FISHING REPORTS
from some of the BEST PLACES TO FISH !
14th December, 2008: 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
Christmas
and the first day of winter are both quickly approaching. Once we get into
the New Year many individuals will take their minds of the global crisis we
have encountered and think of the brighter days that lay ahead. Many will
plan their summer fishing trips in either the protected waters or the Port
Alberni Inlet or Barkley Sound areas. Others will choose Vancouver Islands
West Coast and fish the waters offshore.
However at the moment most avid fishermen who
fish saltwater probably have their Christmas fishing wish list in and are
only slightly thinking of those great summer days that lay ahead on the
water. Items from new rods and reels to various lures and flashers are
examples of what some folk may want. Some might also be fortunate enough to
put on their list some new electronic equipment or even a fishing trip or
two.
At the moment the best fishing opportunity is in
the many river systems on Vancouver Island. The Upper and Lower Stamp River
located just outside Port Alberni has some absolutely wonderful steelhead
fishing. Fishing for Feeder Chinook in Barkley Sound and the waters off of
Ucluelet has been slow.
Somas / Stamp River
The
Stamp River Salmon counters are now closed. The 2008 return of Chinook and Coho
are now in. The Robertson Creek Hatchery got its egg count but the 27,000
Chinook forecast return was close to 4,000 Chinook Salmon short. Coho numbers
were very good with the final tally to the hatchery at about 43,000.
Steelhead fishing in the Upper and Lower Stamp River has been good. Stamp River
fishing is absolutely wonderful. Not only has the fishing been excellent but
just being in the great outdoors is absolutely fantastic. The scenery along the
river is superb along with the many wonders and sounds of nature. The Lower
River was a little slower than the Upper River but has really improved over the
last four days and is very close to the fishing in the Upper. There is a mix of
summer-fall Steelhead and winter Steelhead.
The
winter Steelhead are more prominent in the Lower River. Those fishing below “the
bucket” can use natural bait like salmon eggs in roe bags or shrimp. Fishermen
who are fishing above “the bucket” must remember that only artificial lures can
be used. The best choice of artificial lures are red spin-n-glows, a corkie, or
gooebobs in a subtle color. Those coming to the area and not using a guide or
drift boat can enter the river at the Gun Range or the Galaxy Campground. People
are also fishing above Stamp Falls. Guides in boats are still treating their
guests to some unbelievable fishing. For example this past weekend guests from
Edmonton and Victoria who had never fished the river played six or seven
steelhead each. If you have never fished in the river the various guides will
work with you and by the end of the day you will feel like you have done this
type of fishing for many years.
If you are fishing the river on
your own or fishing on a guided trip you will notice that there are various
methods and equipment being used. When the water is low due to dry and cool
weather the gear being used is quite small. The leader lengths are also longer
and lighter. For example, at the moment, because we have not had a lot of
rainfall, guides, when using a spin-n-glow are using a #12 in a cherise color.
When there is high water use large gear with shorter leaders and brighter lure
colors. Guides will use large pink worms or a #8 or 10 spin-n-glow with a
luminescence finish.
For more information on current conditions and river fishing call or email Doug
at 1 877 314 6800.
There
is not a whole lot of action in either of the areas. There are a few winter
Chinook being picked up around Swale Rock and Vernon Bay located in Barkley
Sound in 125 to 135 feet of water. Anchovy in a chartreuse Rhys Davis teaser
head is working as are various white hootchies. The same holds true out of
Ucluelet where during the month of November it is very difficult to fish due to
winter storms. We have been able to fish a couple of days one of those being on
Sunday December 7th. Beg Island and Sail Rock had a few fish and two guests from
Alberta were delighted to pickup a 7 and 9 pound winter Chinook on a hootchie
with 44 inches of leader. Most of our Ucluelet trips will end up in Barkley
Sound. We will include prawn and crab fishing plus Feeder Chinook fishing. We
are now booking trips out of Ucluelet where we will also have our Seafood
Safari. The Seafood Safari is very popular where guests have opportunity to fish
for salmon, rock fish, prawns and crab. Trips begin in January with the Seafood
Safari actually getting under way in late March.
The Inlet will not have any salmon sport fishing opportunity until the sockeye
arrive next June. Following the sockeye fishery Chinook begin to show by the
10th or so of August followed by Coho in early September. The return of Chinook
and Coho once again looks fairly promising for 2009.
The 2009 Summer Barkley Sound fishing should be very good. We are looking
forward to some excellent June and July fishing. The migratory numbers will be
strong. The Columbia River for example is forecast to have big returns of fish.
Many of these fish come into Barkley Sound to feed on the rich resources of bait
fish. In August and September the areas returning salmon show up with many
returning to their natural streams or head up to the Alberni Inlet where they
return to the Robertson Creek Hatchery or many of the tributary streams or
creeks.
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
