CartIsland Outfitters Fishing Report
Week Ending July 22, 2018
Saltwater Report
Saltwater Overview
The Salmon fishing has been GOOD this past week around the South Island. We have had reports of larger Salmon being caught over the week, into the mid-twenties, and even a few into the thirties reported from Port Renfrew When the tides were good, the Halibut fishing was GOOD. Get out fishing and don’t forget to bring a kid!
Notices
For the latest details on recreational fishery openings and closures in your area: A) Call 1-866-431-FISH or 604-666-2828 (24-hour phone line); B) Visit the DFO web page: http://notices.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fns-sap/index-eng.cfmto find applicable fishery notices; or C) Follow the sport fishing Twitter account: https://twitter.com/sportfishingbc D) Download the new FishingBC app
Sooke
The Salmon fishing has been GOOD this past week in Sooke. Anglers have reported having to weed through the smaller fish to find the larger ones. The most productive spot this week has been Beechy Head to Otter Point with the Trap Shack also producing well. Anglers have been fishing a large depth range, between 40’ – 80’ in water depths from 60’ – 100’. There have been reports of fish sizing into the mid-teens with a few oversized into the twenties being released as well. If you are looking to target Bottom Fish or Crab, Sooke is a great place to go. Anglers have been successful catching Salmon trolling with small anchovies in Peanut Butter or Green Strip UV teaser heads. If you would rather fish spoons, the Gibbs Skinny G’s in Irish Cream or Herring Aid have been producing well trolled behind the Gibbs Guide Series flasher in Madi or Bon Chovi colours.
Becher Bay
Salmon fishing has been GOOD in East Sooke. The hot spots lately have been the Bedford Islands and inside the bay near Aldridge Point. Most of the fish reported have been from 10 – 16 pounds. The best depths off Aldridge Point were 60’ – 85’ and fishing close to the bottom off the Bedfords. There was a 23-pound Hatchery reported off of Aldridge Point. The majority of anglers are using spoons with Silver Horde Coho Killers and Gibbs Skinny G’s in green/glow and green/silver colours the favorites. Anchovies have also been working well lately with Bloody Nose a good teaser head choice. The Gibbs Highliner Guide Series flasher in Outfitters, Madi, and Lemon Lime have been working well over the last few weeks.
Pedder Bay
Pedder Bay has reported salmon fishing to be GOOD over the last week. Fishing the Can, trolling or jigging, has been working well in Pedder Bay. There have been reports of Salmon weighing in in the mid-teens with the odd one over 20 pounds. The best depths to fish in Pedder Bay have been 60’ – 90’ of water fishing the bottom. The Salmon are feeding on Needlefish close to the bottom; therefore, when the tides allow, jigging has been a great option. Good jigs to try are the Gibbs 3 oz Minnows or 4 oz P-Line Jigs in green colours. When trolling, anglers have found that squirts in Purple Haze or UV White and Gibbs Coho Killers in Silver or Glow have been producing the best. Another good choice would be to use small anchovies in UV teaser heads. Flashers that have been working well in Pedder Bay include the Gibbs Guide Series Outfitters and Madi.
Victoria
Fishing for Salmon was GOOD in Victoria this past week. The most productive area in Victoria was Constance Bank. While fishing Constance, fishing the bottom in 70’ – 90’ of water was working the best. There were also a few Salmon caught off the Break Water. In shore, try trolling anywhere between 60’ and 80’ in water depths of 80’ – 120’. On average, the Salmon have been ranging in the mid-teens from 8 – 18 pounds; there are also reports of larger salmon into the twenties. Spoons that have been successful this past week have been the ones with needlefish patterns such as the Gibbs Skinny G’s and Silver Horde Coho Killers in Irish Cream and Herring Aid colours. Flashers that have been working well lately are the Gibbs Madi or Bon Chovi Guide Series Flashers.
Oak Bay
Salmon fishing has been SPOTTY in Oak Bay this past week. Each day was different depending on the currents so be sure to check your tide book when looking to get out for the best times. One day may be great while the next day may be slower. Anglers have reported that the Flats have been a good area to fish this past week. There have been a lot of smaller bait fish throughout Oak Bay, so using small anchovies in Mint Pearl Glow or Bloody Nose teaser heads has been working well. When trolling, troll faster than usual to stay away from the Dog Fish that have been showing up. Fishing the bottom in 90’ – 110’ of water has been the most productive lately. On average, Salmon have been ranging from 9 – 14 pounds in size. If fishing with anchovies doesn’t suit you, using squirt hoochies in UV or Glow have been a good option, as the fish are feeding on small bait fish. Jigging with Point Wilsons Darts or Stingers in Chrome and Green colours have also been working well lately in Oak Bay as well.
Sidney
Sidney has been SPOTTY fishing for Salmon this past week. The most productive areas to fish for Salmon in Sidney are Hamley Point and Coal Island. Fishing the bottom in 80’ – 120’ of water seems to be working the best in Sidney as the Salmon are feeding on Needlefish close to the bottom. A nice Spring was caught off Coal island this weekend by Nick Noble who was fishing a Chrome and Gold Coho Killer trolled behind a light green flasher at 120’. The average range for Salmon has been 10 – 20 pounds. Anglers that have been fishing with spoons found that AP Sandlance spoons, Silver Horde Coho Killers and Gibbs Needle G spoons productive this past week. Suggested colours are Kitchen Sink and Irish Cream.
Halibut
Halibut fishing has been OKAY over the past week. When the tides allowed, there have been reports of Halibut being caught in Albert Head, East Constance and Oak Bay. The Dog Fish have been making Halibut fishing a bit tougher lately. The best option when fishing for Halibut the past week was fishing in depths of at least 350 feet. Using a Delta Hali Hawg tipped with a piece of herring or octopus has been the most productive in getting Halibut hookups throughout the South Island lately.
Jess Game caught a 36 pounder off Camper on an anchovy in a Green Stripe UV Teaser Head trolled behind a Betsy Flasher.
A nice Spring was caught off Coal island this weekend by Nick Noble who was fishing a Chrome and Gold Coho Killer trolled behind a light green flasher at 120’.
Freshwater Report
Freshwater Overview
Fishing was GOOD in most lakes for trout and REALLY GOOD for bass.
Cowichan River
The water level is good for those anglers wading in the river. Fishing for trout above Skutz Falls has been good as well. Anglers are reporting good action on both dry flies and nymphs. Good dry flies have been the Elk Hair Caddis and the Goddard Caddis. Pheasant Tail Nymphs have also been good. It’s a great time of year to fly fish the river for Trout.
Trout
Trout fishing has been GOOD for trout to at the local lakes due to the recent trout stockings and as the weather warms up. That said, as a thermocline is established, look for the trout deeper than earlier in the spring. The mornings and evenings should produce surface action for fly anglers. Shore anglers are catching trout on Powerbait, Gulp Eggs, and 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 Muddler Minnow patterns on full sink fly lines most of the time to get into the lower water levels. There have been some Chironomid hatches too. 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. The Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC stocking report of Rainbow Trout into Southern Vancouver Island lakes is as follows: On May 25th, Elk Lake received 4,834 all female triploid Blackwater River stock rainbow trout averaging 69.84 grams. On April 23rd, Thetis Lake received 1,000 trout, Glen Lake 500 trout and Lookout Lake 250 trout weighing and average of 181.51 grams. To find out about stockings all over the Island and the province, as well as the different strains being released, click on the link http://www.gofishbc.com/Stocked-Fish.aspx
Bass
Bass fishing is EXCELLENT on Island lakes. Most lakes are producing large fish as they are in the shallows for spawning. Soft plastics are a great choice when fishing structure close to shore. The most productive colours in 4” Yum baits are Smoke or Pumpkinseed. Drop shot fishing can also be very effective this time of year if you find fish in deeper water. During the day, spinner baits and crank baits are working well. 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.
Fish Tip of the Week
Now is the time to use heavier leader, 40 to 50 pound test, as the mature Chinook Salmon migrate through local waters. With a lighter leader, your chance of losing a big Spring to a weak spot or a nick in the leader is greatly increased. Be sure to check your leader after catching each fish to make sure that it is still in good shape.
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