Island Outfitters
Island Outfitters
SALTWATER OVERVIEW – The Chinook fishing was GOOD around the south Island if you could sneak out during the bad weather. Most of the Chinooks have been from 4-10 lbs in size.
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SOOKE – The salmon fishing has been GOOD over the last two weeks when you could get out. Most of the fish were from 6-10 lbs in size, with the occasional larger one. The best locations to fish for winter springs have been from Secretary Island westward to Muir Creek. Most of the salmon are close to the bottom in 100-140 feet of water.
BECHER BAY – Salmon fishing was GOOD for springs this past week, although very few anglers were able to get out in the bad weather. Anglers have been having good success in Becher Bay. The area between Frazer Island and Cheanuh Marina has been producing good fish up to 12 lbs. A few anglers have also had some success in Iron Mine Bay and in Whirl Bay as well. Most anglers are fishing close to the bottom in 100-160 depths.
PEDDER BAY – Pedder Bay Marina reports GOOD fishing in Pedder Bay near the Green Can and in Whirl Bay. Of course, very few 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 GOOD off the waterfront recently but most of the fish have been small. 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 from Clover Point to the Gravel Pit. However, the seals have been a real problem around Clover Point and the Flagpole. The seals have been taking most of the larger fish hooked, frustrating anglers. In those locations the best depths to fish were 90-140 feet.
OAK BAY – Salmon fishing was FAIR in Oak Bay this past week. There were a few salmon coming in from the Gap and from the Flats. 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 FAIR in the Sidney area. We have heard that there were some keeper springs being caught near Coal Island and Fairfax Point. There are still many undersized salmon in the area.
FRESHWATER OVERVIEW – Fishing was SLOW in most lakes for trout and bass and SLOW in the rivers for steelhead.
COWICHAN RIVER – Recent rains have caused the river to blow out again. Today, the water level is 2.35 meters near the lake and 2.2 meters near Duncan. Also, the water below the Clay Bank Pool is very dirty. There are steelhead in the river now and we have heard of some being caught in the Riverbottom area, but not too many. Fishing for trout in the fly only area had been FAIR. Now is the time to fish egg patterns for trout.
TROUT – Trout fishing has been SLOW for trout at the local lakes. Shore anglers are catching trout while fishing close to the bottom. There have been some chironomid hatches though.
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
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. However, be sure to check the regulations first if you are fishing in freshwater, since bait or scent is not legal in all waters.
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