Island Outfitters
Island Outfitters
Island Outfitters
SALTWATER OVERVIEW – We’re at the fall transition time for salmon. Most of the mature fish are either in the river or waiting near the estuaries for some rain to start their spawning run. The Coho fishing has been SLOW. If you find the few scattered schools you will do well, but if you don’t find them you’ll probably not catch anything. The chinook fishing is SLOW.
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 our web page http://notices.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fns-sap/index-eng.cfm to find applicable fishery notices; or C) Follow our sport fishing Twitter account https://twitter.com/sportfishingbc
SOOKE – The salmon fishing was SLOW this past week. Coho salmon fishing is the main focus of local anglers. Chum salmon fishing is picking up though. Spring fishing has really slowed down. There have been lots of salmon jumping by the entrance to the basin, but they have not been hitting lures very well. The best locations to fish for coho and chum have been Possession Point, Otter Point and Muir Creek, and close to the creek mouths.
BECHER BAY – Salmon fishing was PRETTY SLOW this past week for coho. There was a small coho derby at Cheanuh marina and it was won by Harvey Fairfield with an 8 lb coho. The best fishing was in the 500+ foot depths and towards the international boarder. Spring fishing has really slowed down. Anchovies are the most popular bait for springs while.
PEDDER BAY – Pedder Bay Marina reports OFF & ON salmon fishing. The coho salmon has definitely slowed down. With the coho, you were either in them or not. You just had to search for the schools and then try to stay with them. Spring fishing has been SLOW with most of the fish shakers or just barely legal size.
VICTORIA – Fishing for salmon was SLOW off the waterfront this past week. The most productive area was Constance Bank. There were springs there but they were mostly winter springs and not very large. At least half were below the minimum size for retention. The best fishing for coho was SLOW as well.
OAK BAY – Salmon fishing was DEAD SLOW in Oak Bay this past week. There were very few salmon coming in from the Flats and the Gap. There was lots of bait on the Flats but not many salmon. The salmon are feeding on needlefish and have been close to the bottom where the feed is located. Most of the anglers have been either bottom bouncing or jigging close to the bottom.
SIDNEY – Salmon fishing was SLOW in the Sidney area. There were some 6-9 lb springs caught in the deeper sections of Sidney channel near the Red Can and the Powder Wharf. It’s been very slow near Pender Island.
FRESHWATER OVERVIEW – Fishing was FAIR in most lakes for trout and GOOD for bass.
COWICHAN RIVER – The Cowichan River’s water level is still low. Fishing for trout in the fly only area has been GOOD. Now is a good time to start fishing egg patterns, especially below salmon redd. There will usually be trout just below the redd looking for an easy meal of salmon eggs.
TROUT – The Vancouver Island Fish Hatchery is continuing the fall stocking program of catchable triploid rainbow trout in south Island lakes. On October 13th, Lookout Lake received 250 trout averaging 256.87 grams. On October 11th, Matheson and Kemp Lakes received 500 trout averaging 250.11 grams.
Shore anglers are catching trout on Powerbait, Gulp Eggs, or worms while fishing close to the bottom. Fly anglers are fishing Wooly Buggers, Leeches and Micro Leech patterns on full sink fly lines most of the time to get into the cooler water levels. Trollers are catching trout with worms fished behind Gibbs Gang Trolls and on Gibbs Wedding Bands.
BASS – Bass fishing is FAIR. 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
As the mature summer chinook have made it up the rivers to do their thing, it’s time to switch your tactics up to catch the “winter feeders”. Try shortening your leaders to 3’ to 4’ and switching to Coho Killers, 3” to 4” G-Force spoons, and ultra violet squirts such as purple haze and electric chair behind glow and UV flashers. Also, troll faster and fish deeper.
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