FISHING REPORTS
from some of the BEST PLACES TO FISH !
8th April, 2016: FISHING REPORT: Port Alberni
Inlet, Barkley Sound, Ucluelet (West Coast), Somas-Stamp River System.
PORT ALBERNI INLET - SPORT SOCKEYE FISHERY
CONTINUES TO BE VERY GOOD
by Doug Lindores of
Slivers Charters
Salmon Sport Fishing
Toll Free Number: 1-
888 214 7206
Vancouver Island is a majestic
geographical area of tall coniferous forests and breath-taking scenic views of
rugged terrain and coastlines battered by winter storms. There are also a
continuous display of rugged coastlines with wonderful exquisite and secluded
beaches with pristine calm water which can be found in Barkley Sound and the
waters of the Alberni Inlet. Not only does the West Coast of British Columbia
have an unbelievable landscape but the salmon fishing in many areas is nothing
but world class. This is truly one area, of this great nation, where individuals
have opportunity of hooking into a twenty pound salmon twelve months of the
year.
It is now April and most avid fisher
people say that the 2016 saltwater fishing season is officially here. With
weather patterns now becoming more predictable anglers can get out on the water
with a little more ease in those many areas that are not located in “protected”
waters. The migratory flow of early Chinook salmon headed down the coast line to
natal streams to the south begins in April. Feeder or winter Chinook salmon are
also in local waters in April and into early May. The Migratory salmon and the
feeder Chinook gorge on the ample amounts of bait fish. April can certainly have
some very good fishing days in Barkley Sound and around the Ucluelet Harbor. Not
only is the ocean fishing good but the Stamp River is often very good with large
numbers of wild and hatchery Steelhead in the Lower and Upper River. Many say
that April can often be the best month of the year to fish winter Steelhead.
This is also a month with very little fishing pressure making it a time where
keen river anglers can fish the Stamp in solitude.
The 2016 fishing season is shaping up to
be a fantastic saltwater season. There are many indicators that show the season
should be very good for Chinook and Sockeye salmon. Alberni Inlet Sockeye and
West Coast Vancouver Island Chinook Forecasts are excellent for the current year
of angling.
Port Alberni
Inlet | Barkley Sound
Prawn fishing in the Alberni Inlet Sub
Area 23-2 opened on April 1st. The China Creek, narrows, and Mctush areas are
very popular for sporties. Much of Barkley Sound has been open all winter where
the prawn fishing has been very good. Traps are usually set in 175 to 230 feet
of water. Often in April and early May the Alberni Inlet is covered with red
buoys. Make sure if putting out traps that lots of weight is used to keep your
traps down. The best bait for prawn fishing is Carlyle Just Tuna Cat food and
Ace of Baits prawn pellets.
We expect that the Sockeye sport season
will get underway by June 15th and that limits in the first part of the season
will be four per person and a two day possession limit of eight. Last year well
over two million Somass Sockeye Salmon returned to the Somass River system. Pre
season forecasts for 2016 are indicating that returns will be around 800,000
which is still a very good and ample return.
The salmon fishing in Barkley Sound has
been hit and miss for winter Chinook.
The weather at times has made it difficult for sport fishermen to get out on the
water. The last week of March and into early April however has been quite the
opposite. Water and Weather conditions were more than perfect and salmon fishing
has been quite good in many locations. The Sproat Lake Derby which occurred in
early March had a twenty-four pound salmon take top spot. Barkley Sound has been
“alive” with bait fish over the past month. The herring spawn in Barkley Sound
has been spectacular and with the start of the early summer run of Chinook
headed to southern watersheds we are expecting some wonderful fishing out on
surf line locations. Areas like Kirby Point, Cree, Effingham, and Edward King
have recently had a few good reports of hatchery Chinook being landed. Areas on
the inside such as Vernon Bay and Swale Rock have also had some good fishing for
winter feeders. As time moves forward into late April and early May the fishing
should really improve. We are definitely looking for some great fishing during
the summer months. Forecasts are showing that the mid summer Chinook migratory
flow to the Willamette and Columbia River will be very strong with most of the
Chinook predominately being four year olds.
With the weather patterns becoming more
reliable those getting out to Barkley Sound should plan on fishing on the troll
using hootchies, coyote spoons, or anchovy. One guide boat this past week did
well at Effingham and Kirby landing over a two day period eight Chinook in the
ten to fifteen pound category. The Chinook were hitting four inch cop car and
the green-nickel and blue-nickel coyote spoon. Army Truck and green and blue
needlefish hootchies were also working very behind a green glow hot spot
flasher. The salmon are deeper. Fishing in one hundred and twenty to one hundred
and fifty feet is not uncommon depths to fish. If you get close to the bottom
around Swale Rock, Folger Island or opposite the Bamfield Wall don’t be
surprised if a halibut hits your bait or lure.
Ucluelet -
West Coast
West Coast fishing during the winter
months can often be difficult. It can take a day or more for the water to settle
after a storm but by mid-April weather conditions become more of a reliable
factor. We are currently fishing feeder Chinook and the beginning of the early
summer hatchery Chinook migrating to southern streams. The crab fishing is
fantastic and up into Barkley Sound the sport prawn fishing is very good.
This is the time of year that we can often
fish for a variety of wonderful tasting seafood delights. Often we can fish for
what is termed a “seafood safari” and individuals can enjoy a day of crabbing,
prawning, and rock and lingcod fishing (opened April 1st) and of course salmon.
The salmon fishing close to the Ucluelet Harbor has definitely picked up over
the past week. Beg Island, Great Bear, Forbes, Sail Rock, and The Alley has been
producing some nice salmon into the mid teens. The herring spawn around Ucluelet
has happened and there are big balls of needlefish and pilchards in the area
which brings the salmon in close to the beach during tides to feed. Trolling is
the best method to fish and it is important to watch the sounder and stay within
about thirty feet of the bottom. Usual fishing depths for the areas mentioned
are 90 to 120 feet. Coyote spoons have been working. The three and a half and
four inch Irish Cream, glow green, and green nickel have been the best. Anchovy
in a Rhys Davis teaser head in glow green, chartreuse, or army truck behind
purple, red or green glow flashers have been used with success by a few guides
although spoons seem to be the best choice at the current time.
Summer fishing out of Ucluelet looks very
good. The mid-summer run of migratory Chinook salmon and also West Coast
Vancouver Island Chinook are forecast to be quite strong. The Chinook are
predicted to be predominately four year olds which suggest some bigger salmon in
the high mid to high twenty pound range.
We are looking forward to a great year
with some fantastic salt water salmon fishing opportunities in 2016. If you have
not done so it is time to organize your 2016 fishing trip.
For more information
Contact:
Doug Lindores
Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing
www.catchsalmon-ca.com
www.catchsalmon.ca
www.prepcamp-ca.com
[email protected]
+1 250 724 2502 (h)
+1 250 731 7389 ©
Toll Free Number: 1-
888 214 7206