KITIMAT RIVER PHOTO OF THE WEEK: Daylen Stevens is the 2025 Chamber of Commerce Derby Winner with his entry of 11 lb 14 1/2 oz Coho. Congratulations Daylen. Well done!
My Lucky High Five Streak continues! All the winners are listed at the end of this report.
Aug 28: I had the pleasure of drifting with Parker and Rikki.
Parker and Rikki are proudly holding the two Coho we landed on a doubleheader.
Well done Parker and Rikki! Congratulations!
My offical scoring was that Rikki’s Coho was definetley bigger! This created some awesome banter in the boat but I think down deep, Parker wouldn’t want it any other way. 🙂
Anyone wishing to Book a Driftboat Trip of a Lifetime, please cal me, Ron 250 632 1275 or email wakita@telus.net
2025_aug 30 corey Jak Ethan Ross 2 for 2 Coho. 1st one tail out of run past cable car, just passed the tree sticking out of the log jam just passed the cut bank. 2nd one top of railway river left
2025_aug27_Desiree_with Lori and steph some of the fish were stronger than us and we lost two big coho and landed three. Keeping lauires very first pink
2025_Aug 26 des Bruce and Leslie Cockerill
Aug 25 Des Yves Jonathan and Maude
SUMMARY
The Kitimat River catch rates especially for the Derby weigh ins were significantly lower than in other years.
The Kitimat Chamber of Commerce is always Labour Day weekend. This year the Labour Day weekend happened to fall on Aug 30th and 31st. Other years it falls later in the week. Sometimes Labour Day as late as Sept 7th or 8th.
Since this year it was earlier on the calendar, catch rates and the weigh in totals were natually lower.
Over all. The Derby was still a resounding success. The Number One priority of the Kitimat Chamber of Commerce Derby is for all the participants to “Have Fun!”. Everyone I spoke to had Fun! Mission Accomplished!
The Rod and Gun as the venue was well recieved. The burgers provided by the Humane Society were excellent. I had 2 ! : )
Laurel , our Kitimat Chamber of Commerce Manager, Mecerdese and Amber and all the staff and voulteers deserve credit, compliments and gratitude for the exceptional job they did to create an Amazing event.
Well done Laurel and staff and Thank you!
DOUGLAS CHANNEL
PHOTO OF THE WEEK
August 31 John from Blue Heron Charters provided this photo and comment, “Diane, Jordan, and Nick fishing with John @ Blue Heron Charters and limiting out on halibut. Congratulations everyone! Great Job Skipper!
Anyone wishing to Book a Saltwater Charter of a Lifetime, please call Ron 250 632 1275 or email wakita@telus.net
2025 August 29-John @ Blue Heron Charters fishing with Bruce Sr., Bruce Jr., Leslie, and Donna and catching halibut on flat water in Sunshine. Congratulations everyone! Great Job Skipper!
Anyone wishing to Book a Saltwater Charter of a Lifetime, please call Ron 250 632 1275 or email wakita@telus.net
SUMMARY
The Douglas Channel is still producing excellent numbers of Halibut and Crab but Coho is a bit of a mystery. Catch rates for Coho were better earlier in August than they are now.
Nobody seems to know why but most of the long terms salt anglers are of the opinion that Douglas Channel will still produce Coho in the next couple of weeks.
Accordingly the Coho weigh ins for the Derby from the Saltwater were not as good as previous years but the weather was outstanding and it was a long weekend.
The Douglas Channel is such an incredible experience when the weather is good. It is truly an amazing atmosohere to create memories with frinds and family.
If any Participants in this year’s Derby run into Laurel, Mercedes, Amber, Darlene or any of the volunteers, please Thank them for the excellent job they did,
All the winners are listed below.
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2025 Kitimat Chamber of Commerce Derby Winners
KITIMAT RIVER UPDATES Face Book PAGE
In response to drownings on the Kitimat River a few years ago, a group from Kitimat developed a Facebook page called Kitimat River Update. This group is comprised of Kitimat Drift boat anglers, River Guides, Kitimat Search and Rescue, Kitimat Hatchery staff and the R.C.M.P.
This is a public Facebook Page that anyone can post to. Anyone observing any hazards on the Kitimat River are encouraged to post pictures and/or videos complete with specific details of the hazard to this page. Please include accurate details of the location of the hazard and the time the pictures or videos were taken.
Anyone drifting the Kitimat River is encouraged to view this Facebook Page to acquaint themselves with any potential hazards. Link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2395579904062237
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.
