Island Outfitters
Island Outfitters fishing
What better way to spend the weekend - out fishing with the kids! Jack and Jordan were into them on the weekend, off the Victoria waterfront.
Island Outfitters
SALTWATER OVERVIEW – The Chinook fishing was FAIR TO GOOD around the south Island when it wasn’t blowing and freezing. Most of the Chinooks have been from 4-10 lbs in size.
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SOOKE – There’s not much new happening here. The salmon fishing has been FAIR over the last few weeks when you could get out. Most of the fish were from 4-8 lbs in size with the occasional larger one. The best location to fish for winter springs was near Secretary Island. Most of the salmon are close to the bottom in 100-140 feet of water.
BECHER BAY – Salmon fishing was GOOD if you could get out in the stormy weather. Those that did, however, stayed fairly close to the marina and did well there. Rob Hagel landed a 20 lb spring close to the marina and his boat limited with the others all around 10 lbs. Anglers have been having the most success in Becher Bay between Frazer Island and Cheanuh Marina on the top of the flood tide. A few anglers have also had some success in Whirl Bay. Most anglers are fishing close to the bottom in 100-160 depths. We haven’t heard of any salmon over 10 lbs here this past week.
PEDDER BAY – Pedder Bay Marina reports GOOD fishing in Pedder Bay near the Green Can and in Whirl Bay. Of course, not many anglers were fishing in the bad weather this past week. Most of the fish have been caught close to the bottom in 100-140 feet of water. The salmon have been from 3-7 lbs in size with the occasional larger fish.
VICTORIA – Fishing for salmon was FAIR off the waterfront this past week when the winds weren’t too crazy. Most of the fish are still small, from 3-7 lbs in size, but a few up to 16 lbs have been caught. Constance Bank has been the best spot to fish for numbers of fish. Trolling just off the bottom in 85-140 feet of water has been the way to catch salmon there. Closer in, salmon were caught near Clover Point. In most locations the best depths to fish were 90-140 feet, although they are often found in shallow water near the harbour entrance.
OAK BAY – Salmon fishing was SLOW in Oak Bay this past week. There were a few salmon coming in from the Gap and from the Flats but they were mostly small. The salmon are feeding on needle fish 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 GOOD in the Sidney area. We have heard that there were some keeper springs up to 12 lbs being caught in the Sidney Channel, mostly near the Powder Wharf. Jigging has been the best way to catch springs near the Powder Wharf. The Red Can and the Powder Wharf are two areas off the channel that have also produced some fish. On Friday, Nolan Walker caught a spring weighing just over 12 lbs in Sidney channel. We also heard of some springs near Hambley Point and Fairfax Point.
FRESHWATER OVERVIEW – Fishing was SLOW in most lakes for trout and bass and SLOW in the rivers for steelhead.
COWICHAN RIVER – The water level on the river is continuing to drop. Near the lake it’s gone from 3 metres down to 1.68 metres, and near Duncan it’s gone from 3.4 to 1.48 metres. There are steelhead in the river now and we have heard of some being caught in the Riverbottom area, but not too many. For steelhead, jigs and pink worms have been productive. Fishing for trout in the fly only area has been SLOW. Now is the time to fish egg patterns for trout.
TROUT – Trout fishing has been SLOW for trout at the local lakes. That said, Kayden Howes caught a 5lb 4oz rainbow trout on corn at Elk Lake last Monday.
BASS – Bass fishing is SLOW. 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
Buy Two! Murphy’s Law dictates that if you have a hot lure, you’re sure to lose it, and if you don’t have a back up you’re out of luck. So next time you pick up the newest hot lure or fly, consider buying two.
Upcoming Fishing Derbies:
- 'Take a Kid Fishing' Derby - April 14
- Just for the Halibut Derby - April 21 & 22
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