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
Reported by: Tom Vaida
SALTWATER
OVERVIEW – Yet another week with light salmon angling pressure on the South Island, and once again, those that did go out found it SLOW in most areas for feeder (winter) springs. Halibut fishing was GOOD, even if the weather and/or tides weren’t always good.
As for Salmon, effective 00:01 hrs Mon, March 2 and until 23:59 hrs Thurs, May 14, additional recreational fishery restrictions on chinook salmon will be in effect in Subareas 19-1 to 19-4 and Subarea 20-5 (those waters near Victoria between Cadboro Pt. to Sheringham Pt.). During this time period and in this area the daily limit is two (2) chinook salmon per day which may be wild or hatchery marked between the size limit of 45 cm and 67 cm or hatchery marked only chinook over 67 cm in length.
Sooke – Just like last week, salmon fishing was SLOW for winter springs throughout the week and weekend. Those that did catch fish caught springs up to 10 lbs but nothing big. The weather has not been great either, especially on Sunday, so not too many anglers were 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 herring are catching most of the fish. Rhys Davis Anchovy Specials or JDF Teasers in Chartreuse Glow, Mint Pearl and Purple Haze have been productive. The best hootchies or squirts to try are the Pistachio, Electric Chair or White. 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.
HALIBUT – Halibut fishing is GOOD and another nice “chicken” came into the marina. Extra Large herring and/or Octopus are the most popular baits for halibut. However, if the dogfish become a nuisance, you can use Mudraker or Lucky Jigs or the Glow in the Dark bullet Jigs.
Beecher Bay – Just like last week, salmon fishing was SLOW according to the folks at the marina. Several boats went out during the week and a few nice fish were caught, but generally speaking most boats got nothing. The biggest three weighed in went 15, 12, and 10 lbs in size. The majority of springs were caught in the bay on the outside (south side) of Fraser Island. Inside the bay, the fish have been within 10 feet of the bottom so be sure to fish deep. However, some fish should be showing up off Beechey Head soon. Most anglers fishing for springs are using artificial baits now. The Electric Chair, Purple Haze and White 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 SLOW fishing for salmon this past week. Not too many anglers were out after salmon what with the poor weather on many days and the renewed interest in halibut. The salmon have been really close to the bottom in the bay but also at 140 feet in 200 feet of water in other areas. Most anglers fishing for springs are using artificial baits now. If you’re using hootchies and squirts, try the Electric Chair, Purple Haze or White. 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 - Halibut fishing was NOT TOO BAD and quite a few halibut were brought in at Pedder Bay in spite of the weather. Fish up to 80 lbs have been coming from Parry Bay and the Race. Extra Large herring and/or Octopus are the most popular baits for halibut. 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 SLOW this past week close in to shore. A few springs up to 10 lbs were caught, mostly near Clover Point and Trial Island, but a lot of boats got skunked. 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 usually good spots to try on the ebb tides, while Clover Point is best on a flood tide.
It was SLOW out at Constance Bank this past week too. Many of the boats caught nothing, including many of the guides, and when anglers did hook fish, seals were a problem. That said, some springs up to 20+ lbs were caught including some fin clipped springs up to 15 lbs. The biggest that we know of (well over 20 lbs) was an unclipped fish that was attacked by a seal just before it was netted by the guide. The fish was dead upon landing. The angler called the DFO and they said it had to be released, even if it was dead. So the seal eventually did end with the fish after all. Ross Hopkins hooked into a 10lb fish and a seal grabbed it. He held on and the seal let go. The seal chased the fish around behind the boat until the fish swam full speed straight into the net with seal so close in pursuit that it crashed into the net. Ross also got one other 10lb fish at 90ft in 130 ft water with a Green/gold flasher and Oil Slick hootchie.
Most of the fish caught recently were taken on anchovies or herring. With bait, good teasers have been the plain Green, Purple Haze and Nose Bleed. Electric Chair or White 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 also catching fish. Good flashers have been the Red Glow, Purple/Glow and the Green/Glow colors.
HALIBUT – Halibut fishing is OPEN and most anglers were targeting them, in spite of poor weather and less than favorable tides. At the Esquimalt ramp at least one big halibut was being brought in per day. There were lots of smaller “chickens” caught too and many anglers were letting go the small ones in hopes of getting bigger fish. Most came in from Constance Bank and a few were also caught off Albert Head. Extra Large herring and/or Octopus are the most popular baits for halibut. However, if the dogfish become a nuisance, you can use Mudraker or Lucky Jigs or the Glow in the Dark bullet Jigs.
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 when targeting salmon. The best depths to fish were from 90 to 140 feet, and about 20 feet off 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 – Halibut fishing is OPEN and we heard of a couple being caught by Haro Strait and towards D’Arcy Island. Extra Large herring and/or Octopus are the most popular baits for halibut. However, if the dogfish become a nuisance, you can use Mudraker or Lucky Jigs or the Glow in the Dark bullet Jigs.
Sidney – Fishing SLOW near Sidney. We’ve only heard of one 12 lb spring from near Moresby Island early in the week. Apparently, the herring have been plentiful some days near Moresby Island and the salmon had been following them. Natural bait, either anchovy or herring is very productive now. The best lures to use for springs now are Electric Chair or J-79 Squirts, Tiny Strip, Purple Haze and 4” Cop Car spoons. Bob Haney had a good week landing 60 & 20 lb halibut in Sidney Channel.
Notable Catches – Bob Haney had a good week landing 60 & 20 lb halibut in Sidney Channel. 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 .
FRESHWATER
OVERVIEW – Trout fishing is FAIR and bass fishing is SLOW on the local lakes. There are steelhead in the rivers now and steelhead fishing is FAIR to GOOD. 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 .
Stamp River – Fishing this week has been PRETTY GOOD. There was a fresh school of steelhead in the river on the weekend. The steelhead are starting to get active with the water getting warmer too. Most of the fish in the lower are fresh ones and the guides are catching 3-6 a day. It should be a good couple of weeks. No sign of Kelts yet (summers that has spawned and heading back out).
Cowichan River – The water level has increased and is just below 1 near Duncan. Steelhead fishing has been FAIR TO GOOD as fresh steelhead runs are pulsing into the river. We heard of steelhead up to 19 lbs being caught and released this past week. There have been reports of mostly wild steelhead being caught in all sections of the system. The fish are also starting to color up quite a bite. Good lures to fish are Spin ‘n Glo’s, Corkies, Gooey Bobs and the always reliable Pink Worm. Some nice brown trout are also being caught and released.
Local Lakes – Trout fishing is IMPROVING on most lakes in the south island area. The Vancouvwer Island trout Hatchery reported that winter is not giving it up as water temps are cold and conditions for releasing fish are less than optimal. They had planned to release fish all this week but are going to hold on a little longer waiting for better weather. Last week we put fish into Shawnigan, Dougan, Fuller, Somenos and Mayo Lakes. These were all larger catchable rainbows weighing at 230 grams. They wanted to get some fish in for spring break but the cold weather again put the breaks on! Of note, fishing activity around the Cowichan Valley is starting to pick up. Anglers reportied good catches on Quamichan, Fuller and Dougan Lakes.
We’re getting reports of chironomid hatches on many of the lakes in the Victoria area. Fly anglers will find bloodworms, chironomids, leeches and streamer patterns are the most effective flies now. Anglers fishing Powerbait from shore have been doing very well at Durrance Lake and they 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 OK 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 water temperature remains cold. 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 .
FISH TIP OF THE WEEK
Big jigs are a very effective way to catch halibut as most anglers know. You can improve your jigs by adding Berkeley GULP or Powerbait to your lures. The large size and scent of this attractants should increase your hookups on the big flatfish.
Island Outfitters Leader Board – 2009
Halibut
1) 72 lbs. – Jim Hatter – Constance Bank – Herring – March 8th
Salmon
We are now waiting for the first big springs of the year to be weighed in at the store. Maybe you will be bringing in the big one!
2009 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!
EARLY BIRD TICKET NIGHT for the The 13th Annual Just for the Halibut Derby will be Wednesday, March 18th at the 6 Mile Pub. Festivities start at 6:30 PM. See you there!
April 5th: The Sidney Anglers’ Premier Derby: Open to paid up members only.
April 11th: 3rd Annual Elk Lake Derby: A Trout and Bass Derby that starts at dawn and ends at 3:00 PM. Winners announced at 3:05 PM. Weigh scale and event headquarters at Eagle Beach Park.
Biggest trout wins $1,000 and biggest bass win $1,000. Grand draw prize of a 12' Lowe Aluminum boat and 8 HP Yamaha 4 Stroke motor. Second draw prize is a Fishcat 10" Standup Pontoon boat. Prizes galore and take a kid and you both win. Tickets are $25 for an adult and $10 for a junior and are available at Island Outfitters.For information contact Island Outfitters at (250) 475-4969 or www.fishingvictoria.com
April 10th to 12th: 1st TERRY OULTON MEMORIAL FISHING DERBY. Hosted by the Valley Fish and Game club. Cowichan and Bear Lake only. Tickets are $30 including a pig roast dinner, camping, draws and top fish prizes. For more info call Tom Oulton at 250-748-9499 of Wally Baas at 250-749-4025 or www.valleyfishandgame.com
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 30- May 1st -2nd - The Port Sidney Marina is holding their 14th Annual Salmon Derby There is $17,500 in total prizes. Largest salmon wins $10,000.. Call Wayne Pullen at 250- 655-3711 for information on the event
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.
June 19th to 22nd: Painter’s lodge Women’s Salmon Fishing Derby: Over 100 women participating. Prizes. Parties. Friends. Food. The Women’s Derby package is available as a fly-in or drive-in package, and includes 3 nights accommodation, 12 hours of guided fishing, most meals and entertainment, plus awards ceremony and more! Grand prize is a trip for two to King Salmon Resort! For reservations, www.painterslodge.com/lodge/events/womens-derby or call 1-800-663-7090.
June 20th – 21st: 23rd Annual Alpine Juan de Fuca Salmon Derby -- The Island’s largest invitational derby. $80,000 in cash and prizes will be awarded. Tickets are $90 per rod, which includes a derby shirt, hat, and entrance to the awards banquet. For information on the derby visit the web site www.jdfsalmonderby.com or call (250) 478-6153.
June 20th – 21st: The Silva Bay Salmon Derby: From dawn to dusk on the 20th, dawn until noon on the 21st. Top prize: $1,000 for largest Chinook, plus 30 other prizes. Tickets: $25 per rod or $50 per family. Weigh in and prize ceremony will be held at Silva Bay Marina. Tickets will be available at Screamin' Fish and Fly, Harbour Chandler, Silva Bay Marina, Pages, and Village Paint and Hardware. Contact numbers are Silverblue Charters at (250) 247-8807; or Silva Bay Marina at (250) 247-8662. $1,000 will be donated to the Nanaimo River Hatchery.
July 11th to 19th: Port Hardy FILOMI Days Derby: Up to $2,500 in cash and prizes. For information contact Port Hardy Chamber of Commerce: (250) 949-7622, e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and website will get you the District Chamber of Commerce
July 24th - 26th: The 9th Annual Davey Derby will take place at the Port Renfrew Marina on the weekend of July 24, 25, and 26. This year's derby will once again feature a prize table totaling over $12,000.00 with all proceeds going to charity and salmon enhancement. Tickets are $45.00 a rod and can be purchased at the Port Renfrew Marina or in advance. Please check out http://daveyderby.ca for more info or contact Audie Williams at 250-416-1275 or e-mail.
15th Annual Bite Me Derby: August Dates to be Announced: Sponsored by the Metchosin Volunteer Fire Department. $20,000 for the first salmon over 52 pounds. Lots of other prizes. Tickets $60 per rod, includes a derby T-shirt, hat, plus entrance to the awards ceremony and barbecue. Call Richard Jones (250) 478-2980
August 1st & 2nd: Bamfield Volunteer Fire Department: Fishing Derby and weekend dance. For information contact Janice Pierce (250) 728-2068.
August 23rd: Esquimalt Anglers annual members’ salmon derby.
August 23rd 2009 Pink Salmon Festival:: Pedder Bay and Sooke. The Greater Victoria Pink Salmon Festival introduces children and families to the incredible experience of salmon fishing on the Pacific Ocean www.pinksalmonfestival.ca
August 30th: The Sidney Anglers’ Roundup Derby: Open to paid up members only
September 4th to 7th: Port Alberni’s 38rd Annual Salmon Festival: Daily prizes: $3,000 for 1st place each day, $2,000 for 2nd place each day, $1,000 for 3rd place each day, plus hidden weight prizes. Grand Prize $7,000 for the largest salmon of the derby. www.pasalmonfest.com
October 17 – 18: Brown’s Bay Resort 6th Annual Charity Chum Salmon Derby: Sat and Sun, 7 am to 3 pm. $20.00 entry fee capped at 250 entries. $500 largest salmon, $400 2nd largest, 300 3rd largest. $400 for Saturday’s highest aggregate, $250 for Sunday’s. Proceeds to Green Lands Trust. Call Brown’s Bay Resort (250) 286-3135 or visit www.brownsbayresort.com
