Salmon University ??

C

chimoii

New member
A little advice please. I am a real beginner at salmon (or to be honest - any) fishing but keen to learn. When I was at the Victoria fishing and boat show recently I learned of the Salmon University. I have looked at the website and there seems to be some great information. I am thinking of taking the course they put on at the end of this month. It will mean a ferry trip and a couple of hotel nights as well as the course fee but if it is a good course it should be a worthwhile investment.

Has anyone taken this course in recent years? Care to give me some comments about the highs and lows? Feel free to pm if you prefer.

Many thanks
 
I have not token the course but have be on the web site and have attended the classes for free other places. What I mean is that local fishing clubs, here its the PSA or the CCA, have meetings once a month and always have a guest speaker that gives a class. I'm sure that the SU class would be worth it to get a head start and some hands on training. Just going fishing with some one that knows your area could be just as informative. What is the cost of the trip you are planning? How many trips could you spend with a local guide in your area on a boat for the same price? Find a guide that is willing to teach. Tell them up front that you are new and want to learn how. Don't worry about where as much as how, You can figure out where later.

I think between reading as much as you can on the SU web site and other web sites local to your fishing you and a few guide trips you can learn a lot. Or you could have me up for the weekend :roll:
 
every fishery is a bit different. Salmon U has a awsome web site and prpbably puts on a heck of a class but If I where you I would see about tracking down a quality local guide. A good guide will explain the hows & whys of your fishery. A good web site full of BC fishing knowledge can be a aid to starting. here's one-
http://www.fishtactics.com/FrontPage

good luck
 
I agree with Starcraft and others. At Salmon U, you might get a Puget Sound bent to things. I find techniques vary vastly area to area. Couple guided trips during the best time of year - that would be better money spend. You might supplement salmonuniversity.com with saltpatrol.com also
 
Also check out the Sport Fishing BC website forums - http://www.sportfishingbc.com/forum/for ... -BC-Forums. I've found that group to be very helpful and fairly welcoming of those wanting to learn. There's also an occasional "open seat" post which is another way to learn - e.g. take someone with you or go with someone else. I bet if you posted something to the effect of

"I have a C-dory. I'm interested in learning how to fish for salmon in area x. Is there anyone willing to come out on my boat and show me the ropes? I'll pay for fuel and bait. " You'd probably get plenty of responses and you could pick someone who has their own boat, fishes often and seems to give good advice in previous posts. They likely won't be as good as a guide but it's another option to get started.

When I got started, a guy at work went to a local sporting goods store with me and told me what to buy and how to rig it. He also invited me to trailer my boat out to where he was fishing that fall and showed me a few good spots and chatted with me over the radio. That was a very useful experience and I'll always remember that kindness. I'm sure there's someone in your area that would be willing to do the same.

As far as gear goes, here's a link to a post I wrote a number of years ago that lists a pretty good set of basic gear. There's a few things the Canadians use frequently that aren't on my list - in particular anchovy teaser heads - but a lot of the gear is common between the areas. IMHO, local variation in gear often has more to do with custom and history than a particular advantage in catching fish.
 
I'd be happy to take you out fishing in the Victoria or Sooke area. I have not fished Sidney at all, though I think Terry on Thalassa has.
 
B~C":34kqmq5m said:
every fishery is a bit different. Salmon U has a awsome web site and prpbably puts on a heck of a class but If I where you I would see about tracking down a quality local guide. A good guide will explain the hows & whys of your fishery. A good web site full of BC fishing knowledge can be a aid to starting. here's one-
http://www.fishtactics.com/FrontPage

good luck
Click to expand...

this is true. and when nobody else is catching, that guide should still be getting you into bites. Salmon U is kinda funny because you can look at the charts of 'recommended areas' and when you get their, you'll know you're in the right spot because thats where 200 other boats are puttin' around in circles too ;)
 
Hi There. Once I get Thalassa back in the water which should be end of April I would gladly take you out for the day. I am normally moored at N Saanich Marina so would be easy for us to connect
cheers
Terry
 
Dustin touches on a great point. In my post I said learn how and worry about where later. People are always asking where to go, and I tell them where I go, but you need to learn WHY you should go there and when. In the PNW Where is very often dependent on when. What are the tides doing? Where are the current breaks. A great spot on the incoming is useless on the out going. Why are the fish there when they are there and what else has to be there? The biggest thing to look for is bait. Bait is why the fish are there. If no bait no fish, or far fewer. So what you really have to understand, and I still don't completely, is why and when is the bait there? What bait is there? What bait is around? What time of the year is it?

And all that changes between times of year, migration vs local fish, type of salmon ( there are 5? or 6? ) and type of bait that is around. Learning to fish salmon from a boat is all about bait. That is what makes it so fun for me, figuring out the puzzle. Once you learn some of this you can go anywhere and figure out where the fish should be in that area that day. Tides and current books are your friend. Current over tide is the right order. Learn how to identify a current break or rip. Rips are places that fish feed, why? Because bait groups up there, why? Because the bait can not swim thru the rip or current lines. This give the salmon something to hold the bait against. The bait will be on one side or the other of the rip. Still figuring out which side and why.
 
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