Last updated: February 24th, 2006

With the onset of spring not to far down the road, most saltwater anglers
who don't venture out during the long winter months are now getting the itch
to start another season of fishing here on Vancouver Island. It's never too
early to start dusting off your gear to make sure everything is in tiptop
shape. I always suggest making up a checklist to be sure nothing gets
overlooked all the way from the line on your reels to the bearings on your
trailer. There is nothing worse than spending the time and money that most
saltwater anglers do, only to see "the big one" slip away because of
something that is overlooked early in the season. This kind of preparation only
makes the sport we love so much, that much more rewarding. As far as the
winter angling in area 14 goes, it has been much better this year with
better numbers of winter Chinooks hanging around. Most catches seem to be
much larger with the majority of fish in the 11-15 lb range with some
topping the scales at 22+ pounds. Best bets are the 200ft trench in Lambert
Channel directly in front of the Denman Island Ferry Terminal on the Hornby
side. This small area has produced the majority of the fish we have landed
and always seems to hold a good number of tasty winter Chinooks. The Kitty
Coleman area off Comox has been exceptional for quite some time. We have
been trolling along the bottom with several different setups. We run a spoon
on one side with no flasher and a flasher setup with a 6-7 ft leader on the
other side. The 4 " Coyote Prism spoon is getting the most action whether
trolled behind a flasher or not. Prawning continues to impress with great
success in the 325 ft drop off around Norris Rocks. Line up the southern tip
up Norris rocks with the middle of Lesqueti Island and watch your finder for
the drop off. This year the Oceanside community has shown great support for
the Pacific Salmon Foundations annual fund raising dinner/auction that was
held in January. This sold out event has become a must attend in the
Oceanside community and raised over $50,000.00. The Second Annual Comox
Valley Pacific Salmon Foundation Gala Dinner Fundraiser, will be taking
place in September in Comox. Mark it on your calendar. This event will
directly benefit ALL enhancements groups from the Fanny Bay Salmon
Enhancement Society to the Oyster River Enhancement Society. The funds
raised at the Comox Valley Dinner/Auction/Dance last year exceeded
$40,000.00. The PSF funding in the Comox Valley this year has already
exceeded the amount raised at the Comox event.

Gil Dicesare
G&M Fishing Charters
(250) 954-6500 or toll free at 1-800-577-6966