CartFishing Report for Week Ending April 1, 2012
Fishing Report for Week Ending April 1, 2012
OVERVIEW – Weather continues to limit the number of boats on the water. Halibut fishing is still the focus of most anglers fishing over the weekend. There were some nice ones caught, most of the guides got limits, and a few others got a fish or two. Salmon fishing was FAIR due to low angler effort. Seals are still a problem for anglers fishing off ofVictoria.
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 slot limit size winter springs for those that braved the windy weather. 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. Anchovies are catching the most fish and have been working best in Bloody Nose and Army Truck teaser heads. The fish are hitting hootchies as well, especially white ones. Other hootchies and squirts are good in Purple Haze, Cloverleaf and Glo Below. Cop Car or Green/Silver Coyote spoons have also been good for springs. The best flasher has been the Silver Betsey and Silver Fever Hot Spot.
Halibut – – Halibut fishing was FAIR over the weekend. 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. There were several hatchery Chinooks weighing into the mid teens caught, as well as the smaller slot size unclipped salmon. The best fishing was on the west of the bay from Creyke Point to Aldridge Point. It’s also been fair from Beechey Head to Iron Mine Bay 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 and Army Truck. 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.
Pedder Bay – Salmon fishing was FAIR, but very few boats were going out for salmon. Most of the boats were after halibut on the weekend. That said, a few springs came in from Christopher Point and Whirl Bay, but nothing over 8 lbs that we know of. Anchovies are the most productive bait now. The best teaser heads for anchovies were the Army Truck, Purple Haze and the Bloody Nose. The best flashers have been the Silver Betsey and Army Truck. 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 on the weekend. The guide boats were doing well with limit catches for their clients, but other anglers did not fare as well. One 40 lb halibut was caught while trolling for salmon by the buoy at the mouth of the bay. Extra Large herring, mackerel, 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 but not many boats were salmon fishing this past weekend. At the bank anglers were catching fish mostly fish within the slot size restriction, and not many hatchery fish, 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 weren’t doing any better while fishing near Victoria Harbor and Albert Head. The springs have shone a preference for bait over artificial lures these past few past weeks. 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 GOOD on the weekend. 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 GOOD this past week. 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 FAIR with Coal Island to Deep Cove the most productive area. We’ve heard of a couple of springs in the 14-15 lb size spring coming from there on the weekend. 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.
Notable Catches – Please send photos and descriptions of your notable catch to our email info@fishingvictoria.com
FRESHWATER
OVERVIEW – Fishing is PICKING UP on the local lakes for both trout and bass. The spring stocking of lakes has started and most lakes now have some fresh, catchable rainbows in them. Steelhead fishing is waning in the rivers and mostly kelts are showing up in the catches.
Cowichan River – The water level on theCowichanRiver has increased slightly over the last coule of days. The water level today was 1.4 meters both near the lake and near Duncan. Water clarity has been excellent and anglers are catching steelhead in all sections of the river. The Riverbottom and Bible Camp areas have been the most popular areas to fish for steelhead. Both gear and fly anglers have been catching fish. Many of the fish are quite colored and there are lots of 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 steelhead on flies, most anglers chose to use floats and gear.
Local Lakes – Trout fishing is PICKING UP on most lakes in the South Island area. Spring stocking of the local lakes has started. Spring stocking of the local lakes has started. On March 8th, Elk Lake received 1,768 catchable rainbows and another 2,000 catchable rainbows on March 9th. On March 12th, Glen Lake received 500 catchable rainbows and Langford Lake received 1,239 catchable rainbows. On March 13th, 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. On March 23rd,ProspectLake received another 1,800 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, Willow Leaf Lake trolls with a worm-tipped GIBBS Wedding Band will almost always catch some fish. The biggest trout continue to be caught at Elk Lake with Langford Lake being 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. Nick Evans landed a 17” rainbow from the fishing pier at Elk Lake
Bass Fishing - Bass fishing is PICKING UP. Slow presentations with soft plastics work best, and look for the fish suspended in deeper water. Langford Lake, ShawniganLake, 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 – Please send photos and descriptions of your notable catch to our email info@fishingvictoria.com
An invaluable but overlooked tool for trout anglers is the stomach pump. This neat little tool allows you to take a sample of what the fish is eating from out of the fish without doing it any harm. If you want to increase your fly fishing success you definitely need a stomach pump.
2) 104.0 lbs – Scott Craven – OakBay–Salmon belly– March 16th
3) 80.4 lbs – Matt Treadwell – Constance Bank –Salmon belly– March 4th
4) 46.0 lbs – John Bruce – SecretaryIsland– Herring – March 10th
5) 40.4 lbs - William Markowski – Oak Bay – Octopus - March 16th
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!
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 2012!
April 6th and 7th: Island Outfitters 18th Anniversary Sale: Our storewide annual sale with LOTS of great deals and bargains.
April 14th. The 5th 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 28th: The Sidney Salmon Derby. Rod Tickets are only $100.00 each! Banquet Tickets are $22.00 (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 12th and 13th: The 16th 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.
SALTWATER
OVERVIEW – Weather continues to limit the number of boats on the water. Halibut fishing is still the focus of most anglers fishing over the weekend. There were some nice ones caught, most of the guides got limits, and a few others got a fish or two. Salmon fishing was FAIR due to low angler effort. Seals are still a problem for anglers fishing off ofVictoria.
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 slot limit size winter springs for those that braved the windy weather. 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. Anchovies are catching the most fish and have been working best in Bloody Nose and Army Truck teaser heads. The fish are hitting hootchies as well, especially white ones. Other hootchies and squirts are good in Purple Haze, Cloverleaf and Glo Below. Cop Car or Green/Silver Coyote spoons have also been good for springs. The best flasher has been the Silver Betsey and Silver Fever Hot Spot.
Halibut – – Halibut fishing was FAIR over the weekend. 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. There were several hatchery Chinooks weighing into the mid teens caught, as well as the smaller slot size unclipped salmon. The best fishing was on the west of the bay from Creyke Point to Aldridge Point. It’s also been fair from Beechey Head to Iron Mine Bay 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 and Army Truck. 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.
Pedder Bay – Salmon fishing was FAIR, but very few boats were going out for salmon. Most of the boats were after halibut on the weekend. That said, a few springs came in from Christopher Point and Whirl Bay, but nothing over 8 lbs that we know of. Anchovies are the most productive bait now. The best teaser heads for anchovies were the Army Truck, Purple Haze and the Bloody Nose. The best flashers have been the Silver Betsey and Army Truck. 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 on the weekend. The guide boats were doing well with limit catches for their clients, but other anglers did not fare as well. One 40 lb halibut was caught while trolling for salmon by the buoy at the mouth of the bay. Extra Large herring, mackerel, 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 but not many boats were salmon fishing this past weekend. At the bank anglers were catching fish mostly fish within the slot size restriction, and not many hatchery fish, 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 weren’t doing any better while fishing near Victoria Harbor and Albert Head. The springs have shone a preference for bait over artificial lures these past few past weeks. 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 GOOD on the weekend. 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 GOOD this past week. 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 FAIR with Coal Island to Deep Cove the most productive area. We’ve heard of a couple of springs in the 14-15 lb size spring coming from there on the weekend. 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.
Notable Catches – Please send photos and descriptions of your notable catch to our email info@fishingvictoria.com
FRESHWATER
OVERVIEW – Fishing is PICKING UP on the local lakes for both trout and bass. The spring stocking of lakes has started and most lakes now have some fresh, catchable rainbows in them. Steelhead fishing is waning in the rivers and mostly kelts are showing up in the catches.
Cowichan River – The water level on theCowichanRiver has increased slightly over the last coule of days. The water level today was 1.4 meters both near the lake and near Duncan. Water clarity has been excellent and anglers are catching steelhead in all sections of the river. The Riverbottom and Bible Camp areas have been the most popular areas to fish for steelhead. Both gear and fly anglers have been catching fish. Many of the fish are quite colored and there are lots of 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 steelhead on flies, most anglers chose to use floats and gear.
Local Lakes – Trout fishing is PICKING UP on most lakes in the South Island area. Spring stocking of the local lakes has started. Spring stocking of the local lakes has started. On March 8th, Elk Lake received 1,768 catchable rainbows and another 2,000 catchable rainbows on March 9th. On March 12th, Glen Lake received 500 catchable rainbows and Langford Lake received 1,239 catchable rainbows. On March 13th, 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. On March 23rd,ProspectLake received another 1,800 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, Willow Leaf Lake trolls with a worm-tipped GIBBS Wedding Band will almost always catch some fish. The biggest trout continue to be caught at Elk Lake with Langford Lake being 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. Nick Evans landed a 17” rainbow from the fishing pier at Elk Lake
Bass Fishing - Bass fishing is PICKING UP. Slow presentations with soft plastics work best, and look for the fish suspended in deeper water. Langford Lake, ShawniganLake, 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 – Please send photos and descriptions of your notable catch to our email info@fishingvictoria.com
FISH TIP OF THE WEEK
An invaluable but overlooked tool for trout anglers is the stomach pump. This neat little tool allows you to take a sample of what the fish is eating from out of the fish without doing it any harm. If you want to increase your fly fishing success you definitely need a stomach pump.
Island Outfitters Leader Board – 2012
Halibut
1) 115.4 lbs – Andrew Stawicki – OakBay– Herring - March 17th
2) 104.0 lbs – Scott Craven – OakBay–Salmon belly– March 16th
3) 80.4 lbs – Matt Treadwell – Constance Bank –Salmon belly– March 4th
4) 46.0 lbs – John Bruce – SecretaryIsland– Herring – March 10th
5) 40.4 lbs - William Markowski – Oak Bay – Octopus - March 16th
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 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 2012!
See our event pages for upcoming events!
April 6th and 7th: Island Outfitters 18th Anniversary Sale: Our storewide annual sale with LOTS of great deals and bargains.
April 14th. The 5th 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 28th: The Sidney Salmon Derby. Rod Tickets are only $100.00 each! Banquet Tickets are $22.00 (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 12th and 13th: The 16th 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.