Skeena Steelhead Returns Dip

If you’re a steelheader you dream about British Columbia’s Skeena River system and all the great opportunities that exist there. Unfortunately, fewer steelhead have returned to the system this year, but that doesn’t mean you should cancel plans to visit. Even with lower numbers than usual the Skeena remains the top bet in the world for steelhead, a network of famous rivers and particular runs that boot out metalheads to 30-pounds or more. Here’s a report on steelhead returns this season, straight from the boys at Fly Water Travel.

Oct 1st, 2015

If steelheaders fishing the main Skeena and its tributaries felt that they caught less fish this year than usual, that is because there were less fish available to catch than in previous years. The final Tyee Test Index numbers are in and below is what Mark Beere, Senior Fisheries Biologist for the area, say about the numbers.

“The Tyee Test Fishery generated escapement estimate for Skeena summer run steelhead to September 24th is 27 761. This year is the lowest estimated steelhead escapement of the 9 years when the test fishery has operated to this date (mean: 43 486; range: 27 761 (2015) to 64 767 (1998)) The previous 5 and 10 year averages to this date were 36 078 and 40 543, respectively. The test fishery ceased operations for 2015 on September 24th.”

If you would like to become more involved in helping the the Skeena system remain strong for future generations, please become involved and support the organizations below by: 1) signing up for their email newsletters and social media pages; and 2) making a generous charitable donation to support their efforts in the region.

SKEENA WILD: www.skeenawild.org

WILD SALMON CENTER: www.wildsalmoncenter.org

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