Welcome to the World's Best Giant Chinook Fishing!

"A Unique Fishing Experience"

Rivers Inlet, British Columbia

Our motto is: "If it ain't as long as your arm throw it back, it's too small."

Hatchery Project

Back to   RIR   Homepage

The Hakai Sport Fishing Association Hatchery Program 

The next step isn't easy either. one of the anglers must secure a tail rope on the fish to help control it and too move it from the net to the tube. This often results in a wet face, but it's nice to know the fish is strong and not weakened from too long a battle.

In 1999 anglers at Rivers Inlet caught lots of these hatchery fish. When first conceived, these fish were designed to return to Rivers Inlet early in the season, but they have begun to arrive throughout the season. This indicates that Mother Nature has spread the run out to ensure natural survival. It also ensures more opportunity for more fish for Rivers Inlet Resort anglers.  The only problem, however, is the average size of these fish, 25 to 40 pounds.

Too small?  Not really, the Wannock River at the head of the inlet has the huge strain of fish, but these chinook also have a few fish pushing the 70 pound mark. This really does mean more fish in the nets of hopeful anglers, but if you're searching for a once-in-a-lifetime trophy, enjoy the battle and be ready to release these fish.

You'll also be able to tell if these fish are from the hatchery program because they will have clipped adipose fins, (the small fin forward of the tail on the back). Would you release one of these native-stock hatchery fish, even if it weighed only 40 pounds? At least you'll have a choice and you'll know that hatcheries can work and they can provide excellent additional opportunities for sports anglers.

After the chinook is placed in the tube, a plywood door is slipped through the slot shown at the end of the tube to the right. Then the tube is placed on a clothesline stretched across the river. Fisheries managers will continue to monitor the fish until they are ready to spawn naturally, at which time they take the eggs and sperm into the hatchery at Shotbolt Bay.  Many thanks to the Hakai Sport Fishing Association Hatchery Program and the Canadian Government for pioneering such a great hatchery project.

Compare to the rest then book with the Best-    RIR

Rivers Inlet Resort, P.O. Box 1015 Renton, WA 98057-1015

(425) 226-4600 Back to   RIR   Homepage

© Pacific Lure Communications 1999