Fishing Reports for July 1

By on July 1, 2015

Washington

Marine Area 1 (Ilwaco)

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has estimated “Good” prospects for Chinook in Marine Area 1 during the month of July.

Marine Area 2 (Westport)

Salmon fishing is really good now and they are getting bigger! Westport this past week has produced, not only good numbers of Chinook, but a really nice grade of Chinook too. We have landed one to two, low-to-mid 20-pound fish on each of our last four trips. The rest have been in the 12-to-18 pound range and we all know that they will just get bigger over the next two months.

Over the past few weeks the fish have remained close to Westport with most of our trips being within 6 miles of the jetty. Most days we have remained fairly near the GH Buoy which is located at the end of the buoy line marking the end of the Grays Harbor Channel entrance.  We are hooking fish in the upper 60 feet of water with most hook ups coming between 15 and 40 feet down. The rig of choice is my new favorite inline flasher the Electric Pole Dancer color made by Shortbus Flashers either trailed by a whole Green label Herring or a Cookies and Cream spoon by Silver Horde.  I fish these behind a Diver or my Downriggers. It is proving to be a Great combination. Use good leader material and strong hooks for these Ocean fish.

As you can see in the pictures it has been a really good 2 weeks down here and now is the time to plan a trip down. I heard more than a few people on the radio this weekend who get on the water and start asking what do I use and where do I go. Please, do your homework before you get on the water. We give you a lot of tips here and there is information about fishing Westport on this website. Don’t hit the ocean unprepared and don’t feel just because you have made the trip that you need to go out on a Bad weather day. Be Smart!

Bottom Fishing is still a great bet and Tuna trips will start this month.

The Old Fashion Fourth of July Celebration is coming this weekend here in Westport and so is more Great Fishing. So make your plans now and 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

Westport is pumping out just about every species you can imagine right now: salmon, rockfish, lingcod, and tuna!

The salmon fishing is absolutely world class with 30-40 salmon landed  per trip for 6 anglers fishing.  Both king and coho.  Best technique is trolling divers and whole herring or flasher/herring or hoochie or spoon on the riggers.  Outstanding salmon fishing now!

Tuna is excellent as well with 20-30 Albacore per trip.  We’ve be running our exclusive one day express style tuna trips since June 21st.  We’re faced with a season that could be record setting-with the potential of other pelagic species! Bottom fishing is also topping the charts with tasty rockfish.  The ling bite is still decent but the rockfish are the most plentiful and attractive right now.

All of this will continue throughout the summer.  This is the best of the best guys so please take advantage of it while we’re on a high trending year!

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

Marina Area 3 (LaPush and Forks)

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has estimated “Good” prospects for Chinook in Marine Area 1 during the month of July, and “Fair” prospects for Coho during the same time period.

Marine Area 4 (Neah Bay)

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has estimated “Excellent” prospects for Chinook, Pinks, and Ling Cod during the month of July in Marine Area 4.

Marine Area 5 (Sekiu)

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has estimated “Excellent” prospects for Chinook, and Pinks during the month of July in Marine Area 5.

Marine Area 6

Area 6 (Ediz Hook) opened July 1st with great fishing. WDFW checked 134 anglers with 189 Chinook and 12 pinks. You must release wild Chinook, wild Coho and Chum. Pinks are showing up early throughout the sound and Hood Canal. Many areas have a bonus limit of 2 additional Pinks. Remember, bleed your Pinks for 10 minutes , clean them within 20 minutes and keep them iced down. Then you will have a good tasting salmon.

Marine Area 7

fish

image courtesy Kevin Klein

Marine Area 7 opens on July 1 for summer salmon.

Hopefully this is the last picture of a Ditch Pickle you will have to look at for awhile from me. Fingers crossed that, as you read this, there will be some Chinook July 1st around the San Juans, and we can post salmon pics. With the early closure of our winter season, it’s been a long time waitin’ for a shot at an Island King. So long in fact, that some Friday Harbor anglers like Frank Guard here, had to resort to pitchin’ a drop shot Carolina rig for this nice San Juan Island, Sportsman’s Lake Largemouth. No disrespect to Bill Dance. Jimmy Houston, Roland Martin, or any of the other Sunday morning mainstays from my childhood, but if I never have to put the phrase “pitchin a drop shot Carolina rig” from electronic pen to paper again, I’ll be OK with it. Hopefully with all the talk of impending hatchery cuts, and the gauntlet of predation and pillaging that salmon and steelhead have to run these day, it’s not all we’re left with. “All about that BASS, single hooks, no treble” is not the song I want stuck in my head. Although, truth be told…I kinda like bass fishing. I don’t think I’ve got enough metal flake in the paint of my current boat to pursue it full time, but it is fun.

Update (July 2) – Most reports coming in from the Marine Area 7 opener are of slow fishing. Huge tide swings and a full moon are making it tough. The mid day tide change, and very early or late high water are going to be your best shot. Too bad the fishing isn’t as “hot”, or “on fire” as the weather conditions. Man, do we just live in Malibu now or what? I like a Silver Horde Squid on a Full Moon in July… and so do the Kings.

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

Marine Area 8.1

no report this week

Marine Area 8.2

no report this week

Marine Area 9 (Admirality Inlet)

no report this week

Marine Area 10

no report this week

Marine Area 11

no report this week

Marine Area 12 (Hood Canal)

Crabbing in Area 12 (which opened early) has been very good.

Marine Area 13

no report this week

Freshwater – Lake Chelan

Russ Groth of Stanwood, WA with a 12lb Lake Chelan Laker.  He was fishing with Marvin Ayres of Everett, WA.

Russ Groth of Stanwood, WA with a 12lb Lake Chelan Laker. He was fishing with Marvin Ayres of Everett, WA.

What’s hot is trolling for Lake Trout on Chelan early in the morning on the Bar.   Also hot is trolling the face of Manson Bay in the evenings for Lake Chelan Lakers.  Finally, when the wind lets you fish the early morning bite at Colyar Ledge, it is very good.  There has been a nice sprinkling of bigger fish mixed in.  Roses Lake has been kicking out some nice Channel Catfish.

On the Bar, look for depths from 120 to 180 feet deep.  The best depths on Colyar Ledge seem to be between 180 to 320 feet.  Evenings are best in Manson Bay in depths of 140 to 270 feet deep.  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.  He uses a bead combo to give the rig about a 4” long profile.  Similar in profile, the Needlefish squid rig by Silver Horde / Goldstar has also worked.  Bait these rigs with a chunk of Northern Pikeminnow.  The T4 Purple Glow Flatfish seems to be the “go to” lure for bigger fish on the Bar.

Roses Lake continues to kick out Channel Catfish.  Our Pepe’ Hernandez got a 7 pounder the other day.  Use slip sinker rigs with Firebait for them as well as trout on Roses.

Cathy Glenn of Covelo, CA with Stephanie Derovin of Tacoma, WA with their mornings catch of Mackinaw.  The big fish was 10.5 pounds.

Cathy Glenn of Covelo, CA with Stephanie Derovin of Tacoma, WA with their mornings catch of Mackinaw. The big fish was 10.5 pounds.

Your fishing tip of the week is to check your leaders for frays.  Since we pound the lures into the bottom here on Chelan, it is inevitable that you get snags and hang ups.  When you are successful in working a snag free without losing gear, check your leader for nicks and frays before congratulating yourself.  Retying a knot is easier than losing a big fish.

The kid’s tip of the week is to use this relatively slow paced leisure time while you are fishing to give them appropriate attention.  Ask them open ended questions and listen to the answers.  Seek more detail.  Among pre-school children this will help with a myriad of “bad” behaviors that are an attempt to get attention.

Your safety tip of the week is to have those check lists in place.  You want to remember to take off the rear straps, put in the plug, unplug the lights to launch and plug the lights in to go down the road.  You don’t want to be everyone else’s source for funny stories about silly boaters.  Summer in Chelan.  What a privilege!

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 – Lake Washington

image courtesy Brad Hole

image courtesy Brad Hole

After an evening downpour I decided to see if that would effect the bass bite on Lake Washington. With the intense sun and 77 degree water I knew many of these fish would be heading for shady cover of weed beds and docks around the lake.  I worked crank baits just outside the weed line landing a few smallies and a couple of pike minnow.  I pitched a few drop shot and a snub worm around deeper docks that I could find.  This is where I landed a monster smallmouth that looked to be about 4 lbs.  I worked further down the lake finding some lily pads.  I changed things up with a 6″ green salamander – rigged weedless.  I pitched it over the top of the pads dropping it along the edge.  Nothing looks more real than 5 different appendages of a salamander wiggling on the water’s surface.  Apparently the fatty largemouth that devoured my bait thought the same!

Submitted by Brad Hole, Kayak Fishing Washington, 206-313-5567kayakfishingwashington.com

Freshwater – Mayfield Lake

Mayfield Lake fishing

image courtesy Brad Hole

Tuesday morning I loaded my kayak and headed down to Mayfield Lake to target the  “Fish of 10,000 Casts” – The Tiger Muskie.  Tigers were stocked in a handful of lakes around Washington state to keep overpopulated species of pike minnow, sucker and perch in check.  Tiger Muskies have no problem hunting their prey through the thick weed beds of these lakes.  They are catch and release only – unless you happen to land one over 50″ – which only a few people have.

Having fished Mayfield before, I knew how elusive these fish can be.  Being able to stand up in your water craft and see these fish swimming in the shallows is a sight to see.  Typically, the fish you can see, can likely see you too and won’t bite.  It’s those blind casts that surprise you.  I put in my time casting a variety of different plugs over and near the weed line.  I hooked into two smaller fish 22 to 24″ but they shook the lure before I could get them to the kayak.  It wasn’t until I was heading back to my campsite that I decided to troll a diving plug along the edge of the weed line. Within minutes my rod bent over and I could feel the head thrashing of a monster.  This beauty went aerial three times trying to shake the lure.  I quickly headed into shore to safely land  and release her.  Those long needle-nose pliers are a must for these toothy monsters.  A couple of quick photos and a tape of 40″ and she was free to swim away.

Submitted by Brad Hole, Kayak Fishing Washington, 206-313-5567kayakfishingwashington.com

Freshwater – Potholes Reservoir

This past week, and at present, the weather is hot, hot, hot. Sunday we saw a temperature of 111 degrees. Most days temperatures have been well over 100. Way to hot for me as a recently relocated west sider. Thank heavens for air conditioning.

Yesterday we drove into Moses Lake and past the boat ramps on the Potholes. The ramps were empty except for some water sport boaters. The lake is still dropping fast yet the few fishermen are having success for Walleye trolling crank baits like Shad Raps at a fast clip. For whatever fishery get out early and protect your body from the sun, drink lots of liquids and bring whatever shade you may have.

I am very willing to share the heat.

Tom Pollack – retired

British Columbia

Vancouver

The Gulf Islands have been mainly slow but some boats have found some pockets of salmon and done well. There have been a few fish caught in The Hook at Thrasher Rock right off Gabriola Island. Entrance Island has been the most consistent spot with small pockets of fish ‎and Spring salmon being caught ranging from 14 to the low 20’s. There was a 35lb halibut caught also this week a great surprise for someone trolling for salmon!

July is upon us in the Vancouver area and fishing in English Bay (West Vancouver shoreline) is going to pick up any day with Coho and Springs. There have been a few good days on the West Van shoreline.  A few early schools of Coho are appearing; if you hit them you can do well. Some boats have caught between 2 and 5 Coho in a trip and losing as many which is great for this time of year. More schools will begin showing up each day. ‎With this warm summer and no water in the Capilano River should shape up to be a great month on the West Vancouvershoreline.

Howe Sound has still been steady with some Springs getting caught at Hole in the Wall (just outside Horseshoe Bay) up to past Sunset Marina. We were out Saturday up Howe Sound fishing Hole in the Wall to Lions Bay. We ended up with 5 Pink salmon and had 6 other on or hits. It is very early for Pinks and will be interesting if they stick around. The Spring fishing usually picks up here in the next week and if we have a mix of Pinks in there we have a great July ahead of us between the Howe Sound fishery and the West Vancouver shoreline fishery toward the Capilano River.  Crabbing remains very good for Dungeness crab and should continue.

We are out on a great charter today with regular customers and we are in the area we were saturday. We are just outside vancouver up howe sound near horseshoe ‎bay and we have 3 pink in the box lost 3 and a nice spring salmon and there are anchovies all over the surface. A great start to a late morning charter. Another beautiful day in vancouver for a fishing charter.

Tackle that has been working well this week. Gibbs delta flashers the watermark or chartreuse glow. The Irish cream skinny G has been steady also. The best has been rhys davis heads the UV green or the two green glow.

Call to book a charter or ask questions. Feel free to call if you are planning to go out and try and get the big one yourself. Look forward to hearing from you.

Report submitted by Mark Finney at Watermark Salmon Fishing Charters (604-816-8944).

Vancouver Island (Saltwater)

Alberni Inlet

Sockeye fishing in the Alberni Inlet has been very good. Guide Doug of  slivers charters salmon sport fishing had three guests from New Mexico.

Sockeye fishing in the Alberni Inlet has been very good. Guide Doug of
slivers charters salmon sport fishing had three guests from New Mexico.

The Sport Sockeye Fishery in the Alberni Inlet is currently described as fabulous.  To date this has been one of the best Sockeye Sport Seasons in many years.   Due to very low and warm water in the Somass River, the Alberni Inlet, and the warm air temperatures the Sockeye salmon which are returning in an abundant number are schooling in very large numbers out in the Inlet water.  The Sockeye are schooling from Cous Creek out to the Nahmint Franklin area.   The projected outlook for Sockeye returns to the Somass River has been upgraded to 1.2 million.  The test fishery boat with testing analysis has projected that over two hundred and forty thousand sockeye salmon schooling in the Inlet area as of the 26th of June.  The Sockeye migrate into the Somass River and then into Sproat and Great Central Lakes.  Projected migration into the lakes should be close to three hundred and fifty thousand with the updated forecast return.  To Date only sixty thousand Sockeye have gone through the fish ways.  With much of Vancouver Island in drought like conditions it is hoped that some moisture will come in due time to help the migration of all west coast Vancouver Island Salmon and of course the Sockeye returning to the Somass River System.

The Sockeye in the Alberni Inlet are currently sitting in fifty to ninety feet of water.  They are hitting short leader lengths from twenty to twenty-four inches in length behind a variety of hotspot flashers.  The mp2, mp15, pink and blue, pink and black, and the pink with either the green or white head hootchies all seem to be working very well for most of the sport anglers.  Sockeye are attracted to the boat by color.  Many sport fishermen will often have eight flashers behind their boat.   Four are often dummy flashers and the other four with hootchies of choice.  The Sockeye are averaging four to eight pounds.  Sockeye are the number one commercial salmon.  They are wonderful for summer barbeques and when vacuum packed properly last the winter for those special occasions.

Sockeye fishing is a wonderful fishing opportunity for the whole family.  It is a fun fishery for young and older.   Don’t miss out on this opportunity in the Alberni Inlet this July.  The sport fishery will likely last through the end of July and perhaps into early August.

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

Bamfield

no report this week

Twenty-six pound Chinook landed by Kevin outside the Ucluelet Harbor.

Twenty-six pound Chinook landed by Kevin outside the Ucluelet Harbor.

The salmon fishing in Barkley Sound has been off and on.  The Best fishing has been out on surf line areas or offshore Ucluelet and inshore Ucluelet around some of the islands outside the Ucluelet Harbor.  Meares, Austin, Cree Island, Kirby Point, Edward King and the Bamfield Wall have all had time during June when each area has had some hot Chinook sport fishing.   Areas close to the Ucluelet Harbor that have had fantastic fishing days are Great Bear and Sail Rock.  The inner and outer South bank and Long Beach have had some of the transient salmon linger creating some good sport salmon fishing opportunity.  The Big Bank and the Rats Nose however have had the best offshore sport fishing.  The fishing out in this area has been fabulous but due to the very high pressure system sitting over the south coast high outflow winds have played detrimental to the number of days in June that sport anglers and guides have been able to get out to the banks.  The salmon in the Sound and inside waters have been hitting anchovy in green glow, army truck, and green haze Rhys Davis Teaser Heads.  Needle fish hootchies and hootchies in green (spatterback), blue and white have been working.   A few guides have done very well with the army truck glow hootchie and the cuttlefish J-79.  The Sonora cuttlefish, Jack Smith, and Blue Meaney Hootchies have been very good out on the banks.  Anchovy and a variety of four and five inch coyote spoons have also been working very well.  We are looking forward to some great sport fishing opportunities during

July in Barkley Sound and the outside waters offshore.  The numbers of transient Chinook and Coho headed to the big watersheds to the south are forecast to be very strong which will provide some very excellent sport salmon fishing.

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

Salmon fishing was GOOD in East Sooke. Most of the better sized (high 20’s) fish were caught between the Bedfords and Beechey Head but fishing was good everywhere. Fewer pinks were reported in this area in comparison to the Trap Shack and Secretary. Most springs were running from 15 to 25 lbs in size, with a couple larger fish into the high twenties. Most fish have been getting caught between 35- 75 ft on the downrigger. Anchovies were the most productive bait for the big springs and Bloody Nose and Green Glow were the most popular teaser heads. However, spoons and plastic baits have been keeping up due to anglers switching to artificial baits because of the amount of bait needed to weed through all of the pinks! Spoons, in 3 or 4 inch size such as G-Force in the Outfitter or Trap Shack were effective. Squirts are working too with Pistachio, Purple Haze and white the best patterns. For flashers, the Lemon Lime and the Purple Onion have been good lately.

Submitted by Tom Vaida, Island Outfitters, 3319 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC (250) 475-4969 info@fishingvictoria.com; www.fishingvictoria.com

Oak Bay

Salmon fishing was GOOD during this past week.  The fish caught were 12- 25lbs when fishing gear right on the bottom (70-110ft) on the flats. The fish were hitting 3”-4” spoons as most of the needlefish in the area were small. Anglers did best using the G-force spoons in 3 -3.5in. No Bananas and Outfitter colours have been the most popular. Anglers that were jigging in the afternoon in the gap, reported catching fish up into the 20’s in the evening. Also, Coho Killers in Gold Nugget and Green Splatterback have been pretty productive. The best flasher has been the Gibbs Lemon Lime and the Bon Chovy.

Halibut fishing was FAIR this past week out in Haro Strait and off Discovery Island. Kingsley Grant sent in a photo of a nice Halibut caught off of Discovery on Sunday. Anglers that have been fishing are using mackerel, extra large herring, salmon bellies and/or octopus for bait.  Berkley Gulp and Powerbait soft plastics also work very well. You can also use a large spoon fished off a spreader bar, Mudraker or Lucky Jigs or other large Jigs if you want to stay away from the dogfish.

Submitted by Tom Vaida, Island Outfitters, 3319 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC (250) 475-4969 info@fishingvictoria.com; www.fishingvictoria.com

Pedder Bay

Chinook salmon fishing was GOOD this week. Lots of fish were reported from the teens up to the mid-twenties caught from Pedder Bay up to Church Rock. Lots have pinks showed up mid week out off of Pedder Bay which means it’s a great time to get the family out to experience the action pinks provide. For some of the anglers that were jigging inside of the bay, Mac Fish and Gibbs Minnows were the top choices used. Anchovy was the most productive bait for springs with Green, Special Red, Purple Haze and Bloody Nose being top choices in teaser heads. G-force spoons with both glow and green have been working as well and are getting more popular due to all of the pinks eating up bait. Flashers that remain popular include the Madi, Lemon-Lime and the Purple Onion.

Halibut fishing was FAIR this past week. Most anglers are finding lots of dogfish but those who stuck it out, they were able to find a few halibut. Anglers that were fishing were using mackerel, extra large herring, salmon bellies and/or octopus for bait.  Berkley Gulp and Powerbait soft plastics also work very well. You can also use a large spoon fished off a spreader bar, Mudraker or Lucky Jigs or other large Jigs if you want to stay away from the dogfish.

Submitted by Tom Vaida, Island Outfitters, 3319 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC (250) 475-4969 info@fishingvictoria.com; www.fishingvictoria.com

Sidney

no report this week

Sooke

The fishing for springs was GOOD this past weekend. The springs were consistent from Beechey Head up to Sherringham Point. There were nicer fish caught early in the week but size average went down to the 7-15lb range towards the end. Size average can change with just one set of tides so hopefully the big ones will returm. Anchovies are the number one choice for Sooke anglers but with the high numbers of pinks being caught recently, anglers are forced to use more artificial baits. Now that the pinks are running, it is a great opportunity to get new anglers and kids out. Sooke anglers have reported 10-25 pink salmon in one day! Teaser heads that have been performing well are Bloody Nose, UV Green, Green Glow and the Joanne. Also, the fish seem more consistent in the 60- 80 ft zone.  G-Force spoons in Irish Cream and No Bananas have been catching their fair number of fish. The most popular flashers recently have been the Gibbs Madi, the Outfitter and the Jellyfish UV.

Submitted by Tom Vaida, Island Outfitters, 3319 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC (250) 475-4969 info@fishingvictoria.com; www.fishingvictoria.com

Ucuelet

For all our fishing addicts, we again have good news to bring. For most of June we have all been enjoying the great northwest cloudy or sunny June weather and along with it some good fishing that has turned into great fishing. Chinook salmon have been biting well in quite a few spots giving options on where to go. For those that like protected water we have Chinook as close as Beg Island and off shore the fish are biting at the Red Can, Little Beach, Austin, Effingham, Sail, Great Bear and all the way out at Big Bank.

Big Bank has been productive for both salmon and halibut and the halibut fishing there is getting a little more consistent. Fishing small spoons and glow hutchies seem to work the best inside right now and green/glow off on Big Bank. Silver Horde 3 inch spoons are working well in close to shore.

Submitted by Sam Vandervalk of Salmon Eye Charters (1-877-777-4344). Salmon Eye is recommended by USA Today, Cruise America and New York Times bestselling author Peter Greenberg in his book The Ultimate Insider’s Guide to the Greatest Experiences Around the World.

Victoria

Fishing for springs was GOOD off Constance Bank and is picking up along the waterfront. Fish weighing into the high teens and mid-twenties are being caught at Constance Bank and along the Waterfront. Pinks have also been showing up out on Constance bank and a few reported on the Waterfront. Shane Telford sent in a photo of his girlfriend with her first Spring caught in the evening out of James Bay. They also reported a few other fish from 8-12lbs all caught with glow teaser head and a silver Oki Flasher at 50 ft. Needlefish spoons and squirts were very effective in getting hook ups. Anchovies and Tiny Strip have been working well in glow colors. Good choices in plastic baits are the Cloverleaf, Purple Haze and Glo Below squirts. Gibbs Coho Killer, Kingfisher and Coyote spoons in green and glow colours have been very effective. The Lemon Lime flasher with the Glow Green Splatter Back Coho Killer has been a very effective combo out on the bank.

Halibut fishing was FAIR this past weekend. Anglers had mixed reports of success because of lots of dogfish on one day and then none the next.  Most anglers that were fishing were using mackerel, extra large herring, salmon bellies and/or octopus for bait. Berkley Gulp and Powerbait soft plastics also work very well. You can also use a large spoon fished off a spreader bar, Mudraker or Lucky Jigs or other large Jigs if you want to stay away from the dogfish.

Submitted by Tom Vaida, Island Outfitters, 3319 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC (250) 475-4969 info@fishingvictoria.com; www.fishingvictoria.com

Cowichan River

The water level has been steadily dropping for the fourth consecutive week. The water level today is between 0.45-0.55 meters throughout its length. The trout fishing in the mid and upper river is EXCELLENT. Insect hatches are becoming larger and more frequent. There were some huge mayfly hatches this past week. The rainbows, cutthroats and resident brown trout are actively feeding on these hatches and migrating salmon fry. During the hatch, match the hatch with dry flies for exciting action. Bead head nymphs are the top producer when a hatch isn’t in progress. Good patterns are Prince Nymphs, Gold Ribbed Hare’s Ears and Wooly Buggers. A fry imitation or a Wooly Bugger will also work, especially for the brown trout.

Submitted by Tom Vaida, Island Outfitters, 3319 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC (250) 475-4969 info@fishingvictoria.com; www.fishingvictoria.com

Lakes

Trout fishing was GOOD on most lakes in the South Island area this past week. The Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC most recent spring releases of catchable rainbow trout from the Vancouver Island Trout Hatchery are as follows. On April 24th, Elk Lake received 1,150 trout with an average weight of 214 grams and Durrance Lake received 650 trout with an average weight of 214 grams. On April 22nd, Spectacle Lake received 500 trout with an average weight of 232 grams. On April 21st, Matheson Lake, Kemp Lake and Glen Lake received 500 trout with an average weight of 226 grams and Colwood Lake received 250 trout with an average weight of 226 grams. On April 8th, Elk Lake received 2,000 trout, Lookout Lake received 175 trout and Ida Anne Lake received 75 trout with an average weight of 208 grams. On March 13th, Shawnigan Lake received 2,164 trout averaging 248 grams. On March 12th, Spectacle Lake received 500 trout with an average size of 239 grams. On March 10th, Elk Lake received 1,850 trout, Lookout Lake received 200 trout and Ida Anne Lake received 50 trout with an average weight of 240 grams. On March 9th, Thetis Lake received 1,250 trout and Kemp, Matheson, Glen and Dougan Lakes each relieved 500 trout with an average size of 234 grams.

Bank anglers are catching trout on Powerbait, Gulp Eggs, or worms while fishing from shore and right on the bottom. Orange Garlic and Pink Garlic have been good choices recently for Powerbait. Fly anglers are fishing Pumpkinheads, Wooly Buggers, Leeches and Micro Leech patterns on full sink fly lines. Trollers have been doing well with Gibbs Gang Trolls and Gibbs Wedding Bands. Other good trolling lures are the Apex Trout Killers in rainbow, green or black and white patterns. Flatfish and/or Kwikfish have also been effective in sizes 5 to 7 in Frog, Black with Silver Flake or Rainbow Pattern. The biggest trout this year have come from Langford Lake.

Submitted by Tom Vaida, Island Outfitters, 3319 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC (250) 475-4969 info@fishingvictoria.com; www.fishingvictoria.com

Stamp River

no report this week

Great Lakes

Lake Trout and Rainbows Dominate! Fishing Milwaukee!

Fish are moving out. Badger Tackle Reaper or Vulcan spoons getting it done in the regular or magnum size.

How Chinook: The Reaper Big Joe Magnum spoons are best when run below 50 feet down on downriggers. Divers set at #1.5 with 120 feet of line out another option.

How Lake Trout: Action for Lakers has been steady. The deeper water has been best. Over the last 3 days I have taken Lakers 10 to 100 down over 140 to 180 feet of water. Copper and Lead cores are my first choice. Best action has been in 150 feet.

How Coho: Coho have slowed down.

Rainbow Trout: Vulcan OL Sherbet Orange spoons on 2,3,4, color lead core best. They have turned on over the last 7 days. You must fish deep to catch this jumping fish.

Where: Fish are north or south of Milwaukee. Fish 60 feet and up. For the best action set up in 130 feet and fish out to 180 and back in. Our best speed was 1.9 to 2.0 mph measured at the ball with the Depth Raider. The current has been strong watch your speed!

Have a great fishing season.

Report submitted by Capt. Jim Hurt of Milwaukee, Wisconsin with Blue Max Charters (414-828-1094).

Oregon

Oregon Coast

no report this week

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Salmon University Staff
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