Barkley Sound found on the west coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia is a fairly large body of water which is protected by various islands. Sometimes it can be difficult to find winter chinook because they are going to be where the bait is. Currently the herring have moved in as it is the time of year that they spawn and their is bait in many areas. Samatao and Sarita Bay have both had some good fishing but the fish have been small and weigh from 7 to 9 pounds. The fish in these two area have been hitting a 4 inch M.T. silver coyote spoon which has resembled the size ot the bait. White and purple haze hootchies behind a plaid flasher at 42 inches has also been working fairly well. Most of the fish in these areas have been in fairly shallow water from 50 to 70 feet.
The biggest fish of the week was 18 pounds. Guests from Alberta out with guide Jon, picked up this beautiful fish on anchovy in the Vernon Bay area at 125 feet. Some other fish were kept and weighed 10 to 14 pounds. The fish were hitting purple haze hootchie and a 4 inch green nickel coyote spoon. The winter chinook fishing should continue for another 6 weeks before the first of the migrating salmon come into Barkley Sound to feed on the plentiful bait balls.
The summer fishing for coho and chinook in Barkley Sound and the Port Alberni Inlet is forecast to be very good. People wishing to fish the area with there own boat should be organizing accomodation areas now. Those wishing to use a slamon sport guide service and accomodation package should call Doug at Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing at 250 724 2502 or e mail dlindy@shaw.ca. The return of chinook last year into the area was very good. This year the forecast for chinook back to the Port Alberni hatchery which is known as Robertson Creek Hatchery is predicted to be mostly 4, 5, and 6 year old fish. This means the fish size will be averaging 20 to 35 pounds. The return of coho jacks last fall was high which is a prime indicator of a very good coho return. Barkley Sound has fantastic summer fishing. Don't miss out.