Jessica Wallace with a lovely Ling taken onboard “Fisherman’s Life” with husband Joe.
Submitted photo
Bob Meyer
Sounder Contributor
Ling fishing is in full swing, and has been productive so far. We’ve been using medium herring on slider rigs in depths of 30 to 70 feet. Stocks seem to have remained steady, but remember to limit your take, and only take what you can immediately eat. These are not transitory fish, as are Salmon, and cannot withstand over fishing. Please release any Ling over 15 pounds, as they are the female spawners, and can carry up to a half million eggs.
Dick Beamish just wrote a brilliant article in Island Fisherman pertaining to Chinook Salmon. I knew that the Chinook fishing was outstanding past two years, but I had no idea that the Fraser returns were the largest in recorded history. D.F.O. Started counting returns in 1979, and the 950,000 Chinook counted in the Fraser and tributaries in 2023 were the most ever achieved. This is fantastic news on all fronts, including for Resident Orcas, First Nations Fisheries, and commercial and recreational pursuits. The biggest increase was from the South Thompson River, and the smolts from this river stay longer in fresh water, and enter the ocean at a later stage. This may contribute to better ocean survival. The Cowichan River has been revitalized, and returns here are fantastic, too. It’s so nice to see this fishery blossoming, after the years of downward trending!
The Coho returns look to be good this year, also. The winter abundance locally was not what it was the past two years, but there have been lots of Coho 30 miles to the North of us. There were Coho surface feeding everywhere out last trip out, but we didn’t fish them. Hatchery Coho retention starts June 1st.
Prawning has been medium/good, expect 75 per trap. However, by the time you read this the commercial prawn fishery will have opened. So, prawn at your own risk!
Good fishing!
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