Fishing Reports for July 15
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)
This is just about as fun as Salmon fishing gets!! The folks that are making it down to Westport are just giddy about how good the Salmon fishing is right now. Most boats are getting their limits and getting them early. The fish are ranging from the mid teens to mid twenties in size with our biggest fish of the season came today and weighed 24.8 pounds. NICE!!!! You can see from the pictures below that our folks are liking the fishing!
Most of the fish this week have been caught 18 miles straight out of Westport in 300 feet of water. Downriggers are a must with most hook ups coming at 200 to 250 feet on the wire. Make sure you have at least 300 feet of cable on your downrigger and good release clips.
image courtesy Cyndi Lanier
The bait of choice seems to vary from day to day. One day it is all bait, the next it is Hoochies, and the next it is spoons so, you must be prepared. Sometimes the bite is fast and furious while other days it takes a while to get going. Fishing that deep is not easy because you do not get the typical strike. The rod just comes up straight and you have to REEL REEL REEL to get all the slack out. I tell people to leave it in the rod hold and just reel until you feel the tension load up on the rod then remove it from the holder. Keep your bait between 8 and 12 feet behind you downrigger ball and this will help with a quick strike indication.
Fresh bait is available in town now but make sure you call and reserve yours.
Salmon are starting to show on the north beach too. We caught Coho today in 35 feet of water. This fish came on Diver 12 to 17 pulls with bait or spoons. Check out the picture below of the bird crashing the bait. This is about a 4 mile run when you clear the jetty so it makes for a nice day.
Tuna fishing is starting to gain some momentum and trips are being successful. My friend Mark Coleman will update you on that.
image courtesy Cydni Lanier
The weather is not looking good for this weekend at this point so, do not let your excitement to go fishing cause you to make a poor decision. Remember Safety first!
Salmon fishing should continue to be excellent for at least another month. Make your plans to get down here soon. Have Fun, be Safe, and we will see you in Westport.
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)
It’s Go-Time for big kings in Area 4!
Fishing was excellent out of Neah Bay this past weekend. While a 15-20kt South Easterly wind hampered some recreational boats on Sat later in the day and early Sunday morning, most were able to make the run out to Swiftsure bank where the king fishing has been “stupid-easy” for weeks. The average size of the kings there has been in the 8-12 pound range but larger ones can be found on the bank if you’re willing to throw back nice size fish for the chance at something bigger. We fished there Sat. 7/11 and limited on kings from 10-15# by 7:50AM. Most anything works at Swiftsure – flashers and green glow hootchies, flashers and bait, coyote spoons or needle fish imitation spoons are all catching fish. If you want to select for slightly larger kings run a 6 or 7” tomic plug. 150-220’ on the cable seems to be working the best at present. Pinks have also moved into the area so it’s pretty easy to take your two bonus pinks if you’re so inclined.
Bigger kings can be found farther south – A few minutes south and 5-6 minute north of the 48 degree line and east-west a few minutes on the 125 line has been HOT for big kings. We fished about 5 miles east of shark fin on Sunday 7/12 and took 4 kings ranging in size from 20-25 pounds. All the fish that bit were in that size range and we didn’t throw anything back. 5 bites, one lost, 4 fish totaling 90 pounds! To the left is a picture of two of the kings we caught there. 200’ down on the rigger with a red-glow splatter back flasher and a choked herring was the ticket that day.
Tuna have also moved into the area for those willing and able to make the run out to the edge of the continental shelf. We found our tuna on Sunday 7/12 around 48N and 125 44’ W but I’m pretty sure we ran past fish to find these fish. We had a variety of gear out the back and caught fish on both purple and Mexican flag tuna clones. We only had time to take 6 albacore and most were in the 10-15lb size range with one near 25lb. To the right is an image of the 4 chinook and 6 albacore tuna caught on July 12. It was an epic day.
Report submitted by Roger Bumgarner.
Marine Area 5 (Sekiu)
This past week in Sekiu was a great time for us. Right now the number of pink salmon is absolutely astounding! Along with the masses of pinks to be caught there are a few nice Chinook in the mix. The kings that we did put to the boat came fishing near the bottom in 200 FOW from Slip point east. Also don’t hesitate to run a diver out if possible as we did pick up a couple nice hatchery coho on hootchies fished this way. Good luck to those venturing out this week I’ll see you on the water!
Marine Area 6
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has estimated “Excellent” prospects for Chinook, Pinks, and Sockeye in Marine Area 6 during the month of July.
Marine Area 7
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has estimated “Good” prospects for Chinook and Sockeye in Marine Area 7 during the month of July and “Excellent” prospects for Pinks during the same time period.
Marine Area 8.1
no report this week
Marine Area 8.2
no report this week
Marine Area 9 (Admirality Inlet)
Captain Midnight with a Burlington Northern caught off of Point No Point awhile back.
It is “NOW TIME” ! Area 9 is set to open on the 16th so get ready to rumble. From Port Townsend, Skunk Bay, Point No Point, Double Bluff to Possession, it is finally time to hit the salt in search of a fin-clipped freight train Chinook.
This is the time to get all your gear ready beforehand with sharp hooks an new leaders. Make sure to have a selection on hand and ready to go.
1. Ace High Flies tied 44-48 inches using heavy 50 lb leader behind the leader.
2. King Fisher Lite Spoons and Tailwaggers tied 36-42 inches back using 25 lb leader. (These were hot in Area 7 a few weeks ago)
3. If you don’t have the White Lightning or Cookies N Crème Coho killers tied up, now is the time to do it 48-55 inches using a 25 lb leader.
If you get into a mess of humpies, troll deeper and faster or just have fun catching them.
Have fun and be safe !
Report submitted by Nelson “Spud” Goodsell (IGFA Lifetime Member; President, Salmon for Soldiers 2015; FISHTALE 2)
Marine Area 10
no report this week
Marine Area 11
Chris Murphy caught this 31-pounder jigging off Salmon Beach.
The salmon fishing continues to be slow with just a couple of legal salmon to about 10lbs. being taken recently. The usual areas such as The Girl Scout camp area to Pt. Dalco mostly trolling the tide changes and the same for the Clay Bank area but jigging can be successful there as well. Mooching has been a challenge because of the abundance of dogfish. Crabbing has been pretty good in Quarter Master Harbor, Commencement Bay, Dash Pt. area, etc. Pictured is a 27 pond 5 ounce Chinook caught on July 1 by Boots Salatino at Point Defiance. 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
Space is becoming limited. Sign-up at PointDefianceMarina.com
Sails and Trails Camp for ages 11-15 years
Mornings begin with beach side activities, fishing, and hiking at Point Defiance Park, Tacoma, WA . Afternoons are spent at Tacoma Youth Center learning sailing and kayaking in Foss Waterway with Marine Education at Foss Seaport Center. Camp Dates : July 6-10, July 13-17, July 20-24, 2015 Monday – Friday 8 am to 5 pm
COST: $250/WEEK
Contact Information: Gene
(Andersongenea@tacomaparks.com)
(253) 591-5325 or (253) 279-1800
PSA Salmon Derbies Salmon Derbies
South King County Chapter – August 1, 2015
Gig Harbor Chapter- August 8, 2015
South Sound Chapter – August 15, 2015
Derby tickets now available online or at Point Defiance Marina for $35.00
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)
no report this week
Marine Area 13
no report this week
Freshwater – Lake Chelan
no report this week
Freshwater – Lake Washington
Lake Washington’s Smallmouth fishing is still going bonkers. I had the opportunity to guide two group of folks out on the water targeting smallmouth out of a kayak. We picked up several smallmouth bass and a few smaller largemouth and rock bass. Larger schools of perch could be found in 25 to 30 feet of water gobbling anything in front of them. I put out a test crayfish pot in the lake and let it soak overnight with some kokanee scraps. Not a huge haul but had a half dozen crayfish. Not a bad little appetizer.
Freshwater – Potholes Reservoir
While the wildfires surround us at Potholes there are really none close to us. Temperatures have dropped on average of 10 degrees so it is almost back to a comfortable temperature range. During the week there are not many boaters on the water; the weekend is another story. Walleye catching for the most part has slowed down but the dropping temperatures should help. Still fishing out in front of the dunes. Fast trolling shad raps in 10 to 20 feet of water is the ticket. The bass anglers are fishing up in the dunes and with water dropping the bass are moving towards the front of the dunes. There is also a smallmouth bite evenings off the dam face. Perch fishing is getting better now and we’re finding them in 10 to 14 feet of water. My neighbor was back home the other day by 9am with two limits of 25 nice perch.
For those who like catfish the lake is supporting a good quantity of the species. Some have reported seeing a cooler chest of cats at the cleaning table at the State Park cleaning station. While there are a lot of fish, there is also a lot to do here including water sports for the young at heart.
Tom Pollack – retired
British Columbia
Vancouver
no report this week
Vancouver Island (Saltwater)
Alberni Inlet
no report this week
Bamfield
Tracy and Jimmy fished with us on the “Big Bank” this week for lots of Chinook, Pinks and halibut action.
Salmon fishing is going full blast now. Lots and lots of Chinook, Pinks and Coho are arriving on the outer banks daily. It varies each day a bit, but the fish are scattered over a large area. Your favorite flasher/hootchie combo should work, or switch up to 6″ spoons or plugs for less action but a better grade of fish. You’ll stay away from the often pesky pink salmon that are returning by the millions now.
Salmon fishing has been good on the inside. Lots of good sized Chinook are coming from most areas. The Wall, Kirby Point, and Ships, have been some of the nearby spots. There were a few Coho around this week and still lots of Sockeye passing by.
Tuna have arrived in large numbers on the BC coast. Some boats are making the run to the Tuna ground and finding they only have to go about 40 miles from Bamfield. This is close for Bamfield standards. It’s shaping up to be a god tuna year.
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
no report this week
Becher Bay
Salmon fishing was EXCELLENT in East Sooke. There are “tons” of pink salmon and boats are getting limit catches. The pinks are throughout the entire area so you don’t have to search very far to find them. The best fishing has been on the flood tide. The spring salmon fishing is a little slower than last week but there are still some good ones being caught. Most of the better sized springs (30’s and high 20’s) fish were caught between the Trap shack and Beechey Head but the springs could show up anywhere. Most springs were running from 15 to 25 lbs in size. The springs have been getting caught most frequently 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 popular 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 colours 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. There were big springs up to 30 lbs taken but fewer fish that the previous week. The fish caught were 10- 29 lbs and most were caught when fishing lures right on the bottom (60-120 ft) 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 morning reported catching springs as well. Corinna Schmidt caught a nice 17 pound chinook while casting a buzz bomb from the rocks at 10 Mile Point. 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. 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
Salmon fishing was EXCELLENT this week. Lots of salmon were reported caught from Pedder Bay to Church Rock. The pinks were around in big numbers and the springs were in good numbers as well. Pedder Bay itself was the best location to catch a nice spring. 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 GOOD this past week. There wer quite a few “chickens” on the fish cleaning table this past weekend. Anglers that were fishing were using mackerel, extra large herring, salmon bellies and/or octopus for bait. Berkley Gulp and been good lately. 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
Salmon fishing was EXCELLENT near Sidney. The pink salmon have been running off of the Pender Bluffs and at various depths. Most boats have been getting limit catches in less than two hours of fishing time. A few chinooks were brought in over the past week weighing into the low twenties. The springs have been shallow, 30 to 50 feet and in shallow water. The spring fishing was best near Fairfax Point. Many anglers are fishing using anchovies in Bloody Nose and UV Green teaser heads. Squirts have been out-producing hootchies and the hot patterns for springs now are Purple Haze, J-79 and Electric Chair. Coho Killer spoons have also been working well, especially in double glow and Gold Nugget.
Notable Catches – Corinna Schmidt caught a nice 17 pound chinook while casting a buzz bomb from the rocks at 10 Mile Point.
Submitted by Tom Vaida, Island Outfitters, 3319 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC (250) 475-4969 info@fishingvictoria.com; www.fishingvictoria.com
Sooke
The salmon fishing was EXCELLENT this past week. The pink salmon are here and most Sooke anglers have reported limit catches! Now that the pinks are running, it is a great opportunity to get new anglers and kids out. The springs were in fair abundance and scattered throughout the area. There were many 30 – 40 lbs springs caught as well as fish in the 20’s and teens. The bigger springs fish seem more consistent in the 35 – 60 ft depths. Anchovies are the number one choice for Sooke anglers but with the high numbers of pinks being caught recently, many anglers are forced to use artificial baits when they run out of anchovies or herring. We’ve heard of some anglers using up to 50 anchovies in a day’s fishing. Teaser heads that have been performing well with anchovies are Bloody Nose, UV Green, Green Glow and the Mint Pearl. G-Force spoons in Irish Cream and No Bananas have been catching their fair number of fish. Coho Killers have been quite effective in catching pinks. A few sockeye have been caught but they are closed for retention. The most popular flashers recently have been the Gibbs Madi, the Gibbs 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
The Vaandraager brothers caught these fishing Rat’s Nose on July 10.
Chinook fishing has been good in both inshore and offshore waters. Big Bank has been consistent for both Chinook, a few Coho and Halibut. Long Beach has had some decent bites and Outside Lighthouse bank as had some better sized average Chinook. Big Bank has the biggest numbers of total fish for Chinook, Coho and Halibut fishing. Any sizes of spoons are working though a 4² cookies and cream Silver Horde is going on fire behind a glow flasher. There have been some good afternoon bites at the Red Can just in front of the harbour though you may have to shake off a few pinks. Below are some pics from the past week! Call us today to book a fishing trip on 877-777-4344!
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 FAIR off Constance Bank and along the waterfront. Fish weighing into the high teens and mid-twenties are being caught but not very many of them. The pinks have been showing up in good numbers off Victoria, especially in deeper water and along the tide lines. Anchovies, needlefish spoons and squirts were very effective in getting hook ups. Good choices in plastic baits are the Electric Chair, Purple Haze and pink squirts. Gibbs Coho Killer, Sitka needlefish and Coyote spoons in green, moon glow and silver 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
Effective July 4, 2015, virtually all angling in streams and rivers in Wildlife Management Units 1-1 through 1-6 is suspended.
Submitted by Tom Vaida, Island Outfitters, 3319 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC (250) 475-4969 info@fishingvictoria.com; www.fishingvictoria.com
Lakes
Fishing is GOOD on most lakes as the water temperatures climb. Wild rainbows and cutthroats over 50 cm must be released in Cowichan Lake. Only single barb less hooks are allowed for all fishing on island streams and rivers.
Trout fishing was GOOD on most lakes in the South Island area this past week. 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.
Bass fishing is EXCELLENT. At this time of year most of the bass are in the shallows. During the day, soft plastics rigged Carolina style work well and crank baits can work well too. Soft plastics rigged “Carolina Style “is also a good choice when fishing drop offs and docks. The most productive colors in 4” Yum baits are Smoke or Pumpkinseed. 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.
Submitted by Tom Vaida, Island Outfitters, 3319 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC (250) 475-4969 info@fishingvictoria.com; www.fishingvictoria.com
Stamp River
Effective July 4, 2015, virtually all angling in streams and rivers in Wildlife Management Units 1-1 through 1-6 is suspended.
Submitted by Tom Vaida, Island Outfitters, 3319 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC (250) 475-4969 info@fishingvictoria.com; www.fishingvictoria.com
Great Lakes
no report this week
Oregon
Oregon Coast
no report this week
