LOCAL FISHING REPORTS

FISH TIP OF THE WEEK – When fishing for salmon you should follow the bait for best results. Schools of needlefish and herring are often pushed around by the action of tides and currents, especially on flats, and it pays to locate and then stay with the bait. Once you’re on the bait, it’s only a matter of time before the salmon show.

SALTWATER OVERVIEW – Fishing was HIT AND MISS for springs. Some salmon are now being caught at summer depths, not just near the bottom. Halibut fishing was GOOD this past weekend.

SOOKE – The salmon fishing has been SLOW TO FAIR for springs. Most of the hatchery fish are running from 6 to 10 lbs in size. Also, some of the salmon are being caught at summertime depths (50-80 feet). The best fishing has been near Muir Creek and just out from the harbour.

BECHER BAY – Salmon fishing was FAIR this past week. Most of the salmon caught this past week were hatchery springs from 6 -10 lbs. That said, there were some larger clipped fish around. A 19.4 lb hatchery spring was caught by the Trap Shack as well as a couple of others in the teens. There have also been quite a few larger wild springs that had to be released. The best depths for trolling have been from 60 – 100 feet on the downrigger. Aldridge Point to Beechey Head was been the best area.

PEDDER BAY – Pedder Bay Marina reports BETTER salmon fishing than last week. The most productive area was from Whirl Bay to the Bedford Islands. It was slower inside Pedder Bay. Most anglers are still using artificial lures and trolling close to the bottom, but anchovies are also producing well.

VICTORIA – Fishing for salmon was SPOTTY this past week. Constance Bank was the best area when the tides and currents weren’t ripping. This past Friday was particularly good as our guides caught limits with several fish into the upper teens. Along the waterfront, the salmon fishing has been very slow.

OAK BAY – Salmon fishing was SPOTTY in Oak Bay. There are hatchery springs into the teens on the Flats but the fishing has been inconsistent. The salmon are feeding on needlefish and have been at depths from 65 to 140 feet, depending on where the feed is located. Most of the anglers have been either bottom bouncing or jigging close to the bottom.

SIDNEY – Salmon fishing was GOOD this past week. Anglers are still getting springs throughout the area. Anglers using spoons found silver Coho Killers, Gibbs Needle G and AP Tackleworks needlefish spoons the most successful spoons this past weekend. Anchovies and Tiny Strip were also good producers of fish. This is still the only area in the South Island waters where a spring salmon over 67 cm may be retained.

FRESHWATER OVERVIEW - Fishing was GOOD in most lakes for trout and bass. Warmer water temperatures have increased both trout and insect activity. Shore anglers are catching trout on Powerbait, Gulp Eggs, or worms while fishing close to the bottom.