Common tools needed for conventional fishing in local waters include a boat, rod, bait and... electricity?
Increasing fishing efficiency utilizing electrical currents is just one of the topics that will be covered at a fishing seminar on Saturday, Nov. 12 from 12 to 4 p.m. at the new Charters River Salmon Interpretive Centre.
Rollie Rose, director at the Juan de Fuca Salmon Restoration Society, said three speakers from the industry will be covering topics of interest to recreational salmon fishermen.
“It’s designed as an advanced class for people with the basics down pat, but who are looking for more advanced techniques.”
Speaking about fishing with electricity will be Malcolm Russell from Russell Electronics.
“Any time you have salt water and a metal hull, you have a battery,” said Rose.
Russell will discuss how to keep boats within ranges of electrical current that fish react to. Rose said he has gone out on fishing excursions where he didn’t have any bites for three days while other fishermen in boats nearby were catching everything.
“You want to make sure you’re attracting and not repelling.”
Also presenting will be well-known angler Joanne Harrison from Island Outfitters. She will give tips on fishing with hoochies and spoons and how to target larger fish. Rounding out the speakers list is Tom Davis from Rhys Davis Lures who is going to talk about proper presentation for bait, and rolling bait to snag mature springs and coho.
Emceeing the afternoon’s activities will be Chris Bos, local chairman of the Sport Fishing Advisory Board. He will also be giving a forecast for next year’s recreational halibut fishery in light of the government-imposed early closure this season. There is another seminar planned in February targeted to fishing for the flat fish.
Although Rose — who is a fishing guide and has owned his own boat since he was 13 — won’t be presenting, he said he has previously participated in a seminar at the high school. He came up with the idea for the Charters River event to support the operations and other costs of the wholly volunteer-run interpretive centre.
Capacity for the facility is 100 people with about half that already accounted for through ticket sales. Tickets are $25 and are available at Eagle Eye Outfitters. There will be raffle prizes like a prawn trap puller donated by someone in Nanaimo.
“We’re hoping people will come a little early before noon, the building will be open early,” said Rose, who added there should be some adult fish and eggs for viewing.