Fishing Reports for February 10
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Washington
Marine Area 1 (Ilwaco)
no report this week
Marine Area 2 (Westport)
Fishing is just around the corner!!!!!!!!!!!
Things are starting to stir around the docks with a little over a month to go until the opener of Ling Cod fishing in Westport. Still no Clamming and it does not look as if the Twin Harbors will get a dig any time soon. Crab fishing is good with Pots and Rings both inside the basin and out.
March 12th is the opener for Lings and we are getting ready to go. Get you jigs and bait hooks ready. Start planning your trips. Look along the North Beach off Ocean Shores. Rock cropping and hard bottoms are definitely the place to start looking. Plenty of seats available on the charter boats.
Plan to join us at the Salmon University seminars April 2nd and 3rd. This two-day event fills up quickly so make your reservations soon. Spend two days learning how and where to fish in Washington saltwater. Crabbing, Shrimping, Halibut, and Tuna – learn it all. Talk with myself and other SU experts to learn the ropes.
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.
no report this week
Marine Area 4 (Neah Bay)
no report this week
Marine Area 5 (Sekiu)
no report this week
Marine Area 6
Area 6 has been quite good for anglers who have been fishing the few days of good weather. So good, in fact, that WDFW has decided to close Area 6 on February 22nd. If the weather is good – get out there and get’em. Fish the bottom 10 feet of water, fish the same direction the current is flowing and have a good time.
Submitted by Tom Nelson, Salmon University
Marine Area 7
Blackmouth fishing continues to be fair in the ‘Juan’s. Silver Horde 3” Kingfisher Spoons have been hot for us. Make sure and keep those hooks extra sharp, as spoons have a tendency to torque out of a fish’s mouth more than a bait rig or hootchie. I lost a very big fish last weekend on a small spoon. The Chinook hit pretty soft, although it did trigger the release clip. And, I bury the line deep in the clip. I want that fish’s head to snap around, and the hook to bury when it comes up against that release. It usually works, but regardless of what you do, you will lose some fish. This one felt heavy, but hadn’t taken any line. It came up to the surface way out…a sign of a potential pig. It was too far out for me to see how big it was, but it made a massive boil on the surface. I slowly reeled it toward the boat, keeping steady pressure and just easing it in. I leave the kicker in gear until the end of the fight, to help keep as much slack out of the line as possible. Well, it didn’t like the looks of the boat. The fish started screaming out line…straight down. Yeah, this is a good fish, I thought, as a little smile crept across my mug. If you spend much time fishing by yourself, you’ll have these little private conversations in your head…”c’mon fish, c’mon line, c’mon hook, just everybody stay together now”. The big King sulked deep, and I could feel it’s bulk pulsing in the dark water. In an instant, the hook pulled lose, and all the tension went out of the line. Awwwman…from the high of an adrenaline rush, to the crash of said adrenaline leaving the body in a hurry. The one that got away. Who knows how big it was? This may have been one of the true giants we see come through the Island’s this time of year. Chinook of 30, 40, 50lbs, that make a rare appearance in San Juan Channel in the winter. I’ve encountered a few. No one is sure where they are headed. Early Skagit?, Fraser Spring?, or maybe some lost dreadnought from the Columbia. A remanent of the June Hawgs, perhaps? That’s really what they look like. The mighty travelers that made the swing up through the Gulf of Alaska, then back down the coast to their home river, then hundreds of miles up into British Columbia to spawn. Perfect specimens, with bullet heads and long bodies, grown to outsized proportions. One hundred pounds plus. Now blocked by the dams, but maybe some vestiges remain. We can hope…and release carefully if by chance we get to encounter royalty. The Kings of Kings.
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- Seal’s have been more prevalent, and more aggressive this year than ever before. The Harbor Seal population has exponentially outgrown any justification for protection. Go transient Orcas!
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- I weighed in the first fish of the 2016 Frank Wilson Memorial Blackmouth Derby, a chunky 15.32lber. Although I knew that wouldn’t hold through the 10 week tournament for the $1000 top prize, I thought maybe it would be good for the $50 weekly prize provided by King’s Marine in Friday Harbor. Alas, not so fast, boy-o.
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- Here’s the leaderboard for week one of the Wilson Derby. Thanks to King’s Marine and King’s Market meat department for all the hard work and sponsorship. It’s obviously nice to see an all Klein scoreboard, but that also looks like a nifty target for everyone to aim at. With some bigger fish moving through, I’m not feeling too comfy just yet.
Marine Area 8.1
no report this week
Marine Area 8.2
Even with better weather, sports fishing for blackmouth hasn’t picked up appreciably for Area 8-2. Recent catch figures show that only about 1 of 10 anglers are catching a winter blackmouth.
Report by Salmon University staff
Marine Area 9 (Admirality Inlet)
The past few days of good weather have seen more anglers out on the water. The Kingston area has been very slow as has Point No Point. Pt No Pt’s problem may be the huge flotilla of seals and sea lions in the area. Possession Point has been fairly slow for the same reason. On the bright side of things, the Port Townsend area is turning out one blackmouth for every two anglers. Remember, at the mid-channel bank area (Pt Townsend) fish the drop-offs in 90 to 175 feet. Coho Killers are always good but don’t be afraid to experiment with hoochies.
The Olympic Peninsula Derby ticket sales end on February 14th.
Report by Salmon University staff.
Marine Area 10
no report this week
Marine Area 11
Point Defiance Marina Fishing Report- Since the salmon fishing has reopened in marine area 11 the fishing has been very slow with little participation, this time of year trolling flasher and spoons, artificial squid or herring at depths between 120’ to 160’ of water can be successful you have to be patient and cover lots of water some popular areas to fish are the entrance to inside of Quarter Master Harbor, the Slag area, the Les Davis Pier area and Clay Bank area find the bait and work that area over. For latest information call (253)591-5325
Crabbing is now closed in Area 11.
Basic Fishing Classes (Adults 15+) Cost $10 March 5, 2016 10 am to 12 noon at Point Defiance Marina. Pre-register at MetroParksTacoma.org/GO or call 253-591-5325 Learn beginning fundamentals for fresh and salt water angling including regulations, equipment, tackle, rigging, knots, casting, fish identification, landing and care for fish.
Basic Fishing Classes (Youth 8+) Parent or guardian welcome to register and learn with their youth . Cost $10 April 2, 2016 10 am to 12 noon at Point Defiance Marina. Pre-register at MetroParksTacoma.org/GO or call 253-591-5325 Learn beginning fundamentals for fresh and salt water angling including regulations, equipment, tackle, rigging, knots, casting, fish identification, landing and care for fish.
Open daily from 7 am to 5:30 pm . February 1, 2016 Area 11 Chinook fishing to reopen after being closed in January
Great Seahawks Tek Fit t shirts and hoodies in safety reflective and yellow for the Seahawks fan Call 253-591-5325 or visit us on Facebook “Point Defiance Marina”
Pier Peer in Tacoma –See and touch creatures brought up from local divers. Participate in plankton and sea life netting to view the variety we have in Puget Sound as you learn about these amazing creatures from Tacoma Nature Center and Point Defiance Marina educators. Saturday, March 5, 2016 from 7:30-9 pm Cost $8 For ages 8+. Every youth needs an adult chaperone. Complementary Hot Chocolate and Coffee.
Sign up online at MetroParksTacoma.org/pier-peer or 253-591-5325.
Start collecting those Swap Meet items for the Point Defiance Marina Swap Meet on Saturday, May 21, 2016 from 10 am to 3 pm. Covered Space will be limited…A great way to clear up your lockers or garages with tackle and gear others may really need. No firearms, bullets, tobacco, or alcohol products. Contact Information: Gene Anderson genea@tacomaparks.com
• Register Now for a 10 X 10 Space
• Space is limited. Deadline to register May 19, 2016 . Registration form required and can be obtained at PDM Boathouse
• Cost: $15.00 PDM Locker Tenants receive $5 off
• No admission fee for shoppers
• Tables can be rented to sellers at $5 per table. Must reserve in advance at PDM Boathouse.
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 “Good” prospects for Coho during February in Marine Area 12.
Marine Area 13
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) predicts “Good” prospects for Coho during February in Marine Area 13.
Freshwater – Potholes Reservoir
It looks like spring outside with bright sun and temperatures in the high 40s today and all week. More boats are on the water here fishing and catching Walleye in water up to 40 feet deep. They seem to be to be staging on the same humps that we did last fall when the water was 25 feet lower. My neighbor we out the other day and landed five Walleye using blade baits and staying right on the top of the hump. Fishing will be improving as water starts to warm up. The later part of the week I intend to sample some of the year-round walk-in lakes.
Just before the Super Bowl we had nine deer in the open area in the complex we live in. Very happy to see them as we have had way too many hit by cars with the cars winning. There was one of the monster bucks killed and what a tragedy.
British Columbia
Vancouver
no report this week
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. The largest salmon of the week was a 20 lb spring caught near Church Rock on Feb1st. Most of the fish from that area have been a lot smaller than that one. Anglers were reporting the good success in the bay for springs up to 7 lbs. The best area in the bay has been from Cheanuh Marina’s breakwater to Lamb Island. It’s also been good by the Trap Shack and on the east side near Whirl Bay. 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 Purple Onion have been good. Several llimits of halibut were seen at 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
Pedder Bay
Salmon fishing was GOOD this past weekend. There were lots of springs in the 3-5 lb range but most of the larger fish have disappeared. The trolling pattern has been doing figure eights between the Deep Hole and the Can Buoy. The anglers are fishing close to the bottom and often bouncing the downrigger balls on the bottom, in 120-150 feet of water. There is still a lot of bait right inside the bay. 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.
Halibut fishing was GOOD over the weekend. There were quite a few limits brought back to the marina. Good areas were Race Rocks, William Head and Constance Bank. 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 Mudraker, Lucky 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 FAIR near Sidney. Sidney anglers held their annual Otto Wiggins Derby this past weekend. Chris Santos won the derby with a 10 lb 13 oz spring caught near Mandarte Island. Second place went to his fishing partner Steve Cote for a 9 lb 4 oz spring caught near Goal Island. Third went to Colin Menzies with a 7 lb 10 oz spring from Moses Point. Don Carter was next with a 7 lb 9 oz spring, also from Moses Point. Jaydon Carter won the junior angler prized with a 6 lb 8 oz spring from near Moses Point. The majority of the winter springs caught recently have been short of the minimum size for retention. 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.
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
no report this week
Victoria
Alexander Janssen with his 58.5 lb halibut.
Fishing for salmon was GOOD off Victoria. The fish have been scattered d as 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. That said, a 15 lb spring was caught this past Monday. Constance Bank has been good but seals are still a problem. 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 Cop Car colours have also been good. The Purple Onion, Lemon Lime and Madi.
Halibut fishing was GOOD over the weekend. There were quite a few halibut taken at Constance Bank on the weekend. Wayne Boyd brought in a 132 cm, 68.4 lb halibut to take the first place on our Halibut Leader Board. Alexander Janssen brought in a nice 131 cm, 58.5 lb halibut for second place. 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 Mudraker, Lucky 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
Lakes
Trout fishing was FAIR on most lakes in the South Island area this past week. Cowichan Lake has produced some large cutthroat trout for those trolling 3” plugs, but that is strictly a catch and release fishery for large trout.
Bank anglers are catching trout on Powerbait, Gulp Eggs, or worms while fishing from shore and close to 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 are catching trout 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 VERY SLOW. Fishing drop shot style is your best bet now. Soft plastics rigged “Carolina Style “are also a good choice when fishing the bottom, drop offs and reefs, and have been most productive in 4” Smoke or Pumpkinseed Yum baits. 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
no report this week
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
