www.fishingvictoria.com
3319 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC V8Z 3L2
Tel: (250) 475-4969 Fax: (250) 475- 6942
Email: info@fishingvictoria.com
Reported by: Tom Vaida
Fishing Report for Week Ending March 11, 2007
SALTWATER
OVERVIEW Spring salmon fishing is FAIR but not many anglers were out this past week due to poor weather. Halibut fishing has been SLOW also due to poor weather. 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.
Sooke Salmon fishing was GOOD but not too many people were out fishing. Only a few anglers went out and they all caught springs, mostly fish less than 10 lbs. The salmon are being caught off the Sooke Bluffs near the trailer park and/or near Secretary Island and the mouth of the harbor. The fish are close to the bottom and deep (100 feet or more). With spoons try Watermelon or Army Truck color combinations with 4" Coyotes, Gypsies and Titans. Anchovy is still the most popular natural bait, using Rhys Davis Watermelon or Purple Haze teaser heads. With plastic baits, go with the Mint Tulip, Purple Haze hootchies or squirts.
HALIBUT - Halibut fishing has started but we haven't heard of any coming from out here. Extra Large herring and/or octopus are the most popular baits. However, if the dogfish become a nuisance you can use Mudraker or Lucky Jigs or the new Glow in the Dark bullet Jig.
Becher Bay The marina reports SLOW fishing for springs and hardly anybody out trying. Only a few springs were weighed in on the weekend. All of the fish were caught on the outside of Fraser Island and off the Bedford Islands and none inside the bay. Most of the fish were not too large, nothing over 10 lbs. Among the effective lures this past week were spoons in Green/Silver, Watermelon or Army Truck color patterns. Plastic baits were also good with Purple Haze and the Mint Tulip the best color patterns. Rhys Davis teaser heads in Purple Haze and Watermelon have been very good when fished with anchovies.
Pedder Bay Fishing was FAIR with most boats getting a fish or two. However, the poor weather has really discouraged most anglers from going out fishing. The most productive fishing was near the can buoy where springs up to 14 lbs were taken. The best depths to fish near the can buoy have been 120 to 140 feet. Whirl Bay and church rock have also been good for springs around 5 to 6 lbs. The best fishing in Whirl Bay has been close to the bottom in 117 to 125 feet of water. If you're fishing bait, use anchovy or small herring in Watermelon, Mint Pearl or Purple Haze teaser heads. With plastic baits use the Purple Haze, Army Truck or Cloverleaf hootchies and squirts. With spoons try Silver/Brass, Green Silver, Mongoose, or Watermelon color combinations with 4" Coyotes, Gypsies and Titans.
HALIBUT No halibut were weighted in at the marina this past week. Blame the weather. Extra Large herring and/or Octopus are the most popular baits. However, if the dogfish become a nuisance you can use Mudraker or Lucky Jigs or the new Glow in the Dark bullet Jig.
Victoria Waterfront Salmon fishing was FAIR for winter springs. Constance Bank was the most productive area and some anglers were doing well there. Some of the springs off the bank have been weighing into the mid teens. The waterfront, from Clover Point to the Gravel Pit was slower and plagued with seals. Most anglers were fishing quite deep, at least 140 feet. The herring have started going up the gorge again and anglers are having better luck than last past week. When trolling the waterfront, look for the schools of baitfish on the sounder, fish near bait, and wait for the bite to come. Anchovy in Glow, Purple Haze and Watermelon teaser heads are working well. Cracked Ice or Glow flashers have been very productive too. Jellyfish, Purple Haze and Cloverleaf squirts fished behind Purple Glow or Green Glow flashers have been working well too. If you use spoons, try Green Silver, Cop Car or Army Truck color combinations with 4" or 5" Coyotes, Gypsies, Tomics and Titans.
HALIBUT Constance Bank was SLOWER for halibut during the week. The weather and stronger tides did have a negative effect on the fishing. Herring and Octopus have been the best baits for our boat. Gulp halibut baits have been working well too. However, if the dogfish become a nuisance you can use Mudraker or Lucky Jigs or the new Glow in the Dark bullet Jigs.
Oak Bay Fishing was NOT TOO BAD for winter springs out on the Flats. A couple of boats have been on the flats recently and they've been picing up springs in the 6 to 10 lb size range. The fish have been in the 80 to 120 foot depths, chasing needlefish. However, there doesn't seem to be a seal problem in Oak Bay so when you do get a fish you're actually likely to land it. Most of the action has been coming on Glo Below or Green/White squirts and hootchies.
HALIBUT Halibut fishing was SLOW due to poor weather and tides. Extra Large herring and/or Octopus are the most popular baits. However, if the dogfish become a nuisance, you can use Mudraker or Lucky Jigs or the new Glow in the Dark bullet Jigs.
Sidney Salmon fishing has been GOOD in Sidney. The south end of the Sidney Channel near the Powder Wharf has been the best with most anglers landing winter springs up to 10 lbs there. Also, there are quite a few salmon around that are just below the minimum size length. The best fishing has been close to the bottom in deeper water. 4" Coyote or Gypsy spoons in Mongoose, Silver/Green or Green/Glow have been the best baits. Other good bets are Anchovy and Tiny Strip. Plastic baits have been good too with the Glow Squirts, J-79 and Jellyfish being the best ones.
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.
FRESHWATER
OVERVIEW The local lakes are still GOOD for rainbow trout. Bass fishing is SLOW. Steeheading is GOOD on the Stamp and the Cowichan is "BLOWN OUT". Stocking of catchable rainbows in the local lakes is just starting so look for lots of action soon. 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.
Stamp River The steelhead fishing PICKED UP this past week. As the water was climbing the fish were coming in at the same time. The river is now very high though. Fishing was still decent on Sunday but by the end of the day the river was getting on the high side. The water levels should be good for the rest of month which is generally not the case most years.
Cowichan River Steelheading was good on the Cowichan but the river is now BLOWN OUT. The water level is just above 2.5 meters both near the lake and Duncan. When the river eventually drops, it should be good. Best bets for steelhead on the Cowichan are pink worms, Gooey Bobs and Spin'n'Glo's. At the top end of the river, anglers are doing well fly fishing for trout with egg patterns.
Local Lakes Trout fishing remains GOOD and will be REAL GOOD SOON. The stocking of catchable rainbows in the local lakes is starting tomorrow and will continue for a couple of weeks. We should start posting stocking reports next week. Just like last week, anglers fishing Powerbait or worms just off the bottom are having lots of luck. The trout are near the bottom and feeding mostly on chironomids. Most fly anglers are fishing with the old reliables; Leeches, Wooly Buggers, Careys and Doc Spratleys fished near the bottom. Chironomids have been been very good and Pheasant Tail, Halfback and Gold Ribbed Hare's Ear nymphs, micro leeches and micro buggers in maroon and black have also been excellent. For trolling try #6 Len Thompson spoons, Flatfish, or Tomic Wee Tads in frog or rainbow patterns, red & white, or yellow with red spots. Rapalas is silver, gold or Rainbow Trout also work well. Willow Leaf Lake trolls with wedding bands and worms will almost always catch some fish. Anglers still fishing should try a small light hook Gamakatsu #8) with a power egg on a 1ft leader. Tie on a swivel and then put an egg weight on your main line. Alan Novak landed 14 rainbows up to 20" while fishing Langford Lake on Sunday. Alan was using a combination of Red & Yellow Powerbait with Shrimp Lunker Lotion attractant fished just off the bottom.
Bass Fishing Bass fishing has been SLOW as the water temperature is still cold. The bass are in the deeper waters, at least 15 to 20 feet, and are holding on deep water structure. Your best bet is fishing these suspended fish in deeper water and using 4" tube jigs, lizards, or jigs with pork rind or by the drop shot method. If you do make the effort, you can get some good action. Shawnigan Lake, Prospect Lake and Elk and Beaver Lakes have been the best spots for bass. 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
Add a little bait or scent to your lure. Whether it's a piece of worm on a Flatfish fished for trout, or a piece of herring strip on a Coyote Spoon fished for salmon, you can improve the fish catching capabilities of your lure by sweetening it up with a piece of bait. But be sure to check the regulations first, if you are fishing in freshwater, since bait or scent is not legal in all waters.
Island Outfitters Leader Board 2007
Halibut
1) 85.3 lbs. Bruce Lowden Constance Bank Herring - February 11 th
2) 70.9 lbs. Al Zaalberg Oak Bay Herring - February 26th
3) 61.4 lbs. Bob Quenet Constance Bank Herring - February 10th
4) 64.7 lbs. Daryl Quenet Constance Bank Herring - February 10th
5) 54.0 lbs. Leo Fries - Constance Bank Herring - February 13th
Salmon
1) 22.2 lbs. Barry Eaglestone Constance Bank Anchovy - February 27th
2) 21.4 lbs Robin Turnbull Becher Bay Anchovy January 27th
2007 DERBIES and EVENTS
EARLY BIRD TICKET NIGHT for the The 11th Annual Just for the Halibut Derby will be Wednesday, March 28th at the 6 Mile Pub.
THE WEST COAST BASS ANGLERS are proud to present the WCBA BC Open on Saturday, April 7th at Shawnigan Lake. BC Open Officials: Event Director is Jason Hatch - islandprez@hotmail.com - Registrar is Wade Stach wadesworld53@hotmail.com , Tournament Director is Holly Mayert 250-748-6399 www.wcba.ca/bcopen.html
Elk Lake Fishing Derby - The first annual Elk Lake Angling Derby will take place on Saturday 14th April 2007. This will be a multi-species derby. More details to follow.
The Port Sidney Marina is holding their Annual Salmon Derby from April 27th and 28th. Largest salmon wins $10,000. Tickets go on sale March 15th and are $400 per boat (with up to 4 anglers per boat). Call Wayne Pullen at 250- 655-3711 for information on the event
May 20th - Sidney Anglers Spring Salmon Derby.
June 10th - Sidney Anglers President's Salmon Derby.
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.
September 9th - Sidney Anglers Roundup Salmon Derby.
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!
