Campbell River’s sport fishing and tourism industries have something to celebrate.
That’s because local waters opened to the retention of either one or two Chinook on Monday.
In efforts to support the recovery of at-risk Fraser River chinook populations, non-retention was in place from April 1st to July 14th.
Destination Campbell River executive director Kirsten Soder said based on the number of recreational boats being prepped and washed in driveways around town over the weekend, the retention change is a welcome milestone for local anglers.
“We had a softer April than what was expected,” Soder said. “That said, it was like yesterday (Monday), boom, it became instantly better, the fishing specifically. I just talked to a couple of tackle shops and they said business has doubled in the last week in anticipation of this opening on Monday.”
Campbell River is known as the Salmon Capital of the World.
Soder said this moniker has many facets.
“I think everybody is connected to salmon and what they represent within the ecosystem at large,” Soder said. “We’re just super lucky to have such an amazing stock of them. The fishing has been incredible this year. Everybody who has been out there has been having a ball regardless of being able to keep (them) or not. I’ve had a lot of people say this has been one of the most insane years for the availability of salmon. They call it fishing, not catching.”
Guides and operators have told Soder that bookings have been deferred into July after the initial announcements were made in the spring.
“But all in all everybody is hopping; there were over 300 boats out there yesterday,” she said.
She said just being out in a boat on the waters off of Campbell River is an experience unto itself.
Campbell River hotels reached 98 percent occupancy last August and Soder expects the same this year.
