Fishing Reports for December 23

By on December 23, 2015

Washington

Marine Area 1 (Ilwaco)

no report this week

Marine Area 2 (Westport)

Storm after Storm after Storm … there seems to be no end here on the coast as we approach Christmas but we just keep trodding along.

Recreational Crabbing is open in all of Area 2, 2-1, 2-2 so there is an opportunity to get fresh coastal crab for Christmas. The non-tribal commercial season is finally opening on January 4th

Copalis Beach will have a Razor Clam opener right around Christmas for 3 days.

If you enjoy watching BIG surf and storms now is the time to come to the coast. It has been some of the biggest I have ever seen in the last few weeks.

Cyndi and I would like to wish all of you the Most Joyous of Holiday Seasons and a Very Merry Christmas. By all means Be Safe. Have Fun, and come see us 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)

no report this week

Marine Area 4 (Neah Bay)

no report this week

Marine Area 5 (Sekiu)

no report this week

Marine Area 6

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) predicts “Fair” prospects for Chinook during December in Marine Area 6.

Marine Area 7

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Blackmouth fishing in the “islands” has been good and since it’s not insane like some previous years we should have good fishing and a long season.  Weather has been a bear this winter both on the salt and inland.  We’ve had to make some cancellations but have also been able to fish some too.  The best overall action on small but keep-able fish has been “on the banks”.  Better grade chinook but lesser in quantity are scattered within Rosario.

More bait is available in President channel but fewer fish.  It’s almost an anomaly but I expect the stars to align at some point.

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

Blustery conditions and fair to slow fishing are the story in the ‘Juans. We haven’t seen a slow December in quite a few years. That could all change quickly, as more fish more in, and around the Islands.

The Holidays are a good time to get out and get that last shot at crab. Have a very merry Christmas and a happy and safe New Year. Hopefully we’ll have some better fishing to report in 2016!

Submitted by Kevin Klein, Fidalgo-SanJuan Islands Chapter PSA, CCA Northsound. The cover image of this week’s fishing reports, featuring Karen Rhinehart, was also contributed by Kevin.

Marine Area 8.1

no report this week

Marine Area 8.2

no report this week

Marine Area 9 (Admirality Inlet)

Well , in summary it was really a messed up year in Area 9 with the recreational fishery mostly shut down due to no real factual reasons at all.

We will have to wait and see if WDFW will open the vast Area of Area 9 on January 16, or will the “outside forces” bond once again , keep it closed,  and offer us a few days this Summer.

Merry Christmas and a Fishy New Year to all!

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

Marine Area 10

no report this week

Marine Area 11

The salmon fishing is very slow because of weather conditions this last week. When the weather calms down and we get more fishermen on the water we will get a better idea what the salmon fishing is like.  Typically this time of year the best areas are the Clay Banks, shelf between Pt Defiance and Pt. Dalco, Quartermaster Harbor and near Les Davis pier.

Crabbing continues to be fair with a few legal Dungeness crab being caught along with some nice Rock crab in the usual places like Quartermaster Harbor, Commencement Bay Shoreline and the Dash Pt. area.The Squid fishing remains good at the area docks so if you have ever wanted to try Squid fishing now is the time to do it and you can also jig Squid by boat as well.  For more information call 253-591-5325.Squid Fishing Class at Point Defiance Marina –Learn the regulations, and how to jig squid, care for, prepare, and cook.   For ages 8+.   Saturday January  16, 2016 from 4-6 pm

Sign up online at MetroParksTacoma.org/GO or 253-591-5325.

Polar Bear Plunge at Point Defiance Marina Boat Launch  – January 1, 2016 ; Run at 11 am (1 mile Inaugural Run  and Plunge ) 11:30 am Cub (Youth Ramp Plunge ) 12 noon Launch Dock Plunge ( Swimmers ) Free Event; Life jackets, Hot beverages, snack bars, heated changing tents, Point Defiance Pirates Present; information tables discounted Zoo  and Aquarium passes.  Volunteers needed.

We are closed Christmas Day but have great gifts for the angler as well as gift certificates.  Open daily from 7 am to 5 pm.  Great Seahawks fit shirts and hoodies in safety reflective and yellow for the Seahawks fan   Call 253-591-5325 or visit  us on Facebook “Point Defiance Marina.”

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

Marine Area 12 (Hood Canal)

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) predicts “Poor” prospects for Chum, and “Fair” prospects for Coho during December in Marine Area 12.

Marine Area 13

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) predicts “Fair” prospects for Chum, and “Good” prospects for Coho during December in Marine Area 13.

Freshwater – Humptulips

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We had a small window to fish the Humptulips this week during extreme high water.  There’s an eye catching amount winter run steelhead around the Stevens Creek hatchery and some late timed coho available.  I was happy with the action on both species.  The best technique for high dirty water steelhead is slow drifting cured eggs on the edges of the river.  For the coho, we were working #5 or bigger RVRFSHR spinners with squid tails as a trailer.  Our team including my myself is fishing the Humptulips over the holidays.

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

Freshwater – Potholes Reservoir

Yesterday was a new record for me to see. There was not a single boat trailer at the ramps I looked at. No fishermen or duck hunters. All the area around me is blanketed with snow. The roads are mostly clear. I suspect that the week after Christmas there is a warming trend coming so the passes should be in good shape to come over. We have had no wind. Still most of the walk-in lakes are free of ice.
Report submitted by Tom Pollack.

British Columbia

Vancouver

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Things are starting to perk up for winter chinook salmon in local waters. Right on schedule, we have seen some good numbers of fish show in Howe Sound. We were out on Monday and had a fairly active morning with a half dozen fish hitting the gear. We released a few undersize and kept a couple beauties!

We have been having most of our recent success in Howe Sound, but we have heard some encouraging reports from the Gulf Islands and Burrard Inlet. Smaller Gibbs Delta G Force Spoons and Silver Horde Coho Killers have been working for us close to bottom.

December is when things start to really perk up for winter chinook salmon. Time to get out there!

With the exchange rates, you can basically fish in Canada for 25% off. Give us a call or an email if you want to get out for winter chinook, spot prawns, and dungeness crabs!

For more info call Jeff or Jason at Bon Chovy Fishing Charters (604) 763-5460, bonchovy.com email: info@bonchovy.com.

Vancouver Island (Saltwater)

no report this week

Alberni Inlet and Barkley Sound

no report this week

Bamfield

no report this week

Becher Bay

Salmon fishing was GOOD for anglers in East Sooke. Very few anglers were out but some nice springs up to 16.5 lbs did get caught. Most of the anglers reporting success were getting their fish in Whirl Bay. G-force spoons were the most productive lure. However, plastic baits have been popular as well, especially in UV and/or glow patterns. 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 and the Purple Onion have been good. Four halibut were brought into the marina on the weekend.

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 FAIR 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. 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

Peter Landsman with a 15.5 lb spring from Church Rock

Salmon fishing was GOOD this past weekend. Not many anglers were out fishing, but those who did go out caught fish that were mostly in the 5-7 lb range. Most of the fish were caught close to the bottom in 120-150 feet of water. Peter Landsman went deep to 250 feet with an anchovy off Church Rock and was rewarded with a 15.5 lb spring. The anglers are fishing tight to the bottom are often bouncing the downrigger balls on the bottom. Small spoons, such as the G-Force, Coyote and Gypsy, in the glow and/or any bright colours were very effective. Hootchies and squirts also produced well. Flashers that remain popular include Glow green, Lemon-Lime and Purple Onion.

Halibut fishing was GOOD this past week. Most boats that went out after halibut caught fish. Anglers that were fishing were using 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 SLOW near Sidney, but very few anglers have been out. We did hear of a 9 lb spring caught near Moresby, but that’s it. Most of the winter springs have been short of the minimum size for retention in previous weeks. Most anglers are fishing using anchovies in Bloody Nose and UV Green teaser heads. Coho Killer spoons have also been working well, especially in double glow and Gold Nugget. Prawning has been quite slow in Saanich Inlet as well. 

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 GOOD recently but very few anglers were out fishing. There are lots of undersize springs off Sooke right now and a few keepers into the mid teens. The 3”-4” Coyote, Gypsy and G-Force spoons, as well as hoochies, are the top choices for Sooke anglers. G-Force spoons in Outfitters, Irish Cream and No Bananas have been very popular. Hoochies in White Glow, Army Truck and Tiger Prawn have been catching their fair number of fish. The most popular flashers recently have been the Purple Onion, 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

no report this week

Victoria

Fishing for salmon was GOOD off Victoria when it wasn’t blowing too hard. The salmon are all along the waterfront from Esquimalt to Trial Island and on Constance Bank. We did hear of fish as large as 12.5 lbs near the harbour mouth, but most were in the 2-4 lb size range. Unfortunately, seals are once again becoming a problem. Anchovies, spoons and squirts were successful in getting hook ups. Bloody Nose 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. Gypsy, AP Needlefish, G Force and Coyote spoons in green, moon glow and silver colours have also been good. The Purple Onion and Bon Chovy flashers have been popular recently.

Halibut remains GOOD around Middle Bank and Constance Bank. Good depths seem to be between 155 ft and 255ft for active fish and herring with salmon bellies and octopus working best. Most anglers that were fishing were using 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
After breaching flood heights last week the water levels has been dropping, but it’s still very high. Today the water level is 3.0 meters at the lake and 2 meters near Duncan. A few mint bright winter steelhead have been caught and released in the Riverbottom area. The river will have to drop some more before the fishing picks up again.  Effective until December 31, 2015 the daily limit for chum salmon is two (2) adults in the following portion of the Cowichan River: Downstream from the Mile 66 Trestle Bridge to the Highway No. 1 Bridge (Silver Bridge). Anglers are reminded that coho retention (both adults and jacks) remains closed at this time. The Cowichan River is Open to Fly Fishing Only from the Weir in Cowichan Lake downstream to the Mile 66 Trestle (CNR Trestle).
Submitted by Tom Vaida, Island Outfitters, 3319 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC (250) 475-4969 info@fishingvictoria.com; www.fishingvictoria.com

Lakes

Bass fishing is VERY SLOW. 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

no report this week

Oregon

Tillamook Bay

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife reports that fishing for Chinook is fair to good and that trolling herring or spinners have been the two most popular techniques. The ODFW recommends fishing he lower bay on the softer tides and further up the bay on the large swings and reminds anglers that the bay closed to wild coho retention for the rest of the year.

Great Lakes

Lake Michigan

no report this week

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