Fishing report for week ending May 4, 2014

SALTWATER

OVERVIEW – Salmon fishing remains FAIR to GOOD. There are larger hatchery chinooks up to 34+ lbs being caught and some over size wild fish are being caught and released as well. Halibut fishing was GOOD this past weekend.

There are still a few tickets left for this weekend’s 18^thAnnual Just for the Halibut derby! Get yours soon!



 

We now have Regular and Tiny Strip in stock for those of you fishing Oak Bay and Sidney!

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 was GOOD with the best fishing from the Bluffs westward towards Sherringham Point. There were fin clipped salmon running up to 20 lbs in the recent catches. More fish are starting to be caught at mid water depths now as mature fish are starting to migrate through. 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 OK with mostly “chicken” size halibut, but there are some larger ones that are pushing the upper size limit.  Halibut anglers are having best success out west towards Jordan River.

BECHER BAY– Salmon fishing was GOOD for springs. The best salmon fishing has been from Aldridge Point to Beechey Head. Hatchery springs in the 6 – 20 lb size were being caught and the average size of the fish is improving. Anglers have been catching the salmon at depths of 50 to 120 feet. More anglers are having good success fishing anchovies now. 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. Hootchies have been effective too, and Black/White, Cloverleaf and Purple haze have been good color patterns. Artificial spoons such as Coho killers and G-Force spoons have been working well also. Four halibut that were caught in the west Race Rocks area were brought into the marina.

PEDDER BAY – Salmon fishing was VERY GOOD, both in the Pedder Bay and in Whirl Bay. The springs are mostly between 6 to 10 lbs in size, but there have been some bigger ones up to 20 lbs being caught as well. Much of the action was coming on spoons. Coho Killers and G-force spoons with both glow and green have been working the best. Anchovies were also productive 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. 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 VERY GOOD for winter springs at Constance Bank when the wind wasn’t blowing. Most anglers were getting springs and many boats were getting limits. The fish are still getting bigger and several weighing into the high teens. Closer in, the salmon fishing was much slower. Most anglers fishing Victoria are using artificial lures, usually with Coho Killer (yellowtail 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 weekend. Anglers were using extra large herring, salmon bellies and/or octopus for bait with octopus being the most productive bait this past weekend. 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 and in the Gap. The big runs of late spring salmon have not arrived yet but there are some smaller to mid size feeders around. The most popular method for catching springs here is trolling near the bottom in 65 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. We now have Tiny Strip in stock for those of you fishing Oak Bay!

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 FAIR TO GOOD off Sidney this past week. The Sidney Anglers’ Association held their Annual Salmon Derby on Saturday. There were over 300 rod tickets sold and approximately 150 boats out fishing. The total number of salmon weighed in was 52. First place went to Ron Lamperts for a 34.5 lb fin clipped spring caught on Cut Plug Herring near Pender Island. Second place went to Josh Campbell for a 22.1 lb spring caught near the powder wharf. Travis Isherwood placed third with a 21.6 lb spring and Don Carter was fourth with a 21.5 lb spring from Saanichton Spit.  Earlier in the week a 28 lb spring was caught by Hambley Point and a 22 lb spring was caught near the Powder Wharf. 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. John Oja landed a 61.5 lb (128cm) halibut near Fairfax Point. We now have Tiny Strip in stock for those of you fishing Oak Bay and Sidney!

Notable Catches – First place in the Sidney Derby went to Ron Lamperts for a 34.5 lb fin clipped spring caught on Cut Plug Herring near Pender Island. Second place went to Josh Campbell for a 22.1 lb spring caught near the Powder Wharf. Travis Isherwood placed third with a 21.6 lb spring and Don Carter was fourth with a 21.5 lb spring from Saanichton Spit. Stephen Drumm caught a 67.2 lb (131 cm) halibut.

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

FRESHWATER

OVERVIEW – Fishing is FAIR on most lakes in the South Island area. Most lakes have finished turning over but the cold weather and wind has slowed the fishing.

COWICHAN RIVER –The water level has been dropping through the week and it is just over 1.18 meters near the lake and 1.1 meters near Duncan. The trout fishing in the upper river is good to excellent. There are rainbows that have dropped down from the lake as well as resident brown and cutthroat trout that are active in the top end right now. Bead head nymphs are the top producer there and our favorites are the Prince Nymphs, Gold Ribbed Hare’s Ears and Pheasant tails.

Remember that ALL wild trout must be released on all streams in region 1.

TROUT – Trout fishing was SLOW on most lakes in the South Island area this past week due to the cold, wet weather. 

The Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC is doing their spring release of catchable rainbow trout from the Vancouver Island Trout Hatchery. On April 16^th, Prospect Lake received 1,275 trout, Shawnigan Lake received 722 trout and Langford Lake received 600 trout. On April 9^th, Langford Lake received 2,000 trout and Dougan Lake received 365 trout. On April 7^th, Elk Lake received 2,000 trout. On April 3^rd, 2,000 rainbow trout were released at Prospect Lake. On March 26^th, Elk Lake received 1,200 trout. On March 25^th, Durrance Lake received 1,000 trout, Glen, Kemp and Matheson Lakes received 500 trout each, Colwood Lake received 250 trout, Lookout Lake received 200 trout and Ida Anne Lake received 75 trout. On March 19^th, 1,800 trout were released at Shawnigan Lake, 200 trout at Lookout Lake and 75 trout at Ida Anne Lake. On March 18^th, Dougan Lake received 640 trout and Somenos Lake received 500 trout.  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 Island trout release this spring is 47,196 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 usually come from Langford Lake and Elk Lake. Wild rainbows and cutthroats over 50 cm must be released in Cowichan Lake.

Ryan Arsenych captured first and second place prizes in the Royal Canadian Anglers’ Association’s annual trout derby. Gary West placed third in the derby. Both anglers were fishing in Prospect Lake.

BASS - Bass fishing is PICKING UP as water temperatures increase. At this time of year the bass are still near drop offs but some are moving in closer to shore.  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. Please remember that bass are closed for retention on all southern island lakes through June 15^th.

CARP – Carp fishing is GOOD at Elk Lake. Blair Cox weighed in 26.6 lbs of carp this past week and Filip Boshjak weighed in a 6 lb 15 oz carp. Corn kernels have been the best bait recently.



Notable Catches – Ryan Arsenych captured first and second place prizes in the Royal Canadian Anglers’ Association’s annual trout derby. Gary West placed third in the derby. Both anglers were fishing in Prospect Lake.

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

FISH TIP OF THE WEEK

Weigh your fish right away if you are in a derby and catch a potential prize winning fish. Every year we hear stories of anglers placing second in derbies that they would have won if only they had weighed the fish in before it lost weight.  Heck, it even happened to me one year and I should know better! So, don’t be foolish and wait for another one before hitting the weigh in station. You just never know how large or small a fish will be that will win that derby.

 Island Outfitters Leader Boards 2014

 Salmon

1) 25.0 lbs – Barry Eaglestone – Whirl Bay – March 23^rd

 Halibut 

1) 66.6 lbs – Harvey Francis – Rock Pile – Herring – April 23^rd

2) 62.4 lbs – Zaffer Shah – Rock Pile – Herring– April 23^rd

3) 61.5 lbs – John Oja – Fairfax Point - Herring– April 25^th

4) 57.3 lbs – Ben Wright – Constance Bank – G-force spoon – April 19^th

5) 55.3 lbs – Mike Furtado – Oak Bay – Hootchy/Herring– April 9^th

Trout

1) 4 lbs 12 oz – Jeremy Thomassen– Elk Lake – April 12^th

2) 4 lbs 10 oz – John Redlick – Duncan area – March 25^th

3) 2 lbs15 oz - Duncan Watts – Langford Lake- Powerbait – January 25^th

4) 2 lbs 14 oz – Ian Knowles – Lookout Lake – Leech fly – January 29^th

5) 2 lbs 14 oz – Ryan Komori –Elk Lake – April 12^th

Carp

1)   William Oliver – 66 carp weighed in, total 291.6 lbs

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

3)   Blair Cox - 7 carp weighed in, total 102 lbs.

4)   Brandon Boudewyn - 3 carp weighed in, total 33.9 lbs

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

May 8th - Fly Fishing Film Tour, F3T – Lots of great prizes again

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

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

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