Fishing Report for Week Ending October 18, 2015
SALTWATER
OVERVIEW – Salmon fishing was SLOW to FAIR most of this past week. The coho are the most common salmon in the local waters and a good mix of unmarked and marked fish are being caught. There were some chum salmon also caught, and a very few winter springs. However, most coho are still in that 3-6 lb range with a few larger ones to 12 lbs being caught. Halibut fishing was EXCELLENT 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; or C) Follow our sport fishing Twitter account https://twitter.com/sportfishingbc 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 FAIR this past week. It’s mostly coho that are being caught, usually out in the shipping lanes and in 400+ feet of water. The second and third tide lines have been producing most of the fish. A few Chums have been caught as well. Shore casters at Kaltasin Spit are catching chum salmon at the mouth of the river. The 3.5-4” G-Force spoons, as well as hoochies, are the top choices for Sooke anglers. G-Force spoons in Outfitters, Irish Cream and No Bananas and Hoochies in White Glow, Army Truck and Tiger Prawn are the go to colours that have been catching their fair number of fish. The most popular flashers recently have been the Ok’i Betsey, the Gibbs Outfitter and the Madi.
BECHER BAY– Salmon fishing was FAIR in East Sooke. The best fishing has been in 550 feet of water and way out in the strait. The best depths to fish have been between 60 – 90 feet on the downrigger. Cheanuh Marina held a small coho derby on Saturday and the winner was Paul Gauthier with an 11.6 lb coho. More hatchery coho are showing up in the mix. There were a few winter springs caught, just not too many. G-force spoons were the most productive lure. However, plastic baits have been popular as well. 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 this past week. Most anglers are catching Coho out in the tide lines past Race Rocks. The 400-600 foot depths have produced the best this past week. Most coho have been caught between 70 to 90 feet on the downrigger but the fish are sometimes a little deeper and it’s a good idea to have one line down at 120 feet. The coho have mostly been ranging from 3-6 lbs, with a mixture of marked and unmarked fish being caught. That said, a couple of 10 to 12 lb coho have been caught. Some chum salmon into the mid teens have also been caught and they are a little deeper in the water column. The chums like a very slow troll and have ben caught, surprisingly, on bait and Coho Killer spoons. 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 week with reports of Halibut up to 57 lbs being brought in. 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 salmon was SLOW along the waterfront. Most anglers have switched there target fish to Coho and Chum. Anglers were finding success in 300 ft of water off Albert Head as well as off the edge of Constance Bank. The coho are starting to show up in better numbers but still seem scattered along the Victoria Area. 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 Purple Onion and Bon Chovy flashers have 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 week. Colin Wong brought in a very fat, 130 cm long, 75.8 lb halibut from Constance Bank to take over the leader position on our year long leader board. Jason Frost also landed a big one on Constance Bank, a 67 lb, 133 cm long halibut. Dogfish this week seem to be more of a problem. 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 SLOW this past week. Some winter springs as large as 12 lbs have been caught but very few coho came from this areat. 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. 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 SLOW near Sidney. The Pender Bluffs have really slowed down and we haven’t heard of any action form there. There are a lot of feeder springs in the Sidney Channel, but they are almost all 1” to 4” short of the minimum size for retention. However, we did hear of a 12 lb spring caught near the Powder Wharf.. Many anglers are fishing using anchovies in Bloody Nose and UV Green teaser heads. Coho Killer spoons have also been working well, especially in double glow and Gold Nugget. A couple of halibut have been taken as incidental catches this past week.
Notable Catches – Colin Wong brought in a very fat, 130 cm long, 75.8 lb halibut from Constance Bank to take over the leader position on our year long ladder board. Cheanuh Marina held a small coho derby on Saturday and the winner was Paul Gauthier with an 11.6 lb coho.
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. Wild rainbows and cutthroats over 50 cm must be released in Cowichan Lake.
The Cowichan River is Open to Fly Fishing Only from the Weir in Cowichan Lake downstream to the Mile 66 Trestle (CNR Trestle) (as described in the 2015-2017 Freshwater Fishing Regulations Synopsis – page 16 has a map). The Cowichan River remains closed to the retention of all Salmon species until further notice. Fishers are further reminded that until 2359 hours November 15, 2015, the Cowichan River is Closed to All Recreational Angling Downstream of the Mile 66 Trestle (CNR Trestle)(as described in the 2015-2017 Freshwater Fishing Regulations Synopsis – (page 16 has a map) to the Tidal Water Boundary in Cowichan Bay (The Tidal Water Boundary runs from an orange boundary sign located at the Hecate Boat Ramp to an orange boundary sign located on a piling near Green Point, in Cowichan Bay).
TROUT – Trout fishing was GOOD on most lakes in the South Island area this past week.
The Vancouver Island Fish hatchery is doing the fall stocking program of catchable rainbow trout. On October 16th, Fuller Lake received 1,000 catchable rainbow trout averaging 246 grams and Chemainus, Shawnigan and Dougan Lakes received 750 catchable rainbow trout averaging 246 grams. On October 15th, Thetis Lake received 1,300 catchable rainbow trout averaging 222 grams, Glen, Kemp, and Matheson Lakes received 500 catchable rainbow trout averaging 222 grams, Lookout Lake received 175 catchable rainbow trout averaging 222 grams and Ida Anne Lake received 75 catchable rainbow trout averaging 222 grams. On October 14th, Durrance Lake received 1,900 catchable rainbow trout averaging 234 grams. On October 5th, Lookout Lake received 175 catchable rainbow trout averaging 222 grams and Ida Anne Lake received 75 catchable rainbow trout averaging 216 grams. On October 2nd Shawnigan Lake received 1,375 trout, Dougan Lake 750, Fuller Lake 1,225 and Chemainus Lake 750 trout averaging 216 grams in size. On October 1st, Elk Lake received 2,000 trout and Prospect Lake received 2,175 catchable rainbow trout averaging 211 grams in size. On September 30th, Langford Lake received 750 trout averaging 644 grams ion size.
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 FAIR. Soft plastics rigged Carolina style are working well and crank baits 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
It’s time to go out and catch your chums, salmon that is, not your buddies. Chum salmon like black or purple hootchies, and most anglers will switch to using black hooks as well, to catch these hard fighting salmon. Troll very slowly and use a dodger instead of a flasher.
Island Outfitters Leader Board 2015
Salmon1) 39.4 lbs – Justin Wilson – Church Rock – Anchovy - July 5th
2) 38.2 lbs – Jordan Game – Sooke – Anchovy – July 18th
3) 36.1 lbs – Bruce Cook – Breakwater – Anchovy - September 17th
4) 34.8 lbs – Jim Dow – Victoria Harbour – Anchovy – September 15th
5) 34.4 lbs – Peter Tang – Trap shack – Anchovy - September 4th
Halibut
1) 75.8 lbs – Colin Wong – Constance Bank – October 16th
2) 70.4 lbs – Mike Koff – Oak Bay - Octopus – April 26th
3) 69.1 lbs – Mike Paltinger – Haro Strait – Herring - April 25th
4) 67.3 lbs – Rick Lelonde – Oak Bay – April 25th
5) 67.0 lbs – Jason Fraser – Oak Bay – September
Trout
1) 4 lbs 7 oz – Bryan Barter – Fuller Lake – March 8th
2) 4 lbs 5 oz– Chris Findlow – Elk Lake – August 7th
3) 4 lbs 3 oz– Paul Tilley – Langford Lake – January 17th
4) 4 lbs 2 oz– Doug Burnit – Dougan Lake – May 9th
5) 3 lbs 13 oz – Mike Reid – Elk Lake – March 8th
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!