 |
Spring Sturgeon Fishing: Eulachons and Aggressive Fish!
By Todd White
- Mar 30, 2005
What the heck is an Eulachon?
Eulachon (also known as candlefish or oolichan) belong to the family Osmeridae or smelts… Eulachons are small, short-lived, anadromous smelts that can be found from the southern Bering Sea to northern California; within BC, they have been documented spawning in 33 rivers. Of these, the major river systems where eulachon return to spawn are the Fraser, Skeena, Nass, and Klinaklini.
 |
| Courtesy DFO |
Eulachon are so high in oil content that they can be dried, fitted with a wick through the mouth and used as a candle. The oil is unique among fish oils in that it is a solid at room temperatures with the consistency of soft butter and a golden hue. For reasons unknown, eulachon abundance have shown a declining trend in many rivers throughout their distribution in recent years. There was a sudden drop in returns to several rivers in 1994, most notably in the Fraser and Columbia.
Why is the Eulachon important to Fraser Valley Anglers?
Eulachon signify the start of the Sturgeon fishing season. Sure, you can catch Sturgeon year round, but April and May are prime time for sturgeon fishing. The Eulachon are running up the Fraser and the Sturgeon are on the gorge?
The Sturgeon are aggressive; the fish haven’t had a decent food source in the river since feasting on salmon carcasses in the fall.
As with all Sturgeon fishing, fresh bait is the ticket to success. Those frozen Eulachon from last season will get you the odd fish, but fresh Eulachon from the same day will put you onto big numbers of fish. So how do you get fresh Eulachon? Eulachon can be sport fished using a dip or gill net. A British Columbia Tidal Waters Sport Fishing License is required for the recreational harvest of all species eulachon. The daily limit for the recreational harvest of eulachon is 20kg with a possession limit of 40kg. Look for fish close to shore in 15-20’ of water. Please check your regulations to ensure the Eulachon fishery is open; as with all anadromous fisheries closure come fast.
Gear is pretty standard; 7-9’ stout rods, level wind reels, 100# braid mainline and 72# nylon leaders. For more info on gear check out:
http://www.coastangler.com/fishing/sturgeon_tackle.shtml
The majority of the pressure for Spring Sturgeon takes place in the Lower Fraser River between Chilliwack and New Westminster. A boat isn’t essential but allows you to move around and find the fish.
Eulachons, hot sturgeon fishing and the gateway to summer – Spring in the Fraser Valley is a wonderful time!
Source:
http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/ops/fm/herring/eulachon/default_e.htm
Email this article
|
|
