Tide Question

[aamayo]

Hey guys just wondering if anyone can explain the relationship between tides and new fish entering a river system. I'm in squamish and fish a variety of locations on the Mamquam, Cheakamus and Squamish rivers at varying distances from the mouth of the Squamish river. I'm just starting to watch river water level data to get a better understanding of what's happening out there and want to get to know tides too. If I'm seeing a low tide at 2:00 am and high tide at 9:00 am can I assume fish started entering the system with the first in flow of water at say 2:30 or more towards the mid point when flow is maximized or what? Just want to get an idea of when is best to go fishing based on when high tide is. Thanks in advance! Any help is much appreciated.

[colchilibeck]

From what I understand after fishing for Salmon this summer (and someone may correct me), the fish will move in at high tide! So you generally want to fish after high tide as the fish will now be moving up the system. For example: When fishing this summer I was always looking for a early in the morning high tide such as 4 am. I would be on the river at around 5 and knew there should be some fresh fish coming up.
If low tide was at 4 am then most likely not as many fish would be moving through when I got there.
NOW, after saying all that, I can tell you that I would not bet someone that I will catch more fish if the tides are perfect.
Case in point, I went up to Squamish this summer with Kevin and we were going for chums. The river was the lowest I had seen it, tides were wrong and it was a clear, sunny day. I had been having very little luck the week before and thought there was very little chance of catching somthing. Of course it turned out to be our best day out!!! We couldn't keep them off our lines! We couldn't believe how good the fishing was when we thought it would be terrible!
So basically, knowing tides helps, but don't hesitate to put a fly in the water. It could turn out to be your best day out!

[btree]

Yep, tides can help give you confidence when you think you have a system, but they are not a cure-all. If you look at sol-lunar tables that predict "bite times" you will notice a correlation between the tides and that table. Many people swear by fishing the low tide major feeding period - when those line up, some people believe it's the best time to fish. Others, myself included believe in the high tide pulse of fish, though I really only consider this if I'm fishing the first few miles of a river, though, mind you I usually fish from first light till dark if I'm out for a full day of steelheading but I feel extra confident if I'm at a good spot near the salt when the tide is getting high. And then there are moon cycles - some like the week after a full moon, others prefer the week after a new moon. Both times tend to be the few days right after some major high tides. Let the fish get into the system, find their holding water in the lower few miles and then go get-em. Fish often hold for a while in first bit of good holding water for a few days before heading up to their next resting stop. Rain can also bring fish in regardless of tides, especially in larger rivers.

Probably the best thing to do is just keep your fly in the water regardless of tides, moon cycles or water levels Get to know your river, especially when the water is low. There will be obvious obstacles which will cause many fish to pause - steep rapids, falls, log jams, spots were major streams meet the main flow etc. If you are focussing on making this "tide theory" work for you, find a few likely spots where fish are going to make their first rest stop at various water levels. Think velocity barriers in high flows and skinny water barriers when the water is low - often this will be the same spot. Fish are lazy and focus on safety (shelter from predators).

Good luck.

[aamayo]

Hey thanks those are both very helpful posts. Incorperating tide information into the bigger picture as opposed to a single system of decision making is definitely what I'm after.

[btree]

The funny thing is that if I had a day off and wanted to go fishing, I don't think any combination of tides, moons, etc. would stop me from heading out and putting in some time. Even if the water is dangerously high, I'd still try to find a spot to make a few casts

[aamayo]

I'm of the same mind btree. I have two small kids and get one or two short windows a week if I'm lucky to get on the river. I'm out there whenever I can. But I think it can be helpful insight into making choices of where to go and what to fish for based on conditions. It's also good argument material... "I have to go honey, it's the week after the new moon. You knew that. I told you last week while I was showing you my new tying gear. Don't you remember?"

[colchilibeck]

It's also good argument material... "I have to go honey, it's the week after the new moon. You knew that. I told you last week while I was showing you my new tying gear. Don't you remember?"

I am sure this is going to be me in 10 years!

[BCBound]

Haha! I give it 3.