmon have been found at all depths from 35 feet down to over 100. Anchovy and herring with glow or multi-colored chrome style teaser heads matched with glow flashers have been very successful as well they have been out performing the hardware and hootchies rigs. Tides do play a role in this fishery as you will get more chances on the flood tide and high slack. There are many many boats out there and be courteous when others around you are playing fish and to pull up your downriggers if their fish is running at your boat. Remember to stay out of the shipping lanes when large freighters and tugs towing barges are entering or exiting the river systems. We have witnessed some very dangerous moments out there thus making it necessary for the Harbor Patrol to police the area and warn boaters of their errant ways of playing chicken with these ocean going vessels. There has also been some encouraging reports from fellow guides that returning salmon are starting to show at Capilano River. Within a week, this 3 week bonanza fishery will also be the place to target large Chinooks. So when the weather turns or winds kick up, head over to the West Vancouver waterfront. Drop your cannonsball just off the bottom for best success. New Port Authority regulations are in effect for boating safety and large vessel right of way. Do not troll past the green marker on Ambleside and troll in a counter clockwise direction meaning when heading east take the outside deep water tack and turn into shore and troll west. Have fun, be safe and good luck. "Lets Go Fishing!"

We are taking charters again as BC's Covid 19 restrictions have been eased. In accordance with WorkSafeBC and Provincial Health Authority guidelines, Amazing Fishing Charters is adopting the following procedures to reduce the likelihood of COVID-19 transmission during charter operations. The safety of our guests and crew is our top priority and we are continually monitoring health authority updates to ensure any changes are reviewed and implemented as applicable. For your safety and your guide, guests are requested to stay at home and not go on the charter if feeling ill. Guests will be provided a pre-trip briefing of COVID-19 protocols including the available sanitizing equipment and the benefits of frequent hand washing and personal protective equipment. The boat is thoroughly washed down following each charter and all contact surfaces are. sanitized prior to guests boarding the vessel. Charter frequency will be limited to one charter per day per vessel to provide sufficient time for cleaning and sanitation between charters. Guests and crew are required to wear a personal protective barrier covering both their mouth and nose while on board to help reduce the likelihood of virus transmission. Guests are requested to bring their own protective face covering for charters. Each vessel has a designated hand cleaning station for use by guests and crew. Cleaning stations consist of sanitizing wipes, and/or hand sanitizer. Now the fishing report: Yes there is still non-retention of all Chinook Salmon and wild Coho Salmon. There are plenty of opportunities for catch and release on each trip as we have found Chinook Salmon locally around Vancouver and over across towards the Gulf Islands. The water is pretty dirty due to the spring run off from the Fraser River so we have been using glow type flashers with a variety of glow spoons, hootchies and plugs. On some days, we have only used two rods as the action has been fast and furious. Recently there has been reports of retain-able hatchery coho showing up on the south side of Bowen Island. We were out yesterday and managed to find one in between numerous Chinooks. Coho can be found at all depths from 30 feet down to 120 feet on your riggers. Commercial prawning has started so we have shelved our traps for the time being. Crabbing remains strong but with the commercial crabbers starting, it will dry up pretty quick. It's time to go Fishing!

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans will regulate the Chinook Salmon fishery once again and have a non-retention period from April 1st to July 15th leaving fishermen only the remaining month of March to catch and retain a Chinook Salmon. We will be able to retain hatchery Coho Salmon. The prawning and crabbing remain strong so the bottom bounty is always welcome to anyone's day on the water. Come join Roy or myself for a beautiful day on the waters right in Vancouver's backyard.