September 2009 Fishing in Tofino – The peak season continues…
Historically, mid August through mid September is the time when the Tofino area’s outer coastline plays host to some of British Columbia’s strongest and diverse stocks of maturing Salmon en-route to their natal streams, most specifically the prized sport fishing species, Chinook and Coho. The 2009 season’s fishing action has been nothing short of excellent for the Tofino B.C. area, with mixed transient stocks of Chinook and Coho providing the best action in many years. Creel surveys show that recreational fishing pressure on the more fragile local Chinook stocks remained extremely minimal, in efforts to allow local stocks of mature Chinook salmon safe passage to their home rivers of Clayoquot Sound.
With a somewhat delayed timing for the diverse transient Salmon runs that typically travel past Tofino during the peak month of August, sport fishing opportunities for the month of September are anticipated to stay very strong.
Various areas and gear types will be receiving the most focus by local and visiting Tofino area anglers, with the following recommendations for those considering a trip on their own boat or with a local charter company;
Chinook salmon fishing offshore from Tofino’s coastline will likely provide the season’s strongest opportunity for larger 4-5 year old Chinook. With an anticipated return of abundant late summer Chinook Salmon to the lower Fraser and Columbia Rivers, the chance of catching your first Tyee, or even one over 40 lbs will not get any better for fishing the Tofino area. This same area will also provide great action for the season’s largest Coho salmon, with many of the acrobatic fighters in the 15 to 20 lb. range. All “wild” Coho Salmon must be released in offshore areas, unlike the adipose fin clipped Coho that can be retained offshore. Many anglers troll 40 – 80 feet deep with large spoons or plugs to catch both Chinook and Coho.
Inshore Coho fishing is favoured by many during this time of the year, with the retention limit now raised to 4 Coho per person per day, with only 2 of the 4 being non-adipose fin clipped. With bait-fish stocks extremely strong, and many Coho salmon feeding hard inside Clayoquot Sound, many anglers with smaller vessels appreciate this prime opportunity. Fly anglers are focused on casting and Buck-tailing areas like Tibbs Island down to Catface and Coombs bank for hard hitting and hard fighting Coho salmon on 7-9 weight Fly rods. The 2009 season has been nothing short of excellent for huge numbers of Coho, providing a serious resurgence for Tofino’s popular saltwater fly-fishery. Anglers fishing in the inshore areas are advised to avoid fishing with traditional baits such as Anchovies or Herring in efforts to avoid mature Chinook Salmon.
Halibut and Bottom-fish action is also a great late season fishing option for the Tofino area. Species such as Ling Cod, Yellow-Eye and Cabezon all live within a short distance offshore, and are a great compliment to the great Halibut fishing that has continued through the spring and summer. Artificial jigs with a little fresh bait for scent will often reward your efforts for these varied species.
On the freshwater side of angling interests, September is when things really start to light up for Salmon in the various streams of the region, along with the Trout that are often close by to pick up stray eggs from the spawning salmon. Most rivers provide good opportunities for catch and release fishing for Salmon and Trout, using single barbless hooks, while respecting the bait ban that is common for most streams on Vancouver Island.
With the combination of great fishing opportunities, normally fantastic weather conditions, and more room to move about in town and on the water, why wouldn’t you consider fishing the Tofino area this September?
For more info, check on-line at www.tofinofishing.com or call 250-725-2700
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Clayoquot Ventures