If only a portion of what Dept. of Fish & Ocean (DFO) - Canada & Washington State Dept. of Fish & Wildlife (WDFW)- Washington State, are saying come true we are in for the 2014 SALMON FISHING SEASON TO BE THE BEST EVER.
FACTS:
-65,000 Chinook returned to Conuma River/Hatchery 2013. This season the projections are up to 80,000 Chinook. The Burman River is also projected to have a return of 10,000 Chinook.
-2013 West Coast Vancouver Island (WCVI) Coho were at their highest rating (abundant) in over 10 yrs. Result limits were increased from 2 to 4 fish per day- 8 possession on June 1st. This Yr. 2014 same thing on limits but, there is some conversation out there that DFO is considering the possibility of retention of some wild Coho outside the surfline, STAY TUNDED. Inside surfline, same as last year in our area - 4 fish per day & Coho retention can be wild or hatchery marked.
-23 million Sockeye will be returning to the Fraser River this season. For the 1st time in three years we will have a Sockeye opening for WCVI
- Last years Chinook returns were primarily made up of 3yr. old fish (15-25 lbs). 2014 returns are expected to be made up of primarily 4 & 5yr. old stocks (25- 40lbs) Lots of Tyees 30lb+
- 1.8 million Coho will return to the Columbia River & Puget Sound Rivers. This # is up substantially from last yr. Most of which will pass right in front of Nootka Sound as they move south in May – Aug. LOTS will move inside the surfline to feed & rest.
- 1.9 million Chinook will also be returning to the Columbia River & Puget Sound Rivers. This is the largest return to the Columbia since 1938 when records were first started to be kept. Same as Coho Lots of these Chinook will be available at the mouth of our inlets, inside the surfline when they move into feed, especially on flood tides & Outside the surfline May – Aug.
