Fishing Report for Week Ending March 8th, 2015

SALTWATER

OVERVIEW – Winter chinook fishing was FAIR and fish up to mid teens were caught this past week. Halibut fishing was FAIR as well. The full moon and the large tide swings did not help the anglers.

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SOOKE – The fishing for winter springs was SLOW this past weekend. Most fish that were caught were taken in the afternoon. Choice of lures has stayed very similar to last week; Anchovies are working best with Green and Bloody Nose teaser heads being the best colors choices. G-Force spoons in Irish Cream and No Bananas have been catching their fair number of fish. The most popular flashers recently have been the Gibbs Madi, the Outfitter and the Jellyfish UV. Halibut fishing was FAIR this past weekend. Dog fish were a bit of a problem.

BECHER BAY– Salmon fishing was FAIR in East Sooke. Once again, most of the fish were caught either in Whirl Bay or off the east side of Becher Bay. The bite was best in the afternoon. Most fish were caught trolling in 130 feet to 160 of water. Anchovies were the most productive bait and Purple Haze and Green Glow were the most productive teaser heads. Spoons and plastic baits have also been working well. Spoons such as G-Force in the smaller sizes have been working as well, both in No Bananas or Glow/Green. Squirts are working too with Pistachio, Purple Haze and Glow white the best patterns. For flashers, the Madi and the Purple Onion have been very good lately.

PEDDER BAY – Chinook salmon fishing was FAIR and William Head was the best spot on the weekend. The fish are following the bait and you had to find the bait to get consistent results. Most of the keepers weighed from 6 to 11 lbs were weighed at Pedder Bay Marina. Anchovies were the most productive lure for springs with Purple Haze and Bloody Nose being top choices in teaser heads. Trolling with 3” and 3.5” spoons have been effective for catching springs these past few weeks. Coho Killers and G-force spoons with both glow and green have been working the best. Flashers that remain popular include the Madi and the Purple Onion.

Halibut – Halibut fishing was FAIR over the early part of the week. 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 for winter springs was FAIR off Victoria. Anglers have been catching chinooks both close to shore and out at Constance Bank. During the week the bank produced lots of nice springs ranging from 6 – 16 lbs. Although there were nice fish caught, seals remained a big problem this week. Esquimalt, Brotchie and Clover Point also produced fish this week. Anchovies have been working well in glow colors outside the harbour. Good choices in plastic baits are the Cloverleaf, Purple Haze and the Glo Below. Gibbs Coho Killer, Kingfisher and Coyote spoons in green and glow colours have been very effective.

Halibut – Halibut fishing was FAIR over the week. Halibut up to 40 lbs were caught off the waterfront, mostly at Constance Bank. Halibut were biting at the changing tide and dog fish were a bit of an issue. 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 remained SLOW for those trolling out on the Flats and in the Gap. A few springs of to 10 lbs were being caught but anglers reported fewer fish on the flats. Anglers were using squirts, spoons, or tiny strip. The fish that were being caught trolling were caught on Coho Killer spoons and 3” to 4” G-Force & Gypsy spoons. Good squirts were the Pickle Green, J-79 and Jellyfish. Good flashers have been the Purple Onion, Green/silver or Green Jellyfish.

Halibut – Halibut fishing was FAIR this past week. 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 near Sidney this past weekend. Fish in the 5- 12 lb range were being caught in the south end of the Channel, near the Powder Wharf and by Saanichton Spit. Many anglers are fishing using anchovies in UV Green teaser heads. Squirts have been out producing hootchies recently and the hot patterns for springs now are Purple Haze, J-79 and Electric Chair. Coho Killer spoons have also been working well, especially in double glow and 50/50 colors. Crabbing has been excellent off the Spit!

Notable Catches – Tegan Baxter caught a 120 cm, 50 lb halibut near Pender Island on Sunday, March 1st

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

 

FRESHWATER

OVERVIEW – Fishing is FAIR on most lakes in the South Island area. The weather has gotten warmer so fishing is slowly improving. Although not many fish are being caught, some of those are big ones. Winter run steelhead has been GOOD. Remember that ALL wild trout (steelhead included) must be released on ALL streams in Region 1. Wild rainbows and cutthroats over 50 cm must be released in Cowichan Lake. Only single barb less hooks are allowed for all fishing on island streams and rivers.

COWICHAN RIVER –The water level is still dropping and is at 0.9–1.0 meters throughout the system. This is a good level for anglers who fish from the bank and/or wade the river. The steelhead fishing has been good and some large fish were caught and released. The Riverbottom area has remained the best area to fish, but there are steelies in all parts of the river now. For steelhead, good lures to fish are Spin ‘n Glo’s, Corkies, Gooey Bobs, Jigs and the always reliable Pink Worm. Many anglers have been successful catching winter runs on flies recently but most anglers chose to use floats and gear. The trout fishing in the upper river is excellent. The rainbows, cutthroats and resident brown trout are actively feeding on salmon and steelhead eggs. Salmon egg imitations are the go to lures for trout.



TROUT – Trout fishing was SLOW on most lakes in the South Island area this past week. That said, some big trout have been caught this past month. 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 Gibbs Gang Trolls and Gibbs Wedding Bands. Other good trolling lures are the Apex Trout Killers in green or black and white patterns. Flatfish and/or Kwikfish have also been effective in sizes 5 to 7 in Frog, Black with Silver Flake or Rainbow Pattern. The biggest trout usually come from Langford Lake and Elk Lake. Bryan Barter caught a 4.7 lb rainbow trout at Fuller Lake this past Sunday and takes over first place on our leader board.

BASS - Bass fishing is SLOW. Bass fishing is picking up as the weather becomes warmer. Fishing drop shot style is your best bet now. Soft plastics rigged “Carolina Style “are also a good choice when fishing drop offs and reefs, and have been most productive in 4” Yum bait colors Smoke or Pumpkinseed. 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 – Bryan Barter caught a 4.7 lb rainbow trout at Fuller Lake this past Sunday and takes over first place on our leader board.

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

FISH TIP OF THE WEEK 

Get a jump on your fishing season by getting all your gear in order now, before you start fishing in earnest. Service your rods, reels, lures and downriggers so that you can get a jump on repairs and replacements before the stores get busy and the fish beckon. There will be some big spring sales soon and if you know what you need, you can really take advantage of them, buying what you need at bargain prices. 

 

Island Outfitters Leader Board 2015

Salmon

1) 24.3 lbs – Mark Parker- Waterfront – Anchovy - January 6^th

Halibut

1) 55.3 lbs – Rick Lelonde – Oak Bay – February 14th

Trout

1) 4.7 lbs – Bryan Barter – Fuller Lake – March 8^th

2) 4.3 lbs – Paul Tilley – Langford Lake – January 17^th

3) 3 lbs 13 oz – Mike Reid – Elk Lake – March 8^th

4) 2.4 lbs – Bryan Barter – Elk Lake – March 23^rd 

 

2015 DERBIES and EVENTS

Island Outfitters starts and ends the year with the free for fun and prizes Salmon, Trout 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.

19^th Annual Just For the Halibut Derby – April 25^th – 26^th 2015. Tickets will first be available at our Early Bird Ticket Sale at the Six Mile Pub on March 11th  starting at 6:30 pm.

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