Fishing Report for Week Ending August 26, 2007
SALTWATER
OVERVIEW – Salmon fishing was VERY GOOD TO FANTASTIC this past week. A fresh run of springs has shown up, the pink salmon run is going strong, and a few hatchery coho are appearing in the mix. Swiftsure Bank is hot for halibut and Port Renfrew HOT for springs. We are at the peak of the fishing year so it won't get much better than this! 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 and boats are getting limits every day. It's really turned on for big springs into the 40's near Logan Creek, Camper Creek, the Rock Pile, East Point and Nitinat. Brian Hebbert brought in a nice 43 lb spring while fishing with Ian White. If you want to catch big springs, the place to be is Renfrew!
Sooke – Salmon fishing was VERY GOOD this past week. A fresh run of springs moved in and it really picked up by the weekend. Lots of really nice fish in the high teens and twenties were being caught. There were quite a few in the 30's as well. Don Maja had a good week catching springs of 41, 35 & 32 lbs. Joe Vahlidika caught nice springs of 35, 30 & 29 lbs. Don Johnson also got a 35 lb spring. Possession Point, Sheringham Point and Otter Point were all hot spots. Anglers fishing for pinks were getting limits, mostly out at the 2nd tide line, and some big ones too. 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 Cop Car 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. Everyone is after salmon. 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 VERY GOOD this past week. The marina reports springs up to 42 lbs being caught, mostly from the Trap Shack to Secretary Island. There are LOTS of springs in the high teens and twenties being caught. The biggest this past week was a 42 lb spring caught off the Bedfords yesterday. Unfortunately, the luck angler was not fishing in the annual Cheanuh Marina Derby. That Derby was won by Rick Myra with a 35 lb spring. Second place went to Sal Delveccio for a 29.4 lb spring. The majority of springs were caught at 40 to 60 foot depths. On the weekend, the hot spot was once again the Trap Shack. Those anglers going out to the tide lines about 4 miles out are catching limits of pink salmon in very short order. There are a few hatchery coho being caught as well. 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 VERY GOOD this past week. Anglers were catching more springs than last week by Church Rock. The best depths to fish have been from 50 to 90 feet and anchovy has been the best bait. Out further in the strait, past the 2nd tide line, anglers are getting lots of pinks plus the occasional spring up to 20 lbs. Justin Wilson caught springs of 40, 22 & 21 lbs this past week fishing out of Pedder Bay. 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. Erick McCallum landed the biggest one at 122 lbs. Laura Dalgliesh landed a 50 lb halibut. Other halibut weighing 48,40, 34, 32 and 22 lbs came into the marina. 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 VERY GOOD for salmon on the waterfront this past week. A fresh run of big springs arrived on Wednesday and fishing was excellent until the winds came up on the weekend. The winds were so strong that the Esquimalt anglers Annual Salmon Derby had to be cancelled due to concerns about boating safety. Most of the springs are being caught around the harbour mouth, the breakwater and Brotchie Ledge. Pink salmon are being caught near the yellow Pilot Buoy and Brotchie Ledge on the flood tides. Some are even being caught right along the breakwater too. The springs have been around 40 to 70 feet and the pinks from 50 feet to 120 feet on the downrigger. David Simpson did well landing a 33 lb spring on Thursday by the breakwater. Wayne Zaccarelli landed a 26 lb spring near the harbor. Most of the springs have been from 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.
HALIBUT – Constance Bank was SLOW for halibut this past week due to strong currents and everyone out fishing for salmon. 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 we've only heard of a few boats fishing this area. Springs are out on the Flats and in the Gap. We've also heard of pinks being caught on the Flats and south of Trial Island by 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, strong currents and large numbers of dogfish around. Be sure to check the boundaries of the new Rockfish Conservation Area from D'Arcy Island to Beaumont Shoal if you're 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 VERY GOOD this past week. Anglers are getting lot of springs and pinks off of the Pender Bluffs. The springs have been between 65 to 90 feet deep off Pender and close to shore. Just about every boat has had at least one spring in the high teens to mid twenties in its catch. The Sidney Channel has also been productive, but most of the springs there have been smaller feeders up to 12 lbs. A 52 lb halibut was caught this past weekend by an angler trolling for salmon in the channel. Brook Baxter, along with his 10 year old son Tegan, landed a 30.5 lb spring while fishing for pinks off Pender Island. Chris Drakus caught a 27 lb spring near Pender Island. 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 in the channel, 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 – Brian Hebbert brought in a nice 43 lb spring while fishing with Ian White in Port Renfrew. Don Maja had a good week in Sooke catching springs of 41, 35 & 32 lbs. Joe Vahlidika caught nice springs of 35, 30 & 29 lbs and Don Johnson got a 35 lb spring also in Sooke. The Cheanuh Marina Derby was won by Rick Myra with a 35 lb spring. Second place went to Sal Delveccio for a 29.4 lb spring. Justin Wilson caught springs of 40, 22 & 21 lbs this past week fishing out of Pedder Bay. Erick McCallum landed the biggest halibut this past week at 122 lbs. Laura Dalgliesh landed a 50 lb halibut on Tuesday. David Simpson did well landing a 33 lb spring on Thursday by the Victoria breakwater. Wayne Zaccarelli landed a 26 lb spring near the Victoria harbor. Brook Baxter, along with his 10 year old son Tegan, landed a 30.5 lb spring while fishing for pinks off Pender Island. Chris Drakus caught a 27 lb spring near Pender Island. 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 Hare's 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 we're 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 Hare's 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 you're 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 you're 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, Mary's 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
It's in the bag, or is it? Many a nice fish is lost because of anglers not netting the fish properly. When you net a fish, you should always lead the fish into the net headfirst. Because fish don't swim backwards, any movement by the fish should force it deeper into the net. Don't try to scoop the fish up from behind if you want to land the big one.
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
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!
