Last updated: May 6th, 2007

Region 1 lakes have just been stocked!

SALTWATER

OVERVIEW – Fishing remained SPOTTY overall for winter springs. Halibut fishing was GOOD and anglers have been getting fish up to 87 lbs!

Sooke –Salmon fishing was SPOTTY for winter springs, but very few anglers were out fishing. Most boats caught a spring or two, with some of the fish falling within the slot size for retention. The best depths have been from 115 to 150 feet. There are larger fish west of Sheringham Point for those anglers willing to travel a long distance. The best plastic baits to try are the Tiger Prawn, Glo Below or White hootchies or squirts. The best flashers have been the Silver/Green and the Jellyfish. With spoons try Army Truck, Mongoose or a Green/Glow color combinations with 4”, Gypsies, Titans and Coyotes. Anchovies are still catching fish and for teaser heads try Rhys Davis Anchovy Specials or JDF Teasers in Army Truck or Purple Haze.

HALIBUT - Halibut fishing was GOOD near Jordon River with a half dozen fish in the 40 to 50 lb range weighed in this past week. Extra Large herring and/or Octopus are the most popular baits and are usually fished off spreader bars. However, if the dogfish become a nuisance, you can use Mudraker or Lucky Jigs or the Glow in the Dark bullet Jigs.

Beecher Bay – Salmon fishing was SLOW this past week, but hardly anybody was out all week. The Bedford Islands was the best spot with several springs in the 4 to 7 lb size caught there recently. The fish have been close to the bottom in around 115 of water. There are a few bigger fish, the one’s that have to be released Beechy Head.  Anchovy and herring are the popular baits these days for winter springs.  Purple Haze gear (flashers, teaser heads, squirts and hootchies) has been producing well recently and would be a good bet. If you fish spoons, try Mongoose or Green/Glow color patterns. In plastic baits, Purple Haze and White hootchies have been effective. The Cricket squirt has also been good. The most productive flasher was the Purple Haze.

Pedder Bay – Salmon fishing was SPOTTY this past weekend. We’ve only heard of a few springs being caught in the bay, the largest weighing 9 lbs. But again, very few people went out. Anglers trolling bait should use small to medium anchovy or herring in Purple Haze or Glow teaser heads. The best flashers have been the Purple Haze and the Jellyfish. If you prefer to fish artificial bait, give Mongoose, Green/Glow or Army Truck 4” or 5” Coyote, Gypsies or Titan spoons a try. For plastic baits, Cricket, Purple Haze or White hootchies and squirts are good for springs.

HALIBUT - Halibut fishing was GOOD this past weekend. Halibut weighed in this week were 87, 65, 53, 51, 44, 26 and 24 lbs in size. Laurie Spears weighed in an 87 and a 53 lb halibut this past week. Dan Hamill brought in a 65 pound halibut off Border Bank was using a Pink Lucky Jig. Fish have been caught in the Race Rocks area and near William Head as well. Large herring and/or Octopus are the most popular baits and are usually fished off spreader bars. However, if the dogfish become a nuisance, you can use Mudraker or Lucky Jigs or the Glow in the Dark bullet Jigs.

Victoria Waterfront – Salmon fishing was SPOTTY this past week. Anglers reported that the springs were scattered from Albert Head to Trial Island, and not really concentrated anywhere. There have been a few hatchery springs up to 12 lbs caught, besides the smaller slot limit size. In all areas the springs have been close to the bottom. Anchovies or herring strip have been the most productive baits. Good flashers have been the Red/Glow and the Purple/Glow Hot Spots and Oki’s. Plastic baits such as Cricket, Tiger Prawn or Purple Haze squirts fished behind White Glow or Purple Haze flashers have been catching fish too, especially if the fish are deep. Spoons have been very effective at times and the Cop Car, Green/Glow and Mongoose patterns have been the best.

HALIBUT – Constance Bank and Albert Head were GOOD for halibut this past week. We’ve heard of lots of hali’s up to 50 lbs coming from the bank at slack tide. Extra Large herring and/or Octopus are the most popular baits and are usually fished off spreader bars. However, if the dogfish become a nuisance, you can use Mudraker or Lucky Jigs or the Glow in the Dark bullet Jigs.

Oak Bay – Fishing was SPOTTY this past week. The best depths to fish have been from 100 to 115 feet and you should fish close to bottom around the ledges and reefs. If you use bait, try small anchovies in Glow teaser heads. Also effective are squirts in Tiger Prawn J-79, Cricket or Purple Haze colors. Smaller Spoons such as 3.5” or 4” Watermelon and Cop Car Coyote spoons are always a favorite in Oak Bay at this time of year.

HALIBUT – Halibut fishing was GOOD this past week. Quite a few halibut up to 55 lbs were taken there in the past week. Extra Large herring and/or Octopus are the most popular baits and are usually fished off spreader bars. However, if the dogfish become a nuisance, you can use Mudraker or Lucky Jigs or the Glow in the Dark bullet Jigs.

Sidney – Fishing was NOT BAD near Sidney. There were 82 salmon weighed in during the Port of Sidney Marina Derby this past Friday and Saturday. Eighty six boats fished in the derby and fish were caught near Wain Rock, Coal Island, Moses Point, Fairfax Point and near Hambley Point. It was quite slow in the Sidney Channel and down near the Powder Wharf. First place went to Rob Nau for a 30.5 lb spring caught near Arbutus Rock on cut plug herring. Rob won $18,000 in prize money and side bets. Second place and $2,500 went to Bruno Bauer for a 21 lb spring. Third place went and $1,000 to Mark Schinman for a 20.2 lb spring.

Notable Catches – Laurie Spears weighed in an 87 and a 53 lb halibut this past week. Dan Hamill brought in a 65 pound halibut off Border Bank was using a Pink Lucky Jig. First place went to Rob Nau for a 30.5 lb spring caught near Arbutus Rock on cut plug herring. Rob won $18,000 in prize money and side bets. Second place and $2,500 went to Bruno Bauer for a 21 lb spring. Third place went and $1,000 to Mark Schinman for a 20.2 lb spring.

FRESHWATER

OVERVIEW – Trout fishing is GOOD and bass fishing is PICKING UP, on the local lakes. Please remember that bass are closed for retention on all southern island lakes through June 15th.

Cowichan River – Water levels are around 0.55 meters near Lake Cowichan and there have been lots of insect hatches on the river. Anglers have beeen catching both brown and rainbow trout when fishing the river. Bead head nymphs, salmon fry and egg patterns are the best wet flies to use now. However, there have been some real big hatches on the river and dry flies are also catching some fish. The best dries have been Goddard caddis and various Mayfly patterns. Mid day is also the best time to fish the river.

Local Lakes – Trout fishing is GOOD on most lakes in the south island. The water temperature is warming, there’s increased insect activity and the fish are more active. Anglers fishing Powerbait from shore have consistently been catching some nice rainbows. Pink Powerbait Eggs with Shrimp scent has been the hot bait recently. Elk Lake has been slow for 2 to 3 lb rainbows, but Langford and Prospect have been good. Some fly anglers are reporting good success with chironomids. Other fly anglers are fishing with the old standbys: Micro-Leeches, Wooly Buggers, Careys and Doc Spratleys, but mayfly and caddis nymph patterns such as Pheasant Tails, Halfbacks and Gold Ribbed Hare’s Ears are also good to try. Gear fishermen have been doing well trolling Luhr Jensen Needlefish spoons in a variety of colours or Tomic Wee-Tads in frog or rainbow patterns. Flatfish and/or Kwikfish have also been effective in sizes 7 and smaller in Frog, Yellow with Red Spots or Blue/Silver. Smaller Rapalas in Rainbow Trout or Brown Trout also work well, as long as they get down deep enough. Also, Willow Leaf Lake trolls with a worm-tipped GIBBS Wedding Band will almost always catch some fish. By the way, all wild rainbows and cutthroats over 50 cm must be released at Cowichan Lake.

Bass Fishing – Bass fishing has been PICKING UP as the water temperature is slowly warming. The bass are starting to move into a little shallower water prior to spawning. By dragging a tube, soft plastic or grub you can find some more active, feeding fish in 12'-15' of water. Look for transition spots like humps or drop-offs that border good spawning areas. This is your chance to catch some of your biggest fish!  Shawnigan Lake, Prospect Lake and Elk and Beaver Lakes have been the best spots for bass. St, Mary’s Lake on Saltspring Island would be another good spot to try.

Please remember that bass are closed for retention on all southern island lakes through June 15th.

FISH TIPS OF THE WEEK

Island Outfitters Leader Board - 2007

Halibut

1) 144.1 lbs – Matt Davidson - Oak Bay - Herring - March 8th

2) 99.4 lbs – Al Zallburg – Oak Bay - Herring – March 31st

3) 79.4 lbs – Neil Findlow – Albert Head – Herring – March 14th

4) 50.4 lbs – Ben Wright – Albert Head – Herring – March 14th

5) 44.5 lbs – Neale Smithe - Victoria Waterfront - Coyote Spoon - March 5th

Salmon

1) 27.4 lbs – Robin Quenet – Nanaimo – March 11th (Cleaned weight)

2) 27.3 lbs – Chris Veitch - Pedder Bay Can Buoy - Anchovy - March 9th

2008 DERBIES and EVENTS

Island Outfitters starts and ends the year with the free for fun and prizes Salmon and Halibut Leader Board. Simply weigh your catch in at Island Outfitters and the top five fish in each category on December 31st wins a special prize. Everybody who enters a fish gets a prize! Maybe it will be you bringing in the big one!

April 5th: THE WEST COAST BASS ANGLERS are proud to present the WCBA BC Open on Saturday, April 5th at Shawnigan Lake. BC Open Officials: Event Director is Jason Hatch - islandprez@hotmail.com - Registrar is Wade Stach wadesworld53@hotmail.com , Tournament Director is Holly Mayert 250-748-6399 www.wcba.ca/bcopen.html

EARLY BIRD TICKET NIGHT for the The 12th Annual Just for the Halibut Derby will be Tuesday, April 8th at the 6 Mile Pub. Festivities start at 6 PM. See you there!

April 12th: Elk Lake Fishing Derby - The 2nd annual Elk Lake Angling Derby will take place on Saturday, April 12th. This will be a multi-species derby. More details to follow.

April 13th: The Sidney Anglers Association Premier Derby

May 1st -2nd-3rd - The Port Sidney Marina is holding their 13th Annual Salmon Derby from April 27th and 28th. There is $17,500 in total prizes. Largest salmon wins $10,000.. Call Wayne Pullen at 250- 655-3711 for information on the event

The 12th Annual Just for the Halibut Derby will be held on May 10th and 11th. First prize is $7,500 cash, 2nd prize is $2,500, and 3rd prize is $1,000 cash. A hidden weight “Bonus” prize is sponsored by SG Power. Tickets are available at Island Outfitters, Trotac Marine, Pedder Bay Marina or Cheanuh Marina. Call 250-475-4969 for more information.

May 18th: The Sidney Anglers Association Spring Derby

June 8th: The Sidney Anglers Association Presidents’s Derby

June 14th - 15th: 21st Annual Alpine Juan de Fuca Salmon Derby -- The Island’s largest invitational derby. $80,000 in cash and prizes will be awarded. Tickets are $90 per rod, which includes a derby shirt, hat, and entrance to the awards banquet. For information on the derby visit the web site www.jdfsalmonderby.com or call (250) 478-6153.

June 22nd: The Sidney Anglers Association BBQ and Picnic

September 7th: The Sidney Anglers Association Roundup Derby

Tom Vaida
Island Outfitters Sportfishing Centre
3319 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC V8Z 3L2
Tel: (250) 475-4969 Fax: (250) 475- 6942
info@fishingvictoria.com