The Guides View
Early Season Salmon on
Vancouver Island’s West Coast
The dense ball of baitfish clouded the sonar screen, marking from
ninety feet down to the oceans floor. The impulsive reaction to
glance immediately at the rod tips was followed by the predictable
downward thump of the port side rod. As my frequent early season
clients started to banter about whose arms needed more rest, I watched
the second rod tip dive below the surface. For the next fifteen
minutes, I felt the contentment that most guides would, listening
to the laughter of my happy clients and hearing the sweet screaming
sound of line peeling from the glistening gold of my Islander mooching
reels.
Salmon fishing during the early part of the season on Vancouver
Island’s West Coast could easily be labeled in a variety of
terms, but the word predictable most often comes to mind.
It is no big secret in the vast world of sport fishing that if
you know your target species, where and when that species will be,
and what their main source of food is, your efforts will be consistently
rewarded with an increasingly predictable edge. Pacific Salmon species
are definitely no exception to this formula, especially during the
early stages of the season when initial migration urges are juxtaposed
with voracious feeding habits.
Early season Salmon opportunities on the West coast are primarily
focused on Chinook, with Coho Salmon adding some diversity, often
by the middle of June. Usually by early to mid. April, the weather
conditions become more of a reliable factor, coinciding with the
first runs of transient Chinook Salmon that are slowly en-route
down the coast to their natal streams. It is this same stage in
the Salmon life cycle that makes them somewhat vulnerable and predictable,
as they have one main activity that dictates where they will be
and for how long. Feeding on a variety of the oceans offerings and
the abundance, or lack of these food sources, will encourage the
early season Salmon to remain in one area, feeding for many tides,
or to move with their instinctive urges.
A variety of angling methods, gear types and techniques will produce
fish at this time of the year, but from my experience, the following
details will help ensure successful outings.
Locating baitfish is extremely important. This requires the help
of a good sonar unit that shows the depth and density of the bait
source, along with the potential of seeing the Salmon in and around
the bait. Main food sources include Herring, Needlefish, Squid and
Pacific Sardines (Pilchard). Becoming more knowledgeable about the
sizes and actions of these specific baits is a definite asset.
Knowing what type of bottom structure you are fishing around is
also very important. I have been using the new Lowrance lcX-15ct
with full color sonar, GPS mapping and duel frequency transducer
to confidently help me know exactly where I am and what is under
my boat. For this type of fishing, it is an indispensable item to
have onboard.
Unquestionably, the most productive fishing method is trolling,
and downriggers are a must, as the majority of early season Salmon
are within 30 feet of the bottom. My Scotty downriggers are definitely
a vital piece of equipment that helps me present my gear at the
proper depths. An item that most guides swear by, but don’t
often talk about is the Black Box, also made by Scotty. I strongly
suggest looking into it or ask your local tackle retailer for details.
Medium power Trolling/Mooching rods between 9 and 10 ½
feet are most common. The Sage 4110 or 3106, G-Loomis 1265, Berkeley
Roughneck or the Shimano Convergence series all fish well, along
with reels that are loaded with 30lb. Test line. My preferred reels
would be the single action Islander MR-2 or Shimano 2000GT. Not
as interactive, but commonly used are level wind reels that enable
anglers to retrieve line faster while utilizing a drag system that
won’t “bust your Knuckles”. Recommended level
wind reels are the silky smooth Ambassadeur SX 7700 CL or the Penn
310 and 320GTi.
Trolling speed and depth are major factors, but for early season
Salmon off of Vancouver Island’s West Coast, work your gear
just under or through any available baitfish. Otherwise, remember
slow and deep.
Possibly the most important factor that will dictate the difference
between a successful trip and just soaking bait, would be the “essential
tackle box”.
There is a lot of gear on the market, with new items each year
that will continuously catch more fishermen than fish. Granted,
these pieces will periodically fool Salmon that are aggressively
feeding, but so will a bare hook. Being persistent with gear that
has been proven a reliable producer definitely holds merit over
the “tackle box guessing game”. I’m not advising
anglers to stay narrow minded or not to experiment, but to consistently
produce Salmon like the best Guides, you need to read the water
conditions and confidently fish the proven gear that suits these
conditions. Did I mention that not all proven gear is general public
knowledge?
Some items of terminal tackle that are a must have, and best fished
to suit specific conditions. For early mornings, overcast days or
dark water conditions, Purple Glow, Red Glow or Red Stryper Flashers
can really light things up when necessary. The most productive and
effective piece of gear for Salmon at this time is an Anchovies
rigged in a teaser head 6-8 feet behind your flasher. Glow Green,
Chartreuse and Army Truck heads are all essential. My lures of choice
would be 3 ½ or 4 inch Army Truck or Glow Green 50/50 Coyote
Spoons from Luhr Jensen. Four inch Glow Green Gasoline or Army Truck
Needlefish and Octopus hoochies, tied with tandem 3/0 – 4/0
Gamakatsu Hooks will usually get the Slabs salivating. I tie the
Spoons approximately 48 inches behind the flasher, and hoochie tails
are preferred at 39-42 inches.
When water conditions are clear, or the sun is bright overhead,
your gear selection should change accordingly. Blades in Purple/Silver,
Blue/Silver, Purple/Gold, and the Coho Special series from Oki are
all a must have. Teaser heads in Chartreuse, Clear and the new chrome
series from Rhys-Davis should be down on one side of your boat at
all times. Coyote Spoons in sizes 3 to 3 ½ inch should include
Watermelon, Silver/Prism, Army-Truck and 50/50. The 4 inch Gibbs
Gators as well as the smaller “Krippled K” should not
be overlooked. We should always remember the two pieces of gear
that were the main stay for Commercial fishermen for many years
past. Tomic Plugs and large spoons continue to produce phenomenal
results without the drag of flashers, offering a somewhat lighter
tackle option. Stock your tackle box with 4-6 inch Tomics #602,
#700 and #232 as well as 50/50 Diamond Lance, P2B and 6 inch Gator
spoons from Gibbs.
Some small tips that have proven helpful and effective for guides
in the past, could be applied to your next outing with surprising
results. I’m a believer in adding stick on eyes to my teaser
heads and some spoons. Try coating these same heads and spoons with
clear nail polish hardener. This helps protect the factory color
of your gear, while providing a wet look that fish don’t mind
at all. When the bite is off, try shortening your leaders so the
flasher whips your lure in a more erratic fashion. The use of various
scents should not be overlooked as a little extra “stink”
has proven the difference for me more than once, though I don’t
use it on natural baits like Herring and Anchovies. Remember to
always rinse your rods, reels and gear with fresh water, promoting
more fishing time and less time and money spent on repairs and maintenance.
The early inshore Coho fishery that increases by June should not
be overlooked, as this is the start of some great light tackle action,
particularly for the growing ranks of Saltwater fly fishermen.
This fantastic growth fishery has to be experienced to fully understand
the addictive rush of an ocean bright Salmon slamming your fly and
running down to your backing in mere seconds. The light line give
and take that ensues is definitely one of Salmon fishing’s
optimum challenges. A 7 weight rod with intermediate to medium sink
rate sinking tip lines will handle most early season fly fishing
situations. You can rely on small Shrimp and streamer patterns in
oranges, pinks and reds to attract and produce.
Please remember that in this day and age of necessary conservation,
the old adage of “Catch your limit, but limit your Catch”
has never been more relevant. Please practice careful catch and
release.
The early season on Vancouver Islands West Coast is undoubtedly
a prime time for Salmon opportunities, especially when you apply
some of the above factors, giving you that “predictable edge”.
Jay Mohl
Clayoquot Ventures, Tofino
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