CartFishing Report for Week Ending May 29, 2011
Fishing Report for Week Ending May 29, 2011
SALTWATER
OVERVIEW – Salmon fishing remains SPOTTY overall with the wind being a problem for anglers on the weekend. Halibut fishing was GOOD early in the week but slowed down towards the weekend.
Visit our facebook page to see reports, news and videos by our guides and staff from their most recent trips!
Sooke – Salmon fishing was SPOTTY this past week and the westerly winds were a problem on the wekend. Anglers were catching winter springs near Secretary Island, the Sooke Bluffs, Otter Point and Sherringham Point. The majority of the fin clipped salmon were in the 10 to mid teen’s size. The odd larger “wild” salmon over 20 lbs were also being caught and released, except for those caught west of Sherringham Point where the slot limit does not apply. Most of the fish have been taken close to the bottom in 100 feet of water or deeper. The fish are being caught on all types of gear, although we would give the edge to bait (anchovies) this past week. Anchovies have been working best in Bloddy Nose, Chartreuse or Purple Haze teaser heads. Hootchies and squirts were good in Purple Haze, Glow Below and Lemon Meringue. Green/Slow or Black/Glow spoons have also been good for springs.
HALIBUT – Several halibut were brought in the Jordan River area, but no outstanding catches. Salmon bellies, Mackerel, Extra Large herring and/or Octopus are the most popular baits for halibut. Berkely Gulp and Powerbait soft plastics also work very well. You can also use a large spoon fished off the spreader bar, Mudraker or Lucky Jigs or other large Jigs if you want to stay away from the dogfish.
Becher Bay – Salmon fishing was SLOW over the past week with only a few hatchery springs between 10 to 17 lbs seen at the Marina. The best fishing recently was near Whirl Bay and the Bedfords but anglers also had some luck in Becher Bay, both inside and outside of Frazer Island, near Aldridge Point, off the Trap Shack and by Secretary Island. The fish are being caught on all types of gear, but have shown a preference for anchovies. The best teaser heads for bait were the Glow Green and the Bloody Nose. The best flashers have been the Purple Onion, Red Glow and Purple Haze. Hootchies and squirts were good in Tiger Prawn, Glow Below and Lemon Meringue. Cop Car or Green/Silver Coyote spoons have also been good for springs.
Pedder Bay – Salmon fishing was SPOTTY this past week with not too many people catching salmon. Whirl Bay and Church Rock did produce a few fish from 7 to 12 lbs in size. Anchovy and herring have been very productive baits for springs and probably have an edge over other lures right now. Bloody Nose and Purple Haze teaser heads have been the most popular when using bait and the best flashers have been the Purple Onion, Red Glow and Purple Haze. Hootchies and squirts were good in Purple Haze, Electric Chair and Lemon Meringue. Cop Car or Green/Silver Coyote spoons have also been good for springs.
HALIBUT – Halibut fishing was FAIR with fish coming from the Race Rocks area. Salmon bellies, Mackerel, Extra Large herring and/or Octopus are the most popular baits for halibut. Berkely Gulp and Powerbait soft plastics also work very well. You can also use a large spoon fished off the spreader bar, Mudraker or Lucky Jigs or other large Jigs if you want to stay away from the dogfish.
Victoria Waterfront – Salmon fishing was GOOD for much of this past week out at Constance Bank. Anglers fishing at the Bank reported catching hatchery springs into the mid teens. That said, the guide boats seemed to be limiting out while the unguided anglers weren’t having nearly as good luck. Closer in, it was slow for hatchery springs from the Albert Head to Clover Point. They seem to be in one spot one day and somewhere else the next day. Seals stealing fish continue to be a problem off the waterfront. Anchovies and herring are top producers this time of year as well, especially in the medium and large sizes. The best teaser head colors are the Bloody Nose and the Purple Haze. Many anglers though are fishing squirts and spoons along the bottom at 120 to 160 feet. Good choices in plastic baits are the Electric Chair, Purple Haze and the Baitrix Tiny Strip. Good flashers have been the Green/Glow and Purple Onion.
HALIBUT – Halibut fishing was FAIR this past week at Border Bank, Constance Bank and Albert Head. Salmon bellies, Mackerel, Extra Large herring and/or Octopus are the most popular baits for halibut. Berkley Gulp and Powerbait soft plastics also work very well. You can also use a large spoon fished off the spreader bar, Mudraker or Lucky Jigs or other large Jigs if you want to stay away from the dogfish.
Oak Bay – Salmon fishing had been SPOTTY on the Flats most of this past week. Some days the fishing has been good and other days it’s been slow. Anglers were catching hatchery springs up to 17 lbs while fishing close to the bottom where needlefish are the major food source. The best bet is trolling right on bottom in 80 to 150 feet of water with squirts, Baitrix tiny strip, small anchovy or Coho Killer spoons. Good squirts were the Electric Chair, Pickle Green, J-79 and Jellyfish. With spoons, 3½” or 4” Gypsy, Titans, and Coyotes in Cop Car or Silver/Green colors and the Gold Star Coho Killer. Glow in the dark flashers would be the best choice for springs now.
HALIBUT – Halibut fishing was FAIR in Oak Bay and Haro Strait. Salmon bellies, Mackerel, Extra Large herring and/or Octopus are the most popular baits for halibut. Berkely Gulp and Powerbait soft plastics also work very well. You can also use a large spoon fished off the spreader bar, Mudraker or Lucky Jigs or other large Jigs if you want to stay away from the dogfish.
Sidney – Salmon fishing was SLOW around Sidney this past weekend. We’ve only heard of one fish caught and that was near the Red Can in the Sidney channel. The springs have been feeding on needlefish in water as shallow as 50 feet when you can find them. The best soft plastic lures to use for springs now are the J-79, Mint Tulip and Purple Haze Squirts. Anchovies and Tiny Strip are also working. Todd Steen found out that the halibut fishing can be good around Sidney when he landed a 124.6 lb halibut this past Friday.
Notable Catches – Todd Steen found out that the halibut fishing can be good around Sidney when he landed a 124.6 lb halibut this past Friday. If you have any fishing info, notable catches, digital photos (please send as attachments) or tips that you would like to share or have included in our fishing report, please email us at info@fishingvictoria.com. Also, check out our blog and facebook page for links to recent videos and reports from our staff.
OVERVIEW – Fishing is FAIR TO GOOD on the local lakes for trout and bass. The mornings and evenings have been the best while it’s been slow in the middle of the day. Please remember that bass are closed for retention on all southern island lakes through June 15th.
Cowichan River – The Cowichan River water level is still quite high and is at 1.2 meters near the lake today. Fly anglers have been doing very well in the top end of the river on browns and rainbows and the occasional cutthroat. For fly anglers there is good insect activity and it’s best to match the hatch. Goddard Caddis Flies have been working well when the caddis flies are hatching. When the mayflies are hatching a #14 Adams is a good choice. Nymphs are good all year, especially Prince, Caddis, and Mayfly nymphs. Wooly Buggers work well for brown trout, as do Bunny Leeches and Zonkers. Remember that it’s barbless hooks only and there is a bait ban on the river.
Local Lakes – Trout fishing is GOOD on most lakes in the South Island area. The biggest trout continue to be caught at Elk Lake with Langford Lake being your next best bet to hook into a real “lunker”. We’ve had reports of trout pushing 4 lbs coming in from these lakes.
The Vancouver Island Hatchery reported that their stocking of lower Island lakes with Fraser Valley catchable rainbows is winding down. On May 24th 100 catchable rainbows weighing 242 on average were released into Iad Anne Lake. On May 3rd there were 890 trout released into Fuller Lake, 500 into Chemainus and Thetis Lakes, 400 into Dougan Lake and 268 into Langford Lake. On May 10th there were 550 released into Echo and Darkis Lakes, 150 into Lookout Lake and 100 into Ida Anne Lake.
Many anglers are catching trout near the bottom on either Powerbait Gulp eggs, or worms. Fly anglers are mostly using chironomids, Wooly Buggers or leech pattern flies. Trollers have been doing OK with a variety of lures. The Rhys Davis Baitrix Trout lures and UV Mini Strip Teasers work well for larger fish. Other good trolling lures are the Apex Trout Killers with the police car one of the best and the black with silver glitter spots taking second place. Flatfish and/or Kwikfish have also been effective in sizes 5 to 7 in Frog, Yellow with Red Spots or Blue/Silver. Smaller Rapalas in Rainbow Trout or Brown Trout patterns also work well. Lastly, Willow Leaf Lake trolls with a worm-tipped GIBBS Wedding Band will almost always catch some fish. By the way, all wild rainbows and cutthroats over 50 cm must be released in Cowichan Lake.
Bass Fishing - Bass fishing was PICKING UP this past week. The water temperature is increasing and the fish are more active and moving into shallower water both to spawn and to feed. The fly fishing for smallmouths has been good and that’s a great way to catch and release them, especially with barbless hooks. Suspending Rapalas (X-Rap, Husky Jerk) are working with a bit slower retrieve and a lot of twitching action for the bigger fish. Bass are also biting near the drop offs in deeper water. However, some anglers are doing well with spinner baits too. Langford Lake, Shawnigan Lake, Prospect Lake and Elk and Beaver Lakes are the best local bass lakes. St. Mary’s Lake on Salt Spring Island is also a great lake for bass fishing. Young angler Keiran Rampon caught and released his first smallmouth bass at Beaver Lake last Monday. Please remember that bass are closed for retention on all southern island lakes through June 15th.
Notable Catches – Young angler Keiran Rampon caught and released his first smallmouth bass at Beaver Lake last Monday. If you have any fishing info, notable catches, digital photos (please send as attachments) or tips that you would like to share or have included in our fishing report, please email us at info@fishingvictoria.com. Also, check out our blog and facebook page for links to recent videos and reports from our staff.
FISH TIP OF THE WEEK
For many anglers it is the beginning of fishing season and they are about to take their first trip of the year. Before you go on that long anticipated first trip, go over all your gear in detail. Replace last year’s line with new line, get rid off old leaders and replace them with new ones and clean up anything that’s tarnished. It wouldn’t hurt to do an inventory of all your gear and make sure that you have everything that you need before venturing forth. Every year we hear a sad story of someone out for the first time and hooking a monster, only to lose it to worn tackle that they just didn’t bother to replace. Don’t let that be you.
Island Outfitters Leader Board – 2011
Halibut
1) 231.4 lbs – Terry Zarelli – Race Rocks area – Octopus- March 25th
2) 194.4 lbs – Al Crow – Sooke – Salmon Head – May 14th
3) 124.6 lbs – Todd Steen – Sidney – May 27 th
4) 83.7 lbs – Al Zaalberg – Oak Bay – May – May 14th
5) 74.0 lbs – Barry Eaglestone – Oak Bay – May 14th
We are now waiting for the first big springs of the year to be weighed in at the store. Maybe you will be bringing in the biggest one this year!
2011 DERBIES and EVENTS
Island Outfitters starts and ends the year with the free for fun and prizes Salmon and Halibut Leader Board. Simply weigh your catch in at Island Outfitters and the top five fish in each category on December 31st wins a special prize. Everybody who enters a fish gets a prize! Maybe it will be you bringing in the big one! Please let us know as early as possible about your up coming events in 2011!
June 12th: The Sidney Anglers’ President’s Derby: Heaviest salmon wins $200, second $150, third $100, fourth $75, fifth $50, heaviest fish (juniors only) $25 and a Draw prize of $25. Open to paid up members only.
June 18th – 19th: 25th Annual Alpine Juan de Fuca Salmon Derby -- The Island’s largest invitational derby. $80,000 in cash and prizes will be awarded. Tickets are $90 per rod, which includes a derby shirt, hat, and entrance to the awards banquet. For information on the derby visit the web site www.jdfsalmonderby.com or call (250) 478-6153.
June 26th: The Sidney Anglers’ BBQ & Picnic: Open to paid up members only.
September 11th: The Sidney Anglers’ Roundup Derby: Heaviest salmon wins $200, second $150, third $100, fourth $75, fifth $50, heaviest fish (juniors only) $25 and a Draw prize of $25. Open to paid up members only.
SALTWATER
OVERVIEW – Salmon fishing remains SPOTTY overall with the wind being a problem for anglers on the weekend. Halibut fishing was GOOD early in the week but slowed down towards the weekend.
Visit our facebook page to see reports, news and videos by our guides and staff from their most recent trips!
Sooke – Salmon fishing was SPOTTY this past week and the westerly winds were a problem on the wekend. Anglers were catching winter springs near Secretary Island, the Sooke Bluffs, Otter Point and Sherringham Point. The majority of the fin clipped salmon were in the 10 to mid teen’s size. The odd larger “wild” salmon over 20 lbs were also being caught and released, except for those caught west of Sherringham Point where the slot limit does not apply. Most of the fish have been taken close to the bottom in 100 feet of water or deeper. The fish are being caught on all types of gear, although we would give the edge to bait (anchovies) this past week. Anchovies have been working best in Bloddy Nose, Chartreuse or Purple Haze teaser heads. Hootchies and squirts were good in Purple Haze, Glow Below and Lemon Meringue. Green/Slow or Black/Glow spoons have also been good for springs.
HALIBUT – Several halibut were brought in the Jordan River area, but no outstanding catches. Salmon bellies, Mackerel, Extra Large herring and/or Octopus are the most popular baits for halibut. Berkely Gulp and Powerbait soft plastics also work very well. You can also use a large spoon fished off the spreader bar, Mudraker or Lucky Jigs or other large Jigs if you want to stay away from the dogfish.
Becher Bay – Salmon fishing was SLOW over the past week with only a few hatchery springs between 10 to 17 lbs seen at the Marina. The best fishing recently was near Whirl Bay and the Bedfords but anglers also had some luck in Becher Bay, both inside and outside of Frazer Island, near Aldridge Point, off the Trap Shack and by Secretary Island. The fish are being caught on all types of gear, but have shown a preference for anchovies. The best teaser heads for bait were the Glow Green and the Bloody Nose. The best flashers have been the Purple Onion, Red Glow and Purple Haze. Hootchies and squirts were good in Tiger Prawn, Glow Below and Lemon Meringue. Cop Car or Green/Silver Coyote spoons have also been good for springs.
Pedder Bay – Salmon fishing was SPOTTY this past week with not too many people catching salmon. Whirl Bay and Church Rock did produce a few fish from 7 to 12 lbs in size. Anchovy and herring have been very productive baits for springs and probably have an edge over other lures right now. Bloody Nose and Purple Haze teaser heads have been the most popular when using bait and the best flashers have been the Purple Onion, Red Glow and Purple Haze. Hootchies and squirts were good in Purple Haze, Electric Chair and Lemon Meringue. Cop Car or Green/Silver Coyote spoons have also been good for springs.
HALIBUT – Halibut fishing was FAIR with fish coming from the Race Rocks area. Salmon bellies, Mackerel, Extra Large herring and/or Octopus are the most popular baits for halibut. Berkely Gulp and Powerbait soft plastics also work very well. You can also use a large spoon fished off the spreader bar, Mudraker or Lucky Jigs or other large Jigs if you want to stay away from the dogfish.
Victoria Waterfront – Salmon fishing was GOOD for much of this past week out at Constance Bank. Anglers fishing at the Bank reported catching hatchery springs into the mid teens. That said, the guide boats seemed to be limiting out while the unguided anglers weren’t having nearly as good luck. Closer in, it was slow for hatchery springs from the Albert Head to Clover Point. They seem to be in one spot one day and somewhere else the next day. Seals stealing fish continue to be a problem off the waterfront. Anchovies and herring are top producers this time of year as well, especially in the medium and large sizes. The best teaser head colors are the Bloody Nose and the Purple Haze. Many anglers though are fishing squirts and spoons along the bottom at 120 to 160 feet. Good choices in plastic baits are the Electric Chair, Purple Haze and the Baitrix Tiny Strip. Good flashers have been the Green/Glow and Purple Onion.
HALIBUT – Halibut fishing was FAIR this past week at Border Bank, Constance Bank and Albert Head. Salmon bellies, Mackerel, Extra Large herring and/or Octopus are the most popular baits for halibut. Berkley Gulp and Powerbait soft plastics also work very well. You can also use a large spoon fished off the spreader bar, Mudraker or Lucky Jigs or other large Jigs if you want to stay away from the dogfish.
Oak Bay – Salmon fishing had been SPOTTY on the Flats most of this past week. Some days the fishing has been good and other days it’s been slow. Anglers were catching hatchery springs up to 17 lbs while fishing close to the bottom where needlefish are the major food source. The best bet is trolling right on bottom in 80 to 150 feet of water with squirts, Baitrix tiny strip, small anchovy or Coho Killer spoons. Good squirts were the Electric Chair, Pickle Green, J-79 and Jellyfish. With spoons, 3½” or 4” Gypsy, Titans, and Coyotes in Cop Car or Silver/Green colors and the Gold Star Coho Killer. Glow in the dark flashers would be the best choice for springs now.
HALIBUT – Halibut fishing was FAIR in Oak Bay and Haro Strait. Salmon bellies, Mackerel, Extra Large herring and/or Octopus are the most popular baits for halibut. Berkely Gulp and Powerbait soft plastics also work very well. You can also use a large spoon fished off the spreader bar, Mudraker or Lucky Jigs or other large Jigs if you want to stay away from the dogfish.
Sidney – Salmon fishing was SLOW around Sidney this past weekend. We’ve only heard of one fish caught and that was near the Red Can in the Sidney channel. The springs have been feeding on needlefish in water as shallow as 50 feet when you can find them. The best soft plastic lures to use for springs now are the J-79, Mint Tulip and Purple Haze Squirts. Anchovies and Tiny Strip are also working. Todd Steen found out that the halibut fishing can be good around Sidney when he landed a 124.6 lb halibut this past Friday.
Notable Catches – Todd Steen found out that the halibut fishing can be good around Sidney when he landed a 124.6 lb halibut this past Friday. If you have any fishing info, notable catches, digital photos (please send as attachments) or tips that you would like to share or have included in our fishing report, please email us at info@fishingvictoria.com. Also, check out our blog and facebook page for links to recent videos and reports from our staff.
FRESHWATER
OVERVIEW – Fishing is FAIR TO GOOD on the local lakes for trout and bass. The mornings and evenings have been the best while it’s been slow in the middle of the day. Please remember that bass are closed for retention on all southern island lakes through June 15th.
Cowichan River – The Cowichan River water level is still quite high and is at 1.2 meters near the lake today. Fly anglers have been doing very well in the top end of the river on browns and rainbows and the occasional cutthroat. For fly anglers there is good insect activity and it’s best to match the hatch. Goddard Caddis Flies have been working well when the caddis flies are hatching. When the mayflies are hatching a #14 Adams is a good choice. Nymphs are good all year, especially Prince, Caddis, and Mayfly nymphs. Wooly Buggers work well for brown trout, as do Bunny Leeches and Zonkers. Remember that it’s barbless hooks only and there is a bait ban on the river.
Local Lakes – Trout fishing is GOOD on most lakes in the South Island area. The biggest trout continue to be caught at Elk Lake with Langford Lake being your next best bet to hook into a real “lunker”. We’ve had reports of trout pushing 4 lbs coming in from these lakes.
The Vancouver Island Hatchery reported that their stocking of lower Island lakes with Fraser Valley catchable rainbows is winding down. On May 24th 100 catchable rainbows weighing 242 on average were released into Iad Anne Lake. On May 3rd there were 890 trout released into Fuller Lake, 500 into Chemainus and Thetis Lakes, 400 into Dougan Lake and 268 into Langford Lake. On May 10th there were 550 released into Echo and Darkis Lakes, 150 into Lookout Lake and 100 into Ida Anne Lake.
Many anglers are catching trout near the bottom on either Powerbait Gulp eggs, or worms. Fly anglers are mostly using chironomids, Wooly Buggers or leech pattern flies. Trollers have been doing OK with a variety of lures. The Rhys Davis Baitrix Trout lures and UV Mini Strip Teasers work well for larger fish. Other good trolling lures are the Apex Trout Killers with the police car one of the best and the black with silver glitter spots taking second place. Flatfish and/or Kwikfish have also been effective in sizes 5 to 7 in Frog, Yellow with Red Spots or Blue/Silver. Smaller Rapalas in Rainbow Trout or Brown Trout patterns also work well. Lastly, Willow Leaf Lake trolls with a worm-tipped GIBBS Wedding Band will almost always catch some fish. By the way, all wild rainbows and cutthroats over 50 cm must be released in Cowichan Lake.
Bass Fishing - Bass fishing was PICKING UP this past week. The water temperature is increasing and the fish are more active and moving into shallower water both to spawn and to feed. The fly fishing for smallmouths has been good and that’s a great way to catch and release them, especially with barbless hooks. Suspending Rapalas (X-Rap, Husky Jerk) are working with a bit slower retrieve and a lot of twitching action for the bigger fish. Bass are also biting near the drop offs in deeper water. However, some anglers are doing well with spinner baits too. Langford Lake, Shawnigan Lake, Prospect Lake and Elk and Beaver Lakes are the best local bass lakes. St. Mary’s Lake on Salt Spring Island is also a great lake for bass fishing. Young angler Keiran Rampon caught and released his first smallmouth bass at Beaver Lake last Monday. Please remember that bass are closed for retention on all southern island lakes through June 15th.
Notable Catches – Young angler Keiran Rampon caught and released his first smallmouth bass at Beaver Lake last Monday. If you have any fishing info, notable catches, digital photos (please send as attachments) or tips that you would like to share or have included in our fishing report, please email us at info@fishingvictoria.com. Also, check out our blog and facebook page for links to recent videos and reports from our staff.
FISH TIP OF THE WEEK
For many anglers it is the beginning of fishing season and they are about to take their first trip of the year. Before you go on that long anticipated first trip, go over all your gear in detail. Replace last year’s line with new line, get rid off old leaders and replace them with new ones and clean up anything that’s tarnished. It wouldn’t hurt to do an inventory of all your gear and make sure that you have everything that you need before venturing forth. Every year we hear a sad story of someone out for the first time and hooking a monster, only to lose it to worn tackle that they just didn’t bother to replace. Don’t let that be you.
Island Outfitters Leader Board – 2011
Halibut
1) 231.4 lbs – Terry Zarelli – Race Rocks area – Octopus- March 25th
2) 194.4 lbs – Al Crow – Sooke – Salmon Head – May 14th
3) 124.6 lbs – Todd Steen – Sidney – May 27 th
4) 83.7 lbs – Al Zaalberg – Oak Bay – May – May 14th
5) 74.0 lbs – Barry Eaglestone – Oak Bay – May 14th
Salmon
We are now waiting for the first big springs of the year to be weighed in at the store. Maybe you will be bringing in the biggest one this year!
2011 DERBIES and EVENTS
Island Outfitters starts and ends the year with the free for fun and prizes Salmon and Halibut Leader Board. Simply weigh your catch in at Island Outfitters and the top five fish in each category on December 31st wins a special prize. Everybody who enters a fish gets a prize! Maybe it will be you bringing in the big one! Please let us know as early as possible about your up coming events in 2011!
June 12th: The Sidney Anglers’ President’s Derby: Heaviest salmon wins $200, second $150, third $100, fourth $75, fifth $50, heaviest fish (juniors only) $25 and a Draw prize of $25. Open to paid up members only.
June 18th – 19th: 25th Annual Alpine Juan de Fuca Salmon Derby -- The Island’s largest invitational derby. $80,000 in cash and prizes will be awarded. Tickets are $90 per rod, which includes a derby shirt, hat, and entrance to the awards banquet. For information on the derby visit the web site www.jdfsalmonderby.com or call (250) 478-6153.
June 26th: The Sidney Anglers’ BBQ & Picnic: Open to paid up members only.
September 11th: The Sidney Anglers’ Roundup Derby: Heaviest salmon wins $200, second $150, third $100, fourth $75, fifth $50, heaviest fish (juniors only) $25 and a Draw prize of $25. Open to paid up members only.