|
Fishing Report
February 7th 2007
Doug Lindores
There are few areas in British Columbia that are like Vancouver Island for saltwater fishing accessibility. Vancouver Island has world -class fishing opportunities that are filled with excitement for the recreational sportsman. Vancouver Island has tremendous appeal to many visitors. For the avid fisherman fighting a big chinook or watching and holding onto a 15 to 20 pound bright silver coho jumping across the water in summersault fashion behind the boat is an exhilarating experience. Some people just enjoy the experience of some breathtaking scenery seen in many of the natural inlets and beaches of Vancouver Island..
The Port Alberni Inlet, Barkley Sound, and the waters off of Ucluelet have endless fishing adventures. The Port Alberni Inlet and Barkley Sound have beautiful pristine calm waters with ample sockeye, chinook and coho swimming the waters from June through October. Ucluelet on the other hand offers open ocean fishing which can take anglers up to 26 miles offshore to enormous amounts of migrating chinook, coho, and pink salmon. Ucluelet also offers halibut fishing off the rich resource waters of the La Perouse Bank.
Sports fishing guides, charters and lodges are busily organizing their 2007 summer season. February and March are often the months that the keen angler organizes for a saltwater trip. Those individuals who are interested in coming to Vancouver Island should not delay and proceed with vacation angling arrangements.
Current Fishing
Saltwater fishing in Barkley Sound and Ucluelet has improved over the last 10 days as the herring are moving toward the beach and into Barkley Sound. The biggest fish of the week was 24 pounds caught in the Canoe Pass area between Swale Rock and Vernon Bay. Begg Island close to the Ucluelet Harbor has had many 6 to 8 pound feeder springs.
The Somas-Stamp has been a bit slower for winter steelhead.
BARKLEY SOUND AND BAMFIELD
The last ten days saw some excellent weather and great winter chinook fishing in the Barkley Sound Bamfield area. The herring spawn usually occurs near the end of February or early March. Herring are moving into the sound, which is a reason why the fishing has improved. Vernon Bay, Swale Rock, Canoe Pass, Diplock, Pill Point, and Sarita have all been good areas for feeder chinook fishing. Longtime Port Alberni Fisherman Bud picked up a beautiful 18 pound salmon at Diplock on herring strip using a clear super strip teaser head. The biggest fish of the week was a 24 pound beauty just outside Canoe Pass on a 4 inch silver coyote spoon. Numerous 7 to 10 pound feeder springs are in Sarita and San Matao Bay. Ten to fifteen pound winter springs have been in Vernon Bay and Swale rock. The fish in Sarita and San Matao have been found between 60 and 80 feet. Vernon Bay and Swale Rock have been deeper and found in the 110 to 125 foot range. Many of the fish have been hitting coyote spoons. They have seemed to prefer the 3.5 or 4 inch silver and also the blue-nickel. The fish have been hitting hootchies in the early part of the morning. Glow-white and white behind a purple-haze flasher have been excellent.
The winter chinook fishng will get even better as we get closer to the end of February and the beginning of March. E mail Doug at dlindy@shaw.ca for more information on this spectacular winter fishery.
The summer of 2007 should have some great fishing for migrating coho and chinook in June and July. Beginning in August Robertson Creek Hatchery salmon will enter the system as they make their way to the Somass-Stamp River and onto the hatchery.
UCLUELET (WEST COAST)
The winter chinook fishing in Ucluelet over the past 10 days has been good. The days have been beautiful and sunny and yes warm with some nice water to fish in. Most of the fish have been in the 7 to 9 pound category. Guide Jon had a 15 pound winter spring at Begg Island just outside the Ucluelet Harbour. The herring are beginning to move toward the beach and into Barkley Sound. The fishing will get much better and it is anticipated that there will be some bigger fish over the next 3 to 4 weeks. Silver spoons in the Titan and Coyote variety have been working well as they are intimidating the bait. We are expecting to fish close to the beach and harbour as the herring move in. We will also fish Barkley Sound, Mayne Bay and Sail Rock which are excellent winter chinook areas when the herring close in on their spawning time. Fishing in February and March should be fabulous.
We have started our SEAFOOD SAFARI. People are adventuring out to Ucluelet and are having opportuniy to fish for prawns, crab, oysters, salmon and bottom fish. Near the end of March and first part of April we will begin fishing halibut.
For more information on winter and spring fishing and of course the fabulous summer fishing call Doug at 250 724 2502 or e mail dlindy@shaw.ca. We are booking all of our summer trips. Do not be disappointed; inquire today.
SOMASS-STAMP RIVER
The Stamp River dramatically dropped over the last week and with little precipitation and cooler temperatures the low and very clear water made it very difficult for sport anglers to hook into a lot of fish. On average guides have been hooking into 5 to 7 fish. The rain over the past weekend should change the situation with the water not being as clear. Plenty of fish are still coming into the system. February and March are going to be excellent months. The river is easier to walk with it being lower. Those using jet boats are having more success below “the bucket” Bait and some artificials are best. The weekends are very busy with the week days being quieter for fishing. There are fish in the upper river. Remember there is a bait ban above “the bucket”.
PORT ALBERNI INLET
There currently is not any fishing in Port Alberni Inlet. The sockeye will arrive in late May and should begin schooling in mid-June. Chinook and coho will be very good in August and September. On the Labor Day Weekend plan to fish in the Port Alberni Salmon Derby as their will be plenty of big chinook.
For more information
Contact:
Doug Lindores
250 724 2502
dlindy@shaw.ca
www.catchsalmon-ca.com
Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing
|