CartFishing Report for Week Ending January 27, 2013
SALTWATER
OVERVIEW – Strong winds and bad weather hampered anglers much of this past week. Otherwise, fishing was SLOWER 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.
BECHER BAY – Fishing was SLOWER for winter springs and not many anglers went out fishing. Most of the springs weighed from 4 to 8 lbs in size. There are winter springs in the bay, from just outside the marina by the Flag Pole out to LambIsland and FrazerIsland. Close to the marina was the best location to catch fish. 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 SLOWER this past week. Most of the winter springs were from 5 to 8 lbs in size but there were some bigger ones salmon to make it interesting. Peter Landsman landed a 14.5 lb spring near William Head while trolling an anchovy. 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 bank are using artificial lures. Good lures are Army Truck, Electric Chair and Glo Below squirts.
Closer in, there has been some action, but not much. The largest fish of the weekend was a 10 lb spring caught by Wayne Zaccarelli. 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 SLOW 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 SLOWER in the Sidney area. Most of the fish have been caught by MoresbyIsland, CoalIsland and by the red can buoy in the Sidney Channel. Greg Baynton reported catching a 7lb spring off DockIsland in Sidney Sunday morning. 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 –Peter Landsman landed a 14.5 lb spring near William Head while trolling an anchovy. The largest fish of the weekend off Victoria was a 10 lb spring caught by Wayne Zaccarelli. Greg Baynton reported catching a 7lb spring off DockIsland in Sidney, Sunday morning.
Please send photos and descriptions of your notable catch to our email info@fishingvictoria.com
FRESHWATER
OVERVIEW – Troutfishing 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 CowichanRiver has dropped to jbelow 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. Tht said, fishing in the top end of the river has been pretty good too. 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, WillowLeafLake trolls with a worm-tipped GIBBS Wedding Band will almost always catch some fish. The biggest trout continue to be caught at ElkLake, with LangfordLake 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 CowichanLake.
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. LangfordLake, ShawniganLake, ProspectLake and Elk and BeaverLakes are the best local bass lakes. St. Mary’s Lake on SaltSpringIsland 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
Many fly anglers put away their gear for the winter without properly storing expensive fly lines. Rather than leaving your line tightly wound onto the reel, it's best to remove the line and store it in larger loops off of the reel. And a good application of line cleaner certainly wouldn't hurt your line's performance.
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.
If you were one of our top 5 winners in last yeart's Leader Board 2012 Contest, your prize is waiting for you at our 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!
February 22th to 24th: The 20th Annual Boat, Fishing and Outdoor Sale will be held at the Pearkes Recreation Centre at the Tillicum Mall. This is the Island's largest boating, fishing and outdoor show and sale. There will be lots of displays, manufacturer representatives and boats on view. Visit www.VictoriaBoatShow.com for more details.
February 23rd: the Pacific Salmon Foundation Fundraising Dinner and Auction with live and silent auctions as well as raffles will be held at the University of Victoria, Commons Block, at 38700 Finnerty Road in Victoria. Limited seating is available. Tickets are $85 and can be purchased at Island Outfitters. Visit www.psf.ca for more details.
April 4th through 7th: Island Outfitters 19th Anniversary Sale: Our storewide annual sale with LOTS of great deals and bargains.
April 13th. The 6th 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 20th and 21st: The 18th 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.
May 4th: 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.
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