Canadian Fisheries are predicting 70, Yes, SEVENTY MILLION SOCKEYE this year!!
We figure we'll limit in 1 hr
Last year the fish averaged between 8 to 11 lbs.
There is also more info at WWW.BCANGLING.COM
Or WWW.FREDS-BC.COM

Camping? Yes, at Island 22 Campground. Call (604)792-5567 There are 100 spots

Hey, one of the guys on the duck hunters refuge site was just talking about a trip up there in August. Sounds like a good trip and since I'm not getting to go to Alaska this year I was thinking about going up.

I thought 70 was the combined run # including pinks. I thought the sockeye forecast was for 10 million. Even if it's only the 10 million I heard, that's still a lot of fish in the river.

70 Million Sockeye! Please tell me it is true! The only info I have seen predicts 2.8-5.0 million. Where did you see 70? Please let it be 70...

That's it, I have made up my mind!! I am going north to fish the Frasier this year. Going to pull my sled up and go for it. Is there camping off of the river? Where should I launch? What is the prefered terminal gear? Do the fish have a silly accent?

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

I might just have to make a trip up to Canadia this year, eh? I'd like to know what is used in the river and the techniques used.

RK43:

I sure hope the fish don't have accents!

For the boatless, how are the prospects for a bank maggot up there?

The prediction I read was 15 million Sockeye and 50 million pinks.

Fishing from the bank up there for Sockeye will show you just how many "Fisherman" catch them. Can you say "Flossing"? Very long leaders, a tuft of yarn ("wool" in Canandian), a 10.5' - 12' pole and lots of horizontal rip setting. Stay away from the bank flossers when you get up there and you'll have a great time catching them legit. That will be your biggest challenge as they (the Flossers) are all over the place. There are many people who do fish correctly and are also very willing to help their USA friends. Check out Fred's Custum Tackle web site. It may be a good idea to be Guided once to make your trip really worth it.

Slamon leader,
How exactly to you get sockeyes to bite? I have literally caught a couple of thousand and can count the biters on one hand. If you know a trick I would be game for hearing it.

Last fall I saw such huge schools of Sox holding off the mouth of the Fraser they were bumping into the boat and hitting the wires. Saw tens of thousands jump (20 at a time - If I had less freeboard some would have jumped into the boat). All that and only managed to boat 2 and they we had to throw them back as DFO still did not agree with the masses that there were enough returning for an opening.

The pinks this year should be something to see...

So Freds has convicned you that your catching them legit?

You can catch socks legit, but now very well in the mainstem Fraser. The waster visibility at (most) times is less than 8 inches and the fish are moving through the river fast in 4-6 feet of water.

If you go out with a guide you WILL be flossing fish, because that is the nature of this fishery. Having said that, I would agree that you will have a great time with one of the local guides and he'll also put you into sturgeon and chinooks if you're so inclined.

And to anyone planning to fish from the bank, bring your own rock and your favourite weapon. The Sockeye meat hunt brings out the worst in people, and they actually closed one gravel bar down last year due to vioence and poor behaviour.

How far of a drive is this river from seattle? Is the bank access limited?

Does anyone now what date this is going to open? Thanks in advance for the info.

Hey gang just got back last night from a 3 day trip to china creek ( Port Alberni) and the sockeye fishing was a bust, the locals are saying they are just now coming in whereas last year they were already in good....going back in a couple weeks, should be hot then!

It is about a 3 to 3 1/2 hour drive from Washington all depending on the border and how thoughly they are checking.

Ok, lets clear up a few things so the water is'nt so muddy about fishing the FRASER, ok?
I get my info off Fred's web page. Last year there were 6 million Reds, and my arms were tired for WEEKS! If there are only 10 million Reds this year we all are gonna think we died and went to Fish Heaven!

Island 22 is 1 hour from Bellingham or 20 mins from the Sumas Border.

It is light at 5:15am there in August . FYI

Boat Launch and camping at Island 22. Give them a call. 604-792-5567

Check out www.anglingbc.com

G-MAN,

Thanks for all the great info. Just the way it should be...just the facts.

Awesome post. I am speechless. Thanks for the help and advice.

G-MAN,

You are truly the MAN. That was one of the best posts I have ever read on this forum.

How about the sled guys? Are there places to hide from the crowd, and do a bit of private flossing? EH? Can't wait to clean a few reds teeth...

What town is island 22 near? I want to take a look at on the map.

Thanks again for the awsome post!!!