Swim counts and over-flights estimate the number of chum in the Nanaimo River at between 10-15,000. This is well below the escapement target of 63,000. Based on this information, Fisheries has recommended we close the river to chum retention immediately. Notice will go out ASAP. I support this approach even though some of the run still has to enter the river. The peak of the run should have occurred during the third week of October so we are not very optimistic about the numbers still to come.

It would appear that these numbers go hand in hand with the forecast of less than a million returning chum. It was very evident at Browns Bay Derby this year that the forecast was correct.

probably good idea HR

i think they closed chum retention on the fraser also it sounds like its bad in a lot of areas


wonder if this means we are in for a crappy chinook season next year

anyone have an idea how many years old these chum are and what the river was doing during peak spawn when there parents were spawning

I don't know this for fact...but was told a couple months ago that the prediction for poor chum returns was due to major flooding during the spawn a few years back...not sure if chum are 4 or 5 year fish.

I found this on the web in regards to the cycle.


"Chum salmon's life cycle is a typical anadromous life cycle. Their average life span is four years but some may reach six years. After emerging from the eggs around late winter, fries of chum salmon do not reside in freshwater for a period."

Taken from: http://www.fishingwithrod.com/fish_prof ... almon.html

I also heard the statement about flooding being a cause to some of the low runs

doesn't seem right to target fish while spawning anyway...no matter what species...leave the cradle robbing fishery to young kids who might not get a chance to go fishing otherwise....

Well I gotta say that's a tough argument to back. HP.
If you fish salmon on any of our inside waters in the summer and fall then you are fishing spawning fish,. They would not be there otherwise.(other than the feeders)


Just saying!

Cradle robbing fisheries??? In the past before being derailed by a medical problem that makes it impossible to hike the rivers I quite enjoyed hiking and fishing the Quinsam, Qualicum, Stamp, Nanaimo, and Cowichan rivers. I fished for Chinook,Coho,Chum and Steelhead and released 95% of what I caught. I did not at all perceive it as cradle robbing or as a second rate fishery but rather as a challenge and a wonderful way to spend some "downtime". I'm sorry HP but I find your comments a little harsh. Personally I would love to be able to go back to the days of river fishing however the chuck is still doable for me and is my fist love anyways.
DT

Any species of salmon that make the journey and servive to enter the river systems personally I consider them home and I won't target them but I also have a boat and do well in it, old people kids under 16 OK people flossing and snagging not okay. The only exception to this would be steelhead as we all know are rarely caught in open water and even steelhead should be released. In this day and age coastal indians should respect that and fish open water and stay out of the rivers period, the bands get enough of our tax dollars to afford a boat, nets in the rivers is disgusting to me as a fisherman with respect for the species, retention of any species of salmon in fresh water should be banned except special sircumstances like the old and the young.
That's just my thoughts. As well I don't believe in open water seine boats or gill nets or dragging all fish I believe should be trolled the quotas lowered and the value raised as this product is worth the extra few dollars a pound to stabilize the economic impact s
Just sayin

I've heard these comments before about how only old people and kids should be fishing for pinks or chums in the estuaries/rivers, what the heck. Is it some how more noble to troll around in a fancy boat with fish finders/gps and electric downriggers? Not that I think that there's anything wrong with any of that. But if it's all about preserving fish stocks then what about the guys who boast of hooking endless fish and then letting them go. lets face it some of them are going to die afterwards as a result of being caught. And as far as First Nations being to blame, I have a friend who works for dfo and he says that argument is old and tired. He says they aren't catching enough of them to make a serious dent. In regards to snaggers, I think a bit of education can go a long way. I saw a guy down at the millstone estuary in the summer who wasn't afraid to speak up when people were breaking the rules and I think it makes a difference. Anyways it's unfortunate the run is down this year and they have to close it.