Fishing Report for Week Ending December 20, 2015

SALTWATER


OVERVIEW – Salmon fishing was GOOD this past week. The weather, once again, was poor for much of the week and the big windstorm and very few anglers were out on the water. That said, most of the salmon were on the small size but some larger fish were caught.. Halibut fishing was GOOD for those targeting the big flatfish.

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 GOOD recently but very few anglers were out fishing. There are lots of undersize springs off Sooke right now and a few keepers into the mid teens. The 3”-4” Coyote, Gypsy and G-Force spoons, as well as hoochies, are the top choices for Sooke anglers. G-Force spoons in Outfitters, Irish Cream and No Bananas have been very popular. Hoochies in White Glow, Army Truck and Tiger Prawn have been catching their fair number of fish. The most popular flashers recently have been the Purple Onion, the Gibbs Outfitter and the Madi.

BECHER BAY – Salmon fishing was GOOD for anglers in East Sooke. Very few anglers were out but some nice springs up to 16.5 lbs did get caught. Most of the anglers reporting success were getting their fish in Whirl Bay. G-force spoons were the most productive lure. However, plastic baits have been popular as well, especially in UV and/or glow patterns. 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 and the Purple Onion have been good. Four halibut were brought into the marina on the weekend.

PEDDER BAY –Salmon fishing was GOOD this past weekend. Not many anglers were out fishing, but those who did go out caught fish that were mostly in the 5-7 lb range. Most of the fish were caught close to the bottom in 120-150 feet of water. Peter Landsman went deep to 250 feet with an anchovy off Church Rock and was rewarded with a 15.5 lb spring. The anglers are fishing tight to the bottom are often bouncing the downrigger balls on the bottom. Small spoons, such as the G-Force, Coyote and Gypsy, in the glow and/or any bright colours were very effective. Hootchies and squirts also produced well. Flashers that remain popular include Glow green, Lemon-Lime and Purple Onion.

Peter Landsman with a 15.5 lb spring from Church Rock Peter Landsman with a 15.5 lb spring from Church Rock


HALIBUT – Halibut fishing was GOOD this past week. Most boats that went out after halibut caught fish. Anglers that were fishing were using 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 GOOD off Victoria when it wasn’t blowing too hard. The salmon are all along the waterfront from Esquimalt to Trial Island and on Constance Bank. We did hear of fish as large as 12.5 lbs near the harbour mouth, but most were in the 2-4 lb size range. Unfortunately, seals are once again becoming a problem. Anchovies, spoons and squirts were successful in getting hook ups. Bloody Nose 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. Gypsy, AP Needlefish, G Force and Coyote spoons in green, moon glow and silver colours have also been good. The Purple Onion and Bon Chovy flashers have been popular recently.

HALIBUT – Halibut remains GOOD around Middle Bank and Constance Bank. Good depths seem to be between 155 ft and 255ft for active fish and herring with salmon bellies and octopus working best. Most anglers that were fishing were using 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. 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 FAIR 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, but very few anglers have been out. We did hear of a 9 lb spring caught near Moresby, but that’s it. Most of the winter springs have been short of the minimum size for retention in previous weeks. Most 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 as well. 

Notable Catches – 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, but the fishing has been good for these large trout.

COWICHAN RIVER – After breaching flood heights last week the water levels has been dropping, but it’s still very high. Today the water level is 3.0 meters at the lake and 2 meters near Duncan. A few mint bright winter steelhead have been caught and released in the Riverbottom area. The river will have to drop some more before the fishing picks up again.  Effective until December 31, 2015 the daily limit for chum salmon is two (2) adults in the following portion of the Cowichan River: Downstream from the Mile 66 Trestle Bridge to the Highway No. 1 Bridge (Silver Bridge). Anglers are reminded that coho retention (both adults and jacks) remains closed at this time. The Cowichan River is Open to Fly Fishing Only from the Weir in Cowichan Lake downstream to the Mile 66 Trestle (CNR Trestle).

TROUT – Trout fishing was GOOD on most lakes in the South Island area this past week. Cowichan Lake has produced some large cutthroat trout for those trolling plugs, but that is strictly a catch and release fishery for large trout.

Bank anglers are catching trout on Powerbait, Gulp Eggs, or worms while fishing from shore and close to 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 are catching trout 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 VERY SLOW. 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 


Think pink for steelhead! The first runs of winter steelhead are now starting up the Cowichan, the Stamp and other rivers. And one of the most successful colors to use on the island is pink. Whether it’s a worm, yarn, or Spin ‘n Glos, think pink when you tie on your lure. 

Be sure to check our facebook page for daily specials leading up to Christmas. Also, our biggest sale of the year, the Boxing Day Sale, is coming up this weekend. Look for our ads and on our facebook page to discover great bargains.

 


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) 68.3 lbs – Kevin Dempster – Albert Head – November 29th

5) 67.3 lbs – Rick Lelonde – Oak Bay – April 25th

Trout

1) 7 lbs 10 oz – Tony Crenattin – Langford Lake – November 21st

2) 4 lbs 7 oz – Bryan Barter – Fuller Lake – March 8th

3) 4 lbs 5 oz– Chris Findlow – Elk Lake – August 7th

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

5) 4 lbs 2 oz– Doug Burnit – Dougan Lake – May 9th

 

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!