Fishing Reports for September 20
Washington
Marine Area 1 (Ilwaco)
no report this week
Marine Area 2 (Westport)
Albacore fishing really broke loose this week with volumes of cooperative fishing flooding the offshore zones straight out and NW from Westport, WA. Fishing zones SW also popped this week and last.
We’ve had a good season thus far with a few dips here and there but last week everything we were fishing on…birds, jumpers, tuna, etc…multiplied 10 fold.
With daily waters temps of 65-66 degrees I’d expect a long and late season this year. In talking with many longtime commercial Albacore fisherman, they’re expecting good fishing as late as Thanksgiving.
The troll bite is pretty much over now and it’s all a run and gun bird/jumper live bait game.
Give us a shout or good luck if you make it out on your own!
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)
no report this week
Marine Area 5
no report this week
Marine Area 6
no report this week
Marine Area 7
There are some larger Kings moving through the Islands right now. Hootchies have been the hot lure for us. For some reason this time of year the Chinook like a glow squid tied with 36″ of heavy leader behind an 11″ flasher. It ain’t fancy but it works.
Submitted by Kevin Klein, Team Parker Boats NW. The cover image of this week’s fishing reports was also contributed by Klein and features Kaiden Riedesel with a nice Chinook he caught off the West side of San Juan Island.
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
“They are getting bigger!” As the month runs on and the rains start falling, the larger coho are starting to show up in Puget Sound. Switch out to one large siwash hook (instead of two smaller hooks) and troll those Ace Hi Flies and Hootchies fast. (Over 3mph) . Not only will you cover a lot of ground , you will catch the larger fish and not waste your time with the resident dink coho.
Report submitted by Nelson “Spud” Goodsell – Salmon for Soldiers, IGFA Life Member, FISHTALE2.
Marine Area 11
The salmon fishing remains pretty good although the Mature Chinook are mostly in the rivers there is good opportunity for Coho and immature Chinook (Black mouth) the local fishermen have been trolling flasher and artificial squid or spoons for Coho and fishing 30’ to 60’ deep, concentrate on the tidal rips. Some favorite areas are out off of The Slag area and between Pt. Defiance and Pt. Dalco along the shelf area where you will find lots of tidal rips especially on the outgoing tide.
For immature Chinook try trolling similar gear but generally deeper 120’ to 150’ deep in 130’ to 180’ of water. The Clay banks area to the shelf area on the outgoing tide is very popular but there should be immature chinook in most of the usual haunts like Quartermaster Harbor, Slag, Pt. Evens and Pt. Dalco.
Crabbing is closed remember to report your catch.
Learn fall fishing opportunities and how to pursue them Basic Fishing Youth/Parent Ages 8+ October 14, 2017, Saturday 10 am to 12 noon Cost $15 Point Defiance Marina
Squid Fishing Class October 21, 2017 Saturday from 4-6 pm Ages 8+ /Adults Cost $15
Fall Fishing Class November 11, 2017 Saturday from 10 am to 12 noon Adults age 15+ Cost $15
Sign up at 253-591-5325
Crabbing is closed until further notice on a winter crabbing in January, 2018
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. 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
no report this week
Freshwater – Lake Chelan
no report this week
Freshwater – Potholes Reservoir
Potholes is going into its fall mod with the water now rising rapidly. We had two events this past weekend. There was a two-day bass tournament presented by the Hawg Hunters Bass club from Puyallup. There were 28 boats participating for the two-day event with most of the boats going up into the dunes area. The two-day event was won by Mathew Mallot with the two-day combined weight of 37-pounds.
The other event was the annual dock derby at Mardon Resort with, it seemed like, hundreds of fishermen on their dock.There were 10 species of fish, all had winners paying out – the first and second place winners in each category. The largest in the perch category was 34-pounds and was caught by Dick Southwick and second place was a 30-pounder with two fishermen tied. The largest fish caught like normal was a carp weighing in at 15.92-pounds by Jordan Gregory and 2nd by Sean Deeds with his weighing a close 15.35 pounds. This event goes from Friday evening until the end at 11am Sunday. A good time was had by all with a free lunch and a very large raffle wrapping up the event.
Walleye fishing has picked up but not for all fishermen. One day you might limit out and then and the next day a skunk. Go Figure.
Submitted by Tom Pollack (retired). The cover image of this week’s reports was also submitted by Tom Pollakc.
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 FAIR this past week for mostly smaller stuff. The coho salmon fishing is now the main focus of local anglers. The best fishing was in the 600+ foot depths and towards the international boarder. This past week most of the coho were not fin clipped so you had to release quite a few if you were after fin clipped coho. Spring fishing has really slowed down. The springs are scattered from the Bedfords to the Trap Shack. The best depths to fish for the springs have been from 40 to 80 fee and very close to the shoreline. Anchovies are the most popular bait for springs while spoons and hootchies are more popular for coho. Good teaser heads have been the Bloody Nose, Mint Pearl and Chartreuse. The best color combinations for spoons have lots of green on the spoon. For flashers, the GIBBS Highliner Guide Series Outfitters and Lemon Lime, Gold Fever Hot Spot and Big Shooter Gold Betsey have been working well.
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 very few, if any, salmon coming in from the Flats and the Gap. Anglers jigging have been catching more and larger salmon than those trolling. Good jigging lures have been 2¼ oz and 3 oz Point Wilson Darts, Deep Stingers and the Delta Mac Fish. The salmon are feeding on needlefish and have been at depths from 40 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.
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 FAIR salmon fishing. All areas from Church Rock to William Head produced some Chinook salmon, but not many. The coho salmon fishing is now the main focus of local anglers. The best fishing was in the 600+ foot depths and towards the international boarder. This past week most of the coho were not fin clipped so you had to release quite a few if you were after fin clipped coho. Spring fishing has really slowed down. With the coho and the pinks, you were either in them or not. You just had to search for the schools and then try to stay with them. Spring fishing has really slowed down. Trollers are doing best trolling close to the shore and along the kelp, from 30 – 70 feet on the downrigger and with anchovies for bait. 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 herring 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 Outfitters and Lemon Lime and Big Shooter Gold Betsey.
Submitted by Tom Vaida, Island Outfitters, 3319 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC (250) 475-4969 info@fishingvictoria.com; www.fishingvictoria.com
Sidney
Sooke
The salmon fishing was FAIR this past week. The coho salmon fishing is now the main focus of local anglers. The best fishing was in the 600+ foot depths and towards the international boarder. This past week most of the coho were not fin clipped so you had to release quite a few if you were after fin clipped coho. Spring fishing has really slowed down. The best locations to fish for springs have been Possession Point, Otter Point and Muir Creek and close to the shoreline. Most anglers fishing for springs are using bait, with anchovies being the most popular choice. Good choices for teaser head colors are red, chartreuse and Bloody Nose. For flashers, the Delta Guide Series Outfitters, Gold Fever Hot Spot and Betsey have been working well. Hootchies in White, Glow/Green and Purple Haze have been caught some fish. Spoons have been good for catching coho. Coho Killers, AP Tackleworks and Skinny G’s have been good in green colors.
Submitted by Tom Vaida, Island Outfitters, 3319 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC (250) 475-4969 info@fishingvictoria.com; www.fishingvictoria.com
Victoria
Fishing for salmon was SPOTTY off the waterfront this past week. The most productive area was Constance Bank. There were lots of springs there early in the week but they were juvenile feeders and not too large. A few springs were caught from the Breakwater area. Dave Bury picked up a 17 lb 7 oz spring on Saturday and Tom Vaida a 16 lb 15 oz spring on Tuesday, both by the Breakwater. Some pink salmon are still being caught and they have been from 4 to 7 lbs in size. The best fishing for pinks and coho was way off shore. Anchovies have been the best bet with 12 & 14 pack anchovies the best sizes to fish. The best teaser heads have been the Bloody Nose, UV green or red or Army Truck. Spoons have been somewhat successful in getting hook ups with 4” AP Tackleworks Moonglow Herring spoons, Irish Cream Skinny G’s and Green/Glow Coyote spoons good choices.
Submitted by Tom Vaida, Island Outfitters, 3319 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC (250) 475-4969 info@fishingvictoria.com; www.fishingvictoria.com
Lakes and Rivers
The Cowichan River’s water level is still low. Fishing for trout in the fly only area has been GOOD at dawn and dusk. Fish a Dry Fly in the early morning and later in the evening or fish a Nymph in the faster water. Both have been working well.
Submitted by Tom Vaida, Island Outfitters, 3319 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC (250) 475-4969 info@fishingvictoria.com; www.fishingvictoria.com
Oregon
Lake Michigan
How: The fishing was good last weekend. We are finding colder water and schools of baitfish in 30 to 100 feet of water The temp break was down 25 feet to 47 degrees. Chinook numbers were down this last weekend with some five to seven pound Lake Trout picking up the slack. Lakers were active on the bottom in 90 feet of water. Coho are still coming on flasher flies on the wire divers 3 set 130 feet on the line counter. Brown trout were solid on 2,3,4,5,6 and 8 color lead core on boards with regular size Vulcan spoons. The OL Sherbet color was best all season. Chins went for Vulcan spoons in blue/silver or green/silver. Downriggers on the bottom with size 0 dodgers and Spin n Glows are taking the Lakers. Reapers and Vulcans 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.
Lake Trout action was a big part of our catch all week on magnum spoons 100 to 130 down or Spin n glows.
Brown Trout action was hot on small spoons on lead core.
Rainbow Trout were slow hitting Vulcan Dolphin Green and Silver spoons in the top 40 feet.
Coho have slowed down most of them came 70 down on Magnum Reapers Fish N Chips spoons or flasher flies.
Where: Bait fish are in 30 to 100 I fished anywhere inside of 100 feet in Whitefish Bay. Near shore action on McKinley pier has improved the black Chinooks and a few Browns being caught. Head northeast and set lines in 30 feet. Troll northeast have a great fishing season. Let’s go fishing!
Jim Hirt charters out of Milwaukee, WI. with Blue Max Charters. He can be reached at 414-828-1094 or visit his web site at http://www.bluemaxcharters.com
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