Fishing Report for Week Ending March 18, 2012

SALTWATER

OVERVIEW – High winds kept anglers off the water for much of the week. Halibut fishing was the focus of almost all boats out fishing on the weekend due to favorable currents. There were some big ones caught, most of the guides got limits, and about one out of four other boats landed a halibut. Salmon fishing was SLOW due to low angler effort and weather. Seals are still a problem for anglers fishing off ofVictoria.

Important meeting notice!

The Sport fishing Advisory Board Victoria Area Committee is having a meeting on Wednesday, March 21^st at 7:00 PM, at the Four Points Sheraton Hotel, West Shore Ballroom, 829 McCallum Road, in Langford (Behind Costco – Free parking). Anglers who fish the waters off Sooke, Victoria, Sidney, the Southern Gulf Islands and the public are welcome. Halibut and chinook fisheries will be discussed. Our area is a target for fishery measures that could include shutting down of our summer fishing, Please plan to attend and show your support for our fishery.

Visit our facebook page to see reports, news and videos by our guides and staff from their most recent trips!

Sooke – Salmon fishing was FAIR for winter springs up to 12 lbs. Most of the salmon are still smaller fish though. The fish are still deep, and close to the bottom, from 120 to 160 feet on the downrigger, in 100 to 180 feet of water. Much of the action is coming from the harbor entrance and SecretaryIsland along the Bluffs to the trailer Park. The fish are hitting hootchies well, especially white ones. Other hootchies and squirts are good in Purple Haze, Cloverleaf and Glo Below. Anchovies are still catching fish and have been working best in Bloody Nose and Army Truck teaser heads. The best flasher has been the Silver Betsey and Silver Fever Hot Spot. Cop Car or Green/Silver Coyote spoons have also been good for springs.

Halibut – – Halibut fishing was FAIR due to poor weather. That said, a few halibut, nothing big, were reported at the marinas. Extra Large herring, Salmon Bellies 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 – The fishing was FAIR for winter springs. The best fishing was on the outside of the bay, closer to Creyke Point and Aldridge Point. Several fish up to 14 lbs were caught there. Anglers fishing further away atWhirlBay and theBedfordIslands did not do nearly as well, probably because the weather made it harder to fish there. It’s also been fair from Beechey Head toIronMineBay when the weather lets you fish there. Fishing close to the bottom is the key to success in all areas. The hot bait this past week was the anchovy. The best teaser heads for anchovies were the Purple Haze and the Bloody Nose. The best flashers have been the Green/Silver Hot Spots and Oki’s. Hootchies and squirts were good in White/Silver, Glo Below and Mint Tulip. Cop Car, Glow/Green or Green/Silver spoons have also been good for springs.

Cheanuh Marina reported seeing some lots of halibut up to 70 lbs, mostly from the Race Rocks area.

Pedder Bay – Salmon fishing was SLOW, with strong winds limiting the number of boats going out fishing. Also, most of the boats were out after halibut. A few springs came in from William head and Albert Head, but nothing over 8 lbs. Anchovies are the most productive bait now. The best teaser heads for anchovies were the Purple Haze and the Bloody Nose. and the best flashers have been the Silver Betsey and Purple Haze. Hootchies and squirts were good in Glo Below, Mint Tulip and Purple Haze. Coho Killer spoons in Green/White and Green/Silver Coyote spoons have also worked very well for the springs.

Halibut – – Halibut fishing was GOOD due to moiré favorable currents, but winds hampered the anglers most days. A 72 lb halibut was the largest seen at the marina. The guide boats were doing well with limit catches for their clients, but other anglers did not fare as well. Extra Large herring, Salmon Bellies 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 FAIR out at Constance Bank and along the waterfront this past weekend. That said, very few boats were out after salmon, as the tides were good for halibut and there is a slot size restriction in place for salmon. Also, strong winds prevented most anglers from fishing most of this past week. At the bank anglers were catching fish up to 14lbs, that is, if the seals did not get them first. The bank was best for those anglers bottom bouncing in 120’ to 150’ of water. Closer in, anglers were getting fish up into the teens while fishing near Victoria Harbor and Clover Point. The springs have shone a preference for bait over artificial lures this past week. Anchovies are the most productive bait now and have been working best in Bloody Nose teaser heads. Coho Killers, Green/Glow and Army Truck spoons are working well for winter springs. Hootchies and squirts are good in Electric Chair, Cloverleaf and Glo Below. Good flashers have been the Green/Glow and Green/Silver Hot Spots.

Halibut – – Halibut fishing was FAIR on the weekend with the favorable currents. On Saturday, 18 boats checked at the Esquimalt Anglers’ ramp had a catch of 8 halibut. Constance bank was the best spot. Extra Large herring, Salmon Bellies 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.

Oak Bay – Salmon fishing was SLOW on the Flats with the weather being a negative factor much of the week. Also, most anglers were focused on catching halibut. Anglers had been catching salmon while trolling in the Gap and on the Flats. The best bet is trolling right on bottom in 100 to 150 feet of water with squirts, Baitrix tiny strip, small anchovy or Coho Killer spoons. Good squirts are the Cloverleaf, J-79 and Electric Chair. 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 on the weekend with a few big ones coming in. On Saturday, Scott Craven and his partner Tim Hogue came in with a 104 lb halibut that they caught on salmon belly. On Sunday, Andrew Stawicki, William Markowski, Corey Lamont and Matt teamed up to land two nice halibut that weighed 115.4 & 40.4 lbs. Extra Large herring, Salmon Bellies and/or Octopus are the most popular baits for halibut. Berkely Gulp and Powerbait soft plastics also work very well. 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 has been SLOW aroundSidney withCoalIsland the most productive location. It’s been slower in the south end of the Sidney Channel. There had been lots of springs around the minimum size length this winter. Many anglers have been fishing for springs using anchovies in Bloody Nose, Purple Haze and UV Green teaser heads. Squirts have been out producing hootchies recently and the hot patterns for springs now are the J-79, Glow Below and Electric Chair. Mongoose Coyote spoons have also been working well. Homemade Tiny Strip is also working very well.

The Sidney Anglers Association held their annual Dallas Stober Halibut Derby this past Sunday. First place went to Steve Cote for a 72 lb halibut caught near D’Arcy Island. Second place went to Brian Dunic for a 45.2 lb halibut caught near Zero Rock. Third place went to Doug Forsythe for a 22 lb halibut from near Zero Rock.

Notable Catches – Andrew Stawicki, William Markowski, Corey Lamont and Matt teamed up to land two nice halibut on Sunday weighing 115.4 & 40.4 lbs. On Saturday, Scott Craven and his partner Tim Hogue came in with a 104 lb halibut that they caught on salmon belly. The Sidney Anglers Association held their annual Dallas Stober Halibut Derby this past Sunday. First place went to Steve Cote for a 72 lb halibut caught near D’Arcy Island. Second place went to Brian Dunic for a 45.2 lb halibut caught near Zero Rock. Third place went to Doug Forsythe for a 22 lb halibut from near Zero Rock.

The Royal Canadian Navy Anglers Association handed out their annual trophies at their annual general meeting last Thursday. The trophy for the largest spring went to K. Hamilton for a 50 lb spring. The largest Coho trophy went to Terry Wambach for a 13 lb 3 oz fish. The largest halibut trophy went to Cody French for a 66 lb halibut. The trophy for the largest spring caught by a junior angler went to Luke Eilertsen for a 32.5 lb spring.

Please send photos and descriptions of your notable catch to our email info@fishingvictoria.com

FRESHWATER

OVERVIEW – Fishing is SLOW on the local lakes for both trout and bass. However, it should pick up as the spring stocking of lakes has started. Steelhead fishing is going strong in the rivers but lots of kelts are now showing up in the catches.

Cowichan River – The water level on theCowichanRiver has increased again, but only slightly. Water clarity has been good and anglers are getting some nice steelhead in all sections of the river. The Riverbottom and Bible Camp areas have been the most popular areas to fish. Both gear and fly anglers have been consistently catching fish. There was a fresh run of fish that entered the river recently. Some of the fish being caught are quite colored and there are reports of lots more kelts being caught. For steelhead, good lures to fish are Spin ‘n Glo’s, Corkies, Gooey Bobs and the always reliable Pink Worm. We’ve also had reports of anglers using large Golden Stone Fly nymphs below strike indicators or floats and being very, very successful. Although many anglers are successful catching winter runs on flies, most anglers chose to use floats and gear.

Local Lakes – Trout fishing is SLOW on most lakes in the South Island area, especially since some of the lakes are turning over. Spring stocking of the local lakes has started. On March 8^th, Elk Lake received 1,768 catchable rainbows and another 2,000 catchable rainbows on March 9^th. On March 12^th, Glen Lake received 500 catchable rainbows and Langford Lake received 1,239 catchable rainbows. On March 13^th, Kemp Lake received 500 catchable rainbows. Matheson Lake received 500 catchable rainbows, Colwood Lake received 250 catchable rainbows, Prospect Lake received 1,704 catchable rainbows and Ida Anne Lake received 150 catchable rainbows

Many anglers are catching trout on both Powerbait, Gulp! eggs, or worms, especially while fishing from the shore. Fly anglers are mostly using Wooly Buggers or leech patterns. Trollers have been doing OK with a variety of lures but we’ve heard tat the Orange Hot Shot has been good. The Rhys Davis Baitrix Trout lures and UV Mini Strip Teasers work well for larger fish too. 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, WillowLeafLaketrolls with a worm-tipped GIBBS Wedding Band will almost always catch some fish. The biggest trout continue to be caught at ElkLakewith LangfordLakebeing your next best bet to hook into a real “lunker”. By the way, all wild rainbows and cutthroats over 50 cm must be released in Cowichan Lake. Theron Keel was fishing Chemainus Lakeand caught a 6.5 pound rainbow trout on Thursday, March 15^th!

Bass Fishing - Bass fishing is SLOW. Slow presentations with soft plastics work best, and look for the fish suspended in deeper water. 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 – Theron Keel was fishing Chemainus Lake and caught a 6.5 pound rainbow trout on Thursday, March 15^th! The Royal Canadian Navy Anglers Association handed out their annual trophies at their annual general meeting last Thursday. The trophy for the largest steelhead went to Dale Eilertsen for a 10 lb steelhead. Largest trout (both junior and overall) went to Cody French for a 3 lb 3 oz trout. Largest trout in the ladies category went to Betty Cole fro a 2 lb 12 oz trout. Largest smallmouth Bass went to Tom Vaida for a 2 lb 8 oz bass.

Please send photos and descriptions of your notable catch to our email info@fishingvictoria.com

FISH TIP OF THE WEEK

Add a little bait or scent to your lure. Whether it’s a piece of worm on a Flatfish fished for trout, or a piece of herring strip on a Coyote Spoon fished for salmon, you can improve the fish catching capabilities of your lure by sweetening it up with a piece of bait. But be sure to check the regulations first, if you are fishing in freshwater, since bait or scent is not legal in all waters.

Island Outfitters Leader Board – 2012

Halibut

1) 115.4 lbs – Andrew Stawicki – OakBay– Herring - March 17^th

2) 104.0 lbs – Scott Craven – OakBay–Salmon belly– March 16^th

3) 80.4 lbs – Matt Treadwell – Constance Bank –Salmon belly– March 4^th

4) 46.0 lbs – John Bruce – SecretaryIsland– Herring – March 10^th

5) 40.4 lbs - William Markowski – Oak Bay – Octopus - March 16^th

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!

2012 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 31^st 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 2012!

See our event pages for upcoming events!

March 27^th:EARLY BIRD TICKET NIGHT for the The 16th Annual Just for the Halibut Derby will be Tuesday, March 29th at the 6 Mile Pub. Festivities start at 6:30 PM. See you there!

April 6^th and 7^th:Island Outfitters 18^th Anniversary Sale: Our storewide annual sale with LOTS of great deals and bargains.

April 14^th. The 5^th Annual Elk Lake Take a Kid Fishing Derby. Tickets are Adults - $25, Children under 16 - $10. All ticket holders are entered into the draw for a new boat and motor package. First place prizes of $1,000 for the largest tout and the largest bass. This derby has live release weigh boats and weigh-station located strategically on the lake. For more info contact us at 350-475-4969.

April 28^th: The Sidney Salmon Derby. Rod Tickets are only $135.00 (including the banquet) each! Guest Banquet Tickets are $35.00 (including HST). Scales close at 4:00pm.- Banquet Dinner at Tulista Park starts after 4:00pm. Prizes to be won! 1st Place; $5,000 2nd Place; $3,000 3rd Place; $2,000: Plus Draw Prizes and 50/50 Tickets! All proceeds go to Salmon Enhancement Tickets available at Island Outfitters

May 12^th and 13^th: The 16^th Annual Just for the Halibut Derby. First prize is $7,500 cash, 2nd prize is $2,500, and 3rd prize is $1,000 cash. A hidden weight “Bonus” prize is sponsored by SG Power. Tickets are available at Island Outfitters, Pedder Bay Marina or Cheanuh Marina. Call 250-475-4969 for more information.