Tofino / Ucluelet Fishing Report:
May, 2007
Tofino B.C. Salmon, Halibut and Steelhead Fishing
May 2, 2007
For the Tofino/Clayoquot Sound region, on Vancouver Island’s rugged and beautiful west coast, the month of May provides great options and diverse
fisheries in Freshwater and Saltwater. Southward migrating Chinook Salmon arrive and feed primarily on our offshore banks, gorging on the prolific stocks
of Needlefish, Herring and Pilchards that are common in these waters that average less than 200 feet deep. Fortunately for local and visiting anglers,
these same bait stocks and the prime habitat of varied underwater contours are also favored by Halibut during this same time. Trolling deep near the bottom
is a common approach by many anglers during this time, compounding action for Chinook salmon and Halibut at the same time. Both species can be caught with
spoons or hoochies trolled behind a flasher, but most common, and often most effective is an anchovy or small herring rigged 6 feet behind your favorite
glow flasher. Many local guides “stir things up” by occasionally bouncing their downrigger balls on the bottom along the underwater contours,
often enticing movement by nearby Halibut.
For anglers to specifically target Halibut, your vessel and gear should be well prepared, with a gaff hook or two, a Halibut harpoon, some rope to “hog
tie” larger fish, and an extra club. Stout rods of 6-7 feet and level wind reels loaded with 80-100 lb. test braided Dacron are the norm. Although
our local average size Halibut are between 18-40 lbs, this is the time of the year that we most often experience larger fish mixed in, that can test your
arms, your gear, and your knowledge of Halibut recipes in preparation for some great meals.
Abundant numbers of juvenile Coho Salmon have started the local saltwater fly fishery early this year, with the sizes of these feisty salmon increasing
rapidly over the next few months. Small flies in orange or pink are the best bet. Casting or trolling the shallow bays of inner Clayoquot Sound is often
productive for these scrappy young salmon that makes for great sport in the early season. June 1st will again be the date of allowable Coho Salmon retention
for the Tofino area, and anglers are advised to try and always stay well informed of local regulations. Check in at our Fly & Tackle shop for updated
information for all species throughout the season.
Numerous late spring Steelhead have been providing great action on the small to medium sized rivers of Clayoquot Sound. Flies, Marabou Jigs, and light
spinning gear are the main types of tackle used for local Steelhead and Trout. Steelhead Nightmare, Clayoquot Prawns and articulate Egg Leeches are always
popular on the Steelhead hit list. While fly fishing for Trout during this time, Steelhead will also take a well presented Muddler Minnow, Kiwi Muddler
or Salmon Fry imitation, which can be a challenge on light tippet. Gibbs #35 Koho spoons and Silvex spinners are a great springtime lure for both Steelhead
and Cutthroat Trout. Fishing the local beaches is now in prime time for aggressive Sea-run Cutthroat Trout willing to take any thing that resembles a Salmon
fry. Local lakes are active for both Rainbows and Cutthroat with Chironomids, nymphs, leeches and small minnow patterns a focus.
For further info and updated reports, visit out popular website at www.tofinofishing.com. Try and share a fishing experience with a young angler this spring,
as the smile on their face is worth more than the catch of the day.
Tofino Ucluelet B.C. Halibut and Bottom fish update
May 07, 2007
Tofino B.C. Vancouver Island Halibut and Bottom fish update May 07
As the relentless winds and rain of the west coast Vancouver Island winter continued through April, the beginning of May started off with pretty fair opportunities
to fish for Salmon and Bottom fish along the outer coastline near Tofino and Ucluelet B.C.
This past week, we were able to fish the offshore waters for 4 out of 7 days, with good results on Halibut and Bottom fish, and still less than normal
action on Chinook Salmon, which is normally very consistent during this time of the year. Some good Chinook salmon action was experienced this week on
the inshore waters of Clayoquot Sound, with our guide Derek hooking his guests into a solid 34lb. slab of Chinook Salmon, the largest of the season so
far, His guests were pretty happy with the 20lb. Chinook that was already in the boat, but as we know, great things can happen as long as you gear is in
the water.
Repeat guest Rocky Magnowski enjoyed some great Bottom fishing action for a couple days offshore from Tofino. After releasing over 20 undersized Ling Cod,
Rocky, Jay and Blake ended the day with a limit of nice Rockfish, 4 Ling Cod and 2 Halibut in the mid 20’s. The best action was on a Pipe jig and
large hoochy skirt with a smear of Herring Butter to provide the right scent. The following day was focused on Halibut on the flats outside Tofino’s
lighthouse, Lennard Island. A cold and stiff breeze from the N.W. at 15-20 knots kept the baits and spreader bars bouncing on one long drift for approximately
4 hours, for 4 Halibut in the Boat and a few others with sore lips still swimming around. All Halibut were healthy 20-35lb fish, and caught with a variety
of baits, including whole Herring, Salmon belly and the new Berkeley 8``Power Squid which held up surprisingly well considering the same artificial soft
bait was involved in over 15 very toothy Ling Cod battles the previous day. With a very high retail price for a 2 pack of these new soft baits, we have
been curious if they would work, and especially fish for more than 1 trip, so far so good. We look forward to trying a few more soft baits that are new
on the market this year, especially considering the Herring supply looks pretty tight for the 2007 season. Back soon with more updates from the West Coast
of Vancouver Island.
Vancouver Island spring fishing conditions getting better
May 18th, 2007
Saltwater Report: With both the offshore and protected waters of Clayoquot Sound producing good numbers of early season Chinook salmon, things are looking
very positive for the remainder of May. Fishing Monk Rock late last week, Clayoquot Ventures Guide Derek Fraser, hooked and landed a 34 lb early season
Chromer. The early season Chinook salmon fishery has been characterized by consistent numbers and great size. Small herring in UV teaser heads have been
the bait of choice for Clayoquot Ventures Guides who have been hooking fish at a wide variety of depths. Halibut Fishing has also been very consistent
over the past month. With good numbers of these flatfish only a short distance from the Tofino harbor, fishing time has been maximized on all Clayoquot
Ventures’ charters. With early season size ranging from 20-60 lbs, these fish offer both great sport as well as top-notch table fair. Mid May finds
Tofino a little quieter than the upcoming summer months and this means early season specials are still being offered and some prime charter dates still
un-booked, May is a great time to fish Tofino.
Freshwater Report: If you’re interested in hooking football shaped rainbow and cutthroat trout, mixed in with chrome-colored, late spring steelhead,
this is the time to fish the remote rivers of Clayoquot Sound. This past week steelhead of up to 16lbs. have been hooked on both the fly and small spoons,
while trout have been feeding heavily on a variety of minnow imitations. Clayoquot Ventures Guide, Blake Klopfenstien has helped his guests hook into some
very memorable fish over the past week, while ‘bluebird sky’ days and prime water levels have facilitated some picture perfect drifts on the
remote river systesm. Warm, sunny weather over the past week has brought out both salmon fry and early hatches which are sure to fatten-up these already
well-fed fish. If a remote river drift doesn’t sound appealing enough, why not think about a flight into one of Clayoquot Sound’s remote trout
lakes. With these mountain lakes just finishing a turn-over, you’re sure to find some hungry trout at these virgin destinations. These excursions
are all 100% catch and release, and will provide great experiences for our guests until late October.
Highlights of the Week: Over the past week, Clayoquot Ventures has hosted Allison and Paul Bakker of Calgary, Alberta. The couple certainly experienced
some great fishing during their stay as they spent a day drifting the River and two days fishing offshore. After releasing numerous prime wild spring steelhead
on the river, the pair completed the Clayoquot Sound ‘triple-crown’ with some ‘lunker’ halibut and early season Chinook. Judging
from the smiles on their faces, we cam certainly expect to see these two back in Tofino again.
Tofino and Ucluelet B.C. Weekly fishing Report
May 22nd, 2007
Saltwater Report: Although unseasonably rough seas made this week of offshore fishing a little challenging, Clayoquot Ventures charters have
been producing good numbers of halibut and a wide variety of bottom fish. Mid-way through the week, charter guests aboard “The Right
Hook” landed a beautiful 50 lb. Halibut at one of Guide Derek Fraser’s favorite Hali-holes. To compliment the halibut fishing,
charter guests have enjoyed great early season fishing for a wide variety of bottom dwellers as well. From ling-cod to the tasty cabazon,
Yellow eye and copper rockfish, there is no telling what you’ll hook when you drop your gear down to the bottom.
Overall a good week for bottom fish, salmon fishing has been a little slower than usual. Although some nice fish were caught, generally the
large tides we experienced over the past seven days have made for difficult fishing conditions and therefore, lower levels of production.
Feeding heavily on offshore Krill populations, the early season Chinook salmon that have been taken are with-out a doubt some of the
best-eating fish of the year. On the 20th of May, Clayoquot Ventures guest, Tim Simpson hooked into, and landed, a chrome silver 22lb.
Chinook salmon at Rafael Point, just offshore from Flores Island.
Freshwater Report: Although not a very busy week for our freshwater fishery, it was a good one. Trout fishing was a little slower this week
than last, but Steelhead have continued to show up in good numbers and with excellent size. Three steelhead were caught and released during
our last remote river drift, all of them coming on nicely presented silver spoons. With all three guests getting into a nice Steelhead, this
remote river fishery just keeps on giving. Although strictly a catch and release fishery, guests are sure to go home with some great memories
after a day out on this remote and pristine Clayoquot Sound river drift.
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Tofino, Vancouver Island,
British Columbia Canada
Sport Fishing Charters and Accommodations
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