Rodgers Fishing Lodge
Rodgers Fishing Lodge
Doug Rodgers
Many of you have been asking about the new halibut regulations that were recently announced by the DFO. The 2013 regulations allow for the retention of 1 Halibut a day and 2 in possession which is the same as in 2012. The big change for 2013 is that they have now imposed a slot limit on the size of the halibut that you are allowed to retain. One halibut has to be under 83cm which is about a 15 pound fish and the other halibut has to be under 126 cm which is about a 60 pound fish. We feel that these new regulations will not only be confusing to our guests, but, will also be difficult for us to administer. As you can well imagine, this is a very controversial and unpopular decision on the part of the DFO.
On a more positive note, DFO has also established a new program, which is now available to the Sports Fishing Industry whereby Sports Fishing Lodges like ourselves, can purchase extra commercial halibut quota for this coming season. We have decided that it is in our best interest and the best interest of our many customers to take advantage of this opportunity. By buying commer- cial quota, we feel that this decision will greatly simplify this component of our fishery. For this reason, we have decided to purchase enough commercial halibut quota to satisfy our needs for this coming season. In short, what this will mean to our customers is that, although the possession limit will still be 2 halibut per angler, our customers will now have the option of either retaining or releasing any oversized halibut that they catch when fishing at Rodgers.
We have been looking at several different ways of trying to make this program work. After giving this issue a great deal of thought, we have decided that the best and fairest approach is to give our customers the option of keeping or releasing an oversized halibut on a pay as you go basis. In other words, if a customer chooses to retain any halibut over the legal allowable size, than the on the spot cost of the halibut will be based on the rate of $5.00 a pound. This is the price that we are going to be paying per pound to the commercial sector in order to purchase this extra quota. This extra cost of $5.00 a pound for an oversized halibut can be shared by one or more members of the party. The rate of $5.00 per pound will be based on the dressed weight, cleaned and head off of the halibut and not the round weight. The formula the DFO uses is that the dressed weight is 75% of the round weight. For example, an 80 pound halibut becomes a 60 pound halibut when cleaned and dressed. The cost of this halibut would be $5.00 X 60 pounds = $300.00
I doubt if many other fishing lodges in B.C. will be offering this program and I feel fortunate that we have been given this opportunity. Our 2013 season is scheduled to open May 1st and according to the DFO forecasts, we are anticipating having another excellent year. The DFO forecasts are calling for an abundance of Coho/Silvers and a high return of 4 and 5 year old Chinooks/Kings. If you would like more information or if you would like to make reservations...
Give us a call at 1-800-429-5288 or email us at rodgersfishinglodge@yahoo.com
and check out our new home page at
http://www.rodgersfishinglodge.com/