FISHING REPORTS
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5th December, 2007: FISHING REPORT:  Port Alberni Inlet, Barkley Sound, Ucluelet (West Coast), Somas-Stamp River System.

by Doug Lindores of Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing
Toll Free Number:  1- 888 214 7206

Winter is closing in and the last couple of weeks have shown signs that cooler and shorter days are closing in. Most of the fishing opportunity in the Port Alberni and Ucluelet sport fishing area has been on the Somas-Stamp River System. The area of Barkley Sound and Bamfield and of course Ucluelet has had some feeder spring (winter) fishing. These areas will get only better as bait moves in during the course of the winter and early spring.


The final numbers are now in for Sockeye, Chinook, and Coho that actually moved into the Somass River and went through the counters to the various spawning grounds. Returns for Sockeye and Chinook were rather disappointing. Coho returns were fabulous.

Adult Sockeye returns through Stamp Falls and returning to Great Central Lake were 70,503. There were 7,100 Jacks. The Sproat Lake adult Sockeye return was 60,879 with 11,104 jacks returning.

Chinooks returning to the system and also Robertson Creek Hatchery were 17,000. The Jack Chinook count was a mere 2,034.

Adult Coho returns totaled 44,479. The Jack return was 4,168.

It seems that Port Alberni was fortunate to have a fairly strong return of Chinook and Coho as compared to other areas of British Columbia. We are fortunate enough to have a rather spectacular and healthy river system (Somass-Stamp) and an excellent, well-managed hatchery, in Robertson Creek.


Stamp Steelhead Fishing

Over the past week a good number of winter steelhead entered the lower river. These fish are beautiful and are chrome. As some charter fishing guides have said “The True Prize of the Stamp are now here”. The Upper River still has plenty of Summer Steelhead, which should continue for a few more weeks.
Winter Steelhead in the Lower River below “The Bucket” are hitting bait and Janson Eggs. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday were excellent days with guests having opportunity to play a number fish. Most of the Steelhead landed were hatchery and averaged 6 to 9 pounds. The month of December is a month where at least 60% of the fish in the system are hatchery. It is expected that Winter Steelhead fishing will be extremely good this year. When the river is low the best place to enter is at the gun club. Obviously people doing this are walking and not using a jet boat.

The Upper River fishing continues to be very good. The Summer run of Steelhead remains very strong. This is a great time of year as guides who fish the river everyday can choose the area with the best fishing is taking place. The Summer Steelhead angling that has continued is above “The Bucket”, which means all fishing lures are to be artificial. Janson Eggs, small sized gooey-bobs, and trout beads have all created great success for sport anglers over the past few weeks.



Ucluelet, Barkley Sound, and Port Alberni Inlet

Feeder Springs have been found close to the Ucluelet Harbor. Early in November The Wreck seemed to be the best area on the coast to fish for winter Chinook. Most fishing charter guides and avid anglers realize that winter Chinook or feeder springs will be found wherever there is bait. Currently Beg Island and The Lighthouse have been the best spots around Ucluelet. Until the last few days the weather has been fairly good with some beautiful sunny weather. People need to be aware that weather conditions on the ocean can change rather abruptly at any time. Check for current and daily hourly weather conditions if you are planning a trip on your own. Winter Chinook have been found in 90 to120 feet of water and have been hitting chrome and glow Rhys Davis Teaser Heads behind purple haze and jelly fish flashers. The watermelon coyote spoon and various white and glow hootchies in plastic have also been working well. Most of the feeders in the area have been averaging 6 to 10 pounds. Guide Mike however says they put up a great battle. Halibut fishing is all but over as they head out to the deeper water. The halibut usually spawn in January and are in 900 to 1400 feet of water. Usually by the second week of May they make the journey back to the shallows and are found in 200 feet of water.


Samatao Bay, Pill Point, and areas around Swale Rock have produced some of the Barkley Sound areas’ best fishing. It has really been hit and miss as of late. Usually the Winter Chinook fishing picks up in January and continues to be strong right into late March or early April. Charter guides have been doing a few trips but have been encouraging those people coming to do some guided fishing in the Somass-Stamp River.


It should be remembered that when fishing in saltwater and freshwater that all licenses are available online through the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. When fishing Steelhead it is necessary to have a freshwater license and steelhead tag.


For more information

Contact:

Doug Lindores
Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing
www.catchsalmon-ca.com
www.catchsalmon.ca
dlindy@shaw.ca
+1 250 724 2502 (h)
+1 250 731 7389 ©
Toll Free Number:  1- 888 214 7206