Fishing Report for Week Ending August 27, 2017

SALTWATER


OVERVIEW – The best fishing was early in the week as action SLOWED DOWN by the weekend. The Pink salmon run is still happening with larger than usual pinks being caught. Due to the net pen collapse in Washington State, some Atlantic salmon escapes are being caught in local waters. Halibut fishing was GOOD this past weekend.

Subject: FN0808-RECREATIONAL - Salmon - Chinook & Coho - Region l - Non-tidal Stamp and Somass Rivers - Opening August 25, 2017 : Effective 00:01 hours August 25, 2017 the Somass and Stamp Rivers will open to recreational angling for chinook and coho salmon. The daily limit will be 4 salmon per day of which: Two (2) may be chinook of which only one (1) may be greater than 77 cm. in length, and Two (2) may be coho, marked or unmarked.

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.cfmto find applicable fishery notices; or

  3. C) 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.

PORT RENFREW – Salmon fishing was HOT N COLD for springs averaging 10-20 lbs with the occasional larger fish into the upper 20’s. Off shore there are lots of coho, pinks and springs. Inshore, it’s been best from East Point to Camper Creek. Anchovies, cut plug herring and 6” Coyote spoons have been the most productive lures recently. Halibut fishing has also been GOOD.

SOOKE– The salmon fishing was GOOD over most of last week, especially in the evenings. Springs are spread throughout the area so fish were coming in from all areas. Most anglers fishing for springs are using bait, with anchovies being the most popular choice. Fishing shallow and close to shore has been the key to catching the larger fish. The pink salmon fishing was best in the 400+ foot depths, and the pinks have been as large as 12 lbs. Good choices for teaser head colors are red, chartreuse and Bloody Nose.  For flashers, the Delta Guide Series Outfitters, Gold Fever Hot Spot and Betsey have been working well. Hootchies in White, Glow/Green and Purple Haze have been caught some fish. Use small pink hootchies or spoons if targeting the pink salmon. Spoons have also been catching salmon. Coho Killers and Skinny G’s have been good in No Bananas and Outfitters colors.

BECHER BAY– Salmon fishing was GOOD this past week.  The springs are spread out from the Bedfords to the trap Shack. The best depths to fish have been from 40 to 70 feet. The pink salmon have been running from 7 to 9 lbs on the average and best fishing for them has been out on the tide lines. Anchovies are the most popular bait. Good teaser heads have been the Bloody Nose, Mint Pearl and Chartreuse. The best color combinations for spoons have been Nickel/Blue, Outfitters and No Bananas. For flashers, the GIBBS Highliner Guide Series Outfitters and Lemon Lime, Gold Fever Hot Spot and Big Shooter Gold Betsey have been working well. Anglers casting off the rocks are also getting into some nice fish. Cheanuh Marina now has rental boats available.

Cheanuh Marina held their annual fishing derby this past weekend. The winner was Dave Kennedy with a 26.6 lb spring caught near Possession Point. Second place went to Wade Grunert with a 21.8 lb spring. The winner in the kids category was Connor Warford with a 14.4 lb spring. The winner in the bottomfish category was Wayne Campbell with a 56 lb Skate.

 PEDDER BAY– Pedder Bay Marina reports GOOD BUT SPOTTY salmon fishing.  All areas from Church Rock to William Head were producing some Chinook salmon. Trollers are doing best trolling from 30 – 70 feet on the downrigger with anchovies for bait.  Anchovies are now the most popular bait for trollers. Good teaser heads to fish have been the Bloody Nose, Chartreuse and Mint Pearl. Spoons are also producing well, especially the smaller ones around 3.5”. The most popular spoons have been Skinny G’s, Left Coast Hammers, AP Tackleworks herring and Coho Killers. Hootchies and squirts with a green and glow, or UV white have been popular color choices this week.  Flashers that are popular include the Hot Spot Gold Fever, GIBBS Guide Series Outfitters and Lemon Lime and Big Shooter Gold Betsey. Jiggers were also doing well fishing near the kelp beds and by Bentinck Island in the Race.

HALIBUT– Halibut fishing was FAIR 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 are the 8” Powerbait Grubs and Delta Hali Hawgs.

 VICTORIA – Fishing for salmon was SLOWING DOWN off the waterfront this past week. The most productive areas were from Esquimalt to Holland Point and Finlayson Point to Clover Point. Most of the salmon caught were chinooks running from 10 to 20 lbs in size.  There were some bigger ones caught though. Frank Gibbons landed a 25 lb 9 oz spring on Wednesday off the waterfront. He got the fish on anchovy trolled at 65 feet. On Sunday Gerry Vervoort landed a 22 lb 13 oz chinook off of Clover Point, also on anchovy. Some pink salmon are being caught as well and they have been from 4 to 9 lbs in size. Spoons have been very successful in getting hook ups with 4” AP Tackleworks Moonglow Herring spoons, Irish Cream Skinny G’s and Green/Glow Coyote spoons good choices.

The Esquimalt Anglers’ Association held their Annual Salmon Derby on Sunday. Approximately ninety boats fished the derby and 12 Chinook (10 wild, 2 hatcheries), 3 pinks, 1 hatchery coho and 1 Atlantic salmon were weighed in. First place went to Ryan McGinn for a 17.81 lb chinook. Second place went to Richard Thierbach for a 17.54 lb chinook and Third place went to Daniel Nadeau with a 15.43 lb chinook.

HALIBUT– Halibut fishing was EXCELLENT this past week. One guide reported “many multiple fish days with lots of big fish. One over 170lbs released and lots over 50lbs. Salmon heads seem to be the trick”. The halibut have been very deep with depths of over 300 feet the most productive. Many anglers that were fishing for halibut are using extra large herring, salmon heads and/or octopus for bait. Also working well was the 8” Powerbait Grubs and Delta Hali Hawgs.

Happy halibut anglers!


OAK BAY– Salmon fishing was SLOW in Oak Bay this past week. There were a few salmon in the mid teens coming in from the Flats and the Gap. Anglers jigging have been catching more and larger salmon than those trolling. Good jigging lures have been 2¼ oz and 3 oz Point Wilson Darts, Deep Stingers and the Delta Mac Fish. The salmon are feeding on needlefish and have been at depths from 40 to 135 feet, depending on where the feed is located. Most of the anglers have been either bottom bouncing or jigging close to the bottom.

HALIBUT– Halibut fishing was GOOD this past weekend. 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 in the Pender Island area. We did hear that there were some large pink salmon off Pender Island at 90 feet and they were only hitting anchovies. There were also some springs running much deeper at 150-180 feet off Pender. Anglers jigging were also catching springs. Good jigging lures have been 2¼ oz Point Wilson Darts, GIBBS Minnows and the Delta Mac Fish. Anglers using spoons found Coho Killers, Gibbs Needle G and AP Tackleworks needlefish spoons the most productive spoons this past week. Suggested colours are Trap Shack and Bon Chovy. Anchovies and Tiny Strip were also good producers of fish with teaser heads in UV Purple.

The Sidney Anglers’ Association held their annual Roundup Derby on Sunday. All the chinooks caught were caught near Pender Island. The derby winner was Leo Chrzanowski with a 12.8 lb spring. Next there were 3 anglers with chinooks all of the equal weight, 12.6 lbs. These anglers were Bud Wood, Gerry Fisher and Chris Marcus. These anglers were awarded 2nd, 3rd and 4th place in order off when they caught the fish. They finished in the order listed.

Notable Catches – Frank Gibbons landed a 25 lb 9 oz chinook on Wednesday off the waterfront. He got the fish on anchovy trolled at 65 feet. On Sunday Gerry Vervoort landed a 22 lb 13 oz chinook off of Clover Point, also on anchovy.

Cheanuh Marina held their annual fishing derby this past weekend. The winner was Dave Kennedy with a 26.6 lb spring caught near Possession Point. Second place went to Wade Grunert with a 21.8 lb spring. The winner in the kids category was Connor Warford with a 14.4 lb spring. The winner in the bottomfish category was Wayne Campbell with a 56 lb Skate.

The Esquimalt Anglers’ Association held their Annual Salmon Derby on Sunday. Approximately ninety boats fished the derby and 12 Chinook (10 wild, 2 hatcheries), 3 pinks, 1 hatchery coho and 1 Atlantic salmon were weighed in. First place went to Ryan McGinn for a 17.81 lb chinook. Second place went to Richard Thierbach for a 17.54 lb chinook and Third place went to Daniel Nadeau with a 15.43 lb chinook.

The Sidney Anglers’ Association held their annual Roundup Derby on Sunday. All the chinooks caught were caught near Pender Island. The derby winner was Leo Chrzanowski with a 12.8 lb spring. Next there were 3 anglers with chinooks all of the equal weight, 12.6 lbs. These anglers were Bud Wood, Gerry Fisher and Chris Marcus. These anglers were awarded 2nd, 3rd and 4th place in order off when they caught the fish. They finished in the order listed.

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

 

FRESHWATER


OVERVIEW – Fishing was FAIR in most lakes for trout and GOOD for bass. No changes from previous reports.

COWICHAN RIVER – The Cowichan River’s water level is at summer levels, just under 0.4 meters. Lots of people are now using float tubes to drift down the river during the day, so that can put the trout down. Fishing for trout in the fly only area has been GOOD at dawn and dusk. Fish a Dry Fly in the early morning and later in the evening or fish a Nymph in the faster water.  Both have been working well.

TROUT– Trout fishing is FAIR on most lakes in the South Island. Trollers should fish at the thermocline, where the fish are suspended during the day. 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 to get into the cooler water levels. 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.

BASS– Bass fishing is GOOD as we enter the summer months. 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. Top water plugs are also fun and effective in the summer, especially at dawn and dusk. 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


When brining your bait don’t be afraid to experiment with different color dyes and different scents. Sometimes the salmon will key in on a specific color or scent and this can make the difference between a bad day and a good day!


 

2017 Island Outfitters Leader Boards


Salmon

1) 28 lbs 4 oz – Allan Shoults – Otter Point – Anchovy – August 10th

2) 25 lbs 9 oz – Frank Gibbons – Waterfront – Anchovy – August 23rd

3) 23 lbs 7 oz – Edison Frando – Beechey head – Gibbs Minnow - July 15th

4) 22 lbs 1 oz – Christa Fremont – Church Rock – Anchovy – August 3rd

5)19 lbs 3 oz – George Kahan – Pedder Bay – Anchovy – August 9th

 

 

Halibut

1) 74.0 lbs – George Kahan – Constance Bank – August 1st

2) 72.1 lbs – Trevor Skakun – Oak Bay – April 22nd

3) 68.9 lbs – Duane Sapelak – Discovery – Herring – March 24th

4) 68.6 lbs – Chris Hansen – Oak Bay – April 22nd

5) 67.8 lbs – Trevor Sedonic – Race Rocks – May 18th

 

Trout

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

2) 4 lbs 9 oz – James Balluch – Langford Lake – May 27th

3) 4 lbs 7 oz – Mike Greenwood – Langford Lake – July 9th

4) 3 lbs 11 oz – Marcel Allarie – Elk Lake– May 6th

5) 3 lbs 9 oz – Blake Armstrong – Langford Lake– July 12t h

 

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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