Tofino / Ucluelet Fishing Recap: August, 2007
“Outstanding Fishing Season, Once Again”
Always considered the prime time of the year for Salmon fishing in the Tofino and Ucluelet areas, on Vancouver
Island’s beautiful and rugged west
coast, this August has fulfilled everyone’s expectations. The return of numerous 4-5 year class Chinook salmon as well as the abundant and always
feisty Coho Salmon to various local river systems, consistently supports our great fisheries along the West Coast of Vancouver Island. The Stamp-Somass
hatchery system has always been a large contributing factor to the great numbers of Salmon returning through the local statistical areas 23 and 24, and
this season great action has again been supported by the Island’s main Salmon Enhancement Projects.
This fishing season has been as consistent as ever, with further support of this from Bill Shaw, the South Coast Recreation Fisheries Co-odinator
from Fisheries and Oceans Canada. In a meeting with Shaw earlier this month, he had indicated that the Tofino and Ucluelet areas have
provided quite possibly the best and most consistent catches of Chinook and Coho Salmon on the British Columbia coast for 2007. Chinook
and Coho Salmon are the most prized sport-fish in marine waters coast-wide, and spend most of the spring and summer traveling in a southward
direction, feeding for prolonged periods of time in the areas that provide the right combination of food source and habitat. The Tofino
and Ucluelet areas are fortunate to have a very unique combination of these prime factors that is favourable to the fish as well as the
fishermen who venture out in search of their quarry. The offshore banks from Tofino and Ucluelet are a prime feeding and traveling “highway” for
many mixed stocks of Salmon enroute to their natal streams by early in the fall. The underwater contours of these offshore areas, juxtaposed
with an abundance of Sardines, Herring and Needlefish are a prime and unique combination for these aggressively feeding Salmon. Also
not to be overlooked, in fact a scenario of notoriety has been the inshore areas of Clayoquot Sound, and to a slightly lesser extent
Barkley Sound. The shallow protected waters and prime habitat of these inshore areas have become the venue of World Class fishing memories
for many. Composed of numerous Reefs, Sandbars, Islands and Kelp beds, this varied structure compliments the great fishing opportunities
and magnificent beauty of these pristine coastal areas, all within a safe and fuel efficient distance from our local protected harbours.
This outstanding light tackle fishing with gear and flies has helped put the Clayoquot Sound area on the map as the Pacific Northwest’s
premier destination, most specifically for fly anglers in search of unparalleled Coho action.
Don’t disregard the great bottom fishing opportunities that prevail offshore. Halibut, Ling Cod and various other bottom fish provide
great action through the summer and in to the late fall. The offshore reefs and outer bank contours also provide great habitat and food sources
for these varied bottom-fish that range in size, color and species.
With the prime combination of great fishing, pristine scenery, road, water or air access, as well as the absolutely outstanding world class
amenities available in the communities of Tofino and Ucluelet, it is no wonder that we are frequently considered the best option for
fishing and holiday plans on the British Columbia coast. Some areas boast the title “Salmon Capital of the World” but the
many anglers who have experienced Tofino and Ucluelet fishing, know themselves that there is no title necessary to describe what happens
on a regular basis in our local waters.
For more information, updated fishing reports and details regarding these great fishing options, see us online at www.tofinofishing.com
Though we have another great month ahead of us for fishing in the Tofino and Ucluelet areas, it is hard not to be excited about next season
and beyond.
Jay Mohl owns and operates Clayoquot Ventures Guide Service and Jay’s Fly and Tackle in Tofino. Jay is the Chairman of the Tofino-Ucluelet
Sport fish Advisory Committee to the Federal Government, Chairman of the Tofino Harbor Authority, as well as a director on the Sport Fish
Institute of B.C.
|
Clayoquot Ventures