Pinks at Little Qualicum

[PaulinNanaimo]

I went up to Nile Creek this morning but the wind was just out of control - so I went south to the Little Qualicum on the beach and once the tide started coming in there was just an unbelivable amount of large fish pooling and then making runs up into the estuary - I am new to beach fishing and anything I threw to them, as well as 4 other guys with fly and spinning gear, didn't land a thing over a 2-3 hour period - it was absolutely awesome all the same as that is the whole reason I fish - to walk that line between me and wildness.

So my question is do salmon just shut down their feeding immediately when they decide it's time to run up river? - does it just automatically turn from feeding to procreating - I was using spinning gear and throwing spoons, various spinners, small minnows, etc.. into schools of thrashing fish and nothing - well besides the 30 plus sculpins / bull heads I think they are called that I caught.

I have been reading the post on here for a long time lurking and I watch and ask questions whenever I am down so I appreciate any insight you wildley knowledge people have.

Thanks

Paul

[SalaR]

Salmon on the move to or in Fresh Water do not eat!!!! That is why so many people actually Floss(snag) fish as they enter their lies and so on. Once these fish stop in pools and deeper water they become territorial,thus a snip at things going by.
I too fished Nile Creek yesterday morning and the wind was a pain...if you would have gone to the right about 1/4 mile you would have found a small quieter bay full of very agreeable Pinks Salmon and few fishers,maybe 8.
Have a good time and wonder both sides of the creek mouth.
C

[hugh s]

Salmon that are staging prior to entering freshwater may have very uncertain taking times, periods when they will be responsive to anglers efforts. I noticed in your post that you mention fishing with spoons lures etc and the fact that you caught so many sculpins has me wondering if you were fishing too deep below the salmon. Sometimes fishing with fly tackle is an advantage in that with the right line you are able to keep the {lure} or fly in this case in the upper water column and at the salmons level.

[PaulinNanaimo]

Well thanks for the great insight Hugh and SalaR.

I was down at Nile Creek from about 10-5 - it was one of the most exciting yet exasperating days of my life - I just feel extremely lucky to have been there today watching all those fish jumping and finning right in front of me with the coastal range and the sun in the background - and of course all of the friendly people fishing down on the beach - this sort of fishing is completely new to me having been living in the Okanagan fishing bass for the last 2 years and prior in Clayoqout Sound for cutties (worked at a resort out there and when the guests who had the money where out I was fishing the private lakes we had) - I am sure I had fish bite today (not the bottom biting) but I just couldn't seem to set my hook - it is a whole new ballgame for me.

I am hoping that next year I might enroll in VIU's (Malaspina as I know it) fisheries diploma program - I have been involved with a number of stream restoration programs as a volunteer - I have walked the length of Nile Creek numerous times and it is an amazing restoration - closer to 'what was' if you can call it that - reflecting on the day I just feel it was a real priveledge to witness and participate in what I did today.

Maybe I should post this in another thread or maybe it is mentioned and I plan on looking through all of it on fly fish bc - I was in super awe of those working their fly today - I was the lowly spinner up to my chest in a polo shirt and jeans - does anyone here know about fly fishing classes that are offered anywhere? - or if anyone does any mentoring I would be extremely grateful for that information.

[SalaR]

So that was you with the Polo shirt on...
I also fished the area yeaterday...only at the creek mouth for about an hour or so...many many fish and only a few landed...Once teh sun gets high and the water calm..it can be a fishermans worst nightmare,,,fish can't close their eyes and warm water slows them down...fodder for Seals.
10 in the morning is typically too late...fish to the right of the mouth or far left and your successes will improve dramatically...
Drop by our store and we can chat...we do casting clinics every Friday from 9:30 til 11"30 or so...
"nilecreekflyshop.com"
Looking forward to meeting you
C

Well thanks for the great insight Hugh and SalaR.

I was down at Nile Creek from about 10-5 - it was one of the most exciting yet exasperating days of my life - I just feel extremely lucky to have been there today watching all those fish jumping and finning right in front of me with the coastal range and the sun in the background - and of course all of the friendly people fishing down on the beach - this sort of fishing is completely new to me having been living in the Okanagan fishing bass for the last 2 years and prior in Clayoqout Sound for cutties (worked at a resort out there and when the guests who had the money where out I was fishing the private lakes we had) - I am sure I had fish bite today (not the bottom biting) but I just couldn't seem to set my hook - it is a whole new ballgame for me.

I am hoping that next year I might enroll in VIU's (Malaspina as I know it) fisheries diploma program - I have been involved with a number of stream restoration programs as a volunteer - I have walked the length of Nile Creek numerous times and it is an amazing restoration - closer to 'what was' if you can call it that - reflecting on the day I just feel it was a real priveledge to witness and participate in what I did today.

Maybe I should post this in another thread or maybe it is mentioned and I plan on looking through all of it on fly fish bc - I was in super awe of those working their fly today - I was the lowly spinner up to my chest in a polo shirt and jeans - does anyone here know about fly fishing classes that are offered anywhere? - or if anyone does any mentoring I would be extremely grateful for that information.