Vancouver Island Fishing Report Archives

Vancouver Island Salmon Fishing

After an exceptionally productive summer fishing season for Chinook and Coho Salmon, numerous Halibut and for Trout in both fresh and saltwater, all indications point towards the action to continue.

The early fall season in the Tofino-Clayoquot Sound area provides many diverse fishing opportunities with some of the most comfortable weather conditions of the year.

With most of the transient runs of Salmon gone past, our locally stable runs of Chinook, Coho and Chum help create some very consistent fishing through late October. Along with the offshore area from Raphael Piont, many of the best areas to target these returning Salmon runs are in relatively protected inshore waters, such as Kutcous pt., Chetarpe, Monk Rock and Coombs Bank (Catface).

Remember that Chinook salmon must be released in these inshore areas, with an allowable retention of two hatchery Coho per person. These protected areas help create the prime setting to target these mature fish with light tackle, especially with a cast fly or Bucktail.With the fantastic returns of Coho Salmon to the area, our local saltwater fly fishery continues to attract more anglers interested in testing the waters of this exciting growth sport.

Bright attractor patterns,Clouser Minnows and large Needlefish imitations will often trigger some aggression from maturing Coho that weigh up to the 14 lb. range. When casting for fall Coho, remember to retrieve your fly all the way before lifting it out of the water and casting again. Coho are followers and can hit at the last second.

Chinook salmon can be caught until late September on a variety of spoons, hoochies or Anchovies. Fishing for Coho and Chum Salmon remains good until early November, when the late fall weather systems usually make saltwater fishing conditions very unstable.

Fishing on the remote river systems in the area is excellent at this time of the year for Cutthroat trout and for Catch and release Salmon fishing. This is the best time of the year to fish the remote mountain lakes for Rainbow Trout to 8lbs. and Cutthroat Trout up to the 4 lb. class. These guided excursions are very unique with great fishing in pristine surroundings.

The offshore waters still provide some great fishing for Ling cod, Red Snapper and Halibut. Raphael Point provides some of the areas best bottom-fishing, with Portland Point still producing some great Halibut.
If you have any questions regarding fishing opportunities for this fall, remote Steelhead fishing February through May, or charter bookings for the 2001 season, don’t hesitate to call us toll free at 1-888-534-7422 or e-mail me jay@steelheadsalmonhalibut.com