Cowichan River

Nice to see a few fish in the river. I walked the trail above Holt Creek. Water a nice colour but a bit high for fly gear. Should have brought the gear. Fished the few runs I could. How things have changed. So much fine sediment filling once gravelled area's. Three boats and a couple other shore anglers had caught nothing. A Harbour seal that went cruising downstream also seemed disappointed. Nice to see some blue sky.
 
Not a report, but will be back out there soon! I did fish last weekend, tough conditions on the fly picked off a few small rainbows/browns what I’m really exited about is trying these new trophy Center pin reels I picked up at the boat show met a few guys from the design team appear to be really good quality comparable to the islanders I took the chance on them and picked up 2 will report back asap.
 

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Not a report, but will be back out there soon! I did fish last weekend, tough conditions on the fly picked off a few small rainbows/browns what I’m really exited about is trying these new trophy Center pin reels I picked up at the boat show met a few guys from the design team appear to be really good quality comparable to the islanders I took the chance on them and picked up 2 will report back asap.
is that bushing or bearing?
 

Fishery Notice​

Category(s):
RECREATIONAL - Salmon
Subject:
FN1156-RECREATIONAL Salmon - Chum - Cowichan River - Region 1 - Opening - Effective November 1, 2024




Effective 00:01 hours November 1, 2024, until 23:59 hours December 31, 2024, the daily limit for Chum Salmon is two (2) per day in the following areas:

-From 66 Mile Trestle downstream to the white triangle boundary sign located in Sandy Pool Regional Park.

Effective 00:01 hours November 16, 2024, until hours 23:59 December 31, 2024, the daily limit for Chum Salmon is two (2) per day in the following areas:

-From 66 Mile Trestle downstream to the tidal boundary.

Variation Order: 2024-RFQ-457 in effect

NOTES AND REMINDERS:

Barbless hooks are required when fishing for salmon in tidal and non-tidal waters of British Columbia.

No fishing is allowed within 100 meters of any government facility operated for counting, passing or rearing fish.

It is illegal to willfully foul hook a salmon. If you accidentally foul hook a salmon in the ocean, it may be retained if the species is open to retention. If you accidentally foul hook a salmon in any lake or stream, including the tidal parts of coastal streams, it may not be retained and you must release it immediately with the least amount of harm as possible.

The term "marked", "hatchery marked", or "adipose fin clipped" means a fish that has a healed scar in place of the adipose fin.

All anglers must have a licence to fish in non-tidal waters in BC. Apply for your BC non-tidal waters recreational fishing licence and non-tidal salmon surcharge at: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/...shing/recreational-freshwater-fishing-licence

Anglers are advised to check at: http://bcsportfishguide.ca and https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/...n/fishing-hunting/fishing/fishing-regulations for fishing closures and other recreational fishing regulations and information.

Fishers are encouraged to participate in the Salmon Sport Head Recovery program by labelling and submitting heads from hatchery marked Chinook and Coho Salmon to head depots. The head-off measurement can be used by enforcement officers to assess compliance on size limits if you remove the head from Chinook or Coho. Recovery of microscopic coded-wire tags found inside hatchery marked Chinook and Coho heads provide critical information for coast-wide Salmon stock assessment programs. Contact the Salmon Sport Head Recovery Program toll free at 1-866-483-9994 for further information.

Report suspicious activity or violations by email at DFO.ORR-ONS.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca or by calling the 24-hour, toll-free Observe, Record, and Report line at 1-800-465-4336 or 604-607-4186 in greater Vancouver.

The 24-hour, toll-free information line for fishery notices regarding openings and closures is 1-866-431-3474 or 604-666-2828 in greater Vancouver.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Please contact the nearest Fisheries and Oceans Canada office or visit our website at http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca


Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN1156
Sent October 30, 2024 at 1148




I hope a coho opening follows in the next few weeks.
 
I see post from a guide on the river mentioning there is a coho opening but I don’t see a fishery notice for that like the chum. I do see it on the general river openings webpage but again the chum one shows up too with the notice attached.


Again I wish there was a bit more clarity with this stuff.
 
I see post from a guide on the river mentioning there is a coho opening but I don’t see a fishery notice for that like the chum. I do see it on the general river openings webpage but again the chum one shows up too with the notice attached.


Again I wish there was a bit more clarity with this stuff.
Coho opened on Nov 1st as well for 1 per day. It’s now part of the IFMP so no notices are posted. I know, it’s not perfect but don’t shoot the messenger please!
 
Coho opened on Nov 1st as well for 1 per day. It’s now part of the IFMP so no notices are posted. I know, it’s not perfect but don’t shoot the messenger please!
But, expect Coho to open Nov 1st every year until you hear otherwise. A silver lining? It’d be good to hear comments about that. Especially if you plan to engage in SFAB meeting to discuss an alternative.
 
Thanks for that @Cut Plug
Was curious if you know the logics, decisions or stories behind with current regulations of no fishing below Sandy and fly fishing above trestle 66 before Nov 15? I probably missed some of these decisions or discussions previously since I rarely fish for salmon up in the Cowie during the early season. Sure missed those early years…

If anyone is drifting, there is a tree across the river, 1 bend above the old suspension bridge in Bible Camp. You can get around it on the left shallow side, Nainamo side, but there is a big root ball just above it. That tree might have been there last winter? Might have to walk it if the water gets any lower…
 
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