Vancouver Island Fishing Report Archives

Vancouver Island Fishing and Tides

Vancouver Island's Pacific Rim region has a long history of fishing, with exciting sport fisheries available all along our western coastline.

From the rugged and remote northern areas of Quatsino, Kyuquot and Nootka Sounds, to the more accessible but equally pristine and abundant, Clayoquot and Barclay Sound areas to the south.

For the small coastal communities of Tofino and Ucluelet, fishing has always been a major attraction, with fish and seafood stocks creating the backbone for their growth many years ago. These rich aquatic resources continue to attract sport fishermen from all over the world, with the 2003 season showing as much popularity as ever.

Expect excellent action for Chinook Salmon and Halibut among the bait fish rich banks offshore from Tofino and Ucluelet. Fishing at Tofino's Portland or Raphael Points in 140-160 ft. of water, as well as Ucluelet's South bank and La Perouse bank in the 180 to 300 ft range, will continue to produce Chinook Salmon over 30 lbs., and Halibut averaging 20-60 lbs. Anticipated to be significantly better than last season, this combination fishery continues to provide great action through late July.

The early season is also the start of some unique and diverse fisheries that the area has to offer. Numerous remote fly-in lakes along the coastline host healthy populations of Cutthroat Trout as well as a few lakes producing trophy sized Rainbows. These pristine lakes provide good fishing conditions through late October.

The fairly new and rapidly expanding sport of fly fishing the saltwater has labeled the Tofino/Clayoquot sound area, British Columbia s premier destination. This exciting, low impact fishery is expected to experience continued growth in conjunction with the fantastic increase of Coho Salmon along the coast. Mid. June is the start of this near shore fishery, with the action intensifying July through mid. October.

The inshore Salmon fishery for the seasons largest maturing Chinook begins in mid.
July and peaks later in August. This season may see some special restriction areas to protect certain stocks of concern. The areas outside the protected surf line will )offer great opportunities to catch and retain your Chinook at this time. For retention of Coho salmon, the regulations should be similar to last season, with the fishing action expected to be as good or better. It is hard to imagine more intense Coho fishing than we experienced last year!

As the season progresses into early fall, the usually stable weather patterns don't often limit boating activities, in turn, promoting great conditions for bottom-fishing the offshore waters for Halibut ,Lingcod, Red Snapper and other species of rockfish.

Among the inshore waters of Clayoquot and Barclay sounds, this is the prime time to fish for returning local stocks of salmon en route to their natal streams. This coming fall should see good fishing for Chinook, along with unparalleled coho action. This is a prime time of the year for light tackle fishermen, as well as those with smaller boats to enjoy great fishing action, not far from the harbour.

If you choose not to hire one of the many experienced guides in the area, but plan on fishing from your own boat, please see the following recommended tackle list. Most, if not all of these items should help ensure a successful outing;

Chinook / Coho Salmon

Hoochies; Army-truck, Green glow, Green tractorback, Tiger Prawn
3-6 inch Plugs;#602,#158,#500
Teaser Heads; Army Truck, Chrome Clear ,Chartreuse (with eyes)
Spoons;Coyotes, Krippled K
Diamondlance, Gibbs Gator
Jigs ;Gibbs Minnow, Stingselda

Halibut / Bottomfish

Pipe jigs; Mudraker, Spinnow
Spreader Bars; with Herring, Octopus, Salmon Bellies, Pilchards
Cut-Plug Herring
Lead jigs; Large Gibbs Minnow
Norwiegan Pilk, Scampi tail Jigs

Saltwater flyfishing

7-8 wt. Rods / Anodised-Disc Drag Reels
250-350 grain Sink Tip or type 4 Full Sink Lines
Flies; Clouser Minnows
Krystal Shrimp, Glass Minnows
Bucktails, Epoxy Needlefish

Sea-Run Cutthroat

5-6 wt. Rods / Anodised- Disc Drag Reels
Slow Sink, Intermediate and Ghost Tip Lines
Flies; Rolled Muddlers, Stickleback
Mickey Finn, Epoxy Shrimp,Egg-n-Eye
Epoxy Minnow, Mallard Flank Minnows

Come out and see for yourself why the Tofino/Ucluelet area continues to prosper with sport fishing and tourism.For further information on our area and what we have to offer,as well as fishing or charter inquiries,call me at 1-888-5-FISHBC.Visit us online at www.steelheadsalmonhalibut.com E-mail jay@steelheadsalmonhalibut.com