Port Alberni Sockeye Opens May 1st, 4/day.

[-steelhead-]

4/day in the inlet and 2/day at papermill dam:
_______________

The Department has been working with the Area 23 Salmon Harvest Committee and
the Port Alberni SFAC and it was agreed that:

Effective 00:01 hours May 1, 2012 until further notice the daily limit for
sockeye salmon will be as follows:

- Area 23, Barkley Sound and Alberni Inlet, four (4) sockeye per day,

Except for:

- in that portion of Subarea 23-1 from the tidal boundary signs at Paper Mill
Dam on the Somass River downstream to a line commencing at a boundary sign in
upper Alberni Harbour situated at 49°14.19 north latitude and 124°50.23 west
longitude thence through the southern most point of Hoik Island thence to the
flashing green light at the mouth of the Somass River thence due east to a
boundary sign on the opposite shore, the daily limit is two (2) sockeye per
day.


The Somass Sockeye in-season stock assessment program will operate as in
previous years. This program collects escapement, test-fishing, catch and
environmental information on a weekly basis. This information is used to
prepare weekly in-season run-size reforecasts.

 

[Theb55]

Nice. Open it up to recreational fishermen B4 they arrive and then later point out how nice they are to recreation fishermen. Of course when they do move in it will be wide open to commies.

 

[eaglemaniac]

That was my first reaction as well, Ok what are these guys up to here. It surely couldn't be that they've learned from past screw ups. The only thing I like about this announcement is the four a day limit to start, rather then the stupid two. Everything else about this opening has me a little concerned about what's to come. eman

 

[GLG]

My understanding is that we may have some new ways of doing things with this run this year.
Meetings were held between all sectors and a deal was worked out.
So I'm optimistic that we won't get a screw up this year.
Time will tell and we have a few members on here that watch how this plays out.
I plan on fishing this run again this year as it's a blast and the folks in PA are great.
They could use our support as the economy there is slow.
GLG

 

[eaglemaniac]

Totally agree there GLG. I could never understand how the powers that be in Port Alberni sat back and took the blows that DFO dealt out to there economy. A harvest fishery like that really has to consider the effects it has on all the groups, both on and off the water. eman

 

[GLG]

Got a call that they had this story on TV.
Pictures of guy's cleaning fish.
The question would be is the pictures for last year or are there some showing up.

 

[springnut]

I am so looking forward to this season, we have the camp site booked at china creek and helping the local economy by dropping the boat at PY marine for a spring tune up. bring on the fish.

 

[Fish-Hunter]

I am so looking forward to this season, we have the camp site booked at china creek and helping the local economy by dropping the boat at PY marine for a spring tune up. bring on the fish.

The way that I understood it from listening to the discussion at the last Port Alberni SFAB meeting, was that this is a very big part of the decision for opening with a limit of 4 per day, to create economic opportunity for the local economy as a result of this fishery. It will be more enticing for many to go out early and participate in this fishery with a daily limit of 4 than it would be with a limit of only 2. Most people will wait until the fishing is "hot" before they go out and participate while the limit is only at 2 per day, when it moves up to 4 (generally once it looks like the targeted escapement is acheiveable for the year), then the masses show for this fishery. No, not a lot of people are going to hook up with 4 fish each per day at the begining of this season, but with a good forcast for returns and with the opportunity to catch 4 per day, more people will at least be eager to giver a try, and that means that they will be spending money in the community.

It also sounds as though there should be better cooperation amongst the different sectors this year in order to allow good opportunities for all (that is the gist that I got from the discussions of intent that I atteneded). Bear in mind that again this year we have good snow pack and it has been a mild spring, so we could have a similar situation to last year, where the fish move up the rivers fast without a lot of the holding that we are used to seeing in this fishery. If this is the case then we will all just have to work a little harder to get some, and this is again good for the economy, because we will have to fish harder and more often to catch them and the more we fish the more we spend.

Just the way I see it, for what its worth.
Cheers,
FH.

 

[Degree of Freedom]

Saw the news report last night...

The fish being cleaned were springs, so don't get too excited about early sockeye fishing quite yet

 

[GLG]

Thanks DOF yea that's what I thought.
My buddy insisted I post the question LOL
I'll tell him to cool his jets and wait for June.

 

[Shepnoir]

Gents,

Newbie to the sox in the inlet....but thinking this may be the year for some fine red meat and give back a bit to PA as I used to spend a tonne of time up there as a kid. Can anyone tell me A) when the Commies have at 'er and B) what rec posession limit is? Thanks in advance.

 

[vetteman]

Gents,

Newbie to the sox in the inlet....but thinking this may be the year for some fine red meat and give back a bit to PA as I used to spend a tonne of time up there as a kid. Can anyone tell me A) when the Commies have at 'er and B) what rec posession limit is? Thanks in advance.

The Rec possession limit is stated in the release. 4 a day which means 8 in possession except in the river where it's 2 a day.
Dave

 

[Blackmax]

I hope its a fantastic fishery and the Island guys fill their freezers, work has been slow and we can't afford to come over this again year with the threat that the commies will clean it all up again.

 

[trendsetter]

Glad to hear it. Are there any good fishing boat rental outfits in PA? Usually when I make the trip to sooke I will leave my boat at home and just rent from pedder bay. If there is camping & fishing boat rental for reasonable cost I will be there in June (or maybe end of May).

 

[Kildonan]

It's funny, I remember when nobody would give the sockeye a second look in Alberni. And now all this. haha funny.

A conversation with my old man, circa 1972... "Hey Bud, I've figured out how to catch Sockeye at Chup Point, let's give it a try". My old man responded... " What the F*** would we fish for those for when there's Springs around?!!!".

Oh how times have changed. hehe

 

[Enniberg]

Glad to hear it. Are there any good fishing boat rental outfits in PA? Usually when I make the trip to sooke I will leave my boat at home and just rent from pedder bay. If there is camping & fishing boat rental for reasonable cost I will be there in June (or maybe end of May).

salmonboats.ca might be worth a try?

 

[alexandramorton]

And guess what - no fish farms in Alberni Inlet!

 

[UkeeDreamin]

Are there not two right where the inlet meets Barkley Sound, another in Barkley Sound and of course dozens and dozens up coast?

 

[Dave S]

It's funny, I remember when nobody would give the sockeye a second look in Alberni. And now all this. haha funny.

A conversation with my old man, circa 1972... "Hey Bud, I've figured out how to catch Sockeye at Chup Point, let's give it a try". My old man responded... " What the F*** would we fish for those for when there's Springs around?!!!".

Oh how times have changed. hehe

I wouldn't be at all surprised if the youth of tomorrow will be looking forward to targeting pinks.

 

[Theb55]

Sockeye season is now open in Alberni canal. Guess everyone is getting their daily limits.