FN0147-Recreational Salmon - Chinook - Strait of Juan de Fuca - Portions of Areas 19 and 20 - Management Measures - March 1, 2026

[Trophy 2000]

I am hoping with DFO changing to single barbless for the month of March that they are preparing us for April 1 that we can catch and release with single hooks and all above comments less mortality with single hooks . When I first read I actually had taken as positive as why would they implement for one month then shut down the fishery in April . Just being optimistic

 

[ziggy]

New for 2026: The use of hooks having more than one point is prohibited (i.e., only single barbless hooks are permitted) when fishing for salmon in the above noted waters.

This is pretty clear to me.

So do you read it as only one hook can be on a rig and that has to be barbless ,or do you read it as more than one is still permitted but they have to be barbless. I just find the wording pretty clunky for a regulation.

 

[Doug]

To me the the wording means that you can use two single hooks on a hook set.

It reads " Only single barbless hooks are permitted" the word hooks is plural meaning each of the single hooks cannot have more than one point.

If DFO meant you can only use one hook per rig it would read "Only one single barbless hook is permitted".

 

[scott craven]

So do you read it as only one hook can be on a rig and that has to be barbless ,or do you read it as more than one is still permitted but they have to be barbless. I just find the wording pretty clunky for a regulation.

Ya, their terminology is always vague.
I read as single barbless hooks are fine , one or two. No mention of not running tandem singles.
No trebles.

 

[ziggy]

To me the the wording means that you can use two single hooks on a hook set.

It reads " Only single barbless hooks are permitted" the word hooks is plural meaning each of the single hooks cannot have more than one point.

If DFO meant you can only use one hook per rig it would read "Only one single barbless hook is permitted".

Yeah, the plural form is certainly there, it’s also used to describe hooks in general in the same statement. But I agree with your interpretation.

 

[pescador]

I can just see it now…..guys running 3 single barbless hooks on an anchovy set up. No laughing. In fact, it may spawn a whole new methodology of fishing for Springs. The unintended consequences of poorly thought thru policies.

 

[Weatherall]

Ya, their terminology is always vague.
I read as single barbless hooks are fine , one or two. No mention of not running tandem singles.
No trebles.

That’s how I read it, too.

 

[eroyd]

Just state no trebles then.

 

[wolf]

If a future single-barbless rule across the board allows us to keep fishing then I’m for it. I already primarily troll spoons and plugs that have only 1 hook anyway. and gradually converting my jigs to single hook as the assist rigs wear out or break. hate treble hooks with a passion lol i remove them from new jigs as soon as i unwrap them

So next it will be no flasher size 5 hook, spoon only??? where does it stop !!!!!! lets be real here for a moment you fish the way you want to fish ill fish the way I want to end of it... Ive seen damage on ALL hooks ... and we all have we can all agree on that, worse is a big single where a tiny fish hits it right thru into brain and dead...I guess we should all be thamkful this may be the only season we get 1 month!!! maybe possibly?? THANKS DFO

 

[scott craven]

So next it will be no flasher size 5 hook, spoon only??? where does it stop !!!!!!

It won't stop, just like everything else in this crazy world we live in.
Change is the only constant, everything else is variable.

 

[Derby]

As MSF start to come available for us to fish there will be some other regulation come most likely... single hooks 15mm gap, perhaps no flashers.. gaff release only. Perhaps take the time to dig up the FRIM study and u can see what the impacts release mortalities.. Question you need to ask yourself is do you want to access these clipped chinooks when there are stocks of concern moving thru or not..

 

[Aces]

“you want to blame anyone it is the anglers around you and social media. This netting of small fish and photos are really drawing attention. The NGO grabbed on to that, and then amped up FN groups. You think that wasn't planned? No one questioned or even knew what drop off mortalty was till the NGO brought it up wasting oxygen/mathematical formulas based on statistics in every meeting our reps had. Complete time burgler honestly. I am sure our reps would really like to move on from talking about it.

If we all just left the fish in water and released them probably wouldn't need to take this step. I am not talking about guys on here and guides. You guys care about the fish. There are many that need some education out there.”

Spring Velocity is completely right here.

This is exactly why I tend to not post many fish pictures or crow much on social media regarding fishing success.

 

[scott craven]

As MSF start to come available for us to fish there will be some other regulation come most likely... single hooks 15mm gap, perhaps no flashers..

Wondering what fishing without a flasher would accomplish,
Less drag on the fish?

 

[Rad Gumbo]

So far been very lucky playing the game of how to safely release a fish and not take a hook to the face. All for the sake of trying to save an unclipped coho that is still a hatch raised fish........... Sometimes under certain conditions its nearly impossible to see the adipose fin, so under those conditions I will net, then release asap. This single hook reg will no doubt become permanent in all waters, to be followed by more stoopid rules

 

[Squire]

So far been very lucky playing the game of how to safely release a fish and not take a hook to the face. All for the sake of trying to save an unclipped coho that is still a hatch raised fish........... Sometimes under certain conditions its nearly impossible to see the adipose fin, so under those conditions I will net, then release asap. This single hook reg will no doubt become permanent in all waters, to be followed by more stoopid rules

I’ve solved this issue by using 40 lb mono leaders that I can grab and lift the fish just out of the water if I haven’t yet been able to determine its status. I have the gaff in my other hand to release it if I then see the adipose fin or I just hoist it in by the leader if it’s clipped. I never use a net on the coho on the inside any more.

 

[SpringVelocity]

Wondering what fishing without a flasher would accomplish,
Less drag on the fish?

Yeah less drag. Here is the link to study for anyone who wants more info on science behind this.

Rethinking Release Strategies | Pacific Salmon Foundation

UBC research, co-funded by PSF, proposes 15 recommendations to improve salmon release strategies.

psf.ca

 

[Yyjdennis]

Yeah less drag. Here is the link to study for anyone who wants more info on science behind this.

Rethinking Release Strategies | Pacific Salmon Foundation

UBC research, co-funded by PSF, proposes 15 recommendations to improve salmon release strategies.

psf.ca

Hmm, I think I'm going to try attaching a dummy flasher to the ball instead of inline. Should work pretty well with plugs and spoons.

 

[SpringVelocity]

Hmm, I think I'm going to try attaching a dummy flasher to the ball instead of inline. Should work pretty well with plugs and spoons.

Can be deadly at times.

 

[Squire]

Yeah less drag. Here is the link to study for anyone who wants more info on science behind this.

Rethinking Release Strategies | Pacific Salmon Foundation

UBC research, co-funded by PSF, proposes 15 recommendations to improve salmon release strategies.

psf.ca

I think it might be a case of six of one or a half dozen of the other where flashers are concerned. It’s easy to understand that a flasher is harder for a fish to pull on but the fish tires out and is potentially boatside faster than without one as well. So you could be choosing between a tougher fight or a longer fight in term’s of the fish’s experience.

 

[Rain City]

I think it might be a case of six of one or a half dozen of the other where flashers are concerned. It’s easy to understand that a flasher is harder for a fish to pull on but the fish tires out and is potentially boatside faster than without one as well. So you could be choosing between a tougher fight or a longer fight in term’s of the fish’s experience.

I'll get a lot of disagreement with this statement but I find the opposite to be true. A fish knows when it's got a flasher attached and swims away MUCH stronger. Way bigger and multiple runs. When I fish naked herring or plugs, often times the fish doesn't even know it's hooked and I'm finding they come straight up to the boat without much fight at all.