Where are the herring ?

[Bryan Allen]

The latest from the seiner doing herring assessment
Feb 24 AM Update: Denman Isle continued assessment last night. NW Bay 5 schools for 350t, Madrona Pt scratches, Mistaken Isle 200t, Brandt Pt 200t, Columbia Beach 200t, Little Qualicum 200t. Continued assessment this am. Qualicum Beach NFF, Scallop Farm 3,500t in deep, Chrome Isl 1,500t, Norris to Chrome 12,000t in deep, NW of Scallop Farm 11,000t, Norris Rcks 2,300 tons in schools. Will try for a set tonight.
Management Platform Viking Leader commenced charter today sounding through Porlier Pass last night, Porlier to Ruxton 50 to 100 ton schools and scratches for 170 tons. Ruxton NFF, Northumberland small schools for 120 tons. Plan to work north from PBS this morning.

 

[Dogbreath]

It's early yet.

 

[wildmanyeah]

For reference its still early here is last years notice from this time

ROE HERRING INFORMATION BULLETIN: 01

DATE: Feb 22, 2021

STRAIT OF GEORGIA

AREA 14
Shelter Pt to Cape Lazo-------Feb 22: 6,100 tons
E.C. Denman Island------------Feb 22: 6,500 tons
Lambert Ch. to Chrome Is------Feb 21: NFF
E.C. Hornby Is----------------Not assessed
Tribune Bay/Lower Hornby------Feb 21: NFF
Upper Baynes Sd---------------Not assessed
Lower Baynes Sd---------------Not assessed
Mapleguard to Nile Cr---------Feb 21: NFF
Nile Creek to French Cr-------Feb 21: NFF
French Cr to NW Bay-----------Feb 21: 12,000 tons Northwest Bay

Total 14: assessment incomplete


AREA 17 NORTH
Dorcas Pt/Schooner Cove-------Feb 20: NFF
Inner Nanoose-----------------Feb 20: Not assessed
Outer Nanoose-----------------Feb 20: NFF
Blunden to Neck Point---------Feb 20: NFF
Neck Pt to Dodd Narrows-------Feb 20: 150 tons

TOTAL AREA 17N: 150 ton (assessment incomplete)


AREA 17 SOUTH-----------------Not assessed

Total Area 17S: Not assessed


TOTAL STRAIT OF GEORGIA: Assessment incomplete.

 

[wildmanyeah]

VS this years

Subject:
FN0133-COMMERCIAL - Herring - Roe: Strait of Georgia - Update February 23, 2022

---

ROE HERRING INFORMATION BULLETIN: 03

DATE: February 23, 2022

STRAIT OF GEORGIA


AREA 14
Shelter Pt to Cape Lazo-------Not assessed
E.C. Denman Island------------Feb 22: 11,000 tons
Test: Feb 22 on 300 tons in Horseshoe. 7.2%;18.3cm; 69.0m:44.7f; 27-6-11-0-0; (26.1:88.0).
Lambert Ch. to Chrome Is------Feb 21: 800 tons
E.C. Hornby Is----------------Not assessed
Tribune Bay/Lower Hornby------Not assessed
Upper Baynes Sd---------------Not assessed
Lower Baynes Sd---------------Not assessed
Mapleguard to Nile Cr---------Feb 22: 5,000 tons
Test Feb 22 on 500 tons 7 cables NE of Scallop Farm 8.0%;19.2cm; 55.0m:55.0f; 32-9-14-0-2; (25.6:92.6).
Nile Creek to French Cr-------Feb 23: 8,000 tons
French Cr to NW Bay------------Feb 21: 13,500 tons

Total Area 14: Not Assessed


AREA 17 NORTH
Dorcas Pt/Schooner Cove-------NFF
Inner Nanoose-----------------Not assessed
Outer Nanoose-----------------NFF
Blunden to Neck Point---------NFF
Neck Pt to Dodd Narrows-------Feb 20: 8,460 tons
Test: Feb 20 on 300 tons in Northumberland. 0.5%;17.4cm; 89.0m:54.0f; 4-1-49-0-26; (12.5:58.9).
Flattop Isle./Thrasher Rk.----Not assessed

TOTAL AREA 17N: 8,460 tons (assessment incomplete)


TOTAL STRAIT OF GEORGIA: Assessment and tonnage estimates are incomplete.

 

[Dogbreath]

OK it's early but the nets draped on the docks in False Creek in downtown Vancouver have hatched a bunch of eggs already; apparently the volunteers involved are going to transplant some eggs to Coal Harbour docks to see if it'll work there.

 

[Bryan Allen]

OK it's early but the nets draped on the docks in False Creek in downtown Vancouver have hatched a bunch of eggs already; apparently the volunteers involved are going to transplant some eggs to Coal Harbour docks to see if it'll work there.

Excellent !!

 

[jlaffin]

They’re here now.

Total Area 14: 85,805 tons (assessment incomplete)

 

[Redfisher]

Remember this. The majority of the fish that spawn in the Gulf of Georgia come in from the west coast and after spawning head back out there. There were excellent studies done on these runs in the 60’s by the Pacific Biological Center. They show up, spawn then leave here.

 

[Northdogboy]

I saw the DFO research boat out in front of Nanaimo last week I'm sure. off Neck point

 

[blueugl]

You can watch the herring boats in action

PHRARAMPCAM

 

[seascene]

Quite a few boats just west Lazo this afternoon

 

[Fixit]

Spawn by the kingfisher lodge this evening. Got my bait for the year now

 

[MikePA]

Spawn by the kingfisher lodge this evening. Got my bait for the year now

How do you catch them/kill them/store them?

 

[Fixit]

I use a cast net to catch them. but a saki jig works too.

They get dumped in a cooler with a little bit of water in it and they die fairly quickly. I guess the water get depleted of oxygen.
Once im home I salt and ice the herring. the salt cures them a little and also melts the ice so they cool down faster. Get the cookie sheets, roughneck bin lids or whatever else you have, put down a layer of cellophane and lay them out, in two rows, tails facing inwards.
Into the freezer they go!

once frozen they can taken off the cookie sheets and separated (don't crowd the trays) and vacuum bagged without crushing them from the bag squeeze

voila, "free" bait

 

[Fixit]

Like this

 

[gone fishin]

nice catch for your summer bait!
Where are the BIG spawners we are used to seeing this time of the year.
non to be found in the usual spots around Victoria where they were once so plentiful!

 

[SpringFever552]

The spawn is on yesterday @ Hornby Island...not my pictures

 

[Reel_Restorations]

Thinking of going out for a try tomorrow if the wind behaves. Anyone been seeing them around salmon point/Quadra area? Never tried for them but any excuse to get out and enjoy a day on the water ill take.

 

[Fishless]

No sign of spawn on the east side of Quadra so far,don't seem to get it here every year tho

 

[roadtrip]

Gillnets were working a spawn at Nile Creek today