Catch & Release (SAGA)

| Catch and Release Trophy | World Record Chinook |

EVERYONE MUST RELEASE ALL WILD STEELHEAD STARTING 2007

http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/fw/home/steelhead.htm

Fish and Wildlife Branch
Steelhead Stream Classification Policy and Procedure
Steelhead - both wild and hatchery raised - are experiencing record low survival rates mainly due to poor ocean survival.

In addressing this issue, the Ministry's main objective is to conserve wild steelhead stocks in B.C. while allowing for the development and maintenance of angling opportunities through the implementation of consistent management practices that consider and address identified risks.

In order to reach that goal, a policy has been developed which sets out clearly understood stream classification categories, procedures, rules and regulations that are based on existing scientific knowledge. The Ministry has conducted an exhaustive consultation process with stakeholders, including three public workshops in Nanaimo, Burnaby and Terrace. Comments and concerns regarding the policy were received and incorporated into the final policy.

The final policy can be viewed by clicking on the link below.
Steelhead Stream Classification Policy and Procedure (31 kb pdf)

The background information on this issue can be viewed by clicking on the link below.
Steelhead Stream Classification Backgrounder (22 kb pdf)

Chinook Catch and Release Trophy

This trophy is constructed to honor the angler and guide that "catches and releases" the largest Chinook Salmon. This annual contest will close August 7th same date as in the regulations for the Skeena River. This is to encourage the angler to release the larger fish and retain only the small ones. This measure will save the genetic stock. The requirements for the angler is to be a client of an association member, take a measurement of length and girth, photo, and have a witness.

The winning angler and the guide will win cash and prizes and have their name embossed on a plaque that will remain on the trophy. The winning lodge gets to display the trophy and have the "bragging rights" until next season.

An article, along with a photo of the winning catch, will be published in European and North American Fishing Magazines every year in addition to our own website.

SAGA guides practice "catch & release" for Coho on the lower Skeena River tributaries. See press release in local paper.

World Record Chinook

The photo shows the NEW "catch & release" WORLD RECORD 99.125-pound Chinook Salmon landed on the Skeena River August 7, 2001. Also shown in the photo is the lucky angler Ingrid Oeder and AG Wolfgang Voelker!

Catch & Release of Record Salmon

Mrs. Ingrid Oeder, her husband Bernhard and their daughter arrived at Terrace Airport on August 6, 2001.

We went out fishing by boat the very next day. Fortunately, John Wright, the Kermode Bear Lodge Assistant Guide, joined us that day. We cast anchor right across the mouth of the Lakelse River. Suddenly, around 11 a.m., there was action on Ingrid's rod. Bernhard hooked the fish and handed the rod back to her. Initially, there was no reaction on the other end of the line for about 10-15 seconds. All of a sudden, like an explosion, the fish headed toward the main current of the Skeena River. At this point, I realized that this must be a really big one. We were lucky having John with us since we have been well-coordinated team for years. John released the anchor chain and started the boat engine. Now we're prepared for the fight. I advised Ingrid to hold the rod up and to keep the line tight. In spite of her excitement she did everything right. We drifted downstream while Bernhard was operating the video camera. I would guess that we were fighting about 30 to 40 minutes with the fish, of course, Ingrid had to do most part of it. At last, the fish showed the first signs of tiredness and therefore the escape attempts lessened. Then it was my turn. After Ingrid finally managed to get the fish alongside the boat, I was able to net it. John and I lifted the salmon into the boat. Ingrid, meanwhile completely exhausted could not believe her luck. We drove back at full speed, since we did not want to set the fish back in the torrential current. I explained to Ingrid that we usually release all "the really big ones" to preserve the gene pool. She and her husband agreed to it without hesitation.

At this point, I want to thank them again for their understanding. We took the measurements (136 cm x 98 cm) of the Salmon two times because could not believe it the first time. John and I put the giant back into the river approximately 10 minutes later, it swam into the deep water under its own steam. There was a devout silence on the boat for a few seconds.

In the afternoon Bernhard caught his own smaller Chinook. This one, however, we took with us. Certainly, we will never forget this fishing day on the Skeena River.

The monster fish with a length of 53.5 inches and a girth of 38.5 using a formula (endorsed by FOC) of Length x Girth squared divided by 800 would weigh 99.125-pounds....clearly the largest Chinook (Kings as the Americans refer to them) ever landed. Along with witnesses a video was taken and a photograph made from the video.