Island Outfitters
Island Outfitters
Island Outfitters
SALTWATER OVERVIEW – Coho fishing has been FAIR. It’s been mostly hit or miss with the coho.The chinook fishing has definitely SLOWED DOWN. Halibut fishing is closed for the year.
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 FAIR this past week. The coho salmon fishing is now the main focus of local anglers. The best fishing was in the 600+ foot depths and towards the international boarder. This past week, most of the coho were not fin clipped so you had to release quite a few if you were after fin clipped coho. Spring fishing has really slowed down. The best locations to fish for springs have been Possession Point, Otter Point and Muir Creek and close to the shoreline.
BECHER BAY – Salmon fishing was FAIR this past week for mostly smaller stuff. The coho salmon fishing is now the main focus of local anglers. The best fishing was in the 600+ foot depths and towards the international boarder. This past week most of the coho were not fin clipped so you had to release quite a few if you were after fin clipped coho. Spring fishing has really slowed down. The springs are scattered from the Bedfords to the Trap Shack. The best depths to fish for the springs have been from 40 to 80 feet and very close to the shoreline.
PEDDER BAY – Pedder Bay Marina reports FAIR salmon fishing. All areas from Church Rock to William Head produced some Chinook salmon, but not many. The coho salmon fishing is now the main focus of local anglers. The best fishing was in the 600+ foot depths and towards the international boarder. This past week most of the coho were not fin clipped so you had to release quite a few if you were after fin clipped coho. With the coho and the pinks, you were either in them or not. You just had to search for the schools and then try to stay with them. Spring fishing has really slowed down. Trollers are doing best trolling close to the shore and along the kelp, from 30 – 70 feet on the downrigger and with anchovies for bait.
VICTORIA – Fishing for salmon was SPOTTY off the waterfront this past week. The most productive area was Constance Bank. There were lots of springs there early in the week but they were juvenile feeders and not too large. A few springs were caught from the Breakwater area. Dave Bury picked up a 17 lb 7 oz spring on Saturday and Tom Vaida a 16 lb 15 oz spring on Tuesday, both by the Breakwater. Some pink salmon are still being caught and they have been from 4 to 7 lbs in size. The best fishing for pinks and coho was way off shore.
OAK BAY – Salmon fishing was SLOW in Oak Bay this past week. There were very few, if any, salmon coming in from the Flats and the Gap. Anglers jigging have been catching more and larger salmon than those trolling. The salmon are feeding on needlefish and have been at depths from 40 to 135 feet, depending on 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 Pender Bluffs area. We did hear that there were some springs off Pender Island at 90 feet to 120 feet but not too many at this time of year. Anglers noted small grilse in the area too. Anglers jigging were also catching some fish.
FRESHWATER OVERVIEW – Fishing was FAIR in most lakes for trout and GOOD for bass.
COWICHAN RIVER – The Cowichan River’s water level is still low. Fishing for trout in the fly only area has been GOOD at dawn and dusk. Fish a Dry Fly in the early morning and later in the evening or fish a Nymph in the faster water. Both have been working well.
TROUT – Trout fishing is FAIR on most lakes in the South Island. Trollers should fish at the thermocline, where the fish are suspended during the day. 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 Micro Leech patterns on full sink fly lines most of the time to get into the cooler water levels. Trollers are catching trout with worms fished behind Gibbs Gang Trolls and on Gibbs Wedding Bands. James Baluch caught a 3 lb 5 oz Rainbow trout at Langford Lake on a Big Gulp Leech on September 4.
BASS – Bass fishing is GOOD as we enter the fall months. There have been many reports of good catches of fish as large as 6 lbs all summer. Soft plastics rigged Carolina style and crank baits are working well. Top water plugs are also fun and effective in the summer, especially at dawn and dusk. 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
Cover water! Most of the time when you hit one Coho, you hit another Coho, and then another. This is because Coho usually travel in schools in search of baitfish. In order to locate some Coho, it is important to continue covering different water and depths until you have found a school. Try spreading your lines all at different depths and try not to get stuck sitting in one spot against the tide.
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