This weekend is the annual Salmon Tales festival. There is so much to see and do it is something you don’t want to miss. It is held on the grounds of the Maritime Museum. I will be doing a Salmon fishing talk at 3pm on Saturday. Come see us. 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.

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)

Coho are showing up in large numbers and when the weather permits, excellent catches are the norm.

Marine Area 7

Silver Horde Kingfisher 4” lites been whackin’ and stackin’!

Salmon are still biting in the San Juan’s, depending on time and tide. You just have to be at the right place at the right time, and that takes knowledge gained from experience. Kings keep showing up in good numbers. There are definitely more and bigger Chinook than last year. Larger spoons and hootchies have been producing well. We are still waiting for Coho to show en mass. Think October for them. Hopefully we’ll see some of the big Northern hook nose that are so fun to catch. It’s a great time in the Islands to get out and have some fun on the water, and catch some fish!

Submitted by Kevin Klein, Fidalgo-SanJuan Islands Chapter PSA, CCA Northsound. The cover image of this week’s fishing reports, showing Ingrid H. with a King, was also submitted by Kevin.

Marine Area 8.1

no report this week

Marine Area 8.2

A good number of Coho being caught.  Most are fairly small in the 4-6 pound range.  Hot lures seem to be the Coho Killers in a variety of colors and the Ace Hi Fly seems to be the hottest lure of all.

Marine Area 9 (Admirality Inlet)

“They are GROWING !”, I noted to Kathy as some nicer fish were caught on Monday after the big derby.  The larger Silvers were packed to the gills with very large bait.

The yellow can right in the middle off double bluff has been a good area to intercept these ocean stingers.  Keep the speed over 3, cover some ground and keep the figures 8 move going if the get into fish (or large bait balls).  Our best depth has been the Sammy Hagar 55.

This fishery should last another month or so, so find a nice weather opening and get out on the water.

Tight Lines !

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

Sports anglers are catching less than a Coho a day and the occasional pink.  It’s a shame to see what has in the past been a prime fisherie directly in front of the city of Seattle deteriorate so badly.  As long as gillnets are in the water, there will be no recovery of salmon.  Perhaps the new director of WDFW will take steps to solve some of the problems.

Report submitted by Salmon University staff. 

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)

Coho fishing has been very slow.  Heavy gillnetting in the area doesn’t help.

Marine Area 13

no report this week

Freshwater – Lake Chelan

no report this week

Freshwater – Potholes Reservoir

This past weekend was a very busy one at the Mardon resort. Beginning at dusk Friday evening there was the annual dock fishing event. It was limited to the dock and the boats tied to the dock and was an all-species event. Yes, you could fish all Friday and Saturday night if you were hardy enough. I checked in for a few minutes Saturday afternoon and the dock was loaded with participants. Fish were weighed on the dock and then released alive. All species in the lake could be entered. The board had all the largest in each species weighed. There was a record turnout and many had fished this event every year. What a hoot for all ages.

As this past weekend was the 2 days for the official youth duck hunt, Ducks Unlimited hosted a event at Mardons.  There was an absolute record turn out. There were donated prizes, most being duck related items, enough for all kids to win. There were hotdogs and hambugers for all while duck calling and other demonstrations were going on.

In the meantime walleye and bass fishing continues, but with not nearly as many fishermen out there. Yes, the water continues. We are starting to hear and see the Sandhill  Cranes moving in. Crossing the dam the other evening we had to stop as three bucks were on the lake side of the guard rail. There seems to be something new like this every day.

My wife Linda had a knee replacement surgery last Tuesday and I have her home working on a exercise program as well as three trips to Moses Lake a week for therapy.

Report submitted by Tom Pollack. 

British Columbia

Vancouver

no report this week

Vancouver Island (Saltwater)

no report this week

Alberni Inlet and Barkley Sound

no report this week

Bamfield

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 SPOTTY in East Sooke. The Trap Shack was the most productive location 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 SPOTTY 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 GOOD 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

Terry Messer with his 65.6 lb halibut caught near the breakwater.

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. Some coho (mostly unmarked) and the odd pink salmon were being caught with most of those are coming from deep water (600 feet or more) 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 GOOD this past midweek. Terry Messer landed a 65.6 lb halibut while fishing near William Head. 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 still there in decent 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. 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. Coho are 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 around but a few chum have been caught. 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

Bruce Cook with his 36.1 lb spring caught near the breakwater.

Fishing for springs was SPOTTY along the waterfront. The springs were spread out from Esquimalt to Trial Island, depending on the tide. Anglers have to search quite a bit when looking for a spring, but when they find one it’s usually pretty good in size. Bruce Cook caught a 36.1 lb spring on anchovy while fishing near the Victoria Breakwater. Constance Bank has been good, especially in the earlier part of the week. The coho are still not here in large numbers, but Constance Bank and the shipping lanes have produced best for coho. 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 GOOD 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

The salmon conservation measures that were put in place due to low flows and high water temperature have been rescinded. This notice re-opens the 2015 river opportunities in Regions 1-1 to 1-13 with the exception of the Cowichan River. The Cowichan River remains closed at this time.

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.

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.

Bass fishing is GOOD. Soft plastics rigged Carolina style are working well and crank baits 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

The salmon conservation measures that were put in place due to low flows and high water temperature have been rescinded. This notice re-opens the 2015 river opportunities in Regions 1-1 to 1-13 with the exception of the Cowichan River. The Cowichan River remains closed at this time.

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 fall Chinook are available in tidewater in increasing numbers and that some hatchery coho are making their way through tidewater and into the lower river. Occasional summer steelhead are still being caught. Fishing for cutthroat trout is fair to good. The hatchery hole area is closed to all fishing through Oct. 15. In addition, the Dam Hole (near MP 7 on Trask River Road) is closed through November.

Great Lakes

Lake Michigan