Fall 2000 Bite Theory and Experiment

We have had more salmon returns this year than in many years all over the northwest. As the fall runs have entered low clear rivers so far the bite has been very erratic, with a few hot days here and there but reportedly a frustrating lockjaw situation pervailing region wide by most accounts. I suggested earlier that much of the reason was water temperatures that were too high for a good bite. And this was true in many cases. As have others, I got lucky to hit a couple of area exceptions during the week, but generally the bite is slow for so many salmon being available. Lots of lockjaw reports! I have another idea of why this may be happening, even out in the proper temperature ocean where they should be feeding still; and biting better! The La Nina ocean currents the last couple years have brought a sea full of baitfish for better survival rates and bigger average sizes of the salmonids we're getting back. From several reliable sources I've heard that candlefish are the prevalent baitfish of choice, and probably more of them too, for the fish offshore this summer. Most of the 'nooks caught outside from the T-Bay Bubble fishery in the ocean have had their bellies chuck full of candlefish! So I figure they are about overfed with these and are more finicky/picky this year. For a couple of experiments, is there a way to get some fresh candlefish? If there is, I wonder if they can be carefully trolled without coming off the hooks. I think they are kinda soft like anchovies; and small. More importantly, I think it might be a good idea to make some candlefish based scent formulas for fishing fall salmon this year. If you can get some, put them in a blender with some Flax oil and a little sodium sulfite and puree up what they might want this year? And thread wrap some on the bellies of Kwikfish. If anyone can find out about availability let us know. Thanks much. - RT

[This message has been edited by RT (edited 10-08-2000).]

I thought of an idea while reading Pilar's reply to Crusty; about the good bottom fishing out of T-Bay. Hey Pilar or Wak, how do they fish for herring from the docks on Yaquina Bay? I've watched them do this a long time ago and I recall them using a long handline with several tiny hooks tied on and spread out along the line. Some just jigged the bare hooks and others used some kind of small baits. Corn? How about a gob of plankton ? What do they use? And would this work while you're out bottom fishing and happen to see a baitfish school near the surface? If you can come in with a few buckets of candlefish e-mail me and I will pick up some and make a big batch of candlefish baitscent and give you some of it in return. I will make 2 versions: one with proven ingredients and the other with some radical idea ingredients with a lot of potential, for you to compare. - Then freeze the rest of the candlefish for another time or whatever. Fishies on. - RT

[This message has been edited by RT (edited 10-08-2000).]

[ZaQ]

That sounds great, but how does one catch those candles?

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ZaQ
The Z Page!

[smilesforu]

Rt
We catch candle fish here by using several different techniques. Snagging, stick spearing and dip netting. Snagging is easiest to do and doesn't require a boat and also allows you to fish the deep baitfish. Tie 6 hooks in line with a weight in the rear and go get them (Cast sink jerk,sink jerk, sink jerk..etc) . The stick spearing method requires as wood blade with two inch nails along the edge. Position yourself above the school of bait and swing the blade through the bait ball. The dip netting is similar to the stick spearing method because you position yourself over the bait ball and pull the net throught the school. The snagging method is the easiest to use, but the others are real effective in heavy concentrations of bait.

Tight Lines
Marty

[Slider]

I am confused. I thought a candlefish was one of the Indian names for the smelt (AKA the Eulachon). Is this the same fish mentioned here, or is there another candlefish species I am unaware of.


Slider

Howdy,
According to Webster's dictionary eulachon is Chinook jargon for candlefish.(the people not the fish) These eulachon are like salmonids in appearance, they even have adipose fins. They are so oily that when dried, they can be lit to burn like a candle. Many coastal peoples would cook them to render the grease for many uses including food storage. The "candlefish" I often use for bait are actually sandlance, 2-6in. long, with an eel-like body but shiny green/purple/blue in color. There has been really good numbers of these baitfish this summer off the beaches.