Published in the Comox Valley Echo...an interesting report!
How's this for size?
44lb Chinook is among run of big fish caught off Comox
Philip Round
Comox Valley Echo
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
When Steve Veloso guided his latest sport fishing visitor out of Comox Harbour on Saturday afternoon, he sensed it was going to be a good day.
"Fishing off Comox has been tremendous this year, unlike some other places in B.C.," he said.
"We've had lots of fish, and lately some really big ones have been coming through, so I thought 'this should be fun'."
But even he was taken aback by the size of the Chinook salmon hauled in - a monster at 44 pounds. And the lines had only been down for four minutes before the huge fish took bit.
"We kept going, but that was the only bite that day - but what a bite!" he said.
But there were more around on Sunday, when a 33 pounder was part of the catch in popular waters off Bates Beach.
"The fish are way bigger than in past years," said the Courtenay resident who has operated Island Pursuit Sport Fishing Charters out of Comox Harbour for the past three years.
"The Charlottes and West Coast have been slow this year, but somehow the Comox Valley is killing it. It's been awesome."
Veloso is just 24 years of age but has been guiding for 12 years, as his wider family is solidly rooted in the fishing industry so he learned the ropes early.
This year it looks like the difference in water temperatures between the west and east sides of Vancouver Island has helped channel more fish through the warmer Georgia Strait.
"Spring salmon, bottom, and crab fishing have been the best in years, and now the big ones are coming through - pulling charters down from Campbell River," he explained.
"The Comox Valley is quickly becoming a fishing destination hot spot, and has definitely proved it so far this year. Comox has been the most consistent fishing spot on the coast."
Hyper 1 - Veloso's 24ft Pursuit craft - is the only charter boat authorized to operate out of Comox Harbour, and this year tourists it has carried have included several from Germany and the United States as well as many sports fishing enthusiasts from Vancouver Island itself.
Go to www.vancouverislandsportfishing.ca for more information about Veloso's charters.
pround@comoxvalleyecho.com
How's this for size?
44lb Chinook is among run of big fish caught off Comox
Philip Round
Comox Valley Echo
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
When Steve Veloso guided his latest sport fishing visitor out of Comox Harbour on Saturday afternoon, he sensed it was going to be a good day.
"Fishing off Comox has been tremendous this year, unlike some other places in B.C.," he said.
"We've had lots of fish, and lately some really big ones have been coming through, so I thought 'this should be fun'."
But even he was taken aback by the size of the Chinook salmon hauled in - a monster at 44 pounds. And the lines had only been down for four minutes before the huge fish took bit.
"We kept going, but that was the only bite that day - but what a bite!" he said.
But there were more around on Sunday, when a 33 pounder was part of the catch in popular waters off Bates Beach.
"The fish are way bigger than in past years," said the Courtenay resident who has operated Island Pursuit Sport Fishing Charters out of Comox Harbour for the past three years.
"The Charlottes and West Coast have been slow this year, but somehow the Comox Valley is killing it. It's been awesome."
Veloso is just 24 years of age but has been guiding for 12 years, as his wider family is solidly rooted in the fishing industry so he learned the ropes early.
This year it looks like the difference in water temperatures between the west and east sides of Vancouver Island has helped channel more fish through the warmer Georgia Strait.
"Spring salmon, bottom, and crab fishing have been the best in years, and now the big ones are coming through - pulling charters down from Campbell River," he explained.
"The Comox Valley is quickly becoming a fishing destination hot spot, and has definitely proved it so far this year. Comox has been the most consistent fishing spot on the coast."
Hyper 1 - Veloso's 24ft Pursuit craft - is the only charter boat authorized to operate out of Comox Harbour, and this year tourists it has carried have included several from Germany and the United States as well as many sports fishing enthusiasts from Vancouver Island itself.
Go to www.vancouverislandsportfishing.ca for more information about Veloso's charters.
pround@comoxvalleyecho.com
