The photo of the week shows Ron Wakita and his son Brandon with a huge Kalum River Steelhead landed and released on April 1, 2010. Brandon caught this fish with: Spinning Rod: 8' Trophy XL. Spinning Reel: Abu Garcia Cardinal Stamina Drag. Line: Braided Tuf-Line DuraCast. Lure: Gibbs Koho 55. Hook: 3/0 Gamakatsu Siwash (Open Eye) barb pinched down. Landing Net: Gibbs Catch and Release (soft mesh). Cast on the link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcT-TsB6Hvg to watch the 3 minute 26 second video clip. Brandon says this was the largest Steelhead he has ever landed. Read more details below.
Fishing Report from: Ron Wakita of Reliable Guide and Charters,
Kitimat B & City Centre Hardware & Sporting Goods
"Kitimat's Largest Tackle Shop"
380 City Centre
Kitimat B.C
V8C 1T6
bus.250 632-3522 fax 250 632-3528
wakita@telus.net
www.reliableguideandcharters.com
KITIMAT RIVER:
The Kitimat River height has dropped steadily throughout this week. The Kitimat is now very low and clear almost to the point where it may be too clean. There were reports of fresh Steelhead caught earlier in the week but catch rates have dropped off into the latter part of this week, I suspect due to the exceptionally low, clean water conditions.
Mar 30 Andreas Handl of Kingfish Westcoast Adventures fishing with his friends Casey Kenvan and Warren Mann hooked 2 Steelhead and landed one. Casey hooked this beauty float fishing pink wool with some Roe.
Mar 31 Andreas Handl fishing with his friends Casey and Warren hooked 4 Steelhead, landed 2. They were float fishing and doing some Hot Shotting. They landed this one with a Peach Hot Shot 25.
Apr 1 Derrick Downey caught and released a 35" Kitimat River Steelhead that he caught on his Spey Rod. Derrick was Fly fishing in the upper Kitimat River. Congratulations Derrick!
Apr 3 Drift Boaters Beware! Mike Herzberg reports, "There is a tree completely across the Kitimat River just above where the Wedeene River dumps in. There's just enough room to drag a boat around on the gravel bar end. When we get our next high water there should be enough current to swing the tree straight."
Many Steelheaders have renewed their Fishing Licenses in preparation to fish the Easter Long weekend. The Steelheading on the Kitimat River this weekend may be challenging with the low, clean conditions but the weather forecast is decent. What a wonderful way to spend a weekend. Stay Tuned!
DOUGLAS CHANNEL:
Crabbing, Prawning, Winter Chinook or Bottom Fishing! What a nice choice to have.
We received a report of a boater who brought in 2 Halibut from his trip down the Douglas Channel. There was very little activity this week as many boaters were preparing to take advantage of the Easter Long weekend and head down the Douglas Channel for a few days. Many boaters will not be returning until late Sunday or Monday. Stay Tuned for their results when they return!
My small 8-10-pounder
Photo of the Week, see above
Brandon's huge fish, his Dad had to help him lift it
Apr 1 Special Report Kalum River. My son Brandon and I had the pleasure of fishing with our good friend Noel Gyger. Noel hooked the first Steelhead, Brandon then hooked a big one and I hooked the last. The highlight of our trip was definitely the size of the Steelhead that Brandon caught and released. The Steelhead was a bit coloured but it was 20lbs plus. Wow, what a big Steelhead! Well Done Brandon! Brandon is on a bit of a roll with catching some big fish lately. In our family competition, I suspect that Brandon's sister, Julie will not be happy when she sees the pictures of Brandon's Steelhead, "Game On!" A Huge Thank You to Noel for inviting us on a trip on the Kalum.
Prince Rupert Report submitted by Glen Kilcup of Fish Hawk Guiding: Hey Ron, I submit a couple of neat ones this round as we start the recovery from a couple of wild days out of Rupert. Again,... myself, Mike Primeau and Jeff Langley took in the sites and the weather out of Prince Rupert. She was a nasty one but we persisted and managed to get into 5 Chinook, ( 2 IN the boat) a half a dozen real nice quillbacks, 2 real big gray cods and a decent Halibut. But the catch of the day actually was something no one would have ever expected to see... a Wolf eel!! He was big and nasty with the same attitude, and a real wrestle for a picture. Fish was caught by Jeff and landed by Mike...lucky guys! Someone had to steer the boat!! Mike also landed this 20lb piece of chrome which showed its true form airborne multiple times. Jeff also landed a 12lber. I was foiled twice boat side as the tiny hooks popped easily using our Anchovy trolling rigs. The last morning yielded another high flying fish for Mike but the task was practically impossible as the strong fish battled us through 6 foot chop, sideways rain and blowing wind! Within the 30 seconds Mike fought the fish, we were blown in the boat over a quarter mile from the "fish on" position!
The gear was Abu Garcia Big Game 10,000's with workhorse sticks loaded with Berkley Big Game 130lb braided line for bottom fishing. Gibbs spreader bars held the 2 lb lead ball weights and 9/0 Gamakatsu hooks for bottom fishing. Shimano Calcutta 400TE's with 20lb Berkley Big Game mono and St Croix wild river medium weight rods were used for the Chinook. We also used a couple of Daiwa mooching reels on Storm rods for the Chinook. Scotty downriggers and accessories completed the tackle compliment.
Another great day with a couple of old sailors.....
Thank You to everyone for submitting photos and info for this Fishing Report.
Good Health and Good Fishing!
Sincerely
Ron Wakita
PS Any angler wishing to book our Guide and Charter Services please contact Noel Gyger noel@noelgyger.ca
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FISHING REGULATIONS WEBSITES:
2009-2011 BC tidal waters and non-tidal (Federal) Salmon fishing information:
www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/recfish
Effective April 1, 2009 to March 31, 2011
2009-2011 Freshwater (Provincial) Fishing Regulations Synopsis:
www.env.gov.bc.ca/fw/fish
Effective April 1, 2009 to March 31, 2011 (Note: regs good for two years)
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