Fishing Reports for August 23

By on August 23, 2017

Washington

Marine Area 1 (Ilwaco)

no report this week

Marine Area 2 (Westport)

no report this week

Marine Area 3 (LaPush and Forks)

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

We fishing Saturday at first light MA7. Got two keepers at 140′ of water bouncing bottom. Silver horde spoons did the trick.

Fishing has picked up for Chinook in the Islands. Early morning, fishing Silver Horde spoons suspended has been the hot ticket for Kings. Pinks are around, but not in huge numbers.

Submitted by Kevin Klein, Team Parker Boats NW. The cover image of this week’s 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)

Area 9 being closed to Boat fishing, anglers have crowded the few beach accesses. Coho are being caught on a variety of set-ups. Small spoons, Buzz Bombs and Herring under floats seem to be used by most anglers. As usual a few anglers who don’t read the regulations are out fishing from their boats in plain sight at Point No Point.

Submitted by SU Staff

Marine Area 10

We are happy to report we have over 120 registered boats , captains, and crew for this years event out of the Port of Everett this Saturday. We will be taking veterans out to Area 10 in the hunt for Silvers and Pink Salmon and follow it up with a huge BBQ at the Port of Everett.

Thank you to all of the volunteers that make this huge event happen. Our flags will be flying, our songs will be sung, and we all will be standing to salute all who have given us the freedom that we enjoy every day. Our Mission is Fishing and our quest to bring that sense of normalcy to all who have protected us is a goal we will forever strive for. Bring on the Ace Hi Flies, Hootchies, short heavy leaders and we are ready to rumble…..

See you on the water !

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

Quite a few Coho are starting to show up and fishing has been fair for them. Depending on how long the season stays open it should get better day to day. Fish the top 85 ft of water with Silver Horde Ace Hi Flies and light green squid tipped with a Herring Teaser. A few Humpies are starting to show up in the catch in this area. Best lures for them are Hot Pink. Fish the Humpies in the top 50 ft of water.

SU Staff

Marine Area 11

The Chinook salmon fishing has been fair to good since Friday last week however it has slowed a little bit this morning but being this time of year it should pick right back up anytime the bulk of the chinook are being caught along the Gig Harbor shoreline in about 40’ to 80’ of water early in the morning or late in the evening, fishermen are also catching fish at the Clay banks, Dalco area and from the Slag area to Owen Beach some of these fish are suspended as well but if you see fish on your depth finder near bottom then get your gear there. In the past week several anglers off the pier have caught salmon with buzz bombs. They include chinook salmon and coho. The chinook have ranged from 10-14 pounds and the coho 3-5 pounds.

The Coho fishing is still decent small fish from 3lbs to 5lbs are being caught along the kelp beds or out in deeper water from 30’ to 60’ deep and in the usual spots you find Chinook.

Pink salmon are being caught along the shore line outside of Quartermaster Harbor, Dash Pt., Browns PT., Puyallup River Mouth and Gig Harbor shoreline and also trolling deeper water from 30’ to 60’ of water.

Dungeness crabbing remains slow overall with a few being caught in waters to 150’ or more. For an updated report call (253)591-5325.

Learn fall fishing opportunities and how to pursue them Basic Fishing Adult September 2, 2017, Saturday 10 am to 12 noon Cost $15 Point Defiance Marina

Crabbing is open in Area 11 and 1. For a more up to date report call 253-591-5325

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 boats up to 17 feet as well as kayak storage. There are also Kayak rentals at Owen Beach . For more information call 253-591-5325

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

A lot of coho showing north, but they are not very good biters. Most boats are taking at least one or two fish. The top 75 ft of water seems to produce the best. The Silver Horde Herring Aide seems to be the hot color.

SU Staff

Freshwater – Lake Chelan

no report this week

Freshwater – Potholes Reservoir

I can say that the bass fishing here at Potholes is hot, hot. The reservoir has really dropped to fall levels. For example, the Blyth launch is without water except for those with smaller boats and four-wheel drive that want to launch off the east end. To get back in the dunes I went in by the whale bones and crossed over the bar with one-foot of water under me with the motor trimmed way up. My son Scot was over this weekend and, with his youth and the help of his daughters, managed to get up to the job corps dike. Round trip in and out he grounded no less then a dozen times. Yet fishing was very good catching too many bass to count. A good friend, Jeff Dillion, fished just outside the dunes using wacky rigged Senkos and caught many good sized Large mouths. Fishing points and casting into shore and working the Senkos back out. The east side of Goose Island has been for Smallmouth looking for high spots and working the drop-offs. Also the Linn Coulee area has been good for smallmouth fishing off of points.

Yesterday I had my wife and a longtime friend up in the dunes to a known spot that stick ups are now showing. I have the trail well marked on my GPS and had no issues but at time the water I was in is skinny. we rigged with drop shots using drop shot plastics. We did very well and often had doubles. We lost a lot of rigs so last evening I was tying up more rigs for today.

There is a two-day ABA bass tournament both Saturday and Sunday at Mardon resort. There will also be a lake poker run as well as a beach party all day Saturday at the Mardon resort. With the lake dropping as it is the bass are escaping from the shallow or no water areas of the dunes area and out into the main lake. Bass fishing is hot.

Submitted by Tom Pollack (retired)

British Columbia

Vancouver

no report this week

Alberni Inlet, Barkley Sound, and Ucluelet

no report this week

Bamfield

no report this week

Becher Bay

Salmon fishing was GOOD this past week.  The springs are spread out from the Bedfords to the Trap Shack. Most of the springs are between 10 and 20 lbs in size, but some large ones were caught. Morgan Keith picked up a 33 lb spring inside the bay while trolling for pinks. The best depths to fish have been from 40 to 70 feet. Anchovies are the most popular bait. Good teaser heads have been the Bloody Nose, Mint Pearl and Chartreuse. The best color combinations for spoons have been Nickel/Blue, Outfitters and No Bananas. For flashers, the GIBBS Highliner Guide Series, Gold Fever Hot Spot and Big Shooter Gold Betsey have been working well. Anglers casting off the rocks are also getting into some nice fish. Cheanuh Marina now has rental boats available.

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 SLOW in Oak Bay this past week. There were a few salmon coming in from the flats and the Gap. Randy McEwen on Thursday caught an 11 pound wild spring salmon while trolling the Flats using bait. Anglers jigging have been catching more and larger salmon than those trolling. Good jigging lures have been 2¼ oz Point Wilson Darts, Deep Stingers and the Delta Mac Fish. The salmon are feeding on needlefish and have been at depths from 70 to 135 feet, depending on where the feed is located. Most of the anglers have been either bottom bouncing or jigging close to the bottom.

Halibut fishing was FAIR this past weekend on the big. Most anglers that were fishing for halibut are using extra large herring, salmon bellies and/or octopus for bait. Also working well was the 8” Powerbait Grubs and Delta Hali Hawgs.

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

Pedder Bay

Pedder Bay Marina reports REALLY GOOD salmon fishing.  All areas from Church Rock to William Head were producing lots of Chinook salmon. Trollers are doing best trolling from 30 – 70 feet on the downrigger with anchovies for bait.  Anchovies are now the most popular bait for trollers. Good teaser heads to fish have been the Bloody Nose, Chartreuse and Mint Pearl. Spoons are also producing well, especially the smaller ones around 3.5”. The most popular spoons have been Skinny G’s, Left Coast Hammers, AP Tackleworks needlefish and Coho Killers. Hoochies and squirts with a green and glow, or UV white have been popular color choices this week.  Flashers that are popular include the Hot Spot Gold Fever, GIBBS guide series and Big Shooter Gold Betsey. Jiggers were also doing well fishing near the kelp beds and in the Race.

Halibut fishing was FAIR this past week. Most anglers that were fishing for halibut are using extra large herring, salmon bellies and/or octopus for bait. Also working well are the 8” Powerbait Grubs and Delta Hali Hawgs.

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 in the Sidney area. There have been a few fish coming from locations all around Sidney. We did hear that there were some large pink salmon off Pender Island at 90 feet and they were only hitting anchovies. There were also some springs running much deeper at 150-180 feet off Pender. Taylor Whally caught her first salmon ever, a nice 28 lb off the Pender Bluffs at 130 feet on a Gibbs Skinny G spoon. Anglers jigging were also catching springs. Good jigging lures have been 2¼ oz Point Wilson Darts, GIBBS Minnows and the Delta Mac Fish. Anglers using spoons found Coho Killers, Gibbs Needle G and AP Tackleworks needlefish spoons the most productive spoons this past week. Suggested colours are Trap Shack and Bon Chovy. Anchovies and Tiny Strip were also good producers of fish with teaser heads in UV Purple.

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 over most of last week. Springs are spread throughout the area so fish were coming in from all areas. Most anglers fishing for springs are using bait, with anchovies being the most popular choice. Fishing shallow and close to shore has been the key to catching the larger fish. The pink salmon fishing was best in the 400+ foot depths, and the pinks have been as large as 9 lbs. Good choices for teaser head colors are red, chartreuse and Bloody Nose. For flashers, the Delta Guide Series, Gold Fever Hot Spot and Betsey have been working well. Hootchies in White, Glow/Green and Purple Haze have been caught some fish. Use small pink hootchies or spoons if targeting the pink salmon. Spoons have also been catching salmon. Coho Killers and Skinny G’s have been good in No Bananas and Outfitters colors.

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

Victoria

Here are 14 year old Nicco from France, Peter Daniel and Grandson Gordon from Victoria and a nice afternoon’s mixed bag catch from Constance Bank.

Fishing for salmon was GOOD off the waterfront this past weekend for the first time this year. The most productive area was from Esquimalt to Holland Point. That said, there were salmon in other areas such as Clover Point, but few anglers fishing these other locations. Most of the salmon caught were chinooks running from 10 to 20 lbs in size.  Some pink salmon are being caught as well and they have been from 4 to 9 lbs in size. Spoons have been very successful in getting hook ups with 3” AP Tackleworks needlefish spoons, Nickel/Blue Skinny G’s and Blue/Silver Coyotes good choices.

Halibut fishing was FAIR this past week. Earlier in the week, George Kahan landed a 131 cm, 74 lb halibut off Constance Bank, using salmon belly as bait. That’s the heaviest one so far this year and is now #1 on our leader board. The halibut have been very deep with depths of over 300 feet the most productive. Most anglers that were fishing for halibut are using extra large herring, salmon bellies and/or octopus for bait. Also working well was the 8” Powerbait Grubs and Delta Hali Hawgs.

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

Lakes and Rivers

Fishing was FAIR in most lakes for trout and GOOD for bass. 

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

Oregon

Tillamook Bay

no report this week

Willamette River

no report this week

Great Lakes

Lake Michigan

The fishing Was good all week. We are finding pockets of colder water and schools of baitfish in 100 to 180 feet of water. The temp break was down 70 feet to 51 degrees. A south to north troll worked best for us. The currents have been strong at times so watch your Depth Raider or downrigger cables. The blow back on your weights will tell you what’s going on down there. Chinook numbers were up this last week with some large Lake Trout also active 120 down. Chinooks went for Magnum Reaper spoons in blue/silver or green/silver. White or green Howie’s flies also working well run behind a white flasher. The big 20 pounds plus Chinooks were again part of the catch. Wire divers 3 set with 200 feet of line out was the ticket. We also had some excellent days fishing them in the warm water with spoons or flies. Downriggers on the bottom with size 0 dodgers and Spin n Glows are taking the Lakers. Reapers and Vulcans made by Badget Tackle have been working for us. The small silver Vulcan in green or blue has also been good on the lead cores for exciting Rainbows. I hope this helps. Slide Diver are producing with #3 silver J plugs set at 2 with small ring. Run them 70 feet of line out 70 behind the diver .Lake Trout action was a big part of our catch all week on magnum spoons 100 to 130 down.

Brown Trout action was just ok on the bottom small spoons. One here and there.

Rainbow Trout were slow hitting Vulcan Dolphin Green and Silver spoons in the top 40 feet.

Speed: For all fish speed has been very critical with the warmer 72 degree water. The temp break to 52 is down 70 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: Bait fish are in 80 to 120 I fished anywhere from 100 to out over 180 feet. Follow the temperatures and fish the zone. Near shore action on McKinley pier has been very slow with only a few Browns being caught. Head north in Whitefish Bay and set lines in 100 feet. Troll north east have a great fishing season. Let’s go fishing!

Report submitted by Jim Hirt at Blue Max Chaters (414-828-1094)

Salmon University Staff
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