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Welcome to Sport Fishing BC's saltwater
fishing reports. Here you will find updated fishing
reports of saltwater hot spots in British Columbia.
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CHOOSE FROM THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS:
- SOUTHERN VANCOUVER ISLAND
- NORTHERN VANCOUVER ISLAND/
PORT HARDY/ZEBALLOS
- SOUTHWEST VANCOUVER ISLAND-PORT
RENFREW
- EASTERN VANCOUVER ISLAND– QUALICUM,
HORNBY ISL., DENMAN ISL. REGION
- EASTERN VANCOUVER ISLAND-CAMPBELL
RIVER
- WESTERN VANCOUVER ISLAND-BARKLEY
SOUND, BAMFIELD
- WESTERN VANCOUVER ISLAND - TOFINO -
PACIFIC RIM AREA
- SUNSHINE COAST-GEORGIA STRAIT
- NORTHWEST BC-QUEEN CHARLOTTE ISLANDS
- PRINCE RUPERT / KITIMAT
1. SOUTHERN VANCOUVER ISLAND:
Island Outfitters
July 15, 2007
Overview
Salmon fishing was FAIR TO PRETTY GOOD this past week. Halibut fishing was FAIR due to the dogfish stealing most of the baits. The pink salmon run is getting stronger and most anglers in Sooke are catching them. If you have any fishing info, notable catches or tips that you would like to share or have included in our fishing report, please email us at info@fishingvictoria.com.
Sooke
Salmon fishing was FAIR TO EXCELLENT this past week, depending on what type of salmon you’re targeting. Anglers fishing for pinks were getting limits out on the tide lines and some good catches close in as well. Anglers fishing for springs are finding it much more hit and miss. The most productive places to fish were Secretary (Donaldson) Island and Possession Point. Gary Garrinton landed a 35 lb spring this past week. Gerry Vervoort caught 30, 19, 18 & 17 lb springs on the weekend. Anchovies are catching the majority of fish, so try Rhys Davis Anchovy Specials or JDF Teasers in Purple/Chrome, Bloody Nose or Purple Haze. The best flashers have been the Purple Haze and the Betsey. With spoons try Watermelon, Mongoose or Green/Nickel color combinations with 4”, Gypsies and Titans. The best plastic baits to try are Purple Haze, Army Tuck or Green/White hootchies or squirts for springs and pink plankton for pink salmon.
HALIBUT Halibut fishing was SLOW because not too many anglers tried for the big flatties last week. Extra Large herring and/or octopus are the most popular baits, however, there are lots of dogfish around so you can try Mudraker or Lucky Jigs or the new Glow in the Dark bullet Jig with Berkley or Delta grubs if they are a problem.
Becher Bay
Salmon fishing was PRETTY GOOD this past week. The marina reports quite a few fish from the teens into the mid 20’s coming from the Bedfords to the Trap Shack. The majority of fish were at 40 to 80 foot depths. There are pinks and coho in the 6 to 8 lb size showing out on the 2nd and 3rd tide lines with the odd one being caught closer in to shore. Anchovy and herring are the most popular bait these days and the “hot” combo this past week was a Bloody Nose Anchovy Special fished behind a Purple Haze flasher. Rhys Davis or JDF teaser heads in Purple/Black/Chrome, Green/Chrome/Scale and Watermelon patterns are doing the well too. If you fish spoons, try Watermelon, Green/Silver or Mongoose color patterns. The best bets for plastics are the Army Truck and Purple Haze hootchies or squirts for springs and pink plankton for pink salmon. The best fishing has been on the tide changes and the start of the flood tide.
Pedder Bay
Salmon fishing was PICKING UP this past week. Anglers are catching springs in Pedder Bay and around the corner to Church Rock or Whirl Bay. Most of the springs are in the teens with a few larger ones in the 20’s. The best depths have been from 65 to 125 feet. Out further in the strait, past the 2nd tide line, anglers are getting lots of pink salmon and cohos. 12 year old Jacob Weisfeld from South Padre Island, Texas landed a 27 lb spring near Church Rock and his 9 year old sister Emily landed two springs as well while fishing with Dan Hamill. 27 lb spring and 3 halibut up to 50 lbs this past week too. Anglers jigging with Gibbs Minnow and Buzz Bombs have also been getting their fair share of springs. Anglers trolling bait should use medium to large anchovy or medium herring in Green/Chrome/Scale, Purple/Black/Chrome or Bloody Nose teaser heads. The best flashers have been the Purple Haze and the Betsey. If you prefer to fish artificial bait, give Watermelon, Mongoose or Green/silver 4” Coyote, Gypsies or Titan spoons a try. For plastic baits, Purple Haze or Army Truck hootchies and squirts are good for springs, and pink plankton for pink salmon.
HALIBUT Fishing was FAIR on the weekend. About a half dozen halibut up to 52 ½ lbs were seen at the marina. Dogfish have been a real problem for the anglers and therefore fewer halibut have been caught. Extra Large herring and/or Octopus are the most popular baits, but when the dogfish become a nuisance you can use Mudraker or Lucky Jigs or the new Glow in the Dark bullet jig with Berkley or Delta Grubs. Gulp halibut baits and Grubs will work well too, especially if the dogfish are thick.
Victoria Waterfront
Fishing was FAIR this past week for salmon on the waterfront. Springs were caught from Clover Point to Albert Head, frequently around the tide changes. Most of the fish weren’t too large, with most salmon from 8 to 14 lb. Most of the salmon have been at 60 to 80 feet or close to the kelp and quite shallow. Constance Bank was not as good as it was closer to shore due to the strong currents. Anchovies have been the best bait and Mint Pearl and Purple Haze were the most productive teaser heads. Good flashers have been the Green/Silver Hot Spot and the Oki Betsy flasher. Plastic baits such as Army Truck or Purple Haze hootchies fished behind White Glow or Purple Haze flashers have been catching fish too, especially if the fish are deep. In shallow, salmon have been caught on Gibbs Minnows and/or Stingers.
HALIBUT Constance Bank was SLOW for halibut this past week due to lots of dogfish. Extra Large herring and/or Octopus are the most popular baits, but when the dogfish become a nuisance you can use Mudraker or Lucky Jigs or the new Glow in the Dark bullet jig with Berkley or Delta Grubs. Gulp halibut baits and Grubs will work well too, especially if the dogfish are thick.
Oak Bay
Fishing was STEADY for springs out on the Flats. Most fish are running from 10 to 15 lbs but the odd bigger one is around. We’ve also been told that the fish have been exceptionally strong fighters. Squirts are a good lure in Oak Bay with Green/White, Jellyfish or Purple Haze good patterns. Smaller Spoons such as 3.5” or 4” Watermelon and Cop Car Coyote spoons are always a favorite in Oak Bay at this time of year. The best depths to fish have been from 65 to 120 feet.
HALIBUT - Halibut fishing was SLOW for halibut this past week due to the large numbers of dogfish around. Be sure to check the boundaries of the new Rockfish Conservation Area from D’Arcy Island to Beaumont Shoal if you’re thinking about fishing east of Discovery or Chatham Islands. Extra Large herring and/or Octopus are the most popular baits. However, when the dogfish become a nuisance, you can use Mudrakers, Lucky Jigs, or the new Glow in the Dark bullet Jigs with Berkley or Delta Grubs. Gulp halibut baits and Grubs will work well too, especially if the dogfish are thick.
Sidney
Salmon fishing was SLOWER this past week. There was still some action down near the Powder Wharf and in the south end of the Sidney Channel where salmon in the teens and twenties were caught. The bite there was very early and very shallow, i.e. at dawn and in 20 to 40 feet of water. Moresby Island and Coal Island produced fewer springs. Dina Wight caught a 22 lb chinook on July 12 at Pender Bluffs using a rainbow flasher with an anchovy in a army truck teaser head. During the day, try fishing deep with small anchovy or tiny strip, around 90 to 135 feet in glow teaser heads for springs. Other good lures this time of year are 3.5” and 4” Coyote, Titan or Gypsy spoons in Watermelon or Cop Car. Plastic baits have been good too with the Glow Below and the Purple Haze squirts being the best patterns. Jigging has also been effective with Gibbs Minnows, Stingers and P-Line Hex jigs all good choices for springs.
Notable Caughts
Gary Garrinton landed a 35 lb spring this past week in Sooke. Gerry Vervoort caught 30, 19, 18 & 17 lb springs on the weekend, also in Sooke. 12 year old Jacob Weisfeld from South Padre Island, Texas, landed a 27 lb spring near Church Rock and his 9 year old sister Emily landed two springs as well while fishing with Dan Hamill. Justin Wilson picked up 26 & 22 lb springs one day last week near Church Rock. Gord Gavin caught a 27 lb spring and 3 halibut up to 50 lbs this past week too. Dina Wight caught a 22 lb. chinook on July 12 at Pender Bluffs using a rainbow flasher with an anchovy in a army truck teaser head. If you have any fishing info, notable catches or tips that you would like to share or have included in our fishing report, please email us at info@fishingvictoria.com.
Report provided by Island Outfitters
3319 Douglas Street, Victoria
British Columbia, Canada
V8Z 3L2
(250) 475-4969
E-mail info@fishingvictoria.com
visit http://www.fishingvictoria.com/
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2. NORTH VAN. ISLAND/PORT HARDY/ZEBALLOS:
No current report at this time.
If you would like to contribute reports for this area,
please contact our webmaster.
webmaster@sportfishingbc.com
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3. PORT RENFREW:
No current report at this time.
If you would like to contribute reports for this area,
please contact our webmaster.
webmaster@sportfishingbc.com
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4. Qualicum, Hornby Isl., Denman
Isl. Region
No current report at this time.
If you would like to contribute reports for this area,
please contact our webmaster.
webmaster@sportfishingbc.com
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5. CAMPBELL RIVER:
Tyee Marine
Campbell River Area Fishing Report for the Week
ending July 14, 2007
Cape Mudge: We are lucky enough this year to be experiencing some of the best salmon fishing in northern Georgia Strait in quite a few years. To what we owe this good fortune, who knows, but it sure is nice for people to be able to go out and harvest a few fish without having to be a hotshot angler. At the light the fishing was good most all week but by the time this is posted, the seasonal area closure will be in effect. The D.F.O. website should have the details but roughly,the box is a line from the red can north to Tsa qwa Luten's dock out to mid-channel to a point in mid-channel west of the red can.
The Hump: Good fishing at the hump as well. There will be more pressure at the hump for the next 6 weeks as the lighthouse closure takes effect. This closure is to protect southern Strait of Georgia Chinook. Hot Hoochies are Pistachio, Army Truck, Haze, Purple Haze and Christmas Tree. Small spoons are working well with the Gypsy spoons being re-discovered.
Willow / Shelter: From the Big Rock boat ramp to Shelter point, The west side of Discovery Passage has been producing quite a few fish. This side of the channel is more fisherman freindly as far as currents go.
The flats out in front of downtown have been receiving some attention with a few fish being caught.
Above the narrows, fish are starting to be caught at Greensea, Chatham Point, Hall Point, Deepwater and Brown's Bays. A few Pinks starting to show north of town.
Prawning action continues. Good catches are attainable with the right equipment and knowledge.
Courtenay Report: Fish are beginning to show up along the shoreline from Salmon Point southwards to Cape Lazo. Watch for spot closures.
Prawning has been getting very good as well with lots of fishers doing very well with a relatively short soak.
Freshwater action has been good with most area lakes beginning to produce well. Cool temperatures are prolonging the early season, keeping water temperatures down and fish active.
Reports provided by:
Tyee Marine Supply 1-877-287-TYEE (8933) http://www.tyeemarine.com/
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6. BARKLEY SOUND/BAMFIELD:
FISHING REPORT PORT ALBERNI, BARCLAY SOUND (UCLUELET) WEST COAST
SALMON/HALIBUT
Fishing
Slivers Charters Salmon sport Fishing
July 10, 2007
Current
The salmon fishing in the Barkley Sound area and close to the beach in Ucluelet has been amazing. Over the past week Bamfield and the whole of Barkley Sound has been simply wonderful with plenty of Coho and Chinook. Halibut fishing at the eighteen mile spot and Big Bank has been very good also.
PORT ALBERNI INLET
The first official sockeye reforecast has not really shown any improvement for Somass River sockeye returns. According to Fisheries there really is not any hint that the return will be any better than the 210,000 fish return forecast earlier in the year. Figures released by Fisheries only show 15,000 sockeye in the area from the Port Alberni Harbour out to Pill Point, located in Barkley Sound. To date just over 50,000 fish have escaped into Sproat Lake and Great Central Lake. The first half of July is often the peak weeks for escapement. To conserve this years run of sockeye for future years at least 200,000 sockeye are needed for escapement into the two lakes. If the forecast at some point is upgraded to 250,000 sockeye then there will be room for a minimal sport fishery.
This possible fishery would allow two sockeye per day per angler with a two-day limit of four.
BARKLEY SOUND
Salmon Fishing in Barkley Sound has been phenomenal. The salmon have continued to stay inshore all the way up the Vancouver Island West Coast. Barkley Sound has been full of rich bait fish in the form of needlefish, and juvenile herring which have attracted the Coho and Chinook to come in to hold up and feed. Guide Doug has had some excellent days fishing Meares Bluff and Austin Island but has found Sanford, Kirby Point, Edward King and Folger Island to be even better locations as of late. The Chinook have been in the 10 to 20 pound range while the Coho, which there are huge schools of, have been averaging 7 to 10 pounds. During the past week and weekend the Coho were so thick off of Edward King, Folger Island and Kirby that it has been difficult to put the gear down to lower depths where the Chinook salmon are sitting. One angler was quoted as saying “the salmon are just jumping in my boat”. Chinook fishing has been best during the first few hours of the morning and then have really come on at the turn of the tide especially on the ebb. Coho have been feeding all day and it is just a mater of minutes when you have one or two on. There are numerous hatchery and wild Coho in the mix. When fishing the outside area beyond Sanford anglers must remember that retaining Wild Coho is illegal.
The Chinook have been best on bait. Guides Doug and John have been using clear, UV, and a pearl teaser heads with anchovy behind either a green or red hotspot flasher. The leader length is between 5 and 6 feet. Most of the Chinook are still sitting between 70 to 100 feet. The Coho are between 20 and 70 feet and have been hitting anchovy, white and clear colored hootchies with a 42 inch leader and Green-Glow and Bad Attitiude coyote spoons. The largest Chinook recorded over the past week was 42 pounds taken at Austin Island behind a pearl colored anchovy head. Doug of Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing has recorded a 26 pound chinook off of Kirby Point. Most of the Chinook have been in the teens and low twenties. The Coho, which will only get bigger by the week, has seen guides land some hatchery fish from 14 to 16 pounds. The fish are beautiful. They are chrome and are real fighters. We are expecting the trend to continue with the salmon staying in inside waters through July. In late July and early August the return of Robertson Creek Hatchery salmon will further improve the sports fishing in Barkley Sound. The Robertson Creek Hatchery forecast for returns on adult Chinook and Coho is very good. The Chinook and Coho returning to this hatchery enter the Sound and often hold up to feed in some very popular areas throughout Barkley Sound. The surfline areas like Meares Bluff, Kirby Point, Bamfield Wall, and Swale Rock are some of the first areas these fish holdup at. Then they often move into some of the most popular inner sound areas such as Pill Point, Diplock, Swiss Boy, Holford Bay, and the Sarita Bay area. The salmon then often make a quick 20 mile dash to the Port Alberni Inlet and Harbor before entering the Somass-Stamp River system. Sports fishing in Barkley Sound has not been a disappointment and should continue to remain very good. The months of August and September should be fabulous.
UCLUELET
With the trend of the salmon staying along the beach of Vancouver Island as they migrate, the salmon fishing in inside waters has been wonderful. Guide Ken is quoted as saying “outside waters are like a desert for salmon but the halibut are great”. Often guides and sport anglers are going out to the various halibut areas first in the mornings and then come back to fish salmon close to shore. During the week some nice salmon have been taken at South Bank, Beg Island, Red Can, Lighthouse, and Great Bear. Guide Mike had a thirty-nine pound chinook at SouthBank which is five miles south of Ucluelet. This fabulous fighting fish was picked up in 70 feet of water using a white-glow Octopus hootchie. The salmon have also been hitting anchovy and various coyote spoons. Green-glow and green-nickel have both been great spoons. The Coho outside of Ucluelet have been okay but are in no way in the same numbers as Barkley sound. Most of the Chinook are in 65 to 90 feet of water and the Coho are from 35 to 75 feet.
Halibut fishing has been the same as most years. The halibut have been best at the eighteen mile spot and La Parouse. Guide Mike was able to find 8 beautiful halibut at The Wreck on Thursday. Mike and Bob both Ucluelet guides are fishing halibut from 145 to 200 feet using large herring on a spreader bar. There are also numerous species of bottom fish in the area. July and August should have plenty of salmon and halibut for all
Fisher persons. Being an odd year the pink salmon should be in fairly big numbers also.
SOMASS-STAMP RIVER
The river system does not have any current salmon fishing. There definitely will not be a sockeye fishery. The fall should see some fabulous Coho and Chinook river fishing. Fall steelhead fishing should also be very good. We are already filling up for river trips in September and October. With Robertson Creek forecasting big returns of Chinook and Coho there will be a surplus of salmon this fall.
The Port Alberni Salmon Derby will again take place this September during the Labor Day Weekend. With the expectation of most of the Chinook return being four and five year olds there should be some big Chinook hooked during this years Derby. Do not miss out on the fun and many activities at this years salmon festival which begins the evening of Friday August 31st and continues until 3 pm Labor Day Monday. There are loads of prizes with biggest fish of the Derby worth $7,000 and daily $3,000, $2,000 and $1,000 prizes.
For More Information
Contact
Doug Lindores
Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing
www.catchsalmon-ca.com
www.catchsalmon.ca
250 724 2502
dlindy@shaw.ca
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7. TOFINO - PACIFIC RIM AREA:
FISHING REPORT PORT ALBERNI, BARCLAY SOUND (UCLUELET) WEST COAST
SALMON/HALIBUT
Fishing
Slivers Charters Salmon sport Fishing
July 10, 2007
Current
The salmon fishing in the Barkley Sound area and close to the beach in Ucluelet has been amazing. Over the past week Bamfield and the whole of Barkley Sound has been simply wonderful with plenty of Coho and Chinook. Halibut fishing at the eighteen mile spot and Big Bank has been very good also.
PORT ALBERNI INLET
The first official sockeye reforecast has not really shown any improvement for Somass River sockeye returns. According to Fisheries there really is not any hint that the return will be any better than the 210,000 fish return forecast earlier in the year. Figures released by Fisheries only show 15,000 sockeye in the area from the Port Alberni Harbour out to Pill Point, located in Barkley Sound. To date just over 50,000 fish have escaped into Sproat Lake and Great Central Lake. The first half of July is often the peak weeks for escapement. To conserve this years run of sockeye for future years at least 200,000 sockeye are needed for escapement into the two lakes. If the forecast at some point is upgraded to 250,000 sockeye then there will be room for a minimal sport fishery.
This possible fishery would allow two sockeye per day per angler with a two-day limit of four.
BARKLEY SOUND
Salmon Fishing in Barkley Sound has been phenomenal. The salmon have continued to stay inshore all the way up the Vancouver Island West Coast. Barkley Sound has been full of rich bait fish in the form of needlefish, and juvenile herring which have attracted the Coho and Chinook to come in to hold up and feed. Guide Doug has had some excellent days fishing Meares Bluff and Austin Island but has found Sanford, Kirby Point, Edward King and Folger Island to be even better locations as of late. The Chinook have been in the 10 to 20 pound range while the Coho, which there are huge schools of, have been averaging 7 to 10 pounds. During the past week and weekend the Coho were so thick off of Edward King, Folger Island and Kirby that it has been difficult to put the gear down to lower depths where the Chinook salmon are sitting. One angler was quoted as saying “the salmon are just jumping in my boat”. Chinook fishing has been best during the first few hours of the morning and then have really come on at the turn of the tide especially on the ebb. Coho have been feeding all day and it is just a mater of minutes when you have one or two on. There are numerous hatchery and wild Coho in the mix. When fishing the outside area beyond Sanford anglers must remember that retaining Wild Coho is illegal.
The Chinook have been best on bait. Guides Doug and John have been using clear, UV, and a pearl teaser heads with anchovy behind either a green or red hotspot flasher. The leader length is between 5 and 6 feet. Most of the Chinook are still sitting between 70 to 100 feet. The Coho are between 20 and 70 feet and have been hitting anchovy, white and clear colored hootchies with a 42 inch leader and Green-Glow and Bad Attitiude coyote spoons. The largest Chinook recorded over the past week was 42 pounds taken at Austin Island behind a pearl colored anchovy head. Doug of Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing has recorded a 26 pound chinook off of Kirby Point. Most of the Chinook have been in the teens and low twenties. The Coho, which will only get bigger by the week, has seen guides land some hatchery fish from 14 to 16 pounds. The fish are beautiful. They are chrome and are real fighters. We are expecting the trend to continue with the salmon staying in inside waters through July. In late July and early August the return of Robertson Creek Hatchery salmon will further improve the sports fishing in Barkley Sound. The Robertson Creek Hatchery forecast for returns on adult Chinook and Coho is very good. The Chinook and Coho returning to this hatchery enter the Sound and often hold up to feed in some very popular areas throughout Barkley Sound. The surfline areas like Meares Bluff, Kirby Point, Bamfield Wall, and Swale Rock are some of the first areas these fish holdup at. Then they often move into some of the most popular inner sound areas such as Pill Point, Diplock, Swiss Boy, Holford Bay, and the Sarita Bay area. The salmon then often make a quick 20 mile dash to the Port Alberni Inlet and Harbor before entering the Somass-Stamp River system. Sports fishing in Barkley Sound has not been a disappointment and should continue to remain very good. The months of August and September should be fabulous.
UCLUELET
With the trend of the salmon staying along the beach of Vancouver Island as they migrate, the salmon fishing in inside waters has been wonderful. Guide Ken is quoted as saying “outside waters are like a desert for salmon but the halibut are great”. Often guides and sport anglers are going out to the various halibut areas first in the mornings and then come back to fish salmon close to shore. During the week some nice salmon have been taken at South Bank, Beg Island, Red Can, Lighthouse, and Great Bear. Guide Mike had a thirty-nine pound chinook at SouthBank which is five miles south of Ucluelet. This fabulous fighting fish was picked up in 70 feet of water using a white-glow Octopus hootchie. The salmon have also been hitting anchovy and various coyote spoons. Green-glow and green-nickel have both been great spoons. The Coho outside of Ucluelet have been okay but are in no way in the same numbers as Barkley sound. Most of the Chinook are in 65 to 90 feet of water and the Coho are from 35 to 75 feet.
Halibut fishing has been the same as most years. The halibut have been best at the eighteen mile spot and La Parouse. Guide Mike was able to find 8 beautiful halibut at The Wreck on Thursday. Mike and Bob both Ucluelet guides are fishing halibut from 145 to 200 feet using large herring on a spreader bar. There are also numerous species of bottom fish in the area. July and August should have plenty of salmon and halibut for all
Fisher persons. Being an odd year the pink salmon should be in fairly big numbers also.
SOMASS-STAMP RIVER
The river system does not have any current salmon fishing. There definitely will not be a sockeye fishery. The fall should see some fabulous Coho and Chinook river fishing. Fall steelhead fishing should also be very good. We are already filling up for river trips in September and October. With Robertson Creek forecasting big returns of Chinook and Coho there will be a surplus of salmon this fall.
The Port Alberni Salmon Derby will again take place this September during the Labor Day Weekend. With the expectation of most of the Chinook return being four and five year olds there should be some big Chinook hooked during this years Derby. Do not miss out on the fun and many activities at this years salmon festival which begins the evening of Friday August 31st and continues until 3 pm Labor Day Monday. There are loads of prizes with biggest fish of the Derby worth $7,000 and daily $3,000, $2,000 and $1,000 prizes.
For More Information
Contact
Doug Lindores
Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing
www.catchsalmon-ca.com
www.catchsalmon.ca
250 724 2502
dlindy@shaw.ca
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Tofino:
Clayoquot Ventures Guide Service ltd.
July, 2007
What a month Junuary has been!!!! You wouldn't think that we passed our summer solstice over a week ago, as the weather has been what we would commonly see in January, February and March. Although the air temperature has been pretty moderate, the chance of an early summer water shortage in the Tofino area is extremely unlikely.
The low pressure systems that have continued to push in from the South East open Pacific have not been a total detriment to our fishing though,..Chinook and Coho Salmon have been encouraged to travel down the coast into to the Tofino area waters, but most specifically the inner waters of Clayoquot Sound. June has normally provided a good fishery in these same inshore waters over the years, but over the last two weeks, many vessels have opted to focus on the inshore waters for their Salmon action, as opposed to the traditional offshore areas that normally provide the area's most consistent action for Chinook Salmon, Coho Salmon and Halibut. Chinook Salmon in the 12-28 lb. range, and Coho Salmon averaging 5-8 lbs have no doubt been enticed to stay inshore for prolonged periods and feed on the very abundant Needlefish (Sandlance) and juvenile Herring stocks that we have not witnessed in such solid masses for a few years now.
Gear of choice for the Salmon fishery both inshore and offshore has been trolling with Anchovies behind a Red or Purple/Silver Oki Flasher.
Some of the new bait teaser head colors from Rhys-Davis have been helping with success rates, most notably the Glow/Bloody nose and U.V. Clear getting the majority of front line action.
Halibut fishing in the Tofino/Ucluelet area has definitely been good as normal for June, even with days of tough weather conditions. Fortunately for our local offshore fishery, the moderate South-East wind patterns don't create much of an ocean swell, so wind waves were the only challenge to fish effectively, therefore providing access to our baitfish rich banks 4-10 miles offshore for Halibut and mixed stocks of abundant Bottom fish species.
Large Herring fished on a spreader bar in the 145-200 ft. depths has been the best for our Pacific Halibut averaging 18-40 lbs, but the stinky artificial baits now available from numerous companies have been consistent producers, especially when tipped with a little fresh bait.
Ling Cod and Bottom fish are spead all over our outer coastline, with specific reefs and pinnacles becoming guide favourites, often requiring specific GPS coordinates.
Large fish to date for the Tofino area have been Halibut to 105 lbs. caught by Clayoquot Ventures Guide Blake Klopfenstein, and Chinook Salmon 34 lbs. also caught by a guided Clayoquot Ventures Vessel. Numerous Coho Salmon released offshore have easily broken 15 lbs. and will only get bigger considering they have over 3 months to mature.
Further detailed info can be provided by visiting www.tofinofishing.com or calling 1-888-5FISHBC
Jay Mohl
Clayoquot Ventures
Box 652 Tofino, B.C., Canada VOR-2ZO
http://www.tofinofishing.com/
http://www.vancouverislandfishing.com/
mailt:jay@tofinofishiing.com
Toll Free 1-888-534-7422
Vancouver Island's Pristine Aquatic Destination
Year-Round Guided Fishing Excursions
Full Service Fly & Tackle
Proud Member of the Sport Fish Institute of B.C.
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Tofino B.C. Halibut fishing heats up
Halibut fishing in the Tofino area has been very consistent since mid March, with the last two weeks providing Halibut action and catches that made for a lot of happy charter guests hosted by Clayoquot Ventures.
On average, the waters near Tofino and Ucluelet provide an average Halibut size of 20-60 pounds, caught in depths that vary between 130-200ft. The same baitfish rich offshore banks that provide habitat for Tofino's world class Salmon fishery, is the same location for our great Halibut fishing opportunities. Tofino area's most productive offshore fishing areas average between 4 and 10 miles out, while Ucluelet's main offshore fishing areas average 8-18 miles from the shore.
Highlights of the week included Clayoquot Ventures guide Blake Klopfenstein returning after a 6 hour A.M. charter with very happy guests, and 5 Halibut that averaged at 35 lbs each.
A few days later, Clayoquot Ventures guide Derek Fraser was up to his usual tricks, bringing home ecstatic charter guests, 6 Halibut and a variety of Bottom fish. Below, you can read the testimonial from Derek’s guest, who is a very experienced west coast angler.
Something to note, is that fishing for Chinook Salmon has been good as well, but the excellent Halibut fishing has captured the focus of many Clayoquot Ventures charter fishing guests.
"Hi Jay, I Just wanted to thank you again for the excellent halibut trip we enjoyed with Derek Fraser on Tuesday. Derek did not disappoint - trying his proven spots that hold the halibut and then tying my wife into a big slab that really tested her out! Derek was a true pro and the trip could not have been better. Feel free to use any of the attached pics if you like. We'll be back!"
All the best,
Mark Teubert
Front Office Manager
Delta Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort and Spa
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8. VANCOUVER & SUNSHINE COAST- SECHELT AREA:
VANCOUVER AREA REPORT:
No report at this time
David Korsch
Predator Charters
(604) 329 - 8642
davek@dccnet.com
www.predatorcharters.com
9. QUEEN CHARLOTTE ISLANDS:
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10. PRINCE RUPERT / KITIMAT
July 17, 2007
Lordy! Lordy! Another forty is all I can say. You fish the same pools each day and every one could hold a monster at any time. Attached are some of the King Salmon we have produced for the smiley clients. First off is a pic of Ted and Blake with a 40lber after a tag team effort and close to 60 minutes to get this one to the bank. I have been fortunate to have guided Blake since he was 9yrs old and this year at 13 he showed the Chinook who was boss. Sitting in the rear seat of the driftboat, Blake fought this buck Salmon until it took him down into the turbulent logjams. Having beached the boat twice thinking the fish was ready to come in, it was no good as the Salmon kept on running thru the slow pools not willing to give up the battle. Handing the rod over to grandpa Ted was time as this fish was just starting to fight. I was amazed as the rancher from Alberta put on a display that the crowd at the Calgary Stampede would have cheered over. As Ted fought the fish large trees were running down the fast flowing river and at times he had to dip his rod tip deep into the water so the line would not snap up and snap off the fish. It was back and forth up the bank, then to the rivers edge trying to gain line. Ten yards would come on the reel, twenty would leave. Anyways way to go guys it was the best battle of the year so far and perhaps in many. Second group up for the challenge was repeat client Nick and soon to return Kelly from Victoria BC. These guys found out what powerful fish can do having 30lb test (newly spooled) snap like a Bald Eagle sitting on a small, dry twig. It was all good though as these boys had the rods dive in front of their eyes many times. Attached is smiling Kelly with a respectable Chinook and Nick holding a piece of fresh chrome second pool of the AM.
Round three is Dana from Cowtown with his bud from Houston Texas. These guys were catch and release machines as the attached Chinook took Dana in behind a logjam after it was hooked some 1000m upstream. As you can see by the smile this guy was pumped. Repeat clients John and Candace proved they as well could smack a big fish. Candace tussled with this bad boy until her arm fell off; happily the net was surrounding this mid 30lb Chinook when it happened. After the hot weather we had to leave the river and head out into Saltwater for our joy, as fishing was a no and Mother Nature taking a week off. No worries as John heaved up this fresh Halibut and I had no choice but to run the harpoon thru him. It was something to see as the float that was attached to the rope and harpoon disappear in to the dark blue water of the Douglas Channel. Then it appeared seconds later like an unexpected seal near your boat. John brought the flatfish to the boat with rod and reel and into the cooler it went. Having landed others as well many great bites it was time to get some Salmon. Trolling can be fun in calm water and today we got it, as yesterday was a perfect storm. Having a thunder and lighting storm cross your bow of the boat was the reality that set in, we are so small. We prevailed though bouncing around and hooking fish, in fact when the bite was on the lumpy ride was secondary. We found the fish for sure as Coho, Chinook and Pink Salmon were on the bite, in fact a 25lb Halibut caught while Salmon trolling!
This weeks clients from the UK are Whiteman group so some great action on the fly!
Tracey John Hittel
www.steelheadheaven.ca
www.kitimatadventures.com
Kitimat BC Canada
250 632-9880
250 639-427
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