Fishing Report for week ending March 17, 2014

SALTWATER

OVERVIEW – Salmon fishing was GOOD but still mostly smaller size fish.. Halibut fishing was GOOD this past week but slower on the weekend. The guides were doing much better than the average angler, both on salmon and halibut.

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! 

Effective until 23:59 hours Friday, June 13, 2014 in Subareas 19-1 to 19-4 and Subarea 20-5(those waters near Victoria between Cadboro Point to Sheringham Point), the daily limit is two (2) chinook salmon per day which may be wild or hatchery marked between 45 cm and 67 cm or hatchery marked greater than 67 cm in length. The minimum size limit in these areas is 45 cm in length.

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 has been GOOD in Sooke, however, not many anglers are out fishing. The best fishing for winter springs has been near the Bluffs in 100 to 120 feet depths. It was very good off the Trailer Park. The salmon were running up to 14 lbs in size. The springs are holding close to the bottom, so that’s where you want to fish. 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. Halibut anglers were doing well with “chicken” size fish the normal catch. Most halibut anglers hae been anchoring off the Sooke Bluffs.

BECHER BAY– Salmon fishing was NOT TOO BAD for winter springs. Anglers have reported getting springs from inside the bay, as well as near Whirl Bay, Church Rook and Lamb Island.. For springs try 100’+ depths and fish close to the bottom. Hootchies have been the most effective artificial lure and Jay 79, Cloverleaf and Purple haze have been good color patterns. Artificial spoons such as coho killers, and G-Force spoons have been working well also. Many anglers are having good success fishing anchovies. The best teaser heads for anchovies were Green Glow and the Bloody Nose. For flashers, the Purple Onion and the Green Jellyfish have been very good lately. A few halibut were also brought back to the marina. Surprisingly, many halibut were caught inside the bay and even inside of Fraser Island.

PEDDER BAY – Salmon fishing was GOOD, especially at the entrance to the bay. The best results have been coming while trolling back and forth from the deep Hole to the Yellow Can with the lure bouncing close to the bottom. Out west near Church Rock and Whirl Bay it was also good. The springs are mostly between 6 to 8 lbs in size, but there have been some bigger ones around as well. Most of the action was coming on spoons trolled close to the bottom. Coho killers and G-force spoons with both glow and green have been working the best. Anchovies were also a productive bait with Green Glow, Bloody Nose and Purple Haze teaser heads being good choices in 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.

Halibut – Halibut fishing was GOOD on the weekend. Quite a few were caught and as usual, the guides were doing very well. Anglers were using extra large herring, salmon bellies and/or octopus for bait. Berkley Gulp and Powerbait soft plastics also work very well. You can also use a large spoon fished off a spreader bar, Mudraker or Lucky Jigs or other large Jigs if you want to stay away from the dogfish.

VICTORIA – Fishing has been GOOD for winter springs, especially at Constance Bank. Anglers were getting limit catches but most of the fish are relatively small, under 8 lbs in size. However, there are some into the low teens there as well. Closer in, the salmon were running deeper, around 175 feet in depth. 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 too. 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. Seals continue to be a problem for anglers after salmon.

 



Halibut – Halibut fishing was GOOD this past week. Constance Bank was good, as well as closer in towards the shore. Most of the halibut have been in deeper water, usually around 300-310 feet. Lance Foreman picked up a 35½ lb halibut while drifting in his 12 foot tinny off the waterfront. Simon Huval caught a 35 lb halibut while fishing on Constance Bank and using octopus for bait.  Anglers were using extra large herring, salmon bellies and/or octopus for bait. Berkley Gulp and Powerbait soft plastics also work very well. You can also use a large spoon fished off a spreader bar, Mudraker or Lucky Jigs or other large Jigs if you want to stay away from the dogfish.

OAK BAY – Salmon fishing was FAIR for those trolling out on the flats. The fish weren’t too big, under 10 lbs in size. 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.

Halibut – Halibut fishing was GOOD this past week. Anglers are using extra large herring, salmon bellies and/or octopus for bait. Berkley Gulp and Powerbait soft plastics also work very well. You can also use a large spoon fished off a spreader bar, Mudraker or Lucky Jigs or other large Jigs if you want to stay away from the dogfish.

SIDNEY- Salmon fishing was GOOD off Sidney this past week. Coal Island was the hot spot for salmon with most boats getting fish. The good news was that almost all the fish were keepers. There has also been a bit of activity near the Red Can buoy in the Sidney Channel, but mostly from smaller, sub legal size springs. 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 – Lance Foreman picked up a 35½ lb halibut while drifting in his 12 foot tinny off the waterfront. Simon Huval caught a 35 lb halibut while fishing on Constance Bank and using octopus for bait.

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 cold, windy weather and the low water temperatures. A few steelhead are being caught in the Cowichan River.

COWICHAN RIVER –The water level is high, just over 2 meters near the lake and near Duncan it is just over 1.8 meters. There are steelhead in all areas, just not too many. However, we have heard of some big ones caught recently. The trout fishing in the upper river is excellent for brown, rainbow and cutthroat trout. The 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 water temperatures. That said, the action will be heating up real soon. The Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC has started their spring releases of catchable rainbow trout from the Vancouver Island Trout Hatchery. On March 11, Prospect Lake received 1,725 trout, Thetis Lake 1,000 trout and Spectacle Lake relieved 500 trout. On March 7^th, Elk Lake received 1,800 catchable rainbows averaging 226 grams and Langford Lake received 1,900 trout. On March 6^th, stocking of 2 year old brood stock rainbows averaging 619 grams occurred with Durrance Lake getting 225 fish, and Chemainus and Fuller lakes each receiving 133 fish. On March 4th, Shawnigan Lake received 1,800 catchable rainbow trout, Fuller Lake received 1,200 catchable rainbow trout, and Chemainus Lake received 600 catchable rainbow trout. These trout averaged 232 grams in size. The total trout release this spring is 11,716 Fraser Valley strain rainbow trout.

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..

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

FISH TIP OF THE WEEK

 

When fishing for trout with Power Bait use a small hook. You want to make sure the hook is completely covered by the bait, so that the trout will not feel anything unnatural when they gently mouth the bait.

 

Island Outfitters Leader Board 2014

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 lbs15 oz - Duncan Watts – Langford Lake- Powerbait – January 25^th

2) 2 lbs 14 oz – Ian Knowles – Lookout Lake – Leech fly – January 29^th

3) 2 lbs 9 oz - Jeffrey Head – Lookout Lake – Powerbait – February 21^st

4) 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 prizesSalmon, 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.

March 25^{th –} Early Bird Ticket Night

April 12^th – Elk Lake “Take a Kid Fishing Derby”

April 26^th and 27^th is our 20th Anniversary Sale

May 2^nd and 3^rd - Sidney Salmon Derby

May 10^th and 11^th – “Just For the Halibut Derby”

 June 14^th and 15^th – Port Renfrew Fathers Day Derby

Fly Fishing Film Tour, F3T – Lots of great prizes again – spring 2014

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