Port...for socks in July
- Thread starter MyEscape
- Start date
IronNoggin
Well-Known Member
Hi There MyEscape.
I live in Port Alberni, and therefore am a tad familiar with the various fisheries here.
The very first of the early sockeye actually move through the Stamp/Somas system in April. Not sufficient numbers to target on, but by the end of April, they are in Great Central Lake (last five years anyway). In May, a few more begin to trickle in, and we've managed to pounce on them during the last week of May on occasion in the outer Inlet (Ten-mile & beyond).
By mid-June most years, the sockeye fishery is in full roar, and definitely so by the end of that month. IMHO, the best of the sockeye fishing is from mid to late June - easy limits, and yes, a DEADLY morning bite. In fact, it's that bite that is always the best, miss it, you might miss out!
In July, there are still a lot of sox that are hanging in the Inlet. The number generally depends on the warmpth and flow conditions of the Somas. In hot, drier years, the sox will stack quite late (seen them well into August a few years back, in BIG numbers - hot, dry and the flow almost wasn't). Early moring attacks from China Creek usually pay off. AND, there just may be the odd early spring that close in as an interesting by-catch. What sometimes works is to target the sox in the early am, and when they slow, head out to Barkely Sound for the balance of the day targetting springs. Can often prove to be a great day's fishin'.
By August most years, the sox have either headed up the flow, or coloured enough you don't want to bother. Springs start then, and it really pours on right through into September (when it's then time for coho).
For sox, the standard mini plankton hootchie behind damn near any blade works. But dragging them in on a heavy salmon rod really isn't to my liking. We now almost exclusively use trout rods, flashers attached below to the downrigger wire, and small spoons as terminals. Often outfishes the flasher set-up, and one hell of a LOT of FUN on 8 lb test. Turns the sox into cohos, jumping, sounding, and fighting more than you would imagine they're capable of!
So, long answer to a short question, eh?
Sox: Best mid-June through the end of June.
Springs: Best after the first week of August through to September.
Coho: Best September through October.
The of course there are trout, steelhead, doggies and more to work in. Man, sucks to live HERE <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>
Enjoy your visit, and hope you get into them!
Cheers,
Nog
I live in Port Alberni, and therefore am a tad familiar with the various fisheries here.
The very first of the early sockeye actually move through the Stamp/Somas system in April. Not sufficient numbers to target on, but by the end of April, they are in Great Central Lake (last five years anyway). In May, a few more begin to trickle in, and we've managed to pounce on them during the last week of May on occasion in the outer Inlet (Ten-mile & beyond).
By mid-June most years, the sockeye fishery is in full roar, and definitely so by the end of that month. IMHO, the best of the sockeye fishing is from mid to late June - easy limits, and yes, a DEADLY morning bite. In fact, it's that bite that is always the best, miss it, you might miss out!
In July, there are still a lot of sox that are hanging in the Inlet. The number generally depends on the warmpth and flow conditions of the Somas. In hot, drier years, the sox will stack quite late (seen them well into August a few years back, in BIG numbers - hot, dry and the flow almost wasn't). Early moring attacks from China Creek usually pay off. AND, there just may be the odd early spring that close in as an interesting by-catch. What sometimes works is to target the sox in the early am, and when they slow, head out to Barkely Sound for the balance of the day targetting springs. Can often prove to be a great day's fishin'.
By August most years, the sox have either headed up the flow, or coloured enough you don't want to bother. Springs start then, and it really pours on right through into September (when it's then time for coho).
For sox, the standard mini plankton hootchie behind damn near any blade works. But dragging them in on a heavy salmon rod really isn't to my liking. We now almost exclusively use trout rods, flashers attached below to the downrigger wire, and small spoons as terminals. Often outfishes the flasher set-up, and one hell of a LOT of FUN on 8 lb test. Turns the sox into cohos, jumping, sounding, and fighting more than you would imagine they're capable of!
So, long answer to a short question, eh?
Sox: Best mid-June through the end of June.
Springs: Best after the first week of August through to September.
Coho: Best September through October.
The of course there are trout, steelhead, doggies and more to work in. Man, sucks to live HERE <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>
Enjoy your visit, and hope you get into them!
Cheers,
Nog
IronNoggin
Well-Known Member
Hi There MyEscape.
I live in Port Alberni, and therefore am a tad familiar with the various fisheries here.
The very first of the early sockeye actually move through the Stamp/Somas system in April. Not sufficient numbers to target on, but by the end of April, they are in Great Central Lake (last five years anyway). In May, a few more begin to trickle in, and we've managed to pounce on them during the last week of May on occasion in the outer Inlet (Ten-mile & beyond).
By mid-June most years, the sockeye fishery is in full roar, and definitely so by the end of that month. IMHO, the best of the sockeye fishing is from mid to late June - easy limits, and yes, a DEADLY morning bite. In fact, it's that bite that is always the best, miss it, you might miss out!
In July, there are still a lot of sox that are hanging in the Inlet. The number generally depends on the warmpth and flow conditions of the Somas. In hot, drier years, the sox will stack quite late (seen them well into August a few years back, in BIG numbers - hot, dry and the flow almost wasn't). Early moring attacks from China Creek usually pay off. AND, there just may be the odd early spring that close in as an interesting by-catch. What sometimes works is to target the sox in the early am, and when they slow, head out to Barkely Sound for the balance of the day targetting springs. Can often prove to be a great day's fishin'.
By August most years, the sox have either headed up the flow, or coloured enough you don't want to bother. Springs start then, and it really pours on right through into September (when it's then time for coho).
For sox, the standard mini plankton hootchie behind damn near any blade works. But dragging them in on a heavy salmon rod really isn't to my liking. We now almost exclusively use trout rods, flashers attached below to the downrigger wire, and small spoons as terminals. Often outfishes the flasher set-up, and one hell of a LOT of FUN on 8 lb test. Turns the sox into cohos, jumping, sounding, and fighting more than you would imagine they're capable of!
So, long answer to a short question, eh?
Sox: Best mid-June through the end of June.
Springs: Best after the first week of August through to September.
Coho: Best September through October.
The of course there are trout, steelhead, doggies and more to work in. Man, sucks to live HERE <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>
Enjoy your visit, and hope you get into them!
Cheers,
Nog
I live in Port Alberni, and therefore am a tad familiar with the various fisheries here.
The very first of the early sockeye actually move through the Stamp/Somas system in April. Not sufficient numbers to target on, but by the end of April, they are in Great Central Lake (last five years anyway). In May, a few more begin to trickle in, and we've managed to pounce on them during the last week of May on occasion in the outer Inlet (Ten-mile & beyond).
By mid-June most years, the sockeye fishery is in full roar, and definitely so by the end of that month. IMHO, the best of the sockeye fishing is from mid to late June - easy limits, and yes, a DEADLY morning bite. In fact, it's that bite that is always the best, miss it, you might miss out!
In July, there are still a lot of sox that are hanging in the Inlet. The number generally depends on the warmpth and flow conditions of the Somas. In hot, drier years, the sox will stack quite late (seen them well into August a few years back, in BIG numbers - hot, dry and the flow almost wasn't). Early moring attacks from China Creek usually pay off. AND, there just may be the odd early spring that close in as an interesting by-catch. What sometimes works is to target the sox in the early am, and when they slow, head out to Barkely Sound for the balance of the day targetting springs. Can often prove to be a great day's fishin'.
By August most years, the sox have either headed up the flow, or coloured enough you don't want to bother. Springs start then, and it really pours on right through into September (when it's then time for coho).
For sox, the standard mini plankton hootchie behind damn near any blade works. But dragging them in on a heavy salmon rod really isn't to my liking. We now almost exclusively use trout rods, flashers attached below to the downrigger wire, and small spoons as terminals. Often outfishes the flasher set-up, and one hell of a LOT of FUN on 8 lb test. Turns the sox into cohos, jumping, sounding, and fighting more than you would imagine they're capable of!
So, long answer to a short question, eh?
Sox: Best mid-June through the end of June.
Springs: Best after the first week of August through to September.
Coho: Best September through October.
The of course there are trout, steelhead, doggies and more to work in. Man, sucks to live HERE <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>
Enjoy your visit, and hope you get into them!
Cheers,
Nog
MyEscape
Active Member
THANKS I.N. I love it up in port I heard so many stories of all the reasons why not to go to port for the salmon fest last sept. but I found them all to be untrue. I found the people I met in town or at the campsite at china creek all very helpful and nice. I must say that even on the water with as many boats as there was, the courtesay
towards other boats was great... I have some great pics of the port
on the water if you want them? I am sure you do to. I want to thank-you again for your advice... I look forward to the coming up to port again, you can even have some fun with the old salty dogs if you don't have an attitude and want to listen. Thanks again for the post! CHEERS M.E.
towards other boats was great... I have some great pics of the port
on the water if you want them? I am sure you do to. I want to thank-you again for your advice... I look forward to the coming up to port again, you can even have some fun with the old salty dogs if you don't have an attitude and want to listen. Thanks again for the post! CHEERS M.E.
MyEscape
Active Member
THANKS I.N. I love it up in port I heard so many stories of all the reasons why not to go to port for the salmon fest last sept. but I found them all to be untrue. I found the people I met in town or at the campsite at china creek all very helpful and nice. I must say that even on the water with as many boats as there was, the courtesay
towards other boats was great... I have some great pics of the port
on the water if you want them? I am sure you do to. I want to thank-you again for your advice... I look forward to the coming up to port again, you can even have some fun with the old salty dogs if you don't have an attitude and want to listen. Thanks again for the post! CHEERS M.E.
towards other boats was great... I have some great pics of the port
on the water if you want them? I am sure you do to. I want to thank-you again for your advice... I look forward to the coming up to port again, you can even have some fun with the old salty dogs if you don't have an attitude and want to listen. Thanks again for the post! CHEERS M.E.
IronNoggin
Well-Known Member
Nope, don't guide, and don't want to. Been there (big game) and found the babysitting to be uh.... not really to my liking. A handful of my buddies do, so if you're looking for a charter, I can likely provide a couple of good references.
Your welcome for the info, pretty well common knowledge around here.
Yeah, give a shout when you're swinging by, might be I'll slip the whaler in and provide a show.
Cheers,
Nog
Your welcome for the info, pretty well common knowledge around here.
Yeah, give a shout when you're swinging by, might be I'll slip the whaler in and provide a show.
Cheers,
Nog
IronNoggin
Well-Known Member
Nope, don't guide, and don't want to. Been there (big game) and found the babysitting to be uh.... not really to my liking. A handful of my buddies do, so if you're looking for a charter, I can likely provide a couple of good references.
Your welcome for the info, pretty well common knowledge around here.
Yeah, give a shout when you're swinging by, might be I'll slip the whaler in and provide a show.
Cheers,
Nog
Your welcome for the info, pretty well common knowledge around here.
Yeah, give a shout when you're swinging by, might be I'll slip the whaler in and provide a show.
Cheers,
Nog
MyEscape
Active Member
Thanks I.N. Will pass on the friends but would take you up on the idea of going out and watching the show... I have already booked china creek for the labour day long weekend from thursday to monday.
It also looks like i will be booked in china creek from july 8 to 18
Cheers M.E. b.n.a Kevin
It also looks like i will be booked in china creek from july 8 to 18
Cheers M.E. b.n.a Kevin
MyEscape
Active Member
Thanks I.N. Will pass on the friends but would take you up on the idea of going out and watching the show... I have already booked china creek for the labour day long weekend from thursday to monday.
It also looks like i will be booked in china creek from july 8 to 18
Cheers M.E. b.n.a Kevin
It also looks like i will be booked in china creek from july 8 to 18
Cheers M.E. b.n.a Kevin
S
steelhead rock
Guest
I usually start catching sockeye around may long weekend and catch them right through june and july but like Iron nog said all depends how the flow is, if its low and warm they'll stack up and grow in numbers. I use a spoon and a 30-36inch lead either behind a flasher, or above the flasher.a little trick though for using a hootchy behind a flasher use a heavy leader 40lb's no less, because the lines stiffer and transfers the action of the flasher to the hootchy. pink works, half pink and blue pink with blue heads purple all those color hootchies work well with a 18-28inch leader length all depends on the boat and the speed i think, I usually use a 22-26inch leader. and yea myescape theres the odd chinook caught while fishing for sock's , but nothing of anysize usually. but a nice surprice if you do hook one<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>.
chad
Edited by - steelhead rock on 03/25/2004 17:38:03
Edited by - steelhead rock on 03/25/2004 17:40:41
chad
Edited by - steelhead rock on 03/25/2004 17:38:03
Edited by - steelhead rock on 03/25/2004 17:40:41
S
steelhead rock
Guest
I usually start catching sockeye around may long weekend and catch them right through june and july but like Iron nog said all depends how the flow is, if its low and warm they'll stack up and grow in numbers. I use a spoon and a 30-36inch lead either behind a flasher, or above the flasher.a little trick though for using a hootchy behind a flasher use a heavy leader 40lb's no less, because the lines stiffer and transfers the action of the flasher to the hootchy. pink works, half pink and blue pink with blue heads purple all those color hootchies work well with a 18-28inch leader length all depends on the boat and the speed i think, I usually use a 22-26inch leader. and yea myescape theres the odd chinook caught while fishing for sock's , but nothing of anysize usually. but a nice surprice if you do hook one<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>.
chad
Edited by - steelhead rock on 03/25/2004 17:38:03
Edited by - steelhead rock on 03/25/2004 17:40:41
chad
Edited by - steelhead rock on 03/25/2004 17:38:03
Edited by - steelhead rock on 03/25/2004 17:40:41
