| Salt Water Fishing for July 25 |
| Overview |
Salmon fishing was SLOW this past week except at Port Renfrew. In most places only one out of eight to ten boats is catching salmon. Halibut fishing was SLOW this past week with the big tides and fast currents.
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| Port Renfrew |
Salmon and halibut fishing has been EXCELLENT out at Swiftsure Bank for 10 to 20 lb springs and halibut. Most of the boats are easily getting limit catches. Closer in along the beach it has been SPOTTY for salmon. Salmon fishing has been the best between Logan Creek and Camper Creek. However, some days you have to put in your time to get strikes. Anchovies and medium herring have been the most productive baits. Right now, Port Renfrew is the place to fish in our region. Terry Valley did well close to shore though, catching a 47.4 lb spring near Owen Point on and anchovy.
This picture of Jack Jongeneel and guide Clayton Lamb with their big halibut got to us a little late for last week's deadline. Better late than never and it sure looks like they had a GREAT day on the water. The type of day that most anglers dream about.
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| Sooke |
Salmon fishing remains SPOTTY for springs. A few springs over 30 lbs were landed his past week, but most fish were in the teens and 20’s. A few hatchery coho have been caught, as well as one pink salmon. There have also been a few sockeye caught and released. Silverstreak Boats held a small private derby this past weekend and raised $1,200 dollars for the local hatchery. They weighed in 17 fish with 60 derby tickets sold. The top three winning fish weighted 29.9 lbs, 25.7 lbs and 22.2 lbs. The best areas were Possession Point, Secretary (Donaldson) Island and Sherringham Point. Most anglers fishing for springs are using bait more than hootchies and spoons. Anchovies and 5.5”- 6” herring in Clear, Purple Haze or Green Glow heads were catching fish. The best hootchies or squirts to try are the Army Truck, White and Purple Haze. The best flasher has been the Silver Betsey.
HALIBUT – Halibut fishing was SLOW this past week with the big tides and fast currents. That said, a few “chickens “ were caught. Best bet for halibut has been west of Sherringham Pt. Extra Large herring, Mackerel and 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.
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| Becher Bay |
Salmon fishing was SLOW this past week. There have been salmon taken in most spots from the Aldridge Point to Secretary Island. Al Zaalburg landed a 38.2 lb spring near the Trap Shack on Sunday while fishing an anchovy in a green teaser head. Most of the fish were caught recently have been between 40 to 120 feet on the downrigger using anchovy or herring as bait. The salmon have been in tight and shallow in the mornings moving to deeper water during the day. The best teaser heads were Purple Haze or Green Glow colored. Some anglers were using hootchies, squirts and/or spoons with some success. The Army Truck, White and Purple Haze are good choices at this time of year when you’re trolling plastic and Green/Silver spoons are working when trolling as well. The best flashers have been the Silver Betsey, Purple Haze or Green/Silver.
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| Pedder Bay |
Fishing was SLOW, BUT BETTER than last week when not a single salmon was seen at the marina. During one creel survey on the weekend, 40 boats surveyed reported 9 springs, and one coho. One of the boats had 4 of the salmon and they caught all their fish jigging. Another boat had two springs and they were also caught jigging. Obviously jigging inside the bay and in the Race was the most productive way to fish. Two of the other fish reported were caught at Otter Point. Trollers have been most successful near the Navy Can Buoy using anchovies or small herring fished in Chartreuse, Clear or Purple Haze teaser heads. The best flashers have been Glow in the dark ones and the Purple Haze. If you’re using hootchies and squirts for springs, try the Pistachio, Electric Chair or Jellyfish. Spoons usually work very well for springs at this time of year, especially if they have green or blue highlights on silver or are mirror image ones.
HALIBUT – Halibut fishing was SLOW this past week with the big tides and fast currents. Only a couple of “chicken” halibut were taken on the weekend. Halibut were coming from the 27 Fathom Bank and the Race Rocks area. The dogfish weren’t as bad on the weekend here as they were at Constance Bank. Salmon bellies, Mackerel, Extra Large herring and/or Octopus are the most popular baits for halibut these days. 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.
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| Victoria Waterfront |
Salmon fishing was VERY SLOW this past week but a little better than the week before. Constance Bank has been the best spot for feeders up to 12 lbs but it never really was on fire because of the strong currents. Along the waterfront, some decent fish have been caught at Macauley Point, the Breakwater and Clover Point. Many of the fish have been in the twenties, but only about 1 in 10 boats is getting a salmon, low odds for catching a fish. Lance Foreman beat the odds on Sunday when he caught a 31 lb 12 oz red spring near the Breakwater. Jarred Snippa caught his very first salmon at Constance Bank this past week.
Lance Foreman landed this 31 lb 12 oz spring near the breakwater.
Anchovies and herring are top producers this time of year, especially in the smaller sizes. Glow Green and Purple Haze have been the best teaser head colors for springs. Good lures recently have been Green/Silver or Green/Glow Coyote spoons and Electric Chair and Purple Haze hootchies and squirts. Good flashers have been the OK’I Big Shooter Red/Gold or Gold Betsey and Hot Spots in Gold Fever and Green/Gold.
Jarred Snippa with his very first salmon caught off Constance Bank this past week.
HALIBUT – Halibut fishing was SLOW this past week with the big tides and fast currents at Constance Bank, Border Bank and the “Mud Hole”.
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| Oak Bay |
Salmon fishing was VERY SLOW in the Gap and on the Flats. Very few salmon were reported this past week and many of those caught were less than 5 lbs in size. The best fishing was in the evening for fish up to 12 lbs. The springs were close to the bottom where needlefish and candlefish are the major food. The most successful method for springs was trolling right on bottom in 100 to 150 feet of water with anchovy, Baitrix tiny strip, squirts or 4” spoons. Good squirts were the Electric Chair, Green Galaxy, Jellyfish, Alligator and J-79 squirts. The OK’I Big Shooter Purple Onion flasher has been working very well in combination with the Electric chair squirt. With spoons, 3½” or 4” Gypsy, Titans or Coyotes in Cop Car or Silver/Green colors also catch a lot of fish in Oak Bay.
HALIBUT – Halibut fishing was SLOW this past week with the big tides and fast currents. Salmon bellies, Mackerel, Extra Large herring and/or Octopus are the most popular baits for halibut these days. 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.
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| Sidney |
Salmon fishing was SLOW this past week. We’ve heard of a 19lb spring caught in Sidney Channel and a few 10 to 12 lb springs from near Fairfax Point. It’s been slow everywhere and Sidney anglers are hoping that sockeye will come open this year for retention. Fishing right on the bottom with Anchovies or Tiny Strip is your best bet these days. Spoons have been good as well with 3.5” or 4” Green and Glow colors producing best. The best soft plastic lures to use for springs now are the Glo Below, Electric Chair and Purple Haze Squirts.
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| Notable Catches |
Terry Valley did well in Port Renfrew catching a 47.4 lb spring near Owen Point on an anchovy. Al Zaalburg landed a 38.2 lb spring near the Trap Shack on Sunday while fishing an anchovy in a green teaser head. Lance Foreman beat the odds on Sunday when he caught a 31 lb 12 oz red spring near the Breakwater.
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.
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| Fresh Water Fishing for July 25 |
| Overview |
Trout fishing is FAIR and bass fishing has been <>b>GOOD on the local lakes. Trout fishing is SLOW on the Cowichan River. 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.
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| Cowichan River |
The water level on the Cowichan River is at the summer lows. Fishing is tough and tubers will be out in full force if we ever get a warm, sunny day. Try fishing small nymphs and/or streamer patterns for the Rainbows and Browns. Early in the morning or late in evening would be the best times for trout fishing the river
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| Local Lakes |
Trout fishing is FAIR on most lakes in the south island area. As the water keeps warming, the fish are going deeper to find cool water. Fly fishing has been really good in Elk Lake recently. Fly anglers are hitting fish while trolling black leeches and Wolly Buggers or black & red or purple micro leeches and general searching patterns such as the Carey Special. Anglers fishing Powerbait or worms from shore have also been doing well. Fluorescent Pink and Chartreuse Powerbait Eggs have been the hottest bait recently. Trollers have been doing very well with the Rhys Davis Baitrix Trout lures and UV Mini Strip Teasers for larger fish. They have also been doing well trolling 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 7 and smaller in Frog, Yellow with Red Spots or Blue/Silver. Smaller Rapalas in Rainbow Trout or Brown Trout patterns also work well. Guy Hebert landed a nice 18” cutthroat from Cowichan Lake on a trolled green flatfish. Lastly, 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 in Cowichan Lake.
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| Bass Fishing |
Bass fishing was GOOD this past week. Anglers reported success in most of the local bass lakes. Suspending Rapalas (X-Rap, Husky Jerk) are working with a bit slower retrieve and a lot of twitching action for the bigger fish. Bass are also biting near the drop offs in deeper water, especially on soft plastics. Some anglers are doing well with spinner baits too. Langford Lake, Shawnigan Lake, Prospect Lake and Elk and Beaver Lakes are the best local bass lakes. St. Mary’s Lake on Salt Spring Island is also a great lake for bass fishing. 10 year old Kendra Chitty went fishing at the Elk Lake dock and hooked into and reeled in (with very little help) a 5lb Smallmouth bass on a small hook with a worm, 15 feet off the dock and right on the bottom. Scott Langvonauger reported catching smallmouths to 5 lbs in Prospect Lake on Dingers near the rocky drop offs.
Kendra Chitty displays her 5lb Smallmouth bass.
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| Notable Catches |
| 10 year old Kendra Chitty went fishing at the Elk Lake dock and hooked into and reeled in (with very little help) a 5lb Smallmouth bass on a small hook with a worm, 15 feet off the dock and right on the bottom. Scott Langvonauger reported catching smallmouths to 5 lbs in Prospect Lake on Dingers near the rocky drop offs. 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. |
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| Fishing Tip for July 25 |
| Tip of the Week |
Take some binoculars fishing! You can use them to see what other successful anglers are using for bait, spot bait ball ups from a distance, or check for changes in the weather conditions by scanning the horizon. Or you can just enjoy the views or nature and make your day fishing more enjoyable.
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