Fishing Reports for February 28
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
Salmon fishing has been pretty good in the Islands. Silver Horde spoons in 3″-4″ have been good producers. You just have to be at the right place at the right tide.Picture:Chuck Payne with a ‘teener blackmouth.
Submitted by Kevin Klein, Team Parker Boats NW. The cover image of this week’s fishing reports was also contributed by Klein.
Marine Area 8.1
no report this week
Marine Area 8.2
no report this week
Marine Area 9 (Admirality Inlet)
Fishermen fought bad weather for most of the week. On the few good days blackmouth were caught in the 4-10 lb range. Be sure to check your fish before netting as some fish in the area have a full adipose fin and must be released. Stay deep and fish the bottom. Some of the better places to fish are Possession Bar on the in-coming tide and Mid-Channel Bank on the out-going tide.
submitted by Salmon University staff
Marine Area 10
High winds and snow have kept anglers off the water most days. The few days that were decent had fair fishing. Fish the same direction the tide is running, not against the current. The salmon will face into the tide and as the bait is pushed along by the tide the salmon will use the force of the tide to chase the bait down. Downrigger fishermen and moochers should try to stay in the bottom 10-20 feet of water.
submitted by Salmon University staff
Marine Area 11
The salmon fishing is subject to the ability of anglers to get out between unfavorable winds and weather and catching a legal fish. When that is possible there have been blackmouth caught at the Slag Pile, Clay Banks and Quartermaster Harbor/Vashon Ferry Area/Neal Point just off the bottom. Some are having fair success trolling flasher and spoons in shallow water 30’ to 60’ kind of unusual but has been working, also there is some Coho to 16” being caught with light gear along the shoreline mostly in area 13. 22 Blackmouth salmon have been caught in the Boathouse Monthly Derby with the largest weighing 7 pounds 12 ounces by Bill Combs for February to date. Call for a more updated report at (253)404-3960.
Basic Fishing Classes
Adult s (Ages 15+) March 3, 2018 10 am to 12 pm. Learn local freshwater and saltwater skills, regulations, and safety. Cost $15. Register at MetroParksTacoma.org/GO (253)591-5325
Youth Ages 8+ April 7, 2018 10 am to 12 pm Cost $15
Trailering Class – April 14, 2018 Saturday 10 am to 12 pm Cost $20 including Launch pass to practice skills learned
Learn the basic fundamentals of trailering including:
· Care
· Proper and safe hookups
· Towing
· Launching
· Docking
· Returning the boat to the trailer
· Basic on-going maintenance
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. We have many items for those seeking gifts as well as gift cards. 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 – Grays Harbor Rivers
no report this week
Freshwater – Lake Chelan
no report this week
Freshwater – Potholes Reservoir
no report this week
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 if you could get out in the stormy weather. That said, not too many anglers were out during the week. Those that did, however, stayed fairly close to the marina and did well there. Anglers have been having the most success in Becher Bay between Frazer Island and Cheanuh Marina on the top of the flood tide. A few anglers have also had some success in Whirl Bay as well. Most anglers are fishing close to the bottom in 100 to 160 depths. We haven’t heard of any salmon over 10 lbs here this past week. The majority of anglers are using spoons with Coho Killers, Gibbs Skinny G’s in green/glow and green/silver colors the favorites. The GIBBS Highliner Guide Series Outfitters, Madi, Lemon Lime and Green/Glow Hot Spot flashers have been working well. Hootchies in White, Glow/Green and Purple Haze are the top choices in plastic baits.
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 in Oak Bay this past week. There were a few salmon coming in from the Gap and from the Flats but they were mostly small, under 10 lbs in size. The salmon are feeding on needle fish and have been close to the bottom where the feed is located. Most of the anglers have been either bottom bouncing or jigging close to the bottom. Best bets for Oak Bay lures are needlefish spoon and squirts.
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 GOOD fishing in Pedder Bay near the Green Can and in Whirl Bay. Of course, not many anglers were fishing in the bad weather this past week. Most of the fish have been caught close to the bottom in 100 to 140 feet of water. The salmon have been from 3 to 7 lbs in size with the occasional larger fish. Spoons have been producing the best and the Skinny G’s, AP Tackleworks and Coho Killers are the top choices. Green with either silver or glow has been the color choice in spoons. Hootchies and squirts with a green and glow, or UV white have been popular color choices for plastic baits. Flashers that are popular include the Guide Series Madi, Outfitters and Lemon Lime.
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 but few people were out fishing. There were lots of immature herring off Fairfax but only small springs were being caught. On Monday, Nolan Walker and his fishing buddy caught 15+ small springs and limited out in less than 2 hours with springs between 5-8lbs in the Sidney channel. Last week there were some keeper springs up to 12 lbs being caught near the Powder Wharf. Jigging has been the best way to catch springs near the Powder Wharf. We also heard of some springs near Hambley Point and Fairfax Point. Anglers using spoons found that Coho Killers, Gibbs Needle G and 3.5″ G Force spoons the most productive this past week. Suggested colours are Kitchen Sink and Irish Cream. Anchovies and Tiny Strip were also good producers of fish with teaser heads in Glow or UV Purple.
Submitted by Tom Vaida, Island Outfitters, 3319 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC (250) 475-4969 info@fishingvictoria.com; www.fishingvictoria.com
Sooke
Once again, there’s not much new happening here. The salmon fishing has been FAIR over the last few weeks when you could get out. The keepable fish were from 4 to 8 lbs in size with the occasional larger one up to 15 lbs being caught. The best location to fish for winter springs was in front of the harbour and along the Bluffs. Most of the salmon are close to the bottom in 100 – 140 feet of water. The most productive lure combo has been a white hootchy fished behind a Red/Gold flasher. Hootchies in White, Glow/Green and Purple Haze are the top choices in plastic baits. Spoons such as Skinny G’s, Coho Killers and 3.5″ G Force spoons have been good. Anchovies are still the most popular choice for those fishing bait. Good choices for teaser head colors are Army Truck, Bloody Nose and Purple Haze. For flashers, Red/Gold Hot Spots, the Delta Guide Series UV Moon Jelly, Madi and the Lemon Lime Chartreuse are popular.
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 SLOWER off the waterfront this past week when the weather wasn’t too crazy. Most of the fish are still small, from 3 to 7 lbs in size, but a few larger ones are hanging around. Constance Bank has been the best spot to fish for numbers of fish. Trolling just off the bottom in 85 to 140 feet of water has been the way to catch salmon there. Closer in, salmon were caught near Clover Point. In most locations the best depths to fish were 90-140 feet although they are often found in shallow water near the harbour entrance. Spoons have been successful in getting hook ups with Irish Cream Skinny G’s, Green/Glow AP Tackleworks Anchovy 4” spoons and Green/Glow Coyote spoons popular choices.
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 SLOW in most lakes for trout and bass and SLOW in the rivers for steelhead.
Submitted by Tom Vaida, Island Outfitters, 3319 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC (250) 475-4969 info@fishingvictoria.com; www.fishingvictoria.com
Oregon
Lake Michigan
no report this week