Who knows what a Tyee is? I know there are some that do and some that don’t. Since thise site is about sharing (ohiotuber says) I would like to let you know.
Traditional Tyee Fishing
Big Salmon. Small Boats.
Like clockwork, it happens every year. The excitement of summer and early fall mesh to create a season of its own. A season where dedicated sportsfishermen gather at the mouth of the Campbell River, in the legendary Tyee pools.
Tyee fishing is not like any other BC salmon fishing. It?s as pure as fishing gets. The only sounds you?ll hear are the screaming reels and shouts of encouragement. No motors are allowed, just classic rowboats. If it?s over 30 lbs., it?s a Tyee, but it isn?t easy. Some say the rewards aren?t worth it; but it?s much sweeter because the challenge is greater. And the pride of catching a Tyee using these classic methods is never ending. You?ll earn your membership in to the exclusive club and be a part of its great tradition. It?s been that way since the club was created in 1925.
What is a Tyee?
The word Tyee comes from the coastal Indian language and means ?The Chief? or ?Great Leader.? The term is used to describe Chinook or Spring salmon that weigh 30 lbs. or more. Campbell River is known as the salmon and Tyee capital of the world and it is here that the Tyee Club was born to celebrate BC salmon fishing.
When I went salmon fishing in BC, it was explained to me that any King Salmon over 50 pounds was considered a Tyee. They had small Tyee pins that they gave each fisherman that landed a Tyee and if you released it, they gave you a fiberglass replica of the fish. Great lodge with some terrific guides. but the opportunity to fly fish for them was very limited because of the waves and the fact that most of the fish (especially the larger ones) were from 35 to 100 feet deep.
Buttons are available for purchase by anglers who have taken a qualifying fish according to the Rules and Regulations of The Tyee Club of British Columbia. Members may purchase one button for each qualifying salmon.
The Club buttons shall be:
Bronze button for Tyee salmon weighing 30 pounds or over, but under 40 pounds.
Silver button for Tyee salmon weighing 40 pounds and over, but under 50 pounds.
Gold button for Tyee salmon weighing 50 pounds and over, butunder 60 pounds.
Diamond button for Tyee salmon weighing 60 pounds and over, but under 70 pounds.
Ruby button for Tyee salmon weighing 70 pounds and over.
Tyee Man button which is presented to the angler taking the largest Tyee salmon for the tournament.
Catch and Release button.
Catch and release has been used for many years by anglers throughout the world in an effort to conserve fish stocks. Scientists now agree, generally, that the survival rate of released fish is sufficiently high enough to have a beneficial effect upon fish population. The Tyee Club offers, for sale, a Catch and Release button to any angler who chooses to release, rather than take, a salmon, providing the following conditions are met:
-the angler must be an active or life member of The Tyee Club, or must have registered previously a fish which, if approved by; the Board of Directors of The Tyee Club, would qualify the angler for membership