Fishing Report for Week Ending September 9, 2012

SALTWATER

OVERVIEW – Salmon fishing was SLOW in most areas this past week Halibut fishing was GOOD during the last week of the halibut season!

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Port Renfrew – Coho fishing has been GOOD in the bay at Port Renfrew and outside the bay in 200-300 feet of water. Fishing has been VERY SLOW for springs in Port Renfrew. Swiftsure Bank has been slow for spring salmon, fair for coho to 12 lbs, and tough for halibut. Closer in, it’s getting tough to find big springs. The best fishing has been near Camper creek and inside the bay just out from the river. Some big ones should be showing up in the Nitinat area soon. Elliot Williams had a great time catching a 24 lb white spring on a light spinning rod just off breakers on the beach inside San Juan Bay.

Sooke – Spring salmon fishing was SLOWER for springs most of the week. Most of the springs were caught from Otter Point westward to Point No Point. Most of the springs are being caught between 55 and 110 feet down and weighed from 10 to 26 lbs. Some coho were caught this past week, mostly out from shore in the shipping lanes. Many were hatchery marked and all wild coho still have to be released. A few chum salmon were also caught recently. Anchovies and herring are catching the most springs. 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.

Halibut – Halibut fishing was GOOD during this last week of the season.

Becher Bay – Fishing for springs was SLOWER this past week. The springs were scattered, with some good ones coming from inside the bay, Aldridge Point, Beechey Head and the Trap Shack. Most of the springs are being caught between 55 and 110 feet and weighed from 10 to 27 lbs. Ed Connelll picked up his 27 lb spring off Aldridge Point. It was fair for cohos his past week as anglers caught coho up to 12 lbs. Anglers reported the best coho fishing out at the 4^th tide lines in Juan de Fuca Strait. 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. This last week of halibut fishing saw Gary Nute bring in a 73.4 lb halibut from the Race Rocks area.

Pedder Bay – The fishing for springs was SLOW this past weekend, both in the bay and near Church Rock. That said, a 40 lb spring was taken by the kelp beds on the weekend. The fishing was fair for hatchery cohos up to 12 lbs. The coho action was best out on the tide lines and near the shipping lanes. 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 GOOD during this last week of the season.

Victoria Waterfront – Salmon fishing was FAIR out at Constance Bank and SLOW off the waterfront this past weekend. There were a few hatchery coho taken as well as springs up to 27 lbs caught this past week. It was spotty near the breakwater and a little better better at Clover Point and off the flag pole. Anchovies are the most productive bait now and have been working best in Blue/Clear, Clear/Green Scale and Bloody Nose teaser heads. 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 Red/Silver, Silver Betsey and Gold Fever Hot Spots.

The James Bay Anglers’ Association held their annual salmon derby over the weekend. First place went to Trevor Thame for a 26 lb 14 oz spring. Trevor caught the fish on Sunday morning near the breakwater. Second place, for the second year in a row, went to Kevin Creelman for a 16 lb 5 oz spring. Third place was awarded to Gord Stubbs for an 16 lb spring. The largest coho prize went to Carolyn McCormick for an 8 lb 3 oz fish. Top lady angler was Stephanie Gregg with an 13 lb 14 oz spring. Top junior angler was last year’s runner up, 15 year old Brendan Creelman with a 3 lb 15 oz spring. Milt Barnes captured the top halibut prize with a 38 lb 4 oz halibut. Over 50 boats fished in the derby and 20 springs, 3 coho and 5 halibut were weighed in.

Halibut – Halibut fishing was GOOD during this last week of the season.

Oak Bay – Salmon fishing was SPOTTY in Oak Bay this past week. There were some springs up to 12 lbs caught. The best fishing has been on the Flats in 80 to 110 feet of water. The best bet is trolling right on bottom in 80 to 110 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 during this last week of the season

Sidney – Salmon fishing was DEAD SLOW near Sidney. The Sidney Anglers held a salmon derby this past weekend and not a single salmon was caught. Also, be aware of the seasonal closures in the Sidney area that are now in effect, especially near Coal Island. 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 – Elliot Williams had a great time catching a 24 lb white spring on a light spinning rod just off breakers on the beach inside San Juan Bay. Ed Connelll picked up his 27 lb spring off Aldridge Point. This last week of halibut fishing saw Gary Nute bring in a 73.4 lb halibut from the Race Rocks area. First place in the James Bay Anglers Association’s annual members salmon derby went to Trevor Thame for a 26 lb 14 oz spring.

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 GOOD on most lakes.

Cowichan River – The water level on the Cowichan River is fairly low. 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 inCowichanLake.

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

Bass Fishing - Bass fishing is GOOD. 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,ShawniganLake, Prospect Lake and Elk andBeaver 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

At this time of the year you have to pay particular attention to fishery openings and closures. It almost seems as if some areas are only open for salmon on a day-to-day basis. What is closed one day may be open the next, and vice versa. So the day before you go fishing, phone federal fisheries or visit their web site to find out what opportunities are available and avoid any unpleasant surprises.

Island Outfitters Leader Board – 2012

Halibut

1) 182.8 lbs – Jeff Saponja – Port Renfrew – Mackerel – August 11^th

2) 162.3 lbs – Des Hatchard – Port Renfrew – Herring - April 15^th

3) 145.6 lbs – Ken Emms – Oak Bay – Herring - April 15^th

4) 144.5.4 lbs – Trevor MacDougall – Oak Bay – Herring - May 12^th

5) 142.6 lbs – Andrew Stawicki – Haro Strait – Octopus - May 13^th

Salmon

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

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

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

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

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

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 and like us on facebook!