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Well the Salmon opener finally arrived on the coast and so did the weather! Our weather window was small with the building winds and strong outgoing tide making the bar crossing too dangerous to mess with in the afternoon so we left our slip at 4:30 and headed to the grounds. I was so excited to get back on the water with my dad and our good friend Mike Starr. We dropped our lines in at 5:30 and within 5 minutes, the first fish was on! A few minutes later, we had a 5lb Coho to the net, we decided to keep it since we didn't have much time and it was especially nice to get the skunk off the boat! The bite was pretty steady, we worked the south side of the buoy line from 100' of water out to 160' of water. I chose to run small gear because the herring we picked up weren't much more than 4"… too small to even plug cut. The White Lightning Coho Killer and Purple Sonic Edge by Silver Horde behind a Delta Diver did the trick. My dad and I agreed to stop fishing at 8:00am so we could cross the Columbia River Bar before the Ebb, otherwise we would have to stay on the outside till around noon for a safe crossing. It was 7:57 and we were in search of Casper (we call the last fish of the limit Casper, the ghost J) and as luck would have it, Mike's rod went off and a few minutes later, the last fat Coho was in the box. It was a great decision to stop fishing when we did; we hugged the south jetty as we crossed the bar and as I looked to the north, the bar was covered with breakers.

We were really happy with the size of the Coho for this early in the season, most of our fish were around 7lbs and we also managed 2 Chinooks in the 12lb class. It sure looks like we are going to have a great season this year. I talked to a few other boats that also had success. My friend Bernie on the Kool Cat managed a few Coho in the 10lb class! That's huge for this time of year and with the amount of bait in the area, these fish are going to plump up nicely in the next few months.

Pictured above on 6/28, a local fishing expert Mike Starr with 2 nice 12lb class Chinook Tight lines and be safe out there!

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

Westport (Marine 2):

July 01, 2009

No report this week

La Push (Marine Area 3 & Forks):

July 01, 2009

No report this week

For more info call Jim Richeson, Top Notch Ocean Charters/Quillayute River Guide Service/Jims Cabin Rentals; Toll Free (888)501-5887 or (360)374-2660; jricheson@centurytel.net; www.forks-web.com/jim

Neah Bay (Marine Area 4):

July 01, 2009

No report this week

For more information, call TommyCod Charters at 800-283-8900 or 360-963-0759 or e-mail at Tommycodcharters@aol.com. TommyCodCharters.com

Sekiu (Marine Area 5):

July 01, 2009

New Food Co-op in Clallam Bay

We have a full range of foods from lowest price up to organic. We specialize in herbs and spices, repacked meat for the unsuccessful full day of fishing, dairy, good yogurt and ice cream, local produce, local eggs, and lots, lots more. Our prices are very competitive.

We are told we have a fun and exciting store. It is growing daily and filling the needs of the locals, the fishermen and visitors to our area.

We are excited about what we are doing and it has been suggested by two VERY enthusiastic fishermen yesterday that we should contact you and let the folk know that there is good nutritious food beyond Port Angeles or Forks.

16732 Hwy 112
Clallam Bay WA 98326

Ph: 360 963 2189
www.westendcoop.weebly.com

No report this week

Fishing report by Bob's Charter. www.bobscharter.com Olson's Resort Sekiu.

No report this week

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 8.1:

July 01, 2009

Closes to Salmon fishing.

No fishing and no reports 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:

July 01, 2009

Closed to salmon fishing

Salmon opened in the Tulalip bubble on June 5

Tulalip Special fishery opened for King Salmon Friday June 5. Tulalip was slow over the weekend, Remember you can keep any Chinook over 22 inches in this area; it does not have to be a fin clipped hatchery origin fish. The limit is 2 salmon.

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:

July 01, 2009

Closed to salmon fishing

Opens July 16 for hatchery kings and all silvers and Humpies

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 ; www.allstarfishing.com

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

Seattle area (Marine Area 10):

July 01, 2009

Finally we get a catch and keep fishery in Area 10. Crabbing opens Wednesday July 1st . Crabbing will continue Wednesday thru Saturday until Labor Day. Also July 1st will mark the opening in Area 10 for Coho and pinks outside of the closures of Shilshole, Elliott Bay and Sinclair Inlet. With Pinks there is a bonus of 2 additional Pinks.

Starting this Friday thru Monday the inner part of Elliott Bay will open for Chinook, either clipped or unclipped. I hope we will get some good reports from this coming weekend.

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

Opens for catch and keep Coho July 1
Opens for catch and keep hatchery Kings July 16
Elliott Bay opens July 3 for Kings and Coho.

Although resident Coho are not the largest of the salmon they are great eating fish and this has been a good fishery in the past few years.

The northern half of area 10 has been the best, fishing with small flasher or dodgers trailed with squid or Coho Killer spoons. Start out early morning fishing shallow 15 to 30 feet and go deeper as the sun rises.

Elliott Bay for Kings on the 4th of July, what a deal, fish till dark and then watch the fireworks!

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

Coho Salmon fishing will open on July 1st. The action should be fairly good. We have been catching plenty of resident Coho over the past week. I would target the Northern portion of area 10, fishing Dodgers and Hootchies about 30-60' down. The action tends to be in the deeper water 180-300', look for rips that collect the food. The fish are running around 2-4lbs on the average, not the mighty Ocean fish but fun to catch and great eating. The King action has been a little spotty; however we have had some nice fish to the boat over the last few weeks.

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

 Marine Area 11:

July 01, 2009

No report this week

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

Fishing for Kings remains slow in Area 11. A few fish are being caught at the usual spots; Point Defiance and the ebb and low slack, and Dalco and GIg Harbor on the flood. But, the fish-caught/boat ratio is still discouragingly low.

Jeff and Nathan from Vashon put 3 legal fish in the box last week, all 9-15 pounds. The B2 squid is working for them.

Serenissima fished hard on Monday from 06:00 to 11:30, with nothing to show but a few dogfish and flounders (mooching with plug-cut herring). A very nice 19#8oz King was being weighed at the Marina scale on Saturday, it came out at the change of the tide at the Claybanks, about 08:30.

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

Hood Canal (Marine Area 12):

July 01, 2009

No report this week

Marine Area 13:

July 01, 2009

No report this week

Lake Chelan:

July 01, 2009

What's hot is trolling the tip of Wapato Point for Lakers. Also hot, is trolling for lakers between Sunnybank and Minneapolis as well as just below the State Park. The Bar is cooling off, but is worth fishing hard from 7:30 to 9:30 AM.

Our basic presentation continues to be trolling Flatfish in T-4 and U-20 sizes at 1.4 to 1.8 mph. In addition to downriggers, using a snap weight and setting the lures back about 100' with a one-pound ball off your line and sending it to the bottom continues to be productive. We have had success with both Luminous Chartreuse and Purple Glow. Alternatively, Mack's Lures double hook combos with big smile blades baited with a slab of Northern Pike minnow will be productive too. As always, make sure you are constantly working to keep your presentation within 10 feet of the bottom without dragging. All the areas that we are fishing now have the potential to grab your gear. Remember to slow down and speed up a lot to trigger the predatory instinct in neutral to negative fish. Those kinds of details are the difference between boating some fish and just taking a long slow boat ride.

Remember when cooking our lakers to just grill them until they are barely done. Fish are delicate. Overcooking them really ruins their flavor and texture.

The kid's tip of the week is to remember the keys to making a fishing trip enjoyable for school age kids. First, if the trip is for them choose a trip that promises lots of action rather than trophy hunting. Second, if it is trophy hunting after all, plan for lots of alternatives to keep the kid busy. Lots of snacks and games are a good start. Then I have my "song and dance" routine to keep the younger / shorter attention span kids involved. I sing "here fishy fishy", then "come on fishy take a look, come on and bite my hook" followed by: "here we go left fish, here we go"… I engage them to join in. Comically enough, you can tell whether you still have a little kid or a budding teenager by their willingness to join in. It takes an amazingly confident teenager to sing "here fishy, fishy" in front of adults. Only very shy little kids will refrain.

Your safety tip of the week is to remind you take it easy when going through rafts of drift out there. It will help you dodge the deadheads that are hidden amongst the little stuff. Also, make sure the little kids life jackets are well fitting and comfortable so they will stay in them without fussing.

Pictured above on 6-22-09, Steve Peterson of Prosser with a 16 pound Mack Bar Laker. He was fishing with new fishing buddy Harry Loskill of Newport, WA.

Pictured above on 6-24-09, Janine and Alain Balland with guide Andy Byrd and their mornings catch of Mackinaw.

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

Wow!!!! What a week! Started the week off with a great bite happening at first light for the Chinook here on Lake Chelan. Trolling the Ace Hi-Fly was proven to be the best bait with a strip of Northern Pikeminnow trailing behind. I trolled this bait in depths off Rocky point between 70 and 220ft to find the biters.

As the week progressed the bite for Chinook slowed down but the Laketrout bite came alive strong. Caught Lakers using the Purple Glow T-4 Flatfish by Warden Lures and also the Ace Hi-fly by Silverhorde.

Mackinaw Bar is holding a lot of big fish right now but they can be challenging to get to bite. Keep your bait of choice in the fish and be patient. Sometimes you will fish the Bar with little luck and other days you just can't do anything wrong.

After 10 am, try fishing the edges of the Bar. The fish seem to drop off the shallow hump and hang on the ledges.

Another hotspot which is holding a lot of Lakers is out in front of the Yacht Club. Fish depths from 130 to 180 to be most productive. Continue trolling the Purple Glow Flatfish next to the bottom in this location.

Pictured above, is Scott Ihrig of Duvall with a nice King and his daughters Briana (12) and Emily (9) with 2 nice Laketrout..

Thanks to all that fished with me this week and tightlines

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

No report this week

Special Moments Guide Service, Eastside - Curtis L Welch
Call 509-764-2441 home or 425-830-4713 Cell

Ucluelet, BC:

July 01, 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

June 2009 has not only been a sensational weather month but the salmon fishing has been incredible in the Port Alberni Inlet, Ucluelet and Barkley Sound. People visiting the Port Alberni Valley and salmon fishing with salmon fishing charter guides have been treated with some unbelievable Sockeye Salmon Fishing. The same holds true for those fishing out on the West Coast and Barkley Sound and salmon fishing or sport fishing on guided salmon-halibut combo trips. West coast salmon fishing has not targeted Sockeye but targets Coho and Chinook and halibut. Guests have had great success and have returned back to the Ucluelet Harbor with limits. The Coho are thick and some days it is difficult to get below the Coho to the Chinook.

Sockeye returns to date to Sproat and Great Central Lakes have been generally good. Total escapement to June the 22nd to Great Central Lake is 20,000 Sockeye. The daily count through the Great Central fish way has been from 560 to 2,252 fish per day. The return to Sproat Lake to date is 14,680 Sockeye. Daily Counts have been 225 to 1,480 Sockeye per day through the Sproat fish way. The river flow has been very moderate for this time of year and temperature of the water at the fish way has been from 18 to 19 degrees Celsius.

Port Alberni

Inlet Barkley Sound

The Port Alberni Inlet has had some wonderful Sockeye fishing. Since opening day, June 15th, the sport fishery has seen most anglers get their limit of two sockeye per day. The Sport Fishing advisory board made a decision that with the forecast of close to 400,000 Sockeye to the Somass River that limits should begin at two per day with a two day possession limit of four sockeye. There is a possibility the DFO will upgrade the run and if that happens the sport anglers possession limit per day would move up to four salmon.

The fishing has been very good in most areas of the Port Alberni Inlet. However it seems that the Nahmint-Franklin area has been the best. The last few days the action has been unbelievable with many fishermen using just black hooks on a 17 to 26 foot leader behind a green or red hotspot flasher. Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing guides Mel, John and Doug have been limiting for guests each morning. There has been some good sized Coho in the mix. Guide Mel has picked up a whopping 9 pound Sockeye for guests from Prince George B.C. The best depths for the Sockeye have been from 45 to 65 feet. Besides black hooks tied in tandem the mp 15 or small bubblegum hootchie has been working well as have the black-pink and blue-pink hootchies. We are expecting good sockeye fishing through July and we are hoping that the run size may be upgraded. Chinook and Coho fishing in the Port Alberni Inlet usually gets underway by the 10th of August.

Barkley Sound

There has been some continued good salmon fishing in various areas of Barkley Sound. Coho have been in good numbers. The Coho are getting bigger and there seems to be big schools of them on the surf line and in as far as Swale Rock and Kirby and Sanford Points. The Coho have been in water from 25 to 80 feet and have been hitting hootchies preferably white and purple haze and also the four inch silver-glow and blue and green nickel coyote spoons. It seems that the Coho will hit any lure but the lure colors may change depending on the bait that the Coho are feeding on. If the Coho are feeding on squid then the hootchie colors that are purple and white are working and if the Coho are feeding on needlefish than change to greens and white. Guide Doug of Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing has led guests to a couple of 11 pound Coho near Swale Rock. However most of the Coho have averaged 5 to 7 pounds. Coho outside a line from Coaster Channel to Sanford must be hatchery. Any Coho inside the line can be either wild or hatchery with a daily possession limit of two.

Chinook Fishing has been best around Edward King, Ship Island, Cape Beale, and Meares and Austin Island. During the past few days there has been some great fishing at Holford Bay and Alan Point. Both of these spots are usually best in August. Chinook up to 24 pounds have been picked up by guides and sport fishermen during the past weekend and early days of the new week (June 29th) Anchovy has been working very well in a UV green Rhys Davis Teaser Head, a purple haze Teaser Head, and an army truck Teaser Head. Chinook have also been hitting the blue-nickel and silver glow four inch coyote spoon. Leader length using anchovy has been up to five feet and Coyote spoon leader length can vary from 42 inches to 55 inches. Guide John of Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing seems to have his best success on a cop car coyote at a leader length of 42 inches.

We are expecting the Barkley Sound sport fishery to be very good in the months to come. Migratory flows are very high. Chinook, Coho, Sockeye and Pink Salmon numbers are extremely high. Pink and Sockeye Salmon have returns going down the Vancouver Island Coastline of up to 17 million pieces. Anyone fishing the surf line and in towards various areas of the Sound should not have trouble picking up a salmon on the troll. Look for unbelievable Barkley Sound Salmon fishing in July, August and September.

Ucluelet

West Coast

As usual Ucluelet has had fabulous inshore and offshore fishing. Inshore areas such as Mara Rock, The Lighthouse Bank, Sail Rock and most importantly Great Bear have been very good. Great Bear has by far been the best for Chinook. Guide Mike has had one of the biggest fish of the year for guests from Portland Oregon at 35 pounds picked up on a green-glow four inch coyote spoon at 75 feet. There have been several fish in the 30 pound range as well as numerous fish in the twenties at Great Bear. South Bank has had a lot of smaller Chinook. Sport fishermen have had a ball on the smaller fish but sometimes when eight to ten, 6 to 7 pound Chinook hit every twenty minutes it can become very frustrating especially when using bait. The same has been true for the Coho which have been very thick especially at South Bank and Big Bank. On Saturday guide Al picked up twelve hatchery Coho for guests from Vancouver. The group also had three Chinook and five halibut. It was almost impossible to get to the Chinook which have been sitting in 160 to 170 feet of water. The Coho are at all depths starting at 25 feet. Of course the halibut are on the bottom. Al has been using a hootchie or lure known as a Turd as well as the green and glow coyote spoon and a T-Rex cuttle fish with 44 inches of leader. The Turd has been unbelievable for all salmon and also the halibut. The halibut have seemed to really like the green-glow coyote spoon and also the green-nickel. When the tides are good out on the bank guides Al and Mike have been using spreader bars with bait in the 180 to 200 foot levels. Trolling off the bottom seems to be the best method at the moment for Chinook and halibut.

Mark and friend from Vancouver B.C. show off two Chinook picked up at the Big Bank. Guests fished with Al and also picked up several Coho and their limit of Halibut

The fishing since late May off of Ucluelet and the waters of inner and outer Barkley Sound has been amazing. We have been fishing for salmon that are migrating down the coastline of Vancouver Island and really are not fully mature. With Chinook already at 30 pounds and a few in the 40s one can see that there definitely has been a change in the ocean and that there has been very strong ocean survival for Coho and Chinook. There has been plenty natural food for the salmon to help each species make a remarkable comeback.

Pictured above, Rochelle from Tooele, Utah with her two Sockeye Salmon caught in the Alberni Inlet. This was Rochelle's first ever fishing trip. These fish were caught around the China Creek area in 50 feet of water.

Pictured above, Tom Housholder of Utah shows his two Sockeye caught in Cous Creek located in the Port Alberni Inlet. These Sockeye were caught on Black Hooks and pink hootchies. Guide was Doug of Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing

Pictured above, Kitty Bardardottir from Reykjavik, Iceland is quite happy with her very first Sockeye caught in the Alberni Inlet. Kitty fished near China Creek with Guide Mel of Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing.

Somass-Stamp River

Sport fishermen on the banks of the Somass River have had wonderful days also. Guide Nick has been entertaining guests aboard his jet goat and have been having a ball on light tackle. Those fishing from the shoreline often have to find their favorite spots early in the morning. Fall fishing dates for Coho and Summer Steelhead are filling fast. Accommodation-fly-fishing packages are available.

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:

July 01, 2009

No report this week

Vancouver Island Overview

Salmon fishing was GOOD BUT SLOWER this past week. This year the derby set a new record with 297 springs weighed in! Halibut fishing was SLOWER BUT GOOD last week although most anglers were targeting big Chinook salmon and the tides were poor.

Sooke, BC:

July 01 , 2009

Salmon -- Salmon fishing was GOOD, but a little slower this past week. The afternoon winds made things tough for some fishermen. That said lots of springs from 20 to 40+ lbs were caught this week, as well as quite a few coho as some early run pink salmon. Dan Burkmar & Mike Burkmar teamed up for a 35.5 lb spring off Secretary Island on Saturday. Dave Buijert won the Island Farms Salmon Derby with a 31.4 lb spring caught near Possession Point on an anchovy fished in a red Rhys Davis Anchovy Special fished behind an O'KI Sooke Special flasher at 60 feet. The best fishing has been near Sherringham Point, Muir Creek, and Secretary Island. Most anglers fishing for springs are using anchovies or small/medium herring in Rhys Davis Anchovy Specials or JDF Teasers in Chartreuse Glow, Bloody Nose and Purple Haze colors. The best hootchies or squirts to try are the Purple Haze, Army Truck or White. The best flashers have been the new UV Crush Hot Spot and Red Racer.

Halibut -We didn't hear of much going on for halibut out in Sooke last week, but that is likely because most anglers were out fishing for salmon and the tides were poor. 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 PRETTY GOOD near Becher Bay. Anglers were catching spring up to 40 lbs, as well as some coho and pink salmon. Terry Wamback caught a 39.4 lb spring at Beechey Head this weekend. Lawrence Lu reported catching a 30 lb spring off of Beechey Head on Saturday while using a O'KI Red/Silver flasher and a chrome Rhys Davis teaser head with an anchovy fished at 75 feet. Most anglers fishing for springs are using anchovies or herring and trolling them from 50-90 feet on the downrigger with glow/green or purple haze heads and Betsey or Spring Fever flashers. The best fishing has been from the O'Brien Point to Beechey Head and in between, but Aldridge to Fraser Island can also be productive especially if the wind kicks up. The Purple Haze and White hootchies have been good for the springs if you like to troll the plastic stuff.

 Pedder Bay

Salmon - Pedder Bay Marina reports GOOD fishing for salmon. Anglers were getting spring salmon into the 30's as well as hooking lots of wild coho and the odd pink and sockeye salmon. Most anglers were most successful last week with anchovies or small herring fished in a teaser head. Good teaser head colors are Green, Purple Haze, Bloody Nose and Mint Pearl. Tony Gicas placed second in the Island Farms Salmon Derby with a 31.4 lb spring caught near the Pedder Bay kelp beds. If you're using hootchies and squirts, try the Purple Haze or White. The most popular natural bait has been anchovies with fished with green/glow flashers. Try using Purple Haze, Nose Bleed or Mint Pearl teaser heads.

HALIBUT -Halibut fishing was GOOD this week, in spite of the poor tides and wind. At least ten halibut up to 50 lbs were brought in to the marina. Extra Large herring and/or Octopus are the most popular baits for halibut but salmon bellies have also worked well. However, if the dogfish become a nuisance, and they are around, you can use a Mudraker or Lucky Jig or the Glow in the Dark bullet Jig and still catch halibut.

Victoria/Sydney, BC:

June 16, 2009

Victoria Waterfront

Salmon -Salmon fishing was HIT AND MISS this past week. Fishermen are starting to report more mature springs up to 27 lbs showing up off the Breakwater and harbour entrance. Anchovies are the best producers this time of year but spoons and hootchies can be effective too. Purple Haze, Nose Bleed and the Betsy have been the best teaser head colors. Out on the bank Green/silver Coyote spoons and Purple Haze hootchies are also catching fish. Good flashers have been the Red Glow, Purple/Glow and the Green/Glow colors.

Halibut- Halibut fishing was GOOD in spite of the poor tides and wind. 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 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 GOOD BUT SLOWING DOWN this past week. There were lots of fish early in the week but it was quiet by Sunday. Scott Craven caught a 26 lb spring on Saturday morning trolling a small anchovy behind an OKI Silver Betsy at 149' off the flats. Most of the springs are in the 10 to 18 lb size range and were caught close to the bottom. The salmon have been feeding on needlefish and candlefish. Try fishing the Gap or the Flats with small anchovies, Jellyfish, J-79 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. 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 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 VERY GOOD near Sidney this past week. Bob Haney reported catching a 16 lb spring near the Red Can Buoy in Sidney Channel. There were lots of other anglers catching springs as well as small 4-5 lb coho. There are also lots of dogfish in Sidney now, making fishing with bait more challenging. The best artificial lures to use for springs now are Glo Below, J-79, Peanut Butter, Ghost Shrimp and Purple Haze Squirts. Small anchovies ahv ebeen the best natural bait.

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

NOTABLE CATCHES

Dan Burkmar & Mike Burkmar teamed up for a 35.5 lb spring off Secretary Island on Saturday. Terry Wamback caught a 39.4 lb spring at Beechey Head this weekend. Dave Buijert won the Island Farms Salmon derby with a 31.4 lb spring caught near Possession Point on an anchovy fished in a red Rhys Davis Anchovy Special fished behind an O'KI Sooke Special flasher at 60 feet. Tony Gicas placed second in the derby with a 31.4 lb spring caught near the Pedder Bay kelp beds. Ernie Neider came in third with a 27.4 lb spring. Lawrence Lu reported catching a 30 lb spring off of Beechey Head on Saturday while using an O'KI Red/Silver flasher and a chrome Rhys Davis teaser head with an anchovy fished at 75 feet. Scott Craven caught a 26 lb spring on Saturday morning trolling a small anchovy behind an OKI Silver Betsy at 149' off the Oak Bay Flats. Bob Haney reported catching a 16 lb spring near the Red Can Buoy in Sidney Channel.

Tip of the Week

When fishing top water plugs for bass and that monster comes up and smashes the surface going after lure, WAIT until you feel the pull of the fish on the line before setting the hook. Quite often the fish will miss the lure on the strike and it will come back to hit it again if you haven't pulled it away.

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

Port Renfrew

Salmon fishing was GOOD this week. Some days it's been good off shore and other days closer to the beach. Halibut fishing has been GOOD out on Swiftsure Bank with lots of limit catches.

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 and bass fishing GOOD on the local lakes, but river fishing is a bit scratchy.

Cowichan River - The water level in the river is low, dropping below 0.29 meters. Fishing is tough now as the fish are less active in the lower, warmer water. Also there are numerous "hatches" of tubers going down the river making it tough for fisherman. Try fishing early in the morning or late in the evening with small flies. Good flies to use are Prince Nymphs, bead headed Gold Ribbed Hare's Ear nymphs and Pheasant Tail nymphs. The browns will also hit black Wooly Buggers, Rolled Muddlers and large, ugly streamer patterns as well as the nymphs.

Local Lakes

Trout fishing is GOOD on most lakes in the south island area as the water temperature increases. Anglers fishing Powerbait from shore have been doing well. Lemon/Lime Powerbait Eggs with Shrimp scent and green Powerbait paste have been the hottest bait recently. Gear fishermen have been doing OK with the Baitrix Trout lures in Holographic colours, especially for larger fish. They have also been doing well trolling Luhr Jensen Needlefish spoons in a variety of colours or Tomic Wee-Tads in frog or rainbow. 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.

Bass Fishing

Bass fishing was GOOD this past week, with reports that it is starting to heat up. Most of the fish are in the post-spawn mode and are aggressive. Try fishing fast moving baits like spinnerbaits to target these fish. Top water baits are starting to work better now as well. Langford Lake has been good recently. Shawnigan Lake, Prospect Lake and Elk and Beaver Lakes have been good spots for bass too.

Notable Catches -

Tip Of The Week -

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

 

Queen Charlotte Islands

July 01, 2009

MV Charlotte Princess - July 01, 2009

Hey folks, Fishing is still awesome, with all boats who choose to limiting out on Chinooks and Cohos. Some larger fish are also coming in to the dock. Yesterday we had a 42 pounder from Andrews Point and a 45 pounder from No Name Point top the list yesterday.