Chinook
Salmon Fishing Techniques and Tackle
 Chinook
are locally known as Spring Salmon as they
are the first of the pacific salmon to enter the river to
start there migration back to there home rivers. These fish
start to return to the Fraser River as early as March, with
fish entering the Fraser through out the summer and fall
months. They are readily identifiable due to their size,
large spots running the length of their body and black mouths.
Chinook Salmon - White or Red Meat!
Both actually. The Chinook that enter the river in the spring
and summer months tend to have pinkish to red colored flesh,
compared to the fall runs that go to the Harrison River
and other local rivers, being a white fleshed fish.
How long do they live?
The Chinook salmon are the longest lived
pacific salmon averaging 2 to 7 years in age. After the
salmon hatch they will spend on average about 1 year in
fresh water as young fry before they enter the Pacific Ocean.
Where do you fish Chinook Salmon?
The Chinook salmon is the most sought after salmon by sport
anglers on the pacific coast. There are many methods sport
anglers fish for springs here on the Fraser and other river
systems in our area.
Fishing Techniques for Chinook Salmon!
One of the most popular methods is called bar fishing.
When bar fishing we fish from shore on the many gravel bars
on the Fraser River. The type of rods used for this method
are typically longer rods in the 10 to 12 foot range with
a strong back bone to toss out 14 to 18 ounce lead weights.
Attached to the mainline is a t-bar with a lure called a
spin n glow. The spin n glow will not sink completely to
the bottom but float off a few inches to a foot or so based
on the length of leader used from the weight to the hook.
the current in the river will cause the spin n glow to spin
and therefore attract the fish. With the weight settled
on the bottom and the lure spinning in the water we wait
for the Chinook to bite it as they travel upstream and hopefully
see our lure. Spin n glow's come in a multitude of colors
and sizes; perfect for the varying current speeds and water
clarity of the Fraser and her tributaries.
Another method used is called back trolling.
This method is where we fish from the jet boats slowly backing
downstream with diving plugs. The plugs dive deep to the
river bottom where they wiggle in a side to side motion
sending of vibrations in the water that entice the salmon
to bite. Constant attention is paid to the backdown speed
so that the lure works in just the right way. Too slow and
the current will cause the lure to dive too deep and work
to hard. Backing down too fast and the lure will not dig
in and go deep enough or work hard enough as it is the current
that works the lure. Since the river current and depth is
constantly changing as we drift down the river only local
intimate knowledge of the river and where the fish are make
this method effective.
Float Fishing for Chinook Salmon (all
the salmon species actually) on the smaller tributaries
is very popular here in the Fraser valley. Float Fishing
is where a weight and attrantant are suspended below an
adjustable float. This is then cast into a river and allowed
to drift with the current. There are many different types
of floats on the market; the ones mostly used locally are
made of foam or plastic. The float when adjusted right keeps
the rest of the gear from hanging up on the bottom and the
weight keeps the attractant at the right depth. The attractant
can be anything from spinners to salmon eggs or small pieces
of colored wool. All of which are used to attract the salmon.
Float fishing rods in the 10.4 to 12 foot range are used.
These rods are generally a medium to heavy action rod deigned
to handle 20 to 25 pound mainlines. Rods such as the G Loomis
SAR 1265 and the SAR1363 are great rods for float fishing
for Chinook salmon. The reason for the heavier action rods
are that these fish average 25 pounds and when fishing faster
flowing rivers you need a rod designed to be able to handle
them without worrying about snapping it into pieces.
When float fishing the most popular type of reels used
here are level wind or center pin reels. These types of
reels allow you’re mainline to free spool in a controlled
manner off the reel. This allows your lure or bait to drift
naturally in the river currents. Spinning reels can work
but the angler must either back wind the reel or leave the
bail open to allow the line to come off the reel so the
float and what hangs below it drifts naturally down the
river.
 For
many fly fishermen it is there dream to
catch a Chinook Salmon on the fly. When
targeting them with the fly rod, rod weights of 10 to 12
are generally used with heavy duty reels loaded with lots
of backing. These fish fight hard and when hooked there
is no stopping their strong and fast runs. Spey rods work
well when fishing for Chinook salmon; they allow the angler
to use heavy sink tips and bigger flies to attract the fish
with a lot less effort than fishing with single hand rods.
I would highly recommend this world renowned fishery
in BC for Chinook Salmon on the Fraser and Harrison Rivers.
Setting the hook on a large fish like these is
absolutely exhilarating, and photos of the epic battle will
provide the lifelong memories!
|
