Island Outfitters-Victoria, BC

[House]

SALTWATER

OVERVIEW – Salmon fishing was GOOD around Southern Vancouver Island. A slot limit of 45 cm to 67 cm is in effect now for wild (unclipped adipose fin) Chinook to protect the early Fraser River Chinook. Halibut fishing was FAIR.

We’ve just updated and changed our web site and if you visit our blog you can get reports, news and videos by our guides and staff from their most recent trips!

Sooke – Salmon fishing was GOOD BUT SLOWER this past week. Anglers were catching winter springs near the Sooke Bluffs, Otter Point and Sherringham Point. The majority of the salmon were in the 6 to 10 lb size range but there were some nice mid teens size hatchery springs caught as well. The odd larger “wild” salmon over 20 lbs were also being caught and released. Most of the fish have been taken close to the bottom in 120 feet of water or deeper. The fish are being caught on all types of gear, although we would give the edge to bait (anchovies) this past week. Anchovies have been working best in glow or Purple Haze teaser heads. Hootchies and squirts were good in Purple Haze, Glow Below and Lemon Meringue. Green/Slow or Black/Glow spoons have also been good for springs.

HALIBUT – A few halibut were brought in from the Sooke area but nothing too big. Extra Large herring and/or Octopus are the most popular baits for halibut. Berkely Gulp and Powerbait soft plastics also work very well. You can also use a large spoon fished off the spreader bar, Mudraker or Lucky Jigs or other large Jigs if you want to stay away from the dogfish.
Becher Bay – Salmon fishing was PRETTY GOOD over the last few days. Talking to the marina, they said that hatchery springs between 10 to 15 lbs were brought back in. A lot of the fish were caught near Whirl Bay and the Bedfords but anglers also had good luck in Becher Baay, near Aldridge Point, off the Trap Shack and by Secretary Island. The fish are being caught on all types of gear, but have shown a preference for large anchovies. The best teaser heads for bait were the Bloody Nose and the Purple Haze. The best flashers have been the Purple Onion, Red Glow and Purple Haze. Hootchies and squirts were good in Tiger Prawn, Glow Below and Lemon Meringue. Cop Car or Green/Silver Coyote spoons have also been good for springs. No halibut were seen this past weekend at the marina.

Pedder Bay – Salmon fishing was GOOD this past week .Most boats fishing Whirl Bay and Church Rock in the afternoon was catching springs into the teens. However the majority went 7 to 12 lbs though. A few larger wild fish were also caught and released. Anchovy and herring have been very productive baits for springs and probably have an edge over other lures right now. Bloody Nose and Purple Haze teaser heads have been the most popular when using bait and the best flashers have been the Purple Onion, Red Glow and Purple Haze. Hootchies and squirts were good in Purple Haze, Electric Chair and Lemon Meringue. Cop Car or Green/Silver Coyote spoons have also been good for springs.

HALIBUT – Halibut fishing was GOOD but not many fish brought into the marina this past weekend. Terry Zarrelli caught a 140.2 lb “barn door” halibut, his second monster fish this spring. Terry has really got the touch going this year. Extra Large herring and/or Octopus are the most popular baits for halibut. Berkely Gulp and Powerbait soft plastics also work very well. You can also use a large spoon fished off the spreader bar, Mudraker or Lucky Jigs or other large Jigs if you want to stay away from the dogfish.

Victoria Waterfront – Salmon fishing was GOOD for much of this past week. Anglers fishing at Constance Bank reported catching lots of hatchery into the mid teens. Closer in, we heard that there were similar size hatchery springs from the Albert Head to Clover Point, but it was much more spotty in terms of results. The “hot” new lure this year appears to be the Gold Star Coho Killer White Lighting spoon. It’s been really producing where the fish are feeding on needlefish. Anchovies and herring are top producers this time of year as well, especially in the medium and large sizes. The best teaser head colors are the UV Green and the Purple Haze. Many anglers though are fishing squirts and spoons along the bottom at 120 to 160 feet. Good choices in plastic baits are the Electric Chair, Purple Haze and the Baitrix Tiny Strip. Good flashers have been the Green/Glow and Purple Onion. The seals are still causing problems out at Constance Bank.

HALIBUT – Halibut fishing was FAIR this past week but the weather was rough on many days. Emmanuel Bedard brought in a 52.0 lb halibut from Albert Head on May 1st. Extra Large herring and/or Octopus are the most popular baits for halibut. Berkley Gulp and Powerbait soft plastics also work very well. You can also use a large spoon fished off the spreader bar, Mudraker or Lucky Jigs or other large Jigs if you want to stay away from the dogfish.

Oak Bay – Salmon fishing had been GOOD on the Flats much of this past week. Anglers had been catching hatchery springs while fishing close to the bottom where needlefish are the major food source. The best bet is trolling right on bottom in 100 to 150 feet of water with squirts, Baitrix tiny strip, small anchovy or Coho Killer spoons. Good squirts were the Electric Chair, Cricket and Purple Haze. With spoons, 3½” or 4” Gypsy, Titans, and Coyotes in Cop Car or Silver/Green colors and the Gold Star Coho Killer White Lightning. Glow in the dark flashers would be the best choice for springs now.

HALIBUT – Halibut fishing was FAIR. Extra Large herring and/or Octopus are the most popular baits for halibut. Berkely Gulp and Powerbait soft plastics also work very well. You can also use a large spoon fished off the spreader bar, Mudraker or Lucky Jigs or other large Jigs if you want to stay away from the dogfish.
Sidney – Salmon fishing was GOOD around Sidney this past week. The Sidney Anglers held their Salmon Derby on Saturday with good results as 53 spring salmon were weighed in with 205 tickets sold. Brian Gibson won first place and $5,000 with a 20.1 lb spring. Second place and $2,000 went to Mike McAuley for a 19.9 lb spring. Mike Stutzel was 3rd and won $1,000 with an 18.3 lb spring. The best fishing, and the winning fish taken, came from near Saanichton Spit. Coal Island was slow, as were all fishing spots east of Sidney Island. Spoons have been good with 3.5” or 4” Green and Glow colors producing best. The best soft plastic lures to use for springs now are the J-79, Mint Tulip and Purple Haze Squirts. Anchovies and Strip are also working. Perry Brewer caught a 48 lb. halibut on May 1st, right in Sidney Channel by the Red Can while trolling for salmon right down by the bottom with a Jay-79 hootchie.

Notable Catches – Terry Zarrelli caught a 140.2 lb “barn door” halibut, his second monster fish this spring. Emmanuel Bedard brought in a 52.0 lb halibut from Albert Head on May 1st. Brian Gibson won first place and $5,000 in the Sidney Anglers Salmon Derby with a 20.1 lb spring on Saturday. Second place and $2,000 went to Mike McAuley for a 19.9 lb spring. Mike Stutzel was 3rd and won $1,000 with an 18.3 lb spring. Perry Brewer caught a 48 lb. halibut in Sidney Channel. If you have any fishing info, notable catches, digital photos (please send as attachments) or tips that you would like to share or have included in our fishing report, please email us at info@fishingvictoria.com. Also, check out our blog and facebook page for links to recent videos and reports from our staff.

FRESHWATER
OVERVIEW – Fishing is GOOD on the local lakes for trout and PICKING UP for bass. Please remember that bass are closed for retention on all southern island lakes through June 15th.
Cowichan River – The Cowichan River water level is rising again and is today at 1.32 meters near the lake and 1.06 meters near Duncan. There are still a few steelhead in the river but most of them are mending kelts. Fly anglers have been doing well in the top end of the river on browns and rainbows and the occasional steelhead. For fly anglers the Wooly Buggers work well for brown trout but with increased insect activity, it’s best to match the hatch. Nymphs are good, especially Prince, Caddis, and Mayfly nymphs. Remember that it’s barbless hooks only and there is a bait ban on the river.

Local Lakes – Trout fishing is GOOD on most lakes in the South Island area. The biggest trout continue to be caught at Elk Lake with Langford Lake being your next best bet to hook into a real “lunker”. We’ve had reports of trout pushing 4 lbs coming in from these lakes recently.

Many anglers are catching fish near the bottom on either Powerbait Gulp eggs, or worms. Ben Wright caught a 20 inch, an 18 inch and an 8 inch rainbow trout in Beaver Lake on Friday on Powerbait.

Fly anglers are mostly using chironomids, Wooly Buggers or leech pattern flies. Trollers have been doing OK with a variety of lures. The Rhys Davis Baitrix Trout lures and UV Mini Strip Teasers work well for larger fish. Other good trolling lures are the Apex Trout Killers with the police car one of the best and the black with silver glitter spots taking second place. Flatfish and/or Kwikfish have also been effective in sizes 5 to 7 in Frog, Yellow with Red Spots or Blue/Silver. Smaller Rapalas in Rainbow Trout or Brown Trout patterns also work well. Lastly, Willow Leaf Lake trolls with a worm-tipped GIBBS Wedding Band will almost always catch some fish. Andy and Lisa Stepaniuk caught 4 nice trout up to 14 inches long at Matheson Lake in an hour using a worm tipped red GIBBS Wedding Band. By the way, all wild rainbows and cutthroats over 50 cm must be released in Cowichan Lake.

Bass Fishing – Bass fishing was PICKING UP this past week. The water temperature is still low but starting to warm up and some bass are moving into shallower water. We’ve heard of some success lately on deeper running crank baits. Langford Lake, Shawnigan Lake, Prospect Lake and Elk and Beaver Lakes are the best local bass lakes. Please remember that bass are closed for retention on all southern island lakes through June 15th.

Notable Catches – Ben Wright caught a 20 inch, an 18 inch and an 8 inch rainbow trout in Beaver Lake on Friday on Powerbait. Andy and Lisa Stepaniuk caught 4 nice trout up to 14 inches long at Matheson Lake in an hour using a worm tipped red GIBBS Wedding Band. If you have any fishing info, notable catches, digital photos (please send as attachments) or tips that you would like to share or have included in our fishing report, please email us at info@fishingvictoria.com. Also, check out our blog and facebook page for links to recent videos and reports from our staff.

FISH TIP OF THE WEEK
What’s your Line? Is it strong and kink free or is it weakened from hard fishing? If it is monofilament, it’s a good habit to regularly check the first 20 to 30 feet of line for kinks, nicks, and scratches. Cutting off the weakened section can reduce the chances of losing that big one to a broken line.

Island Outfitters Leader Board – 2011

Halibut

1) 231.4 lbs – Terry Zarelli – Race Rocks area – Octopus- March 25th

2) 52.0 lbs lbs – Emmanuel Bedard – Albert Head – May 1st
Salmon

We are now waiting for the first big springs of the year to be weighed in at the store. Maybe you will be bringing in the biggest one this year!

2011 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! Please let us know as early as possible about your up coming events in 2011!

May 14th and 15th: The 15th Annual Just for the Halibut Derby. 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, Pedder Bay Marina or Cheanuh Marina. Call 250-475-4969 for more information.

May 15th: The Sidney Anglers’ Spring Derby: Heaviest salmon wins $200, second $150, third $100, fourth $75, fifth $50, heaviest fish (juniors only) $25 and a Draw prize of $25. Open to paid up members only.

June 12th: The Sidney Anglers’ President’s Derby: Heaviest salmon wins $200, second $150, third $100, fourth $75, fifth $50, heaviest fish (juniors only) $25 and a Draw prize of $25. Open to paid up members only.

June 18th – 19th: 25th 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 26th: The Sidney Anglers’ BBQ & Picnic: Open to paid up members only.

September 11th: The Sidney Anglers’ Roundup Derby: Heaviest salmon wins $200, second $150, third $100, fourth $75, fifth $50, heaviest fish (juniors only) $25 and a Draw prize of $25. Open to paid up members only.

Island Outfitters
3319 Douglas Street
Victoria, British Columbia
Canada, V8Z 3L2
Phone: (250) 475-4969 or Toll Free: 1-866-915-4254
Store Hours
Monday – Wednesday: 9:00am – 6:00pm
Thursday – Friday: 9:00am – 9:00pm
Saturday: 8:00am – 6:00pm
Sunday: 10:00am – 5:00pm