Bamfield

no report this week

Barkley Sound, Port Alberni, and Ucluelet

Kent of Alabama fished with Doug of Slivers Charters Salmon Sports Fishing and landed this 27 pound Chinook using Anchovy at Whittlestone

Labor Day weekend has come and gone and that meant Salmon Festival weekend in Port Alberni. The Derby took place on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday of this past Weekend with fishing beginning each day at 6 am. The derby closed on Labor Day Monday at 3 pm with the final weigh-in at this time. Derby Headquarters for the 2018 Derby was at Tyee Landing. The official weigh-in center was also at Tyee Landing which is very close to Harbor Quay and Fishermen’s Wharf. There was a total of over $55,000 in prizes for those anglers participating in the Alberni Valley Salmon Derby. The largest salmon landed was valued at $15,000. Daily prizes each day were $5,000 for first prize, $2,000 for second prize and $1,000 for third prize. All contending derby fish were weighed in at Tyee Landing. Other weigh in centers for qualifying hidden weight prizes were at China Creek Marina, Poet Nook, and Mckay Bay Lodge in Bamfield. The cost per Rod was the exact same as 2017 at $50.00 per rod fished. From this $50 there a donation of $10 was given to local enhancement. The Derby for 2018 was a great success. Returns for Chinook and Coho salmon in 2018 are above average. Chinook returns to the Somass River system for 2018 are approximately 85,000 pieces. Twenty percent of the run are five-year old fish which meant that there was a great possibility for some Chinook during the derby weekend to come in at the forty-pound mark. The winning fish for 2018 was landed in the China Creek area which is located in the Alberni Inlet. Crofton B.C. resident Chris Blace landed a 38.9 which won him first prize and the top prize money of $15,000. This fish was landed using anchovy and was landed on day one of the derby. Ken Pellett won top prize on Sunday with a 30.1lb salmon and James Zsiros’ 27.3 lb. fish won top honors on Monday. The Fred Duncan memorial trophy for the largest salmon caught by a local resident was won by Chris Dittkowski who landed a 34.1lb. Tyee.

Amberlee landed this Chinook Salmon fishing with Derek close to Harbor Entrance in Barkley Sound

The Alberni Valley and all of Barkley Sound has been experiencing very warm and dry weather conditions during the summer months. The Chinook and Coho will need fresh water before entering some of the smaller streams and creeks. There has been a very limited number of migrating Chinook and Coho into the Somass system. There has been some excellent fishing for anglers in Barkley Sound. The salmon that have recently reached the waters of the Sound will migrate up into the Alberni Inlet and will hold until there is ample rain to allow the Chinook and Coho to continue their final journey to their spawning grounds. Some salmon will remain in Barkley Sound will hold outside the many streams and creeks located in the area. The Chinook and Coho in Barkley Sound will continue to feed heavily and will be eager to bite the variety of lures put out by the many anglers.

Andrew of North Vancouver landed this Chinook Salmon in Barkley Sound close to Cree Island

Salmon fishing was SPOTTY in Oak Bay. Some days there were springs in the teens on the Flats and most other days nothing. The salmon are feeding on needle fish close to the bottom. Most of the anglers have been either bottom bouncing small anchovies, 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.