Fishing Report for Week Ending July 5, 2015

SALTWATER

OVERVIEW – Salmon fishing was VERY GOOD most of this past week. The pink salmon have arrived earlier than usual and are in good abundance. Lots of boats were getting limits, especially if they tried to catch them! There were quite a few chinooks being caught with many in the 30-40 lb size range. It was a very good start to the month! Halibut fishing was FAIR but most anglers were out after salmon.

DFO notices (For all in-season changes, check DFO website http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca)

Effective until 23:59 hours July 17^th, 2015 in subareas 19-1 to 19-4 and 20-5, the daily limit is two (2) chinook salmon per day, of which only one (1) may be greater than 67 cm. The minimum size limit in these areas is 45 cm. Effective until 23:59 hours July 17^th, 2015 in Subareas 18-1 to 18-6, 18-9 and 18-11, and Subareas 19-5, and that portion of Subareas29-4 and 29-5 that lies south of a line from a point on the east side of Valdes Island located at 49.05.562n/123.39.989W then extending 57 degrees True for 5 nautical miles to a point at 49.08.316N/123.33.669W, the daily limit is two (2) chinook salmon per day of which only one (1) may be greater than 67cm The minimum size limit in these areas is 62cm in length. 

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

Visit our facebook page to see reports, news and videos by our guides and staff from their most recent trips.



SOOKE – The salmon fishing was VERY GOOD this past weekend. The pink salmon are here and many Sooke anglers have reported 10-25 pink salmon in one day! Now that the pinks are running, it is a great opportunity to get new anglers and kids out. The springs were in good abundance and scattered from Secretary Island west to Sherringham Point. There were many springs over 30 lbs caught as well as fish in the 20’s and teens. Jeff Candell brought in a 30 lb spring that he caught on a 4” Gibbs No Bananas G Force spoon off Secretary Island. Also, the fish seem more consistent in the 40- 80 ft depths. Anchovies are the number one choice for Sooke anglers but with the high numbers of pinks being caught recently, anglers are forced to use more artificial baits. We’ve heard of some anglers using up to 50 anchovies in a day’s fishing. Teaser heads that have been performing well with anchovies are Bloody Nose, UV Green, Green Glow and the Mint Pearl. 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 Gibbs Outfitter and the Jellyfish UV.

BECHER BAY – Salmon fishing was VERY GOOD in East Sooke. Most of the better sized springs (30’s and high 20’s) fish were caught between the Bedfords and Beechey Head but fishing was good everywhere. Pinks were reported in this area in as well with many boats getting limit catches. Most springs were running from 15 to 25 lbs in size, but several much larger fish were also caught. Dennis Zarelli brought in a 32.5 lb spring that he caught near the Trap Shack. Most fish have been getting caught between 35- 75 ft on the downrigger. Anchovies were the most productive bait for the big springs and Bloody Nose and Green Glow were the most popular teaser heads. However, spoons and plastic baits have been popular due to anglers switching to artificial baits because of the amount of bait needed to weed through all of the pinks! Spoons, in 3 or 4 inch size such as G-Force in the Outfitter or Trap Shack colours 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 – Salmon fishing was EXCELLENT this week. Lots of salmon were reported caught from Pedder Bay to Church Rock. The pinks were around in good numbers and the springs were in good numbers as well. Justin Wilson landed a 39.4 lb spring while fishing near Church Rock. It’s a great time to get the family out to experience the action pinks provide. For some of the anglers that were jigging inside of the bay, Mac Fish and Gibbs Minnows were the top choices used. Anchovy was the most productive bait for springs with Green, Special Red, Purple Haze and Bloody Nose being top choices in teaser heads. G-force spoons with both glow and green have been working as well and are getting more popular due to all of the pinks eating up bait. Flashers that remain popular include the Madi, Lemon-Lime and the Purple Onion.

Halibut – Halibut fishing was FAIR this past week. Most anglers are finding lots of dogfish but those who stuck it out, they were able to find a few halibut. 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 springs was VERY GOOD off Constance Bank and is GOOD along the waterfront. Fish weighing into the high teens and mid-twenties are being caught at Constance Bank and springs into the high twenties along the Waterfront. Fred McCullough landed a 30.6 lb spring near Albert Head. Both mark Kirkpatrick and Ed McNabb landed 27 lb springs off the waterfront. Mike Wardell landed a 23¼ lb off the waterfront as well. The pinks have also been showing up in good numbers off Victoria, much earlier than usual. Anchovies, needlefish spoons and squirts were very effective in getting hook ups. 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. Anglers had mixed reports of success because of lots of dogfish on one day and then none the next.  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 although very few pinks were in this area.  The fish caught were 10- 29 lbs and most were caught when fishing lures right on the bottom (70-110ft) on the flats. Harry Buckle and his son Cody had a great day off of Trial Island keeping 29 ,28, 25 and 22 lb springs as well as releasing many others  The fish were hitting 3”-4” spoons as most of the needlefish in the area were small. Anglers did best using the G-force spoons in 3 -3.5in. No Bananas and Outfitter colours have been the most popular. Anglers that were jigging in the afternoon in the Gap, reported catching fish up into the 20’s in the evening. Also, Coho Killers in Gold Nugget and Green Splatterback have been pretty productive. The best flasher has been the Gibbs Lemon Lime and the Bon Chovy.

Halibut – Halibut fishing was FAIR this past week out in Haro Strait and off Discovery Island. Kingsley Grant sent in a photo of a nice Halibut caught off of Discovery on Sunday. Anglers that have been fishing 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 GOOD near Sidney. The pink salmon have been running off of the Pender Bluffs and anglers have reported good catches form there. A few chinooks were brought in over the past week weighing into the low twenties but the majority of the fish caught were between 8 -17 lbs. the springs have been shallow, 30 to 50 feet and in shallow 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 Gold Nugget.

Notable Catches – Justin Wilson landed a 39.4 lb spring while fishing near Church Rock. Dennis Zarelli brought in a 32.5 lb spring that he caught near the Trap Shack. Jeff Candell brought in a 30 lb spring that he caught on a 4” Gibbs No Bananas G Force spoon off Secretary Island. Fred McCullough landed a 30.6 lb spring near Albert Head. Both mark Kirkpatrick and Ed McNabb landed 27 lb springs off the waterfront. Mike Wardell landed a 23¼ lb off the waterfront as well. Harry Buckle and his son Cody had a great day off of Trial Island keeping 29, 28, 25 and 22 lb springs as well as releasing many others.

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. 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.

Effective July 4, 2015, virtually all angling in streams and rivers in Wildlife Management Units 1-1 through 1-6 is suspended. The geographic area covers:

• Bamfield south to Victoria on the west coast

• Campbell River south to Victoria on the east coast 

Key rivers affected by the order include the Caycuse, Chemainus, Cowichan, Englishman, Gordon, Little Qualicum, Nanaimo, Nitinat, Oyster, Puntledge, San Juan, Sooke, Trent and Tsable. Lake fishing is not affected by the order. 

The angling closure order is for southern Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands only at this time, but B.C. government fisheries biologists are monitoring approximately 75 other key angling streams across the province, and if conditions warrant, additional closures are possible. 

TROUT – Trout fishing was GOOD on most lakes in the South Island area this past week. 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.

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

Avoid the crowds. When you see lots of boats fishing in a small area, it doesn’t necessarily mean there are lots of fish there, just lots of anglers. And the more anglers, the more gear in the water competing for what fish that may be there. Usually, you’re better off to fish away from the crowd with less competition for those fish that are willing to bite.

 

 Island Outfitters Leader Board 2015

Salmon

1) 39.4 lbs – Justin Wilson – Church Rock – Anchovy - July 5^th

2) 32.5 lbs – Dennis Zarelli – Trap Shack – Anchovy – July 1^st

3) 31.7 lbs – Zack Homer – West of Sheringham – Anchovy - June 19^th

4) 30.6 lbs – Fred McCullough – Albert Head – Anchovy - July 5^th

5) 30.0 lbs – Jeff Candell – Secretary Island – 4” G-Force spoon – July 4^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!

                                           !