Fishing Report for Week Ending August 28, 2016

SALTWATER

OVERVIEW – Salmon fishing was GOOD much of this past week. Halibut fishing was GOOD this past week.

For the latest details on recreational fishery openings and closures in your area:

1. A) Call 1-866-431-FISH or 604-666-2828 (24-hour phone line);


2. B) Visit our web page http://notices.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fns-sap/index-eng.cfm to find applicable fishery notices; or


3. C) Follow our sport fishing Twitter account https://twitter.com/sportfishingbc

Fin Fish (Other than Salmon) - Halibut: fishery continuing until further notice - August 26th, 2016.

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 last week. Sherringham Point, Muir Creek, Otter Point, Possession Point and Secretary Island all produced salmon. There were some big springs in the 20’s, many “teeners” and some small ones too. The coho fishing also picked up and many of them were big. The hatchery fish were running from 8–14 lbs and the wild, unmarked coho were even bigger. Anchovies are now the top choice for bait and good choices for teaser head colors are UV Green, Chartreuse, Bloody Nose and Purple Haze.The top spoons for Sooke anglers are the White Lightening and Irish Cream Coho Killers. For flashers, you can’t go wrong with a Super Betsey, Madi or Bon Chovi Flasher. Hootchies in Cop Car, Purple haze and White have been effective in the past month.

BECHER BAY – Salmon fishing was GOOD this past week although up and down at times. Most of the springs have been in the teens with a few in the twenties. The Trap Shack, Beechey Head and Aldridge Point were the most productive locations to fish. The coho fishing has picked up with anglers getting 6 – 14 lb hatchery fish. Those who targeted coho did quite well. Anglers using bait are finding anchovies in glow teaser heads have been working best. Spoons, such as the G-Force and Skinny G, in Bon Chovy or Outfitters’ colours were also effective. For flashers, the Betsey, Lemon Lime and Bon Chovi have been good.

Cheanuh Marina held their Annual Salmon Derby this past weekend. There were 227 rod tickets purchased and approximately 130 fish weighed in. The winner of the derby was Gary Garner who caught a 26.6 lb chinook. Second place went to Brent Cormer for a 25.5 lb chinook. Third place went to Brad Kumetsky for a 23.2 lb chinook. The prize for largest coho went to Brian stewart with a 13.2 lb hatchery coho.

PEDDER BAY –Salmon fishing was GOOD this past week. The best chinook fishing was near the entrance of Pedder Bay and near Bentick Island. Church Rock also produced a few as well. Some hatchery coho up to 13 lbs were also caught, mostly by angers targeting the coho. Anchovies were the top bait this past week. Good choices for teaser head colors are UV Green, Chartreuse, Bloody Nose and Purple Haze. Flashers that are popular include the Betsey, Lemon-Lime and Madi.

HALIBUT – Halibut fishing was GOOD this past week. The best areas were Race Rocks, William Head, 27 Fathom reef and Constance Bank. 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 Mudraker, Lucky or 9” Jumbo Squids if you want to stay away from the dogfish.



VICTORIA – Fishing for salmon was HOT AND COLD this past week. There were good bites at times and other long periods were there was nothing happening. The best depths have been 40 to 77 feet on the downrigger. There have been good bites at Macauley, the breakwall, Brotchie Ledge and Clover Point. Most of the springs have been from 8 to 15 lbs in size.  Anchovies have been a good bait to use (12 or 10 pack) and Bloody Nose, UV Green and Purple Haze have been the most popular colors for teaser heads. Spoons have been successful in getting hook ups as well. Green Spatter Back UV Coho Killers, 3.5” Cop Car spoons or AP Tackleworks needlefish spoons have also brought good results in Victoria.

HALIBUT – Halibut fishing was GOOD early this past week with the best areas Constance Bank, Border Bank and the Mud Hole. Anglers that were fishing were using extra large herring, salmon bellies and/or octopus for bait. Also working well, and discouraging to dogfish, was the 9” Jumbo Squid in Green Glow.

OAK BAY – Salmon fishing was SLOW again this past week. There were some fish caught, just not too many of them. Good trolling lures have been Coho Killers, Bon Chovi or Outfitters Skinny G spoons and. Anglers jigging have been using Needlefish Darts or Deep.

HALIBUT – Halibut fishing was GOOD this past week. However, most anglers that were fishing for halibut were using extra large herring, salmon bellies and/or octopus for bait. Also working well was the 9” Jumbo Squid in Green Glow. Also working well, and discouraging to dogfish, was the 9” Jumbo Squid in Green Glow.

SIDNEY- Salmon fishing was SLOW this past week. The Pender Bluffs produced a couple of large springs up to 27 lbs. Elsewhere it was very quiet. Sidney Anglers held a small derby and not a single legal chinook was caught. Anglers using spoons found Coho Killers, Gibbs Needle G and AP Tackleworks needlefish spoons the most successful this past year. Anglers jigging have also been caught springs using Needlefish Darts and Deep Stingers. The Powder Wharf and Shag Rocks area are popular for jigging salmon.

Effective July 25, 2016 at 00:01 hours until October 14, 2016 at 23:59 hours, you may not retain Chinook salmon in the following waters: Subareas 18-6 to 18-8, 18-10.

Notable Catches – Cheanuh Marina held their Annual Salmon Derby this past weekend. There were 227 rod tickets purchased and approximately 130 fish weighed in. The winner of the derby was Gary Garner who caught a 26.6 lb chinook. Second place went to Brent Cormer for a 25.5 lb chinook. Third place went to Brad Kumetsky for a 23.2 lb chinook. The prize for largest coho went to Brian stewart with a 13.2 lb hatchery coho. 

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

 

FRESHWATER

OVERVIEW – Fishing is GOOD in most lakes for both trout and bass. All streams within Management Units 1-1, 1-2, 1-3, 1-4, 1-5, and 1-6, except the Big Qualicum River, the Puntledge River and the Quinsam River are closed to fishing until further notice. For clarity, in freshwater management units 1-1 to 1-6 only the Big Qualicum, Puntledge and Quinsam/Campbell Rivers remain open to angling.

TROUT – Trout fishing is GOOD on most lakes in the South Island area. Shore anglers are catching trout on Powerbait, Gulp Eggs, or worms while fishing close to the bottom. Chartreuse and Fluorescent Yellow 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.  2” Tomic Plugs have also been working well for Trout.

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” are 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 

A long Salmon fishing rod gives the advantage to the angler. Short rods can be used for convenience on small boats but give up a lot of advantage.  Nine foot rods should be your absolute minimum but a 10’6” rod gives the fisherman that much more advantage.

 

2016 Island Outfitters Leader Board

 

Halibut

1) 76.4 lbs – Jordyn Dornblut – Race Rocks – August 13^th

2) 75.8 lbs – Walker Grant – Waterfront – Herring - March 27^th

3) 73.9 lbs – Jeff Brohman - Sooke Bluffs – April 30^th

4) 71.3 lbs – Marty Antcil – William Head – April 30^th

5) 68.9 lbs – Kevin Hicks – Trial Island – April 30^th

 

Trout

1) 5 lbs – Simon Arney – Langford Lake – Powerbait - July 24^th

2) 3 lbs 14 oz – Kody Stofer – Elk Lake – Salmon Eggs - January 26^th

3) 3 lbs 9 oz – Ron Flower – Quamichan Lake – Wedding Band- April 23^rd

4) 2 lbs 11 oz – Matt Beeby – Duncan – Black Leech – April 30^th

5) 2 lbs 4 oz – Ryan Rock – Duncan – Black Leech – April 30^th

 

Salmon

1) 40.2 lbs – Kayden Tyler – Anchovy – Victoria – August 3^rd

2) 38.5 lbs – Dalton Laubru – Anchovy – Sooke – July 29^th

3) 36.2 lbs – Ban Tran – Anchovy – Victoria – August 1^st

4) 34.4 lbs – Debbie Campbell – Anchovy - Beechey Head - July 24^th

5) 33.7 lbs – Archie Currie – Anchovy – Point Renfrew – July 1^st

 

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!