Fishing Report for Week Ending April 26, 2015

SALTWATER

OVERVIEW – Halibut fishing was EXCELLENT this past week during the 19th Annual Just for the Halibut Derby. Chinook fishing was GOOD with the salmon 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.

Visit our facebook page to see reports, news and videos by our guides and staff from their most recent trips and of the 19th Annual Just for the Halibut Derby! 

Our derby winner, Mike Koff with his son and his BIG FISH! Our derby winner, Mike Koff with his son and his BIG FISH!


 

The 19th Annual Just For the Halibut Derby

We have a great derby this past weekend. Over 400 tickets were sold and 140 halibut were weighed in at our store. The halibut ranged in size from 70.4 lbs (132cm) down to 11.1 lbs. The most commonly cited location of where fish were caught was Oak Bay. That included the winning fish and most of the prize winners. The top 10 prize winners were Mike Koff (70.4 lbs and $7,500 cash prize), Mike Paltinger (69.1 lbs and $2,500 cash prize), Brandon Kostman (67.3 lbs and $1,000 cash prize), Adam West (65.8 lbs), Steve Yakimovich (65.7 lbs), Duane Tudor (64.3 lbs), Beau Nairn (63 lbs), Steve Yakimovich (61.1 lbs), Gord Grivel (59.6 lbs) and Al Zaalberg (59.3 lbs). Visit our facebook page for LOTS of pictures of the deby, fish entries and prize winners.

Mike Paltinger with his 2nd place halibut Mike Paltinger with his 2nd place halibut


Brandon Kostman with his fishing partner Rick and their big halibut Brandon Kostman with his fishing partner Rick and their big halibut


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 PRETTY DECENT in East Sooke. The salmon were spread out from Whirl Bay to Secretary Island, but not right in Becher Bay. Most clipped springs were running from 7 to 11 lbs in size, but there were a few into the mid teens as well as some larger unclipped fish that had to be released. Most fish were caught deep (100 -140 feet) in even deeper water and 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 GOOD this past weekend as a lot of anglers combined their halibut trips with periods of salmon fishing. Whirl Bay was the best spot by far, with little happening inside Pedder Bay. There were a few hatchery fish into the  high teens caught, but most were from 4-10 lbs. 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. 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 EXCELLENT this past week with fish up to 70 lbs caught. Most anglers that were fishing were using mackerel, 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 VERY GOOD off Constance Bank during the week. The fish were concentrated there and fin clipped springs into the upper teens in weight were being caught. The fish were feeding on needlefish that were schooled on the bank. Anglers have not done as well fishing closer to shore. 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 EXCELLENT this past week. Most of the action has come from out near Border Bank and not so much form Constance and Albert Head. Most anglers that were fishing were using mackerel, 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. There were lots of needlefish around, keeping the fish in the area. Anglers were using squirts, spoons, or tiny strip or anything that imitated a needlefish. 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 Purple Haze, J-79 and Electric Chair. Good flashers have been the Purple Onion, Green/silver or Green Jellyfish.

Halibut – Halibut fishing was EXCELLENT this past week out in Haro Strait and off Discovery Island. Anglers that were fishing were using mackerel, 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. It was slow in most areas but Hambley Point was an exception. There was also some action at the south end of the Sidney channel. The springs were into the teens in size.  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.

Notable Catches – The top 10 prize winners in the halibut derby were Mike Koff (70.4 lbs and $7,500 cash prize), Mike Paltinger (69.1 lbs and $2,500 cash prize), Brandon Kostman (67.3 lbs and $1,000 cash prize), Adam West (65.8 lbs), Steve Yakimovich (65.7 lbs), Duane Tudor (64.3 lbs), Beau Nairn (63 lbs), Steve Yakimovich (61.1 lbs), Gord Grivel (59.6 lbs) and Al Zaalberg (59.3 lbs). Visit our facebook page for LOTS of pictures of the deby, fish entries and prize winners.

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. Bass fishing is now catch and release only until June 15th.

COWICHAN RIVER –The water level has been steadily dropping for the third consecutive week. The water level today is between 0.6-0.7 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 21st, Matheson Lake received 500 trout, Kemp Lake received 500 trout and Glen Lake received 500 trout with an average weight of 226 grams. On April 8th, 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 13th, Shawnigan Lake received 2,164 trout averaging 248 grams.  On March 12th, Spectacle Lake received 500 trout with an average size of 239 grams.  On March 10th, 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 9th, Thetis Lake received 1,250 trout and Kemp, Matheson, Glen and Dougan Lakes each relieved 500 trout with an average size of 234 grams.

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 PICKING UP. At this time of year some of the bass are moving into the shallows for spawning. Look for suspended fish 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. Bass fishing is now catch and release only until June 15th.

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 

Many anglers place a large bead on the end of their line just in front of the terminal swivel. This minimizes wear and tear and prevents broken rod tips when you reel in all of your line. Just make sure that the bead is wider than the opening of the guide at the rod’s tip.

 

Island Outfitters Leader Board 2015

Salmon

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

 

Halibut

1) 70.4 lbs – Mike Koff – Oak Bay - Octopus – April 26th

2) 69.1 lbs – Mike Paltinger – Haro Strait – Herring - April 25th

3) 67.3 lbs – Rick Lelonde – Oak Bay – April 25th

4) 65.9 lbs – Marty Pinchin – Mud Hole – March 30th

5) 65.8 lbs – Adam West – Zero Rock – Mackerel – April 25th

 

Trout

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

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

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

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

 

 

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 31st wins a special prize.

 

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