Richard Driedger caught a 30 lb Spring off the Victoria waterfront.
Island Outfitters
SALTWATER OVERVIEW – Chinook fishing was GOOD most of this past week. Halibut fishing was SLOW but most anglers were out after salmon.
The daily limit for coho is two (2) per day, hatchery marked only from June 1 to December 31, 2015. Effective until 23:59 hours Friday, June 12, 2015 in Subareas 19-1 to 19-4 and Subarea 20-5 (those waters near Victoria between Cadboro Pt. to Sheringham Pt.), the daily limit is two (2) chinook salmon per day which may be wild or hatchery marked between 45 cm and 67 cm or hatchery marked greater than 67 cm in length. The minimum size limit in these areas is 45 cm in length.
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SOOKE – The fishing for springs was GOOD this past weekend. Some nice fish in the JDF Fishing Derby were caught this past weekend, with the top 3 fish were all over 30 lbs! Congrats to Jeff Richmond the winner of the derby with a 34.4 lbs Chinook. The springs were consistent with the best fishing from Possession past Sherringham Point. Anchovies still seem to be the number one choice for Sooke anglers this week. Also, the fish seem more consistent in the 60-80 ft zone.
BECHER BAY– Salmon fishing was GOOD in East Sooke. Most of the fish were caught between Trap Shack and Possession. Most springs were running from 15 to 25 lbs in size, with a couple larger fish into the 30’s earlier in the week. Most fish have been getting caught between 55- 80 ft on the downrigger.
PEDDER BAY – Chinook salmon fishing was GOOD this week. Whirl Bay and Church Rock produced catches steadily throughout the week but Pedder Bay’s been seeing some steady action throughout the week, with reports of anglers getting some nice fishing jigging off the kelp beds. There were fish caught into the mid 20’s from Pedder around to Whirl Bay. Most of the fish seem to be ranging from 12-18 lbs.
Halibut – Halibut fishing was SLOW this past weekend, although most anglers were focused on chinook fishing due to the derbies held. Dylan Yakimovich had the largest halibut caught in the JDF Derby weighting 50.5 lbs.
VICTORIA – Fishing for springs was FAIR off Constance Bank and remains SPOTTY along the waterfront. There have been reports of the odd nice fish being around. Fish weighing into the high teens are still being caught at Constance. Mike Game weighed in a 29.2 lb chinook from Albert Head caught on an anchovy with a Bloody nose heads. Anglers have not done as well fishing closer to shore but there were a few fish near Brotchie Ledge and clover Point.
Halibut – Halibut fishing was SLOW this past weekend.
OAK BAY – Salmon fishing was SLOW during this past week. The fish caught were in the 12- 16 lb range with a few in the mid 20’s. A good mix of feeders and mature springs were reported this past week. Anglers that were jigging in the afternoon in the gap, reported catching fish up into the 20’s in the evening.
Halibut – Halibut fishing was SLOW this past week out in Haro Strait and off Discovery Island. There have been few reports of any luck in this area, maybe because more anglers are fishing for salmon due to excellent fishing conditions!
SIDNEY- Salmon fishing was SLOW near Sidney. A few fish were brought in over the past week into the low teens, but overall not a lot of success. This could be due to fast currents this past week. James Island, near the powder wharf and Sidney Spit is where the few fish caught were coming from.
Notable Catches – JDF Derby: With a total of 480 tickets, 300+ fishing were weighed in, 193 in the first day, 4 of them being halibut. Dylan Yakimovich had the largest halibut caught in the JDF Derby weighting in at 50.5 lbs. The 3 largest Salmon weighed in were: 1st Jeff Richmond 34.4 lbs; 2nd Sean Owens 32.8 lbs; 3rd Rob Hagel 30.4 lbs.
In the Port Renfrew Salmon Championship Derby, held at Pacific Gateway Marina, 1st place went to Jorgen Anderson with a 34.7 lbs. 2nd place went to Rob Barbon with a 31.9 lbs and 3rdplace went to Adam Battisteui (30.5 lbs).
FRESHWATER OVERVIEW – Fishing is GOOD on most lakes as the water temperatures climb. Trout fishing in the Cowichan River is EXCELLENT but the river is very low. Remember that ALL wild trout (steelhead included) must be released on ALL streams in Region 1. Wild rainbows and cutthroats over 50 cm must be released in Cowichan Lake. Only single barb less hooks are allowed for all fishing on island streams and rivers.
COWICHAN RIVER – The water level is very low. The trout fishing in the mid and upper river is SLOW. The rainbows, cutthroats and resident brown trout are actively feeding on these hatches and migrating salmon fry. During the hatch, match the hatch with dry flies for exciting action.
TROUT – Trout fishing was GOOD on most lakes in the South Island area this past week. The biggest trout this year have come from Langford Lake.
BASS - Bass fishing is EXCELLENT. At this time of year most of the bass are in the shallows. 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
Avoid the crowds. When you see lots of boats fishing in a small area, it doesn’t necessarily mean there are lots of fish there, just lots of anglers. And the more anglers, the more gear in the water competing for what fish that may be there. Usually, you’re better off to fish away from the crowd with less competition for those fish that are willing to bite.