SALTWATER OVERVIEW – Heavy winds and the Vancouver Olympics kept most anglers off the water this past week and weekend. Salmon fishing was FAIR in most areas. Halibut fishing was EXCELLENT everywhere this past weekend. Sooke – Salmon fishing was SLOW past week for winter (feeder) springs. Not too many boats were out for salmon due to the weather and the Olympics. Previously there had been springs to 18 lbs being caught, but we only heard of a few small ones this past week. Most anglers have been trolling deep and close to the bottom, around 110 to 150 feet on the downrigger in 120 to 160 feet of water. The most consistent action has been near the off Secretary Island, the mouth of the Sooke Harbour and off the Bluffs. Most anglers fishing for springs are using hootchies and spoons more than anything else, but bait is still very productive. The best hootchies or squirts to try are the Cloverleaf aka Pistachio, Glow Bud aka Glo Below, Purple Haze, Electric Chair or white. , small herring or strip in Bloody Nose or Green Glow heads were catching fish. The best flashers have been ones with lots of glow in the dark on one or both sides.

HALIBUT – Halibut fishing was EXCELLENT this past weekend. Mostly “Chicken” halibut were weighed in and some boats limited out. Large herring and/or Octopus are the most popular baits for halibut. Berekely Gulp and Powerbait soft plastics also work very well. However, if the dogfish become a nuisance, you can use a large spoon fished off the spreader bar, Mudraker or Lucky Jigs or other large Jigs.

Becher Bay – S fishing was SLOW on the weekend and too many boats were out for salmon due to the weather and the Olympics. The action was fairly slow in the bay and near Lamb Island, and best near the Trap Shack and O’Brien Point. Most fish were between 130 to 175 feet down and most were is the 4 to 10 lb size range. herring and anchovy in Bloody Nose, Purple Haze and Green Glow teasers were producing fish. Many anglers were also using hootchies, squirts and/or spoons with success too. The Glo Below, Pistachio or Electric Chair are good choices at this time of year when you’re trolling plastic and Green/Silver spoons are working when fishing right off the bottom.

Pedder Bay – was FAIR winter springs near Pedder Bay. However, not too many boats were out for salmon due to the weather and the Olympics. The big salmon of the week was a 15 lb spring caught by Larry Bourne near the mouth of Pedder Bay. Larry caught the fish on a 4” Army Truck Coyote spoon fished behind a Purple Haze flasher. Some of the boats caught salmon many did not. Most of the springs ranging from 5 to 8 lbs with a few larger ones caught. Anglers did best on anchovies or small herring fished in Glow, Nose Bleed or Purple Haze teaser heads. The best flashers have been Glow in the dark ones and the Purple Haze. If you’re using hootchies and squirts for springs, try the Pistachio, Glow Bud, Electric Chair or white.Spoons usually work very well for springs at this time of year, especially if they have green highlights. Crabbing has been good too.

HALIBUT – Halibut fishing was EXCELLENT this past weekend. Lots of halibut up to 60 lbs were weighed in and some boats limited out. Halibut were reported from Albert Head, the 27 Fathom Reef and other local hot spots. ELarge herring and/or Octopus are the most popular baits for halibut. Berekely Gulp and Powerbait soft plastics also work very well. However, if the dogfish become a nuisance, you can use a large spoon fished off the spreader bar, Mudraker or Lucky Jigs or other large Jigs.
   
Victoria Waterfront – fishing was FAIR past week but not too many boats were out for salmon due to the weather and the Olympics. Many of the boats fishing caught nothing, while some caught springs up to 14 lbs. Most of the action came from Constance Bank and not close in. On Monday, Gary Caton and his partner had a great day landing 35 & 25 lb halibut, then catching 2 springs weighing 13.6 & 10.7 lbs at Constance Bank.
From Trial Island to Albert Head it was slow. On Sunday the 14th, Alec Green and Ed Beatty fished near the Flagpole and had four hits and landed two springs, 5 and 7 lbs. They lost one to a seal and did not see much action on the adjacent boats which were spread out from Brochie light to Trial Is. Just about all the springs are being caught within 20 feet of the bottom in 120 to 180 feet of water. The seals are not as bad as in previous weeks but still a problem at times. We’ve also heard that herring are starting to be caught off the Craigflower Bridge in the Gorge but it hasn’t been hot.
Anchovies and herring are top producers this time of year, especially in the smaller sizes. Green UV Magnum, Glow green and Bloody Nose have been the best teaser head colors for springs. Good lures recently have been Green/Silver or Green/Glow Coyote spoons and Pistachio, Mint Tulip and Purple Haze hootchies and squirts. Good flashers have been the Hot Spot Green/Silver, BIG SHOOTER Purple Haze and Green Glow.
HALIBUT – Halibut fishing was EXCELLENT this past weekend. Lots of halibut up to 90 lbs were weighed in and some boats limited out. Constance, Albert Head and the other banks and reefs were all good. Scott Craven and his partner brought in halibut weighing 90 and 24 lbs, one on herring the other on mackerel, from their “honey hole”. However, the dogfish were abundant so bring LOTS of bait if you’re going out there soon. Large herring and/or Octopus are the most popular baits for halibut. Berekely Gulp and Powerbait soft plastics also work very well. However, if the dogfish become a nuisance, you can use a large spoon fished off the spreader bar, Mudraker or Lucky Jigs or other large Jigs.
Oak Bay – Heavy winds and the Vancouver Olympics kept most anglers off the water this past week and weekend. Previously, salmon fishing was FAIR with winter springs in the 4 to 10 lb size range were being caught on the Flats. The springs were close to the bottom where needlefish and candlefish are the major food source for the salmon. The mostsuccessful method for springs was trolling right on bottom with either squirts or 4” spoons. Try fishing the Gap or the Flats with small anchovies, Jellyfish, Electric Chair or Glo Below squirts. With spoons, 3½” or 4” Gypsy, Titans or Coyotes in Silver/ Blue or Silver/Green colors also catch a lot of fish in Oak Bay.
HALIBUT – Halibut fishing was EXCELLENT this past weekend. Halibut up to 40 lbs were weighed in and some boats limited out. Large herring and/or Octopus are the most popular baits for halibut. Berekely Gulp and Powerbait soft plastics also work very well. However, if the dogfish become a nuisance, you can use a large spoon fished off the spreader bar, Mudraker or Lucky Jigs or other large Jigs.
Sidney – fishing was GOOD past week.Most of the boats going out got at least one 8 to 9 lb spring as well as other smaller ones. Moresby Island and Coal Island both produced salmon. Spoons have been good recently with Green and Glow colors producing best. The best soft plastic lures to use for springs now are Glo Below, Pistachio and Purple Haze Squirts. Small anchovies or Tiny Strip have been the best natural bait.
Notable Catches - The big salmon of the week was a 15 lb spring caught by Larry Bourne near the mouth of Pedder Bay. Larry caught the fish on a 4” Army Truck Coyote spoon fished behind a Purple Haze flasher. On Monday, Gary Caton and his partner had a great day landing 35 & 25 lb halibut, then catching 2 springs weighing 13.6 & 10.7 lbs at Constance Bank. On Sunday the 14th, Alec Green and Ed Beatty fished near the Flagpole and had four hits and landed two springs, 5 and 7 lbs. Scott Craven and his partner brought in halibut weighing 90 and 24 lbs, one on herring the other on mackerel, from their “honey hole”.If you have any fishing info, notable catches, digital photos (please send as attachments) 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 FAIRand bass fishing is SLOWon the local lakes. The water temperature is low and the fish are not very active. Steelheading is GOODon the Cowichan River. you have any fishing info, notable catches, digital photos (please send as attachments) or tips that you would like to share or have included in our fishing report, please email us at info@fishingvictoria.com.
Cowichan River – The Cowichan is in good shape but the water level has gone up a little and colored up a little. It looks to be in good shape all this week though. Quite a few fish were being caught but the river has changed quite a bit and anglers have to find the new steelhead lies. Pink Jensen eggs with yarn have been very effective. Other good lures to fish are Spin ‘n Glo’s, Corkies, Gooey Bobs, jigs and the always reliable Pink Worm.
Local Lakes – is SLOW most lakes in the south island area. However there have been reports of chironomid hatches with accompanying fish action in Elk, Langford and Prospect Lakes. Anglers fishing Powerbait from shore have been doing OK. Fly anglers are doing OK trolling leeches and general searching patterns such as Doc Spratelys and Carey Special. Fluorescent Pink and Chartreuse Powerbait Eggs have been the hottest bait recently. Trollers have been doing OK with the Baitrix Trout lures in Holographic colours, especially for larger fish. They have also been doing well trolling Apex TKillers with the police car one 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. 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 – fishing was SLOW past week. the water temperature drops, bass become less and less active. Slow, finesse presentations such as tubes and plastic worms will work best now. Lake, Shawnigan Lake, Prospect Lake and Elk and Beaver Lakes are the best local bass lakes.
Island Outfitters, 3319 Douglas St., Victoria, ph: 475-4969

SALT WATER - This time of year requires true passion for the screaming reel, and the need for rain gear. While a lot of people have already winterized the boat others are enjoying winter fishing at its finest.

The winter springs (feeders) showed up earlier than usual, but they have stayed strong and are lumping on the pounds weekly. Hootchies and spoons are very effective in the deeper waters where these fish are hanging. Glow Below, Electric Chair, Mint Tulip, Clover Leaf and Moby Dick for hootchies, and for spoons 3.5” and 4” nickel/blue, nickel/green, Night Rider and Nasty Boy. In flashers look for a glow stripe or UV in the blade because in deeper, darker water these give you a little something extra to attract the fish.

Halibut is open, but pay attention to in-season closures. There have been good numbers from all the regular spots, Race Rocks, Albert Head, and Constance have been productive year after year. Take a good look at tides when choosing your days, look for long slacks between high and low tides. A tide and current book is worth its weight in gold for the difference between a good day and being frustrated with currents that won’t let you get your gear to the bottom.

FRESH WATER - This is a river fisherman’s favourite time. The spawning salmon are coming to a close, and it is time to think steelhead. These chrome bullets are some of the hardest fish to hook, but when you do it is worth the effort! They turn fishing into hunting; finding where they are holding, and sneaking up on them so they do not know you are there. Steelhead are very spooky so take your time approaching the river’s edge, and note the sun’s direction, your shadow may give you away long before you have a chance to see them.

Gear choices are endless, from Corkies, Spin ‘N Glows, spoons, spinners, flies, or wool, all in a variety of colours. Talk to a local tackle shop and find out what is working.

With the weather changing the lakes have changed too. The summer doldrums have gone and trout have become more active. Worms and Powerbait are your best bet from the shore, and from a float tube or boat try trolling flies or Kwikfish. Dark greens, blacks and browns seem to be the hot fly colours, and for gear, metallic perch, skunk, and chrome/blue are the ticket.

Winter weather brings the need to be smart on the water. Make sure you have suitable clothing and outerwear for the task at hand. Pay close attention to forecasts, and watch for changing conditions. Make sure you put together a change of clothes that you can get into should mother nature win.

Stop in and see us and fill out a Christmas wish list so that your loved ones will know exactly what will put a grin on your face and a fish in your hand.

Craig, Bonnie, and Michael, West Shore Sport Fishing Centre, 117-693 Hoffman Ave., (Victoria) off Veterans Memorial Pkwy., Langford, 250-298-HOOK (4665)

Salmon fishing has been great so far. We have been catching nice winter 5 - 20 lb. springs. There are times when you can catch 30 to 50 fish in just four hours.

Best areas so far have been Secretary Island, Sooke Bluffs and the trailer park. Depths have been between 120 to 150 feet. Anchovies and herring are working great. For teaser heads use glow heads. For artificals try glow hootchies like Cloverleaf, Irish Mist, Peanut Butter, white glow.

Halibut fishing has been good also off the Sooke Bluffs. Try herring or octopus. From February to end of May halibut fishing is productive. For our weather, the seas are usually very calm. If you like fishing, this is a fishing trip you can't pass up. It is fantastic!

Until next time happy faces and tight lines.

Al Kennedy, Reel excitement Fishing Charters, www.salmonexcitement.com, email fishing@salmonexcitement.com  250-642-3410 cell 250-880-1004

Kissinger and Lizard lakes to the west, good rainbow trout fishing. Try Corky and single egg rig off the docks and beaches. Trolling with small Spratleys, leeches, Wooley Buggers, flatfish and small spoons.

Fuller Lake, Chemainus Lake, Dougan’s Lake, Quamichan Lake and Somenos Lake also producing well. These seven lakes have been recently stocked.

Cowichan River Trout Fishing: Mid-river resident rainbow and brown trout. Single egg copies.

Skutz Falls to 70.2 Trestle excellent for browns and rainbows. Single egg copies and minnow or Rolled Mudler flies. Stanley creek to 70.2 Trestle loaded with rainbows that have dropped from the lake to dine on the salmon eggs and prepare for spawning. The largest browns in the river are found in this section. Flies of choice: single egg patterns, Rolled Mudlers, prince nymphs, hairs ear nymphs, pheasant tail nymphs. Stick to the bead heads and weighted flies - the river is still quite high so it is important to get down deep.

Remember all cutthroat trout in streams and rivers must be released October 1 - May 31 to protect brood stock.

Cowichan River salmon fishing: From November 16 until December 31 there is a one coho and two chum retention per day from Skutz Falls to the Silver Bridge in Duncan.

Steelhead Fishing

Cowichan River: Try Silver Bridge area for early steelhead. Pink worms, blades, spin & glows, and bait (below Silver Bridge for bait only) are your best bets. Mid-river (Riverbottom Road area) try pink worms, blades and smaller roe imitations. December / January yields the largest fish of the season followed by the February / March run of smaller but more plentiful fish.

Nitinat, San Juan, Harris Creek: All excellent rivers for late summer runs and winter steelhead. Best fished when coming off of high water.

Fly Fishing: Heavy sink tip lines are necessary when the rivers are running in winter conditions.

Flies of choice: Always popular egg and roe copies, General Practitioners in black or orange, Squamish Poachers and any large and bushy fly (the best of the best are Jim Humphrey’s Intruder Flies that could entice a strike at any time). Put your time in and as the weather improves the odds of landing a winter steelhead will only get better.

Stop by the store for current fishing reports. View our new web page www.cowichanflyandtackle.ca

“May your rod bend to the butt and your smile go from ear to ear”

Gord March, Cowichan Fly & Tackle (Open 7 days a week) 82 South Shore Road, Lake Cowichan, 250-749-4964

Fishing has slowed down out front, but there is still the odd chinook being caught out in the Thrasher Rock area. Chum have started to show up in that area as well. Gear wise, we suggest using a green/silver or blue/silver 4 inch Coyote spoon trolled behind a green glow flasher or the Gold Super Betsy. The Nasty Boy and Cop Car spoon patterns have also been producing.

The Nanaimo River has seen good numbers of chum and coho running up the river this year. A good method for anglers to target both chum and coho is to throw an assortment of Blue Fox spinners and Gibbs Koho spoons, or wool on a size 1/0-2/0 hook. Just remember to crimp those barbs!

Trout fishing on the local lakes has picked up as a result of the cooler temperatures, and the recent stocking of hatchery trout. Most success has been had by trolling black artificial leaches, or various flat fish patterns behind a gang troll. Also, you can never go wrong by casting out a simple worm and bobber. Trout this time of year tend to be in deeper water, so add some extra split-shot weights on your line to help you get to the proper depths.

Gone Fishin’, 600-2980 North Island Hwy., Nanaimo, ph: 250-758-7726

Right now (mid-November) a second run of coho just arrived. They’re off shore and there’s lots in the rivers. There’s still a few chum salmon around, but by press time they will be gone.

Over the winter fishing, for winter spring salmon is a great outing on a day with good weather. The springs will be hungry. Out here a big winter spring is about 14 lb. Rely on experimentation. You may have to go out a couple times before you see a salmon and figure out how to catch them. Troll deep, but not as deep as summer time. Drop an Army Truck hootchie on one side and a Confetti hootchie on the other. Then you can figure out if they’re going for dark or light colours, then switch both lures over to the colours that work.

Before you start fishing drop a crab trap or a prawn trap. Either way you’ll be eating seafood.

If the chinooks are not on the bite pull into a rocky area and try some jigging with Buzz Bombs or Zzingers for bottom fish like yelloweye, rockfish and lingcod.

This is a great time of year to be looking for oysters and clams. It’s a good winter diet supplement to go with the salmon. Pick a good low tide day. Columbia Beach at the bottom of Johnstone Ave. is a good spot. Sometimes they’re hooked onto the rocks; at the mouth the the Big Qualicum at low tide they’re just laying on the ground. Deep Bay is another spot that’s good for oysters.

Shuck them up fresh, freeze them flat in a plastic bag then vacuum seal, and they’re good in the freezer for up to 9 months. Try our new “Zip Vac” system; it comes with a 12 volt / manual vacuum pump and special bags.

In the freshwater you do pretty well on the trout at Spider Lake all winter long. Casting with jigs, Curly Tails, and Mepps spinners can be productive from shore or from a canoe. Cameron Lake is also a good winter trout lake, but you generally have to fish deeper. If you’re fishing from a boat a small downrigger is a good addition to your gear. And, or course, you can usually do well fishing with worms

Fly fishers will be succeeding with wet flies like Wooly Buggers and leech patterns, as well as small streamers and minnow imitations. Try the river mouth at Cameron Lake for big brown trout.

French Creek Marina Store, 5 - 1025 Lee Rd., Parksville, ph: 250-248-8912

In November most of the salmon fishing is done for the season, and anglers have moved onto fishing for steelhead in the rivers and trout fishing in the lakes.

Opportunities for steelhead are only getting better as we approach the new year. To this point, the summer-run steelhead fishing has been very good with large numbers returning to the system. The hatchery is planning to relocate a large number of fish from the hatchery to the lower river to allow anglers another shot at catching these fish. This should happen late in November.

Some popular gear being used this year includes a wide variety of trout beads, jigs and Blue Fox and Metric spinners in all colours. For the rest of November the portions of the Stamp River above the falls should produce some of the best angling opportunities.

Fishing for trout in the lakes is just about peaking for this fall season. With all the salmon waiting to spawn at the mouths of creeks the trout will be waiting to feast on eggs, so fishing any of these spots should produce some nice fish.

Popular gear this time of year includes roe, worms, spinners for the shore fisherman, and lake trolls and flat fish for anyone trolling. The larger lakes, like Sproat and Great Central, will attract a lot of the people, but the smaller lakes such as Loon offer excellent fishing for the family year round.

Good luck.

Gone Fishin’, 5069 Johnston, Port Alberni , ph: 250-723-1172

Saltwater - It’s time to hit the seas for some winter spring fishing. Use 3”-4” Tomic plugs or smaller Coyote and Gypsy spoons. These lures mimic the small bait that salmon feed on at this time of year. A traditional green flasher works well with spoons or hootchies.

You can also try jigging for salmon with smaller, silver Point Wilson Darts or Gibbs Minnows. Kitty Coleman and Bates Beach areas are always hot spots.

Prawning can be very productive at this time of year. Denman and Hornby Islands offer many great areas for prawning. If you aren’t having any luck in the usual spots, try looking for new ledges to drop your traps.

For best results, make sure the ledges are in approximately 300’ feet of water, and be sure to have a good mixture of Carlyle Cat Tuna with pellets.

Winter is a good time to catch crabs. Any estuary with abundant eel grass is a good place for crabbing. Be sure to check regulations for local closures. Set your traps in 30-80 foot depths.

Freshwater Fishing - The local lakes are very productive right now, especially with the Kokanee spawn currently happening. Use bright blue and silver Crocs, flat fish, Panther Martins, and plugs. Common flies for this time of year are Doc Spratleys, Muddlers, leeches, and scuds. You can catch some good-sized trout in Comox Lake. The trout will be feeding on the spawning Kokanees. For the big ones try using 3” plugs or spoons. Check the regs for bait and hook restrictions.

Over the winter you should do some maintenance on your fishing gear to be ready for the next season. Make sure to release the tension on all your reels, keeping it tight all winter can ruin the drag washers. Use a cloth with a touch of warm water and dish soap to wipe down all your rods and reels to get rid of any salt left on your gear. This will reduce corrosion. Give your reels and rod eyes a quick shot of WD-40 - one of the best ways to protect against rust. Don’t forget that winter is a great time to have your downriggers, reels, and rods serviced. Feel free to drop your gear off and either one of our locations.

Cape Mudge: The most productive part of the winter Chinook season is taking place right now. Many reports coming in of excellent fishing with a lot of anglers being able to retain two fish.
There are some fairly large fish mixed in with the just-legal ones. The Hump: Now is a good time to fish the Hump. Winter Chinook that congregate at the south end of Quadra tend to migrate from the Light to the Hump and back. Jigs can be especially effective on these aggressively feeding fish.
Shelter / Willow Point: Plenty of action between the two points this week, with some nice sized fish being caught. There has been quite a bit of effort as fishing is great and the weather has been co-operating.
Excellent prawning reported in most areas. Prime time for prawns is just around the corner.
Gold River: Winter Steelhead season is truly underway with fresh fish being caught in the Gold with each rain. The river has been low for awhile up until now, so the next thaw and increase in levels should bring in more fish.
Salmon River: Sea-run Cutthroat can be found throughout the Salmon. These fish can attain quite a size, some reaching 4-5 lbs. While it is early for winter Steelhead in the Salmon, There are more than likely a few fish coming in.
Campbell River system: The Quinsam dropped into high fishable shape last week after the snow melted. There have been reports of a few winter Steelhead being caught in the Quinsam, the Campbell should be producing a few as well.
Oyster River: Sea-run Cutthroat are prevalent in the Oyster and can be found in most runs below the Little Oyster confluence. This is a good time of year to fish for them while also prospecting for early winter Steelhead.
Lake Scene: Cutthroat are beginning to stage closer to creek mouths until spawning time. For gear anglers, try spoons, spinners, worms or roe. Large aquatic insect patterns and leaches ae a good bet for fly anglers.
Call in your fishing reports or e-mail them to tyeemarine@telus.net

Tyee Marine, 880 Island Hwy., Campbell River, 250-287-2641