Bamfield Fishing Reports

[Striper Sniper]

Let's try this again.... --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hey, from what I can tell, If you don't know Osama, you can't afford the beer................... SS

 

[Osama Bin Hopper]

I hardly drink beer at all...

Heading out in about an hour or so with another local guide. Hopefully between the two heads we'll hunt one up! Will update upon my return!

Backatit - I'll drink your beer, I just can't guarantee results...

Gimee the gaff!!!

 

[Osama Bin Hopper]

Owen lost a nice one at Swale...

One other hit there, then an hour and a half in Vernon for nothing.

GORGEOUS day out there. Sunny and pancake.

Gimee the gaff!!!

 

[cloud]

Fog Ducker....and early predictions from Fisheries on summer runs/returns in the Bamfield area ?

Thanks

Cloud

 

[the fog ducker]

Hey Cloud , interesting question , I am sure there are guy's on this forum that could answer this alot better than I , please input from other members is welcome , the guides may watch this closer than I . My Crystal Ball , from reading several predictions , in a blip , last year was most likely the bottom of the cycle , we are expecting a much better year in numbers and size , both salmon and halibut out on the banks. Last years size and numbers were well down from the past years. A much better return this year ( American Fish as Well )out on the banks. The inside , will also be better than last, " Average " is the commonly used forecast , I personally found it was not all that bad last year, all around , there were fish for all , just not the high catch rate were use to , as the previous 5 years . 2010 , sounds like we will be back to the glory days,of recent seasons. , Can't wait , hope DFO gets there head out of there ars , figures this crap out , SOON !! Cheers , FD---Osama , hows the " Get serious Fishing " doing buddy , any pre Derby Reports ?[)] thanks..

 

[Osama Bin Hopper]

They are certainly not in thick yet by any means.

My wife and I trolled the harbour mouth and wall on Saturday for about 2 hours and managed a small ling and a rock cod.

Neil from Island Fish Camp and I went yesterday from about 12-4. Started at the harbour mouth and worked towards the whistle buoy - one shaker. I could see a troller at the surfline so figured I'd make my way out there and fish with him a bit.

Once past the breakers the port rod started pounding away and sure enough Neil managed to boat a nice 7-8lb winter. Gear was down 150' in 165' of water. Chrome 3.5' coyote above a green hot spot false flaser.

We only had about 30 mins left to fish, no other bites so home we came. Wish I had been there the whole time, but really didn't even expect the area to be fishable, it still looked pretty bumpy.

So while the fish aren't abundant yet, there are a few about if you put in some time. It will get steadily better throughout February.



Gimee the gaff!!!

 

[the fog ducker]

Thanks for the Report Doug.... .... FD

FISHING REPORT: PORT ALBERNI INLET, BARKLEY SOUND (WEST COAST)
UCLUELET, SOMASS STAMP RIVER SYSTEM

FEBRUARY 24TH 2009
SLIVERS CHARTERS SALMON SPORT FISHING
DOUG LINDORES
1 877 314 6800

It is almost the end of February and the saltwater fishing season is closing in on us very quickly. Winter Spring sport fishing out of Ucluelet and Barkley Sound has been on for almost a month. The weather has been absolutely unbelievable. We have had more hours of sunshine this year on the West Coast and the Alberni Valley than any other year that can be remembered (at least it seems that way).
One problem with having the great weather that we have had is that for this time of year there is very little snow pack which is not good for the summer.
The preseason forecast for returning salmon to this area in August and September is quite good. The migratory fish swimming down the coastline of Vancouver Island is forecast to be one of the best years ever. According to various Fisheries officers in Canada and the US the return of salmon to the Fraser River and the Columbia River is very high. Many of these fish come into Barkley Sound during June, July, August and September to feed on the rich resources of bait fish. We are very excited about the fishing opportunities in June and July in Barkley Sound. In August Chinook and Coho returning to the Robertson Creek Hatchery in Port Alberni and salmon returning to the various rivers and creeks in the Sound area will also provide unbelievable fishing opportunities.
This Areas Sport Fishing Advisory Board has recently made a public announcement that there will be a sockeye opening in the Port Alberni Inlet this summer. This is great news as this will be the first opportunity to fish sockeye since the summer of 2006. There has been no formal announcement on run size, limits, or when the actual season will open but the news is fantastic for the sport fisherman, fishing charter guides, and the community as a whole in terms of tourism.

Port Alberni Inlet
Barkley Sound
Every February a few local sport fishermen and also local sport fishing charter guides fish the Inlet around Nahmintand Franklin River. This year is no different and with so many gorgeous days on the water some local sport fisher people have been out on the water. Finding bait in the Nahmint area local sport fishermen decided to troll the area with anchovy and hootchies. One local sport fisherman picked up one of the largest Winter Chinook of the season. In an area known s Bells Bay this sport fishing enthusiast hit a 22 pound fish that just did not want to come into the boat. This fish battled for well over twenty minutes until finally giving up. This fish and other feeder Chinook ranging in the 8 to 12 pound range hit an anchovy in a chartreuse Rhys Davis Teaser head. Leader length was five and a half feet. There has been a few other Winter Chinook in the area reported to be in the 20 to 22 pound range in the Bells Bay Nahmint-Franklin area. Most of the fish in the Inlet have been in 80 to 100 feet of water. The Barkley Sound area has many good areas to fish Winter Chinook. The weekend of FEBRUARY 28th and March 1st is the 21st annual Sproat Loggers Winter Spring Fishing Derby. This Derby is based out of Poett Nook which is just on the other side of Sarita. (traveling toward Bamfield) This Derby has a cost of $15 per person. It is not $15 per rod. There are a lot of fantastic prizes that will be awarded on Sunday at 12 noon. There are only 500 tickets printed which can be picked up at the Port Alberni and Nanaimo Gone Fishing Stores and also Port Boat House. Launching and moorage etc. on this derby weekend at the Nook is free of charge. Sarita Bay, the mouth of the Bamfield Harbor, Samatao Bay, Pill Point and Diplock, Vernon Bay, Canoe Pass area, and Swale Rock to name a few can all be hot spots for feeder spring fishing. Of course these salmon are always found in good numbers in areas where there is bait. This past Saturday 3 guests from Alberta enjoyed a beautiful day on the water with Slivers Charters guide Al. Pill Point showed a few fish in the 100 to 130 foot depth but showed no interest to bite. There were fish around Diplock that were not that deep and there seemed to be quite a few shallow fish off of Swiss Boy. However Vernon Bay and the area just out from Canoe Pass had bait showing and salmon that were interested in biting. From noon to about 2 pm eight fish hit and four were taken at the boat. Anchovy in a green Rhys Davis Teaser head and hootchies in green and blue and white were also working well behind a green hot spot flasher. Guide Ken has been fishing the area of Samatao over the last couple of weeks had has found some smaller fish in the eight to ten pound range. The fish in Samatao have not been deep and have been hitting white hootchies (AORL12) with 40 to 44 inches of leader behind various flasher colors.
Those people interested in coming to Vancouver Island should be making their plans. Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing is currently booking summer trips for the Port Alberni Inlet, Barkley Sound and the West Coast.

West Coast (Ucluelet)
Most of our trips for Winter Chinook to date have been into Barkley Sound.
We have fished Mayne Bay where quite a bit of bait has been found. Many of the feeders in the area are 6 to 8 pounds. The back area of Swale Rock has had some good days. Any fishing close to Ucluelet has been just outside the Harbor and close to Beg Island and the lighthouse. The Herring spawn is getting close and the herring should be headed toward the beach which should really pick up our fishing over the next couple of weeks. Do not miss out on our SEAFOOD SAFARI which features Salmon, Rock Fish, Prawns and Crab. We are also encouraging people to do some whale watching in March and April and at the same time enjoy some fishing opportunities. Late March and April is often beautiful with quiet water on the open Pacific Ocean.

Stamp River
We are still in the midst of steelhead fishing on the upper and lower Stamp. The guides are on the water everyday and have a bit of an advantage because of this. We usually have one or two boats in either area. Some days have been fantastic where guides are hitting up to 8 or 9 fish. Other days are slower where only 2 or 3 hit. The water levels have been low which can make it very difficult to fish. One of the guides recently hit a 15 pound Winter Steelhead for guests from Italy. The biggest fish of the season is still 18 pounds. We are hoping for some rain to bring water levels up. If this occurs the fishing will really improve. We have been happy to date with our results however. It does help to be on the river on a daily basis. Many who are just coming on their own have gone home fairly flustered and frustrated. We are expecting the Winter Steelhead fishing to continue right until the end of March.

We are expecting some great continued winter fishing. On the horizon it looks like a very good year for summer salmon fishing especially on the west coast and Barkley Sound. Port Alberni Inlet fishing should and will be much better than last year. Sockeye numbers are good enough to have an announced
Sport fish opening. Chinook and Coho returns should be very strong.

For more Information
Contact:
Doug
1-250 723 2435 or
1-877 314 6800
dlindy@shaw.ca
www.catchsalmon-ca.com
www.catchsalmon.ca
1-250 731 7389 (cell)

 

[Sea Morgan]

Great news, especially on the Sockeye.

 

[the fog ducker]

OK , Caught up now I think, Well , First , the Fishing Report ,We were on the water for an hour and a half on Friday Evening ( March 27/09 ), rolled the dice, worked our way over to Kirby, to stretch out the lines ,made 3 or for passes in 160 ft of water , gear spread out from 100 to 150 ft , natta !! was getting dark , packed it in . Saturday Morning , first day of the Derby , rolled the dice again , Sarita it was ,My Aunt's favorit spot , She called it !! put down a Glo Flo 5.0 Coyote, 42 in. behind a Chrome " Abe & Al " , Yes a " Abe & Al " Randy's Call " !! down to 135 ft in 150 ft of water , Wham , an 18 lb Beauty . Set our lines again ,making our 3rd pass , another hard hit , this time on a Chrome/Green 5.0 Coyote , also 42 in. behind a Green/Glo Hotpot Flasher, a nice fat 14 lb 'er . It was now around 10:00 Am , Wind was picking up a little , was still kinda hurtin from the night before , made a couple of more passes , our last fish @ 8 lbs hit a Green SpackleBack Hootchie behind a CopCar Flasher !! , Pulled the lines , back at the dock by 11:00 . Sunday , Got out at 8:30 Am again , water was a little better than Saturday Afternoon apparently, fished for three hours , returned to the dock for the official Weigh in , with one more 10lb'er , that we cut up and ate for dinner , Unreal !! Also at North Sarita , 135ft in 150 ft Water , Green SpackleBack Hootchie again . All in all ,Luck was on our side , we did alright. Was told by several fisherman that things were on the slow side in other areas , Killer Whales were seen Cruising all day Saturday, throughout the Sound !! . Nice to go fishing for 3 day's , fuel bill was under $ 100 !! Crabbing was Excellent again , " Alaskan Size " Dungees , Prawning was Good , not as productive as January for us , there were a number of pots out front !!

Here are some photos of the 2009 Loggers Derby , Unfortunately I don't have the names of all , my list got destroyed in the Storm Sunday Night.It was nice meeting a few from the forum , We had a great time , Any of you that have not been in this Derby , you have to check it out in the years to come , Very Well Organized , Holy Prizes , I think all walked out with some gadget in there hands, Thanks to Poett Nook Marina for getting all up and running , looked great , Thanks Gary & Dianne for all your hard work , FD

First and Second Place
# 1 - Blain Belton = 19 lbs
# 2 - Matt Klyne + 18.5 Plbs

# 3 - Team " Fog Ducker " . Felix Kosi + Randy Polajzar = 18 lbs ( Right Fish , Randy's )

Randy And Super Mom , Marijana Polajzar ( NOT Marijuana ..[)] )

Last , Our Friends from Poet Nook Marina & CampGround

Thanks again , look forward to next year ,

Cheers... FD ...







Spelling

 

[Dirtdog67]

Nice Work-dirty

 

[the fog ducker]

Doug Lindores Report Update , Slivers Charters

Thanks Doug..

FISHING REPORT: PORT ALBERNI INLET, BARKLEY SOUND, (WEST COAST)
UCLUELET SOMASS-STAMP RIVER SYSTEM
1-877 314 6800
March 13th 2007
Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing
Doug Lindores

We are now into almost mid March and even though it is rather cool, and yes still some mornings with a bit of snow on the ground, many local fishermen and salmon fishing charter guides are gearing up for a season of fishing which looks rather spectacular. The Port Alberni Inlet will once again have a sockeye fishery. This is very exciting as sockeye have not been available for 2 full summers in the Inlet. At this time numbers and limits are not available but the Sport Fishing Advisory Board has announced a sport fishery will occur. The Port Alberni Inlet will also have a very strong return of Chinook and Coho Salmon in August and September. Most of these salmon will be returning to the Somass-Stamp River System and its Tributaries. Many are returning to Robertson Creek Hatchery. Barkley Sound should be absolutely fabulous. The migratory fish swimming down the coast of Vancouver Island are predicted to be very high in numbers. Chinook returning to the Columbia River are forecast to be well over 500,000. This is almost 300,000 more than in the summer of 2008. Coho returns are forecast to be above 1.2 million. Many of these salmon that will be swimming the Vancouver Island coast line will flood into Barkley Sound to feed on the rich resources of bait fish.
The Stamp River drift and jet boat fishing whether fishing traditionally or on the
Fly will have fabulous fishing for Coho and Summer Steelhead in late September,
October and November. For those who enjoy river fishing make sure you reserve your spot now as river fall fishing is booking up quickly.

Port Alberni Inlet
Barkley Sound
There has been some nice Winter Chinook in the Inlet around Ten Mile Point and the Franklin Wall. The largest fish to date, caught near Bells Bay, is holding at 22 pounds. Recently the Sproat lake Loggers Winter Spring Fishing Derby took place with the winning fish and the second place fish coming out of the Inlet also close to Ten Mile Point. First place went to Blain Belton who picked up a 19 pound beauty and second place to Matt Klyne with an 18.5 pound Winter Chinook. The third place fish went to Felix and Randy who fish under the name “The Fog Ducker”. Fishing in Sarita Bay very close to the Derby headquarters, Poett Nook, Felix and Randy hit an 18 pound Chinook on 5 inch Glo Flo coyote spoon with 42 inches of leader behind an Abe and Al #1 flasher. This fish was in 130 feet of water and it claimed the third place winners a prize of $300. Sarita Bay was good for this particular crew as they picked up three more salmon weighing 14, 10, and 8 pounds. A spatterback hootchie behind a cop car flasher was working well and a five inch chrome/green coyote spoon behind a green hotspot flasher created some good action. Charter and salmon fishing guide Jim had our guests from Saskatoon Saskatchewan out fishing on Thursday and again this past Sunday. Both days were absolutely spectacular in terms of weather and the Winter Chinook guided fishing trip was not too bad either. On Thursday Ten Mile point produced a nice ten pound salmon. This fish hit an AORL12 hootchie which is white but turns bluey in the water. Pill Point using the same lure produced an 8 pound fish. Sarita Bay again in about 130 feet of water produced a 12 and 15 pound salmon. Both hit the green spatterback hootchie which had 42 inches of leader behind a green/glo hotspot flasher. Sunday the crew from Saskatoon spent a little time crabbing and prawning. The results were favorable. But Sunday night with the crab and prawns and a couple of 9 pound winter Chinook, which were picked up just outside the mouth of Poett Nook, a wonderful west coast barbecue with some of the best seafood found in the world made the Saskatoon guests holiday on the west coast of Vancouver Island very memorable.
We are expecting the Winter Chinook fishing in Barkley Sound and areas around Bamfield to really pick up over the next few weeks.

Ucluelet
We have not done a lot of fishing out of the Ucluelet Harbor and areas close. We have done a few prawn trips and mixed in some salmon fishing into the Sound around Mayne Bay. Usually by the beginning of March there is a lot of Bait in many of the areas of Barkley Sound especially around Canoe Pass, the back end of Swale Rock, and Vernon Bay but this has not held true this year. Three trips around Mayne Bay have produced only three 8 pound Chinook and Swale Rock has produced about the same. Local Ucluelet fisherman Willem was out fishing the rocks on Monday morning the 9th of March and picked up four 10 pound Chinook on a blue-green hootchie behind 44 inches of leader and a green hotspot flasher. The area that he picked up the fish was just behind Great Bear. The herring spawn should be upon us very quickly as they come to the beach to spawn. This should bring in good numbers of winter feeders. We are beginning our SEAFOOD SAFARI in early April. People will have opportunity to fish for prawns, crab, bottom fish and salmon. Again, there is nothing better than having accommodation at a nearby bed and breakfast or resort and barbecuing that delicious fresh seafood catch.
We are also offering whale watching on our guided fishing charters. On an eight hour day we offer 2 hours of whale watching and the other 6 hours towards salmon fishing. If desired we can do 4 and 6 hour whale watching tours. This is also a most wonderful day on the open Pacific. This Saturday March 14th is the opening of the 23rd annual Pacific Rim Whale festival. This event continues through March 22nd and features not only some guided whale watching or just looking for the Grey Whale from the Whale Watching Station at Amphitrite Point but also sandcastle building, kite flying, it features the 13th annual Chowder chowdown, Rainforest walks, and even story telling by famed artist Roy Henry Vickers. Ucluelet hosts the Chowder chowdown. The event takes place on Sunday March 15th from 11am until 2 pm at the Seaplane Base Recreation Hall. Cost is $25 for the family or $10 per adult and $5 for kids.
Bring the family to the Pacific Rim during Spring Break. Enjoy the festivities and take us up on a salmon charter and whale watching activity.

Stamp River
Steelhead fishing during the winter has been up and down but most of the guides have a general feel and have had some great days with a good number of hookups. This past weekend guide Nick fished with guests from Calgary and Vancouver and hooked into 12 Steelhead on Saturday and six on Sunday. On Saturday Nick and guests drifted the upper river and had great success as the 12 hookups that occurred were hitting 4 inch pink worms, spinners (colorados), jigs and Hot Shot Plugs. Sunday was a fabulous day with bright sunshine and bit of frost in the early morning but by noon the temperature was about 10 degrees Celsius. Fishing the lower river and below “the bucket” aboard a jet boat roe bags produced some great steelhead. Surprisingly a good number of the fish hooked were hatchery fish. The guests released all hooked fish. We are now expecting some very good river fishing as the water will warm up a little and the Steelhead will become more active as has been the case the last few days. From March 8th until about the 25th of March the last big schools of fresh Winter Steelhead will surge into the river. We are expecting to fish the Stamp until mid April.

Port Alberni Salmon Derby
The Port Alberni Salmon Derby is a 3 day event that takes place during the Labor Day weekend. The event this year is at prime time. Plenty of Chinook and Coho will be in the mix in both the Port Alberni Inlet and Barkley Sound. It is a great way to complete a summer of salmon fishing. This years’ derby dates are September 5th, 6th, and 7th. Call Doug at 1 877 314 6800 for further information.

Outlook
Great summer fishing is forecast for Barkley Sound and the west coast in June, July, August, and September. Port Alberni Inlet will feature Sockeye fishing in June and July. In August and September Chinook and Coho in the Inlet will be very good. In an article written in the Columbian Allen Thomas a columnist says the fishing along the coast lines of B.C. and Washington will be “absolutely fantastic”. Thomas says that Federal and Tribal biologists are forecasting well over 1.2 million Coho to swim the waters of the Pacific Ocean off of Vancouver Island. These fish are returning to the Columbia River and its tributaries. The Chinook return should be over 600,000. The migratory salmon coming into Barkley Sound and the return of local Coho and Chinook should make it for a spectacular summer. There is also expected to be a huge return of Fraser River Sockeye.

For more information
Contact:
Doug Lindores
Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing
www.catchsalmon-ca.com
www.catchsalmon.ca
dlindy@shaw.ca e- mail
250 723 2435 (home)
250 724 2502
1 877 314 6800
250 731 7389 (cell)