Fishing Report for Week Ending October 25, 2015

SALTWATER


OVERVIEW – Salmon fishing was SLOWER this past week. The coho are thinning out in local waters. Most of the coho are not fin clipped and still in that 3-6 lb range with only a few larger ones to 12 lbs being caught. A few chum salmon were caught and the odd decent winter spring. Out in the strait there are lots of very small winter springs on their outward migration. However, most coho 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 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 SLOW to 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. Most boats are getting about 1-2 fish per day. 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 BAYSalmon fishing was SLOW in East Sooke. You had to work hard to find the coho and keep on the schools. 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 – 150 feet on the downrigger. There are some fin clipped coho being caught but most were unclipped fish. 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 FAIR this past week. Most anglers are catching coho out in the tide lines past Race Rocks and averaging 1 to 2 fish per boat and you had to work hard to find the coho and keep on the schools. The 400-600 foot depth has produced the best results 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. There is also a lot of shaker chinook out in the strait now. 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.

 

Jelle DeBruykere, Kingsley Grant, Joe Haggett and JJ O’Donnell hold up 48, 32, 52, 55 lb halibut taken on a day charter from both Race Rocks and the 17 Fathom  Reef. Jelle DeBruykere, Kingsley Grant, Joe Haggett and JJ O’Donnell hold up 48, 32, 52, 55 lb halibut taken on a day charter from both Race Rocks and the 17 Fathom Reef.


HALIBUT – Halibut fishing was GOOD this past week. Jelle DeBruykere, Kingsley Grant, Joe Haggett and JJ O’Donnell caught 48, 32, 52, 55 lb halibut from both Race Rocks and the 17 Fathom reef in front of Peddler Bay. Depths were from 245 feet to 295 feet down with fresh herring, salmon belly and octopus all on the same hook to try and fend off the dogfish and leave something for the halibut to take. 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. Coho anglers were finding some success in 300 ft of water off Albert Head but most of the fish were coming from of Constance Bank. The coho are 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. 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 area. 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’ve only heard of one coho from 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. Many boats are not catching anything. 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. Prawning has been quite slow in Saanich Inlet.

Notable Catches  Jelle DeBruykere, Kingsley Grant, Joe Haggett and JJ O’Donnell caught 48, 32, 52 and 55 lb Halibut near Pedder Bay.

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 SLOWER. 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 


When you’re trout fishing with Powerbait, it pays to try different colors if the action slows down. Trout can be quite color selective and having the right color can trigger a bite. Many anglers will use two contrasting colors, such a red and green, when searching for that hot color. 

Island Outfitters Leader Board 2015


Salmon

1) 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!