Fishing Report for Week Ending August 19, 2007
SALTWATER
OVERVIEW Salmon fishing was GOOD TO EXCELLENT this past week. The pink salmon run is going strong and anglers from Pedder Bay and to the west are catching loads of them. Swiftsure Bank is hot for halibut and Port Renfrew HOT for springs. Sockeyes are still closed for retention and only hatchery coho can be kept. If you have any fishing info, notable catches or tips that you would like to share or have included in our fishing report, please email us at info@fishingvictoria.com.
Port Renfrew Halibut fishing remains AWESOME at Swiftsure Bank and most guides are getting limits every day. Its really turned on for big springs into the 40s near Logan Creek, Camper Creek, the Rock Pile, East Point and Nitinat. If you want to catch big springs, the place to be is Renfrew!
Sooke Salmon fishing was QUITE GOOD this past week. Anglers fishing for pinks were getting limits, mostly out at the 2nd tide line, and some big springs close in to shore. Anglers fishing for springs found that it picked up on the weekend with some real nice fish are being caught. Duff Johson landed the biggest, a 41 lb spring. Dwayne Mousseau landed a 38 and a 15, Dave Ames a 35, and Terry Bobasil a 33, a 32, and a 28. Possession Point, Sheringham Point and Otter Point were the hot spots. Anchovies are catching the majority of springs, so try Rhys Davis Anchovy Specials or JDF Teasers in Chart/Green/Chrome/Scale, Bloody Nose or Purple Haze. The best flashers have been the Purple Haze, Jellyfish and the Gold Betsey. With spoons try Watermelon, Mongoose or Green/Nickel color combinations with 4, Gypsies and Titans. The best plastic baits to try are pink plankton for pink salmon and Purple Haze, Army Tuck or Green/White hootchies or squirts for springs. Sockeyes are still closed for retention and only hatchery coho can be kept.
HALIBUT - Halibut fishing was SLOW because not too many anglers tried for the big flatties last week. Extra Large herring and/or octopus are the most popular baits, however, there are lots of dogfish around so you can try Mudraker or Lucky Jigs or the new Glow in the Dark bullet Jig with Berkley or Delta grubs if they are a problem.
Beecher Bay Salmon fishing was GOOD this past week. The marina reports lots of springs up to almost 39 lbs being caught from Beechey Head to Sooke. Mike Rant landed the biggest this past week, a 38 lb 10 oz spring caught near the Trap Shack on Sunday. Other big ones were a 37.4 lb spring caught by Vern Storey and Scott Hanston with a 37 lb spring. Those anglers going out to the tide lines about 4 miles out are catching limits of pink salmon in short order. There are lots of pinks in the 3 to 5 lb size being caught but we did hear of one 9 lb pink. The majority of springs were caught at 40 to 90 foot depths. On the weekend, the hot spot was the rap shack. Sockeyes are still closed for retention and only hatchery coho can be kept. Anchovy and herring are the most popular bait these days for springs. The hot combos this past week were the Bloody Nose Anchovy Special fished behind a Betsy Gold Metallic flasher, a Purple Haze teaser with a Boogie Man flasher or a Glow Pearl Anchovy Special with a Jellyfish flasher. If you fish spoons, try Watermelon, Green/Silver or Mongoose color patterns. The best bets in plastics are the Army Truck and Purple Haze hootchies or squirts for springs, and pink plankton for pink salmon. The most productive flashers are the Betsy Gold Metallic, Boogie Man and Jellyfish.
Pedder Bay Salmon fishing was PRETTY GOOD this past week. Quite a lot of springs in the 20 30 lb range came in, mostly from around Church Rock. Richard Jones caught a nice 32 lb spring this past Sunday. Rick Jenkins had a good catch on live herring that he caught and then fished near Christopher Point. The best depths to fish have been from 50 to 90 feet. Out further in the strait, past the 2nd tide line, anglers are getting lots of pinks plus the occasional spring up to 20 lbs. Sockeyes are still closed for retention and only hatchery coho can be kept. Anglers trolling bait should use medium to large anchovy or medium herring in Green/Chrome/Scale, Glow Pearl or Bloody Nose teaser heads. The best flashers have been the Purple Haze and the Betsy Gold Metallic. If you prefer to fish artificial bait, give Watermelon, Mongoose or Green/silver 4 Coyote, Gypsies or Titan spoons a try. For plastic baits, Purple Haze or Army Truck hootchies and squirts are good for springs, and pink plankton for pink salmon.
HALIBUT Fishing was GOOD this past week even though most anglers were fishing for salmon. Halibut weighing 78, 57, 53, 49, 47, 48, 43, 32 and 20 lbs came into the marina. Gary Reinstein landed the biggest one. Nena Mullin landed a 17 lb Yelloweye Rockfish (Red snapper) this past week. Extra Large herring and/or Octopus are the most popular baits, but when the dogfish become a nuisance you can use Mudraker or Lucky Jigs or the new Glow in the Dark bullet jig with Berkley or Delta Grubs. Gulp halibut baits and Grubs will work well too, especially if the dogfish are thick.
Victoria Waterfront Fishing was PICKING UP for salmon on the waterfront. Pink salmon are being caught near the yellow Pilot Buoy and all along the shore line on the flood tides. However, the big numbers of them have not arrived yet and not all boats are getting limits. They should arrive this week in large quantities on the big flood tides. The pinks have been taken from 50 feet to 120 feet on the downrigger. Springs were caught from Albert Head to Brotchie Ledge, most frequently around the tide changes or the top of the flood. Gerry Vervoort won the 13th Annual Clover Point Anglers Salmon Derby with a 19.5 lb spring. Gerry caught his fish Saturday evening off Brotchie Ledge on an anchovy fished at 40 feet. Sasha Bokor, age 9, won the prize for the largest salmon caught by a junior angler with a 5 lb 1 ounce pink salmon. Most of the springs have been at 70 to 80 feet and are 10 to 25 lbs in size. Anchovies have been the best bait and Purple Haze and Mint Pearl were the most productive teaser heads. Good flashers have been the Green/Silver Hot Spot and the Oki Betsy Gold Metallic flasher. Plastic baits such as Army Truck or Purple Haze hootchies fished behind White Glow or Purple Haze flashers have been catching fish too, especially if the fish are deep. In shallow, salmon have been caught on Gibbs Minnows and/or Stingers.
HALIBUT Constance Bank was GOOD for halibut this past week. Extra Large herring and/or Octopus are the most popular baits, but when the dogfish become a nuisance you can use Mudraker or Lucky Jigs or the new Glow in the Dark bullet jig with Berkley or Delta Grubs. Gulp halibut baits and Grubs will work well too, especially if the dogfish are thick.
Oak Bay Fishing was GOOD for springs this past week, but weve only heard of a few boats fishing this area. Springs are out on the Flats and in the Gap. Weve also heard of some pinks being caught on the Flats and south of Trial Island in the tide lines. Squirts are a good lure in Oak Bay with Green/White, Jellyfish or Purple Haze good patterns. Smaller Spoons such as 3.5 or 4 Watermelon and Cop Car Coyote spoons are always a favorite in Oak Bay at this time of year. The best depths to fish have been from 65 to 120 feet. I also heard that a pod of 7 transient killer whales were having a big feed on seals in Oak Bay this morning.
HALIBUT Halibut fishing was SLOW for halibut this past week due to few anglers fishing and the large numbers of dogfish around. Be sure to check the boundaries of the new Rockfish Conservation Area from DArcy Island to Beaumont Shoal if youre thinking about fishing east of Discovery or Chatham Islands. Extra Large herring and/or Octopus are the most popular baits. However, when the dogfish become a nuisance, you can use Mudrakers, Lucky Jigs, or the new Glow in the Dark bullet Jigs with Berkley or Delta Grubs. Gulp halibut baits and Grubs will work well too, especially if the dogfish are thick.
Sidney Salmon fishing was SLOW this past week for keeper springs. There were some anglers are getting pinks off of the Pender Bluffs, but this fish werent there in any big concentrations. The pinks have been between 60 to 90 feet deep. Steve Roberts landed a 32 lb spring near Pender Island along with 3 pink salmon. The seasonal closure for Coal Island to Moresby and north and west to Cowichan Bay (18-6 to 18-8, 18-10 (Fulford Harbour, Satellite Channel, Shute Passage, Sansum Narrows) is now in effect. During the day, try fishing deep with small anchovy or tiny strip, around 90 to 135 feet in glow teaser heads for springs. Other good lures this time of year are 3.5 and 4 Coyote, Titan or Gypsy spoons in Watermelon or Cop Car. Plastic baits have been good too with the Glow Below and the Purple Haze squirts being the best patterns.
Notable Catches Duff Johson landed the biggest salmon in Sooke this past week, a 41 lb spring. Dwayne Mousseau landed a 38 and a 15, Dave Ames a 35, and Terry Bobasil a 33, a 32, and a 28, also in Sooke. Richard Jones caught a nice 32 lb spring this past Sunday near Church Rock. Rick Jenkins had a good catch on live herring that he caught and then fished near Christopher Point. Gary Reinstein landed a 78 lb halibut near Pedder Bay and Nena Mullin landed a 17 lb Yelloweye Rockfish (Red snapper). Gerry Vervoort won the 13th Annual Clover Point Anglers Salmon Derby with a 19.5 lb spring caught off Brotchie Ledge on anchovy fished at 40 feet. Sasha Bokor, age 9, won the prize for the largest salmon caught by a junior angler with a 5 lb 1 ounce pink salmon. If you have any fishing info, notable catches or tips that you would like to share or have included in our fishing report, please email us at info@fishingvictoria.com.
FRESHWATER
OVERVIEW Nothing has really changed on the freshwater scene. The local lakes are FAIR for trout and EXCELLENT for bass. If you have any fishing info or notable catches that you would like to share or have included in our fishing report, please email us at info@fishingvictoria.com.
Cowichan River Trout fishing on the river is SLOW. The water level is low and most people on the river are floating in inner tubes, not fishing. At the top end of the river, anglers are doing OK fly fishing for trout with nymph patterns and dry flies at dawn or dusk. Good nymphs to use are the Gold Ribbed Hares Ear, Prince Nymph and Golden Stonefly. Streamer patterns including wooly buggers and muddler minnows have been working for the bigger brown trout. No fishing is allowed below Skutz Falls until November 15th. The river is open to Fly-Fishing only downstream of the weir at Cowichan Lake to Skutz Falls.
Local Lakes Trout fishing is FAIR on most lakes in the south island. Shawnigan, Elk and Prospect Lakes have all been productive for trout this past week. Many of the trout are being caught at deeper depths now that the water has warmed up a little bit, but were also getting reports of anglers using floating lines and hitting fish near the surface. During hot weather periods, start looking for the thermocline to find suspended fish. The majority of fly anglers are fishing with the old standbys: Micro-Leeches, Wooly Buggers, Careys and Doc Spratleys, but mayfly and caddis nymph patterns such as Pheasant Tails, Halfbacks and Gold Ribbed Hares Ears are also good to try. Gear fishermen have been doing well trolling Luhr Jensen Needlefish spoons in a variety of colours or Tomic Wee-Tads in frog or rainbow patterns. Flatfish and/or Kwikfish have also been effective in sizes 7 and smaller in Frog, Yellow with Red Spots or Blue/Silver. Smaller Rapalas in Rainbow Trout or Brown Trout also work well, as long as they get down deep enough. Also, Willow Leaf Lake trolls with a worm-tipped GIBBS Wedding Band will almost always catch some fish. If youre fishing from shore, best bets include fishing Berkley power-bait off the bottom or casting small spinners like Mepps or Blue Fox. By the way, all wild rainbows and cutthroats over 50 cm must be released at Cowichan Lake. A family of otters has been causing problems by stealing fish from anglers at the Elk Lake fishing pier.
Bass Fishing Bass fishing has been EXCELLENT. Evenings and mornings are the best time to fish, especially if youre using top water baits. The bass right are in shallower water then. You should fish humps or drop-offs during the day. Try fishing more finesse baits such as soft-plastic worms and tubes to coerce less active fish during the day. Steve Jarvis caught a Largemouth Bass just shy of 21 inches long and over 14 inches in girth on a worm & bobber. Shawnigan Lake, Prospect Lake and Elk and Beaver Lakes are the best spots for bass on Vancouver Island. St, Marys Lake on Saltspring Island would be another good spot to try.
Notable Catches If you have any fishing info, notable catches or tips that you would like to share or have included in our fishing report, please email us at info@fishingvictoria.com.
FISH TIP OF THE WEEK
Set your drag properly! The best way to set your drag is with an accurate measuring scale, the same type that you use to weigh a fish. Your drag should be set to slip at approximately 30% of your lines breaking strength when pulled directly off of the reel.
Island Outfitters Leader Board 2007
Halibut
1) 168.8 lbs. Ian Bishop Oak Bay Herring & Octopus April 12th
2) 167.7 lbs. John Kilburn Oak Bay Herring April 12th
3) 165.7 lbs. Steve Dainard East Race Herring April 6th
4) 161.4 lbs. Harish Reddy Race Rocks Herring June 7th
5) 153.1 lbs. Raymond Wong East Constance Herring May 13th
Salmon
1) 45.1 lbs. Milko Jadresko Trap Shack Anchovy June 14th
2) 41.2 lbs. Richard Tessler Pedder Bay Anchovy June 2nd
3) 39.4 lbs. Ian Kennall Clover Point Purple Haze Squirt July 1st
4) 39.1 lbs. Hugh Pollard Albert Head Anchovy June 23rd
5) 37.0 lbs. Martin Lucas Macaulay Point Anchovy August 3rd
2007 DERBIES and EVENTS
August 18 & 19 -The 2007 Pink Salmon Festival Take A Kid Fishing Day is looking for volunteer skippers. Please contact Don Lowen at: h2oship@shaw.ca if you can help out with this worthwhile event.
August 26th Esquimalt Anglers Members Salmon Derby. The Annual Salmon Derby is open to all members of the Esquimalt Anglers Association. The minimum size (salmon only) is 5 lb. The Derby boundary is Race Rocks to Trial Island. Starting time is sunrise and final weigh-in at 2:00 pm. Prices are presented on Derby Day at 3:00 pm at the Clubhouse. Prize Categories are for the three largest fish, with a trophy and personalized plaque for the largest fish. There are also hidden weight prizes.
August 26th Inaugural Sooke Legion 54 Salmon Derby. Tickets are $50 per rod with prizes for the 3 biggest salmon, plus hidden weight and draw prizes. A roast beef dinner at the Sooke Legion is also included and guest dinner tickets may be purchased for $12 each.
September 9th - Sidney Anglers Roundup Salmon Derby.
October 13th The RCNAA Coho Derby. Weigh will be Belmont Fire Hall; and time for last weigh in is 1400 hrs.
The Esquimalt Anglers Annual Fish Ladder Derby runs from November 1st to October 31st: Prizes for the largest salmon in each category, plus a trophy for some. The categories are Men, Ladies, and Youth (under 16 years). Weigh-ins are at the Anglers' Scale at the ramp, Gorge Vale Esso at 955 Craigflower Rd, and Island Outfitters. Have the weight witnessed (preferably by a member), then report your fish and fill out an entry form at the Esquimalt Anglers' Association clubhouse. For info call (250) 475-4969.
Island Outfitters starts and ends the year with the free for fun and prizes Salmon and Halibut Leader Board. Simply weigh your catch in at Island Outfitters and the top five fish in each category on December 31st wins a special prize. Everybody who enters a fish gets a prize! Maybe it will be you bringing in the big one!
Please let us know about your derbies or fishing festivals!
