Fishing Report for Week Ending July 29, 2012

Fishing Report for Week Ending July 29, 2012


SALTWATER


OVERVIEW – Coho salmon fishing was EXCELLENT west of Race Rocks and all salmon fishing was VERY SLOW east of Race Rocks. A huge run of coho were in Juan De Fuca Strait with many of the coho marked, hatchery fish, delighting anglers. Chinook fishing was definitely slower than last week. Halibut fishing was FAIR although dogfish were a problem.

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

Port Renfrew – Fishing has been VERY GOOD in Port Renfrew. Swiftsure Bank has been good for spring salmon running from 10 to 25 lbs, coho to 12 lbs and halibut to 30 lbs. Closer in, it’s picked up for springs, mostly near Logan and Camper creeks.

6 yr old Benat Garat caught his first salmon (nice hatchery coho) unaided near Muir Creek


Sooke – Salmon fishing was EXCELLENT for cohos his past week. Quite a lot hatchery coho up to 12 lbs in size have been caught with most boats getting limits. 6 yr old Benat Garat caught his first unaided salmon (nice hatchery coho) near Muir Creek, while trolling a Buzz Bomb from a kayak. There have been a few sockeyes caught as well. Sockeyes are not available retention at this time and must be released, just as the wild coho have to be released. Spring salmon fishing was pretty slow up until Saturday night and it was much better yesterday, so it looks like a new run is coming through. Most springs were caught near Secretary Island and Possession Point. Anchovies and small herring are catching the most fish. Bloody Nose, Glow Green and Purple Haze teaser heads. The best flasher has been the O’KI Super Betsey and HOT SPOT Gold Fever Hot. The fish will also hit hootchies and squirts, especially white ones. Other hootchies and squirts that are good are Purple Haze, Cloverleaf and Glo Below. Blue/Silver or Green/Silver Coyote spoons have also been good for coho.

The 7th Annual Consultants Invitational Fishing Derby was held on Saturday. First place went to Bill West with a 26.5 lb chinook. Rodrigo Disegni placed second with a 26.4 lb chinook and Brendan Sterling was third with a 22.6 lb chinook.

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, a Jig-a-Lu, Big Eye Jigs, Lucky Jigs or other large Jigs if you want to stay away from the dogfish.

Becher Bay – It was EXCELLENT for cohos his past week. Anglers have been bringing back lots of hatchery coho up to 12 lbs, besides the occasional chinook. Anglers targeting the coho have usually have been getting limit catches of hatchery marked fish. A 32 lb chinook salmon was caught off of Beechey Head on Sunday and Perry Brewer caught a 28lb Spring off Beechy Head as well, fishing at 90 ft. with a Cop Car Coyote spoon, and silver Betsy Flasher. A 28 lb spring was caught off of Aldridge Point on Sunday as well. Most of the springs are being caught between 55 and 120 feet and weigh in the teens. The favored bait this past week was once again anchovy in a teaser head. The best teaser head colours were Bloody Nose, Army Truck, Green Glow and Purple Haze. The best flashers have been the Super Betsey and the Gold Fever. Hootchies and squirts were good in White, Glo Below and Purple Haze. Cop Car, Mongoose Coyotes or Green/Silver Coho Killer spoons have been good for both springs and coho.

Pedder Bay – Salmon fishing was EXCELLENT for cohos most of this past week. It was SLOW for Chinooks though. The fishing for coho off Church Rock and Whirl Bay was a little slower than last week, but most boats still got limits.. Most of the springs caught in the bay were feeders. Anchovies are the most popular bait now. The best teaser heads for anchovies were the Glow Green, Purple Haze and the Bloody Nose. The best flashers have been the Silver Fever and Super Betsey. Hootchies and squirts were good in White, 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. The Coho Killer spoons have been deadly on coho when trolled quickly.

Halibut – Halibut fishing was FAIR on the weekend. Halibut up to 45 lbs were brought in this past week. Berkeley Gulp and Powerbait soft plastics also work very well. You can also use a large spoon fished off the spreader bar, a Jig-a-Lu, Big Eye Jigs, 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 VERY SLOW off the waterfront this past week. Out at the bank there were a few hatchery coho as well as springs into the teens. Although there were lots of boats by the breakwater, very few of them ever caught a fish. It’s been averaging about one spring for every 8 to 10 boats. On Sunday’s creel survey, only 3 out of more than 20 boats had springs. That said, there have been some large ones to 30+ lb coming through. The best fishing was during the tide changes. Small anchovies are the most productive bait now and have been working best in UV Green, Purple/Black and Bloody Nose teasers. Green/Silver coyotes and Coho Killer spoons are working well out on Constance Bank. Hootchies and squirts are good in Electric Chair, Cloverleaf and Glo Below. Good flashers have been the Ok’I Betsey and Green/Gold and Gold Fever Hot Spots.

Halibut – Halibut fishing was FAIR this past week for chickens. 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, a Jig-a-Lu, Big Eye Jigs, Lucky Jigs or other large Jigs if you want to stay away from the dogfish, and there are lots of dogfish around now.

Oak Bay – Salmon fishing was SPOTTY on the Flats last week. Very few salmon have been caught lately, andfew if any big ones. The best fishing has been just east of Brodie Rock in 80 to 130 feet of water. The best bet is trolling right on bottom in 80 to 130 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 this past 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. Berkely Gulp and Powerbait soft plastics also work very well. You can also use a large spoon fished off the spreader bar, a Jig-a-Lu, Big Eye Jigs, Lucky Jigs or other large Jigs if you want to stay away from the dogfish.

Sidney – Salmon fishing was SLOW near Sidney. The best fishing has come from Hambley Point for springs up to 12 lbs. Moresby Island, and Coal Island have both been very slow and we haven’t even heard of a salmon taken there. Anglers have not been using much bait as the dogfish are there in heavy numbers. Squirts have been out producing hootchies and the hot patterns for springs are the J-79, Glow Below and Electric Chair. Mongoose Coyote spoons have also been working well.

Notable Catches – 6 yr old Benat Garat caught his first unaided salmon (nice hatchery coho) near Muir Creek, while trolling a Buzz Bomb from a kayak. Perry Brewer caught a 28lb spring off Beechy Head. The 7th Annual Consultants Invitational Fishing Derby was held on Saturday. First place went to Bill West with a 26.5 lb chinook. Rodrigo Disegni placed second with a 26.4 lb chinook and Brendan Sterling was third with a 22.6 lb chinook.

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

 FRESHWATER


 

OVERVIEW – Trout fishing is SLOW on most lakes in the South Island area. The trout are moving closer to the bottom or thermocline where the temperature is cooler. If you fish the thermocline, you should have good action. Bass fishing is VERY GOOD on most lakes.

Cowichan River – The water level on the Cowichan River is fairly low and water temperatures are warming as the summer progresses. The best fishing is now in the early morning and evening. The best flies for resident rainbow trout are usually nymphs, especially bead headed Prince and Gold Ribbed Hare’s Ear nymphs. If you want to target browns, fish with minnow imitating streamers, muddlers, zonkers or wooly buggers. Also there have been complaints of spin fishermen in the fly only section of river. Keep an eye out and report any possible poachers. Remember it is fly fishing only between the trestle at Greendale road and the 70.2 mile trestle. All wild trout must be released on all streams in region 1 as well.

Local Lakes – Trout fishing is SLOWER on most lakes in the South Island area. The water temperature is increasing and the fish are moving closer to the bottom where the temperature is cooler. Many anglers are catching trout on both Powerbait, Gulp! eggs, or worms, especially while fishing from shore. Fly anglers are doing well using Wooly Buggers, Leeches or Micro Leech patterns when fishing deep. That said, there has been a lot of surface activity lately and both Caddis and mayflies are hatching on most lakes. 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.

There are also lots of carp in Beaver Lake right now and anglers are having fun trying to catch them. Dough balls have been traditionally effective bait for carp.

Bass Fishing - Bass fishing is EXCELLENT. Top water lures are working well in the mornings and evenings. During the day, soft plastics rigged Carolina style work well and crank baits can work well tool.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 – Please send photos and descriptions of your notable catch to our email info@fishingvictoria.com 

FISH TIP OF THE WEEK


Now is the time to use to heavier leaders (40 to 50 lb Test) as the big mature chinook salmon migrate though local waters. With a lighter leader, your chance of losing a big spring to a weak spot or a nick in the leader is greatly increased. Be sure to check your leader after catching each fish to make sure that it is still in good shape.


Island Outfitters Leader Board – 2012 


Halibut 


1) 162.3 lbs – Des Hatchard – Port Renfrew – Herring - April 15th

2) 145.6 lbs – Ken Emms – OakBay– Herring - April 15th

3) 144.5.4 lbs – Trevor MacDougall – OakBay– Herring - May 12th

4) 142.6 lbs – Andrew Stawicki – HaroStrait– Octopus - May 13th

5) 133.5 lbs – Andrew Stawicki – Haro Strait – Octopus – June 11th

 

Salmon


1) 39.4 lbs – Curtis Petres – Trap Shack – Anchovy – July 2nd

2) 34.8 lbs – Jason Whittaker – Beechey Head – Anchovy – June 23rd

3) 30.0 lbs – Debbie Campbell – Beechey Head – Anchovy - June 27th

4) 28.6 lbs – Duane Bertrand – Trap Shack – Anchovy - June 20th

5) 28.5 lbs – Falon Lancey – Sherringham Point – Anchovy - May 25th

 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 and like us on facebook!