Island Outfitters
Island Outfitters fishing
Island Outfitters
SALTWATER OVERVIEW – Coho fishing has been FAIR to GOOD. If you find the schools you will do really well, but if you don’t find them, it’s slow. The chinook fishing has definitely SLOWED DOWN.
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 GOOD this past week, but it did slow down on the weekend. The coho salmon fishing is now the main focus of local anglers. The best fishing was in the 500-550 foot depths and towards the international boarder. Chum salmon fishing is picking up. Dave Monyard won this past weekend’s coho derby with a 14.28 lb coho. Spring fishing has really slowed down. The best locations to fish for springs and chum have been Possession Point, Otter Point and Muir Creek, and close to the creek mouths.
BECHER BAY – Salmon fishing was GOOD this past week for coho. The best fishing was in the 500+ foot depths and towards the international boarder. Spring fishing has really slowed down.
PEDDER BAY – Pedder Bay Marina reports GOOD salmon fishing. The coho salmon fishing is now the main focus of local anglers. The best fishing was in the 500+ foot depths and towards outer tide lines. 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 really slowed down. Trollers are doing best fishing close to the bottom with anchovies for bait.
VICTORIA – Fishing for salmon was SLOW off the waterfront this past week. The most productive area was Constance Bank. There were lots of springs there, but they were mostly winter springs and not very large. The best fishing for coho was near the Yellow buoy and Border Bank.
OAK BAY – Salmon fishing was 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, and those caught were not very large. 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 FAIR in the Sidney area. One boat landed 17, 15 and 10 lbs springs with the largest fish being a winter spring and the two smaller ones mature fish heading for the river. There were some 6-9 lb springs caught near Hambley Point, Sidney Spit, the Powder Wharf and Saanichton Spit.
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 has started the fall stocking program of catchable triploid rainbow trout in south Island lakes. On October 3rd Elk Lake received 1,750 trout averaging 247.81 grams in size. Thetis Lake received 1,000 trout and Glen Lake received 500 trout, averaging 267.89 grams in size. On October 2nd, Shawnigan Lake received 1,750 trout, Dougan Lake 1,000 trout and Spectacle Lake received 500 trout averaging 257.27 grams in size. On September 28th, Langford Lake received 1,161 trout averaging 681.67 grams in size. On September 27th, Langford Lake received 1,000 trout averaging 673.68 grams in size.
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. 2” Tomic Plugs have also been working well for trout. James Baluch caught a 3 lb 5 oz Rainbow trout at Langford Lake on a Big Gulp Leech on September 4th.
BASS – Bass fishing is GOOD in the fall months. Top water plugs are also fun and effective in the summer, especially at dawn and dusk. 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
Know your salmon! Wild chum and coho salmon look very similar to most anglers, but there are different retention limits for these species, and at this time of year you are apt to catch both in local waters. Before you keep some to eat, make sure what you’ve caught and refer to the fish identification pages of your tidal water Sport Fishing Guide if you have any questions.
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