As we approach the month of September we realize that the days become shorter but with the crisp early mornings and fabulous warm afternoons this is the month that many anglers enjoy as the weather patterns create fabulous settings for many memorable sport fishing days. This is also the month that the bigger Coho and Chinook approach the final destination of their longest life journey. The salmon historically are making their way and waiting for the final push into the many streams, creeks, and rivers of West Coast Vancouver Island. The salmon in Barkley Sound feed frantically before entering fresh water systems and in the Alberni Inlet the Chinook and Coho make their way into the fabulous Somass River system.

September is also that time of year when some of the more prominent fishing derby’s take place. The city of Port Alberni normally hosts the three-day Labour Day Weekend salmon festival. On the west coast Tuna fishing presents an opportunity for what has become known as the “Tuna Shootout”.  Tuna fishing has become very popular in September and even late August.  The warmer water currents bring the Tuna closer to the beach and make them more accessible for those in good-sized sport boats.  Anglers heading out for Tuna have to watch and be aware of the water current, look for the temperature break, and fish the warmer side of what is known as the blue water.

This year (2021) the DFO has forecast Chinook returns to West Coast Vancouver Island to be one of the best in a very long time. Late August and September sport fishing in the Alberni Inlet and Barkley Sound has been “World Class”. Pill Point, Swale Rock, Diplock, Assets, and the Bamfield Wall are excellent fishing areas during the later half of August and into the first half of September. The salmon will hold in these areas if there are large quantities of rich resources of bait fish. The salmon on the Bamfield Wall side headed to the Somass River, Sarita, or Nitnat will often hold on a long stretch from Whittlestone to Poett Nook and gorge themselves as they wait for the first fall rains to provide water for their final migratory push. The Coho in September are in very shallow water and can often be found on the surface in the morning and later in the evening. Chinook are often in twenty to sixty feet of water. Anglers at this time of year using anchovy often have the best success. Using teaser heads in glow army truck, Purple Haze, Green Haze, and cop car with six feet or better of leader line behind purple or green-gold flashers usually create the best results. Many Hootchies in a variety of colors are great stand-bys. The Dark Green spatter-back, AORL12, Purple Haze and Army Truck are great choices when using hootchies as a lure.

The Alberni Inlet in the last half of August and first half of September fills with Chinook salmon followed by Coho. In September the Chinook and Coho are in an abundant mix. Hotspots in the Inlet are Lone Tree, The China Creek Wall, Underwood, Couslons, and Dunsmuir Point. The salmon are in fifteen to fifty feet of water and are most aggressive in the early morning and on tide changes. Most sport fishermen have had early success using anchovy. Lately a variety of hootchies have provided excellent success. The O-2 and O-15 which are a pinkly colored hootchie have worked very well as have the mp-2 and mp-15 which are smaller mini plankton colors.

September 2021 will provide sport fisher people with some world class fishing opportunities in this area. The Alberni Inlet and Barkley Sound locations will be definite hotspots in British Columbia and the West Coast for anglers.

Tight lines, Doug Lindores

Report & pics submitted by Doug Lindores, Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing (888) 214-7206 dlindy@shaw.ca; www.catchsalmon-ca.com

Salmon fishing has been VERY GOOD in Sooke. Spring salmon fishing has been EXCELLENT for chinooks. There were lots of slot size fish and some real large ones caught and released as well. The pink fishing was still GOOD near Secretary Island and 30-50 feet on the downrigger were the best depths to catch the pinks. Many anglers fishing for salmon have been using spoons due to the large amount of pink salmon in the area. Spoons such as Skinny G’s, Wee G’s, Coho Killers, Coyote spoons and AP Tackleworks spoons have been good for springs. Good choices for teaser head colors are Chartreuse, Tiger Prawn and Bloody Nose. Popular flashers have been Jelly Fish Glow, The Bon Chovy, the Madi and the Super Betsey. Halibut fishing was SLOW. Crabbing has been GOOD in the basin.