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Fishing Report for May 11th 2008
SALTWATER
OVERVIEW — Halibut fishing was EXCELLENT and anglers have been getting fish up to 173.4 lbs! The 12th Annual Just for the Halibut Derby was held this past weekend. Mike Olivotto won the derby with a 173.4 lb barndoor caught in Oak Bay No, the waypoint is not available. Mike Yakimovich was not far behind, finishing in second place with a 163.6 lb. Mike Campbell placed 3rd in the derby with a 157.3 lb barndoor from Sombrio. Fourth place went to Glen Wilson for a 141.7 lb fish, also from Sombrio. Mark Plasterer did well landing a 123.1 for 5th place and Richard Thierback caught a 120.6 for 6th place. Don VanDijk came in 7th with a 106.9 Fish. Eighty halbut were weighed in and 7wish weighed over 100 lbs. Fishing was VERY POOR for winter springs. Even some of the best guides were getting skunked. Sooke — Salmon fishing was POOR for winter springs, but very few anglers were out fishing. Only a couple of fish falling within the slot size for retention were reported. The best depths have been from 115 to 150 feet. Sooke Harbor to Otter Point seemed as good or poor as anywhere. The best plastic baits to try are the Tiger Prawn, Glo Below or White hootchies or squirts. The best flashers have been the Silver/Green and the Jellyfish. With spoons try Army Truck, Mongoose or a Green/Glow color combinations with 4”, Gypsies, Titans and Coyotes. Anchovies are still catching fish and for teaser heads try Rhys Davis Anchovy Specials or JDF Teasers in Army Truck or Purple Haze. HALIBUT - Halibut fishing was EXCELLENT near Sombrio Point during The 12th Annual Just for the Halibut Derby this past weekend. Mike Campbell placed 3rd in the derby with a 157.3 lb barndoor from Sombrio. Fourth place went to Glen Wilson for a 141.7 lb fish, also from Sombrio. Not too bad! Extra Large herring and/or Octopus are the most popular baits and are usually fished off spreader bars. However, if the dogfish become a nuisance, you can use Mudraker or Lucky Jigs or the Glow in the Dark bullet Jigs. Beecher Bay — Salmon fishing was POOR this past week; we’ve only heard of one wild 12 lb spring taken near Beechey Head. Most of the winter springs have moved on, so the next run should be returning wild fish. Anchovy and herring are the popular baits these days for the bigger returning springs. Purple Haze gear (flashers, teaser heads, squirts and hootchies) has been producing this winter and would be a good bet in May as well. If you fish spoons, try Mongoose or Green/Glow color patterns. In plastic baits, Purple Haze and White hootchies have been effective. The Cricket squirt has also been good. The most productive flasher was the Purple Haze. Pedder Bay — Salmon fishing was VERY POOR this past week. Hardly anybody went out for salmon and we haven’t heard of any being caught. Start looking for fish to show up near Church Rock and Whirl Bay soon. Anglers trolling bait should use small to medium anchovy or herring in Purple Haze or Glow teaser heads. The best flashers have been the Purple Haze and the Jellyfish. If you prefer to fish artificial bait, give Mongoose, Green/Glow or Army Truck 4” or 5” Coyote, Gypsies or Titan spoons a try. For plastic baits, Cricket, Purple Haze or White hootchies and squirts are good for springs. HALIBUT - Halibut fishing was EXCELLENT this past weekend. Lots of halibut were weighed into the derby, but none of the big ones came from this area. Large herring and/or Octopus are the most popular baits and are usually fished off spreader bars. However, if the dogfish become a nuisance, you can use Mudraker or Lucky Jigs or the Glow in the Dark bullet Jigs. Victoria Waterfront — Salmon fishing was VERY POOR this past week. Anglers reported that very few springs were scattered from Albert Head to Trial Island, and not really concentrated anywhere. Many of the guides we getting skunked fishing during the week. There had been a few hatchery springs up to 12 lbs caught, besides the smaller slot limit size. In all areas the springs have been close to the bottom. Anchovies or herring strip have been the most productive baits. Good flashers have been the Red/Glow and the Purple/Glow Hot Spots and Oki’s. Plastic baits such as Cricket, Tiger Prawn or Purple Haze squirts fished behind White Glow or Purple Haze flashers have been catching fish too, especially if the fish are deep. Spoons have been very effective at times and the Cop Car, Green/Glow and Mongoose patterns have been the best. HALIBUT — Constance Bank and Albert Head were EXCELLENT for halibut this past week. Lots of hali’s up to 50 lbs were coming from the bank but not the big monsters. Extra Large herring and/or Octopus were the most popular baits and are usually fished off spreader bars. However, if the dogfish become a nuisance, you can use Mudraker or Lucky Jigs or the Glow in the Dark bullet Jigs. Oak Bay — Fishing was POOR this past week. We’ve only heard of one 12 lb spring taken just north of Ten Mile Point. The best depths to fish have been from 100 to 140 feet and you should fish close to bottom around the ledges and reefs. If you use bait, try small anchovies in Glow teaser heads. Also effective are squirts in Tiger Prawn J-79, Cricket or Purple Haze colors. Smaller Spoons such as 3.5” or 4” Watermelon and Cop Car Coyote spoons are always a favorite in Oak Bay at this time of year. HALIBUT — Halibut fishing was EXCELLENT this past week for both size and numbers during The 12th Annual Just for the Halibut Derby this past weekend. Mike Olivotto won the derby with a 173.4 lb barndoor caught in Oak Bay No, the waypoint is not available. Mike Yakimovich was not far behind, finishing in second place with a 163.6 lb. Mark Plasterer did well landing a 123.1 for 5th place and Richard Thierback caught a 120.6 for 6th place. Extra Large herring and/or Octopus are the most popular baits and are usually fished off spreader bars. However, if the dogfish become a nuisance, you can use Mudraker or Lucky Jigs or the Glow in the Dark bullet Jigs. Sidney — Fishing was SLOWER near Sidney this past week. We’ve only heard of 2 springs taken, 14 lb fish from Moresby and a 12 lb spring from Coal Island Notable Catches — The 12th Annual Just for the Halibut Derby was held this past weekend. Mike Olivotto won the derby with a 173.4 lb barndoor caught in Oak Bay No, the waypoint is not available. Mike also won a spot in the King Fisherman Derby. Mike Yakimovich was not far behind, finishing in second place with a 163.6 lb. Mike Campbell placed 3rd in the derby with a 157.3 lb barndoor from Sombrio. Fourth place went to Glen Wilson for a 141.7 lb fish, also from Sombrio. Mark Plasterer did well landing a 123.1 for 5th place and Richard Thierback caught a 120.6 for 6th place. 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 — Trout fishing is GOOD and bass fishing is SLOWLY PICKING UP, on the local lakes. Please remember that bass are closed for retention on all southern island lakes through June 15th. 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 — Water levels are around 0.75 meters near Lake Cowichan and there have been lots of insect hatches on the river. Anglers have been catching both brown and rainbow trout when fishing the river. Bead head nymphs, salmon fry and egg patterns are the best wet flies to use now. However, there have been some real big hatches on the river and dry flies are also catching some fish. The best dries have been Goddard caddis and various Mayfly patterns. Local Lakes — Trout fishing is GOOD on most lakes in the south island. The water temperature is slowy warming, there’s increased insect activity, and the fish are more active. Anglers fishing Powerbait from shore have consistently been catching some nice rainbows. Pink Powerbait Eggs with Shrimp scent has been the hot bait recently. Elk Lake has been slow for 2 to 3 lb rainbows, but Langford and Prospect have been good. Some fly anglers are reporting good success with chironomids. Other fly anglers are fishing with the old standbys: Micro-Leeches, Wooly Buggers, Careys and Doc Spratleys, but mayfly and caddis nymph patterns such as Pheasant Tails, Halfbacks and Gold Ribbed Hare’s Ears are also good to try. Gear fishermen have been doing well trolling Luhr Jensen Needlefish spoons in a variety of colours or Tomic Wee-Tads in frog or rainbow patterns. 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 also work well, as long as they get down deep enough. Also, 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 at Cowichan Lake. Bass Fishing — Bass fishing has been SLOWER THAN expected, as the water temperature is slowly warming but still a little cold. The bass are starting to move into a little shallower water prior to spawning, but not too many beds have seen showing. By dragging a tube, soft plastic or grub you can find some more active, feeding fish in 12'-15' of water. Look for transition spots like humps or drop-offs that border good spawning areas. This is your chance to catch some of your biggest fish! 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. Please remember that bass are closed for retention on all southern island lakes through June 15th. 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.
FISH TIP OF THE WEEK
Sharpen your Hooks. The first tip that any experienced angler will give is to sharpen your hooks. This will always increase the number of bites that become hookups, which in turn become fish landed. It’s an old saw but still true. Sharpen your hooks.
Island Outfitters Leader Board – 2008
Halibut 1) 155.6 lbs – Darrren Beasley - Oak Bay - Herring – April 26th 2) 144.1 lbs – Matt Davidson - Oak Bay - Herring - March 8th 3) 99.4 lbs – Al Zallburg – Oak Bay - Herring – March 31st 4) 79.4 lbs – Neil Findlow – Albert Head – Herring – March 14th 5) 77.9 lbs – Andrew Stawicki – Oak Bay - Herring – April 26th Salmon 1) 155.6 lbs – Darrren Beasley - Oak Bay - Herring – April 26th 2) 144.1 lbs – Matt Davidson - Oak Bay - Herring - March 8th 3) 99.4 lbs – Al Zallburg – Oak Bay - Herring – March 31st 4) 79.4 lbs – Neil Findlow – Albert Head – Herring – March 14th 5) 77.9 lbs – Andrew Stawicki – Oak Bay - Herring – April 26th
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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