Fishing Report for Week Ending January 10, 2016

SALTWATER


OVERVIEW – Salmon fishing was GOOD this past week but most of the salmon caught were on the small size. There were some larger salmon up to 16 lbs caught. Halibut fishing is closed during January.

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 FAIR recently but still not a lot of anglers out fishing. There are lots of undersize springs off Sooke right now but also larger keepers. It’s been good around the 140 foot contour. 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 Lemon Lime.

BECHER BAY – Salmon fishing was GOOD for anglers in East Sooke. Anglers were reporting good success in the bay for springs up to 16 lbs. Inside of Frazer Island and towards the marina has been the spot. It’s also been good over by the Trap shack and Whirl Bay. Most of the fish being brought back to the marina weigh between 5-8 lbs in size. Anchovies in glow teaser heads have been very effective in luring the winter springs. 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.

PEDDER BAY –Salmon fishing was GOOD this past weekend. Those who did go out caught fish that were mostly in the 2-5 lb range. Most of the fish were caught close to the bottom in 120-150 feet of water inside the bay by the Navy Buoy. The trolling pattern has been to do figure eights between the Deep Hole and the Can Buoy. The anglers are fishing close 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. And you can’t go wrong fishing anchovies in a Bloody Nose teaser.

HALIBUT – Halibut fishing is closed during January.

 

Alex Green with his 14.5 lb spring from the Victoria harbour Alex Green with his 14.5 lb spring from the Victoria harbour


VICTORIA – Fishing for salmon was GOOD off Victoria. The salmon were moving along the waterfront from Albert Head to Trial Island and out at Constance Bank. Constance Bank has been good when it wasn’t blowing too hard. We’ve heard of springs into the low teens caught out there this past week. Closer in, we’ve heard that the 140 foot contour has been good along the waterfront and the 90 foot contour at the harbour entrance. Alex Green landed a beauty 14.5 lb spring at the harbour entrance. 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 White Glow. Coho Killers, AP Needlefish, G Force and Coyote spoons in Green Splatterback, Moon Glow and glow white & green colours have also been good. The Purple Onion and Bon Chovy flashers have been popular recently.

HALIBUT – Halibut fishing is closed during January.

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 is closed during January.

SIDNEY- Salmon fishing was SLOW near Sidney. Most of the winter springs have been short of the minimum size for retention and we haven’t heard of any keepers caught this past week. 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 is now closed in Saanich Inlet. 

Notable Catches – Alex Green landed a beauty 14.5 lb spring at the harbour entrance.

 Please send photos (in jpeg format) and descriptions of your notable catch to our email info@fishingvictoria.com  

 

FRESHWATER


OVERVIEW – Fishing is FAIR in 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 – Water levels have been dropping fairly steadily and clearing since it blew out on December 13th.  Today the water level is 1.02meters near the lake and 1.0 meters near Duncan. Winter steelheading is now the focus on the river. We’ve heard of good numbers of steelhead being caught and released in the river recently, mostly in the Riverbottom area. The Riverbottom and Bible Camp area has been the best area to fish and is fairly good to wade at these water levels. For steelhead, good lures to fish are Spin ‘n Glo’s, Beads and yarn, Gooey Bobs and the always reliable Pink Worm. Spoons can also be a great lure in these conditions. Fly fishing for trout at the top end of the river has been good.

TROUT – Trout fishing was FAIR on most lakes in the South Island area this past week. Cowichan Lake has produced some large cutthroat trout for those trolling 3” 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. Fishing drop shot style is your best bet now. Soft plastics rigged “Carolina Style “are also a good choice when fishing the bottom, drop offs and reefs, and have been most productive in 4” Smoke or Pumpkinseed Yum baits. 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 


Shorten your leader for winter springs. These fish are much more active feeders than the mature fish we catch in the summer and not nearly as leader and flasher shy. You’ll get just as much action with 4 foot leader instead of a 6 to 8 foot leader and find it a lot easier to land a fish.


 

2015 Island Outfitters Leader Board Winners


Congratulations to all winners and participants this past year.


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!