Old sooke fishing pictures

[marula]

I came across some photos dated 1905 and 1908 described as Sooke Fish Traps from the British Columbia Archives web site from the BC Museum I wanted to share. I never realized how extensive the fish traps were and how many salmon they pulled out of there. Different times for sure. One could only dream of fishing in those conditions.

Credit goes here, larger prints could be ordered if you go to their site.
https://search-bcarchives.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/

enjoy

 

[paguy]

Pretty amazing what the fishing was like back then. Hard to believe it was like that all over on Both sides of the border. Thanks for sharing.

 

[saltydawg]

Any pictures of the Trap Shack?

 

[profisher]

The only reason the Todd traps ceased in 1958 was that seiners began fishing further out on the west side of the Island and scooped the fish ahead of the traps. Could you imagine having the ability to sort the catch by species/sex size etc and release unharmed those you want in the rivers? They were smart back then...why chase the fish all over the ocean when you can set up shop close to home and wait for them.

 

[Fish Camp]

No pic, but to know Bud T was a pleasure. Was asked back to be a proctor.that was 35 years ago .

 

[profisher]

There is a scaled model of a Sooke trap and a documentary film with period footage at he Sooke Regional Museaum. Worth watching.

 

[Fisherman Rob]

A distant relative of mine, Charles Fox Todd, built those traps, and the trap shack to guard them. Here's an interesting blog post (not mine) on J.H Todd and Sons Canning Co and that period of BC history:

http://unknownvictoria.blogspot.com/2009/03/original-salmon-kings.html

 

[Rockfish]

Any pictures of the Trap Shack?

It has been restored as an historical site and if you want to see it; it is about a five hour return hike along the cliffs on the ocean in East Sooke Park. A very beautiful hike which I have done several times, but it is up and down and you should be in somewhat decent shape.

 

[gungadin]

Interesting, my father used to tell me about those traps. He told me that he watched them sort through the fish. They would take a knife and slice into the springs just after the head, if they were red they went ino the ones to be kept, if it was white, back into the water-- they were considered worthless. Kinda reminds me of when we used to consider cohoe "rats of the sea".

 

[marula]

A distant relative of mine, Charles Fox Todd, built those traps, and the trap shack to guard them. Here's an interesting blog post (not mine) on J.H Todd and Sons Canning Co and that period of BC history:

http://unknownvictoria.blogspot.com/2009/03/original-salmon-kings.html

Great Link , thanks !