The salmon season has started on the Fraser. The first stocks of Sockeye and Early Stuart Lake are now entering the rivers mouth.

The question people ask is: how can I see them in that muddy water?

Well here are some of the things that the Early Stuart and Early Summer Runs of Sockeye have been noted to do for hundreds of years, to let you know they are starting their journey home !

First we, the Early Runs of fish like to JUMP and FIN, SOMETIMES only single fish at a time, but at a river entrance the main body “School of Fish ” could Jump and Surface Flop, in great numbers. That is the ultimate sighting!

The tides are important for SALMON SIGHTINGS, in my many years commercially salmon fishing on the Fraser, I have observed that, a High Tide SLACK on a big flood into the river, in the evening and strangely enough, during a very warm weather period, is the best time to try to catch the Sockeye and Pinks celebrating, the beginning of their long journey home.

Now here is some thing I have observed, that is very strange, Stuart Lake Sockeye and some times Pitt Lake Sockeye, like to move upstream only on the North Shore of the River. My off the cuff explanation is that these fish have to make a LEFT TURN to enter their spawning rivers and they are getting that migration move, well planned ahead.

Where to go, to maybe catch a sight of a jumping Fraser River salmon, I like Deering Island Park, also keeping a sharp eye on Celtic Slough north of the park, also at that magical, high tide SLACK, in the evening.

Now do not confuse at this time, in the slough, those “Jumping Jack Flash”, Pea mouth Chub, they are hopping and a jumping all over the place. A last piece of advice DO NOT GO A LOOKING FOR JUMPERS ON A REAL RAINY DAY, i’m not sure what the Salmon Do On A rainy days, they do still have their secrets ! !

Terry Slack

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