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Island Outfitters
Dave Bury with 18 & 16 1/2 lb chinooks caught jigging with a Delta Mac Fish
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Island Outfitters
Gerry Vervoort with his 21 lb 12 oz derby winner!
Vancouver Island Fishing Report - August 12/18
Island Outfitters has your Vancouver Island fishing Report to August 12th. Read the saltwater reports below for Port Renfrew, Sooke, Pedder Bay, Victoria, Oak Bay and Sidney as well as the freshwater report from the Cowichan River.
Remember to send in photos (in jpeg format) of your notable catches to their email info@fishingvictoria.com
SALTWATER
OVERVIEW
The Chinook fishing remains SPOTTY to GOOD around the south Island when the fog isn’t too heavy. Sockeye are now open with the best action taking place early in the morning and from Sooke to Port Renfrew. Halibut fishing was SLOW this past weekend.
PORT RENFREW
Salmon fishing was GOOD at Swiftsure Bank and along the shoreline. The springs are averaging from 12 – 18 pounds with the odd one into the thirties. Coho are also showing up at the bank. Along the shoreline, chinook fishing has been good when trolling at depths of 35’ – 50’ in water from 40’ – 70’. Sockeye fishing has been GOOD for those targeting the fish in deeper waters, usually from 300 to 400 feet. The Halibut fishing was also GOOD. Port Renfrew still remains the most productive place to fish for both salmon and halibut on southern Vancouver Island.
SOOKE
The salmon fishing was SPOTTY TO GOOD this past week. Sockeyes have started showing up and many anglers have been getting limits. The best sockeye fishing this past weekend was close to shore and in shallow depths very early in the morning. The area from the Sooke Bluffs to the Otter Point closed area was producing most of the action for springs. Good choices for teaser head colors are Peanut Butter, Tiger Prawn and Bloody Nose. Spoons such as Skinny G’s, Coho Killers and 4″ Coyote spoons have been good too. Hootchies in White, Glow/Green and Purple Haze are the top choices in plastic baits. For flashers, Red/Glow Hot Spots, the Delta Guide Series UV Moon Jelly, Madi and the Super Betsy are popular.
BECHER BAY
Salmon fishing was FAIR in East Sooke and you had to work hard to find the springs. Sockeyes have started showing up and many anglers have caught them. The hot spot for springs this past week were from Aldridge Point to the Trap Shack. The best depths to fish have been between 40 to 60 feet. There have been good bites late in the day and very early in the morning. Some sockeye action has also been happening off Beechey Head. The best sockeye fishing this past weekend was close to shore and in shallow depths very early in the morning. Anchovies are the bait of choice for springs. Good choices for teaser head colors are Chartreuse, Tiger Prawn and Bloody Nose. Anglers are using spoons with Coho Killers and Gibbs Skinny G’s in green/glow and green/silver colors the favorites. The GIBBS Highliner Guide Series Outfitters, the Betsey, and Gold Fever Hot Spot flashers have been working well. Needlefish hootchies in White, Glow/Green and Purple Haze are the top choices in plastic baits.
PEDDER BAY
Pedder Bay Marina reports GOOD salmon fishing during the week in the Pedder Bay and near church Rock. Most of the action has been late in the afternoon or evening on the flood tide. There is lots of bait in the bay and there have been a lot of springs as well, ranging from just legal upwards to 22 lbs. Best trolling depths have been 20- 40 ‘and 70-85 ‘. Anglers jigging have been consistently catching springs. GIBBS 4 oz to 8 oz anchovy jigs have been the best jigs to use here. Most anglers are using teaser head colors Mint Pearl, Chartreuse and Bloody Nose. Squirts were good lures as well with green and glow, Purple Haze or UV white good color choices. Spoons have been producing well and the Skinny G’s, Wee G’s, AP Tackleworks and Coho Killers are the top choices. Green with either silver or glow has been the color choice in spoons. Flashers that are popular include the Guide Series Madi, Outfitters and Lemon Lime. Good choices for teaser head colors are Bloody Nose, Chartreuse and Purple Haze.
HALIBUT - Halibut fishing was SLOW this past week with the strong currents. East Race and William Head were the most productive spots.
VICTORIA
Fishing for salmon was FAIR off Constance Bank this past week. Anglers were catching springs into the teens as well as smaller feeder springs during the periods of slower currents. In closer, it’s been SPOTTY for anglers trolling the Harbour area. There were some springs but not lots of them. The Clover Point Anglers’ Association held their 24th Annual Salmon Derby on the weekend. The winner was Gerry Vervoort with a 21 lb 12 oz chinook caught off Clover point on anchovy. Second place went to Dave Bury for an 18 lb chinook caught off Harling Point on a Delta Mac Fish. Third place went to Tom Vaida for a 13 lb 14 oz chinook caught on anchovy. Anchovies have been the most productive bait this past week and the Bloody Nose teaser has been working well. Spoons that have been successful in getting hook ups are Irish Cream Skinny G’s and Green/Glow, AP Tackleworks 3” Neon Army Truck Herring spoons and Green/Glow Coyote spoons. Sockeyes have not shown up in good numbers but there were some off shore during the weekend.
HALIBUT - Fishing was SLOW for halibut this past weekend. Fishing has been best at Constance Bank and the Mud Hole.
OAK BAY
Salmon fishing was SPOTTY in Oak Bay. That said, the last 4 days of the week were very quiet. The Flats was producing the best in the afternoon on the end of the flood tide. The salmon are feeding on needle fish and small squid, close to the bottom. Most of the anglers have been either bottom bouncing squirts and spoons or jigging close to the bottom. Best bets for Oak Bay trolling lures are Wee Gs and Skinny Gs, Coho Killers and AP Tackleworks Sandlance spoons. Squirts will also work with Jelly fish and Electric Chairs good bets. Jiggers are doing best with Deep Stingers and Point Wilson darts. One angler picked up 2 sockeyes on the flats Sunday while trolling Coho Killers for springs.
HALIBUT - Fishing was SLOW for halibut this past week.
SIDNEY
Salmon fishing was SPOTTY in the Sidney area, especially with all the closures now in effect. Hamley Point has been the best spot recently, especially in the evening. Salmon up to 12 lbs have been caught this past week. Anglers jigging have been having some success off the north end of Sidney Spit in 70-80 feet of water. Anglers using spoons found that Coho Killers, Gibbs Needle G and Wee G spoons and AP Sandlance spoons productive this past week. Suggested colours are Herring Aid and Irish Cream. Anchovies and Tiny Strip were also good in Glow or UV Purple teaser heads.
FRESHWATER
OVERVIEW – Fishing was FAIR in most lakes for trout and REALLY GOOD for bass.
COWICHAN RIVER
The water level is low at summer levels. There are a lot more people float tubing in the river than fishing. Anglers are reporting action on both dry flies and nymphs very early in the morning and late in the evening. Good dry flies have been the Elk Hair Caddis and the Goddard Caddis. Pheasant tail nymphs have also been good. Watch out for tubers drifting in the river.
TROUT - Trout fishing has been FAIR for trout at the local lakes due to water temperatures warming up. That said, if you fish the thermocline you should get good action. The mornings and evenings should produce surface action for fly anglers. Shore anglers are catching trout on Powerbait, Gulp Eggs, and worms while fishing close to the bottom. Pink, Chartreuse and Fluorescent Yellow have been good choices recently for Powerbait. Fly anglers are fishing Wooly Buggers, Leeches and Muddler Minnow patterns on full sink fly lines most of the time to get into the lower water levels. There have been some chironomid hatches too. 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.
To find out about fish stockings all over the Island and the province, as well as the different strains being released, click on the link http://www.gofishbc.com/Stocked-Fish.aspx
BASS - Bass fishing is EXCELLENT on Island lakes. Most lakes are producing large fish as they are in the shallows for spawning. Soft plastics are a great choice when fishing structure close to shore. The most productive colors in 4” Yum baits are Smoke or Pumpkinseed. Drop shot fishing can also be very effective this time of year if you find fish in deeper water. During the day, spinner baits and crank baits are working well at times. 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
It’s always important to match the size of your bait to the size of the natural bait in the waters that you fish. When you’re salmon fishing with very small minnows or anchovies that don’t fit in a regular teaser head, try using a tiny strip teaser head instead. You’ll be surprised how well you can fish a whole small herring or needlefish in the teaser head designed for strip.
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.cfmto find applicable fishery notices; or
C) Follow our sport fishing Twitter account https://twitter.com/sportfishingbc
Read the article originally published here.
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