no report this week

no report this week

Marine Area 5 (Sekiu)

Marine Area 7

Team Rod Dog Arches went 4-for-5 on Saturday. Area 7 was good to us, lots of nets out. Largest was 13-pounds.

Submitted by Joe, Brady, and Dane of Team Rod Dog Arches. 

Duke Fisher and team with the $10,000 top fish. They are good guys as well as good fishermen, and deserved a win. Lots of folks like this around, who have been dedicated, but never won. I’ve been lucky enough to have been on the winning team in the Roche twice. When I say lucky, I mean it…but man…what a rush.

The 13th annual Roche Harbor Salmon Classic took place last weekend. Fishing was pretty darn slow for most anglers. Blake Stiller from Anacortes led most of the day Friday and almost all of Saturday with a 16.6lber. While everyone tried to stay awake on Saturday during long dry spells, things got exciting real quick in the last 30 minutes. With half an hour left to go in the tournament, we checked in a fish with the head check boat, and they had some interesting news. “Got an update for ya…Pete Nelsen 17.2, new leader.” Well, we couldn’t help but cheer. Ol’ Pete’s a good friend, and he was fishing with Jay Field, who’s a brother to me. Heck, Jay, the “Reverend Captain”, married my bride and I, so I owe him one. If you’ve met her, you’d understand why. But, I digress. For the uninitiated, Pete Nelsen has won over 30 derbies in the San Juan’s. Let that sink in for a minute. And Jay, who is a former charter skipper, and great angler, has never taken the top spot in one. Let that also sink in. It’s very difficult to take first in a major tournament, and to do it more than once…mind boggling. So, just when we were ready to give it up for Pete, we trolled by the check boat again. “Just heard that zone 4 checked a big fish…they’re running for the scales!” Oh, man. This would be a nail biter. So in the final minutes, Pete got bumped by Duke Fisher’s 17lb 12 oz Chinook for the $10,000 1st prize.

These derbies are so fun and exciting because of finishes like this. And, it happens a lot. Thanks so much to Roche Harbor for another great event. Thanks also to the Northwest Salmon Derby Series, who help make all the derbies happen. It was great to see everybody again…old friends and new. If you haven’t participated in one of the events on the derby series, you should. It’s a blast.

Hatchery Chinook provide clipped stocks for us to fish on in these events, and also are a big boost to businesses and the community this time of year. The anti-hatchery zealots would strive to shut down recreational fishing it would seem, and all the economic benefits, license fees, jobs, and fun that goes with it. I’m not sure what they have against Orcas either, but it sure seems like they’re trying to cut off a major food supply for them. We need to start taking a hard look at real issues that are responsible for declining stocks, such as the recent study showing significant predation on juvenile salmon by booming Harbor Seals populations, as well as many others. There are many, many other issues that we should be focusing on that will do real good. Recreational anglers keeping hatchery fish isn’t one of them. Please do what you can to get involved. Strength in numbers.

Top Placings:

1st Duke Fisher 17.12 $10,000
2nd Pete Nelsen 17.02 $5000
3rd Blake Stiller 16.60 $2500

Total Boat Weight: Derek Floyd 48lbs 9oz

Marine Area 8.1

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) predicts “Fair” prospects for Cutthroat during January in Marine Area 12.

Vancouver Island (Saltwater)

no report this week

Alberni Inlet and Barkley Sound

Beautiful Chinook Salmon landed by Jessica just of Cree Island located in Barkley Sound

It’s again a New Year for sport salt water fishing and many sport fishermen, guides and potential guests are beginning to think about the many sport fishing opportunities that await them in 2016.

The 2015 salmon sport fishing season was a memorable year on Vancouver Island’s scenic West Coast and the Alberni Inlet. Chinook fishing for migratory salmon headed to distant southern watersheds began in late April and continued well into August. West Coast Vancouver Island Chinook salmon returning to local streams and rivers arrived in August and surprisingly continued in excellent numbers into September. The biggest surprise of all was the huge return of Stamp River Sockeye. Sockeye returns to the Somass system hit well over two million. Sport fishermen began landing Sockeye in the pristine and quiet waters of the Alberni Inlet near the end of May and continued landing Sockeye right into September. This was the largest return ever recorded. Hopefully this kind of return, if it does not occur in 2016, will happen once again in the near future. The 2016 West Coast Vancouver Island and Alberni Inlet sport fishing season will begin in the late spring and should continue well into the summer and early fall months. Pre Season forecasts for West Coast Vancouver Island Chinook are very favorable and much better than what was anticipated for 2015. The Sockeye season in the Alberni Inlet will once again be excellent with numbers hopefully reaching 800,000. The Alberni Inlet is a fantastic area to sport fish as the water is protected from summer storms. The salmon sport fishing out in Barkley Sound and offshore Ucluelet should be strong as good numbers of Chinook and Coho are forecast to migrate to the distant southerly watersheds.

Regan fished with Doug of Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing and landed
this eighteen pound Chinook at Meares Bluff in Barkley Sound. Fishing hit a
Jack Smith Hootchie

Vancouver Island is a destination on both coastlines of all five salmon species (Chinook, Coho, Sockeye, Pink, and Chum). This gives all avid sport fishermen an opportunity to sport fish a choice of salmon he/she might enjoy to target. Of course these species do arrive at certain times of the summer or fall and each species also peak at specific times. This often means that fisher persons can fish the inlets, sounds and offshore waters for Chinook and Coho and also Sockeye and have opportunity to fish river mouths and various Vancouver Island beaches for Pinks and Coho.

Sport fishing for Winter Steelhead in the Stamp River has been off and on. Of course water clarity, flow, and height of the water play a major role in opportunities for those fishing the Stamp. The peak of the season for Steelhead can occur at any time. It is expected that in 2016 the peak will occur sometime in February. There has been some good sized hatchery Steelhead in the system this year. To date winter (feeder) Chinook fishing in Barkley Sound and around the quiet hamlet of Bamfield and the Ucluelet Harbor has been off and on with some reasonable fishing opportunities on those days that the winter season offers. The Alberni Inlet around China Creek has been the biggest surprise for Winter Chinook. For the past three and a half weeks there has been plenty of bait fish which has pushed the feeders up into the upper Inlet water.

Hopefully the Chinook returning to the Alberni Inlet and The Somass River system are like this fish landed by Ashley last September 2015

At times during the winter months a few schools of Winter Chinook will make their way up into the inlet and feed on bait fish. The past few weeks the best kept fishing secret has been the Alberni Inlet. Sport fishermen have had success landing Feeder Chinook averaging six and seven pounds in the China Creek area. The largest reported salmon by a local sporty is twelve pounds landed on a beautiful sunny Sunday January 10th afternoon. Both sides of the inlet from Leaning Tree and the Slide to McTush have been the best areas to fish. There is a lot of undersized Chinook in the area so if using anchovy sporty’s can go through a lot of bait. Hootchies in white, blue and green are working. A green lime glow coyote spoon in three and a half and four inch has been excellent. The Alberni Inlet has the best sport fishing from mid June to mid September. We should see this trend in 2016. The Somass River Sockeye begin to migrate into the river in May and usually begin to school in good numbers around the 10th of June. When the Sockeye build up in big numbers the sport fishing action for the number one commercial salmon really heats up and is a lot of fun for all fisher persons young and old.

Sockeye fishing often can continue into the first ten days of August. It is then that the first few Chinook salmon appear in the Inlet. Chinook fishing is followed by Coho with the peak of the Chinook season often occurring around the Labor Day Weekend when the Port Alberni three day Labor Day Weekend fishing derby occurs. The Port Alberni Inlet is a wonderful and very easy area to fish. Many people worry about rough water but the Inlet waters for the most part are very calm. The best fishing time for Sockeye is in the morning hours and the last two hours before dark. Sockeye salmon do seem to be active at any time of the day which makes this sport fishery a very popular opportunity for everyone.

Barkley Sound waters are very much like the Port Alberni Inlet. The Sound is protected on both the east and west coastlines. Fishing in the Sound could occur every month of the year without fear of experiencing the big waters often found offshore in the winter and even during the summer months. Winter Chinook fishing has been off and on. Recently the Bamfield Wall and Samatao Bay has had some very good Winter Chinook fishing. The mid-winter months do have some good weather patterns and fairly productive fishing days. The best fishing areas as mentioned to date have been the Bamfield Harbor mouth, the Bamfield Wall, Samatao Bay as well as Swale Rock, Vernon Bay, and the Canoe Pass outside entry points. Pill Point, Sarita Bay and the Poett Nook area are also other spots worthwhile to fish in February and March. The last few weeks has had some anglers fishing the Bamfield Wall. Anglers have had opportunity to land a few Winter Chinook in the eight to nine pound range. There have been many undersize salmon in the mix. The feeders have been hitting cop car coyote spoons in the three and a half and four inch size. Other coyote spoons that have worked are nasty boy the cop car glow and blue and green nickel. Green Spatter back hootchies have been working as well. Anchovy in Chartreuse Rhys Davis Teaser Heads are good but with lots of undersize feeders in the mix one can go through a lot of bait.

Some great Salmon fishing occurred n 2015 in Barkley Sound and just offshore Barkley Sound and Ucluelet. John fished with Doug of Slivers Charters and landed this Chinook Salmon along the surf line. We are looking forward to another fabulous season in 2016.

Winter Springs are in deep water. It is not uncommon to find them in most areas of Barkley Sound from 100 to 145 feet. The Winter Chinook will always be found where one finds good sized bait balls. Coyote Spoons in the three and a half to four inch have been working. Other great spoons to have on board are glow cop car, nasty boy, Green glow, and green and blue nickel. Hootchies are popular but use a shorter leader length than in the summer. Leader lengths from 34 to 38 inches behind a glow green or glow red hotspot flasher are a good choice. The Purple Haze hootchie as well as various whites and greens are also excellent choices. Anchovy is also something all sport fisher persons should have on board. There are days when the salmon will touch nothing else but anchovy. Anchovy in chartreuse or a green glow Rhys Davis Teaser Head is a good choice. Most of the current feeder Chinook landed has been in the 100 to 130 foot level.

The first salmon fishing derby on Vancouver Island’s West Coast will once again occur in Barkley Sound and is based out of Poett Nook. The Sproat Loggers Derby will take place the first Saturday and Sunday of March. The Derby is very popular and offers some great prizes and often some great weather and fishing. The derby surprisingly has some good sized feeders landed. It is not uncommon to have fish over twenty pounds entered.

Summer fishing in Barkley Sound especially on the surf line most years occurs from late May to early September and is expected in 2016 to be relatively good due to the migratory movement of salmon along the west coast. Good numbers of Chinook and Coho salmon will be moving to watersheds to the South. The migratory flow of Chinook should predominately be 4 year olds. The vast amounts of rich resources of bait fish in the Barkley Sound area during the summer months often bring the salmon into feed and rest before they continue their journey. Some world class fishing usually occurs at Meares, Cree, Edward King, Beale and as far in as Kirby Point and Swale Rock. We are really excited about the great sport salmon fishing opportunity we should have this summer in both the Sound and the Port Alberni Inlet.

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 1-877-214-7206www.catchsalmon.ca or www.catchsalmon-ca.com; dlindy@shaw.ca

Bamfield

Right near Bamfield January 28, 8 pound Chinooks, Spot Prawns, and Dungeness Crab make for a good feast.

Our winter fishing is starting to happen now. There have been lots of smaller fish around for weeks but it seems like the larger fish have just arrived. This is about a month later than normal. Lots of good Chinook action fishing from the Bamfield Wall and out towards Cape Beale. As always at this time of the year look for birds and feed and the Salmon will be there. Fish near the bottom for best results. Silver Horde’s Irish Cream or Cookies and Cream spoons. Smaller needle fish hootchies work well also.

Prawning has been good but be aware of closed areas.

Halibut fishing opens on February 1st.

For more info call Ken Bodaly at Rocky Point Charters, Bamfield, B.C. 250-728-3678 or the boat cell phone 250-735-4224 website: www.rockypointcharters.ca email: rockypointcharters@shaw.ca facebook: Rocky Point Charters

Becher Bay

Salmon fishing was GOOD for anglers in East Sooke. Anglers were reporting good success in the bay for springs up to 12+ lbs. The best areas have been inside the bay from Cheanuh Marina to Lamb Island.. It’s also been good by the Trap shack and on the east side near Whirl Bay. Most of the fish being brought back to the marina weigh between 5-7 lbs in size. Anchovies in glow teaser heads have been very effective in luring the winter springs. 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.

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

Salmon fishing was GOOD this past week. Out on the Flats, winter springs have been caught fishing with Green Splatterback Coho Killers on the bottom in 65’ of water using Purple flashers and 40” leaders. The fish were feeding on needlefish and Coho Killers in Gold Nugget have been productive too.

Pedder Bay

Salmon fishing was GOOD this past weekend. There were lots of springs in the 3-5 lb range with a few larger ones to 12 lbs. Most of the fish were caught close to the bottom in 120-150 feet of water inside the bay by the Navy Buoy. The trolling pattern has been to do figure eights between the Deep Hole and the Can Buoy. The anglers are fishing close to the bottom are often bouncing the downrigger balls on the bottom. There is also lots of bait right inside the bay, and salmon feeding on them there as well. 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. And you can’t go wrong fishing anchovies in a Bloody Nose teaser.

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. Steve Roberts caught a 17 lb spring off Moresby Island on January 20th.  It was caught on a Coyote spoon and had a belly full of extra large herring (maybe 8”-10″ each).  The majority of the winter springs caught recently have been short of the minimum size for retention but we did hear that keepers are now coming from the Sidney Channel between the red can and the Powder Wharf. 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 is now closed in Saanich Inlet. 

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 for winter springs this past week. There are lots of small 3-7 lb springs off Sooke right now but not too many larger fish. It’s been good around the 140 foot contour. 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 Lemon Lime.

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

Ucuelet

Victoria

Fishing for salmon was GOOD off Victoria. The weather was poor much of the week so not too many anglers were out. The fish have been found just about everywhere at some point, but they are following the bait schools so you might have to move around a bit to find them. The larger fish of last week seem to have moved on and most of the salmon are weighing between 3-5 lbs. 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 White Glow. Coho Killers, AP Needlefish, G Force and Coyote spoons in Green Splatterback, Moon Glow and glow white & green colours have also been good. The Purple Onion, Lemon Lime and Bon Chovy flashers have been popular recently.

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 reports that catch-and-release for sturgeon may be good and recommends fishing the channel edges on the outgoing tides.

Great Lakes

Lake Michigan

no report this week