Fishing Report for Week Ending April 19, 2015

 

SALTWATER

OVERVIEW – Chinook fishing was GOOD and halibut fishing was SLOW. The salmon were being found close to bait balls. If you weren’t near the bait, you weren’t catching much.

Effective until 23:59 hours Friday, June 12, 2015 in Subareas 19-1 to 19-4 and Subarea 20-5 (those waters near Victoria between Cadboro Pt. to Sheringham Pt.), 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.

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SOOKE – The fishing for winter springs was FAIR this past weekend. Some hatchery springs into the teens, and a few oversize unclipped chinooks, were taken just outside the harbour and near Secretary Island. Bait is now out producing artificial when fishing for the springs. Anchovies are working the best and Green and Bloody Nose teaser heads being the best color 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 SLOW this past weekend.

BECHER BAY– Salmon fishing was SLOW in East Sooke. Most of the salmon were caught between Beechey Head and the Bedfords. The clipped springs were running from 7 to 14 lbs in size and larger unclipped fish were caught and released. The best fish were caught at mid water depths (50 -60 feet) near bait balls. Anchovies were the most productive bait and Blood Nose and Green Glow were the most popular teaser heads. Spoons and plastic baits have also been working well. Spoons such as G-Force in No Bananas or Glow/Green were effective. 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 this past week. Whirl Bay was the best spot but a little slower than last week. If you could find a bait ball, you could pick up springs by fishing around the edge of the bait ball.  Most of the keepers weighed from 6 to 12 lbs and were caught near the bottom. However, we’ve heard that some larger springs are being caught at 60-80 feet on the downrigger. Anchovy were the most productive lure for springs with Green Chrome, Purple Haze and Bloody Nose being top choices in teaser heads. 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 SLOW this past week with fish up to 50 lbs caught. Most anglers that were fishing 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 for winter springs was GOOD off Constance Bank during the week. The fish were concentrated there and fin clipped springs into the low 20s in weight were being caught. The fish were feeding on needlefish that were schooled on the bank. Anglers have been catching fewer chinooks closer to shore. The best location off the waterfront was Brotchie Ledge. If you could find a bait ball, you could pick up springs by fishing around the edge of the bait balls. 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 SLOW this past week. That said, Eileen Goudy and her brother–in-law spent 30 minutes hauling in a 52 lb halibut. Most anglers that were fishing 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 GOOD for those trolling out on the Flats and in the Gap. This is the time of year, historically, when this area starts coming into its own, as far a s salmon are concerned. There were lots of needlefish around, keeping the fish in the area. Anglers were using squirts, spoons, or tiny strip. Many of 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 SLOW this past week. Anglers that were fishing 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.



SIDNEY- Salmon fishing was FAIR near Sidney this past weekend. There were fish up to 20 lbs coming in from Saanich Inlet, Wain Rock and Satellite Channel. In the Sidney Channel there were some fish into the high teens. Some good sized bait balls were in the channel and the fish were hanging close to the bait. Larry Dalziel hit into several nice springs while fishing the bait balls and took home a 16 lb spring.  Many anglers are fishing using anchovies in Bloody Nose and 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.

Notable Catches – Eileen Goudy and her brother–in-law spent 30 minutes hauling in a 52 lb halibut off the waterfront. Larry Dalziel hit into several nice springs while fishing the bait balls near Sidney and took home a 16 lb spring.

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

 

FRESHWATER

OVERVIEW – Fishing was SLOW on most lakes in the South Island area. Winter run steelhead is basically over and most of the fish remaining in the river are kelts.  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 has been steadily dropping for the secondweek. The water level today is between 0.8-0.9 meters throughout its length. The steelhead fishing is over and what fish there are now are kelts. The trout fishing in the upper river is excellent as insect hatches are becoming common. The rainbows, cutthroats and resident brown trout are actively feeding on these hatches and migrating salmon fry. Bead head nymphs are the top producer there. Good patterns are Prince Nymphs, Gold Ribbed Hare’s Ears and Wooly Buggers. A fry imitation or a Wooly Bugger will also work, especially for the brown trout.

TROUT – Trout fishing was FAIR on most lakes in the South Island area this past week. The Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC has started their spring releases of catchable rainbow trout from the Vancouver Island Trout Hatchery. On April 8^th, Elk Lake received 2,000 trout, Lookout Lake received 175 trout and Ida Anne Lake received 75 trout with an average weight of 208 grams On March 13^th, Shawnigan Lake received 2,164 trout averaging 248 grams.  On March 12^th, Spectacle Lake received 500 trout with an average size of 239 grams.  On March 10^th, Elk Lake received 1,850 trout, Lookout Lake received 200 trout and Ida Anne Lake received 50 trout with an average weight of 240 grams. On March 9^th, Thetis Lake received 1,250 trout and Kemp, Matheson, Glen and Dougan Lakes each relieved 500 trout with an average size of 234 grams. So far this spring, 27,317 have been released into Island lakes.

Bank anglers are catching trout on Powerbait, Gulp Eggs, or worms while fishing from shore and right on the bottom. Orange Garlic and Pink Garlic have been good choices 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.

BASS - Bass fishing is starting to pick up. Spencer Robbins caught a nice 4 lb smallmouth while fishing in Beaver Lake this past week. At this time of year some of the bass are moving into the shallows while other bass are near deeper drop offs and hard to find. Look for the fish suspended by drop offs close to shore along docks, branches, and any overhanging structure. 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. 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 – Spencer Robbins caught a nice 4 lb smallmouth while fishing in Beaver Lake this past week.

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

 

FISH TIPS 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. 

Big jigs are a very effective way to catch halibut as most anglers know. You can improve your jigs by adding Berkeley GULP or Powerbait to your lures.  The large size and scent of this attractants should increase your hookups on the big flatfish.

 

Island Outfitters Leader Board 2015

Salmon

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

Halibut

1) 65.9 lbs – Marty Pinchin – Mud Hole – March 30^th

2) 58.2 lbs – Ryan Mace – Oak Bay – Herring - March15^th

3) 55.3 lbs – Rick Lelonde – Oak Bay – February 14^th

4) 51.0 lbs – Trevor Gains – Oak Bay – Mackerel – March 1^st

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.

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