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No report this week

Anthony Warren, 28' Albin "MadMoney" in Ilwaco
CCA Member & PSA Sno-King Member

Westport (Marine 2):

November 17, 2009

No report this week

La Push (Marine Area 3 & Forks):

November 17, 2009

No report this week

Neah Bay (Marine Area 4):

November 17, 2009

No report this week

Sekiu (Marine Area 5):

November 17, 2009

No report this week

No report this week

No report this week

Marine Area 8.1:

November 17, 2009

Closed October and reopens November 1 for Blackmouth

No report this week

For more info call Gary Krein at All-Star Fishing Charters,
800-214-1595 or 425-252-4188 Email gary@allstarfishing.com

Marine Area 8.2:

November 17, 2009

There are some fish being caught in Saratoga Passage on both sides. The race track between Hat and Camano Island has some fish also.

Open for Blackmouth now till April 30, 2010.

Limit is 2 Salmon, Chinook must be fin clipped.

For more info call Gary Krein at All-Star Fishing Charters,
800-214-1595 or 425-252-4188 Email gary@allstarfishing.com

Marine Area 9:

November 17, 2009

No report this week

Ryan Bennett, www.reeldealguideservice.com 360-840-1155

Open for Blackmouth till November 30
Limit is 2 Salmon, Chinook must be fin clipped.

Possession Bar is still the place to catch fish when it can be fished. The storms of this past week have made Possession Bar unfishable most days, but we did manage a couple trips with very good success.

West side of the Bar on that incoming tide was good with Tomic plugs and kingfisher spoons.

For more info, call Gary Krein at All-Star Fishing Charters, 800-214-1595 or 425-252-4188 Email gary@allstarfishing.com ; www.allstarfishing.com

All-Star Fishing Charters - Delivering Quality fishing on Puget Sound

"Cookies 'N Cream !" the VHS radio was coming alive on Saturday morning during the PSA Sno-King members only derby. Many of the derby participants were testing out the new KingFisher flutter spoon from Silver Horde and the radio "raves" were on fire.

We settled in on the West side of Possession trying to take advantage of the morning slack tide near the green can. The bait was again thick at all water columns but we decided to stick to dropping the Scotty's to the bottom in 100-120 feet of water and "dragin' the mud". It wasn't long and the action was on with a quick 8 pound double header. Luckily the seals were not in the area due to the wind conditions so we were able to have some really exciting fights. We continued to circle the area and by 10 am we had limits of the feisty salmon.

As long as the green label sized herring continue to concentrate in the Possession Area, that is where the blackmouth will be. The current can be tricky, so make sure to speed up if the cables are angled too much sideways instead of in back of your boat. The bait is being pushed up the bar from the depths on the incoming tide and the trick is to try to stay with the bait.

Make it a plan to get out on the water....these fish are a blast to catch (and eat !)

Pictured above, Kathy Goodsell and Anthony Warren with a nice set of Possession Blackmouths

Pictured above A "Cookies 'N Cream" bounty on the FISHTALE 2

Submitted by Nelson "Spud" Goodsell, FISHTALE 2, PSA Sno-King Chapter

Area 9 has been cursed with high winds for most of the past week. However, the few days that were fishable, produced excellent results for the anglers that made it out. Better then average size black mouth for this time of year were being caught, along with the to be expected barely legals.

Those anglers fishing the bottom 10 feet of the water column were also finding large schools of herring and sandlance. As usual for this time of year, the Silver Horde Coho Killer was a hot lure in glow or U.V. colors.

The star of the show was with out a doubt (for those of us that were lucky enough to test them) was the two new #4 Lite Silver Horde Kingfisher spoons. So far they are available in only two colors - Irish Cream (Green and UV ON one side and glow on the other) and Cookies and Cream (Black and U.V.) and glow on the other. These may become the "go to" lure in Puget Sound. They should be available at Outdoor Emporium and Sportco by the first part of December. Great stocking stuffer!

Areas that have been steady producers of blackmouth have been Mid Channel Bank in Port Townsend, Double Bluff, Possession Bar, Skunk Bay and Point No Point. This is some of the best blackmouth fishing we may have seen in years. Remember, you must release all wild fish.

Submitted by Tom Nelson, Salmon University

Seattle area (Marine Area 10):

November 17, 2009

Results of the fourth day of the 65th Tengu Blackmouth Derby on Nov 15

Tengu Derby - Week 4 Results

29 members fished, 0 blackmouth

The reports again in area 10 were not great. The Sunday Tengu derby again had no fish checked in. The reports from Armini and Shilshole were just as bad. The reports from Edmonds and Everett had over a chinook reported for each boat. This week I hope will be better in 10.

For more information, call Tom Pollack, Sportco in Fife, 253-922-2222

Open for Coho, Chum and Blackmouth

Limit is 2 Salmon, Chinook must be fin clipped.

Jefferson Head still holds keeper fish and lots of shakers.

For more info call Gary Krein at All-Star Fishing Charters; (800)214-1595 or (425)252-4188 gary@allstarfishing.com; www.allstarfishing.com

We have had some good blackmouth action in the central part of area 10, when it has been calm enough to enjoy it. My best lures have been Coho killers (wonder bread glow) fished behind Hot Spot flashers.

Matt McCulloch , www.tyeecharters.net , (206) 799-2530

 Marine Area 11:

November 17, 2009

No report this week

Submitted by Captain Bill Devers, www.pugetsoundsalmoncharters.com; e-mail salmoncharters@comcast.net

No report this week

Submitted by Ter Roth, skipper of "Serenissima", 15ft Arima

Hood Canal (Marine Area 12):

November 17, 2009

No report this week

Marine Area 13:

November 17, 2009

No report this week

Lake Chelan:

November 17, 2009

What's hot is the North Central Washington Trifecta. This is a great time of the year to pound multiple venues in our region. Also hot, would be still fishing, trolling or casting for recent planted catchable rainbow trout in little Roses Lake.

The Stennes men and I did our first ever North Central Washington Trifecta during the reporting period. We launched early in the morning to catch a laker on Lake Chelan over by the monument. We trailered the boat, drove to Omak Lake and launched. We quickly caught a Lahontan Cutthroat trout in the Northern Embayment. We trailered the boat, drove to Bridgeport and launched in the Columbia River to catch a Steelhead. As I always say: "Kids, pets and fish will make a liar out of you every time". We had a heck of a time getting a hatchery Steelhead to the boat, but we did it. Right at dusk. My apologies to everyone's wives. Including my own... What a great way to have fun, develop teamwork and demonstrate a variety of techniques, all in the same day.

This is a great time to spend a few hours fishing for the recent plant of rainbows in Roses Lake. Still fishing with doughbaits, Pautzke Salmon eggs or good old worms is probably best for bank anglers. Try trolling with Mack's Lures wedding rings baited with a piece of worm behind a Flash Lite or Hot Wings. Try casting Mack's Lures Promise Keepers or Worden Lures Roostertails.

Your fishing tip of the week is to keep in mind fish behavior to enhance your experience. At Roses Lake it is very common for a lot of the recently stocked fish to school together for the first few weeks that they are in the lake. What this means for anglers is that you can go between one and two hours without a bite, then catch a five fish limit very quickly. Make sure you are ready to take advantage of the bite when you are into the fish.

The kids tip of the week is back to the equipment advice. Fishing rods are the easiest. Usually, small and light is best. For most trout, panfish and walleye a 6 to 7 foot light action rod rated for 4 to 12 pound test is best. I would specifically recommend Ugly Stik's for their unbeatable versatility. They are light enough, extremely durable and very reasonably priced.

The safety tip of the week is to build extra time into your trips for weather. The rule of thumb is to double the times of tasks when the temperature is below freezing. Do not hurry. Mistakes can be both expensive and painful.

For more info call Anton & Sandra Jones of Darrell & Dad's Family Guide Service; darrellanddads.com; antonj@aol.com or call (509)687-0709 or toll free at (866)360-1523

Well I finally got a day out on Lake Chelan after this last week of focusing on Rufus Woods, and what a morning it was.

Started trolling the Ace Hi- Fly off the bottom at Rocky Point to find some Laketrout then moved to Minneapolis Beach to find a few more. I think we had 7 Lakers in 3 hours, so I proceeded to process fish with all the rods in the water and then BAM! This Beautiful Lake Chelan Chinook hit and flat tore me up. What a fish! Anyway, finished with 8 Lakers and a Chinook for a 4 hr. boat. Feel free to contact me with questions or comments anytime. Tight Lines to all and good luck.

Pictured above, Ashley Shupe, Shannon Shupe and Stephanie Emerson with their catch

Lake Chelan Adventures, Joe Heinlen - 509-393-9665 www.lakechelanadventures.com

Ucluelet, BC:

November 17, 2009

No report this week

For more info, call Sam Vandervalk, 877-777-4344 Salmon Eye Fishing Charters www.salmoneye.net

No report this week

For more info call Ken Bodaly at Rocky Point Charters, Bamfield, B.C. 250-728-3678 or the boat cell phone 250-735-4224 www.rockypointcharters.ca email rockypointcharters@shaw.ca

The November rains, wind, and first real winter storm have come. Basically the 2009 saltwater sport fishing season has come to an end. The fall weather for the most part has been magnificent. Some great fishing on the coast and out in scenic Barkley Sound continued well into October. This is not to say that there will not be some great early winter days of feeder Chinook fishing, bottom fishing and prawn fishing for those anglers keen to be on the water. The Stamp River Coho fishing in October was fantastic as well over 60,000 Coho entered the system through the Stamp Falls counters. Currently the Stamp in the Upper section of the river is experiencing terrific Steelhead fishing which will continue well into March of 2010.

The Last Somass River Escapement Bulletin was released on November 3rd. The Somass system is a "key stream" for Sockeye, Chinook, and Coho. Sockeye and Coho returns to the system were much higher than the preseason forecast. Chinook returns were unfortunately much lower. Fisheries and Oceans Canada in partnership with the Hupacasath First nation run a counting operation at various sites from late May through October. "In September all salmon passing through the Stamp Falls fish way are counted by trained and experienced observers. The observers identify the fish to species and estimate the portion of jacks by relative size and estimate the portion of marked fish." "The migration through the fish way is videotaped for later verification of daytime real-time counts. Real-time observations are typically greater than 95% accuracy." The counting is very close but on days of high rainfall the river dramatically rises and visibility becomes very poor which often means the fish way is closed. This has been a recent scenario.

The duration of the last week of counting at the Stamp Falls counters saw very few salmon come through. The high day for Chinook was 66 with the seasons' total escapement into the river for natural spawn and to Robertson Creek Hatchery hit 11,600. The high day for Coho was 236 with a total escapement of 63,184. Sockeye escapement to Sproat lake and Great Central Lake is approximately 400,000. Escapement of various salmon species to other key streams around the Greater Alberni Inlet and Barkley Sound reported by the DFO are as follows:

Nahmint River- 84 Chinook, 1160 Sockeye, 296 Coho, and 4, 775 Chum.
Sarita River - 425 Chinook, 414 Coho and 6,000 Chum.
Clemens Creek- 52 Chinook, 19,245 Sockeye, 2,765 Coho and 182 Chum.

Port Alberni Inlet
Barkley Sound

The Port Alberni Inlet has been relatively quiet in terms of any sport fishing. At times during the latter part of January and into February the Franklin-Nahmint area often has some winter Chinook that come up to feed on bait fish. A couple of local anglers each year seem to do well at this time using anchovy and various hootchies. One local Port Alberni Fisherman had a few good sized feeder Chinook last winter in the mid-twenty pound range. Most of his success came between Bells Bay and the Franklin Wall. The 2010 Sockeye season early reports and reviews are looking very promising. If conditions in terms of water temperatures in the Inlet and Somass River are ideal the Sockeye sport fishery will often get underway by mid-June. Mid August through September is ideal for Chinook and Coho. Expectations for the 2010 sport fishing season in the Port Alberni Inlet is looking very good.

We are expecting the fishing days in the summer of 2010 to be just as good as 2009. In the picture above, three generations are shown. Father, Tom with son Tom and grandson. The trio fished in August with guide Doug of Slivers Charters Salmon sport Fishing

A late fall day off of Cape Beale located outside of Bamfield BC Vancouver Island (Barkley Sound). Guests fished with Doug of Slivers Charters and had a good day fishing for Coho, feeder Chinook and Chum Salmon. When the fog lifted the day was warm and beautiful. Guests were from Phoenix, Winnipeg and Vancouver.

Barkley Sound and areas around Bamfield are now slow. Up until a week to ten days after the Thanksgiving weekend there were still a few Coho swimming the waters and some anglers were targeting Chum around the Sarita Bay area. We will begin some guiding for Winter Chinook in December. Often the best fishing occurs later in January and continues through March or even early April. The Herring spawn brings in a good number of fish. The largest feeder Chinook picked up last year by one guide was 26 pounds. The best spots for winter Chinook are Vernon Bay, Swale Rock, Canoe Pass Area, Pill Point and quite often there is some good fishing in Samateo and Sarita Bay. The Winter Chinook are in deeper water. Most sport fishermen have their gear from 110 to 140 feet. Various white, green and bluey colored hootchies and bait are often the best lures. Samateo and Sarita Bay are at times the two spots where the salmon are not as deep. Often these two areas have fish from 50 to 80 feet. Sarita Bay was in fact one of the best spots to fish for feeder Chinook last winter.

The summer of 2010 is expected to be as good as this past summer. There should be a very good migratory flow of Chinook and Coho. This often means that the fishing along the surf line of the Sound is very good in June, July and August. Of course in early August salmon returning to their natural streams in the Barkley Sound/Port Alberni Inlet area begin to arrive.

Ucluelet (West Coast)

The winter storms have arrived and most residents and guides have been winterizing their sport fishing and guide boats. We will have availability all winter for those wishing to fish the west coast. The Ucluelet Harbor and areas very close to the harbor like the "red can" are very easy and often productive areas to fish during the winter. There are often some great days out on the ocean also. The area has a lot of rich natural bait fish which attracts the feeder Chinook. On those great winter days we will fish Great Bear, the Lighthouse Bank, Mara Rock, a couple of the closer banks and also parts of Barkley Sound. Guides Mike and Bob had some great fishing last winter in the quiet waters located around Mayne Bay and the back side of Swale Rock both located in the waters of the Sound. Bottom fishing, prawning, and crab fishing is also excellent during the winter. There are some DFO restrictions which will be posted. It is important to read all regulations before venturing on any fishing trip. Our Seafood Safari will begin in late March or early April.

Stamp River

Steelhead fishing is currently on fire especially in the upper river. Guide boats are entering the river at the hatchery and doing very well. Guests from Edmonton during the past week did well in three boats playing up to twelve fish in each of the boats. On Friday and Saturday (November 6th and 7th) two novice fishermen who were a father son pairing landed nine Steelhead and two very chrome Coho. November in the Stamp River is the month that the Steelhead begin a feeding frenzy. They really pound the gravel beds eating freshly dropped eggs from mainly Chinook. The Summer Steelhead fatten up for their winter stay before heading back out into the North Pacific in the spring. The Ministry of Environment will often truck the earlier Summer Steelhead that come to the hatchery back to the lower portions of the river. When this occurs the fishing in both the Upper and the Lower River becomes very good. This should happen in the next week or two.

Father and son from Portland are happy with this beautiful Summer Steelhead picked up fishing with guide Bladon on the Stamp River on a beautiful late October Day.

Beautiful Fall Day out on the Stamp River. Guest Jay with this big bright Steelhead was delighted with his catch

Grant and Son Cam of Vancouver B.C. had Nick as their guide on a wet fall November day. Fishing for the two was fantastic. In this picture is a beautiful Steelhead landed using a spin'n glow on the Upper Stamp River which is near Port Alberni Vancouver Island, British Columbia

Guest from Seattle Washington shows off his summer Steelhead picked up in the Upper Stamp River which is close to Port Alberni, Vancouver Island BC. Fish was landed using red wool.

The temperature of the water in the Stamp is about 11 degrees. We are now fishing conventionally. There is a bait ban in the upper river. This ban is year round. We are using all artificials including Alaskan beads, artificial eggs, wool fly patterns that look like eggs and various small numbered spin'n glows. The Stamp Falls Pool will open up on the 15th of November. This should be a great area for many to fish. The rain and the water released from the Great Central Lake Dam has put a lot of water in the river and has made it difficult to fish for those not using a jet or drift boat. Many avid fishermen who are on the banks are in disbelief of the boats that pass them and each time the fishermen aboard seem to be hooked into a fish. Summer Steelhead fishing can often continue until mid December or even longer. The winters often begin to show up about the 20th of November. We are expecting some unbelievable Stamp River Steelhead fishing for the rest of the fall season and the early part of the winter and carry right on through March.

For more info, call Doug Lindores at Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing (250)724-2502, Toll Free 1 (877) 314 6800 or Cell (250) 731 7389 www.catchsalmon.ca or
www.catchsalmon-ca.com; dlindy@shaw.ca

No report this week

M.I. Charters & Lodging - Great Fishing,- Great Fun and making Great Memories - Guiding from Nootka Sound. We still have some 2009 dates available. Call Jay at 604-614-2707.

Quatsino Sound/Winter Harbour:

November 17, 2009

No report this week

For more info call Greg Vance, The Outpost at Winter Harbour, Guided Charters and Accommodations (250)969-4333 www.winterharbour.ca winterharbour@telus.net

No report this week

Submitted by John Bridal, Sooke Fishing Adventures
www.fishingsooke.ca, 1-250-642-2587

Vancouver Island Overview

Salmon fishing was GOOD last week while the weather was pretty bad, keeping most anglers off the water, especially on the weekend. There were small winter springs in Juan De Fuca Strait with a few into the high teens. Halibut fishing was GOOD last week..

Sooke, BC:

November 17, 2009

Salmon - Salmon fishing was GOOD this past week for winter (feeder) springs. Most boats were bringing back some salmon and some boats were catching fish up to 17 lbs. The springs have been deep, 110 to 170 feet on the downrigger, with the best fishing near the Bluffs and the mouth of the Harbour. If you want to get a big one, you have to release a lot of smaller ones. Most anglers fishing for springs are using hootchies and spoons more than anything, but bait is still very productive. There has also been a tremendous amount of bait in the area, keeping the fish around. The best hootchies or squirts to try are the Cloverleaf aka Pistachio, Glow Bud aka Glo Below, Purple Haze or white or the Army Truck. The best flashers have been the Purple Haze or ones with lots of glow in the dark coloration.

Halibut -We've heard of halibut weighing up to 42, 40 and 27 lbs coming in to Sunny Shores this past week. There's also a story going around about one well over 150 lbs being lost at the boat. Extra Large herring and/or Octopus are the most popular baits for halibut. However, if the dogfish become a nuisance, you can use Mudraker or Lucky Jigs or the Glow in the Dark bullet Jigs.

Becher Bay

Salmon fishing was GOOD in and around East Sooke for winter springs up to 13 lbs. There are fish inside the bay now, just out from the marina and off the flag pole. However, the Bedford Islands and Beechey Head have also been good. The majority of the springs are less than 6 lbs in weight but there are some bigger ones to be caught if you let the smaller ones go. Most anglers fishing for springs are starting to use plastic stuff and/or spoons and are fishing right on the bottom in the trench near Frazer Island. That said, using anchovies or medium herring and trolling them from 70-120 feet on the downrigger with Bloody Nose or Glow heads with Gold Betsey or Spring Fever flashers will also work. The Glo Below, White hootchies and the Cloverleaf aka Pistachio or Green/White are good choices at this time of year when you're trolling plastic.

 Pedder Bay

Salmon - Pedder Bay Marina said it was SLOWER for winter springs right in the bay. The south east winds this past week kept the fishing effort to only a few hardy souls. Most of the springs were on the small side, 18 to 26 inches, but a few larger ones up to 12 lbs are being caught. The mouth of the bay was the best spot this week, but a few limits were also taken at Church Rock. There have been some huge schools of herring in the area lately and that's been holding the springs around. Anglers did best on anchovies or small herring fished in Glow, Nose Bleed or Mint Pearl teaser heads. The best flashers have been the Boogeyman and the Purple Haze. If you're using hootchies and squirt for springs, try the Cloverleaf aka Pistachio, Glow Bud aka Glo Below, Purple Haze or white. Spoons usually work very well for Coho and springs at this time of year, especially if they have green highlights. The best hootchies or squirts to try for Coho are the Cloverleaf aka Pistachio or Green/White.

HALIBUT - Halibut fishing was SLOWER this week due to the weather. Extra Large herring and/or Octopus are the most popular baits for halibut but salmon bellies have also worked well, especially this time of year. However, if the dogfish become a nuisance, and there are still lots of them around, you can use a Mudraker or Lucky Jig or the Glow in the Dark bullet Jig.

Victoria/Sydney, BC:

November 17, 2009

Victoria Waterfront

Salmon -Salmon fishing was SLOWER this past week due to poor weather conditions. There were springs out at Constance Bank but nothing big was caught. Ling cod and seals were a problem in some parts of the bank too. Closer in, along the waterfront, the fishing was good at times from Clover Point to the Flagpole. Alec Green and Ed Beatty fished at Clover Point on Saturday when it was windy and a 3 ft. chop. It made for a difficult trip but they had six strikes so there were winter chinooks in the area. They landed two (11 & 7lbs) and lost two next to the boat. Small herring (5-6 inch) accounted for 3 strikes, and a white hootchy resulted in 3 strikes. All strikes were within 20-30 feet from the bottom at 140-170 foot depths. Green/Silver or Green/Glow Coyote spoons and Pistachio and Purple Haze hootchies and squirts are catching fish too. Good flashers have been the Hot Spot Green/Silver, BIG SHOOTER Purple Haze and Green Glow. Anchovies and herring are good producers this time of year. Green UV Magnum, Purple Haze and Bloody Nose have been the best teaser head colors for springs.

Halibut - Halibut fishing was GOOD this past week at Constance Bank with most fish being "chickens" up to 30 lbs. Extra Large herring and/or Octopus were still the most popular baits for halibut. Salmon bellies have worked well too. However, if the dogfish become a nuisance, and they are lots of them around, you can use a Mudraker or Lucky Jig or the Glow in the Dark bullet Jig and still catch halibut.

 Oak Bay

Salmon -Salmon fishing was FAIR this past week. There are feeder springs in the 6 to 8 lb size range out on the Flats and by the The Gap as well as smaller ones. The springs were being caught close to the bottom there where needlefish and candlefish are the major food source for the salmon. The most successful method for springs was trolling right on bottom with either squirts or 4" spoons. Try fishing the Gap or the Flats with small anchovies, Jellyfish, Electric Chair or Glo Below squirts. With spoons, 3½" or 4" Gypsy, Titans or Coyotes in Silver/ Blue or Silver/Green colors also catch a lot of fish in Oak Bay.

HALIBUT -Halibut fishing was SLOW in Oak Bay last week due to weather. Extra Large herring and/or Mackerel were the most popular baits for halibut recently. Salmon bellies have also worked well. However, if the dogfish become a nuisance, and they are lots of them around, you can use a Mudraker or Lucky Jig or the Glow in the Dark bullet Jig and still catch halibut.

Sidney

Salmon fishing was SLOW this past week. Because of the south east winds, we do not know off any anglers out fishing. There have been quite a few winter springs in the area and a few are now over the minimum size. We've had reports of legal size fish from the Sidney Channel, near Coal Island and near Moresby Island. We also heard that a 12 chum was taken in Sidney Channel. Spoons have been good as well with Green/Glow colors producing best. The best soft plastic lures to use for springs now are Glo Below, Pistachio and Purple Haze Squirts. Small anchovies or Tiny Strip have been the best natural bait.

Updates for this area, as well as current statistics, can be found at http://www.portrenfrewmarina.com/.

NOTABLE CATCHES

No report this week

Tip of the Week

Use lighter leaders this time of year when fishing for winter springs for two good reasons. The first is that a lighter leader will give your spoon or bait better action, and therefore get you more strikes. The second reason is that if a seal grabs a salmon that you have hooked, when you break off, you won't lose an expensive flasher as well as your lure!

Submitted by Tom Vaida Island Outfitters, 3319 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC (250) 475-4969 info@fishingvictoria.com; www.fishingvictoria.com

Port Renfrew

No report this week

Submitted by Tom Vaida Island Outfitters, 3319 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC (250) 475-4969 info@fishingvictoria.com; www.fishingvictoria.com

BRITISH COLUMBIA – FRESH WATER REPORTS

OVERVIEW -Trout fishing is FAIR but bass fishing is SLOW on the local lakes. Fall stocking of catchable rainbows has been going gangbusters, so there are lots more fish in the lakes now.

Cowichan River - The Cowichan is now "blown out" and will probably be that way for another week, as rains are forecast for the entire week. Fishing will be difficult if not impossible at best.

Local Lakes

Trout fishing is FAIR on most lakes in the south island area, especially as the trout fatten up for winter. Also, more catchable rainbows have been released into the lakes. Anglers fishing Powerbait from shore have been doing ok. Fly anglers are doing well trolling leeches and general searching patterns such as Doc Spratelys and Carey Special. Fluorescent Pink and Chartreuse Powerbait Eggs have been the hottest bait recently. Trollers have been doing OK with the Baitrix Trout lures in Holographic colours, especially for larger fish. They have also been doing well trolling Apex Trout Killers with the police car one the best and the black with silver glitter spots taking second place. Flatfish and/or Kwikfish have also been effective in sizes 7 and smaller in Frog, Yellow with Red Spots or Blue/Silver. Smaller Rapalas in Rainbow Trout or Brown Trout patterns also work well. Lastly, Willow Leaf Lake trolls with a worm-tipped GIBBS Wedding Band will almost always catch some fish. By the way, all wild rainbows and cutthroats over 50 cm must be released in Cowichan Lake.

Recent stockings of catchable rainbow trout in local Island lakes this past recently include 100 in Ida Anne Lake on October 31st, 500 in Spectacle Lake and 750 in Dougan Lake on November 2nd, 1,000 in Durrance Lake, 750 in Glen and Thetis Lakes, 500 in Prospect Lake, and 250 in Colwood, Lookout and Prior Lakes on November 3rd. Up Island lakes were stocked on November 4th and 5th. For more fish stocking information, visit gofishbc.com on the internet.

Bass Fishing

Bass fishing was SLOW this past week. As the water temperature drops, bass will become less and less active. Slow, finesse presentations such as tubes and plastic worms will work best now. Langford Lake, Shawnigan Lake, Prospect Lake and Elk and Beaver Lakes are the best local bass lakes.

Notable Catches -

Submitted by Tom Vaida, Island Outfitters, 3319 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC (250) 475-4969 info@fishingvictoria.com; www.fishingvictoria.com

Queen Charlotte Islands

November 17, 2009

No report this week

Shawn “Cookie” Pennell Fishmaster, MV Charlotte Princess Langara Island, Queen Charlotte Islands

OREGON

 Oregon Coast

November 17, 2009

ALASKA

 Great Lakes

November 17, 2009

Fishing The Zone For Coho Salmon Milwaukee #3

Let me explain how to be more productive by following some basic rules and using basic tools. Activity and habits of fish are dictated by many variables. A rather basic approach will put you on fish and keep you there. I will cover how to find the most productive zones by species Article number one and two one covered Chinook and Brown Trout now let's look at Coho Salmon as it applies to Lake Michigan and other big water ecosystems. Get caught up by reading article number one titled Fishing The Zone For Salmon Milwaukee #1. This information is necessary to understand the following article.

Zones By Species

Lake Michigan Milwaukee is an outstanding fishery with many options for anglers. The most popular targets of anglers here are Chinook salmon, Coho Salmon, Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout and Lake Trout. Allow me to offer environmental preferences for each of these. Breaking each fish down by their preferences is the best way to find steady consistent action on any fish.

Coho Salmon Zone By Temperature

Coho offer great action with the reward of some of the best eating of all Lake Michigan fish. Once again the answer to putting them in the box is temperature. Look for them in temperatures above 50 degrees up to 57 degrees. Exceptions to this temp zone are possible but not the norm. As they come in to spawn they will be less sensitive to temperature. They will tolerate colder water and temperatures below 50 however they are less active.

Location And Forage

The principal types of forage for all fish in Lake Michigan are the Alewife and Goby. Look for pods of forage for consistent action. I have caught Coho at all depths all season long. Don't make the mistake of not running tackle for them they do require a different approach. Most consistent action is in the spring months of May and June. The reason for this is the water is very cold and the top water is the best habitat for them. The shallow water or the top 25 feet where warm water has accumulated is the answer to your best numbers. Early May run your baits in the top five feet and progress to deeper in the water column as the water warms up. The reason for outstanding spring fishing for Coho is the cold water of Lake Michigan concentrates them. Finding a temperature break is the key to finding fish. A break is defined as a major or minor change in water temperature. At times a small change of a degree or two will hold fish but I have found the greater the change the better the concentration of fish. In spring the Coho that have wintered on the southern end of Lake Michigan will migrate north. You will find some action near shore and this is a good starting spot. My experience is deep water can be very productive. I fish out to ten miles off shore in 250 feet of water for fantastic action and limits on this exciting spring fish.

Presentations For Limits On Coho Salmon

Anytime of day is a good time for this quarry. I categorize them as day feeders with angling success all day. Water temperature will dictate your best bait. I will break this down by temperature. Below 50 degrees use small crankbaits, minnow type lures and small spoons like the regular size Vulcan in silver or bright colors sold by Badger Tackle. Above 50 the cold water baits will produce but not as well as six inch orange flashers or dodgers with flies or squids. The distance between the attractor and the fly or squid will vary with the temp of the water. Try one and a half times the length of the flasher or about nine inches up to eighteen inches. Longer lead on the fly seems to work better in colder water. You may catch some fish on downrigger but they are not my first choice for presentation. Church Tackle Walleye Boards are the way to go. I run four or more on each side of the boat working an area over three hundred feet wide. Set up for Coho with a six foot 15 pound leader tied to a 3/8-ounce keel sinker attached to the 20-pound main line to your reel. Baits are attached with a ball bearing snap and run 25 feet behind the planner board. The planer board is run well off to the side of the boat out of your travel path.

Hot Lures Define The Day

Let's wrap this up with my favorite lures. For spring crankbaits, minnow type lures and Small spoons like the regular size Vulcan or six inch orange flashers and dodgers with flies or squids. Later in the season go to larger 11 inch dodgers and flies along with all size spoons in silver green. Magnum Reaper spoons did very well for us later in the season on Coho recent years. Baitfish size should be considered when selecting your spoon size.

Submitted by Capt. Jim Hirt (Jim charters out of Milwaukee, WI) 414-828-1094 www.bluemaxcharters.com