Summer is officially here and the Vancouver Salmon Fishery has been very encouraging in recent weeks. In local waters we have seen some large chinook over the last few weeks, including a tyee over 30 pounds landed by Dimitri and his guests! Chinook salmon will open to retention on July 15th with a maximum size limit of 80cm in area 17 and 28 and sub areas 29-1 and 29-2. We have had some excellent chinook fishing in the Gulf Island’s and also had some decent chinook fishing on the Vancouver side. There has been a few pinks and some coho around in Vancouver Harbour and off the South End of Bowen Island. Numbers of pinks and coho will continue to build in coming weeks! Looking like we are getting set for a good summer!

In local waters we have been spending most of our time along the West Vancouver Shoreline and near the South End of Bowen Island. We have been hooking some very nice chinook, some hatchery coho and a few pink salmon. As we progress into July we will spend more and more time in Vancouver Harbour as more salmon push in closer to the Capilano, Seymour and Indian Rivers. While fishing in local waters for the 3 different species of salmon we will run a mix of hootchies, spoons and anchovies. A Yamashita Glow or White Hootchie behind a STS or Bon Chovy Guide Series Flasher is a deadly combo in Vancouver Harbour in July.

The Gulf Island’s have been excellent in recent weeks when the weather has been suitable for a crossing. On these full day fishing charters we have been fishing the East Side of Gabriola Island and having consistent action on 10 to 20 pound chinook. These fish are down deep and depths between 100 and 200 feet have been productive depending on the area. We have been having good success on blue and chartreuse spackleback hootchies as well as smaller G Force spoons and Skinny G`s in the Outfitter, Bon Chovy and No Bananas patterns.

For the next few weeks our local trips will be focusing on chinook, coho and pink salmon in Vancouver Harbour and around Bowen Island. We have had a pretty good showing of coho in recent weeks out in the deeper water and we should see them push into the harbour in coming weeks.

Pink salmon numbers are slowly building as they make their way to the Squamish, Seymour and Indian Rivers. On our longer full day trips we will likely be spending time locally and over on the Gulf Island’s. The chinook fishing in recent weeks has been excellent off Gabriola Island.

Please give us a call or an email to get on the water. 2019 has been one of the best years for chinook salmon we have seen in quite some time and we are anticipating it will continue!