Skeena steelhead numbers are sluggish

From the Skeena Fisheries Blog

Here is a graph showing the latest Tyee Steelhead figures up to July 20th, 2011. Like the sockeye, Skeena steelhead numbers are sluggish. Let's hope the 'big tides' excuse is correct and we see a pulse of fish over the next few days as the big tides recede.

View the graph full size

October Slab of the Month Entry: B.C.Steelhead

El Paskador has been dazzling us daily with an incredible array of chrome but this fish taken by his friend Kim is now the current heavyweight champ.

This is the first steelhead I have ever had to chase with the boat. My buddy Kim hooked this fish and it about spooled him. We finally jumped in the boat and gave chase. It measured 39" x 22.5", but was much bigger then the measurements alone. I have never seen a steelhead carry its weight so well. It was an absolute HUGE fish, that must have been close to 30 pounds. There was some serious high-fives happening afterward.. Amazing!!!

New Quality Waters Recommendations

The Working Group has released new recommendations from the latest phase of the BC's Skeena Angling Management Plan.

Piscatorial Pursuits has a forum thread that covers the pertinent changes.

If you want to read the latest group recommendations for yourself you can download the PDF.

Oct Slab of the Month Entry: B.C. Steel

Germany's Ralf Raacke on his second trip to the Smithers area - this time it results in the grippage of 38 inches. 

One Woman, One River

Ali Howard has started her Skeena swim to raise awareness of development issues in the Skeena headwaters. Patagonia is one of her primary sponsors donating $5000 and a bunch of gear to the cause.

Ali Howard is swimming the Skeena River's entire 610-km length, from the Sacred Headwaters to the Pacific Ocean. She's doing it to raise awareness of threats to the Skeena and bring communities together around a vision for the watershed's future.

LINK

Where Hope Resides

A trailer for a new film about the Skeena from Jahtrout.

The story of the Skeena River salmon fishery. The film examines both the present state of the fishery and the many questions it faces. From the perspective of First Nations, commercial, outfitter, environmental, and government interests we also look to examine the socioeconomic impact of the declining fish stocks. The present situation presents a unique opportunity to address current issues of sustainability and present the Skeena River as, hopefully, an inspiration and a model of how rivers, fish, and people can co-exist.