FISHING REPORTS
from some of the BEST PLACES TO FISH !
11th January, 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
We
are in the midst of winter and like most winters the fishing is as one could
expect. The fishing off the west coast can have the odd break in weather but
often weather fronts create problems with wind, which leads to the problem of
ones ability to fish. Barkley Sound has had some fishable days and there has
been some winter Chinook fishing in areas. The Winter Steelhead fishing has
been slower over the last week although this past Saturday and Sunday afternoons
some nice bright fish were picked up by guests with river guides.
Somass - Stamp River
The Winter Steelhead
fishing in the Stamp over the past week has been slower. There have been a
few beautiful days on the river with brilliant sunshine and wonderful snow
covered trees but during most of last week the water was a little low.
Friday, Saturday, and Sunday saw the water come up which brought some fresh
fish into the system and seemed to produce some great afternoon fishing on
Saturday and Sunday. The winter Steelhead are in the upper and lower
river. The fish at one time were not staying in the lower and headed right
for the falls before settling in. However that pattern has changed and the
Steelhead are now in both areas. However some days have been a challenge
for guides and sport anglers with low water making it difficult. Guide
boats having been doing a little better than recreational anglers who are
not on the river everyday. Guides who are on the river daily have a better
sense of the whereabouts of the fish and are often able to find fish for
guests on those so-called slow days. Anglers have been using bait and
various artificials. The lower river below “\The Bucket” does not have a
bait ban. The area above “The Bucket” does have a bait ban and the best
choice of artificials has been Janson Eggs, spin-n-glows, and large pink
worms. When the water is up like it is now anglers should use larger gear
and heavier but shorter leader. If you are using a spin-n-glow use a #8 or
a #10 with a luminescence finish. Guides in the early part of December were
hitting up to 17 fish a day. Last week there were days with only 2 or 3
fish. Over the weekend the afternoons saw some guides with 7 or 8 fish for
guests.
We are expecting some very
good Winter Steelhead fishing in January, February, and March.
Barkley Sound
The
Sound has some very protected areas. Last week and over the weekend some
great Winter Chinook fishing occurred in the Swale Rock area on both the
ocean side and the protected side between the rock and Vernon Bay. Guide
Ken picked up 8 solid Chinook in a couple of hours using anchovy.
Unfortunately the fish were only interested in anchovy and spoons and
plastic just did not work. The crew ran out of bait and the fish just would
not take anything else. Most of the keepers ranged between 8 to 10 pounds.
The Anchovy were in green glow Rhys Davis Teaser Heads. The fish sat in
water from 90 to 130 feet.
Samatao Bay also had
reports of a couple of good days. White AORL 12 hootchies and some other
whites behind green hotspot flashers were working well. The fish were in 60
to 80 feet of water. If bait is in the area one will usually find some good
winter spring fishing. Barkley Sound is often your best bet on the coastal
area of Vancouver Island because of the vast amounts of protected water.
Ucluelet (West Coast)
Fishing has been difficult
for the sport fisherman. There have been days of gale force winds and when
they ease it takes time for the ocean to calm. However if the extended time
between storms is short than the sea is up again. This is not to say that
there have not been any days. People have been staying close to the
Ucluelet Harbor and have run out to Begg Island, Sail Rock and even up to
Mayne Bay. Remember to fish with a GPS, Radar and a Radar Reflector.
Safety is of importance.
There should be some good
Winter Chinook fishing later in January. February will see some great days
on the water as each day lengthens in daylight. We will be offering our
Sea-Food Safari again in early April. This is a wonderful opportunity to
fish for prawns, crab, oysters, bottom fish, and salmon.
Port
Alberni Inlet
Currently no fishing. The
Chinook and Coho returns in August and September 2008 back to Robertson Creek
Hatchery look very promising. Sockeye return forecasts have not yet been
predicted.
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
