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Fishing
Reports - South Island, Victoria and the Gulf Islands
24 July 2000
A
lovely Rainbow Trout
produces a smiling client |
Aaahh,
Summer fishing is here and it's full speed ahead
for the salt and freshwater anglers. We are fortunate
to have such a wide selection of world-class fishing,
so close to our city centre, Victoria. Motor out
to catch powerful salmon and halibut with a mixture
of bottom fish, from lingcod to rock cod. Visit
a nearby lake loaded with active trout and smallmouth
bass, or hike a river for explosive summer steelhead
and trout.
July and August are excellent months for Southern
Island ocean fishing. In Port Renfrew, Owen Point
and Camper Bay have been the most consistent locations
for Chinook fishing in recent weeks. Trolling at
depths from 25 to 45 feet has been most productive.
Meanwhile, this last week, cutplug herring has been
very effective near the kelp at eight to twelve
pulls. The halibut fishing has been excellent. Swiftsure
Banks and Carmanah Point have been very consistent.
Sooke, Beached Bay and Padded Bay are averaging
sizes of 20 to 30 lbs., and the fish are running
from 30 to 80 feet deep. Anchovies remain the most
popular bait to use, especially in the Silver Chrome
or Green teaser heads. Long leaders (6 to 8 feet)
are the norm when using flashers or dodgers.
The Victoria waterfront and Oak Bay have been doing
well with Tyee (30 lb) chinooks and large halibut
coming in with our guides. They have been doing
extremely well, and bring head shakes from most
anglers. Also keep an eye out for Killer whales
and seals, as the latter will persistently try to
steal your fish.
If you don't use an ocean guide, please make sure
your boat is fully equipped with safety gear, including
marine radio, auxiliary engine, radar and the full
regiment of Coast Guard regulation safety equipment.
Now for our underrated freshwater fishing. Get Hooked,
Go Fishing, For Free - Yes, for August 5 -7 is BC's
Family Fishing Weekend. BC residents can fish without
licenses on lakes, streams and rivers. A great chance
to discover the outdoors. The regulations are still
in effect but no licenses are required - www.familyfishingbc.com
or 1-800-663-7867
A
nice Cowichan River Brown Trout |
Our
local lakes are stocked full of rainbow and cutthroat
trout. Add our smallmouth bass and sunfish, and
you have awesome fishing action for the beginner
to the serious angler. You can use worms and powerbait
on the bottom or under a float, or you can cast
or troll lures and spinners. I think casting flies
or trolling them is an excellent method. For flies,
using leeches and minnow patterns on sink-tip or
sinking lines will work.
River fishing is very rewarding for pristine summer
steelhead and large brown trout. You work the deeper
water and log jams for the larger fish. Tons of
small rainbows will be in the faster open water.
Using fry patterns, spinners and lures, you will
be into the fish. We also have sockeye salmon entering
our rivers which are fun on the fly. Pink, green
and silver streamers flies have been working for
us.
The Best time to go Fishing...is Anytime you can
Go!
If you need more information, have a question, need
a guide service, or simply want to see more fishing
photos or check out our fishing humour
section, we're on the Internet at www.ex-stream.com.
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