Sidney Reports 2015

Out yesterday from 12-4. Fished Coal and then the Powder Wharf. Only one hit a the wharf to talk about. No fish in the boat.
 
I've been out at Powder Wharf for a couple hours the past two weekends. Caught a pink that flopped out of the boat and escaped. Talk about feisty! I must have been out at the wrong time because the water was full of grass and other detritus - made trolling a pain. We switched to jigging but still nothing.
I guess the schools of migratory chinooks aren't here yet?
 
Managed to find two smaller fish on the afternoon flood trolling near Sidney spit at 100'. Dedicated a lot time to jigging but couldn't convince any this time around.
 
I've been out at Powder Wharf for a couple hours the past two weekends. Caught a pink that flopped out of the boat and escaped. Talk about feisty! I must have been out at the wrong time because the water was full of grass and other detritus - made trolling a pain. We switched to jigging but still nothing.
I guess the schools of migratory chinooks aren't here yet?

I find a flood tide really plugs up that area with weeds.
 
Fished Sidney area this morning 7-11 started at the spit with no bites. Moved onto Fairfax with 1 pink hit then back to the spit for another try. Released a couple undersize was just about ready to pack it in and whammo! 26lb on a sandlance spoon 27' on the rigger.IMG_20150721_122003.jpg
 
This posted on the Gulf Islands Reports by Atlas Marine. Thought I'd share.
Relevant Sidney Areas: The Vancouver Island side of Fairfax and Coal Island will be closed for retention. Pender Bluffs, Hambley Point, Sidney Channel and Powder Wharf remain unaffected.


"Fishery Notice - Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Subject: FN0786-RECREATIONAL - Salmon: All Salmon Species - South Coast - Areas 17 to 19 - No Salmon Retention

In 2014/2015 Vancouver Island experienced extremely low snowpack with
exceptionally low precipitation during the spring 2015 period. Water levels in
many systems on Vancouver Island are now extremely low and river temperatures
in many cases are reaching lethal limits for salmon migrating through these
systems. Predictions are that above average summer air temperatures and reduced
precipitation will continue, and likely will further contribute to elevated
stream temperatures throughout Vancouver Island.

The Cowichan River is experiencing particularly warm water and low flows at the
present time. It is anticipated that these severe river conditions will cause
Cowichan chinook to stage in the marine area, and likely delay entry into the
river until flows improve. This will likely result in Cowichan chinook being
more vulnerable to fishing in the marine approach areas to the Cowichan River,
due to these river conditions.

A closure was implemented on all southern island freshwater systems, including
the Cowichan River, in early July prohibiting all fishing, including First
Nations FSC fishing. Management measures are now being expanded to the
adjacent terminal marine areas, elevating the key chinook non-retention areas
to salmon non-retention areas. DFO analysis has shown that the implementation
of this management measure will reduce the exploitation rate on Cowichan
chinook.

The following subareas will close to salmon retention effective 00:01h August
4, 2015 until further notice:
Subareas 17-5 to 17-7, 17-9
Subareas 18-6 to 18-8
Subareas 19-7 to 19-12

These areas may re-open to salmon retention, with the non-retention of chinook,
if environmental conditions improve. "
 
Couldn't find a spring today, the big tides made things hard. Lots of bait and lots of pinks at Fairfax.
 
This posted on the Gulf Islands Reports by Atlas Marine. Thought I'd share.
Relevant Sidney Areas: The Vancouver Island side of Fairfax and Coal Island will be closed for retention. Pender Bluffs, Hambley Point, Sidney Channel and Powder Wharf remain unaffected.


"Fishery Notice - Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Subject: FN0786-RECREATIONAL - Salmon: All Salmon Species - South Coast - Areas 17 to 19 - No Salmon Retention

In 2014/2015 Vancouver Island experienced extremely low snowpack with
exceptionally low precipitation during the spring 2015 period. Water levels in
many systems on Vancouver Island are now extremely low and river temperatures
in many cases are reaching lethal limits for salmon migrating through these
systems. Predictions are that above average summer air temperatures and reduced
precipitation will continue, and likely will further contribute to elevated
stream temperatures throughout Vancouver Island.

The Cowichan River is experiencing particularly warm water and low flows at the
present time. It is anticipated that these severe river conditions will cause
Cowichan chinook to stage in the marine area, and likely delay entry into the
river until flows improve. This will likely result in Cowichan chinook being
more vulnerable to fishing in the marine approach areas to the Cowichan River,
due to these river conditions.

A closure was implemented on all southern island freshwater systems, including
the Cowichan River, in early July prohibiting all fishing, including First
Nations FSC fishing. Management measures are now being expanded to the
adjacent terminal marine areas, elevating the key chinook non-retention areas
to salmon non-retention areas. DFO analysis has shown that the implementation
of this management measure will reduce the exploitation rate on Cowichan
chinook.

The following subareas will close to salmon retention effective 00:01h August
4, 2015 until further notice:
Subareas 17-5 to 17-7, 17-9
Subareas 18-6 to 18-8
Subareas 19-7 to 19-12

These areas may re-open to salmon retention, with the non-retention of chinook,
if environmental conditions improve. "

Thanks for that RC.Planning a trip to the bluffs this week so good to know for sure.
 
I was out at the Bluffs this afternoon from 4:30 - 6. Two hits but nothing stuck. Moved over to Fairfax for a bit but not a sniff anywhere to be found.

Lots of Bait at both locations at all depths. Once this full moon goes away, hopefully I'll have better luck. Oh well, have to have a slow day once in a while :)
 
Fished Sidney spit Sunday evening 4-7 with my lovely lady. Hooked into 8 fish (6 undersize all hatchery, 11lb wild red, and a popper I lost when setting the hook.) The girlfriend netted the fiesty keeper like a pro. All caught on sandlance spoon/ green allure tackle "Bobbie" flasher...27-37 in 40-60ft of water.
Fished again Monday and Tuesday morning 6-1. Lost a screamer each morning and a few small one 3-5 lbs. Even bounced over to Fairfax for an hour Monday but no luck there.IMG_20150809_195153.jpg
 
nice fish mark! i have been wanting to get out soon. thats the most sandlance i have ever seen from a salmon.
 
That's a great looking fish! I was out in front of the Spit from 18:30-20:30 on Tuesday. In the couple hours we got a nice 10lb wild and lost a couple others around the same weight. It may not have been a big fish, but it was the first chinook caught in my new (to me) boat! I was starting to think it was cursed :D

There was lots of bait in the water, and also a lot of grass / detritus.

Purple Haze flasher, Green Glow JDF teaser. 40' down, 55 ft of water.
 
Nice one Roberson!! I've seen your boat out there a couple times. I'm gonna give it a try this evening after work. Must be fires in Washington.... Can barely see Sidney from mill bay right now.
 
Thanks Mark - I'm pretty visible eh? :D

I keep seeing boats running to Hambley Point, but don't hear any reports... Has anyone heard anything?

There's the big Renfrew fire too. That must be causing some smoke down here.
 
Fished the Spit again last night 4:30-7:30. 3 shakers and lost a 15ish at the net( my screw up...hook got caught in the netting and the fish death rolled free) he he...that sure stings being the forth biggie in a row I've managed to lose. Saw something pretty cool right before packing it in. A bait ball about a boat length in front of me fluttering on the surface then a 10-15 ish spring launched about 2-3 ft out the water with its mouth wide open. Fish or no fish was a beauty evening on the water.IMG_20150815_195621.jpg
 
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