BC Saltwater Fly Fishing: Targets and Techniques

Black Rockfish “Black Bomber” fly fishing (Photo: Joel Unickow)

Many anglers on the west coast of BC are familiar with trolling fly gear from a boat to target coho salmon in the fall, a technique called “bucktailing.” They also cast from shore for other species, like pink salmon, as these fish converge on beaches while heading into their natal streams. But did you know that there are a number of readily available and willingly biting fish to be found in the nearshore saltwater environment other than salmonids?

Luke Letham bucktailing on an 8 wt fly rod. This Chinook smashed his homemade fly on the surface, only 15 ft behind the boat!

Black Rockfish “Bombers”

One of the most abundant and aggressive saltwater fish around is the black rockfish (Sebastes melanops). Similar in stature to a freshwater smallmouth bass, this mid-water species can be found hanging in large schools above pinnacles or close to shore around kelp beds, making it a perfect target for the fly angler. Growing up to a remarkable 13 lbs, this hard-fighting fish is commonly seen in the 3- to 6-lb range and gives a great battle on lighter gear.

Craig Lehtovaara with a black rockfish

Other species found in the nearshore environment are the deacon rockfish, which are similar in colour and pattern “to the black variety but with a shorter jaw that does not extend past the eye. You may also encounter a juvenile quillback or copper rockfish when fishing close to shore.

Alongside the multitude of rockfish species, you will find kelp greenling and juvenile lingcod in waters less than 50′ deep, which can also be targeted using fly gear, making for great sport!

Lingcod on the needlfish insert

Fly Gear For Saltwater Rockfish

While many of the fish you will encounter are in the 2- to 6-lb range, there is a good chance you may encounter a much larger specimen when dipping your line into these ocean shallows, and an 8-wt fly setup with a full sink line is recommended for this type of fishing.

Cap’t James Costello, Maximum Coastal Adventures with 8 w setup with sink line (Photo: Joel Unickow)

Smaller-weight gear might prove to be more entertaining for the bulk of the catches you have, but there is a real possibility of having a larger salmon or mature lingcod take your fly. Having a heavier rod and large-arbour reel holding 20 to 30 yards of 20-lb backing will make your chances of landing a beast more likely.

Because of the toothy nature of saltwater species, a heavier tippet is preferred. I will often use a butt section of 50-lb mono leader connected to a swivel and then attached to a 30- or 40-lb fluorocarbon tippet.

The swivel will ensure your line does not twist during retrieve or troll, and that it acts as a sink assist as well. The targeted fish are not leader shy, so a shorter length can be used; about ¾ your rod length is a good rule.

Matching The Hatch

There are a number of fly patterns available that are effective for saltwater species, with the most common being a Clouser variant on a 1/0 or 2/0 straight shank or jig hook. This smaller fly (2–3″) will imitate most juvenile species, including needlefish and herring.

James Costello’s Wya Special (a needlefish pattern built on a hoochie insert)

The Herring Aid colour palette is an island favourite across spoons, flashers, and soft plastics, so why not flies too? Adding lead wire wraps to add to the sinking power of a heavier (20+ g) barbell or hourglass eye will ensure you can get down to the strike zone.

Herring Aid Flies by Craig Lehtovaara

Another effective pattern is a flat-wing variant using a trailer hook, making for a larger target imitating mature needlefish and herring and enticing more substantial customers.

Getting To The Zone

Given the depth some of the fish you are targeting will be at, a full sink line and a weighted fly are essential. Depending on the boat you are fishing out of, you may not be able to cast effectively and may need to use different techniques to properly present your fly. By stripping line out behind you as you slowly troll forward, then pulling the motor out of gear, you can get the appropriate length of line out and sinking prior to stripping back to repeat the process.

Fly Fishing for Black Rockfish – Fish ON!

If conditions are not ideal for this method or you need to get down deeper faster, you can also use your downrigger to assist in your set. For this method, it is essential that you have forward momentum to ensure your line does not foul on the downrigger clip or ball.

Simply strip 6′ to 10′ of line out and clip your fly line to the downrigger on the light setting, make sure your drag is set appropriately, and send the ball to the depth you want. (Go slowly close to bottom in case you bounce hard and throw a loop of slack on the downrigger spool—it happens!)

Once down, you can pop the fly line out of the rigger and retrieve the ball, as well as returning to neutral for the retrieve. By using this method, you are able to get a fly to depths past 50′ and keep it in the strike zone for longer. I will often use a combo of a few strips, then a pause to let the fly sink, so as to give as much time as possible before repeating the process.

Black rockfish for dinner! (Photo: Joel Unickow)

As with every type of fishing, there are many ways this can be done in order to connect with a number of different species. Depending on your area, conditions, and the boat you are in, there will be a variety of combinations that will prove successful. What it all comes down to is getting your fly down deep enough and keeping it there for as long as possible. Using your downrigger to assist in the presentation makes things a little more complicated but can really improve your chances when the tide is running hard and the wind is up.

Next time you are out, bring the fly gear along for a chance to expand your saltwater fishing repertoire and really have some fun with species you might consider a nuisance when you’re going after larger game.

This article appeared in Island Fisherman magazine. Never miss another issue—subscribe today!

James Costello
Maximum Coastal Adventures
[email protected]
www.maxcoast.ca
778-717-3474 (FISH)

Read my Ucluelet Fishing Report here!