Fishing Report for Week Ending May 31, 2015

 

 

 

SALTWATER

OVERVIEW – Chinook fishing was GOOD most of this past week. Halibut fishing was FAIR but most anglers were out after salmon.

The daily limit for coho is two (2) per day, hatchery marked only from June 1 to December 31, 2015.

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.

SOOKE – The fishing for springs was FAIR this past weekend. Some hatchery springs into the teens were taken and there were some very big wild fish that were caught and had to be released east of Sherringham Point. The springs are scattered all the way west and past Sherringham Point and not concentrated in any specific area. The salmon restrictions are not in effect west of Sherringham and we heard of a couple of 40 lb springs caught out that way, but haven’t actually verified that report. Bait is now out producing artificial lures when fishing for the springs. Also, the fish have been at different depths, from the mid water levels to the bottom. 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.

BECHER BAY– Salmon fishing was GOOD in East Sooke. Most of the fish were coming from the Bedfords and Whirl Bay again. That said, there were also fish coming from the Trap Shack to Beechey Head and a few in the bay. Most hatchery springs were running from 9 to 15 lbs in size and there were some larger unclipped fish that had to be released. Some of the salmon were caught deep (120 -160 feet) in even deeper water and others were caught from 50-70 feet on the downrigger. Anchovies were the most productive bait and Bloody Nose and Green Glow were the most popular teaser heads. Spoons and plastic baits have also been catching a few fish. Spoons, in 3 or 4 inch size such as G-Force in Trap Shack or Cop Car were effective. Squirts are working too with Pistachio, Purple Haze and white the best patterns. For flashers, the Lemon Lime and the Purple Onion have been good lately.

PEDDER BAY – Chinook salmon fishing was GOOD this past week. Like last week, Whirl Bay and Church Rock were the most consistent spots, although those fishing inside Pedder Bay were also picking up salmon. There were several wild fish over 20 lbs caught in Whirl Bay but most were hatchery fish in the 9 – 13 lb size range. Also, the fish have been at different depths, from the mid water levels to the bottom. Anchovy was the most productive bait for springs with Green, Special Red, Purple Haze and Bloody Nose being top choices in teaser heads. White hootchies have also been good. Coho Killers and G-force spoons with both glow and green have been working as well. Flashers that remain popular include the Madi and the Purple Onion.

Halibut – Halibut fishing was FAIR this past weekend. 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 GOOD off Constance Bank but SPOTTY along the waterfront. Hatchery fish weighing into the high teens were caught at Constance, as well as some bigger unclipped fish that had to be released. The salmon were feeding on needlefish that were schooled on the bank. Needlefish spoons and squirts were very effective in getting hook ups. Anglers have not done as well fishing closer to shore but there were a few fish near Brotchie Ledge and clover Point. Anchovies and Tiny Strip have been working well in glow colors. Good choices in plastic baits are the Cloverleaf, Purple Haze and Glo Below squirts. Gibbs Coho Killer, Kingfisher and Coyote spoons in green and glow colours have been very effective. The Lemon Lime flasher with the Glow Green Splatter Back Coho Killer has been a very effective combo out on the bank. 

Halibut – Halibut fishing was FAIR this past weekend. 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 during this past week. There was a mixture of both wild and hatchery fish in the area. The fish were hitting 3”-4” spoons as most of the needlefish in the area were small. Anglers did best using squirts, spoons, or tiny strip or anything that imitated a needlefish. The Trap Shack has been the best color G-Force spoon and Gold Nugget and Green Splatterback have been the best Coho Killer spoons. Good squirts were the Purple Haze, J-79 and white. The best flasher has been the Gibbs Lemon Lime.

Halibut – Halibut fishing was GOOD this past week out in Haro Strait and off Discovery Island. Mark Grant reports that halibut have moved over into Haro Strait following the big herring and can be found from 165 feet down to 350 feet. Find the balls of bait on the finder then fish there for the halibut. Look for G (gravel) or S (Sand) on your charts for the best results. Kingsley reported landing a 53 lb halibut while his partner Mike Fekette landed a 43 lbs halibut. Anglers are 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 VERY GOOD near Sidney. Coal Island produced some big salmon, up to 30 lbs. It was also very good for chinooks into the mid teens, near Hambley Point and from Sidney Spit to the Red Can in the afternoon and evenings. Moresby Island (which is for sale and can be yours for only $50,000,000) also produced springs up to 16 lbs. Mark Roler reported landing a nice 14.5 lb hatchery chinook while trolling a anchovy behind a chrome flasher at155’ just outside Deep Cove in 204’ water. Many anglers are fishing using anchovies in Bloody Nose and UV Green teaser heads. Squirts have been out producing hootchies 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 – Mark Roler reported landing a nice 14.5 lb hatchery chinook while trolling a anchovy behind a chrome flasher at155’ just outside Deep Cove in 204’ water. Kingsley reported landing a 53 lb halibut while his partner Mike Fekette landed a 43 lbs halibut. 

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

 

FRESHWATER

OVERVIEW – Fishing is GOOD on most lakes as the water temperatures climb. Trout fishing in the Cowichan River is EXCELLENT but the river is very low. 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 15^th.

COWICHAN RIVER – The water level is very low. Today it is 0.34 meters near the lake and 0.32 meters near Duncan. The trout fishing in the mid and upper river is EXCELLENT. The rainbows, cutthroats and resident brown trout are actively feeding on these hatches and migrating salmon fry. During the hatch, match the hatch with dry flies for exciting action. Bead head nymphs are the top producer when a hatch isn’t in progress. 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 GOOD on most lakes in the South Island area this past week. The Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC most recent local releases of rainbow trout from the Vancouver Island Trout Hatchery are as follows. On May 25^th, Thetis Lake received 750 and Poirier Lake received 500 catchable rainbow trout with an average weight of 242 grams. On May 11^th, Elk Lake received 5,000 yearling trout with an average weight of 32.53 grams and Langford Lake received 2,500 yearling trout with an average weight of 64.46 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 rainbow, 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 this year have come from Langford Lake.

BASS - Bass fishing is EXCELLENT. At this time of year most of the bass are in the shallows.  During the day, soft plastics rigged Carolina style work well and crank baits can work well too. Soft plastics rigged “Carolina Style “is also a good choice when fishing drop offs and docks. The most productive colors in 4” Yum baits are 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 15^th.

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 

What’s your line? Is it strong and kink free or is it weakened from hard fishing? If it is monofilament, it’s a good habit to regularly check the first 20 to 30 feet of line for kinks, nicks, and scratches. Cutting off the weakened section can reduce the chances of losing that big one to a broken line. And, it’s a good idea to replace your monofilament line every year. 

 

Island Outfitters Leader Board 2015 

 

Salmon

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

 

Halibut

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

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

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

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

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

 

Trout 

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

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

3) 4.2 lbs – Doug Burnit – Dougan Lake – May 9^th

4) 3 lbs 13 oz – Mike Reid – Elk Lake – March 8^th

5) 2.42 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.

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