Fishing Reports for June 10

By on June 10, 2015

Washington

Marine Area 1 (Ilwaco)

no report this week

Marine Area 2 (Westport)

image courtesy Cindi Lanier

image courtesy Cindy Lanier

Salmon fishing out of Westport slowed a bit this past week but, there are still good catches to be had. Full 2 Chinook limits are not being found by most but there are many who are getting 1 Chinook per person. Chinook are running 8 to 15 pounds with an occasional 18 to 20 pounder mixed in. One of my Commercial friends weighed in a Chinook weighing 31.6 pounds after it had been dressed. WOW!

Jerry Sangiacomo was very happy with his 2 Chinook along with Ken Unkrur and his nice fish. We got these fish in 150 feet of water down 125 feet on the Downrigger. We were catching them on a 4 inch Silver Horde Homeland Security colored spoon behind a QCove Polar Orange Flasher and a Green Labeled Herring 6 feet behind a Pole Dancer Flasher by Shortbus Flashers. The Herring was fished at 100 feet on the Downrigger. Bites now seem to be coming around the tide change and if you find a current break or rip stay on it and fish it.
There is not much bait in the area so if you do find a bait ball don’t leave it. Speaking of bait, there is no fresh herring available in Westport right now. Bring your own or plan to buy frozen. Anchovies are available.

This Saturday the regulations change to a 2 fish retention limit. Only 1 can be a Chinook Clipped or Not, and Coho

image courtesy Cindy Lanier

image courtesy Cindy Lanier

must be clipped. Yes you may retain 2 Coho but remember only 2 Salmon. When I use the term Clipped it means that the fish  had its Adipose removed while it was in the hatchery and the area is fully healed.

Bottom Fishing is still the hottest thing going in Westport with limits pretty much happening every day. The weather is keeping most of us at the docks this week but it should lighten up for the weekend. Try doing one day for Salmon and the next for bottomfish. We along with other boats offer a Combo trip for both in a day.

There are many events coming up in Westport so make your plans now to head down to the coast. Have Fun, be Safe and we will see you in Westport.

Report by Kevin Lanier, owner of KC Sportfishing Charters 425-328-8558, President PSA Ocean Anglers, VP PSA State Board. Photos by Cyndi Lanier, Owner of Dockside Art,Gifts,and Tackle Westport Wa. 425-328-8559

Chinook fishing took an overall drop numbers wise this week but there were enough around to keep people awake.  Our team backed-up the OK salmon fishing with some very good lingcod and rockfish action to round out the trips!

Everyday more and more salmon are venturing south towards Westport Id expect this weekend to be quite good.The best zone for the salmon has been inside of 140′ of water.  The team has been doing well throughout the water column but the best bite has been in the bottom 1/3.  Whole herring is out producing artificial gear but only by a small margin.The limit remains at two hatchery chinook though June 12th the it goes to one chinook (clipped or wild) and one hatchery coho, or two hatchery coho.

Report submitted by Mark Coleman, All River and Saltwater Charters; 425-736-8920

Marina Area 3 (LaPush and Forks)

no report this week

Marine Area 4 (Neah Bay)

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has given an “Excellent” rating for ling cod in Marine Area 4 during the month of June.

Marine Area 5 (Sekiu)

no report this week

Marine Area 6

no report this week

Marine Area 7

Ling is the thing in the San Juan’s until June 15th. I like fresh caught Ling Cod better than just about any other white fish. It doesn’t freeze as well as Halibut, but man, It’s tasty for dinner the day you catch it. Not the greatest fighters, but a big one will give you a heck of a tug. Lots of people use live bait, such as Kelp Greenling, but I like to just bounce a curly tailed lead head jig downhill from 60-120 ft. Besides, those little Greenling lead a hard enough life already, having to dodge the school yard bully Ling Cod, with out being hooked to a line. Imagine that big ugly fanged mouth coming at ya down there. Many a diver have got a eye widening start from a giant Linger. I like the legal slot limit ones 26” to 36” on a plate better.

Submitted by Kevin Klein, Fidalgo-San Juan Islands Chapter PSA , CCA Northsound

Marine Area 8.1

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has given a “Fair” rating for coastal cutthroat in Marine Area 8.1 during the month of June.

Marine Area 8.2

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has given a “Fair” rating for coastal cutthroat in Marine Area 8.2 during the month of June.

Marine Area 9 (Admirality Inlet)

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has given an “Excellent” rating for ling cod in Marine Area 9 (Admirality Inlet) during the month of June.

Marine Area 10

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has given a “Poor” rating for Chinook and Coho in Marine Area 10 during the month of June.

Marine Area 11

Point Defiance Marina fishing

Tom (19 pounds 8 ounces) and Frank (22 pounds 5 ounces)

Since the June 1 opener in area 11, 28 salmon have been weighed in at the Point Defiance Marina. Ling Cod is open in Area 11 until June 15. The salmon fishing has been slow the last few days with just a few salmon being caught and scattered all over. Pt Evans jigging with salmon jigs, Pt Dalco mooching with herring or trolling artificial gear, The Girl Scout camp area mostly trolling artificial gear and of course from the Clay Bank area out onto the flats or shelf area mooching, jigging or trolling. The tides this week are slowing down and we hope it will improve the fishing. For more information call 253-591-5325.

Basic Fishing Classes Offered at Point Defiance Marina. Monthly classes (TBD) are offered to youth and for adults to prepare you to better take advantage of the fishing at Point Defiance and the local lakes and rivers. Learn knot tying, tackle, rods and reels, rigging techniques, regulations, and safety.Call 253-591-5325 to learn more about these classes

National Marina Day
Saturday, June 13, 2015 from 10am to 3 pm
Events and Classes include:
* 7 am to 4 pm Dock Fishing Community Bottom Fishing Derby (Must Register)
* 10 am to 12 pm Puget Sound Crabbing Class (Must Pre Register)
* 2 pm Dock Shrimp Demo on Pier
* Fishing Demonstrations
* Boating Safety Checks – Free inspection of your boat with sticker for your boat by Coast Guard Auxiliary
* Life Jacket and Water Safety Info
* 75% off boat and motor rentals ($25 per day )
*Crabbing Class ….Saturday June 13, 2015 10 am to 12 noon (Must Preregister )
Location: Point Defiance Marina
Cost: $15.00

Come learn from our local expert Larry Bucklin of Puget Sound Anglers–Gig Harbor about the secret to success in Puget Sound crabbing. This class will help you become more successful catching crab and better care for them.

The new marina hours are 5:00 am to 9:00 pm. Like us on Facebook.

Point Defiance Marina, For more information contact: Art Tachell, Boathouse Marina Technician, 253.591.5325 art@tacomaparks.com www.pointdefiancemarina.com

Marine Area 12 (Hood Canal)

The recreational crab fishing season in Washington’s Marine Area 12 (Hood Canal) will open June 15, more than two weeks earlier than originally scheduled. According to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), recent test fisheries indicate that crab in the Canal are in hard-shell condition, allowing for an early start to the season. Crabbing in Hood Canal will be allowed Thursdays through Mondays each week, and will be closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. The season will get under way with a one-day opening on Monday, June 15, before reopening on its weekly schedule Thursday, June 18

Marine Area 13

no report this week

Freshwater – Lake Chelan

June the fish are coming off the spawn and biting like crazy!  This year it appears that the bite rate is somewhat less than the previous couple of years, but drumroll… the average fish is much better.  We have trolled Jeff’s drift rigs (unbaited, to be consistent with the regs), squid rigs and spoons.  Fish have averaged about 20” or so.  I was lucky enough to get a 10.1 lb fish to the boat last week, so trophy size Cutts are a possibility.  Working speeds of 1.4 to 1.6 mph seemed to work best for our presentations, but vary it a lot to see what works best for you.

Lake Trout fishing on Chelan seems to be in transition.  We can get some fish early in the Potholes, at Colyar Ledge and in Manson Bay, but then we have to dance to keep the action going.  Currently, the best secondary location seems to be near the Monument or over in the State Park / Watson’s Resort area, but if something doesn’t work, keep moving to find biters.  As always, fish within 3 to 5 feet of the bottom and keep your speed around 1.2 mph.  The Mack’s Lure Bead and Blade combo our guide, Jeff Witkowski has developed has been very productive.  Bait this rig with a chunk of Northern Pikeminnow.

Your fishing tip of the week is to try that new presentation when the bite is good, to gather useful information.  If your “old standby” isn’t working and you try something new that doesn’t work, what have you learned?  If you are getting bit steadily on the “old standby” and you try something new that gets not better or worse, that’s information you can use.  Remember the scientific experimental model.  The use of a control and variable in concert is the key.

The kid’s tip of the week is to let them talk.  Asking questions that encourage critical thinking is important.  When they make a silly pronouncement, don’t say “that’s stupid”.  Ask, “Why do you think that?”  You’d be surprised at the answers you get.  Play devils advocate.  Ask “What about this”, or “What about that?”  You will learn a lot.  They will learn a valuable life skill.

The safety tip of the week is to watch for floating debris and check “your 6” before swerving.  There are lots of debris and loads of boaters out there now.

For more info call Anton & Sandra Jones of Darrell & Dad’s Family Guide Service; darrellanddads.com; antonj@aol.com or call (509)687-0709 or toll free at (866)360-1523

Freshwater – Potholes Reservoir

Both the fishing and the temperatures have been hot here at the Potholes since our return from Nebraska. Today the temperatures are forecast to be over 100 degrees. The fishing here has also been very hot. Everyone I have talked to has been doing good for Perch that already large and fat especially off of Perch Point and just up into Linn Coulee. Largemouth bass are up in the shallows in the dunes area and we are seeing increasing success off the dam face.  Walleye fishing has also been very good in waters 14 to 25 feet deep trolling worm harnesses at about 1 mph.

Wednesday afternoon we went just inside the entrance to Crab Creek to fish. My bow mount motor went bad with no steering, but power I could control. Putting it in a straight-ahead direction I was able to turn the boat using my main motor to steer.  Linda caught the first 5 fish including a 5 1/2-inch that we released. We ended up keeping 10 Walleye up to 27-inches. That was a mistake as it was a spawned out male and the fillets were very small for the length of the fish.

Friday I went out with Curtis Welch and his friend Dave. We ran to the weigh points from Wednesday and I was ready to fish before the bow mount was down so I lowered my gear slowly to the bottom. Within seconds – if it was that long – I had a walleye on. It turned out to be a 24-inch, the largest of the day. We ended the day with 13 walleye, the smallest being 19-inches with all the rest over 20-inches.  A very good day. Most all my local friends have experienced similar results.

This past weekend there was a 2 day walleye tournament at Moses Lake. I have not heard much yet from the event but I did hear that there wererecord numbers of  walleye caught, weighed and released with two over ten pounds.

Tom Pollack – retired

British Columbia

Vancouver

no report this week

Vancouver Island (Saltwater)

Alberni Inlet

no report this week

Bamfield

Salmon fishing really picked up for a few days. Nice Chinook, most in the 10 – 20 pound range were taken almost everywhere. Quite a few Coho are around now as well. Halibut fishing is going good but the weather has kept us from going to the offshore banks this week.

For more info call Ken Bodaly at Rocky Point Charters, Bamfield, B.C. 250-728-3678 or the boat cell phone 250-735-4224 www.rockypointcharters.ca email rockypointcharters@shaw.ca

 

Barkley Sound

The Sockeye sport fishery in the Alberni Inlet has been open since the first of May. Limits are four per person per day. That number should remain the same throughout the season. Sockeye usually school in the Inlet when the water of the Somass River and the Inlet warms to 18 degrees Celsius. When there are big numbers of Sockeye entering the system the schools will hold in the inlet for the salmon ahead to push into the river. The river water and the water of the Inlet is warming considerably. With very little snow in the nearby hills the water has already warmed to over eighteen degrees celsius. The Sockeye that are currently in the system have migrated from Barkley Sound and into the Inlet and are swimming in fairly deep water. Those sport fishermen out fishing for Sockeye have had good success in the China Creek area. The slide and up to Ardens have been relatively good. The warm weather conditions have developed a fairly decent Sockeye salmon sport fishery over the past week. It is often safe to say that June 15th is the time to start fishing Sockeye but that rule of thumb is different this year. Some individual sport fisher persons have already had opportunity to land limits of Sockeye. Sport guides and individual fishermen will find good numbers of Sockeye Salmon at hotspots such as Cous Creek, Dusmuir Point, the China Creek Wall, the slide, and the narrows. Sockeye are attracted to color and having six or even eight flashers hooked to the deep line is not unusual. The most popular lures for Sockeye are the mp 2 and 16 also the bubblegum colored mp 15 hootchies. Leader lengths are best at 22 to 27 inches behind a green or red glow hotspot flasher.

Chinook salmon landed using anchovy in a green haze teaser head in Barkley  Sound

Chinook salmon landed using anchovy in a green haze teaser head in Barkley
Sound

The Salmon fishing in Barkley Sound especially out at surf line locations has been also relatively consistent over the past few weeks. Many areas have had big bait balls which will bring those migratory Chinook swimming close to the beach into the Sound to feed on the very rich resources of bait fish. Over the past week Austin Island has had some decent sport fishing as has Vernon Bay. The key to land a few nice Chinook is perseverance. Bamfield areas such as Kirby in the morning and Edward King later in the day and also the Wall have reported some nice fish being landed by guides and sport anglers. The best results have been fishing from 80 to 130 feet depending on location but it is important that you are fishing where there is bait. It seems that choice of lure really does not seem to matter as many sport fishermen have been using a variety of spoons, plastic, and bait. The best spoons have been the four inch green and blue nickel coyote spoon behind a green glow hotspot flasher. The four inch Irish Cream spoon, cookies and cream and silver glow have been working behind a chartreuse hot spot flasher. The 155 needlefish hootchie has also been very good. Anchovy in a green UV teaser head, army truck and also in chartreuse have been hot at various times. Many of the salmon have been in the low to mid teens with a few at twenty pounds. We are expecting the fish to get bigger with the arrival of the mid-summer run which will get underway in the latter half of June. This run of migrating salmon should have a good number of four and five year olds. Barkly Sound should be a hotbed for fishing this summer especially in surf line locations.

For more information and/or reservations, call Doug Lindores at Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing (250) 723-2435; (250)724-2502; cell (250)731-7389 or 1-877-214-7206 www.catchsalmon.ca or www.catchsalmon-ca.com; dlindy@shaw.ca

Becher Bay

no report this week

Oak Bay

no report this week

Pedder Bay

no report this week

Sidney

no report this week

Sooke

no report this week

Ucuelet

Guide Al of Wild Pacific fished with these two fishermen and landed one at lighthouse Bank and the other at Long Beach.  These two salmon hit a needle fish hootchie.  We are expecting some great offshore Ucluelet fishing this summer.

Guide Al of Wild Pacific fished with these two fishermen and landed one at lighthouse Bank and the other at Long Beach. These two salmon hit a needle fish hootchie. We are expecting some great offshore Ucluelet fishing this summer.

It is now the beginning of June and the weather is terrific on the West Coast of Vancouver Island. In fact the weather has been so fantastic one would say that it is incredible. But there is one problem which is concerning and that is that much of the West Coast is very DRY and many rivers are low in water. The Weather scenario might sound great but for conservation reasons it is not GOOD. Low river conditions can play havoc with returns of West Coast Vancouver Island. Currently Sockeye Salmon are returning to the Somass River in good numbers. The Somass however is at low historic levels.

Along with the current fantastic weather conditions the salmon fishing has been consistent close to Ucluelet Harbour and offshore Ucluelet. Ucluelet is a very small community located on the extreme west coast of Vancouver Island British Columbia. The salmon fishing was very good through the May Long Weekend but has slowed down in the last ten days. We are awaiting the next flow of transient salmon headed to the BIG Watersheds to the south. Salmon fishing in various surf line areas of Barkley Sound has also been quite good but has slowed down considerably. The early sockeye salmon has already started their long return from somewhere in the North Pacific to the Somass River in fairly good numbers.

Salmon and halibut fishing on the west coast as mentioned has slowed down over the past ten days. Local sport and guide fishermen are awaiting the next push of salmon. The increasing sport fishing opportunities as we now move into June is very evident by the large number of vehicles on local roads and highways towing a variety of sport fishing boats. Many fisher persons are either fishing the scenic and pristine waters of the Alberni Inlet and Barkley Sound or are travelling out to the west coast to fish close to Vancouver Island’s rugged coastline or in offshore locations.

The 2015 sport salmon fishing season in Ucluelet, Barkley Sound, and the Port Alberni Inlet is forecast once again to be terrific. In fact this year is predicted to be once again one of the best seasons for sport fishing for those targeting Chinook, Coho and Sockeye salmon. On the west coast the early summer run of Chinook which are currently migrating down the Vancouver Island coastline and stay fairly close to the beach will soon peak and will be followed by what is forecast to be a very large mid summer Chinook return to southern watersheds. Chinook and Coho numbers returning to the Columbia River and Bonneville dam where numbers of returning salmon have been recorded since 1938 are predicted to be quite high once again. The Sockeye fishing in the Alberni Inlet should be extremely good. The return to the Somass River is currently assessed at seven hundred thousand to one million. The early run has already been migrating into the Somass River. Don’t miss out on a fabulous 2015 sport salmon fishing year in the Alberni Inlet, Barkley Sound, or inshore offshore Ucluelet-Tofino.

Twenty Pound Chinook landed offshore outside the Ucluelet Harbor.

Twenty Pound Chinook landed offshore outside the Ucluelet Harbor.

Ucluelet is often referred to as Vancouver Island’s premier salmon and halibut sport fishing destination. Like Barkley Sound the waters inshore and offshore from the Ucluelet Harbor offer some world class fishing. The water is very rich in bait fish (sardines and needlefish) which the salmon feed on throughout the spring and summer months. The summer salmon fishing seems to be changing. August and early September were often considered peak times for Chinook and Coho sport fishing. With the high numbers of transient Chinook salmon passing along the west coast of Vancouver Island from April to August it often seems that the peak of the season is in the month of July. This is not to say that Chinook sport fishing does not continue in August and September. Coho which were often referred to as the number one sport salmon along coastal fishing locations in B.C. are a major highlight in late August through September. This thought is something to consider when thinking about and organizing sport salmon fishing this summer. The Ucluelet fishing has been very consistent over the past few weeks with some good fishing out at the inner and outer South Bank. Mara Rock, Great Bear, Sail Rock, Lighthouse Bank, and Long Beach have been excellent choices for sport fishing. The largest salmon have been averaging twelve to eighteen pounds. The largest landed to date by guides and guests hit twenty-six pounds landed at Sail Rock. This Chinook which like many of the other salmon was a hatchery fish and hit a needlefish hootchie. There was a report of a thirty-one pound Chinook at Great Bear. The fish out at the inner and outer South Bank have been close to the bottom between 130 and 160 feet. The best lures to date have been a T-Rex hootchie and an iridescent Turd and also a few different spoons in brass/copper or four and five inch blue and green nickel. Other guides and sport anglers have had great success using needle fish hootchies behind a flasher. The needle fish will hide in the sand and on tide changes will come up to higher levels which creates a very good salmon and halibut bite. If trolling and using anchovy it seems that a green or red glow hotspot flasher with a green or army truck Rhys Davis teaser anchovy head with six feet of leader work well. One important thing to remember is that during the season the food sources often get bigger and when using spoons and plugs the sizes should increase as the bait does.

The 2014 sport salmon fishing season in Port Alberni and the west coast is shaping up just as has been forecast—-TERRIFIC!!!! There should not be disappointments this summer. Of course there are highs and lows but the high days will definitely out do any lows

For more information and/or reservations, call Doug Lindores at Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing (250) 723-2435; (250)724-2502; cell (250)731-7389 or 1-877-214-7206 www.catchsalmon.ca or www.catchsalmon-ca.com; dlindy@shaw.caVictoria

Vancouver Island (Freshwater)

Cowichan River

no report this week

Lakes

no report this week

Stamp River

The Stamp River is one of B.C.’s healthiest river systems. The salmon fishing this year will open on or about August 26th with what is forecast to be a better than normal season. This however will be depending on the river and the amount of water in the system. The season begins with river anglers using wool, spinners, and plugs. The bait ban should be lifted on the 15th of September. For those that enjoy Steelhead fishing there are three runs of Steelhead in the Stamp. Summer and Fall Steelhead and then later in late November the Winter Steelhead begin to show. October and November are perfect months for summer and fall fish. The Steelhead actively feed during the natural spawn of the salmon in the river which is during October and well into November. There is plenty of opportunity to fish the Stamp but all arrangements for trips that are guided should be organized very early in the summer or late spring. Fishing for Sockeye along the banks will begin very quickly….

For more information and/or reservations, call Doug Lindores at Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing (250) 723-2435; (250)724-2502; cell (250)731-7389 or 1-877-214-7206 www.catchsalmon.ca or www.catchsalmon-ca.com; dlindy@shaw.ca

Great Lakes

Lake Michigan – Milwaukee

Out all weekend a 70/40 split on Coho and Chinooks. Badger Tackle Reaper or Vulcan spoons getting it done in the regular size.

How Chinook- My first choice is first light with glow spoons. The spoons are best when run 100 feet behind the downrigger ball and 45 feet down. Chinooks being taken in 65 feet of water in White Fish Bay and south of Milwaukee.
How Lake Trout- Action for Lakers has been steady for fish in the cooler. Try long lead spoons and SWR rigs 45 to 60 feet down. Lead cores are also a good choice. Best action has been in 65 feet

Our friend and customer Larry Yelick wrestled this 15 pound 6 ounce King.

Our friend and customer Larry Yelick wrestled this 15 pound 6 ounce King.

How Coho- Get out the flashers with Howie peanut flies. Some scattered reports of Coho being caught on spoons as well. The surface is 50 degrees and the Silvers are 40 feet down to the surface in 40 to 100 feet of water. Our average has been 10 to 16 per trip.
Rainbow Trout- If you have time and good lake conditions try 250 feet of water for good action on Rainbows. Vulcan OL Sherbet Orange spoons on 2,3,4, color lead core best.
Where!
Fish are mixed up and scattered. Fish the entire water column in 20 to 100 feet of water for the best action. Our best speed was 2.0 to 2.2 mph measured at the ball with the Depth Raider.

Have a great fishing season.

Submitted by Capt. Jim Hirt (Jim charters out of Milwaukee, WI) www.jimhirt.com 414-828-1094 

Oregon

Oregon Coast

no report this week

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