Vancouver Island Report

[House]

Happy New Year all. I wish you and your families a healthy and prosperous 2013. We are experiencing a very nice winter here on Vancouver Island. The extremely wet winter we had last year is a distant memory. I don't say this very often, but we do need some more rain. The rivers are very low and clear, making steelhead fishing a bit of a challenge. The Cowichan River has been quite consistent with good numbers of fish throughout the lower sections. There have been some great fish caught up to 17lbs that I have heard of. Trout beads, corkies and pink worms have seen most of the action.

Winter Salmon fishing has been on the slow side the last month or so. We are seeing the odd big fish taken up to 18lbs, but not the consistent numbers we are used to seeing at this time. The fishing should turn around anytime now. Anchovies have been to be the best producer. Purple haze teaser head with a purple glow flasher have been working well.

We are still waiting to hear when the Halibut season will open up. The meetings were held last week here in Victoria to determine the Total Allowable Catch each sector will be allotted. At this time we think we will see a very similar season to last year. We are hoping it will open for March 1st. I will keep everyone posted on this. Last spring Victoria had some incredible Halibut fishing. I am already taking a lot of bookings for the good tides, so if you want to get in on some of this early season action; drop me a line soon.

The minimal amount of forecasted information we have at this time predicts a similar Salmon run to last season. I have heard they are predicting some more 5 year fish this season, meaning we should see more 30 plus pounders on the dock. Halibut fishing will remain excellent with similar limits to last season expected.

Starting this year, we will be opening up the lodge in early June. We are almost booked solid for the first half of the season. If anyone wants to fish in June or July I recommend you get a hold of me soon as I only have a couple spots left. Prime time in August has a few more gaps to fill. Anyone thinking about the 2013 summer season should give me a call or drop me a line to look at some dates before they're gone.

I look forward to seeing all the familiar faces this year and to meeting many new ones.

Adrian O'Connor, Owner
Reel Obsession Sport Fishing
1-888-855-7335
adrian@reelobsession.ca
www.reelobsession.ca