Report

A report about fishing in Canada Fishing activities around our coastline have definitely stepped up as the weather improved and the sea turned an excellent colour for Kob, plus the South Westerly wind is also warming the water up. Regular shore anglers have caught a number of "bosklas" Kob and a few slightly larger fish, although most of the Kob are just size and the smaller Kob are plentiful.

Anglers fishing from small boats for Kob have also been quite active in Die Poort, Gaatjie and Melk Bay areas. If the good weather conditions continue, Kob and bank fishing should be productive this weekend. I have included a complete report in this week’s column which I received from Professor Hennie Heyns about his fishing trip and holiday in Canada, which I believe readers will find both interesting and informative.

Professor Heyns is an avid fisherman and regular reader of this column and he thought readers would enjoy reading about his experiences in Canada.

He recently returned from his annual fishing trip and visit to his daughter in Prince Rupert, British Columbia, Canada and also visited the Queen Charlotte Islands south of Alaska as well as Alaska itself, where he did quite a bit of fishing.

According to Professor Heyns, what was almost as exciting as the time spent fishing was the seemingly endless options one has when it comes to choosing one’s British Columbia fishing destination. Thousands of lakes

With thousands of kilometres of coastline and more than 25 000 lakes and literally thousands of kilometres of rivers and streams as well as the ocean, the angler is really spoilt for choice as far as fishing spots are concerned.

No matter where one goes in the province, one is surrounded by spectacular natural beauty that makes British Columbia (BC) a world-class vacation destination.

It is easy to understand why sport fishing, which offers unparalleled experiences to anglers from far and wide, is a way of life there.

For freshwater anglers, BC offers a wide variety of fish throughout the province, from right in town to the furthest and most remote areas.

For salt water anglers the waters of BC and specifically those of Prince Rupert, Queen Charlotte Islands and Alaska is a place where eagles, bears, whales and fish outnumber people and where fishing is both a job and a recreation.

Professor Heyns said imagine yourself aboard a fully equipped charter boat on the Pacific Ocean, especially in one of these areas, feeling the salt spray and sea wind as you wait for the first strike on your line. Imagine before your first cast, admiring the breathtaking vistas along the Cheena River or a glasslike mountain lake deep in the haunting wilderness with not a soul in sight.

Fishing experience
This is the fishing experience awaiting you in Prince Rupert, Queen Charlotte Islands and Alaska.

The waters around these areas are rich in nutrients that support an abundant resident fish population.

The waters of these regions are a primary rearing area and is located along a Salmon migratory route south from their northern feeding grounds and is an excellent starting point for a salt water fishing adventure.

The local waters support abundant populations of all five Salmon species, Halibut, Ling Cod, rock fish as well as crabs and prawns.

The powerful Sheena River and its tributaries alongside Prince Rupert and the regions has an international reputation for outstanding fishing opportunities and is a beautiful and very popular destination for visiting anglers.

Professor Heyns reported that he had a brilliant fishing holiday with fine catches of Salmon and Halibut as well as crab.

Concerning the general conditions for fishing for Salmon and Halibut the recreational fisherman, native fishermen and commercial fishermen all had a bumper season.

He said that the Coho Salmon was not as big as on previous occasions, but the Spring Salmon were larger and more abundant than previous years.

Unusual
He added that it was a bit unusual to catch them this time of the season as they were usually caught at the start of the season (from June to July).

The crabbing season was however, once again excellent and crabs were abundant, so much so that Professor Heyns was able to eat crabs every day and apart from the crabs he caught himself, he was also supplied by other recreational anglers, friends and professional fishermen who were patients of his son-in-law - who is a medical doctor in the area.***