Fishing Report for Week Ending September 6, 2015

SALTWATER

OVERVIEW – Salmon fishing was VERY GOOD BUT SLOW ON SOME DAYS this past week. Lots of chinooks were being caught all throughout the area, with most of them weighing in the teens. The coho are starting to appear out in the deeper waters of the strait. The pink salmon fishing was definitely slower and you had to work to find them. Halibut fishing was GOOD for those targeting this species.

Please note that there are salmon and other fishery closures in effect in numerous areas of BC’s tidal waters. For the latest details on openings and closures in your area:  A) Call 1-866-431-FISH or 604-666-2828 (24-hour phone line); or B) Visit our web page http://notices.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fns-sap/index-eng.cfm to find applicable fishery notices; orC) Follow our sport fishing Twitter account https://twitter.com/sportfishingbc

A closure was implemented on all southern island freshwater systems, including the Cowichan River, in early July prohibiting all fishing, including First Nations. FSC fishing. Management measures have been expanded to the adjacent terminal marine areas, elevating the key chinook non-retention areas to salmon non-retention areas. DFO analysis has shown that the implementation of this management measure will reduce the exploitation rate on Cowichan Chinook. The following subareas will close to salmon retention effective 00:01h August 4, 2015 until further notice: Subareas 17-5 to 17-7, 17-9, Subareas 18-6 to 18-8, Subareas 19-7 to 19-12

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

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 BUT SLOW ON SOME DAYS this past week. The springs were quite abundant and good catches came from all areas. Most of the springs were weighing between 10 to 20 lbs, but there were some “tyees” caught as well. The bigger springs are being caught in the 35 - 75 ft depths. Hatchery coho are more frequently being caught, usually out in the shipping lanes and in 300+ feet of water. Sockeye and wild coho still have be released. There are some pink salmon still around but there were fewer of them than last week. Anchovies are the number one choice of bait for Sooke anglers. Teaser heads that have been performing well are Chartreuse, Green Glow Bloody Nose and Purple Haze. G-Force spoons in Outfitters, Irish Cream and No Bananas have been catching their fair number of fish. Coho Killers have been quite effective in catching pinks. The most popular flashers recently have been the Ok’i Betsey, the Gibbs Outfitter and the Madi. 



BECHER BAY– Salmon fishing was VERY GOOD BUT SLOW ON SOME DAYS in East Sooke. The Trap Shack and the Bedfords were the most productive locations over the week. The best fishing there has been in tight to shore in 100 feet of water or less and between 40 – 75 feet on the downrigger. Most springs were running from 10 to 20 lbs in size with the occasional “tyee” being caught. Twelve year old Peter Tang reeled in a 35.2 lb chinook (weight at Cheanuh Marina) at the Trap Shack on Sept. 4, 2015. It was brought it to our store but was weighted at 34.4 lbs. Peter was using anchovy at 75 feet. Nine year old Rylan Morrison reeled in a 31 lb spring by himself at the Beechey Head on August 30^th. Anchovies were the most productive bait for the springs and No Bananas and Halloween Candy were productive teaser heads. However, spoons and plastic baits have been popular as well. There are a few pink salmon being caught and you had to work harder for them. The best pink fishing has been on the flood tide in the tide lines far out in the strait. A few hatchery coho are also starting to show up in the catches. The Glow/Green Stripe hootchy has been effective for springs this past week. Spoons, such as the G-Force and Skinny G, in the Bon Chovy or Irish Cream colours were effective. For flashers, the Lemon Lime, Super Betsey and the Purple Onion have been good.

 



PEDDER BAY – Salmon fishing was GOOD, MOST DAYS, this past week. Springs, more hatchery coho and wild coho and the odd pink were reported by Pedder Bay Marina. Everywhere from William Head to Church Rock produced spring salmon but church Rock was the best spot. Dave Byers landed a 33.7 lb spring at Church this past Friday. Most of the springs caught have been at that 40-75 foot depth zone. Anglers jigging in the bay were also catching springs using the 8 oz and 6 oz Gibbs/Delta Jumbo Anchovy jigging lure. The odd pink salmon is being caught and most of those are coming from deep water south of Whirl Bay. Some hatchery coho are being caught there as well. Anchovy was the most productive bait when trolling for springs with Glow Green and Bloody Nose being top choices in teaser heads Spoons, such as the G-Force and Skinny G, in the Bon Chovy or Irish Cream colours were effective Flashers that remain popular include Super Betsey, Lemon-Lime and Purple Onion.

 



HALIBUT – Halibut fishing was GOOD this past midweek. Fish from 30 lbs to almost 70 lbs were weighed at the marina. 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 GOOD BUT SLOWER along the waterfront. The springs were spread out from Esquimalt to Trial Island, depending on the tide. That said, Macauley Point was again the area most congested with boats. Constance Bank has been good, especially in the later part of the week. Anchovies, spoons and squirts were successful in getting hook ups. Chartreuse and Purple Haze have been the most popular colors for teaser heads. Good choices in plastic baits are the Electric Chair, Purple Haze and Glow white. Gibbs Coho Killers, AP needlefish and Coyote spoons in green, moon glow and silver colours have been very effective. The Lemon Lime and Bon chovy flasher has been very effective recently. The Glow Green Splatter Back Coho Killer has been a very effective out at the Constance Bank.



HALIBUT – Halibut fishing was GOOD this past weekend. Anglers report that the dogfish were less of a problem this past week. 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 FAIR this past week. Most salmon were caught when fishing with lures right on the bottom (60-110 ft) on the Flats and by the Gap. The fish were hitting needlefish spoon and squirts. Anglers also caught fish jigging right on the bottom. G-force and Skinny G spoons in No Bananas and Outfitter colours worked just fine. Coho Killers in Gold Nugget and Green Splatterback have been pretty productive too. The best flasher has been the Gibbs Lemon Lime and the Bon Chovy.

HALIBUT – Halibut fishing was GOOD this past weekend out in Haro Strait and off Discovery Island. 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 salmon have been most abundant close to Pender Bluffs and most boats are getting fish there. The springs are there in good numbers and they have been hitting Electric Chair hootchies trolled between 60 - 120 feet on the downrigger. Some of the springs are in the high twenties in size. There are still some pinks around, just not too many. Coho are also in the area and we’ve heard of both wild and hatchery fish caught. 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 Orange/Black/White, Purple Haze and Electric Chair. Coho Killer spoons have also been working well, especially in double glow and Gold Nugget. 



Notable Catches – Twelve year old Peter Tang reeled in a 35.2 lb chinook (weight at Cheanuh Marina) at the Trap Shack on Sept. 4, 2015. It was brought it to our store but was weighted at 34.4 lbs. Peter was using anchovy at 75 feet. Nine year old Rylan Morrison reeled in a 31 lb spring by himself at the Beechey Head on August 30^th. Dave Byers landed a 37.7 lb spring at Church this past Friday.

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 lake. Wild rainbows and cutthroats over 50 cm must be released in Cowichan Lake.

All rivers on Vancouver Island in Region 1 are now closed until further notice with the exception of the Nitinat, Campbell/Quinsam Rivers and the Qualicum River. We’re hoping that there will be enough rain soon to allow fishing in the rivers again.

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.

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 

At this time of the year you have to pay particular attention to fishery openings and closures. It almost seems as if some areas are only open for salmon on a day-to-day basis. What is closed one day may be open the next, and vice versa. So the day before you go fishing, phone federal fisheries or visit their web site to find out what opportunities are available and avoid any unpleasant surprises.

 

Island Outfitters Leader Board 2015

Salmon

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

2) 38.2 lbs – Jordan Game – Sooke – Anchovy – July 18^th

3) 34.4 lbs – Peter Tang – Trap shack – Anchovy - September 4^th

4) 33.7 lbs – Dave Byers – Church Rock – Anchovy – September 6^th

5) 33.6 lbs – David Chung – Muir Creek – Anchovy - July 16^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 lbs 7 oz – Bryan Barter – Fuller Lake – March 8^th

2) 4 lbs 5 oz– Chris Findlow – Elk Lake – August 7^th

3) 4 lbs 3 oz– Paul Tilley – Langford Lake – January 17^th

4) 4 lbs 2 oz– Doug Burnit – Dougan Lake – May 9^th

5) 3 lbs 13 oz – Mike Reid – Elk Lake – March 8^th

 

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!