News:

Welcome to the largest gathering of Arima boat owners anywhere. We are a forum based gathering of Arima Boat enthusiasts that like to pleasure cruise, fish, camp, and hunt. While Arimas are centered in the PNW, we have members across the globe. It is 3/4's water after all. Lurk, join up, and post about your Arima upgrades, family trips, and of course, your fishing exploits. Just remember to add photos whenever possible.

Main Menu

Winter Chinook Fishing is Full On!

Started by Fishwithsarge, December 01, 2023, 07:18:47 AM

Previous topic - Next topic

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Fishwithsarge

The winter chinook feeders has been spectacular since late October.  For the past 6 years, the Chinook fishery is closed April 1- Aug 31 in the local Vancouver BC waters so most avid salt water fishermen have turned to the other half of the year to target Chinook salmon.  Last Sunday there was 10 veh/trailers in the parking lot at the ramp at 7 AM when it was still dark.  I usually put in 3-4 hours of rod time and then go and pick up the prawn and crab traps.  Largest fish this winter has been a 16 lbr.  Fortunately we can prawn and crab 12 months a year notwithstanding occasional pulse closures in some areas.  My last boat had a diesel Planar heater which was wonderful in keeping us warm and window defrosted when enclosed in the pilothouse.  I currently use a propane heater dish on a 20 lb propane tank until I figure out where I want the Planar heater mounted that won't look unsightly and not get in the way. 

Crackerbox


dew

Every year I go to Sekiu, WA (SE of port renfrew kind of) for our winter chinook fishery that opens 3/1. This year they aren't opening it until 4/1. Interesting that's when your season typically closes when a lot of the fish we are catching are Canadian fish. Also interesting how across an imaginary line (the boarder), there's a lot less shrimp apparently because we get maybe 3-8 days a year to shrimp depending on the Area in the Puget Sound.

Anyway, incredible haul. I loved the video. This year might be the year I finally get a Canadian license for winter blackmouth. I talk about doing it every year but haven't ever gone through with it.
1989 SR 17
2012 F115
2012 T9.9

Diablo

Quote from: Fishwithsarge on December 01, 2023, 07:18:47 AMThe winter chinook feeders has been spectacular since late October.  For the past 6 years, the Chinook fishery is closed April 1- Aug 31 in the local Vancouver BC waters so most avid salt water fishermen have turned to the other half of the year to target Chinook salmon.  Last Sunday there was 10 veh/trailers in the parking lot at the ramp at 7 AM when it was still dark.  I usually put in 3-4 hours of rod time and then go and pick up the prawn and crab traps.  Largest fish this winter has been a 16 lbr.  Fortunately we can prawn and crab 12 months a year notwithstanding occasional pulse closures in some areas.  My last boat had a diesel Planar heater which was wonderful in keeping us warm and window defrosted when enclosed in the pilothouse.  I currently use a propane heater dish on a 20 lb propane tank until I figure out where I want the Planar heater mounted that won't look unsightly and not get in the way. 

So are you just trying to make us jealous down here in the US. Salmon, shrimp, and crab on the same trip.  bowdown.gif
'98 19SR  '15 E Tec 115, '10 Honda 8
'67. 23 Tollycraft, 283 Chevy
'04  14' Western, '15 Tohatsu 10
'87  37 Roughwater two 8.2 Detroit diesels SOLD
'88 17SR  '90 Johnson 90, Honda 8, SOLD

fishmeister

Quote from: Diablo on December 01, 2023, 07:43:08 PM
Quote from: Fishwithsarge on December 01, 2023, 07:18:47 AMThe winter chinook feeders has been spectacular since late October.  For the past 6 years, the Chinook fishery is closed April 1- Aug 31 in the local Vancouver BC waters so most avid salt water fishermen have turned to the other half of the year to target Chinook salmon.  Last Sunday there was 10 veh/trailers in the parking lot at the ramp at 7 AM when it was still dark.  I usually put in 3-4 hours of rod time and then go and pick up the prawn and crab traps.  Largest fish this winter has been a 16 lbr.  Fortunately we can prawn and crab 12 months a year notwithstanding occasional pulse closures in some areas.  My last boat had a diesel Planar heater which was wonderful in keeping us warm and window defrosted when enclosed in the pilothouse.  I currently use a propane heater dish on a 20 lb propane tank until I figure out where I want the Planar heater mounted that won't look unsightly and not get in the way. 

So are you just trying to make us jealous down here in the US. Salmon, shrimp, and crab on the same trip.  bowdown.gif

If so......It worked. :clap:
1981 Sea Hunter  "iFish" (Oldest Arima on the forum??)
'22 Merc 60hp, '21 Merc 9.9 Kicker
1996 Lund WC12 (A tin can that wants to be an Arima)

disposable

previously owned Reveille
2012 Sea Chaser 17 (custom PH)
2013 Honda 90hp

Norcalfish80

Every time I see reports from up north I get more tempted to move. What a day!
19HT, Yamaha 115
North Bay Area, CA

fishmeister

Quote from: Norcalfish80 on December 02, 2023, 06:48:26 PMEvery time I see reports from up north I get more tempted to move. What a day!

Might not be that far-fetched....This summer, I crossed paths with an Arima that had "CF" registration numbers displayed.  He said that he pulled his boat up here because of the lack of salmon season in CA this year.
1981 Sea Hunter  "iFish" (Oldest Arima on the forum??)
'22 Merc 60hp, '21 Merc 9.9 Kicker
1996 Lund WC12 (A tin can that wants to be an Arima)

Norcalfish80

Quote from: fishmeister on December 02, 2023, 07:09:12 PM
Quote from: Norcalfish80 on December 02, 2023, 06:48:26 PMEvery time I see reports from up north I get more tempted to move. What a day!

Might not be that far-fetched....This summer, I crossed paths with an Arima that had "CF" registration numbers displayed.  He said that he pulled his boat up here because of the lack of salmon season in CA this year.

Yeah I've thought about at least towing up. I sure miss salmon fishing
19HT, Yamaha 115
North Bay Area, CA

Omega3

Do B.C. hatcheries clip the Adipose fin as we down here?Nice one btw.
05 Sea Ranger 19  05 Evinrude 135 DI   17 Yamaha F8

Fishwithsarge

Quote from: Omega3 on December 02, 2023, 08:02:02 PMDo B.C. hatcheries clip the Adipose fin as we down here?Nice one btw.

We clip between 10-15% of hatchery raised Chinook Salmon and close to 100% of Coho Salmon.  I have no idea why the discrepancy whereas US hatcheries clip almost 100% of all hatchery raised Chinook and Coho salmon.  Hopefully we will get a marked selective fishery in the Vancouver local waters as it's been on the table for past 2 yrs.  We don't understand the government's argument (tongue in cheek) as to why we have a marked selective fishery just 15 miles across to the Vancouver Island side and not on the Vancouver side of the water.  Anyone retaining a marked Chinook after July 15th of each year or prior to April 1 during the winter months always say thanks to the American hatcheries as our stat's have proven that the majority of the retained fish originated from an American hatchery.  Our DNA samples also reveal that many of the released Chinook salmon with the adipose fin have originated from a BC hatchery.

strokersquid

I have never seen that done in California but then again we did not have a season last year and may not this year either.  I wonder if we had the same policy if we would avoid the situation we have this year where the Sacramento River run is not good but the Mokulemne River hatchery fish are returning in force.