Fishing Reports for December 7
Washington
Marine Area 1 (Ilwaco)
no report this week
Marine Area 2 (Westport)
no report this week
no report this week
Marine Area 4 (Neah Bay)
no report this week
Marine Area 5
no report this week
Marine Area 6
no report this week
Marine Area 7
The December 1st. Marine Area 7 opener saw pretty darn good Winter Chinook fishing. We had good luck on Silver Horde spoons. The fish are skewing to the small side this year, so going to the KIngfisher 4″ lite spoon may up your chances of finding larger Blackmouth. There are a bunch of hatchery keeper sized 4 to 8 lb fish around. We didn’t encounter more than one or two unclipped Chinook in three days of fishing. The WDFW needs to have the ability to keep this season open, and let us fish on these hatchery fish that need to be caught. Clipped or unclipped, these fish in the Islands right now are all of hatchery origin. There are a huge amount of them swimming around, so something is working to provide more fish, right? Please figure out how to do the right thing, and keep WA State license holders fishing on fish that their license fees and tax dollars paid for. Early closures on a fishery like this help nothing, and hurt recreational fishermen, families, businesses, and the State itself through decreased license revenue. More fish is a good thing, and we have it. The weather, and a longer season will even out pressure on the resource. Time for WDFW to take back control of season setting, and manage by common sense, good judgment, and with the best interests of their customers, the fee and tax payers, at the forefront. Do what’s right for the fish and fishermen this year, even if it means risking some hot water, and you’ll begin to win back some credibility as a functioning agency. Then we can talk about the fairness of fee increases.
-
- The Friday Harbor Salmon Classic saw stormy weather, but fair fishing for the two day tournament. Team Tailwalker and angler Ray Bone took the top prize of $15,000 with a 14.64 lb Blackmouth. This great event donated $10,000 to Salmon for Soldiers. Thanks to all the organizers and participants for a fun time!
-
- The leader board of the Friday Harbor Salmon Classic. Pete Nelsen of Shaw Island lands in the top three again. His derby record is nothing short of amazing.
-
- Chris Tawes took the $10,000 1st prize in the Resurrection Derby out of Anacortes. Proceeds for this derby go to salmon enhancement projects.
-
- Chris Tawes and his 14.22 lb Resurrection Derby winning Winter Chinook.
-
- Our team caught lots of fish over the two day Friday Harbor Salmon Classic, but nothing big enough to land on the leader board this time.
-
- The cannon start at the 2016 Friday Harbor Salmon Classic. Hope to see everyone at the Roche Derby. Until then, stay safe, have fun, and we’ll see you on the water!
Submitted by Kevin Klein, Team Parker Boats NW.
Ok, this is NOT an Area 9 report as that Area is now closed. This is a FRIDAY HARBOR DERBY sideline report.
We had a blast fishing with Penny and Randy Shelton this weekend at the Friday Harbor Derby. The weather was a bit rough but the catching was off the chart. It was a Silver Horde 3.5 inch spoon show for us on long 5 foot, 25 lb leaders.
We did not nab that winning fish but our hearts were filled with joy when the Derby presented Salmon for Soldiers a check for $10,000.
That with other donations and an auction of a beautiful hand knitted Amercian flag blanket landed Salmon for Soldiers close to $15,000 in donations.
That will get so many deserving veterans on the water this year for sure . Thank you Rusty for your talent, time and tears in knitting that piece of art! And, thank you to all the recreational anglers who fished this derby to make it such a success. Hatchery restoration will also benefit a lot from the derby proceeds.
Back down South, Area 8-2 has been putting out some blackmouth on the Race Track and Columbia Beach. Look for a break in the weather and give it a shot.
See you on the water.
Marine Area 8.1
no report this week
Marine Area 8.2
no report this week
Marine Area 9 (Admirality Inlet)
no report this week
Marine Area 10
Results of the fifth day of the 71st Tengu Blackmouth Derby on Dec 4
20 members fished, 1 blackmouth caught by Nelson Park – 5 lbs
The Bay gave up just one blackmouth on Sunday for 20 members. Mild weather greeted anglers as the winning fish came off the Elliott Bay Marina. Limited amounts of bait reported from West Point, the Marina, Fourmile Rock and Duwamish Head. There are still lots of shakers around with some close to legal length. The squid are thick on the bottom shallower than 100 feet in most areas inside the Bay.
Salmon University staff
Freshwater – Grays Harbor Rivers
Coho fishing is pretty decent if you can work around a lot of high water, like we’ve had most of the fall. Think big…throw #5, and #6 Vibrax spinners in the soft water on the edge of the river…the Coho are there.
On a different note, we “know” there are hatchery Steelhead in the rivers too now but none have been caught yet by our team with such high river levels. As soon as the rain slows down and we cool off the rivers will fall into shape and you bet there’ll be some good steelhead fishing to be had!
We’re guiding 7 days a week as conditions allow so give us a shout if you want to get out!
Photos are from ARSC team guides Ian Winder and Matt Chandler.
Freshwater – Potholes Reservoir
This week we are finally seeing a change in the weather. This morning we woke up to see a layer of snow covering the ground. It will not be going away as a very cold blast is coming this way with temperatures expected to be in the low teens and more snow on the way. Most all of the small waters are slowly seeing a coating of ice. Duck hunting has really slowed down with no one sure as to why this has happened. Also, there has been noone fishing. A check at the boat ramps often showed no boat trailers. The docks at the State Park have been pulled out for the winter so the primary launching is at the Blyth launch or at Mardon resort. This past Sunday we watched the Seahawk game at the café at Mardons while enjoying their Seahawk special of fish and chips. We will be there again.
Tom Pollack – retired
British Columbia
Vancouver
no report this week
Vancouver Island (Saltwater)
no report this week
Becher Bay
Salmon fishing was FAIR this past week. Mostly small winter springs up to 9 lbs were caught in this area. It’s been good from the Bedfords to Church Rock and more springs are now being caught inside the bay. Most of the anglers are now switching over to artificial lures and trolling close to the bottom. Spoons, especially G-Force and Skinny G spoons, in Bon Chovy or Outfitters’ colours have been very effective. Anglers using bait are finding anchovies in glow teaser heads have been working best. For flashers, the Betsey, Lemon Lime and Green/Silver Hot Spot have been good. Halibut fishing has 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 FAIR this past week. There were some springs up to 5 lbs caught on the flats but not too many. Most of the springs are too small for retention. The coho haven’t been running strong in this area as well. Good trolling lures have been Coho Killers, Bon Chovi or Outfitters Skinny G spoons or AP Tackleworks needlefish spoons. Anglers jigging have been using Needlefish Darts, Point Wilson Darts or Deep Stingers.
Halibut fishing was GOOD this past week. Most anglers that were fishing for halibut were using extra large herring, salmon bellies and/or octopus for bait. Also working well was the 9” Jumbo Squid in Green Glow. Also working well, and discouraging to dogfish, 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
Salmon fishing was FAIR to GOOD this past week. Pedder Bay has held lots of springs up to 8 lbs and Whirl Bay has produced springs up to 9 lbs. Small spoons with green color have been the best lure to use. Most of the springs are just under or just over the minimum size for retention. Most of the anglers are now switching over to artificial lures and trolling close to the bottom. Spoons, especially G-Force and Skinny G spoons in Bon Chovy or Outfitters’ colours, have been very effective. Hootchies and squirts with a green and glow color combination have been good plastic baits to use, especially with a 28” to 32” leader. Anchovies were still working this past week. Good choices for teaser head colors are UV Green, Chartreuse, Bloody Nose and Purple Haze. Flashers that are popular include the Betsey, Lemon-Lime and Madi.
Halibut fishing was GOOD this past week. The best areas were Race Rocks, William Head, 27 Fathom reef 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 9” Jumbo Squids 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 this past week. We heard of a couple of keeper coming from near the BC Ferries area and by Fairfax Point. Elsewhere in the Sidney area it was pretty slow except for undersize salmon. Anglers using spoons found Coho Killers, Gibbs Needle G and AP Tackleworks needlefish spoons the most successful spoons this past year.
Submitted by Tom Vaida, Island Outfitters, 3319 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC (250) 475-4969 info@fishingvictoria.com; www.fishingvictoria.com
Sooke
no report this week
Victoria
Fishing for salmon was GOOD this past week. The best fishing has been out at Constance Bank where springs up to 12 lbs were caught. There seem to be a lot more salmon in the 4 to 10 lb size around now. We’ve only heard of small springs coming from close in the waterfront. Spoons have been very successful in getting hook ups but you have to check you line every 10 minutes for shakers. Green Spatter Back UV Coho Killers, 3.5” Cop Car spoons or AP Tackleworks needlefish spoons have brought good results at Constance Bank.
Halibut fishing was GOOD this past week with the best areas being Constance Bank, Border Bank and the Mud Hole. There were lots of dogfish around and some anglers did well with Powerbait grubs. Also working well, and discouraging to dogfish, was the 9” Jumbo Squid in Green Glow. Anglers that were fishing were mostly using extra large herring, salmon bellies and/or octopus for bait.
Submitted by Tom Vaida, Island Outfitters, 3319 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC (250) 475-4969 info@fishingvictoria.com; www.fishingvictoria.com
Lakes
Fishing is GOOD in most lakes for both trout and SLOW for bass. Fishing for salmon in the rivers is slowing as the spawning season comes to and end.
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 Chinook fishing is fair to slow on Tillamook Bay. Chinook fishing will probably slow down as the end of the run nears but some Tillamook-area rivers are known to have late Chinook so there are still some possibilities out in the bay. Keep an eye on the weather.
There are some large wild coho being caught; remember that coho fisheries are hatchery fish only (adipose fin clipped), and all unclipped coho must be released. Know how to identify coho by the white gum line at the base of the teeth, and the ribbed tail fin rays (Page 95 of the Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations). Don’t assume it’s a Chinook just because it’s large.
Due to a wetland restoration project between the tidewaters of the Trask and Wilson Rivers, public access to the Wilson River tidewater from the end of Goodspeed road, and to the Hospital Hole on Trask tidewater, are currently unavailable.
Great Lakes
Lake Michigan
no report this week
You may also be interested in ...
