Central
Island: Campbell River
Top
Guides guest Roger Still of
England with a winter run steelhead
|
Campbell
River has long been renowned as the "Salmon Capital of the
World". Located halfway up the
east coast of Vancouver Island, Campbell
River is a friendly community situated in the middle of
some of the best fishing grounds on Vancouver Island. Along
with great salmon fishing, there are also a wide variety of
other fishing opportunities. Within 15-40 minutes of some
of the hottest fishing spots along the Inside Passage, and
central to several river systems home to steelhead, trout
and salmon, Campbell River is hard to beat for fishing action
and diversity.
Late
fall fishing for giant chinook |
Salmon
fishing is a year round activity in Campbell River. With resident
winter chinook salmon present through the winter months, fisherman
head out on the quiet waters for great winter fishing and
prawning.
In mid June, we start to see our annual runs of transient
chinook arriving, joined in mid July by large runs of migrating
pink, coho and sockeye salmon. This is the fishery that has
made Campbell River famous.
In late
September large numbers of chum salmon start to dominate the
waters. With the strength of a chinook, and the acrobatics
of a coho, the chum salmon put up a fight to remember! Bottom
fish such as ling cod, rock cod, snapper and halibut are also
found in local waters.
Aside from traditional methods of fishing, there are other
angling opportunities to be had out on the ocean. These include
saltwater fly fishing and rowing for Tyee salmon.
Fly
fishing out of a Boston Whaler |
Saltwater
fly fishing is becoming popular once again, and it is not
hard to understand why. Imagine holding your breath as you
watch a giant chinook salmon rise through crystal clear shallows
to take your fly.
Or visualize a picture taken on a boat of you and your favourite
fly rod with a glistening coho about to be released. Unforgettable!
The Tyee salmon, a chinook salmon weighing over 30 pounds,
is found between July and September in local waters. To become
a member of the Tyee club, the oldest fishing club in BC,
you must catch a chinook salmon over 30 pounds from a row
boat using light tackle and an artificial lure. Between August
15 and September 15 the rowing season is open, and at first
light and last light the Tyee Pool is filled with rowboats
quietly stalking the prized Tyee.
Top
Guide Morgan McLean with
a winter run steelhead |
For the
freshwater fisherman, there are also year round fishing opportunities.
Steelhead are present year round, with both summer runs and
winter runs moving through the local rivers. These fantastic
fighters will take on a fly, spoon, or artificial egg pattern,
and put on a terrific display, taking long runs and making
spectacular jumps. There are also trout present in the local
rivers year round, as well as seasonal runs of salmon. With
pinks, chinooks, coho and chums packing the local rivers in
the fall, the fishing action is non stop.
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