Fishing Report for Week Ending May 21, 2017

SALTWATER


OVERVIEW – Fishing was HIT AND MISS for springs. Some salmon are now being caught at summer depths, not just near the bottom. Halibut fishing was GOOD this past weekend.  

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

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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 has been SLOW TO FAIR for springs. Most of the hatchery fish are running from 6 to 10 lbs in size. Also, some of the salmon are being caught at summertime depths (50-80 feet). The best fishing has been near Muir Creek and just out from the harbour. With the current chinook restrictions in place, it makes little sense to travel west to Sherringham Point. About half of the anglers are using artificial lures and the Skinny G needlefish spoon in the Outfitters color scheme has been the most effective spoon. The other half of the anglers is using bait, and anchovies are the most popular natural bait. 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, Lemon/Lime or Bon Chovi Flasher. Hootchies in White, Glow/Green and Purple Haze have been effective recently. Halibut fishing has fair west of Sooke.

The Sooke Salmon Series Halibut Derby was held this past weekend. Thirty four salmon were weighed in at the derby First place went to Mike chips with a 68.26 lb halibut caught near Race Rocks. Second place went to Pat Thompson for a 60.84 lb halibut. Third place went to Drew Ferrara for a 55.92 lb halibut.

BECHER BAY – Salmon fishing was FAIR this past week. Most of the salmon caught this past week were hatchery springs from 6 -10 lbs. That said, there were some larger clipped fish around. A 19.4 lb hatchery spring was caught by the Trap Shack as well as a couple of others in the teens. There have also been quite a few larger wild spring that had tto be released. The best depths for trolling have been from 60 – 100 feet on the downrigger. Aldridge Point to Beechey Head was been the best area. More anglers are using bait now and are finding anchovies in glow teaser heads have been working best. Spoons, especially G-Force and Skinny G spoons, in No Bananas or Outfitters’ colours have been very effective. For flashers, the Red Glow Hot Spot, Lemon Lime and Green/Glow Hot Spot. Lots of halibut were seen at Cheanuh Marina this past weekend. One was a 55 lb fish that was caught on a hootchy while trolling for salmon near Aldridge Point.

PEDDER BAY – Pedder Bay Marina reports BETTER salmon fishing than last week. The most productive area was from Whirl Bay to the Bedford Islands. It was slower inside Pedder Bay. Most anglers are still using artificial lures and trolling close to the bottom, but anchovies are also producing well. Spoons, especially G-Force, Skinny G and AP Tackle works spoons in Outfitters’, Bon Chovy or No Bananas colours, have been very effective. Hootchies and squirts with a green and glow color combination have been good plastic baits to use. 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 Hot Spot Red/Glow, Lemon-Lime and Madi.

HALIBUT – Halibut fishing was GOOD this past weekend as lots of fish were caught. Trevor Sedonic landed a 67.8 lb halibut near Race Rocks to take over 4th spot on our leader board. Most anglers that were fishing for halibut are using extra large herring, salmon bellies and/or octopus for bait. Also working well were the 8” Powerbait Grubs and Delta Hali Hawgs.

VICTORIA – Fishing for salmon was SPOTTY this past week. Constance Bank was the best area when the tides and currents weren’t ripping. This past Friday was particularly good as our guides caught limits with several fish into the upper teens. Along the waterfront the salmon fishing has been very slow. Best areas for salmon have been Albert Head, Brotchie Ledge and Clover Point. Look for some of the salmon to be at summer depths now. Spoons have been very successful in getting hook ups. Irish Cream Skinny G’s, Coho Killers, 3.5” Cop Car spoons or AP Tackleworks needlefish spoons have brought some hookups.

HALIBUT – Halibut fishing was GOOD this past week. The halibut have been fairly deep with depths of over 300 feet the most productive. Most anglers that were fishing for halibut are using extra large herring, salmon bellies and/or octopus for bait. Also working well was the 8” Powerbait Grubs and Delta Hali Hawgs.

OAK BAY – Salmon fishing was SPOTTY in Oak Bay. There are hatchery springs into the teens on the Flats but the fishing has been inconsistent. The salmon are feeding on needlefish and have been at depths from 65 to 140 feet, depending on where the feed is located. Most of the anglers have been either bottom bouncing or jigging close to the bottom. Good trolling lures have been Coho Killers, Bon Chovi or Outfitters Skinny G spoons or AP Tackleworks needlefish spoons. Sandlance lures and squirts (needle fish) are best in pearl, white & green, or white glow. Good jigging lures have been Point Wilson Darts and the Delta Mac Fish.

HALIBUT – Halibut fishing was GOOD this past week. Most anglers that were fishing for halibut are using extra large herring, salmon bellies and/or octopus for bait. Also working well was the 8” Powerbait Grubs and Delta Hali Hawgs.

SIDNEY- Salmon fishing was GOOD this past week. The Sidney anglers held their annual Spring Derby on the 21st. Winner of the derby was Anglers using spoons found silver Coho Killers, Gibbs Needle G and AP Tackleworks needlefish spoons the most successful spoons this past weekend. Anchovies and Tiny Strip were also good producers of fish.

There has been a new fishing regulation put in place for the Sidney area starting May 8th. The daily limit is two (2) chinook salmon per day of which only one (1) chinook may be greater than 67 cm. The minimum size limit for chinook salmon in these waters is 62 cm.

Notable Catches – First place in the Sooke Salmon Series Halibut Derby went to Mike Chips with a 68.26 lb halibut caught near Race Rocks. Second place went to Pat Thompson for a 60.84 lb halibut. Third place went to Drew Ferrara for a 55.92 lb halibut. Bob Haney won the Sidney Anglers’ annual Spring Derby with a 12.9 lb spring caught near Sidney Island. Bob said that he lost a much bigger salmon. Second place in the derby went to Larry Dalziel with an 11.9 lb spring. Third place went to Doug Ellison with a 9 lb spring. Trevor Sedonic landed a 67.8 lb halibut near Race Rocks to take over 4th spot on our leader board.

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

 

FRESHWATER 


The 2017-2019 Freshwater fishing regulations synopsis is now available.

Major regulation changes for the South island in 2017-2019 include the removal of the April 15-June 15 prohibition on bass retention, as well as new trophy lake angling designation and regulations for Flora, Regan and Lizard Lakes. 

OVERVIEW – Fishing was GOOD in most lakes for trout and bass.

COWICHAN RIVER – The Cowichan River’s water level is dropping but wading is still difficult in most pools. The water level is now at 0.9 meters near the lake and 0.82 meters near Duncan. Fishing for trout in the fly only area has been VERY GOOD, especially if you are in a drift boat. There are both mayfly and caddis hatches on the river at this time.

TROUT – Trout fishing is GOOD on most lakes in the South Island. Warmer water temperatures have increased both trout and insect activity. Shore anglers are catching trout on Powerbait, Gulp Eggs, or worms while fishing close to the bottom. Pink, 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 most of the time. That said, there has been flurries of hatches and trout surface feeding. Trollers are catching trout with worms fished behind Gibbs Gang Trolls and on Gibbs Wedding Bands. 2” Tomic Plugs have also been working well for trout. Langford Lake has been recently stocked with brood stock rainbow, so some large trout are being caught there.

BASS - Bass fishing is GOOD as the bass move into shallower water for spawning season. There have been many reports of good catches of fish as large as 6 lbs. Soft plastics rigged Carolina style and crank baits are working well. 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. As noted above, there is no longer a closed season for bass retention on the island.

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 fishing for salmon you should follow the bait for best results. Schools of needlefish and herring are often pushed around by the action of tides and currents, especially on flats, and it pays to locate and then stay with the bait. Once you're on the bait, it's only a matter of time before the salmon show.


 

2017 Island Outfitters Leader Boards


 

Halibut

1) 72.1 lbs – Trevor Skakun – Oak Bay – April 22nd

2) 68.9 lbs – Duane Sapelak – Discovery – Herring – March 24th

3) 68.6 lbs – Chris Hansen – Oak Bay – April 22nd

4) 67.8 lbs – Trevor Sedonic – Race Rocks – May 18th

5) 64.6 lbs – Albert Lacharity – Constance Bank – April 23rd

 

Trout

1) 5 lbs – Chad Vandermolen – Langford Lake – April 29th

2) 3 lbs 11 oz – Marcel Allarie – Elk Lake– May 6th

3) 3 lbs 4 oz– James Baluch – Langford Lake– May 8t h

4) 3 lbs 1 oz – Jeremy Herron – Elk Lake– April 8th

5) 3 lbs 0 oz– James Baluch – Langford Lake– May 6th

 

Salmon

We are waiting for the first large salmon to be weighed in at the store.

 

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 win a special prize.

See our event pages for details on upcoming events at http://fishingvictoria.com/events/

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