KITIMAT RIVER: PHOTO OF THE WEEK Jack Ross (grandson) proudly holding a beautiful Kitimat River Coho he caught while drifting with his father Kail, and grandfather, Barry Ross. This driftboat trip was one of a two Driftboat Trip. The other Driftboat boat was guided by Pro Guide, Gord Mckeen fishing with Cate and Damon Ross. Grand Pa Barry freelanced between boats ceasing the opportunity to fish with both his sons and grandsons. It is alway refreshing to host 3 generations of the same family on our Driftboat Trips but to have 2 sets of sons and grandsons is epic. Well planned Barry!.
Aug 17th The Ross family landed 5 Coho, a large Chinook, a bunch of Pinks and a bunch of Chum during their drift. Worthy of note, Jack landed the First Fish in our boat, Barry landed the biggest and Kail lost the most. : ) In fairness, it should be noted that Kail also landed the most.
I didn’t have Gord’s boat stats fishing with Damon and Cate but they also hooked and landed a pile of fish and had a higher Coho count. Congratulations to everyone on your catch and Thank You for using our Guiding Services.
2026_aug 17 Good evening can you plz post Jessica Snider’s fresh Coho from today. Thanks
Aug 19 I had the pleasure of drifting with Michel, David and his father, Reg. We primarily fly fished with both single handed and Spey. We caught a pile of Pinks and this very bright Chum. We also hot shotted for a short time to rest their casting arms. We also BBQ a Pink that Michel caught and “Iron Chef David” cooked for us.
The boys fished hard and caught a lot of fish. Most importantly, we had a lot of fun in the process.
Thank You for a great day! Congratulations on your catch and Thank You for using our Guide Services
Aug 21 I had the pleasure of drifting with Richard, Harold and his father, Wolfgang. Richard, Harold and Wolfgang are guests staying at The Wild Skeena Lodge. All of their guest have spoken very highly of the accomodations and services provided by Bruno and his family.
We hooked 5 Coho and landed 2 and a bunch of Pinks. Richard and Wolfgang were Spey casting fly fishers. Both were very accomplished casters and were a pleasure to watch do the various Spey casts. Harold was a tackle angler who never stopped casting. Our whole group possessed the uniserval passion and enthusiasm for fishing that we all enjoyed amazing fishing experiencc on the Kitimat River.
It was a lot of fun fishifishing with you all and Thank You for using our Guiding Services.
\2026_Aug 21 Justin Lowes “Potential Derby winner”
SUMMARY
The Kitimat Rivet is producing Coho at typical catch rates despite the receding tides and the low river levels. Our 1/2 Day Driftboat Specials have had a couple 6 Coho mornings which is exceptional for this time of year but in context followed by a 2 or 3 Coho morning the next day.
The tides bottomed out Aug 21st and will now start growing into the dominant tides of this tide cycle on Aug 30 and 31th.
More Coho will run every high tide but usually when the river is low, more Coho seem to run the am tide. The trick is to figure out where they will be when the sun comes up.
Usually when the river is low, Smart money says, “Get up early”! Many seasoned Coho anglers, will tell you that Coho is always best early morning and evening when the river is low.
Jigs (especiall Scoopy Doo), Koho 45 Copper and Blue Scale are the dominant tackle. Blue and Chartreuse flies are producing for the fly fishers.
Stay tuned to this report.
KITIMAT RIVER SALMON QUOTAS AND REGULATIONS FOR THE KITIMAT RIVER
Chinook is CLOSED for Retention July 31st
Please note: The Kitimat River is open for Roe Sept 1st 12:01am for salmon but NOT to target Trout or Steelhead.
| (including tributaries) | All | May 15 to Aug 31 | Bait ban. | |
| on west bank between signs at Kitimat hatchery outfall. | All | Apr 1 to Mar 31 | No fishing for salmon. | |
| downstream of Highway # 37 bridge. | Chinook | Apr 1 to Jul 31 | 1 per day, 80 cm or less. | |
| Aug 1 to Dec 31 | No fishing for chinook. | |||
| Coho | Apr 1 to Oct 31 | 4 per day, only 2 over 50 cm. | ||
| Nov 1 to Dec 31 | No fishing for coho. | |||
| Chum | Apr 1 to Aug 31 | 2 per day. | ||
| Pink | Apr 1 to Aug 31 | 2 per day. | ||
| upstream of Highway # 37 bridge. | All | Apr 1 to Mar 31 | No fishing for Salmon. |
Total Salmon Daily Quota is 4 Per Day with each Daily Species Quota applying.
Total Possession Limit to transport is 8 salmon Fresh and Salt combined.
DOUGLAS CHANNEL
DOUGLAS CHANNEL: PHOTO OF THE WEEK
August 15th; John from Blue Heron Charters proviided this picture and comment, “fishing with Dan, Karen, and Daniel from Northern Ontario and catching halibut; 30 and 40 pounds’ Congratulations on catch Dan, Karen and Daniel! Thank You for using our Charter Services.
Anyone wishing to Book a Saltwater Charter of a Lifetime especially Halibut, please call Ron 250 632 1275 or email Ron
August 17– John @ Blue Heron Charters fishing with Anita, Warren, and Liam from Calgary, AB and catching halibut.
Aug 18 Riley Dewart from Big Buck Sportfishing holding a 111.5 cm Halibut. Wow! Well done! Congratulations on your catch. Riley was doing some personal fishing for winter fish in between clients.
Anyone wishing to Book a Halibut Trip of a Lifetime with Rilet, please call Ron 250 632 1275. or email wakita@telus.net
Riley and I are booking trips for 2027. Please enquire about one day trips, overnight trips or multiple day trips.
August 19 John @ Blue Heron Charters fishing with Damon and Cade from Edmonton Alberta and limiting out on coho salmon.
Aug 21 John for Blue Heron Charters fishing with Barry Roos and family
Aug 19 and 21 Ryley Big Buck Charters fishing with Barry Roos family group..”First Day limit of Coho…second day halibut”
SUMMARY
Bottomfish and Halibut fishing throughout the Douglas Channel continues to be exceptional.including the Kitimat Harbour. The Halibut migrate into the Kitimat Harbour to feed on the abundance of salmon carracesses washing the Kitimat River, Walthal and Bish Creek.
Coho fishing the Kitimat Harbour has bee sporadic especially Jesse Falls and Cleo Point. For example, one boater reported catching nine Coho in an hour only to return and catch one in fours hours. My thought was that should have stayed on them while it was hot!
Crab and Praawning has been very good but it seems that your bait has to be fresh as there is plenty of food around.
I suspect that the Coho fishing will really heat up in the Kitimat Harbour during this set of growing high tides which will peak on Aug 30 and 31st.
Stay tuned!
Stay Safe!
Luck High Five!
