CartFishing Report for Week Ending January 20, 2013
SALTWATER
OVERVIEW – Strong winds and bad weather kept most anglers off the water much of this past week. Otherwise, fishing was FAIR TO GOOD for winter springs (feeder Chinooks).
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SOOKE– Winter spring fishing has been FAIR in the area. There are winter springs weighing up to 14 lbs being caught, but most of the salmon are smaller. The most action seems to be in front of the Bluffs in about 120 to 220 feet of water with the baits down from 120 ft to 150 ft. However, not all the salmon are in deep water. Otter Point has also been good. Anchovies are catching the most springs and Bloody Nose and Purple Haze teaser heads are the most popular when fishing bait for winter springs. Since the winters are very active feeders, just about any gear will catch them. One very good combination recently has been the Purple Haze squirt behind a purple glow flasher glow .
BECHER BAY – Fishing was STEADY for winter springs when anglers braved the bad weather. Most of the springs weighed from 7 to 11 lbs in size, but there were some bigger ones around. There are winter springs in the bay, from just outside the marina by the Flag Pole out to Lamb Island and Frazer Island. Lamb Island was the best location to catch fish though. It was very slow out by the Head to the Trap Shack. Many anglers are finding bait out producing artificial lures, with anchovies being most popular choice of bait. The best teaser heads for anchovies were the Purple Haze and the Bloody Nose. Like usual, the fish are close to the bottom and glow in the dark flashers are a good choice. 4” Coyote type spoons have been effective this past week, with Green/Silver and solid White Glow the best patterns.
PEDDER BAY – Salmon fishing was NOT TOO BAD this past week. Most of the winter springs were from 5 to 8 lbs in size but there were enough salmon in the 10 to 11 lb size to make it interesting. The best fishing this past week was in the bay, along the drop off near the Can Buoy. The fish were near the bottom at 120 to 140 feet with most of the fish weighing 4 to 8 lbs in size. Squirts seem to be the most productive bait with UV colors like the Jellyfish, Purple Haze and Electric Chair the best patterns. Anchovies are productive bait too with Bloody Nose and Purple Haze teaser heads the most popular now. The best flashers have been the Purple Glow and Purple Haze. 4” Coyote type spoons have been effective this past week, with Green/Silver and solid White Glow the best patterns.
VICTORIA – Salmon fishing was SLOWER this past week when the weather wasn’t too bad. Constance Bank had some winter springs, but mostly fish in the 3 to 7 lb size range. Action has been fairly steady there if you can find the fish. Most anglers fishing the ban are using artificial lures. Good lures are Army Truck, Electric Chair and Glo Below squirts.
Closer in, there has been some action, but it was slower than last week. There was a small derby out of Esquimalt Anglers, only 13 boats, and only two fish were weighed in. The winner of the derby was Ed Beatty with a 9 lb 10 oz spring. Gary Caton was second with a 7 lb 10 oz spring. The largest fish of the weekend was a 19 lb spring caught by Christien MacDonell at Albert Head on a hootchy. Coho Killer spoons have been effective with the UV Purple Haze patterns very popular. Good choices in plastic baits are the Electric Chair, Purple Haze and the Glo Below. Good flashers have been the Green/Glow and Green/Silver Hot Spots. The bad news is that the seals are a real problem in this area and that many anglers are losing fish to them, especially around Clover Point.
OAK BAY – Salmon fishing has been FAIR on the Oak Bay Flats. Anglers are catching mostly small winter springs, but some have been going as large as 8 lbs. The best bet for springs is trolling right on bottom in 110 to 140 feet of water with squirts, Baitrix tiny strip, small anchovy or Coho Killer spoons. Good squirts were the Electric Chair, Pickle Green, J-79 and Jellyfish. 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.
SIDNEY – Salmon fishing was VERY GOOD in the Sidney area. The Sidney Anglers Association held their annual Otto Wiggins Winter Derby on Sunday. First place went to Jim Halderson who caught a 20½ lb spring on an anchovy. Second place went to Darren Kelly with an 11.1 lb spring. Third place went to a 10.3 lb spring. Springs were caught near Arbutus Point, Moresby Island Coal Island and by the red can buoy in the Sidney Channel. 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 Purple Haze, Glow Below and Electric Chair. Coho Killer spoons have also been working well, especially in double glow and 50/50 colors.
NOTABLE CATCHES –Christien MacDonell caught a 19 lb spring by Albert Head on a hootchy. The Sidney Anglers Association held their annual Otto Wiggins Winter Derby on Sunday. First place went to Jim Halderson who caught a 20½ lb spring on an anchovy. Second place went to Darren Kelly with an 11.1 lb spring. The winner of a small derby out of Esquimalt Anglers was Ed Beatty with a 9 lb 10 oz spring. Gary Caton was second with a 7 lb 10 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. Bass fishing is VERY SLOW on most lakes. Anglers are further reminded of the following:" The use of single barbless hooks is mandatory in all streams in Region 1;" All foul hooked (i.e.: hooked other than in the mouth) must be returned to the river immediately. ALL wild trout must be released on all streams in region 1 as well.
COWICHAN RIVER – The water level on the Cowichan River has dropped to just 1.0 meters near Duncan. The color and clarity is excellent for steelhead fishing. We’ve heard of increasing numbers of steelhead being caught and released in the river recently, mostly in the Riverbottom area. The Riverbottom and Bible Camp area has been the best area to fish. For steelhead, good lures to fish are Spin ‘n Glo’s, Corkies, Gooey Bobs and the always reliable Pink Worm. Although many anglers are successful catching winter runs on flies, most anglers chose to use floats and gear.
In request of the Province of British Columbia and, to update the 2011 – 2013 Freshwater Fishing Regulations Synopsis: Effective 00:01 hours November 27, 2012 until 23:59 hours March 31, 2013 the Cowichan River from the Weir at Cowichan Lake downstream to the Greendale Trestle is closed to all angling.
In addition, effective 00:01 hours November 27, 2012 until 23:59 hours March 31, 2013 the Cowichan River from the Greendale Trestle to CNR Bridge (mile 70.2) is open to Fly-Fishing only.
TROUT – Troutfishing is SLOW on most lakes in the South Island area. The cold weather has made the fish sluggish. The Vancouver Island Trout Hatchery released 63,512 catchable rainbows into Vancouver Island lakes in 2012.
Bank anglers are catching trout on both Powerbait, Gulp! eggs, or worms while fishing from shore. Fly anglers are using Pumpkinheads, Wooly Buggers, Leeches or Micro Leech patterns and fishing deep. 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.
BASS-At this time of year the bass move to deeper drop offs and are harder to find. During the day, soft plastics rigged Carolina style work well and crank baits can work well too. 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
Having a hard time getting braided line to hold in the release clip when trolling for salmon? Here’s a good trick. Wrap a few turns of line around a toothpick and use the release clip to hold the toothpick in place. Works like a charm.
Island Outfitters Leader Board 2013
Salmon
1) 19.1 lbs – Christien MacDonell – Albert Head – Hootchy - January 19th
Halibut
We are now waiting for the season to open and the first “barn doors” of to be weighed in at the store.
2013 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 upcoming events in 2013!
See our event pages for upcoming events and like us on facebook!