www.fishingvictoria.com
3319 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC V8Z 3L2
Tel:(250) 475-4969 Fax: (250) 475- 6942
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need
Reported by: Tom Vaida
Fishing Report for Week Ending February 8, 2009
SALTWATER
OVERVIEW – Once again, weather issues meant another week with light angling pressure on the South Island. However, those that did go out found it SLOW in most areas for feeder (winter) springs. That said, Sooke remains the best spot and some bigger fish are also being caught. There is a coast wide halibut closure for recreational anglers in effect.
Sooke –
Salmon fishing was EXCELLENT for winter springs through the week but SLOWER on the weekend. The fish have been of good size with lots in the 10 lb to high teens in size. Again, the weather has not been great so not too many anglers have been going out. The best fishing has been from Secretary Island to Otter Point, especially along the Bluffs. Most anglers fishing for springs are using a variety of artificial baits but anchovies and strip are catching lots of fish. The best hootchies or squirts to try are the Purple Haze, Electric Chair or Pistachio. The best flashers have been Red/Glow, Super Betsy and the Hot Spot Purple/Glow. With spoons try Mongoose, Cop Car or any Green/Glow color combinations with 4” Gypsies, Titans and Coyotes. Those using anchovies in Rhys Davis Anchovy Specials or JDF Teasers, trolled at 120 to 160 feet have also picked up a few. Good teaser colors include the Chartreuse Glow, Mint Pearl and Purple Haze. The marina also reports that there are lots of shrimp in the basin and that the crabbing has been good too.
HALIBUT -
There is a coast wide halibut closure for recreational anglers in effect.
Beecher Bay – Salmon fishing was SLOW according to the folks at the marina. Several boats went out but only a few came back with springs and most of them were not too big. However, a 22 lb beauty was seen at the ramp. Most springs were caught in the bay between the Cheanuh Marina and Lamb Island. Inside the bay, the fish have been within 10 feet of the bottom so be sure to fish deep. Most anglers fishing for springs are using artificial baits now. The Electric Chair, Mint Tuliip and Purple Haze hootchies have been good for the winter springs. If you like to fish spoons, try Mongoose or Green/Glow color Coyote, Titan or Gypsy spoons. The Purple Haze, Bloody Nose and Mint Pearl teaser heads behind the Purple Haze and Green or Red Glow flashers have been the most popular combinations to fish.
Pedder Bay– Pedder Bay Marina reports FAIR fishing this past week. Not too many anglers were out but some boats did well on fish up to 10 or 12 lbs. The best spot was by the Can Buoy at the mouth of the bay. The fish have been really close to the bottom in the bay and anglers bouncing their downrigger balls off the bottom have had the best success. Whirl Bay was had been OK at times. Most anglers fishing for springs are using artificial baits now. If you’re using hootchies and squirts, try the Electric Chair, Purple Haze or any Green Glow color. If you prefer to fish 3.5” or 4” spoons, give Mongoose, Green/Glow or Cop Car Coyote, Gypsies and Titan spoons a try. The most popular natural bait has been anchovies with fished with Red or Purple Glow flashers. Try using Purple Haze, Nose Bleed or Mint Pearl teaser heads.
HALIBUT - There is a coast wide halibut closure for recreational anglers in effect.
Victoria Waterfront–
Salmon fishing was SLOW this past week, especially right along the beach. And the seals are a real problem now. Very few fish were landed as the seals stole almost all fish hooked by anglers this past week. The seals were especially bad by Brotchie Ledge and Clover Point. However, anglers did manage to land a few fish by the Flag Pole. On most days, the fish do move around with the currents so if you’re not getting them near one spot, you might want to move to another spot. On the ebb tide Albert Head and the Gravel Pit are good spots to try. A pod of about a dozen Killer Whales were seen close in on Sunday and hopefully they thinned out the seal population.
There has been FAIR action out at Constance Bank when the weather is favorable. Cal Wambolt brought in a 21½ spring from the bank on Sunday afternoon. We also heard of a 15½ lb spring from the bank last Monday. Most of the other fish caught at the bank were from 5 to 10 lbs in size. Electric Chair or Cricket squirts fished behind White Glow or Purple Haze flashers have been catching fish, especially if the fish are deep. Out on the bank Green/silver Coyote spoons and Purple Haze hootchies are catching fish. With bait, good teasers have been the Green Scale, Purple Haze and Red/Chrome. Good flashers have been the Red Glow, Purple/Glow and the Green/Silver Hot Spot.
HALIBUT – There is a coast wide halibut closure for recreational anglers in effect.
Oak Bay –
Salmon fishing was SLOW this past week. One reason is that just about all of the Oak Bay regulars are running around to the west side of Trial Island to fish the waterfront. However, a few anglers have been fishing near the Gap where there’s been a few salmon. The best depths to fish were from 90 to 140 feet, and right on the bottom around the ledges and reefs. Anchovies or Tiny Strip were the best bait. Also good are small squirts in Mint Tulip, Purple Haze or J-79 colors. Smaller Spoons such as 3.5” or 4” Green/Silver and Cop Car Coyote spoons are also a favorite in Oak Bay at this time of year.
HALIBUT –
There is a coast wide halibut closure for recreational anglers in effect.
Sidney– Fishing is SLOW near Sidney. We’ve only heard of one legal salmon caught, a 10 lb spring from near Moresby Island. Previously, most of the action has been in the Sidney Channel and south by the Powder Wharf. All of the springs are very deep now, right along the bottom. Fish close to the bottom for best results, as that is where the bait is holding. The best lures to use for springs now are Electric Chair or J-79 Squirts, Tiny Strip, Purple Haze and 4” Cop Car spoons.
Notable Catches–
Cal Wambolt brought in a 21½ spring from the Constance Bank on Sunday afternoon.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 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
FRESHWATER
OVERVIEW –
Due to continuing cold weather, both trout and bass fishing is VERY SLOW on the local lakes. There are some steelhead in the rivers now and steelhead fishing is SLOW to FAIR.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 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Stamp River –
The river system is in good shape. The action has been relatively SLOW in the river, the same as the last couple of weeks. A few steelhead are caught each day, but it is a guess where you are going to find them. Hopefully a better report will come next week.
Cowichan River–
The water level has been slowly dropping and is around 0.98 meters near Duncan. Steelhead fishing has been FAIR. Access to many parts of the river is still poor due to snow, but a few anglers are getting out and catching steelhead. There have been reports of both hatchery and wild steelhead being caught in the middle part of the system from the Bible Camp to Stoltz. The fish are also starting to color up aw well. Good lures to fish are Spin ‘n Glo’s, Corkies, Gooey Bobs and the always reliable Pink Worm.
Local Lakes –
Trout fishing is VERY SLOW on most lakes in the south island area. Fly anglers will find leeches, streamer patterns and chironomids are the most effective flies now.Anglers fishing Powerbait from shore have also been finding a few rainbows in Elk, Prospect and Langford. Sunrise Powerbait Eggs with Shrimp scent and green Powerbait paste have been the hottest bait recently. Gear fishermen have been doing very well with the new Baitrix Trout lures in Holographic colours, especially for larger fish. They have also been doing well trolling Luhr Jensen Needlefish spoons in a variety of colours or Tomic Wee-Tads in frog or rainbow. 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. 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 VERY SLOW this past week as the temperatures dropped. Try fishing soft-plastics and slower moving lures or drop shotting. As they become less active, bass like a meal that they don’t have to work as hard for. Remember, the fish don’t stop feeding all winter long; it may just be a little harder to entice them! Langford Lake and St. Mary’s Lake on Saltspring Island in particular have been especially good recently. Shawnigan Lake, Prospect Lake and Elk and Beaver Lakes have been good spots for bass too.
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 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
FISH TIP OF THE WEEK
Join a fishing club. It’s a great way to meet other anglers and learn about new techniques to improve your skills. More importantly, it’s an effective way to get input and representation into the decision-making by our federal and provincial governments.
Congratualtions to all of our 2008 Winners!
Final Island Outfitters Leader Board – 2008
Halibut
1) 320.0 lbs – Randy Ruttan and Kirk Dodsan – Sooke – September 8th
2) 196.3 lbs – Darcy Roland - Oak Bay - Mackerel – May 15th
3) 190.7 lbs – Kevin McKenna – Port Renfrew - Herring – July 20th
4) 183.1 lbs – Troy Perry – Sombrio – September 27th
5) 173.4 lbs – Mike Olivotto - Oak Bay - Herring – May 10th
Salmon
1) 54.4 lbs – Dave Mills – Port Renfrew – Anchovy – Aug 26th
2) 46.1 lbs – John Lewis – Port Renfrew – Anchovy – July 27th
3) 43.6 lbs – Jacob Messer – O’Brien Point – Anchovy – August 3rd
4) 43.0 lbs – Kit Tsoi – Port Renfrew – Anchovy – August 27th
5) 40.9 lbs – Robin Turnbull – Aldridge Point – Anchovy – August 10th
2008 DERBIES and EVENTS
Island Outfitters starts and ends the year with the free for fun and prizes Salmon and Halibut Leader Board. Simply weigh your catch in at Island Outfitters and the top five fish in each category on December 31st wins a special prize. Everybody who enters a fish gets a prize! Maybe it will be you bringing in the big one!
Please let us know about your derbies in 2008!
February 20th to 22nd: The 16th Annual Boat, Fishing and Outdoor Sale will be held at the Pearkes Recreation Centre at the Tillicum Mall. This is the Island's largest boating, fishing and outdoor show and sale. There will be lots of displays, manufacturer representatives and boats on view. Visit www.VictoriaBoatShow.com for more details.
February 21st: The Pacific Salmon Foundation Fundraising Dinner and Auction with live and silent auctions as well as raffles will be held at the University of Victoria, Commons Block, 38700 Finnerty Road in Victoria. Limited seating is available. Tickets are $85 and can be purchased at Island Outfitters. Visit www.psf.ca for more details.
The 13th Annual Just for the Halibut Derby will be held on April 18th and 19th. First prize is $7,500 cash, 2nd prize is $2,500, and 3rd prize is $1,000 cash. A hidden weight “Bonus” prize is sponsored by SG Power. Tickets are available at Island Outfitters, Trotac Marine, Pedder Bay Marina or Cheanuh Marina. Call 250-475-4969 for more information.
April 5th: The Sidney Anglers’ Premier Derby: Open to paid up members only.
May 17th: The Sidney Anglers’ Spring Derby: Open to paid up members only.
June 14th: The Sidney Anglers’ President’s Derby: Open to paid up members only.
August 23rd: Esquimalt Anglers annual members’ salmon derby.
August 30th: The Sidney Anglers’ Roundup Derby: Open to paid up members only
