Father's Day and Summer Fishing Action
Happy Father's Day to all the Fishing Dads and Grandpas out there...June 21st provided a great combination to consider getting out on the water; The first day of summer, Fathers Day, great weather and phenominal fishing for most species in the Tofino B.C. area.
The past two weeks have been great for us on all fronts for fishing the west side of Vancouver Island. Chinook Salmon fishing has been in full force for June, with a mixed stock that is normal for this time of the year. An average size of 18-24 lbs, with some in the teens and many in the high 20's to low 30's, action has been great 4-6 miles offshore, fishing near or on the bottom with smaller gear choices in spoons, needlefish hoochies or small anchovies. An amazing amount of baitfish, mostly Needlefish has been a benefit in slowing the southern migration of many Salmon to feed in the Tofino area, but also has made them full and fat, making it necessary to wait it out a bit until they are ready to eat again. Fortunately for the fishing guests of Clayoquot Ventures, our guides seem to have a way of encouraging these salmon to feed even when over-stuffed with Needlefish.
Coho Salmon have also showed up thick and hungry, inshore near Tofino, as well as offshore on the bait-fish rich banks. Light tackle or Flies are great options for these strong runs of Coho salmon that will keep coming through until October.
With calm weather, great fishing and summer officially started, we look forward to hosting all the Dad's and Grandpas that want to get out and enjoy some great west coast fishing.
Chinook Action on Strong and Coho Salmon have arrived
The last two weeks of calm, hot high pressure weather was bound to run out sooner or later, and in my opinion,has had an effect on the Chinook action around Tofino. Over the last three weeks, the action has been running hot and steady for fat and feisty Springs, but three days ago the barometer dumped quickly, and sure enough, lock jaw set in for most Spring Salmon in our area.
We fished offshore between the Three humps and Portland pt. the morning after the clouds rolled in, and was not surprised to have almost no action on the Salmon. Dragged everything just to keep busy changing gear every 15 minutes or so,,, Bait on the screen often 90 feet thick and had to dodge the actively feeding Humpback Whales most of the morning. Looked like a classic set up for great action, but not the case that day.
Seems yesterday a few of them finally got hungry again as the action could be considered O.K. for early June, but nothing like the last three weeks.
Today the barometer lifted again enough for a serious chomp to take place in the same area offshore. Most Chinook today were right down along the carpet, with Anchovies topping the hit list. The action basically resumed like it has been over the last three weeks, after a two day low pressure hiatus.
Our vessel "Right Hook" came back this afternoon with some really nice sized Halibut on average, with most taking the white grubs. I didn't ask our guide Blake where he was bouncing for them though..
Coho have really showed up in the last fews days, with most in the 4-6 lb range. I am confident that with bait stocks so thick both inshore and offshore, we'll be seeing these sizes a lot bigger in no time, as is common for this time of the year.
We'll be launching our Fly boat this week and seaching the inside Tofino/Clayoquot area for hungry Coho. We've been spinning a number of new patterns lately, getting ready for the masses of Coho predicted to arrive. Seems it is all starting.
Back soon.
What a week of Chinook Salmon action!!!
Welcome back to our Tofino Fishing reports page.
Well, what a week we have had for this time of the year! Even though I have been fishing the waters off the west coast of the island for almost 30 years now, I don’t remember when the first wave of transient Chinook Salmon have showed up in full force, very good numbers and so large on average!!
For the Tofino area to see so many Tyee class (30 lbs and over) Chinook Salmon is not uncommon, but this normally happens in the peak of mature salmon migration in August, not at the beginning of the migration in mid May ...man are we in for it this year!! This week saw the normally consistent Halibut action that is common for May and June, to only compliment the Chinook fishery a short distance offshore. Many Halibut were caught while trolling deep for Chinook, on simple salmon gear set ups with Flashers and Anchovies, Spoons, and Needlefish hoochies. There is no doubt that the size and strength of these early season Chrome, Prime and Tasty Chinook salmon will rival the fight of a mature late season fish regardless of size. There have been accounts of Chinook Salmon hitting the gear and not stopping until they almost spool the reel or bust off while heading south. Some of these long distance releases may be the relation of the 40 lb. Chinook already caught in the Tofino area this week. That’s right, 40 lbs in May....Man are we in for it this season!!! Did I mention that the Coho Salmon are starting to show up as well, and looking very healthy as predicted?
Come and join us for what is forecasted to be a great fishery this season, with many PRIME DATES STILL AVAILABLE along with SPRING SPECIALS RUNNING FOR THE NEXT MONTH.
Back soon to share more good news,
Jay
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Clayoquot Ventures