Fishing Report Week Ending Dec 18, 2016

SALTWATER


OVERVIEW This past week’s snow, wind and cold virtually shut down the saltwater angling effort on the south Island. Salmon fishing was FAIR TO GOOD for feeder (winter) springs up to 14.5 lbs for those hardy anglers who braved the weather. Halibut fishing was FAIR but slowing down as the solstice approaches.

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);

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Visit our facebook page to see reports, news and videos by our guides and staff from their most recent trips. 

SOOKE – The salmon fishing had been GOOD for springs with most of the fish under 10 lbs in size. The area around the basin entrance was best but the fish are moving around more on the outside now. Most of the anglers have switched over to artificial lures and are trolling close to the bottom. The top spoons for Sooke anglers have lots of green, glow or Moon Jelly as the primary color. Anchovies are still a good choice for bait though and good choices for teaser head colors are UV Green, Chartreuse, Bloody Nose and Purple Haze. For flashers, you can’t go wrong with a Super Betsey, Madi or Bon Chovi Flasher. Hootchies in White, Glow/Green and Purple Haze have been effective recently. Shrimping has been very good in Sooke Basin.

BECHER BAY – Salmon fishing was FAIR this past week. Mostly small winter springs up to 8lbs were caught in the bay for the very few anglers who went out fishing. Most of the anglers have switched over to artificial lures and trolling close to the bottom. Spoons, especially G-Force and Skinny G spoons, in Bon Chovy or Outfitters’ colours have been very effective. Anglers using bait are finding anchovies in glow teaser heads have been working best. For flashers, the Betsey, Lemon Lime and Green/Silver Hot Spot have been good. Halibut fishing has been FAIR.

PEDDER BAY – Salmon fishing was GOOD this past weekend in the bay. The bay entrance has held lots of springs from 3 to 8 lbs and Whirl Bay has produced springs up to 10 lbs. Most of the anglers have switched over to artificial lures and trolling close to the bottom. Spoons, especially G-Force and Skinny G spoons in Brass/Silver, Bon Chovy or Outfitters’ colours, have been very effective. Hootchies and squirts with a green and glow color combination have been good plastic baits to use, especially with a 28” to 32” leader. Anchovies were still working 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 FAIR 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 GOOD recently but very few anglers were out on the water.. The best fishing has been out at Constance Bank where springs up to 12+ lbs have caught. That said, some springs are also coming from close in between Albert Head and Clover Point. Spoons have been very successful in getting hook ups but you have to check you line every 10 minutes for shakers. Green Spatter Back UV Coho Killers, 3.5” Cop Car spoons or AP Tackleworks needlefish spoons have brought good results at Constance Bank.

HALIBUT – Halibut fishing was FAIR with lots of dogfish around eating the bait. Some anglers did well with Powerbait grubs. Also working well, and discouraging to dogfish, was the 9” Jumbo Squid in Green Glow. Anglers that were fishing were mostly using extra large herring, salmon bellies and/or octopus for bait.

OAK BAY – Salmon fishing was FAIR to GOOD recently but very few, if any, anglers were out fishing. There were some springs up to 10 lbs caught on the flats but not too many. Most of the springs are too small for retention. The coho haven’t been running strong in this area as well. Good trolling lures have been Coho Killers, Bon Chovi or Outfitters Skinny G spoons or AP Tackleworks needlefish spoons. Anglers jigging have been using Needlefish Darts, Point Wilson Darts or Deep Stingers.

HALIBUT Halibut fishing was FAIR this past week. 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 FAIR this past week. We’ve heard of springs up to 14.5 lbs caught recently near Deep Cove and Wain Rock. There were some undersize springs caught in the Sidney Channel near the Red Can. Anglers using spoons found Coho Killers, Gibbs Needle G and AP Tackleworks needlefish spoons the most successful spoons this past year.

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

 

FRESHWATER


OVERVIEW – Fishing was SLOW in most lakes for trout and SLOW for bass during this past week’s cold spell. Some winter run steelhead are just starting to enter the rivers.. Fishery Notice - Fisheries and Oceans Canada Subject: FN1259-RECREATIONAL - Salmon - Region 1: Vancouver Island River Systems - Chum Daily Limit Change Strong chum returns have been observed in numerous Vancouver Island river systems recently. These large returns will or have surpassed escapement goals.  Effective immediately until December 31, 2016 the daily limit of chum is four (4) per day in the open portions of the following Region 1 rivers: Cowichan River: That portion of the Cowichan River from the 66 Mile Trestle downstream to the Highway No. 1 Bridge (Silver Bridge). Nanaimo River: That portion of the Nanaimo River from the upstream side of the Cedar Road Bridge, upstream to the end of Boswell Rd. (commonly known as “Firehall Pool”). Nitinat River: Those portions of the Nitinat River located downstream of Parker Creek and from 50 m upstream to 50 m downstream of the Nitinat River Bridge. Subject: FN1195-RECREATIONAL - Salmon - Region 1 - Cowichan River - Coho Retention Opportunity Effective November 1 until December 31, 2016 the daily limit of coho is one (1) per day (hatchery or wild) in the lower portion of the Cowichan River downstream from Mile 66 Trestle Bridge to the Highway No. 1 Bridge (Silver Bridge).   COWICHAN RIVER – Water levels in the river has been steadily dropping and is at 1.18 meters near the lake and 1.12 meters near Duncan. Fishing for trout with egg patterns in the fly only area has been good. A few steelhead are coming into the lower river. The salmon fishing has been slowing down as most of the salmon have now spawned.

TROUT – Trout fishing is FAIR 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 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.

The Vancouver Island Fish hatchery is finished with their fall stocking program of catchable triploid rainbow trout. On November 22nd Elk Lake received 2,000 trout averaging 245.17 grams in size, Glen Lake 500 trout averaging 237 grams in size, Spectacle Lake 850 trout averaging 253.3. grams in size and Lookout Lake 250 trout averaging 253.3 grams in size. On November 17th Prospect Lake 1,500 trout averaging 241.08 grams in size.. On November 14th Elk Lake received 2,000 trout and Prospect Lake 1,500 trout averaging 236.77 grams in size. On November 2nd Thetis Lake received 500 trout, Matheson Lake 500; Durrance Lake received 500 trout and Kemp Lake 750 trout averaging 255 grams in size. On October 25th Thetis Lake received 500 trout, Ida Anne Lake 350, Colwood and Lookout Lakes 250 trout averaging 230.95 grams in size. On October 21st Lookout Lake received 250 trout averaging 196.86 grams in size. On October 18th Spectacle Lake received 650 trout averaging 209.45 grams in size. On October 6th Prospect Lake received 2,000 trout, Glen Lake 500, and Durrance Lake 1,500 trout averaging 181.15 grams in size. On October 5th Elk Lake received 2,000 trout, Kemp Lake 750, and Matheson Lake 500 trout averaging 202.5 grams in size. On October 4th, Thetis Lake received 1,000 trout averaging 203.65 grams in size and Langford Lake received 2,000 catchable rainbow trout averaging 203.65 grams in size and 188 rainbows averaging 744.12 grams in size. On September 29th, Langford Lake received 600 trout averaging 744.12 grams in size.

BASS - Bass fishing is SLOW. 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


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 on Monday. Look for our ads and on our facebook page to discover great bargains.


 

2016 Island Outfitters Leader Board


 

Halibut

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

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

3) 75.3 lbs – Kevin Mitchell – West Race – November 4th

4) 73.9 lbs – Jeff Brohman - Sooke Bluffs – April 30th

5) 73.5 lbs – Nick Carson – Oak Bay – June 1st

 

Trout

1) 5 lbs 10 oz – Brent Mockford – Langford Lake – Green Powerbait - November 4th

2) 5 lbs – Simon Arney – Langford Lake – Powerbait - July 24th

3) 3 lbs 14 oz – Chad Makay – Elk Lake – Salmon Eggs - January 26th

4) 3 lbs 9 oz – Ron Flower – Quamichan Lake – Wedding Band- April 23rd

5) 2 lbs 11 oz – Matt Beeby – Duncan – Black Leech – April 30th

 

Salmon

1) 42.2 lbs – Kevin McKenna – Anchovy – Port Renfrew- August 22nd

2) 40.2 lbs – Kayden Tyler – Anchovy – Victoria – August 3rd

3) 38.5 lbs – Dalton Laubru – Anchovy – Sooke – July 29th

4) 36.2 lbs – Ban Tran – Anchovy – Victoria – August 1st

5) 34.5 lbs – Thomas Brandwood – Anchovy - Victoria - September 5th

 

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.

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