Island Outfitters
Island Outfitters
SALTWATER OVERVIEW – We’re at the fall transition time for salmon. Most of the mature fish are either in the river or waiting near the estuaries for some rain to start their spawning run. The Coho fishing has been SLOW. The Chinook fishing has been GOOD around the Victoria area as the winter springs are now here in numbers, with sizes ranging up to 10lbs.
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 SLOW this past week. The best locations to fish for winter springs have been Possession Point, Otter Point and Muir Creek.
BECHER BAY – Salmon fishing was SLOW this past week. Spring fishing has picked up as some winters springs have moved into the bay.
PEDDER BAY – Pedder Bay Marina reports SLOW fishing. Due to the wind this past week there have not been many anglers out on the water, causing few reports. The salmon that have been reported are being weighed in up to 10 lbs.
VICTORIA – Fishing for salmon was GOOD off the waterfront this past week. The most productive area is Constance Bank with multiple hookups into fish ranging anywhere from 5 to 10 lbs.
OAK BAY – Salmon fishing was SLOW in Oak Bay this past week. There were very few salmon coming in from the Flats and the Gap. There was little to no bait on the Flats this past week. 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. It’s been very slow near Pender Island.
FRESHWATER OVERVIEW – Fishing was GOOD in most lakes for trout and FAIR for bass.
COWICHAN RIVER – The Cowichan River’s water level is still low. Fishing for trout in the fly only area has been okay with some fish still hanging out in the pocket water. Now is a good time to start fishing egg patterns, especially with salmon entering the river systems. There will usually be trout just below the salmon, looking for an easy meal of salmon eggs.
TROUT – The Vancouver Island Fish hatchery has started the fall stocking program of catchable triploid rainbow trout in South Island lakes.
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.
BASS – Bass fishing is FAIR. 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 – It’s time to go out and catch your chums, salmon that is, not your buddies. Chum salmon like black or purple hootchies, and most anglers will switch to using black hooks as well, to catch these hard fighting salmon. Troll very slowly and use a dodger instead of a flasher.
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