Fishing Report for Week Ending July 17, 2011

Fishing Report for Week Ending July 17, 2011

SALTWATER

OVERVIEW Salmon fishing remains VERY GOOD in most locations. The big pink salmon run has started with limit catches from East Sooke westward. Halibut fishing was FAIR except at Swiftsure Bank where it’s AWESOME.

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Port Renfrew – Fishing for both halibut and salmon has been FANTASTIC out at Swiftsure Bank. Springs, coho, and loads of halibut are being caught by those who venture out to the bank. Limit catches are the rule. Closer in along the beach it has been hot and cold for anglers on big springs, coho and pink salmon. Renfrew is the place to be right now for lots of action.

 

Sooke Salmon fishing was VERY GOOD this past week as the huge pink salmon run that has been predicted has arrived. Anglers fishing for springs were finding it hard at times to keep the pinks off the line while fishing from Sherringham Point to Secretary Island. Those anglers targeting the pinks were fishing the first and second tides lines and limiting out in fairly short order. There were also a few coho (some hatchery) as well. The pinks have been as large as 9 1/2 lbs while the coho are in the 4 to 6 lb size range. Anglers caught several springs in the 30’s, a bunch more in the 20’s and some smaller ones in the teens. A few sockeye were also caught and released as they are not open for retention now. Productive locations were Secretary Island, Otter Point and Sherringham Point. Robin Kelley reported catching a 25lb spring at 60 ft in 80 feet of water off Otter Point, while trolling a Silver Betsy flasher and a Cop Car glow teaser head. Most of the springs were caught on bait (anchovies) but with all the pinks around you have to bring lots of bait. Anchovies have been working best in Purple Haze, Green Glow or Bloody Nose teaser heads. Hootchies and squirts were good in Purple Haze, Glow Below and Electric Chair. The best flasher has been the Silver Betsey and Red/Gold Hot Spot. Mongoose Coyote spoons also work well.

HALIBUT – Halibut action was SLOW due to most anglers out fishing for salmon. Laura Dalgliesh caught a 25 lb halibut while trolling a Mongoose Coyote spoon near the 3rd rock at Otter Point this past weekend. 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 catch halibut with a large spoon fished off the spreader bar, Mudraker or Lucky Jigs or other large Jigs.
Becher Bay – Salmon fishing was REALLY GOOD over the past week. Lots of anglers are limiting out on pink salmon as well as catching cohos and springs. The springs have been pretty good sized with some in the 30’s but most in the 20’s. Joe Zammit landed a 32.8 lb spring off the Trap Shack while trolling an anchovy in a Purple Haze teaser at 80 feet behind a Green/Silver flasher. Jack Blais reported catching a nice 28 Lbs spring at the Trap Shack Friday morning with a friend from work. They also got 4 pinks and one hatchery Coho. Some of the pinks were caught from Aldridge Point, Beechey Head west to Secretary Island but there are even more out on the tide lines. The majority of anglers are now using bait, with anchovies being more popular than herring. Be sure to bring lots of bait though if you’re heading out for springs as the pinks are abundant. The best teaser heads for bait were the Purple Haze, Green Glow and the Bloody Nose. The best flashers have been the Silver Betsey, Red/Gold Hot Spot and Purple Haze. Hootchies and squirts were good in Glow Below, Purple Haze and Electric Chair. Cop Car or Green/Silver Coyote spoons have also been good for springs.



Pedder Bay – Salmon fishing was PRETTY GOOD this past week. The pink run has made it here to the Race but most are out further on the tide lines. Pedder Bay, Whirl Bay and Church Rock did produce a few nice springs into the 30’s in size. Seven year old Nolan Berkes caught his first ever Tyee, a 31 lb spring caught against the rocks in Pedder Bay. An hour later he helped his papa land a 24 lb spring. Anchovy and herring have been the best baits for springs and 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 Silver Betsey 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 worked for springs.

HALIBUT – Halibut fishing was GOOD in the Race Rocks area with 9 halibut brought in on Sunday. 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 catch halibut with a large spoon fished off the spreader bar, Mudraker or Lucky Jigs or other large Jigs.



Victoria Waterfront – Salmon fishing was FAIR for much of this past week. Anglers fishing at Constance Bank reported catching springs into the high teens mid and some pink salmon. Along the waterfront it was slower for springs with about one fish for every other boat. Dave Simpson did well again this past week landing 31½ and 28¾ lb springs. 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 Chartreuse, Clear Blue and the Purple Haze. Many anglers though are fishing squirts and spoons with good success. Good choices in plastic baits are the Electric Chair, Purple Haze and the Glo Below. Good flashers have been the Green/Glow and Green/Silver Hot Spots.

HALIBUT – Halibut fishing was FAIR this past week at Border Bank, Constance Bank and Albert Head due to the big tides. 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 FAIR on the Flats most of this past week. At the beginning of the week it was quite slow, but a few more fish showed up by the end of the week. The pink salmon have not showed up on the Flats yet. Anglers were catching springs 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. Berkley Gulp and Powerbait soft plastics also work very well. You can also catch halibut with a large spoon fished off the spreader bar, Mudraker or Lucky Jigs or other large Jigs.
Sidney – Salmon fishing was VERY GOOD around Sidney this past week. There have been reports of lots of springs in the high teens and 20’s by Moresby Island, Coal Island and Hamley Point. Terry Johns caught a 40 lb spring near the Swartz Bay ferry terminal on a Coho Killer spoon. Dr Allan Cockzinger, visiting from England, landed 24 and 18 lb springs as well as 2 pinks while fishing near Moresby Island. Hootchies have been out producing squirts recently and the hot patterns for springs now are the J-79, Glow Below and Electric Chair. Anchovies in Purple Haze teasers are also working.



Notable Catches – Terry Johns caught a 40 lb spring near the Swartz Bay ferry terminal on a coho killer spoon. Dr Allan Cockzinger, visiting from England, landed 24 and 18 lb springs as well as 2 pinks while fishing near Moresby Island. Dave Simpson did well again this past week landing 31½ and 28¾ lb springs off the waterfront. Seven year old Nolan Berkes caught his first ever Tyee, a 31 lb spring caught against the rocks in Pedder Bay. An hour later he helped his papa land a 24 lb spring. Jack Blais reported catching a nice 28 Lbs spring at the Trap Shack Friday morning with a friend from work. Robin Kelley reported catching a 25lb spring at 60 ft in 80 feet of water off Otter Point, while trolling a Silver Betsy flasher and a Cop Car glow teaser head. Joe Zammit landed a 32.8 lb spring off the Trap Shack while trolling an anchovy in a Purple Haze teaser at 80 feet behind a Green/Silver flasher. Laura Dalgliesh caught a 25 lb halibut while trolling a Mongoose Coyote spoon near the 3rd rock at Otter Point this past weekend.

If you have any fishing info, notable catches, digital photos 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.
Cowichan River – The water level on the Cowichan River is at the summer lows. Fishing is tough and tubers will be out in full force if we ever get a warm, sunny day. Try fishing small nymphs and/or streamer patterns for the Rainbows and Browns. Early in the morning or late in evening would be the best times for trout fishing the river. Nymphs are good flies to use all year round, 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 LakesTrout fishing is FAIR TO 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.

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.


Derek chow with a 5.2 lb Smallmouth Bass

 



Bass Fishing - Bass fishing was GOOD this past week. Anglers have been having good luck with spinnerbaits fished near shore in the mornings and evenings. Top water plugs are also lots of fun early and late into the night when fished near structure and the shoreline. Dustin Ereiser caught a 3lb Largemouth bass from Elk Lake. Derek chow caught a 5.2 pound Smallmouth bass at Elk Lake in the morning on a Heddon surface plug. 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.  



Notable Catches - Derek chow caught a 5.2 pound Smallmouth bass at Elk Lake in the morning on a Heddon surface plug. Dustin Ereiser caught a 3lb Largemouth bass from Elk Lake.  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

 

Change your line. The start of the season is the best time to replace last season’s old, worn and weakened monofilament lines. Damage from abrasion and exposure to UV rays over the past year limits the life span of your line, and you don’t want to try and land that fish of your dreams with line that is just waiting to break.

 

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)    127.5 lbs – Reg Day – Sidney – June 26th

4)    124.6 lbs – Todd Steen – Sidney – May 27th

5) 101.9 lbs – Reg Day – Sidney – June 27th 

Salmon


 

     1) 33.0 lbs – Bill Campbell – Trap Shack – Anchovy – July 5th

     2) 32.8 lbs – Joe Zammit – Trap shack – Anchovy – July 16th

     3) 30.9 lbs – Debbie Campbell – Trap Shack – Anchovy – July 5th

     4) 30.0 lbs – Milk Jadresko – Trap shack – Anchovy - July 5th

     5) 27.5 lbs – Dennis Turnbull – Trap Shack – Anchovy 60’ – June 20th   

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!

See our event pages for upcoming events!