Fishing Reports for June 29
Washington
Marine Area 1 (Ilwaco)
no report this week
Marine Area 2 (Westport)
Report submitted by Mark Coleman, All River and Saltwater Charters; 425-736-8920.
Marine Area 3 (LaPush and Forks)
no report this week
Marine Area 4 (Neah Bay)
According to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Lingcod fishing is expected to be “Excellent” in Marine Area 4 during June.
Salmon University staff
Marine Area 5 (Sekiu)
According to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Cabezon and Lingcod fishing is expected to be “Excellent” in Marine Area 5 during June.
Salmon University staff
Marine Area 6
According to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Cabezon and Lingcod fishing is expected to be “Excellent” in Marine Area 6 during June.
Salmon University staff
Marine Area 7
no report this week
Marine Area 8.1
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) reports “Fair” prospects for cutthroat in Marine Area 8.1 during June.
Salmon University Staff
Marine Area 8.2
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) reports “Fair” prospects for cutthroat in Marine Area 8.2 during June.
Salmon University Staff
Marine Area 9 (Admirality Inlet)
no report this week
Marine Area 10
no report this week
Marine Area 11
The Chinook salmon fishing has been fair the last few days with most of the action coming from the Clay Bank area and Girl Scout Camp area.
Trolling has been the best in the Girl Scout Camp area. The Clay Bank area out onto the Shelf area trolling, Mooching and Jigging have all been successful, beware the Dogfish are in. Yesterday the fish were caught early between 5 am and 9 am. 19 were counted. For a more updated report call 253-591-5325.
Crab fishing opens July 1 in Area 11 and is open in Area 13 currently.
Point Defiance Marina has rental boats and motors and launch and overnight moorage facilities with pump out stations and shore power. In addition we have storage space for bouts up to 17 feet as well as kayak storage. For more information call 253-591-5325
Basic Fishing Classes are offered throughout the summer months. 2 Hour classes are $15.00 and can be designed for youth and adults. Boat House Tackle Shop open 7 days a week. Boat lifts open at 5am tackle shop open 5:30am tackle shop close 8:30pm boat lifts 8:50 and facility 9:00pm. For more information call 253-591-5325 Call 253-591-5325 or visit us on Facebook “Point Defiance Marina”
Sails and Trails Camp for youth ….Have a youth ages 11-15 looking for a week long day camp that provides fishing, sailing, and kayak instruction as well as beach and trail hiking with marine and forest education. Check out the Sails and Trails Camps offered at Point Defiance Marina and Tacoma Youth Marine Center. Camps are M-F 8 am to 6 pm and are available for July 11-15, 18-22, or 25-29, 2016. For more information genea@tacomaparks.com or (253)591-5325. This is a great way to introduce teens to these on the water opportunities. Cost $250 per week session.
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
Salmon fishing is closed indefinitely in Marine Area 13. According to the WDFW, Marine Areas 11, 12 and 13 will remain closed to halibut fishing “to protect threatened and endangered rockfish species. ”
Salmon University staff
Freshwater – Columbia River
John with a nice bright Steelhead!
Last weekend, I fished for steelhead with my friends John, Cathy and Ed from the Auburn Save Our Fish (SOF) Chapter of Puget Sound Anglers. We were joined by about two dozen other Chapter members as it the SOF Annual June Outing on the Columbia River.
Over the years, the outing has been held at numerous places on the Columbia. However, this year most of the participants fished in the Cathlamet, WA area. This low in the Columbia River the Steelhead are fresh from the Ocean and often still have sea lice on them. These Steelhead provide excellent table fair as well as a great fight!
The most common and productive ways to fish for these fine fish is to either “plunk” for them or “bobber fish” for them. The “plunking” method can be either done from shore or boat. In the latter case it generally referred to as “anchoring up”.
Ed with another fine Steelhead!
Regardless whether you fish from shore or a boat, you want to be at your chosen spot as soon after “O-Dark Thirty” as possible. This because the prime fishing spots get taken very quickly and this fishery is all about location. If you pick the right place, the Steelhead will travel very close to shore in only about 5 to 15 of water.
The “plunking” method involves casting your offering out, and waiting for the Steelhead to bite! It mostly done on an outgoing tide. Typical offerings consist of “naked” Spin-N-Glow, a “naked” coon stripe shrimp or a combination of the two.
I was using an 9 ½ medium action spinning rod with 30 pound high vis Fins Braid. I attached a 3-way swivel and 10-inch 12–pound leader with a size 2 hook. On lower hole of the swivel, I attached a 12-inch dropper. To that, I attached another 3-way swivel and then added another 10-inch 12–pound leader with a size 2hook. Finally on the lower hole of the lower swivel, I attached a 14-inch weight dropper with a one once cannon ball. (Note: You are allowed up to 3 hooks but they all have to be barbless. You will also need a Columbia River Endorsement on your fishing license. )
A Crawfish attacks our coon stripe shrimp!
When “plunking”, all you do is to cast out and wait for the fish to Bite! You need to let the fish take the bait before going for the rod or you will often pull the hook out of the fish’s mouth. However, once they take, the fight is really on as they are “Ocean Fresh Fish”! Cathy had one that went all the way around the boat!
However, not every bite is a Steelhead. There are pike minnows, sturgeon and crawfish to name just a few of the other things that will eat your bait
The fishing on this trip was very good and number of the members and their guests caught Steelhead! However, on Saturday evening it was all about comradery! We had a Pot Luck dinner with almost 30 people in attendance. At great time was had by all! If you are interested in learning more about fishing, check out the Auburn Save Our Fish (SOF) Chapter of Puget Sound Anglers website.
A pair of very Fine Columbia River Steelhead!
Hope to see on the water or at a meeting! Good Luck Fishing!
Mark Gavin is a Salmon University staff member and an active member of several Puget Sound Angler Chapters.
Freshwater – Lake Union
I’m happy to say that I got out on Lake Union for a couple of hours yesterday and the bite was on. I was picking up fish on small drop shotted worms and diving crank baits. I had to sift through several small ones before landing a few nice fish. I concentrated my efforts around docks at first but many of the larger fish were hanging out past the weed line in 20 to 25 feet of water. While smallmouth were the majority of my catch, I did land a couple smaller largemouth and even a handful of rockbass near the shoreline. Have fun out there. Just don’t forget the sunscreen!
Report submitted by Brad Hole of Kayak Fishing Washington (206 313-5567).
Freshwater – Potholes Reservoir
Temperatures are rising as the Potholes is lowering. Today, Tuesday, the temperatures are predicted to be 100-degrees at 5:00 pm. The level of the lake is dropping rapidly and more dunes are starting to show. If you venture back into the dunes, where you may have run two weeks ago, you just might find yourself high and dry. Deeper pockets will hold both bass and walleye. I watch the rocks showing off the mid dam and look at the outflow in the canal going out as a gauge.British Columbia
Vancouver
no report this week
Vancouver Island (Saltwater)
no report this week
Alberni Inlet and Barkley Sound
no report this week
Bamfield
Henry, Colin, and Jimmy with a mixed bag of Halibut, rockfish, Lingcod and Salmon taken near Bamfield.
Overall the Salmon fishing has been pretty good. On the banks now, mostly 20 mile’s out, Chinook fishing is consistent with limits most days. Coho on the other hand are scarce but some days we get a couple. We can only keep the hatchery clipped Coho but most are of this variety.
For tackle your favorite hootchie of spoon behind a flasher will do the trick. Just put some time in and when the tide is right they will bite.
Closer to home, inside the sound and near the surf line Chinook fishing has been spotty but the nice size of 15 – 25 pound fish makes up for lack of numbers. These fish are feeding on Squid or needle fish and you should try a variety of hootchies small spoons or fish Anchovy in a teaser head. Very few Coho on the inside right now. Sockeye fishing in Alberni Cannel is doing great. Most boats are finding limits early in the mornings.
Halibut fishing on the banks has been nothing short of spectacular lately. These are smaller fish from 10 – 25 pounds mostly and are ready biter’s. When Salmon fishing you can drop your favorite hootchie and troll the bottom with good results or stop and jig with spreader bar/grub tail combo, or bait fish with herring, salmon, or Octopus. Jigging your favorite Mudraker or Ahi jig will work as well. Anything goes for these guys.
Jimmy with a big Halibut that hit on a jig tipped with Salmon belly.
Fishing around Barkley sound and the rock piles will result in bigger Halibut but the action will not be as fast as the offshore banks. Bigger Halibut like big baits. I fish large herring, Salmon heads, etc, off spreader bars but don’t forget to throw down a jig. Sometimes the jigging action will trigger the most bites. This fishing will test your patience. You have to put the time in for a few bite’s.
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 all over Becher Bay this past week, although there have been more seals than usual. The hotter spots were Aldridge Point, East Race Rocks and the Mud Hole. Anglers using bait are finding anchovies in Bloody Nose and Purple Haze teaser heads are working well trolling behind the Purple Onion, Lemon Lime or Bon Chovi flashers. Summertime depths between 40’ and 70’ are working well to bring in the salmon between 10-16lbs. We have also seen a few fish in the 30’s being released in Becher Bay. The night bite is starting to pick up for those anglers wanting to get out there later in the day.
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 with the Flats being the most popular spot this week. Good options for gear in Oak Bay are Needlefish Squirts in Purple Haze, Army Truck or Glow; or Coho Killers in Irish Cream, Cop Car or Outfitters. Use a 5’ leader for Coho Killers or a 3’ leader for Needlefish. For flashers, Chart Blade Lemon Lime, Madi and Bon Chovi have been working well. Fishing close to the bottom in depths of 70’- 110’ has been working well. Oak Bay has been slower this week but the few fish being brought in were larger in size, ranging in the higher teens. Jigging has also been working well with 2 1/2oz Mac Fish doing the trick.
Halibut fishing was GOOD this past weekend with the best areas remaining to be East Constance Bank, Border Bank and the Mud Hole. Anglers that were fishing were using extra-large herring, salmon bellies and/or octopus for bait. Also working well to stay away from dog fish was the 9” Jumbo Squid in Green Glow. The halibut being brought in were ranging from 20- 60lbs.
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 SPOTTY this past week. Most anglers are fishing in 40’- 80’ of water, close to the bottom. Anglers have been fishing with anchovies in Glow teaser heads trolling behind flashers in Glow Green, Lemon-Lime and Madi. The fish being brought in are ranging from mid to high teens in size, with a few oversized fish being released.
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 this past week. The best spots around Sidney were Coal Island and Fairfax Point. The few fish that were being brought in were ranging up to 15lbs in size. Trollers fishing with tiny strip or anchovies were using Bloody Nose and Glow Green teaser heads. Anglers using spoons found Coho Killers, Gibbs Needle G and AP Tackle needlefish spoons were successful. Anglers jigging have also been catching springs and are using Needlefish Darts and Deep Stingers. The Powder Wharf and Shag Rocks area remain to be good for jigging salmon.
Submitted by Tom Vaida, Island Outfitters, 3319 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC (250) 475-4969 info@fishingvictoria.com; www.fishingvictoria.com
Sooke
The salmon fishing in Sooke was SPOTTY for springs this past week. The last few days in Sooke have picked up for Salmon fishing. Sooke anglers have been using Anchovies with teaser heads in Lemon Lime or Bloody Nose with the hot flashers being STS Moon Jelly and the Bon Chovi. The salmon being brought in have ranged from 12lbs- 20lbs in size. There were also a few salmon up to 30lbs being released. The hot spots this past week were Beechey Head, the Trap Shack and Church Rock. The best downrigger depths are 50’- 80’ in 100’- 150’ of water.
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
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
Victoria
Fishing for salmon was SPOTTY off Victoria. The best fishing was out at Constance Bank again this week. Anglers have been successful using G-Force and Skinny G spoons in Irish Cream and Outfitters; or anchovies with teaser heads in Bloody Nose, Chrome Joanne, or Purple Haze. Squirts were successful in getting hook ups as well with Pink Haze and White Glow remaining to be good colour choices. For flashers, the Madi, Bon Chovi or Chart Blade Lemon Lime have been working well again this week. At Constance, anglers have been catching Springs fishing the bottom in depths of 60’- 120’ of water. The springs coming in were in the high teens and low twenties.
Halibut fishing was GOOD this past weekend with the best areas remaining to be East Constance Bank, Border Bank and the Mud Hole. Anglers that were fishing were using extra large herring, salmon bellies and/or octopus for bait. Also working well to stay away from dog fish was the 9” Jumbo Squid in Green Glow.
Submitted by Tom Vaida, Island Outfitters, 3319 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC (250) 475-4969 info@fishingvictoria.com; www.fishingvictoria.com
Cowichan River
The water level is very, very low for this time of year. Fly fishing at the top end of the river for trout has been good and insect hatches are happening daily. The rainbows, cutthroats and resident brown trout are actively feeding on these hatches and migrating salmon fry. Good patterns are Pheasant Tail, Prince, Gold Ribbed Hare’s Ears and Stone fly nymphs. A fry imitation or a Wooly Bugger will also work, especially for the brown trout. When the fish are feeding on the surface, the Goddard Caddis has been a good fly to fish.
Submitted by Tom Vaida, Island Outfitters, 3319 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC (250) 475-4969 info@fishingvictoria.com; www.fishingvictoria.com
Lakes
Bass fishing is GOOD. Langford Lake has been very busy with bass anglers this past week. White Buzz baits, as well as Texas rigged Yum Dingers in Watermelon Flake or Berkley Oil Slicked Worms, have been working well. 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 spring Chinook are available in decent numbers, and angling is improving. Trolling herring or large bladed spinners are the most productive techniques. Keep your gear near the bottom while trolling slowly.
Great Lakes
Lake Michigan
How: Mixed bag all week. Very consistent, lots of fun. Chinooks and Coho have dominated the catch and lots of Rainbows too. Chinooks went for Magnum Reaper Fish n Chip spoons in chartreuse /silver. We had several over twenty pounds this week. White or green Howie’s flies also working well run behind a white flasher. The big Chinooks are active 90 down on downriggers. Reapers and Vulcans made by have been working for us. They have a Buy Four get one free special this season. The small silver Vulcan in green or blue has also been good on the downriggers. Run them 75 feet behind the ball 55 feet down to the bottom. Coho have been on standard size Howie flies. Running all wire divers now with a 1.5 set at 125 feet of line out.
Lake Trout action picking up they were hitting the Chinook tackle. Brown Trout action was just ok on 2 color lead core with small spoons. One here and there on the Vulcan Silver Sky. Rainbow Trout were hitting Vulcan Dolphin Green and Silver spoons in the top 15 feet. Three and four color leadcore best.
Speed: For all fish speed has been very critical with the warmer 65 degree water. The temp break to 53 is down 50 feet. I use the Depth Raider to measure speed and temp at the ball. The boat speed of 2.0 to 2.2 has been best. The faster speed triggered the Chinook action.
Where: I fished mostly out over 80 feet again. East wind has pushed the warmer water in. Fish 80 to 200 feet. Near shore action on McKinley pier has been very slow with only a few Browns being caught. We did not get out over 120 feet of water yesterday. Head 55 degrees north in Whitefish Bay and set lines in 80 feet. Troll north east have a great fishing season.
Let’s go fishing!
Report submitted by Jim at Blue Max Charters out of Milwaukee. He can be reached at 414-828-1094.
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