Fishing Report for Week Ending April 8, 2012

Fishing Report for Week Ending April 8, 2012

SALTWATER


OVERVIEW Salmon fishing was PICKING UP on the weekend. Weather continues to limit the number of boats on the water. Halibut fishing was slower with the big tides and fast currents this past week. Seals are still a problem for anglers fishing off ofVictoria.
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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 SLOW 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 GOOD 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 side of the bay from Fraser Island to Lamb Island. It’s been decent 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 GOOD. Springs came in fromChristopherPoint,WhirlBay andPedderBay. Most of the salmon were less than 8 lbs but there were a few larger ones up to 12 lbs. 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. Kingfisher spoons in Green/White or Black/Glow and Green/Silver Coyote spoons have also worked very well for the salmon.

Halibut – – Halibut fishing was SLOW on the weekend. A couple of fish in the 30’s were brought in, but no “barn doors”. 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 GOOD out at Constance Bank. At the bank anglers were catching fish mostly fish within the slot size restriction, but some hatchery fish up to 20 lbs were also caught there. The fish were in all areas of the bank. Closer in, anglers caught a few fish near Victoria Harbor and Albert Head, but the fishing there was not nearly as good as on the bank. 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 SLOW on the weekend. Constance bank had been the best spot, but the currents were over 3 knots there, much too strong for good fishing.. 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 FAIR on the Flats. 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 SLOW 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 was GOOD near Fairfax Point and inSidney channel. Springs as large as 14 lbs were taken on the weekend. Many anglers have been catching 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. Most lakes are in spring turnover or have just finished. Steelhead fishing is waning in the rivers and mostly kelts are being caught.

Cowichan River – The water level on theCowichanRiver is still high and the weir on the lake is open. The water level today was 1.4 meters near the lake and 1.3 meters nearDuncan. Water clarity has been excellent and steelhead (mostly kelts) in all sections of the river. There is a log across the river aboveSkutzFalls and one boat flipped on it last week. Both gear and fly anglers have been catching fish. 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. The trout fishing at the top end is slow as the water is high and cold and not many insects are hatching now.



Local LakesTrout 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 Laketrolls 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 inCowichanLake. Konrad Herrmann caught a 20 1/2 inch, 3.3 pound rainbow trout while trolling a black leech fly atElkLake. Sean Cheesman was fishing for the first time in 20+ years and caught a 19 rainbow trout while trolling onElkLake.



 

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, 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. Skyler Kaplanchuk caught a 4 lb 4 oz smallmouth bass on April 4th at Elk Lake.

 Notable Catches – Konrad Herrmann caught a 20 1/2 inch, 3.3 pound rainbow trout while trolling a black leech fly at Elk Lake. Sean Cheesman was fishing for the first time in 20+ years and caught a 19 rainbow trout while trolling on Elk Lake. Skyler Kaplanchuk caught a 4 lb 4 oz smallmouth bass on April 4th at Elk Lake.

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

 FISH TIP OF THE WEEK


Vary your depth when trolling for trout. Trout are often found at different depths through out the day, as insect and bait fish activity changes.  If they stop biting at one level, go up or down in depth until you find them again.

 
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 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.