Vancouver Island Fishing Report

By Island Outfitters - Dec 17, 2006

SALTWATER

The weather outside was frightful, but the fishing was quite delightful, for winter (feeder) springs up to 14 lbs from Victoria to Sooke, elsewhere it was slow. There are still some nice halibut around when the tides and currents are favorable. If you have any fishing info, notable catches or tips that you would like to share or have included in our fishing report, please email us at info@fishingvictoria.com. Sooke Salmon fishing is EXCELLENT (when the weather isn’t awful) for winter springs up to 12 pounds this past weekend. Anglers are getting limits of springs, mostly from 7 to 12 lbs, within a short time of fishing. There are lots of smaller 3-4 lb springs around so be prepared for lots of action. Most of the salmon were being caught near the trailer park off the Sooke Bluffs and/or near Secretary Island and the mouth of the harbor. The fish are close to the bottom and deep (100 feet or more) and not too choosy about what they will strike. With spoons try Watermelon or Army Truck color combinations with 4” Coyotes, Gypsies and Titans. Anchovy is still the most popular natural bait, using Rhys Davis Watermelon or Purple Haze teaser heads. With plastic baits, go with the army truck, purple haze hootchies or squirts. Really, almost anything that you use will catch springs right now if fished according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Crabbing has been excellent for large Dungeness crabs. HALIBUT - Halibut have not been targeted recently. Becher Bay Fishing has been EXCELLENT for winter springs up to 14 lbs right inside the bay between the flag pole and Fraser Island. The Boozer’s derby was held this past weekend and A LOT OF FISH were weighed in. We don’t have the specifics, but a spring of 13+ lbs was the winner. The best fishing has been within 20 feet of the bottom inside of Fraser Island. On the outside of Fraser Island the fish have been smaller and holding at 120 to 140 feet in 300 foot depths. Rhys Davis teaser heads in Purple Haze and Watermelon have been very good when fished with anchovies. Other effective lures this past week were spoons in Green/Silver, Watermelon or Army Truck color patterns. Plastic baits were also good with Mint Tulip and Army Truck hootchies the best color patterns. Really, with so many fish around, almost anything that you use will catch springs if fished according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Pedder Bay Fishing was EXCELLENT when the weather wasn’t too bad. The marina reports that ALL boats that went out this past weekend returned with limits of spring weighing up to 12 lbs. Although most of the salmon are less than 10 lbs but there are lots of them. Also, most anglers are only fishing for about an hour or two to get their limits. Because of the weather, most of the anglers are fishing at the mouth of the bay near the can buoy. The fish have not been real choosey about what they will strike. Fish as close to the bottom as you can in 150 to 200 feet of water if you want to get the winter springs. If you’re fishing bait, use anchovy or small herring in Watermelon, Mint Pearl or Purple Haze teaser heads. With plastic baits use the Cloverleaf, Army Truck or Purple Haze hootchies and squirts. With spoons try Green Silver, Mongoose, Cop Car or Army Truck color combinations with 4” Coyotes, Gypsies and Titans. HALIBUT – Nothing new here to report as no halibut have been weighted in recently. Extra Large Herring or Octopus fished off of a spreader bar and close to the bottom works best to catch the big flatfish. Victoria Waterfront Salmon fishing was GOOD for winter springs up to 10 lbs when the weather cooperated. However, the seals have arrived and there are lots of them stealing fish form off the lines. Constance Bank has been the best spot for larger fish on days when it’s not too windy. Otherwise, anglers have been getting winter springs from 6 to 10 lbs fishing near the Gravel Pit, Brotchie Ledge and Clover Point. The best fishing has been in 150 to 200 feet of water. There is lots bait around, and the key to success is to fish near the bait and wait for the bite to come on. Glow, Purple Haze and Watermelon teaser head colors are working well. Cracked Ice or Glow flashers have been very productive too. Jellyfish, Purple Haze and white squirts fished behind Purple Glow or Purple Haze flashers have been working well too. If you use spoons, try Green Silver, Cop Car or Army Truck color combinations with 3ﾽ” or 4” Coyotes, Gypsies, Tomics and Titans. HALIBUT – Halibut fishing was QUIET due to poor weather. Extra Large Herring or Octopus fished off of a spreader bar and close to the bottom works best to catch the big flatfish. You might want to try a Lucky Jig or a Mudracker Jig instead of bait if the dogfish are around. Oak Bay South east swells on calmer days kept the anglers off the water in Oak Bay. Previously, the fishing was GOOD for winter springs out on the Oak Bay Flats. A few boats had been out on the Flats and they had been catching winter springs from 6 to 10 lbs. The fish are in the 120 to 140 foot depths chasing the bait. Most of the action is coming on Squirts and spoons. The best Squirts have been the Purple Haze and Jellyfish. The best spoons have been green and silver 4” Coyotes, Titans or Gypsys. Green/silver or Purple Glow Hot Spot flashers have been good. HALIBUT - Nothing new to report here as no one’s been fishing for halibut in the awful weather or in Oak Bay. Extra Large Herring or Octopus fished off of a spreader bar and close to the bottom works best to catch the big flatfish. Sidney Salmon fishing is BETTER THAN LAST WEEK in Sidney. The south end of the Sidney Channel was producing for winter springs up to 8 lbs. The best fishing has been near the bottom in deeper water. Anchovy and Tiny Strip have been the best baits. Plastic baits have been good too with the J-79 and Jellyfish being two of the better colors. Other good bets are 4” spoons in Silver/Green, Green/Glow or Cop Car. Notable Catches If you have any fishing info, notable catches or tips that you would like to share or have included in our fishing report, please email us at info@fishingvictoria.com.

FRESHWATER

Overview The local lakes are still GOOD for rainbow trout. Bass fishing is SLOW. River fishing is VARIABLE depending on what shape the river is in on that day. If you have any fishing info or notable catches that you would like to share or have included in our fishing report, please email us at info@fishingvictoria.com. Cowichan River The Cowichan is “BLOWN OUT” again. The water level this morning was just over 2.2 meters near the lake and 2 meters near Duncan. Some fresh steelhead have been seen in the river so fishing is looking up. When the river drops and clear there should be good steelheading all through the system. Until then, it will be real tough fishing. When that happens, use Pink worms, or small Gooey Bobs and Spin’n’Glo’s. Local Lakes Trout fishing remain GOOD, especially for anglers fishing Powerbait or worms just off the bottom. Most of the activity is coming in the warmer part of the day. Fly anglers should stay with the old reliable Black Leeches, Wooly Buggers, Doc Spratleys and Damselfly nymphs fished near the bottom. Micro leeches and micro buggers in maroon and black have also been excellent. Chironomids have been good and Pheasant Tail, Halfback and Gold Ribbed Hare’s Ear nymphs also work well. For trolling try #6 Len Thompson spoons, Flatfish, or Tomic Wee Tads in frog or rainbow patterns, red & white, or yellow with red spots. Rapalas is silver, gold or Rainbow Trout also work well. Willow Leaf Lake trolls with wedding bands and worms will almost always work. Anglers still fishing should try a small light hook Gamakatsu #8) with a power egg on a 1ft leader, tie on a swivel and then put an egg weight on your main line. This works great in most of the local lakes! Bass Fishing Bass fishing has SLOWED DOWN as the water temperature. The bass have moved into the deeper waters, at least 15 to 20 feet, and are holding on deep water structure. Your best bet is fishing these suspended fish in deeper water and using 4” tube jigs, lizards, or jigs with pork rind or by drop shooting. If you do make the effort, you can get some good action. Shawnigan Lake, Prospect Lake and Elk and Beaver Lakes have been the best spots for bass. St, Mary’s Lake on Saltspring Island would be another good spot to try. Notable Catches If you have any fishing info, notable catches or tips that you would like to share or have included in our fishing report, please email us at info@fishingvictoria.com. Stamp River Steelhead fishing was EXCELLENT this past week. The water is high but clear and very fishable. Anglers are getting fish everyday, throughout the entire system. It should get even better as the water levels starts to drop.

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