Washington

Marine Area 1 (Ilwaco)

Marine Area 2 (Westport)

Westport is still kicking out some really nice salmon. With 16 days to go in the season there are still some big fish being caught. A number of kings in the high 20’s and low 30’s have come across the docks. Coho are getting bigger and meaner to as they are preparing to enter the rivers.

These fish were all caught along the north and south beaches in less than 40 feet of water this week. Our rig of the week was a Delta Diver followed by a Shortbus flasher and bait or a Silver Horde. We nailed the bright king on a Cookies and Cream Coho Killer. There is a lot of bait and birds working the beaches so find a pack and be patient. This fishing should continue to be good through the end of the month which is also the closure of the ocean salmon season.

This week also marks the opening of the bay fishery also referred to as the “Johns River” Fishery. PLEASE read your regs to know where you can fish and the retention limits. The line runs from the mouth of the Johns river to a point on the north side of the bay. You will get a ticket for fishing in the closed area. The primary tackle used in this fishery is a cannon ball dropper rig or Diver with an inline flasher, bait or spoon. Troll with the tide and go SLOW!

Do not forget the opening of the annual Westport Boat Basin Salmon derby. You can fish right off the docks. I have personally witnessed over a dozen fish caught already. There is no cost to enter just weigh your fish at the Seafood Connection on float 8.There are a lot of fish to catch.

September 26th and 27th is the annual Salmon Tales festival in Westport. Come down and enjoy the festivities and Great food. Enjoy and participate in the Smoked Salmon contest and fish from the docks. I will be conducting an Ocean Salmon fishing seminar Saturday afternoon at the Maritime Museum. It is a lot of fun for the whole family.

As the season winds down I hope you have all had a Great summer and had a chance to make it to the coast. If not there are a few more weeks to get in some fishing here and enjoy the beach. If you did not make it dawn this year plan to come and see us in 2016. Have Fun, Be Safe, and I 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.

Marine Area 3 (LaPush and Forks)

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has estimated “Fair” prospects for Chinook and “Excellent” prospects for Coho in Marine Area 3 during the month of September.

Marine Area 4 (Neah Bay)

Marine Area 5 (Sekiu)

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has estimated “Fair” prospects for Sockeye, and “Good” prospects for Coho in Marine Area 6 during the month of September.

Marine Area 7

Jeff Leach has been stackin’ up the nice Kangs on his new ride.

Salmon fishing has been good in the San Juans, depending on the day, time, and tide. Schools of Chinook are moving through, you just have to land on them to have a shot. These Kings can be anywhere from 60 ft of water, to 300ft. And just about that same spread in the water column.  As far as gear, the Silver Horde Kingfisher Lite’s in 4” Irish Cream have been working for us.

Submitted by Kevin Klein, Fidalgo-SanJuan Islands Chapter PSA, CCA Northsound. The cover image of this week’s fishing reports, showing the Hawk’s rod combo, was also submitted by Kevin.

Marine Area 8.1

Still a lot of humpies in the area, but the western portions of Area 9 are starting to build up with Coho. While most of the Coho are still small and in the 5-7 lb range, a few are being caught in the low teens. As is typical in a humpie year, the returning Coho are smaller and not in as great numbers as in a normal Coho year. The Coho smolt going out to the ocean in a humpie year are usually bigger and return in bigger numbers in the even year as they are feeding on the humpie carcasses in the rivers. In the recent Sno-King Derby out of Edmonds the winning fish was just over 7 lbs. Look for bigger fish in next years season.

Marine Area 8.2

Many humpies still in the area. About 5 out of every 6 fish caught are humpies. The number of Coho is getting better and in the next few weeks should show a significant rise in the number of Coho.

Marine Area 9 (Admirality Inlet)

“Mini-Hi Flyers !”  The silvers have arrived in Area 9 but they are mini-bullets ranging in the 4 to 5 pound range.  Hopefully the big boys will be right behind them in the coming weeks. It is still a “white” show for the Fishtale 2.  Ace-Hi Flies and also Hootchies in UV White on short 22 inch / 50 pound leaders have been doing the best.  Many of these fish will be holding (along with the non-keepable Kings)   in the salt until we get much more rain to fill up the rivers. The next two months should prove to be a great Silver fishery.

Report submitted by Nelson “Spud” Goodsell – Salmon for Soldiers, IGFA Life Member, FISHTALE2

Marine Area 10

Marine Area 11

Report submitted by 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

Scott Sloan of Seattle with a 16.3 pound Buck Laker. He fished with his son, Alex.

What’s hot is trolling the face of the State Park Bay in the morning for pre-spawn lakers. The face of Manson Bay continues to provide ample action in the evenings. The fringes of the Bar and the tip of Wapato Pt. have also been productive at times.

Mature Lakers are beginning to stack into the State Park Bay for their fall spawning ritual. We look for fish from 130 to 185 feet deep. Until they turn their activities to spawning, they are really putting on the feed bag. Likewise, fishing evenings along Manson Bay catches those feeder Mackinaw chowing down on scads of Mysis Shrimp. They will almost all have very bright red flesh and provide succulent fare on the grill. Jeff has done really well pounding the fringes of the Bar early and then fading into the Barrens to get his fish. We have also found those piles of fish located off the tip of Wapato Point to be susceptible to a well presented squid rig.

As always, fish within 3 to 5 feet of the bottom and keep your speed around 1.2 mph. Glow in the dark Smile Blades from Mack’s Lure are the go to attractor here on Lake Chelan. Put those in front of a 3 to 4 inch squid rig, bait them with a piece of Northern Pikeminnow and scent everything with Pautzke’s Krill Juice to keep yourself consistently into the fish. Your fishing tip of the week is to use a couple of beads between the Mack’s Lure Smile Blade and the squid rig. This allows the blade to turn freely to do it’s job as an attractor. Remember that Lake trout in this ultra deep fishery find our lures by vibration using their lateral line. The Smile Blade’s enticing action can bring them in from far away if it can turn freely.

The kid’s tip of the week is to use purposefully ignoring some things to extinguish the behavior. It is a judgment call. Obviously if safety is at issue you have to intervene. However, I have seen a lot of children, particular pre-school thru primary grades that are attention starved. They will try anything to get attention. Even negative attention reinforces this behavior. If the behavior is not reinforced, it will extinguish. Sometimes it increases in frequency and duration before it ceases, but ignoring does work if you have the persistence for it. The safety tip of the week is to make sure your navigation lights are in order before needing them. These shorter days put us out there in fading light. Be safe!

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

This weekend at Potholes was a noisy one. This was the annual weekend that the speedboats put up a long rooster tail and make lots of noise. They’re located mainly the north end of the lake and off the dunes. That is where the best fishing had gone on. After Thursday it was hard to fish. As a result most fishermen were finding their fish off the SE corner of goose island and off the face of the dam. The fishing will pick up again once the water has settled. For me, my time this week will be with my wife Linda as she is getting her right knee replaced.

Report submitted by Tom Pollack. The cover image of this week’s fishing reports is also courtesy of Tom Pollack. 

British Columbia

Vancouver

no report this week

Vancouver Island (Saltwater)

no report this week

Alberni Inlet and Barkley Sound

Doug of Slivers Chartes Salmon Sport Fishing with 31 pound Chinook landed by
guests outside the Bamfield Harbor Mouth

It is already mid September and fantastic Salmon Sport Fishing continues especially in Barkley Sound along the Bamfield Wall and outside the Ucluelet Harbor close to the beach in Florencia Bay and Wya Point. The Somass Stamp River system has also picked up dramatically with plenty of Coho and Chinook salmon in the river system as the fish are migrating to their spawning grounds. The Alberni Inlet sport fishing has been slower as the salmon are not holding and making their way to the mouth of the Somass River. Some sport fisher persons are spending time close to the Franklin Wall and have had a little success landing a few good sized Coho.

The forty-forth annual Port Alberni Salmon Fest Derby was a huge success over the three day Labor Day Weekend. People worldwide enjoyed themselves either fishing in the derby or just spending time on the grounds at Clutesi Haven Marina. The winning fish was landed by Langley B.C. resident Bob Moulton. His fish was landed on Sunday morning September 6th just outside the Bamfield Harbor using a pink fluorescent hootchie. The fish won Moulton $5,000 for the biggest salmon of the day and another $10,000 for landing the largest fish of the derby. Local Port Alberni sport fisher persons winning daily prizes were Trevor Cootes, Joe VeenKamp, and Brad Jasken.

The Alberni Valley did experience some ample rainfall early in the month which provided enough water for Sockeye Salmon to migrate into Sproat and Great Central Lakes. The Return of Sockeye Salmon to the Somass River system in 2015 was the largest return “ever” recorded. Final number in the DFO forecast is just over Two Million. Over five Hundred Thousand have escaped into one of the two lakes mentioned. Sockeye are still in good numbers in the system as they continue their migration. Fresh Chinook and Coho are moving into the Somass system. The salmon in Barkley Sound that are creating a very good sport fishery are headed towards the Somass, the Sarita River, Nitnat, and also to larger watersheds to the south. Rain is in the forecast for the end of this week which means fish will move to their natal creeks, streams and rivers. The salmon that are still offshore will make their way into the system as they continue their long journey.

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans has announced that there is a dramatic increase in the Chinook run size returning to the Somass. The original forecast of only twenty-five thousand Chinook returning to the Somass River System has been increased to Sixty Thousand Chinook. In early September the rule of retaining salmon under 77 cm was changed. Sport Fisher persons fishing the Alberni Inlet and Barkley Sound can now land one salmon over 77 cm per day and have in possession two Chinook salmon with one over 77 cm and one under 77cm each day. A two day possession level of two and two (two under and two over) is now in effect. This was great news for those many individuals fishing in the Port Alberni Salmon Festival Derby and those many sport fishermen taking advantage of fishing during the month of September.

Jessica and Raymond from Victoria B.C. show off 32 and 25 pound Chinook they
landed at the Bamfield Wall on September 12th 2015. These fish hit Anchovy.
Guide was Doug Lindores of Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing.

The best salmon fishing currently is in Barkley Sound. The many salmon that are migrating into the Alberni Inlet are rapidly swimming into the River system. The Inlet is filling daily with fresh Chinook and Coho. This is also very true in Barkley Sound as Coho and Chinook salmon are still feeding heavily but are getting close to their spawning grounds. The salmon generally end their feeding cycle when they enter fresh water systems or get close to fresh water influences. The Bamfield Wall has been absolutely on “FIRE” since the last week of August. Pill Point and Assets have both been very consistent but have not experienced the same “SPORT Fishing” that “THE WALL” has experienced. The salmon in the sound have been feeding very hard around tide changes but have also been very active between tides. The salmon are in fairly shallow water in Barkley Sound and also the Alberni Inlet. Fishing between thirty and fifty feet has not been uncommon in Barkley Sound. The best fishing has been just outside The Bamfield Harbor mouth down to Kelp Bay. Yankee Bay and Wittlestone have also had excellent sport fishing. There is a huge amount of bait fish in the area that has brought in local and transient salmon. The best lures depending on where one fishes are the 0-15, 0-16 (Alberni Inlet), spatterback and AORL 12 hootchies. Using anchovy in both the Inlet and the Sound seems ideal and for many is working the best. Leader lengths from five and a half to six feet behind green, red, or burgundy flashers with a gold face are working very well. The glow army truck, purple haze, and green haze Rhys Davis Teaser Heads are working by far the best. The AORL 12, purple haze and spatter back hootchie with 38 to 42 inches of leader behind a green, red, and purple gold flasher are also ideal for Chinook and Coho in Barkley Sound and the Alberni Inlet.

Salmon fishing for Coho and Chinook are now under way in the Somass-Stamp River system. There will also be some fantastic Fall Steelhead fishing as we get into October.

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

Grant, Gerald, Danny and Rod with some nice Bamfield Chinook and Bottom fish

Salmon fishing is still going good right near Bamfield. Recently there has been no need to travel further than the “Wall” for good Chinook and Coho action. Anchovy has been the bait of choice lately but don’t be afraid to try your favorite spoon or hootchie as well. There are lots of halibut as well as other bottom fish like Lingcod, Yellow eye and other rockfish to be had with out traveling to the farthest off shore banks.

It’s tuna time around Bamfield with boats traveling 40-50 miles out to target Albacore. The Bamfield Tuna Shootout is under way this week with over thirty boat entered to try and win thousands of dollars in prizes. Stay tuned for results.

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

Becher Bay

Salmon fishing was HOT & COLD in East Sooke. The Trap Shack and the Bedfords were the most productive locations over the week. The best fishing there has been in tight to shore in 100 feet of water or less and between 40 – 75 feet on the downrigger. Most springs were running from 10 to 20 lbs in size with the occasional one in the twenties landed. More hatchery coho are showing up in the catches and a lot fewer pinks. The best coho and pink fishing has been on the flood tide in the tide lines far out in the strait. Anchovies were the most productive bait for the springs and No Bananas and Halloween Candy were productive teaser heads. However, spoons and plastic baits have been popular as well. The Glow/Green Stripe hootchy has been effective for springs this past week. Spoons, such as the G-Force and Skinny G, in the Bon Chovy or Irish Cream colours were effective. For flashers, the Lemon Lime, Super Betsey and the Purple Onion have been good.

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 SLOW this past week. Most salmon were caught when fishing with lures right on the bottom (60-110 ft) on the Flats and by the Gap. The fish were hitting needlefish spoon and squirts. Anglers also caught fish jigging right on the bottom. G-force and Skinny G spoons in No Bananas and Outfitter colours worked just fine. Coho Killers in Gold Nugget and Green Splatterback have been pretty productive too. The best flasher has been the Gibbs Lemon Lime and the Bon Chovy.

\Halibut fishing was FAIR this past weekend out in Haro Strait and off Discovery Island. 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 SLOW this past week. The salmon were sparsely spread throughout the area, but Church Rock and Whirl Bay Rock produced the most fish. Anglers jigging outside the bay were catching a few springs using the 8 oz and 6 oz Gibbs/Delta Jumbo Anchovy jigging lure. Some coho (mostly unmarked) and the odd pink salmon were being caught with most of those are coming from deep water south of Whirl Bay. Anchovy was the most productive bait when trolling for springs with Glow Green and Bloody Nose being top choices in teaser heads Spoons, such as the G-Force and Skinny G, in the Bon Chovy or Irish Cream colours were effective Flashers that remain popular include Super Betsey, Lemon-Lime and Purple Onion.

Halibut fishing was FAIR this past midweek. 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

Salmon fishing was GOOD near Sidney. The salmon have been most abundant close to Pender Bluffs and most boats are getting fish there. The springs are there in good numbers and they have been hitting white hootchies hootchies trolled between 90 – 130 feet on the downrigger. Some of the springs are in the high twenties in size. Gord Gay landed a 28 lb spring by the Pender Bluffs. There are still some pinks around, just not too many. Coho are also in the area and we’ve heard of both wild and hatchery fish caught. The pinks and coho have been holding around the 50 foot depths. 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 Orange/Black/White, Purple Haze and Electric Chair. Coho Killer spoons have also been working well, especially in double glow and Gold Nugget.

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 SPOTTY this past week. The springs were not as abundant and were scattered in all areas. Most of the springs were weighing between 10 to 20 lbs, but there were some into the high twenties caught. The bigger springs are being caught in the 35 – 75 ft depths. Hatchery coho are more frequently being caught, usually out in the shipping lanes and in 300+ feet of water. Sockeye and wild coho still have to be released. There are very few pink salmon still around. Anchovies are the number one choice of bait for Sooke anglers. Teaser heads that have been performing well are Chartreuse, Green Glow Bloody Nose and Purple Haze. G-Force spoons in Outfitters, Irish Cream and No Bananas have been catching their fair number of fish. Coho Killers have been quite effective in catching pinks. The most popular flashers recently have been the Ok’i Betsey, the Gibbs Outfitter and the Madi.

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

Ucuelet

Victoria

Greg Kutyn with a 29 lb spring from Clover Point

Fishing for springs was FAIR along the waterfront. The springs were spread out from Esquimalt to Trial Island, depending on the tide. That said, Macauley Point was again the area most congested with boats. Constance Bank has been good, especially in the earlier part of the week. Greg Kutyn landed a 29 lb spring while trolling an anchovy at 50 feet off Clover Point. Anchovies, spoons and squirts were successful in getting hook ups. Chartreuse and Purple Haze have been the most popular colors for teaser heads. Good choices in plastic baits are the Electric Chair, Purple Haze and Glow white. Gibbs Coho Killers, AP Needlefish and Coyote spoons in green, moon glow and silver colours have been very effective. The Lemon Lime and Bon Chovy flasher has been very effective recently. The Glow Green Splatter Back Coho Killer has been a very effective out at the Constance Bank.

Halibut fishing was FAIR this past weekend. Anglers report that the dogfish were less of a problem this past week. 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

All rivers on Vancouver Island in Region 1 are now closed until further notice with the exception of the Nitinat, Campbell/Quinsam Rivers and the Qualicum River. We’re hoping that there will be enough rain soon to allow fishing in the rivers again.

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 lake. Wild rainbows and cutthroats over 50 cm must be released in Cowichan Lake. The Cowichan River is still closed to angling.

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

Stamp River

All rivers on Vancouver Island in Region 1 are now closed until further notice with the exception of the Nitinat, Campbell/Quinsam Rivers and the Qualicum River. We’re hoping that there will be enough rain soon to allow fishing in the rivers again.

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

Oregon

Tillamook Bay

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) reports that Chinook and hatchery fishing is fair to good with trolling herring or spinners being the most popular techniques to land a fish. Casting spinners has been productive at times in some mid-bay channels. The bay will be open to wild coho retention (1 adult wild coho for the season) on Fridays and Saturdays only, Sept. 18 – Oct. 31.

Great Lakes

Lake Michigan

Salmon University Staff

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