FISHING REPORT SOMASS-STAMP RIVER, WEST COAST (UCLUELET)

                         PORT ALBERNI INLET, BARCLAY SOUND

Fishing Report

December 18^th, 2006

Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing

Doug Lindores

     The Port Alberni and West Coast (Ucluelet) areas have had some spectacular Winter Storms.  Not only have there been some unbelievable windy days in Port Alberni where winds in the area were up to 90 knots and up to 135 knots in areas of Barclay sound but the central and west coast areas of Vancouver Island have also had some heavy snow days.  The winter storms have made for a lack of fishing days on the ocean but have not played havoc with angling in the Somass-Stamp River.  Steelhead fishing in the river and various tributaries has been excellent and will only get better.  The winter steelhead in the Somass-Stamp are in large numbers with anglers in jet boats doing very well.

Somass-Stamp River

     Winter steelhead are now making up at least 95% of the fish in the river.  Summer steelhead are now basically finished.  The fishing opportunities for winter steelhead are predicted to be phenomenol and will continue through March or early April.   Winter steelhead have been entering the river over the last three to four weeks and have been heavily fished in the lower river.  The area below “the bucket” is very fishable and anglers can use bait.  When the river is low it is best to use smaller bait.  However this is certainly not the case at the moment.  The river is high due to the latest wind and rain storm on Monday December 11^th.  Any area above “the bucket” must be fished with artificial lures as there is a bait ban.  The best artificial lures are Janson Eggs, gooey bobs, spin and glow, and at certain times large artificial pink worms.  The fish being picked up that are hatcheries are averaging 8 to 12 pounds.  The largest wild fish to date has been approximately 15 pounds.   The weekend of December 16^th and 17^th was very  good with guides hitting up to 15 fish per trip.

        A few Summer steelhead are still found in the lower river and up at the hatchery.  600 summer run steelhead were released into the lower river about five weeks ago and most have made there way back to the hatchery or have spawned.  Guide Art picked up a 15 pound summer fish.

For more information regarding sport fishing for winter steelhead with or without guides contact Doug at Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing at dlindy@shaw.ca   This is going to be a terrific year.   Plan  a trip to the beautiful Alberni Valley this winter.  Slivers Charters can provide accommodation and fishing packages at our beautiful lodges in Port Alberni.

Ucluelet  (West Coast)

       There have been a few days that have been possible to get out on the west coast waters.  Sport fishermen and guides have been targeting winter chinook.  The fish are abundant in the area.  Most of the fishing has occurred close to the beach.  The Ucluelet Harbor, Beg Island, the lighthouse and “the Can” have been areas that have been fishable.  Most of the fish are found in deep water from 80 to 130 feet.  The best fishing method has been on the troll  using a white, whie-glow or purple-haze hootchie.  Anchovie in a green or green-glow or purple-haze Rhys-Davis teaser head behind a plaid or green hot spot flasher has also been very good.

      Ucluelet and Tofino are wonderful places to visit during the winter.  Plan a day of fishing or later in the winter beginning in February plan to spend a day on the water  involved in our “Seafood Safari”.  Our Seafood Safari gives groups an opportunity to fish for prawns, crabs,  winter chinook,  rock fish, and even pick oysters.  There are many beautiful days on the Pacific during late January, February, March, and April.  Contact Doug at Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing 250 724 2502 to plan your trip.

Port Alberni Inlet and Barclay Sound

      There has not been much happening in either area over the last ten days.  Swale rock, Vernon Bay and Meares had some good winter spring fishing when the bait bait was in these areas.  Usually feeder springs show up in good number in late January and early February.  Bait plays a big role.  If there is not any bait usually there are not any fish.   The winter springs average 8 to 15 pounds.  Last year a few in the high twenties were picked up.  When the herring come into Barclay Sound to spawn there will be plenty of feeders.  This occurs usually in February.

      The Port Alberni Inlet will come alive again next June when the best commercial and very popular salmon, the sockeye, arrive.  Sockeye salmon have now become a very big sport fish with anglers from all over the world enjoying the fishery.  It is not too early to start planning summer trips.  When the last of the sockeye make there way into the river system and then the lakes the chinook and coho begin showing up.  It is expected that there will be ample 4 and 5 year old chinook in 2007.  Jack coho had an excellent return to Robertson Creek Hatchery this fall.  It is expected that the return of coho will also be very good in 2007.

For more information

Contact

Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing

Doug Lindores

dlindy@shaw.ca

250 724 2502