FishTactics.com - Topic - Stamp (page 16)

SmokeyRiver

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Thread - Stamp	Post #302
I don't think I've ever seen it rain as hard as it did in Nanaimo last night. Most likely all the rivers on the Island will be blown for a bit.

Jan 12, 2010 9:55PM

IronNoggin

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Thread - Stamp

Post #303

She did blow out yesterday. Local guides are cancelling trips, and suggesting waiting until she settles down. Given > 100mm's of sky-water in the forecast, might be a bit of a spell before she does...

Years past, the Sproat offered some respite from this type of high water event, with very decent odds of success. The past couple of years, that fishery has declined to the point it is usually not worth the effort.

You don't have to look very far to understand why. Nor the why as to the returning hatchery fish spending rather little time in the lower sections any more. The old release system worked - hatchery fish were released chiefly on the 3 sites in the lower, well down that is, and including just up the Sproat or right at the confluence. This helped ensure that the returnees zoned in on those areas, and did very much offer access to them for an extended period of the season in the lower main river. Also made the Sproat fishery what it was back then, usually quite good as apposed to the dismal showings of late.

Today is a vastly different scenario. While we are left with some uncertainties as to the causal factor, funding is the one reason most often cited. For the past few years now, the fish are all released within a stone's throw of the hatchery itself. Read: In the CLOSED Area.Thus, the majority of today's returnees are focused on getting up there as quickly as they can. Yes, they do hold at the over-crowded Gong Show at the Falls, simply awaiting sufficient water to make the jump. And yes, fish are caught in the lower these days, chiefly as they are running up and through. FAR fewer hold anywhere in the lower for any significant period of time due to this single factor.

BUT, do a drift any time now and for the balance of the season from the hatchery down. We did just that several times last season. the abundance of steelhead (and a LOT were hatchery fish) up inside the No-Go Area is simply amazing!

I always understood that the production of hatchery fish was chiefly for Put & Take fisheries. By the very act of release site selection, that is no longer true. A GREAT many (likely the majority) of hatchery fish now run hard to the area that cannot be fished. There, they ripen, and eventually spawn - both amongst themselves as well as intermingling with the ''wild'' fish that are present. Thought we seriously wanted to avoid that type of interaction?

Myself and a handful of others are currently drafting letters to the Powers-That-Be regarding this issue. No-one knows if those letters will have any effect, but I suspect that if the numbers are there, we will see something in the way of a response. Best case scenario would be to see the original release sites once again adopted, which could provide many more angling opportunities spread over a much larger area of the river.

Be nice if a few of you who utilize this system each year would take a moment to express your concerns over this issue via appropriate letters...

Cheers,
Nog

Jan 12, 2010 10:37PM

Chovy

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Thread - Stamp	Post #304
Nog I never knew the fish were that ''in tune'' with their birthplace. We all know they are smart enough to return back to their home river but I had no idea that they also returned to the exact spot in the river where they were ''born'' . Its bloody incredible actually. Chovy

Jan 12, 2010 11:45PM

LorneParker

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Thread - Stamp	Post #305
Nog, I would be more then happy to write something up. Do you have any emails where these letters should go. I am pretty sure if you posted an example of what you would like seen written and the email addresses to send it too, your response we would be quite good. Lorne

Jan 13, 2010 12:25AM

SpringFever552

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Thread - Stamp

Post #306

I've been told by a good friend of mine,who has worked on hatchery steelhead projects for many years, that when the adults (hatchery fish only) return to their rivers to spawn and make it back up to the hatcheries, that they are collected and inturn released back down in the lower sections of the rivers, to again either get caught by the sporties or if they make it, swim back up to spawn...he said this was because they wanted the hatchery fish to be caught(sports fishery),and not to spawn with the wild....

Jan 13, 2010 1:22AM

ELVISDOGBREATH

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Thread - Stamp

Post #307

I sure picked a good weekend to come to the Stamp to fish and that weekend is this weekend.Cant cancel due to deposits and the fellows I am fishing with cant reschedule due to family commitments.We are still going to try and I am praying that Mom nature decides to change her mind and put the system somewhere else. Anyone seen what the Sproat is like near the Hwy 4 bridge? Any info would be great.Thx agian

Jan 13, 2010 1:54AM

Steelhead

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Thread - Stamp	Post #308
Springfever, that was my impression too... but what nog says makes sense. I have written letters to the Govt before and would be glad to do it again, unfortunately it does fall on deaf ears. ------------------------------------ Check out my fishing blog and guide service, The Rambling Fisherman click here

Jan 13, 2010 1:58AM

ELVISDOGBREATH

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Thread - Stamp	Post #309
If any of you guys were to fish the high water ? Where would you go? Sproat? I am coming up and fishing this weekend uneffortunately I have to this weekend. What would you use also? Thx Elvis

Jan 14, 2010 11:39PM

cory

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Thread - Stamp

Post #310

ELVISDOGBREATH wrote:
If any of you guys were to fish the high water ? Where would you go? Sproat? I am coming up and fishing this weekend uneffortunately I have to this weekend. What would you use also? Thx Elvis

The stamp is tough to fish from shore when the water is really high like it is right now. It really depends on just how high it actually is, most places will be up in the trees making it impossible to cast even if you can find some slower water. If you can find a spot to fish Ive had success with 4'' bubblegum pink worms and 1/4oz pink/chartreuse jigs in high water there.

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Jan 14, 2010 11:46PM

Steelhead

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Thread - Stamp	Post #311
I was at the Stamp this morning trying to fish... forget about it... its toast. I put a pic of the sproat pool up on my blog, it was even a little scary just standing on the bank by that water. http://theramblingfisherman.blogspot.com/ Edited: Jan 14, 2010 3:51PM ------------------------------------ Check out my fishing blog and guide service, The Rambling Fisherman click here

Jan 14, 2010 11:51PM

cory

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Thread - Stamp	Post #312
Steelhead wrote: I was at the Stamp this morning trying to fish... forget about it... its toast. I put a pic of the sproat pool up on my blog, it was even a little scary just standing on the bank by that water. http://theramblingfisherman.blogspot.com/ Wow, you are right ------------------------------------ New Fishing Show!!! www.catchingon.tv

Jan 14, 2010 11:54PM

ELVISDOGBREATH

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Thread - Stamp	Post #313
I looked at the pic of the Sproat and it looks nasty.I am lucky that the guides we are using are friends and former guides on the river.We will go anyways and see waht happens and if no fishing theres other stuff to do.Its called a strip bar

Jan 15, 2010 12:23AM

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Thread - Stamp

Post #314

Steelhead wrote:
I was at the Stamp this morning trying to fish... forget about it... its toast. I put a pic of the sproat pool up on my blog, it was even a little scary just standing on the bank by that water.

http://theramblingfisherman.blogspot.com/

Actually, with the high water you cannot fish the RIVER, however, fish all of the creeks. Such as beaver creek at the rifle range, anything draining into the stamp if fishable. I would although suggest not bring your traditional gear such as your 11 foot rods and rather down size to an 7 or 8 footer. I was at the falls yesterday and fished that creek that runs into it up top, I hooked 2 and then soon other anglers followed suit and hooked 3 more landed one of them. So just because it's blowin doesn't make it unfishable around there, makes it harder and les productive, but any true angler will find a way. Fish the feeder streams, they are holding fish right now. Think of it this way, if you were in the middle of a sh*t storm, would you stand outside or look for a little cover? Good luck and post some replies with your success out there, would love to hear them. Cheers.

Edited: Jan 15, 2010 8:10PM

Jan 15, 2010 1:07AM

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Thread - Stamp	Post #315
I forgot to mention, dont bother with your floats, take 'em off and bottom bounce some lead. If you dont know how, just use the same technique as you would float fishing and when you feel some pressure (something heavy like a snag) set that hook and hopefully feel those pumps. G/L 2 U

Jan 15, 2010 1:12AM

Steelhead

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Thread - Stamp	Post #316
Another good place to fish in the high water is the upper river. Edited: Jan 14, 2010 10:52PM ------------------------------------ Check out my fishing blog and guide service, The Rambling Fisherman click here

Jan 15, 2010 1:38AM

ELVISDOGBREATH

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Thread - Stamp	Post #317
Rick tyee, Thx mate you are giving me hope. Thanks again Edited: Jan 14, 2010 8:53PM

Jan 15, 2010 4:50AM

kromer

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Thread - Stamp	Post #318
There are very few spots on the stamp accessible during such high water. Look for big boulders that under normal conditions wouldnt be in the water and swim your gear in behind them.

Jan 15, 2010 10:07PM

ELVISDOGBREATH

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Thread - Stamp	Post #319
Fished the Sproat Friday Water was too high then Sat went out on the guided trip and hit a 6lb hatch doe and a 8lb hatch buck.I also lost one inbetwwen the two that I farmed. Water was raging on Sat so we had very limited spots to try but was a heck of a day.Water today dropped a bit but rain is expected so will probably rise a bit.

Jan 18, 2010 4:14AM

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Thread - Stamp	Post #320
Tried to go to Money's pool today. River was very high and trees down everywhere so no safe places to cast from shore. Headed to the Stamp Falls pool - river was high but much easier to access. Quite a few pleople fishing from shore. My wife came out for the fist time today and she learned that casting under a tree is not easy! Going to try The Bucket tomorrow.

Jan 20, 2010 1:42AM