Kevin with his 68.3 lb, 132.5 cm halibut
Island Outfitters
SALTWATER OVERVIEW – Salmon fishing was PICKING UP this past week. The weather, once again, has been a big factor in anglers not going out fishing for several days. Halibut fishing was GOOD for those targeting the big flatfish.
Please note that there are salmon and other fishery closures in effect in numerous areas of BC’s tidal waters. For the latest details on openings and closures in your area: A) Call 1-866-431-FISH or 604-666-2828 (24-hour phone line); or B) Visit our web page http://notices.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fns-sap/index-eng.cfm to find applicable fishery notices.
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SOOKE – The salmon fishing was PICKING UP this past week. There are lots of undersize springs off Sooke right now and few keepers into the mid teens.
BECHER BAY – Salmon fishing was FAIR for anglers in East Sooke. There were more winter springs caught but most are not too big.
PEDDER BAY –Salmon fishing was VERY GOOD this past weekend. Most of the action was inside the bay and even though not many anglers were out fishing, winter springs of 20, 12,12, 10.5, 10, 8.5 and 8 lbs were seen at the marina’s cleaning station. The 20 lb spring was caught at 80 feet in 90 feet of water near the kelp beds. The rest of the fish were caught close to the bottom.
HALIBUT – Halibut fishing was GOOD this past week.
VICTORIA – Fishing for salmon was GOOD off Victoria. More than one 10+ lb spring was caught along the waterfront and there were lots of smaller fish too. Mike Weber got a nice pair with 10.5 and 8.5 springs from near the harbour entrance. There were a lot of salmon on Constance Bank too.
HALIBUT – Halibut remains VERY GOOD with lots of big herring still around between Middle Bank and Constance Bank. Good depths seem to be between 155 ft and 255ft for active fish and herring with salmon bellies and octopus working best. A 68.3 lb (132.5 cm) halibut was weighed in at the store and takes over 4th place on our leader board.
OAK BAY – Salmon fishing was PICKING UP this past week. Some winter springs have been caught and they were too small for retention.
HALIBUT – Halibut fishing was GOOD this past weekend out in Haro Strait and off Discovery Island.
SIDNEY- Salmon fishing was SLOW near Sidney. There is a lot of bait around Coal Island and Sidney Spit, so there should be some fish there. Most of the winter springs are short of the minimum size for retention.
FRESHWATER OVERVIEW – Fishing is GOOD on most lakes. Many of the lakes are undergoing the fall turnover. Wild rainbows and cutthroats over 50 cm must be released in Cowichan Lake.
COWICHAN RIVER – No rain and cold weather has allowed the river levels to drop steadily all week. The water level at the lake is over 1.3 meters and it’s over 1.15 meters near Duncan. Chum fishing in the lower river has been slowing down. There are some coho in the river but it is strictly catch and release. At the top end, egg patterns are the flies to use now when targeting trout. Effective until December 31, 2015 the daily limit for chum salmon is two (2) adults in the following portion of the Cowichan River: Downstream from the Mile 66 Trestle Bridge to the Highway No. 1 Bridge (Silver Bridge). Anglers are reminded that coho retention (both adults and jacks) remains closed at this time. The Cowichan River is Open to Fly Fishing Only from the Weir in Cowichan Lake downstream to the Mile 66 Trestle (CNR Trestle).
TROUT – Trout fishing was GOOD on most lakes in the South Island area this past week. The Vancouver Island Fish hatchery is winding down the fall stocking program of catchable rainbow trout. On November 20th, Lookout Lake received 150 catchable trout. On November 16th, Spectacle Lake received 973 catchable trout, Shawnigan Lake received 1,563 catchable trout and Elk Lake received 1,000 catchable trout. The trout were averaging 219 grams in size. On November 6th, Spectacle Lake received 277 catchable rainbow trout averaging 200 grams. On November 4th, Prospect Lake received 700 catchable rainbow trout, Durrance Lake received 1,900 catchable rainbow trout, Glen Lake received 500 catchable rainbow trout and Elk Lake received 2,000 catchable rainbow trout averaging 231 grams. In total 60,850 trout have been stocked in lakes on the island this fall.
BASS - Bass fishing is VERY 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
The halibut seem to be a bit smarter this late in the season, so think about taking off all the "fake" stuff like skirts, spin and glows, etc and use just a bare 16/0 circle hook tied on with an open loop knot so the bait will turn properly. Load it up with lots of bait to slow down the dogfish and keep it on the bottom.