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Fishing Report for August 29th

SALTWATER

Overview
Salmon fishing was EXCELLENT this past weekend from Port Renfrew through East Sooke. Sockeye Fever has hit the lower Island although the numbers of sockeye caught this past week are down. There haven’t been too many big springs caught but they are still around. Some pinks and hatchery coho are also showing up in the mix. Halibut fishing was GOOD this past week.

Port Renfrew
Halibut fishing has been EXCELLENT out at Swiftsure Bank. Most of the boats are easily getting their limits every trip. The sockeye run is still GOOD between the bank and the beach on the tide lines. Closer in along the beach it has been HOT ONE DAY, COLD THE NEXT for salmon. Salmon fishing has been the best between Logan Creek and Camper Creek. Anchovies and medium herring have been the most productive baits.

Sooke
Salmon fishing was EXCELLENT this past week. The sockeye continue to be caught in large numbers and many boats are still getting limit catches. The best sockeye fishing has been out in the deep water along the tide lines. Anglers are also getting incidental catches of mature springs while fishing for sockeye. A few hatchery Coho and Pink salmon have been caught as well. Spring fishing has ben more sporadic with most fish in the 20’s to low 30’s. However, a few bigger ones are also being caught. The best areas for springs have been Possession Point, Muir Creek and Otter Point. Most anglers fishing for springs are using bait while those targeting sockeye are using small hootchies and spoons. Anchovies and 5.5”- 6” herring in Purple Haze or Green Glow heads were catching fish. The best hootchies or squirts to try are the Army Truck, White and Purple Haze or small and pink if you’re fishing for sockeyes. Cop Car Coyote spoons have also been good for both springs and sockeye.

HALIBUT — Halibut fishing was GOOD this past week. Best bet for halibut has been west of Sherringham Pt. Extra Large herring, Mackerel and Octopus are the most popular baits for halibut. Berkely Gulp and Powerbait soft plastics also work very well. You can also use a large spoon fished off the spreader bar, Mudraker or Lucky Jigs or other large Jigs if you want to stay away from the dogfish.

Becher Bay
Salmon fishing was EXCELLENT for sockeyes this past week. There are sockeye out in the deeper waters and anglers have been getting limits. A few hatchery Coho and Pink salmon have been caught as well. There have some spring salmon taken in most spots from Fraser Island to Secretary Island, but generally speaking the Trap Shack has been the best spot. Rob Jared from Fort McMurray, Alberta landed a 39 lb spring on August 23rd by Trap Shack on a Tiger Prawn teaser & Silver Betsy flasher 50 feet in 200 + feet of water. On the weekend, Ray Barber won the Cheanuh Marina salmon derby with a 30.6 lb spring. Most of the springs caught recently have been between 50 to 100 feet on the downrigger using anchovy or herring as bait. The springs have been in tight and shallow in the mornings moving to deeper water during the day. The best teaser heads were Purple Haze, Tiger Prawn or Green Glow. Anglers are catching lots of sockeyes on small pink hootchies or spoons. Some anglers were using 6 oz weights to fish shallow for the sockeyes while others are stacking their downriggers and fishing from 30 to 65 feet. The best sockeye fishing has been out on the tide lines. The best flashers have been the Silver Betsey, Purple Haze or Green/Silver.

Rob Jared from Fort McMurray, Alberta, and Brad Brookes fished on Aug 23rd by the Trap Shack out of Becher Bay. They caught a 22 and 39 pound chinooks. Both were caught at 50 feet on a Tiger Prawn teaser & Silver Betsy flasher. The 22 was caught in 80 feet of water and the 39 in 200 + feet.

Pedder Bay
Fishing was EXCELLENT this past week. Most of the fish being caught are sockeyes as anglers cash in on the sockeye run. The best spots for sockeyes have been near Church Rock and out into the strait. Anglers targeting sockeye are also getting the occasional spring and odd pink and coho salmon. Lots of limit catches of sockeye are coming in. There are still some big springs around too, both in the bay and near Church Rock. Pete Jones caught a 44lb spring on the evening of the 24th off Church Rock - 100 down using a Gold Betsy with Bloody Nose teaser with an anchovy. The best flashers have been from the OkI Betsey series or the Hot Spot Fever series and the Purple Haze. If you’re using hootchies and squirts for springs, try the Pistachio, Electric Chair or Jellyfish. Spoons also work well for springs at this time of year, especially if they are the Cop Car or green/silver ones.

HALIBUT — Halibut fishing was GOOD. Halibut up to 45 lbs have been taken. Salmon bellies, Mackerel, Extra Large herring and/or Octopus are the most popular baits for halibut these days. Berkley Gulp and Powerbait soft plastics also work very well. You can also use a large spoon fished off the spreader bar, Mudraker or Lucky Jigs or other large Jigs if you want to stay away from the dogfish.

Victoria Waterfront
Spring salmon fishing was SPOTTY this past week for springs and SLOW for Sockeye. Most anglers targeting springs are fishing from Clover Point to Macaulay Point. Some springs pushing 30 lbs have been caught over the week, but not many for the number of boats out fishing. One angler was the exception and that was Dave Simpson whose boat brought in 29.5, 28, 27, 25, 24, 22, 20 and 18 lb springs over the course of the week. Tom Vaida caught a 27.5 spring by the harbour this past week. Sockeyes are way out in the shipping lanes where some anglers are fishing them with some success and the odd sockeye is also being caught close to shore. Anchovies and herring are top producers this time of year for springs. UV Green, green and Bloddy Nose have been the best teaser head colors for springs. Good flashers have been the OK’I Gold Metallic Super Betsey and Hot Spots in Gold Fever and Purple Haze.

HALIBUT — Halibut fishing was GOOD this past week at Constance Bank, Border Bank and the “Mud Hole”. Greg Kutyn caught a 16 lb halibut while trolling off of Brotchie Ledge for salmon on Saturday. Salmon bellies, Mackerel, Extra Large herring and/or Octopus are the most popular baits for halibut these days. Berkley Gulp and Powerbait soft plastics also work very well, and some anglers are saying they are producing better than bait. You can also use a large spoon fished off the spreader bar, Mudraker or Lucky Jigs or other large Jigs if you want to stay away from the dogfish.

Oak Bay
Salmon fishing was VERY SLOW in the Gap and on the Flats. We don’t know of any spring salmon being caught there this past week. Previously, the springs had been close to the bottom on the Flats where needlefish and candlefish are the major food source. The most successful method for springs was trolling right on bottom in 100 to 150 feet of water with anchovy, Baitrix tiny strip, squirts or 4” spoons. Good squirts were the Electric Chair, Green Galaxy, Jellyfish, Alligator and J-79 squirts. The OK’I Big Shooter Purple Onion flasher has been working very well in combination with the Electric chair squirt. With spoons, 3½” or 4” Gypsy, Titans or Coyotes in Cop Car or Silver/Green colors also catch a lot of fish in Oak Bay.

HALIBUT — Halibut fishing was GOOD this past weekend. Salmon bellies, Mackerel, Extra Large herring and/or Octopus are the most popular baits for halibut these days. Berkley Gulp and Powerbait soft plastics also work very well. You can also use a large spoon fished off the spreader bar, Mudraker or Lucky Jigs or other large Jigs if you want to stay away from the dogfish.

Sidney
Salmon fishing was GOOD this past week for sockeyes near the Pender Bluffs. We were told that trolling was best at 35 to 80 feet on the downrigger. Use pink squirts on short 18” leaders to target the sockeye. For springs, fishing right on the bottom with Anchovies or Tiny Strip is your best bet these days in the Sidney Channel. The Sidney Anglers Association held their Round-up Derby on the weekend and all the fish entered were sockeyes from Pender Bluffs. Connor Larkey won the derby with a 7 lb 6 oz sockeye from the Pender Bluffs. Second place went to Norm Paquette for a 7lb 2 oz sockeye and third to Don McIvor for a 6 lb9 oz sockeye. Spoons have been good as well with 3.5” or 4” Green and Glow colors producing best. The best soft plastic lures to use for springs now are the Glo Below, Electric Chair and Purple Haze Squirts.

Notable Catches
Rob Jared from Fort McMurray, Alberta landed a 39 lb spring on August 23rd by Trap Shack on a Tiger Prawn teaser behind a Silver Betsy flasher 50 feet in 200 + feet of water. On the weekend, Ray Barber won the Cheanuh Marina salmon derby with a 30.6 lb spring. Pete Jones caught a 44lb spring on the evening of the 24th off Church Rock. Dave Simpson had a great week and his boat brought in 29.5, 28, 27, 25, 24, 22, 20 and 18 lb springs over the week. Tom Vaida caught a 27.5 spring by the Victoria harbour this past week. Connor Larkey won The Sidney Anglers Association Round-up Derby on the weekend with a 7 lb 6 oz sockeye from the Pender Bluffs. Second place went to Norm Paquette for a 7lb 2 oz sockeye and third to Don McIvor for a 6 lb9 oz sockeye.

FRESHWATER

Overview
Trout fishing is FAIR and bass fishing has been <>b>GOOD on the local lakes. Trout fishing is SLOW on the Cowichan River.

Cowichan River
The water level on the Cowichan River is at the summer lows. Fishing is tough and tubers will be out in full force if we ever get a warm, sunny day. Try fishing small nymphs and/or streamer patterns for the Rainbows and Browns. Early in the morning or late in evening would be the best times for trout fishing the river

Local Lakes
Trout fishing is FAIR on most lakes in the south island area. As the water keeps warming, the fish are going deeper to find cool water. Fly fishing has been really good in Elk Lake recently. Fly anglers are hitting fish while trolling black leeches and Wolly Buggers or black & red or purple micro leeches and general searching patterns such as the Carey Special. Anglers fishing Powerbait or worms from shore have also been doing well. Fluorescent Pink and Chartreuse Powerbait Eggs have been the hottest bait recently. Trollers have been doing very well with the Rhys Davis Baitrix Trout lures and UV Mini Strip Teasers for larger fish. They have also been doing well trolling Apex Trout Killers with the police car one of 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. Guy Hebert landed a nice 18” cutthroat from Cowichan Lake on a trolled green flatfish. 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. Anglers had success in most of the local bass lakes. Suspending Rapalas (X-Rap, Husky Jerk) are working with a bit slower retrieve and a lot of twitching action for the bigger fish. Bass are also biting near the drop offs in deeper water, especially on soft plastics. Some anglers are doing well with spinner baits too. Langford Lake, Shawnigan Lake, Prospect Lake and Elk and Beaver Lakes are the best local bass lakes. St. Mary’s Lake on Salt Spring Island is also a great lake for bass fishing.

FISH TIP OF THE WEEK

Now is the time to use to heavier leaders (40 to 50 lb Test) as the big mature chinooks migrate though local waters. With a lighter leader, your chance of losing a big spring to a weak spot or a nick in the leader is greatly increased. Be sure to check your leader after catching each fish to make sure that it is still in good shape.

If you have a picture you would like to share with our viewers send them on to fishing@anglingbc.com with a brief description, we will put it in our Gallery where they can be viewed for years not just a couple of months.

Island Outfitters Leader Board — 2010

Halibut

1) 165.5 lbs — Morgan Hall — Port Renfrew — Mackerel - June 25th
2)132.1 lbs — Shawn Meilnchuk — Constance Bank — May 9th
3) 120.4 lbs — Des Hatchard — Port Renfrew — Mackerel - June 25th
4) 114.0 lbs — Jayda Thor — Discovery Island — Herring — May 24th
5) 97.0 lbs - Greg Holtzhauer - Oak Bay - Herring - June 19th

Salmon

1) 54.5 lbs – Paul Kowalyk – Possession Point –- Anchovy – August 12th
2)53.5 lbs – Lucas Bell – Port Renfrew –- Anchovy – July 15th
3) 47.6 lbs – Max Miller – Camper Creek –- Anchovy – July 29th
4)47.4 lbs – Terry Valley – Owen Point –- Anchovy – July 22nd
5) 41.8 lbs – Darren Goeson – Otter point –- Anchovy – August 4th

See our website Island Outfitters
3319 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC V8Z 3L2
Tel: (250) 475-4969 Fax: (250) 475- 6942
Email: info@fishingvictoria.com

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