The Victoria Yak Attack: Catching Winter Springs on the Waterfront

“Joel, you gotta get down here. The Waterfront is on fire!”

When I got that text from our Victoria area reporter and owner/operator of Ocean Dreams Fishing Charters, Dave Yakimovich, the one and only “Yak”—I didn’t need much convincing. For anyone looking for the best winter salmon fishing in BC, that’s the equivalent of a Bat-Signal. I live in Nanaimo, but for a hot bite, I’ll be on the road before the sun even thinks about coming up.

By 5:00 AM last Saturday (January 10, 2026), I was headed south with my regular fishing partner, Craig Lehtovarra. You probably recognize Craig; he’s aptly named the “Where’s Waldo” of Island Fisherman magazine by his brother in-law out east. If there’s a photo of a fish being caught in one of my articles, Craig is usually in the background of the shot, probably holding a sandwich or, even more shocking, I’m sure—a fish.

Craig Lehtovarra catching winter Chinook for dinner on the Victoria waterfront

Whenever I hit the salt with Dave, I call it a “Yak Attack.” And let me tell you, this past weekend in Victoria was an absolute clinic in winter Chinook action. Those on the water that day (and this week) know what I’m talking about.

Joel Unickow with Dave Yakimovich at the Victoria waterfront winter Chinook

The Action: 15 Hooked (And a Few Ego-Checks)

The Victoria waterfront is world-renowned for a reason. Between the three of us, we hooked into 15 hard-fighting winter springs (Chinook). Now, I’d love to tell you we were battling monsters the whole time, but nature has a sense of humor.

Among those 15, we had our fair share of “shakers.” These are the over-ambitious juvenile salmon that hit your gear like a 30-pounder, giving you about five seconds of pure adrenaline before you realize you’re essentially reeling in a wet sock with an attitude. They’re great for the ego—right up until they hit the surface and you realize they aren’t even big enough to fit in the frying pan.

We boated five beautiful, chrome-bright fish to take home. Our biggest were right around the 75 cm mark, which for a winter Chinook, is typically a solid 8-12 pounds of hard-fighting muscle. Let’s call them 12, I mean, this is a recount of a fishing trip, right? While these are fantastic fish, we know there are much larger “slabs” being pulled over the rails in Victoria right now. The action is only getting better—the bite is on!

David Yakimovich, Ocean Dreams Fishing Charters cleaning the day’s catch

The Secret Sauce: It’s a Cephalopod Celebration

What made this trip stand out wasn’t just the number of fish, but what they were eating. We saw a massive amount of squid in the water, and the stomach contents of our catch confirmed it.

From a “science” perspective, seeing this much squid is an incredible sign. Squid (specifically the Doryteuthis opalescens or market squid) are like the biological batteries of the ocean. They grow incredibly fast, have short lifespans, and are packed with high-energy protein. When the squid are thick, it means the entire marine food web is healthy and firing on all cylinders. It’s like a free all-you-can-eat buffet for the Chinook, and they are definitely taking advantage of it. You can also fish for them and with them, but that’s for another story.

Fresh caught BC squid

How we adjusted our gear: Because the fish were dialed in on squid and large herring, we had to match the hatch. We leaned into hoochies and larger spoons, glow, and UV-reflective patterns to mimic that translucent “squid flash.”

Want the specific gear list? I won’t give away all of Yak’s “Top Secret” lures here—you’ll have to check his official report. It’s worth the read and bookmarking: https://islandfishermanmagazine.com/victoria-fishing-report/

Why You Should Book a Fishing Guide

Dave (aka Yak) is the smartest move you can make. Dave knows the Victoria waters better than most people know their own commute. Whether you’re a pro or you’re still trying to figure out which end of the rod to hold, Dave puts you on the fish and teaches you the ropes of the local waterfront.

Check out his latest updates here: https://islandfishermanmagazine.com/victoria-fishing-report/

Attention Vancouver: Your Best Fishing Trip is a Ferry Ride Away

We see our website analytics—we know a massive number of you are reading this from across the pond in Vancouver. If you’re tired of the city grind and want to actually catch something other than a cold, remember that Victoria is incredibly accessible. A large portion of our magazine subscribers are coming from Vancouver, looking for an escape from the big smoke. If you’re tired of the local grind, Victoria is incredibly accessible.

• BC Ferries: A quick trip from Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay.

• Harbour Air: For the ultimate convenience, fly from downtown Vancouver to the Victoria Harbour in 35 minutes.

You can be on a boat in Oak Bay faster than you can get through North Van traffic on a Friday afternoon.

Experience Victoria Like a Local

Locals fishing the Victoria waterfront

Victoria has plenty of tourist draws. You could spend the day at the Royal London Wax Museum looking at people who are almost as stiff as Craig when he’s cold, or get lost in Miniature World. They’re great attractions, but if you want to experience the real Vancouver Island—the reason people travel from across the globe to get here—you need to be on the water fishing. To feel like a local, you have to engage with the wild. There is no better way to do that than harvesting your own dinner from the Pacific.

BC locals fishing for winter Chinook—what a way to spend a day

The Magic of Oak Bay

We launched out of Oak Bay Marina, a spot with some serious history. Named after the Garry Oak trees that line the shores, Oak Bay was a high-end resort destination as far back as the late 1800s. As we motored out past the Trial Islands, passing the lighthouse that has stood sentinel for over 100 years, you really feel the heritage of the BC coast. It’s a spectacular backdrop for a day of “work.”

Plan Your Trip

The winter spring season is one of my absolute favorite times to be out. The air is crisp, the water is calm, and the fish are aggressive. If you want to brush up on your skills before heading down, we’ve got you covered:

• Winter Chinook Tactics & Tips: https://islandfishermanmagazine.com/category/fishing-reports/winter-fishing/

• Winter Fishing in Victoria Essentials: https://islandfishermanmagazine.com/victoria-bc-a-winter-fishing-gem/

• Essential Salmon Gear: https://islandfishermanmagazine.com/salmon-fishing/

This isn’t just a hobby for me; it’s a passion. The sound of the reel screaming, the banter on the boat, and the reward of fresh salmon on the table—that’s the dream.

The waterfront is on fire. Don’t just read about it—get out there and experience your own Yak Attack.

Want to experience content we won’t put online? Get Island Fisherman magazine delivered to your door 8 times a year.