Island Outfitters
Island Outfitters
Jordan and Jonny with a nice Cowichan cutty on a rainy November day.
Island Outfitters
SALTWATER OVERVIEW – The Chinook fishing has been GOOD around the South Island. All fishing effort is targeting winter springs. Most of the fish are from 3-6 lbs in size, with some larger ones up to 14 lbs. Weather conditions have been poor for fishing over most of the week.
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. Winter springs as large as 14lbs were caught this past week, but there were lots of fish in the 4-6 lb size. The best locations to fish for winter springs have been from the Bluffs west to Muir Creek. The hot combo this past week was a whiter hootchy behind a red flasher. Most of the fish are quite close to the bottom.
BECHER BAY – Salmon fishing was GOOD this past week. Most of the fish seen at Cheanuh Marina came from the Bedfords to Whirl Bay and were running up to 11 lbs in size. A few fish have been caught inside the bay with the biggest one of the week, a 13 pounder coming from the bay. Most of the fish have been caught on spoons with Coho Killers, Gibbs Skinny G’s in Cop Car and green & silver colors. Fish close to the bottom for the winter springs.
PEDDER BAY – Pedder Bay Marina reports GOOD fishing. It has picked up inside the bay around the corner into Whirl Bay and Church Rock. Most of the fish have been close to the bottom in 120-140 feet of water. Most of the salmon have been from 4 to 6 lbs in size with the occasional larger fish. Spoons have been producing the best and the Skinny G’s, AP Tackleworks and Coho Killers are the top choices.
VICTORIA – Fishing for salmon was PRETTY GOOD off the waterfront this past week. Constance Bank was the best spot to fish and anglers were catching lots of salmon there with the maximum size about 10 lbs. Unfortunately, most of the salmon have been very small, just below or just about the minimum size, so you have to release a lot of small ones before you have your limit. Closer in, the salmon were between Trial Island and Finlayson Point in about 120-140 feet of water.
OAK BAY – Salmon fishing was SLOW in Oak Bay this past week. There were a few salmon coming in from the Flats and the Gap, but most of them have been fairly small with an 8 lb fish the largest size that we have heard about. There was bait in Oak Bay this past week so things are looking up. 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 SLOW in the Sidney area. Anglers have been some success for springs up to 10 lbs near Coal Island. Most of the salmon in the area have been undersized. Anglers using spoons found that Coho Killers, Gibbs Needle G and 3.5″ G Force spoons the most productive this past week.
FRESHWATER OVERVIEW – Fishing was GOOD in most lakes for trout and FAIR for bass.
COWICHAN RIVER – The Cowichan River is blown out and fishing is next to impossible. The water level is 3.2 meters near the lake and 2.7 meters near Duncan. Coho and chum salmon fishing is now open from the White Bridge upstream through the mid river. Fishing for trout in the fly only area has been good with the arrival of lots of salmon in the upper river. Look for trout stationed just downstream of the salmon redds as they feed on salmon eggs. Now is the time to fish egg patterns for trout. For salmon, jigs have been productive.
TROUT – Trout fishing has been GOOD with lots of trout to be caught as the Vancouver Island Fish hatchery fall stocking program of catchable triploid rainbow trout in South Island lakes has come to an end.
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 Muddler Minnow patterns on full sink fly lines most of the time to get into the lower 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.
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
Most savvy salmon seekers attach Gagnon or heavy cod line to the end of their downrigger lines before attaching their weights. This softer line better withstands the bottom bouncing that fishing for winter springs entails. If you prefer not to make your own, you can get commercially made Downrigger Snubbers that are designed to withstand the same abuse of bouncing on the bottom.
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