Any reports from this past weekend? I'll be there for our annual father/son trip this weekend (27-29th). Stop by an say 'hi'. We'll probably be camped on the grass at China Creek.

I think you're going to see lots of guys passing these springs by and letting them do there thing as numbers are looking scary low this year, there is even talk of an all out closure.

Not to dissuade you but keep your ears open for the closure but do have fun if it stays open.

That's laughable MM to think people won't be going out there to fish the run .

I was out fishing this past monday and there was at least 30 boats at pill point, then there was probably another 20 boats fishing the wall right outside of the harbor of bamfield and at least 30 boats at china creek / port harbor.

Just got back from 3 days fishing inshore[Kirby,and other close popular spots].I must say it's not what it was compared to 3 to 6 years ago.Lots of boats only getting 1 aday or getting skunked .. We had a bad gear loss problem,etc and fished the proper areas on the right tides.A short, small school of fish would move in and the bite would last maybe 15 minutes.If you were too far off those rocks..no fish.BUT WE WERE LUCKY!!The largest was 27 followed by a 22,20,18,14 13 10.And a nice Sockeye caught on a large 6 inch chovie at 35 feet....YES we were very lucky!!

well I know several guys that will not be fishing the ditch this year because of the way things are going with those springs.

I'm not saying you shouldn't or should feel bad - just saying that some guys are choosing to not fish it.

Not surprising, considering all the net fisheries on that run. Inevitable, really.

Dfo killed the golden goose

Thanks for the replys. I was there last year and saw how bad the fishing can be when the runs are low so I know what it's like. Normally, I wouldn't be going to Alberni with this predicted low run of salmon but my dads in his eighties and not so steady on his feet so Alberni is still the one place that provides protected fishing. And he's fished Alberni for years and years and really loves it there. Personally, I like it where the fish are.

Dr Hook

This from my post on August 17

Headed out from Port this morning not sure what species to target. We'd heard a few Springs were showing up but also sockeye were still to be had.

We decided to throw out 3 sockeye hootchies and for good measure added a smaller plug on our most shallow rod just in case. 45 minutes later we boated a 12 lb spring. Hmm, forget the sockeye. We put out Spring gear and were rewarded with a 28 lb fighter. It was on a white hootchie. Funny how things never seem to change in the harbour.

Things died off and we later switched to sockeye gear and boated a couple for good measure. All in all a good day.

FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH, CHEERS

SOMASS CHINOOK BULLETIN #2010-1 Date: August 26, 2010


CHINOOK FORECAST:
The 2010 forecast total return of Robertson Creek chinook to the terminal
fishing area is 43,000. The combined escapement goal for hatchery and river is 34,000. The available TAC in the terminal area is 9,000.

ESCAPEMENT:
The Stamp Falls chinook counters are expected be operational by September 3. The fish counters at the outlet of Great Central Lake on the upper Stamp River will remain in service until the Stamp Falls counters are operational. A swim team will assess the Somass River below the Stamp Falls September 2. Typically chinook escapement peaks through the Stamp Falls fishways around October 10 and continues to the end October.

BIOLOGICAL INFORMATION:
Biological samples will be collected from Alberni Inlet, fish ladders and hatchery racks.

ABORIGINAL FISHING:
Tseshaht and Hupacasath First Nations gillnet Food, Social and Ceremonial fisheries proceed from Sunday noon to Tuesday noon in Somass River and upper Alberni Inlet.

COMMERCIAL FISHING:
Commercial fisheries are not planned for 2010 due to low forecast abundance of Robertson Creek hatchery chinook.

RECREATIONAL FISHING:
Alberni Inlet catch is estimated at 224 chinook as of August 21. Historic average catch for the same time period (2004-2007) is estimated to be approximately 7,821. Barkley Sound chinook catch to date is estimated at 10,597. Historic average catch for the same time period (2004-2007) is estimated at approximately 19,463.

NEXT WEEK'S FISHING PLANS:
Aboriginal Tseshaht and Hupacasath First Nations:
Gill net Food, Social and Ceremonial fisheries are anticipated to proceed from Sunday noon to Tuesday noon. Sales agreement are not authorized.
Barkley Sound First Nations domestic fisheries are anticipated in Barkley Sound, lower Alberni Inlet and Uchucklesit Inlet.

Commercial:
No commercial fisheries are anticipated in 2010.

Recreational:
The recreational fishery remains at full limits for chinook and coho salmon in Alberni Inlet north of the Hocking Pt. boundaryline. The Nahmint Area closure is in effect. Chinook conservation measures are in effect in other portions of Area 23, Barkley Sound /Alberni Inlet.
Restrictions may be required depending on the strength of Robertson Creek hatchery chinook returns in the next few weeks.

For more information contact the local DFO office in Port Alberni at 250 720-4440

This Line says it all~~~~~~RECREATIONAL FISHING CATCH :
Alberni Inlet catch is estimated at 224 chinook as of August 21. ~~~~Historic average catch for the same time period (2004-2007) is estimated to be approximately 7,821 . After 4 years of 25 % less smolts released to SAVE $$$$ this is the end result ~~~OUR Terminal fishery will BE like this till the #'s released increases ~~~~ My 2 SCENTS ~~~~ DFO never states they lowered their #'s as one of the reason for the lower #'s returning FUNNY eh!!!!~~~ Please prove me wrong