Fishing Report for Week Ending January 26, 2014

 

SALTWATER

OVERVIEW – Salmon fishing was GOOD around most of the south island, but most of the fish are still relatively small. Halibut fishing is now closed and the opening date for this coming year has not yet been announced.

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! 

 FISHERY RESTRICTIONS

For the latest updates in DFO regulations go to http://www-ops2.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fns-sap/index-eng.cfm?pg=search_results&lang=en&ID=recreational&Year=2014

SOOKE – Salmon fishing was GOOD in Sooke. Not that many anglers were out fishing but those that were caught fish. The best fishing for winter springs has been from the harbor entrance to Otter Point in 100 to 120 feet depths. The springs were running up into the teens. The springs are deep, holding close to the bottom. Anchovies are working well in Bloody Nose and UV teaser heads. Glow and UV hootchies and squirts, Coho Killers and G-Force spoons are working well also. The most popular flashers recently have been the Purple Onion, Green Jellyfish and others with both Glow and UV surfaces.

BECHER BAY– Salmon fishing was GOOD for winter springs up into the teens in size. The best fishing for larger springs is still in the bay between Fraser Island and Lamb Island. It was also good over by Church Rock and Whirl Bay. For springs try 100’+ depths and fish close to the bottom. Many anglers are having good success fishing anchovies. The best teaser heads for anchovies were Green Glow and the Bloody Nose. However, artificial lures such as UV /glow squirts, coho killers, and G-Force spoons have been working well also. For flashers, the Purple Onion and the Green Jellyfish have been very good lately..

PEDDER BAY – Salmon fishing was GOOD but a little slower than last week. There were a decent number of winter springs being caught at the mouth of the bay and in Whirl Bay. Most of the action happened close to the bottom in 90 to 120 feet of water and while trolling on a line from the Deep Hole to the Can Buoy. Anchovies were the most productive bait with Green Glow, Bloody Nose and Purple Haze teaser heads. Squirts are working too with UV colors like the Jellyfish, Purple Haze and Electric Chair the best patterns. The best flashers have been the Purple Onion, Clear jelly UV and Purple Haze. Coho killers and G-force spoons with both glow and green have been working well too!

VICTORIA – Fishing has been EXCELLENT for winter springs, both along the waterfront and at Constance Bank. Anglers are getting limit catches but most of the fish are small, under 4 lbs in size. It’s common for a boat to land 20 springs or more in a morning of fishing while searching for a larger salmon. The Local Restaurant held their Salmon Superbowl Derby on Saturday. Steve French won the derby with a 15.8 lb spring caught at Constance Bank. Most anglers fishing Victoria are using artificial lures, usually with Coho Killer (chrome or green/glow). G-Force spoons in Outfitters or No Bananas colors have been killers. Good choices in plastic baits are the Electric Chair, Purple Haze and the Glo Blow. Gibbs Coho Killer, Kingfisher and Coyote spoons in all colours have been very effective. Good flashers have been the Purple Onion, Clear jelly UV or Green Jellyfish.

 



OAK BAY – Salmon fishing was GOOD for those trolling out on the flats. The fish weren’t too big, but they were hungry. The most popular method for catching springs is trolling near the bottom in 75 to 130 feet of water with squirts or spoons, Baitrix tiny strip, or small anchovy. The fish that were being caught were on Coho Killer spoons in Glow/Green, 3” to 4” G-Force & Gypsy spoons. Good squirts were the Electric Chair, Pickle Green, J-79 and Jellyfish. Good flashers have been the Purple Onion, Clear jelly UV or Green Jellyfish. 

SIDNEY- Salmon fishing was SLOW off Sidney this past week. The Sidney Anglers Association held their Otto Wiggins Winter Derby on Sunday. It was won by Chris Markus with a 13.6 lb spring caught near Coal Island on bait. Second place went to his partner Steve Cote for a 6 lb 10 oz spring. Third place went to Brett Searko for a 6 lb 1 oz spring. There are lots of smaller springs around that are just below the minimum size for retention, so anglers are getting lots of action, just not lots of keepers. Moresby Island has a few fish there now and there some around Coal Island, Arbutus Point and Moses Point as well. 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 – Steve French won the Salmon Superbowl Derby, sponsored by The Local restaurant, with a 15.8 lb spring caught at Constance Bank. The Sidney Anglers Association held their Otto Wiggins Winter Derby on Sunday. It was won by Chris Markus with a 13.6 lb spring caught near Coal Island on bait. Second place went to his partner Steve Cote for a 6 lb 10 oz spring. Third place went to Brett Searko for a 6 lb 1 oz spring.

Please send photos (in jpeg format) and descriptions of your notable catch to our emailinfo@fishingvictoria.com

 

FRESHWATER

OVERVIEW – Fishing is SLOW on most lakes in the South Island area due to the colder weather and the drop in water temperatures. A few steelhead are now being caught in the Riverbottom area. Anglers are reminded of the following:”

COWICHAN RIVER –The water level has been dropping steadily this past week. Presently, its at 1.1 meters near the lake and near Duncan its 1.0 meters. There are steelhead in the Riverbottom section and the lower end near Duncan. The trout fishing in the upper river is excellent for brown trout. The brown trout are actively feeding on salmon eggs. Egg patterns are the way to go now, and they are very effective when drifted behind an old salmon redd. If you’re after steelhead, 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. Remember that ALL wild trout must be released on all streams in region 1.

TROUT – Trout fishing is SLOW on most lakes in the South Island area, especially with the cold weather that is happening right now. Bank anglers are catching trout on Powerbait, Gulp Eggs, or worms while fishing from shore and right on the bottom. Yellow and Bubblegum have been good colours recently for Powerbait. Fly anglers are fishing Pumpkinheads, Wooly Buggers, Leeches and Micro Leech patterns on full sink fly lines. Trollers have been doing well with a variety of lures. 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, Black with Silver Flake or Rainbow Pattern. Smaller Rapalas in Rainbow Trout or Brown Trout patterns also work well; the jointed Rapalas have also been great for larger fish. Larger Willow Leaf Lake trolls with a size 6 hook tipped with a small 1-2″ piece of worm always produce fish. The biggest trout have come from Langford Lake and Elk Lake. Wild rainbows and cutthroats over 50 cm must be released in Cowichan Lake. Jeffrey Nelson came into the store and weighed in a 2.3 lb rainbow trout that he caught at Elk Lake on January 22^nd.

BASS - Bass fishing is VERY SLOW. 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. Crank baits have been effective too when fished around 12 feet down with a fast retrieve. Soft plastics rigged “Carolina Style “is also a good choice when fishing drop offs and docks, most productive in 4” Yum bait colors Smoke or Pumpkinseed. Look for the fish suspended by drop offs close to shore along docks, branches, and any overhanging structure. 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.

CARP – Carp fishing is VERY SLOW now. 

Notable Catches – Jeffrey Nelson came into the store and weighed in a 2.3 lb rainbow trout that he caught at Elk Lake on January 22^nd.

Please send photos (in jpeg format) and descriptions of your notable catch to our emailinfo@fishingvictoria.com

FISH TIP OF THE WEEK

 

It’s in the bag, or is it?  Many a nice fish is lost because of anglers not netting the fish properly. When you net a fish, you should always lead the fish into the net headfirst. Because fish don’t swim backwards, any movement by the fish should force it deeper into the net. Don’t try to scoop the fish up from behind if you want to land the big one.

 

Island Outfitters Leader Board WINNERS 2013

Congratulations to all!

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!

Halibut

We are now waiting for the season to open and the first “barn doors” of to be weighed in at the store.

Trout

1) 2.3 lbs – Jeffrey head – Elk Lake – Leech fly - May 5^th

Carp

1)   Dan Morris – 38 carp weighed in, total 227 lbs 10 oz

2)   William Oliver –39 carp weighed in, total 165 lbs 2 oz

3)   Jodey Hillard - 7 carp weighed in, total 32 lbs 5 oz.

4)   Paul Carreia- 4 carp weighed in, total 29.14 lbs.

5)   Jayson Chavez – 3 carp weighed in, 25 lbs 10 oz

2014 DERBIES and EVENTS

Island Outfitters starts and ends the year with the free for fun and prizes Salmon, Trout, Carp and Halibut Leader Boards. 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! To enter, just bring in your catch to be weighed at our store.

See our event pages for upcoming events and like us on facebook!