Fishing Reports for June 27
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
no report this week
Marine Area 8.1
no report this week
Marine Area 8.2
no report this week
Marine Area 9 (Admirality Inlet)
GET READY! The King openers are getting close so it is time to get the gear ready. I have put together a few of the new top producers that have been doing well for us up in the northern waters off Sydney. We have been running extra long leaders with the spoons of 50 to 60 inches with the most success.
- 3.5 Herring Aid
- Coho Killer Herring Aid
- 4.0 Irish Crème (when the bait is big)
- Two Face Irish Crème (when the bait is small)
- Blue/Green/Glow Downrigger Rudder
Get these in your box and make sure to sharpen up those hooks from last year as well. Good luck and we will see you on the water!
Report submitted by Nelson “Spud” Goodsell – Salmon for Soldiers, IGFA Life Member, FISHTALE2.
Marine Area 10
no report this week
Marine Area 11
The Chinook salmon fishing really picked up again since the tides have moderated with fishermen finding chinook in all the usual places like Girl Scout camp area all the way to Pt. Dalco, Gig Harbor Shoreline, Pt. Evens, Clay Banks, Shelf/flats between Pt. Defiance, Pt. Dalco and even near Les Davis Pier, also getting good reports of Chinook being caught in area 13 which has a 2 Chinook limit, remember for area 11 it is a 1 Chinook limit.
There is also some reports of resident Coho in the area as well.
For an updated report call (253)404-3960.
There will be no crabbing this summer in MA 11 or 13.
Starting June 16 there will be launch parking adjacent to the boat launch in the new parking area and by Anthony’s as well as shuttle overflow at Point Defiance Elementary School.
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 253-404-3960.
Hours are 5 am to 9 pm 7 days a week currently.
Report submitted by Point Defiance Marina. For more information contact: Gene Anderson, Boathouse Marina Technician, 253.591.5325 genea@tacomaparks.com www.pointdefiancemarina.com.
Marine Area 12
no report this week
Freshwater – Lake Chelan
no report this week
Freshwater – Potholes Reservoir
no report this week
British Columbia
Vancouver
Summer definitely arrived over the last few days! It looks like we are now into a summer pattern now with warm temperatures and clear skies for the next couple weeks. This arrival of this hot weather brought some strong Northwest winds and tough fishing this past weekend, but things look like they are going to stabilize nicely this week with calm winds returning. Fishing has been productive on the Gulf Islands side with some nice chinook salmon up to 22 pounds and a few coho now in the mix. Locally, things have been tough over the last week and we have been working hard to hook a good fish or two on our half days charters. We are looking forward to more coho pushing into Vancouver Harbour over the next couple weeks and our West Vancouver fishery starting.
Thrasher Rock, Porlier Pass, Entrance Island and the east side of Gabriola Island have been the most productive areas on our full day trips over the last two weeks. We have had some pretty solid charters and most trips are hooking 5 to 10 good chinook a trip. Most of the chinook salmon are coming right off bottom and hootchies and the new Gibbs Wee Gees are by far the most consistent producers right now. Blue, Chartreuse and Green Spacklebacks have been our best hootchie colours as usual. We should continue to see decent waves of chinook in the coming weeks. In addition to the chinook, we have been getting a few coho and some nice ling cod. On a very interesting note, we know of 4 confirmed halibut caught over the last 2 weeks off Gabriola and Galiano Island’s…..good sign!
In local waters we have been working the South End of Bowen Island for the most part. Seems like the majority of the good fish are coming between Cowan Point and Cape Roger Curtis. We are finding them pretty close to the shoreline in 200 to 400 feet of water. Cowan Point is often a good bet on the flood tide. We are using larger G Force and Silver Horde Spoons between 50 and 130 feet on the downrigger. The G Force Bon Chovy, Trailhead and Outfitter pattern has been good. In Silver Horde the Cop Car, Irish Cream and the Kitchen sink are good producers as usual. As we move into late June and July we will anticipate our first waves of coho pushing into Vancouver Harbour. This is a favourite local fishery as it is only 10 minutes from the dock. We will start scouting things out over the next week. We have seen them show as early as June 15th and as late as late July in the past. We will see what this year brings. It seems that survival has been good as there is quite a few in Georgia Strait.
We are hoping to see a good return of sockeye salmon this summer. This is the big cycle for Fraser River Sockeye and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans is forecasting 14 million sockeye to return. The forecasting for sockeye in recent years has not been very good and we will have a better idea of run strength in late July and early August once test fisheries start in the approach areas. We are crossing our fingers!
Summer is here! Give us a call or email if you would like to get out for a charter!
For more info call Jeff or Jason at Bon Chovy Fishing Charters (604) 763-5460, bonchovy.com email: info@bonchovy.com.
Bamfield
no report this week
Barkley Sound and Port Alberni
July is a wonderful month for sport fishing in the Alberni Inlet and Barkley sound. The area begins to fill with travelers and various anglers world-wide. The Alberni Inlet is an area during July where sport Sockeye fishing historically flourishes. Sockeye Salmon numbers returning to the Somass River are forecast to be from five hundred to six hundred thousand pieces. The current retention level for sport fisher persons is two per day. It is still unclear if this number will change on the first of July. The early results to date have been phenomenal with many anglers limiting. Over the next few days there will be a variety of test fishing which may indicate a new run size. With the current environmental conditions Sockeye Sport fishing could (if permitted) continue into late July. There is still plenty of snow in the mountains which has created a fairly steady flow of cool water which attracts the Sockeye to the River. How-ever the area did have peak air temperatures over thirty degrees Celsius for several days. These higher temperatures have helped the temperature of the river water and the inlet water rise substantially. The rise in water temperatures have slowed the Sockeye migration and the Sockeye are schooling out in the inlet.
Richard from Coquitlam is excited about his Chinook salmon landed in Barkley Sound during the month of June 2018
Barkley Sound had terrific Chinook fishing during the month of May. The last couple of weeks during the month of June the Sound has had not only fantastic Chinook fishing but there have also been some great migrating Coho up to seven and eight pounds. The “early” and mid- summer run of migratory Chinook headed to the big watersheds to the south have been fantastic. Barkley Sound has had ample amounts of rich nutrient bait fish which are bringing the salmon in from offshore waters to feed. The surf line areas such as Austin and Cree Island and inshore areas along the Bamfield Wall, Swale Rock, Pill Point, Ecoole and Diplock have been excellent locations for some of those chrome Chinook and Coho making their long journey to their natal rivers and streams.
Port Alberni Inlet: Anglers have the best opportunity to land Sockeye when they school in big numbers. This historically occurs when the water temperature in the Somass River and Alberni Inlet hits seventeen and eighteen degrees Celsius. The Sockeye school from Cous Creek out to the Nahmint Franklin area. With the projected outlook for Sockeye returning to the Somass River being around five hundred and fifty thousand there should be a fantastic opportunity for some wonderful Sockeye fishing. On May 1st Sockeye fishing opened in the tidal waters of the inlet. The retention is currently at two Sockeye Salmon per person per day with a two-day limit of four per person.
The Sockeye in the Alberni Inlet are currently sitting in thirty to fifty feet of water and as the water warms they will swim down into deeper and cooler water. Sockeye hit short leader lengths from eighteen to twenty-five inches in length behind a variety of hotspot flashers. The mp2, mp15, pink and blue, pink and black, and “Black Hooks” with all seem to work very well for most sport anglers. Sockeye are attracted to the boat by color. Many sport fishermen will often have eight to ten flashers behind their boat. Four to six of these flashers are referred to as dummy flashers and the other four with hootchies or “Black Hooks” of choice. The Sockeye are currently averaging three to seven pounds. Sockeye are the number one commercial salmon. They are wonderful for summer barbeques and when vacuum packed properly last the winter for those special occasions.
Sockeye fishing is a wonderful fishing opportunity for the whole family. It is a fun fishery for young and old. Don’t miss out on this opportunity in the Alberni Inlet in late June and July of this 2018 sport fishing season.
Barkley Sound and Ucluelet: The salmon fishing in Barkley Sound has been just magnificent. The best fishing has been out on surf line areas. The islands close to the Ucluelet Harbor Mouth, Meares, Austin, Cree Island, Kirby Point, Edward King and the Bamfield Wall during the past few weeks have experienced some hot Chinook and Coho sport fishing. Areas close to the Ucluelet Harbor that have had a few fantastic fishing days are Great Bear and Sail Rock. The inner and outer South bank and Long Beach have had some of the transient salmon create some good sport salmon fishing opportunities. Florencia and Way Point have been two hotspots as of late. The salmon coming into Barkley Sound have been hitting small three- inch spoons. The herring aid, cookies and cream and Irish Cream as example have been hot behind a variety of flashers. Anchovy in green glow, army truck, and green haze Rhys Davis Teaser Heads have been working. There are a lot of undersized Chinook and Coho making it rather painful in terms of the amount of bait one can go through. The best advice is to fish with the spoons mentioned or ones of choice. Needle fish hootchies and hootchies in green (spatterback), blue and white have worked well. Small Coho Killer spoons in the cookies and cream and white pearl have been working very well. A few guides have done very well with the army truck glow hootchie and the cuttlefish J-79. The Sonora cuttlefish, Jack Smith, and Blue Meaney Hootchies have been very good out on the banks. We are looking forward to some great sport fishing opportunities during July and August in Barkley Sound, the Alberni Inlet and offshore. The numbers of transient Chinook and Coho headed to the big watersheds to the south are forecast to be average or just above average which should provide some very excellent sport salmon fishing.
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. The cover image of this week’s fishing reports was also contributed by Lindores. It shows Chris from Vancouver Island with two Chinook Salmon landed at Cree Island and Austin Island in Barkley Sound.
the Woerner group showing off part of their catch June 23, 2018
Chinooks on the rocks! A big wave of hard fighting fish are running from Portland Point all the way into Barkley Sound greated anglers this past week. 3-3.5” spoons were steady producers seeing a 10-14lb average. More Chinooks (kings) stretching into the mid twenties are being caught on the rocks. This should be the tip of the spear for the inshore fishery! Keep those springs coming!
Calm seas made for a very strong halibut fishery this week. Boats saw limits of 15-45lb halibut with the majority of the fleet fishing on anchor off the Barn Yard. Salmon bellies have been the favorite as the new regulations have seen guides moving away from the big baits. Try fishing a Megabite swim bait on salmon gear for a bonus rod while on anchor. Position the swim bait out the back and 5-10′ off the bottom so it’s clear of the Hali gear and sitting in the scent trail of your bellies. Keep an eye on your rods at all times as halibut are coming in bunches.
Submitted by Sam Vandervalk of Salmon Eye Charters (1-877-777-4344). Salmon Eye is recommended by USA Today, Cruise America and New York Times bestselling author Peter Greenberg in his book The Ultimate Insider’s Guide to the Greatest Experiences Around the World.
Becher Bay
Salmon fishing was SPOTTY in East Sooke. The hot spots this past week was from inside the bay near Aldridge Point to Beechey Head. Most of the clipped chinooks have been from 8 to 17 lbs. The best depths off Aldridge Point were 70-80 feet and anchovies are taking over as the bait of choice. John Hutchinson won the Island Farms salmon derby on the weekend with a 17 lb hatchery spring caught near Aldridge Point. Anglers are using spoons with Coho Killers and Gibbs Skinny G’s in green/glow and green/silver colors the favorites. The GIBBS Highliner Guide Series Outfitters, Madi, Lemon Lime and Red/Glow Hot Spot flashers have been working well. Needlefish 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. During the week there were a few springs in the teens being caught, then it slowed down into the weekend. That said, jigging produced well on Sunday. The Flats was producing the best on the tail end of the ebb. The salmon are feeding on needle fish and small squid and close to the bottom where the feed is located. Most of the anglers have been either bottom bouncing squirts and spoons or jigging close to the bottom. Best bets for Oak Bay trolling lures are Wee Gs and Skinny Gs, Coho Killers and AP Tackleworks Sandlance spoons. Squirts will also work with Jelly fish and Electric Chairs good bets. Jiggers are doing best with Deep Stingers and Point Wilson darts.
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 TO GOOD salmon fishing but not too many anglers were out due to the strong winds all week. The majority of the salmon have been from 5 to 12 lbs in size but there have been some high teen’s hatchery fish being caught. The anglers catching most of the fish have been jigging rather than trolling. GIBBS 6oz to 8 oz anchovies have been the best jigs to use here. Squirts were the hot lures again this past week if you’re trolling and green and glow, Purple Haze or UV white are good color choices. Spoons have been producing well and the Skinny G’s, Wee G’s, AP Tackleworks and Coho Killers are the top choices. Green with either silver or glow has been the color choice in spoons. Flashers that are popular include the Guide Series Madi, Outfitters and Lemon Lime. Anglers are also starting to get good results using anchovies for bait. Good choices for teaser head colors are Bloody Nose, Chartreuse and Purple Haze.
Submitted by Tom Vaida, Island Outfitters, 3319 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC (250) 475-4969 info@fishingvictoria.com; www.fishingvictoria.com
Sidney
Salmon fishing was SPOTTY in the Sidney area. Hambley point was the most productive location to catch springs into the teens. Coal Island and Sidney Spit have produced sporadic action, as has the west side of Fairfax Point. The Powder wharf area has been very slow. Anglers using spoons found that AP Sandlance spoons, Coho Killers and Gibbs and Needle G spoons productive this past week. Suggested colours are Kitchen Sink and Irish Cream. Anchovies and Tiny Strip were also good in Glow or UV Purple teaser heads.
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 SLOW/GOOD on this past week. It was slow for hatchery fish but good for the oversize springs that had to be released. The area from the Bluffs to the Otter Point closed area was producing most of the action. Anglers are starting to get good results using anchovies for bait. Good choices for teaser head colors are Chartreuse, Bloody Nose and Purple Haze. Spoons such as Skinny G’s, Coho Killers and 4″ Coyote spoons have been good. Hootchies in White, Glow/Green and Purple Haze are the top choices in plastic baits. Anchovies are still the most popular choice for those fishing bait. For flashers, Red/Glow 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 SPOTTY off Constance Bank this past week due to the currents and strong winds. In fact, the winds were too strong for most boats much of the week. In closer, there weren’t too many springs from Brotchie Ledge to Trial Island but there were a few into the teens hanging around. The best depths to fish were 60 to 85 feet. Spoons have been successful in getting hook ups with Irish Cream Skinny G’s, Green/Glow AP Tackleworks Anchovy 3” Herring 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 GOOD in most lakes for trout and REALLY GOOD for bass.
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
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