Find out what’s working and what’s not when fishing in the Gulf Islands South area. Tips, best practices, places and the go-to lures are just a sample of what you’ll find in our fishing report.
Gulf Islands South Marine Weather Forecast
Gulf Islands South Fishing Report
Gulf Islands Fishing Regulations Area 18
September – October 2024 Gulf Island Fishing Report
September and October are great times to fish around the Gulf Islands. All the tourist boaters are headed home for the season, and the boating traffic is light. If the Fraser River mouth is open to fish for the big springs (and the weather is good) to get across the Strait of Georgia, put your bumper boat floats on and give it a try. It can be some of the best fishing of your life. It’s the wild west, as there are tons of boats trying to troll in every direction. Once you have your bowl of granola and six coffees, throw the bananas out of the boat, put your head sweatband on, and head into the pack—it will not take too long to get your limit of monster springs. Green glow spoons, hoochies, and anchovies all work well paired up with glow flashers. Try fishing depths of 20′ to 100′, hit the tides correctly, and you will have your limit in no time.
It’s almost your last chance to stock up on some cod before it closes at the end of October. By this point you have lost most of your jigging lures from the season, so grab that funny-looking one in the box—it could be the secret lure to lose for next year. I like to let the big lingcod go, as there’s a good chance it’s a breeder female. We all want our cod stocks to be good for future generations. Also remember there are many Rock Fish Conservation Areas (RCA) around the Gulf Islands.
I hope those of you who read my reports got out on the water and had a great summer on the boat. It’s not only about the catching, but the experience of having fun on the water. Remember the time you smashed into the dock, got a hook in your face, felt that crab bite your arm, or lost the biggest fish of your life (or told everyone it was)? Pro tip: Hold your fish closer to the camera so you can tell your friends yours is bigger than theirs.
Tight lines everyone!
Kurt Irwin
Saltspring Reel Action
(250) 537-6613
www.ssireelaction.ca
August 2024 Gulf Island Fishing Report
August is a great time to get out and get your dinner fish. With the regulations starting to open up to retain Chinook salmon, now is the time to get out. Remember to always check the DFO regulations before you leave the dock to make sure the area you are fishing is open.
Fishing the area off Collinson Point Provincial Park on Galiano Island just before the flood tide is bound to have action. Coho have been in abundance this year, so your rod is twitching in anticipation of surface acrobatics. Try running a shallow line and/or a surface line when fishing for coho. I like to run one deep line 120′ to 140′ and one at 30′ to 70′. Hoochies, spoons, and anchovies in teaser heads all produce.
Occasionally, people send me lures to try. I was recently sent some lures from Custom Fishing Lures. These spoons have nice action in the water and do not bend easily—they are good and solid. I ran a green and white hoochie on one side of the boat and the new 3″ gold/green spoon from Custom Fishing Lures on the other side. To my surprise, the new lure outfished the hoochie 8 to 1. Was it the day or the colour of the water? It’s unclear, but I was glad to try out a new product with good results. Look them up at www.customfishinglures.net. Some of us fish with the true and tried lures; I like to mix and match and try new products, so if you have something you want me to try, let me know.
Remember: leave the bananas at home and tight lines.
Kurt Irwin
Saltspring Reel Action
(250) 537-6613
www.ssireelaction.ca
July 2024 Gulf Island Fishing Report
With the hot weather coming, it’s hard to imagine that the Cowichan River Chinook stocks have been doing well, but thanks to all the hard-working stewards who help maintain fish stocks on the river, there has been an increase in the numbers of returning Chinook. Because of those dedicated individuals, we are able to fish longer, and we are able to retain Chinook salmon. You must check the regulations for open areas, but this is a positive story amidst drought conditions and lack of water when the salmon come to spawn. It’s important we all buy a tidal water fishing license with a salmon stamp to help with conservation.
All that said, Sansum Narrows could be the hot spot to drag a line. Years ago, we used to drift mooch along Bold Bluff, and this method of fishing is making a comeback. While you’re out, try and drop your prawn gear on a ledge 200′ to 300′ and see if you find a new hot spot.
Lots of people are jigging for cod around the Gulf Islands; keep a sharp eye out, as we are only allowed one rockcod and one ling. If you see anyone catching more than their limit or keeping undersized fish, please call the DFO and report. I would also like to thank the stream keepers of the Goldstream, Chemainus, and Nanaimo Rivers, and all the First Nations who help maintain and manage our local areas. Remember to put on your life jacket and sunscreen, and leave the bananas off the boat.
Tight lines.
Kurt Irwin
Saltspring Reel Action
(250) 537-6613
www.ssireelaction.ca
June 2024 Gulf Island Fishing Report
June fishing is a favourite time to be on the boat around the Gulf Islands. It’s still not too hot, and there is plenty of space to pull up to your favorite beach for a picnic. If you get out just for a boat ride, check out all the little marinas to have a bite or a cold drink. It gets busy as the summer rolls along, and June is still a time you can get a spot at the docks. Check your local regs for Chinook openings as there have been some good returns in the Cowichan River, which is amazing considering such low water in the rivers from last year. It just goes to show how tough these fish really are.
While you are out exploring, take your crab trap with your favourite frost- bitten chicken for bait and try a few different areas. Prawning can also be very good this time of year. Look for a good area on the charts at 200′ to 300′ of water. If it looks like a rocky, “sticky” area (where your trap might get stuck), make sure you use your friends’ traps to try the area out first. Why? Because his/her gear is cheaper than yours. Slack tide is always your friend while prawning.
While you’re out losing some gear, jig for some fresh cod. Don’t forget to check the regs and watch for Rockfish Conservation Areas (RCA) as there are a few of them around the Gulf Islands. Remember again, if it looks like a sticky bottom for cod, always try your friends’ lures out first.
Tight lines.
Kurt Irwin
Saltspring Reel Action
(250) 537-6613
www.ssireelaction.ca
March/April 2024 Gulf Island Fishing Report
I know a few of you have been asking when the next report is coming out. Well here it is. Now is the time you seriously want to get out to fish. Why? Because fishing is very good this time of year, and who knows when the DFO will close it down?
Check the weather: wind, fog, rain, and snow are all factors this time of year. By now most of you know glow glow glow is your friend: days are darker and the water is usually murky. Try green glow on your entire setup (flashers with spoons or hoochies) or a black glow flasher with spoons or hoochies. My favourite lure? Whichever one I’m using right now. Pender Bluffs fish are showing up now, so try to bounce bottom on the shelfs; Sidney Island, Tent Island, and Polier Pass all have fish showing, and I’m finding the most fish on the bottom with the feed.
I was fortunate enough to write an article to my dad before he passed away in hospice, and he told every nurse about the article in Island Fisherman. This makes me reflect on how important fishing is for spending time with your family and on the memories you make while out on the water. Our right to fish is slowly being taken away from us. Hatchery fish are the ones we raised, so how come we can’t fish for them? Why can freighters and ferries all travel at full speed in areas we can’t fish? When noise is such a big factor, why are they allowed to be there, but our boats are not? Write letters to the DFO and your local MLA. I encourage everyone to get more involved.
Kurt Irwin
Saltspring Reel Action
(250) 537-6613
www.ssireelaction.ca
September 2023
As expected, the salmon showed up in big numbers this summer. Since Pender Bluffs were closed for Southern Resident Killer Whales measures, we tried the next best locations—Morsby Island or Collinson Point on the south side of Galiano for pinks and Chinook.
You should find nonstop pink action in shallow water—keep an eye out for surface jumps and check your fish finder. Start with a rod at 20′ to 50′ set up with a pink hoochie and green flasher (an island staple combo for pink salmon trolling). Try running some Chinook gear lower on the other side of your boat or stacked below your top rods. I have good luck with a glow teaser head with bait and spoons.
With this much gear in the water you can expect some tangles, so be mindful of your turns. In fact, I have a friend whose name I won’t mention (Wayne I—-), and every time he touched the rod we had a tangle so we call him “Tangles” now. Hey Tangles, you readin’ this? Don’t say I didn’t warn you, LOL!
When I choose gear I want to use in the moment, I pull out the bag of 1,500 hoochies and the bag of 600 spoons and start to wonder why the heck I bought so much. I think I might have to attend Gear Anonymous for fishermen. People tell me I have a lot of gear because the fish bite it all. I don’t know about the fish, but the gear makes me bite when I see it.
September is going to be a good time to close out the summer returns with some good weather and some good fishing. Get out and enjoy the day, enjoy the family, and be grateful for the glass being half full, not half empty.
Kurt Irwin
Saltspring Reel Action
(250) 537-6613
www.ssireelaction.ca
August 2023
August is the time to harvest, but as always in the Gulf Islands and surrounding areas, check the regulations for where fishing is open before you drop your line.
As 2023 is an odd year, we should be seeing pinks going through while the bigger Chinooks pass by. Collinson Point is a good spot to fish the early morning or afternoon tide change—an hour before and after the tide change (slack tide) is going to be your most productive time.
Now is the time to run lots of gear. Start with two rods at different depths, and try a surface rod with a pink hoochie and green flasher. I like to run one side with a Tiger Prawn hoochie and the other side with a green and chrome spoon—mix up your depths and see what’s working.
Montague Harbour has tackle and bait, but when you tell everyone you need bait, that’s actually code for “Let’s go get an ice cream cone.” Montague Marina has some of the best ice cream in Area 18—mark on your plotter in case you’re not sure how to get there. Always call them on Channel 66 as you approach to get a spot on the dock.
Kurt Irwin
Saltspring Reel Action
(250) 537-6613
www.ssireelaction.ca
July 2023
We have been fortunate the last couple of months to have areas open to retain for salmon, with one hatchery Chinook being the limit in the Sansum Narrows. In July, we need to check the regs constantly to see if there will be some more area openings to retain Chinook. Some nice fish have been caught at Tent Island, and the fish in the Narrows should be holding throughout July.
Now that the commercial prawn fishing has ended, there should be some prawns starting to come back in all the local hot spots. I found out the hard way that when you see a commercial prawn float or sets of multiple floats, there often is a lot of gear attached in the water. As I did my troll by the commercial float, I thought I had lots of room—apparently to hit the auto up switch on my Scotty downrigger, which was a really bad idea. It was fouled in the prawn line, and our gear was about to rip right off the boat. We got lucky, only losing two cannon- balls, two flashers, and spoons. Pro tip: Always have a small knife attached to your downrigger and other strategic places around your boat that are easily in reach when you need one quick.
I have used my knives more then I want to admit. Some anglers take more care in the placement of their drink holders than their emergency tools and gear—to each their own, I suppose, and cheers!
Beyond the frequent changes in seasonal Chinook regulations, be sure to check the regulations for closed areas (prawns, cod, and other salmon species).
I have seen a lot of people accidently fishing in rockfish conservation areas (RCAs). I am sure they must have forgotten to check the local area they are fishing in, right? Time to go pour some new cannonballs, and I’ll see you out there! Give me a call if you need help understanding the regulations in our area—and if you need some lead, too.
Kurt Irwin
Saltspring Reel Action
(250) 537-6613
www.ssireelaction.ca
June 2023
With the weather starting to heat up, it’s time to go do some fishing and exploring. Since cod, prawns, and crab are open to fish, it’s a great time to take the family and friends out and have a picnic day. Perhaps drop the crab and prawn traps, then try for cod. Once you have caught enough for lunch, take your catch and your portable BBQ to one of the hundreds of sandy beaches and enjoy what these islands have to offer.
In late April I was out crabbing and thought I caught that 200-lb crab. As I started to pull my trap up, my puller was creaking and growling then all of sudden … bang! There it was, the catch of all time. I managed to hook on to someone’s 5-year-old, rusty, rotten crab trap full of holes, mud and everything else one would want on a salvage mission.
If I didn’t know better, I would think Jacques Cousteau himself would have wanted to find this treasure. I quickly went in and checked my license, only to see I did not have a tag to keep it. Sometimes you never know what you will get when you’re out crabbing.
I find chicken seems to work the best in the crab trap, or whatever is freezer burned and buried in the bottom of my freezer. Now that I think of it, this is why I have to go out in my boat so much: “I have to clean the freezer out.” Put your sunscreen on, and we will see you out on the water!
Kurt Irwin
Saltspring Reel Action
(250) 537-6613
www.ssireelaction.ca
May 2023
May is a good time to bottom fish in and around the Gulf Islands. Before all the tourists show up, it’s still pretty easy to get into one of the marinas for a breakfast or lunch stop. If you happen to read this article and stop in at Moby’s Pub on Salt Spring Island for lunch, mention you read this report and you will receive a free coffee with your meal!
OK, so you decide to fish cod for dinner, and you plan to drop your crab traps off at one of the many harbours around Salt Spring. Before you leave the dock, make sure you look over the closed areas in and around the Gulf Islands, as there are a lot of Rockfish Conservation Areas (RCAs). I like to look for rock piles 30′ to 150′ down. If you get on the right spot, any cod jig will catch your dinner.
Make sure you have your rockfish descender, as the DFO will be checking. If fishing is slow and you have kids with you, try the sandy bottom areas, as there are plenty of sole around. They are terrific eating!
If fishing is slow and you have kids with you, try the sandy bottom areas, as there are plenty of sole around. They are terrific eating!
If you want to learn more about where to go and how to fish the Gulf Islands, come to the Galliano Salmon Classic Fishing Derby on May 27 at Montague Harbour on Galliano Island. There will be lots of fun and great prizes (including a limited-edition Island Fisherman engraved mooching reel!) Contact Cory Matheson for more details at 604-218-3396. Moorage is available with advance notice, so you had better hurry!
Kurt Irwin
Saltspring Reel Action
(250) 537-6613
www.ssireelaction.ca
March/April 2023
If you haven’t been out fishing in the last couple months, you don’t know what you are missing. With the looming possibility of more areas being closed by DFO, now is the time to get your fish. These past few months, the fish have been holding on the inside waters around Bold Bluff, Both Bay, and Tent Island. If you can get outside Galiano, there are fish showing up in big numbers outside Porlier and Salamanca Point. Green glow and black glow 3.5″ spoons are working well with glow flashers. I try to match the flasher up with the same color as the lure. While it’s really a pain dealing with all the closed areas in summer, the winter fishing has been amazing these last few years. Since the cutback on commercial herring fishing, there has been a noticeable increase in bait that seems to have helped with the salmon numbers. Look for the bait on your sounder (as always), and drop your gear to it. Whether it’s 30′ or 200′, try it and see what happens. Always check the weather prior to leaving the dock, and get your fish while you can!
Kurt Irwin
Saltspring Reel Action
(250) 537-6613
www.ssireelaction.ca
September 2022
Fish are showing up in big numbers around the Gulf Islands this year, and these next few months will likely still hold some of the bigger fish. Fishing Collinson Point on the beginning of the flood tide or Morsby Island on a tide change should produce. A green glow flasher with a Purple Haze teaser head has been working, as has the green glow or white/green hoochie. If you’re still not catching, then put on a Skinny G Herring Aid spoon.
As usual, look for the feed on your sounder. I know I say this in just about all my reports, but it works. See the feed, put your lure right through it, and see the action start. If you don’t get a salmon, at least you may catch some feed. The feed this year (anchovy and herring) has been the most I’ve seen in years. This should keep some salmon around for a good winter fishing season. With far fewer boats around and much more area open to fish, don’t put your boat away just yet. Fuel goes bad when you let it sit in the boat for too long so go fishing —it’s a safety thing! Don’t forget to check the weather, as it can change quickly this time of year. I have been using the app “Windy” and it seems to be pretty accurate.
Kurt Irwin
Saltspring Reel Action
(250) 537-6613
www.ssireelaction.ca
August 2022
August is be the time to dig out the sockeye gear. Pink hoochies, green glow flashers, and short leaders—all on a slow troll—should get you on them. Sockeye like lots of bling. Run stacking rods 20′ apart on the riggers. As the 4-year cycle indicates that the sockeye will return to the Fraser River this season, we should see some good action.
On a tide change, Active and Polier Pass are good places to start searching for Chinook and sockeye. Try the early morning tide change, as the bite is better first light. A slow troll or a mooching drift is a great way to get into some of the bigger Chinook that are around in August.
When I was a kid, I did a lot of fishing with my dad. He had an old 16′ open fiberglass boat with a smoky old two-stroke Evinrude. We’d jig for herring at Collinson Point at Active Pass, then cut plug with a drift in the flood tide. One day fishing, I noticed he didn’t put the drain plug in tight. Being a bright kid, I hammered the old corn broom handle drain plug in tight. Dad cut a bit too close behind the ferry as it went by and while I was bouncing in the air, Dad was yelling, “It’s OK!” The water was coming in to the boat over the bow and Dad said, “Hold on, I will just pull the drain plug and we’ll be fine!” While full throttle, Dad finally got that drain plug out, and I managed to learn a few new swear words that day. That was 50 years ago, and I guess it’s time to tell Dad I hammered that drain plug in.
I hope to read this articles to him when it comes out, as he has terminal cancer. Had it not been for his leadership and knowledge of fishing, I would not be half the fisherman I am today. Fishing with Dad put food on the table and created some of my best memories. This article is dedicated to him. I love you Dad, and one day I’ll see you on the other side.
Don Irwin and Son Kurt
Kurt Irwin
Saltspring Reel Action
(250) 537-6613
www.ssireelaction.ca
July 2022
You may ask yourself, “Why go fishing?” You might as well ask yourself “Why go to work?” because the answer is the same: Because you have to! Even though it is catch-and- release for Chinooks, if you don’t get out and practice you might forget how to reel in the big ones.
July is a great time to get out fishing. In fact, the last couple months have been just fantastic fishing around the Gulf Islands. We’re seeing Chinooks between 8 and 20 lbs biting on just about anything you put in the water. Pick and choose your dates to get out on the water—some days it gets rough out there, and you don’t want to spill your drinks. Speak of spilling drinks: Years ago, my uncle Charlie worked on the BC ferries. He was up on the wheelhouse on the Vesuvius Queen when the English captain said “Charles, fetch me a tea, please.” Luckily, Uncle Charlie had become quite adept at going up and down the steps in rough waters. When he returned, the captain said, “Charles, how do you keep my teacup full without spilling?” Without missing a beat, Charlie replied, “It’s easy, I just take a mouthful at the bottom of the stairs then I spit it back in the cup when I get to the top of the stairs.” Needless to say, Uncle Charlie never had to get the captain another tea. The moral of the story? Don’t let your friends pass you your drink when out fishing in rough weather.
As usual, look for feed on the sounder. Keep your downrigger line at a 45° angle, look for slack tides, and enjoy the day.
Tight lines!
Kurt Irwin
Saltspring Reel Action
(250) 537-6613
www.ssireelaction.ca
June 2022
The price of gas may have you wondering, “Is it worth going out on the boat?” The answer is yes. If you stay at home, you will have to mow the grass, and that takes gas too! Even worse, you might have to start on that list of house chores. I am a strong believer that your boat must have gas run through it at least once a week or it’s bad for the motor. At least that’s what I tell my wife.
June is still a great time to get a nice feed of spot prawns. Crabbing is good, and there are some nice catch-and-release Chinook options. Last June, I had a great trip over to Browning Harbour. On the way over, we dropped the prawn traps just off Hope Bay, and then proceeded to Browning Pub for a great lunch. On the way home, we pulled our traps with an average of 50 to 75 prawns per trap. We also stopped and jigged up a super nice lingcod in Active Pass! June can be a very relaxing month to fish—boat traffic is still fairly light, and the cod fishing is good.
The Ganges Saturday market is in full swing so maybe drop a crab trap off in Ganges Harbour and have a family day on Salt Spring Island. It’s truly about getting out enjoying the Gulf Islands, seeing some new areas, and trying some new cod spots. Life is short, right? Remember always to check the regulations for closed areas, wear your life jacket, and have a fun, safe day on the water.
Tight lines!
Kurt Irwin
Saltspring Reel Action
(250) 537-6613
www.ssireelaction.ca
May 2022
May is the time to get that big clump of rusty jigging lures out of the box and start looking at the charts for the new hot spots. Be careful, though! Years ago, I was jigging for cod in my 12′ springbok boat with my 3 kids, Daniel, Tyler, and Amanda. My middle son Tyler brought his lure up a bit hot, and as he swung the rod tip around, the lure and rusty hook went straight into Amanda’s nose. It was at the exact moment my daughter was crying when I decided it was time to buy a bigger boat. (And yes, Amanda was OK after I got the rusty hook out of her nose and smoothed things over with some ice cream.)
Chinook will be catch-and-release until at least mid-July (and maybe until the end of July), so check DFO regulations before heading out, as there are constant changes for SRKW protection areas. May can still bring the odd day with big winds, so check the weather prior to hitting the water.
May is also a good time for crabbing and prawning. If fishing is a bit slow and you want to let your prawn and crab traps soak, there are plenty of local watering holes to stop by and have a good meal while you gear soaks and is fishing. You may want to drop the crab traps and prawn gear in and spend a day walking the Ganges Saturday Market on Salt Spring Island—there’s plenty to do while you’re out and about.
When seeking out new cod spots, look for rocky areas. Depending on the tides, you will need anything from 3-oz to 12-oz weights to get to the bottom. Swim baits work well, and herring and jigging lures all produce.
Tight lines!
Kurt Irwin
Saltspring Reel Action
(250) 537-6613
www.ssireelaction.ca
March/April 2022
This one of my favorite times of year to fish, as crabbing/ prawning and salmon fishing can all be done in one day. The waters around the gulf islands are full of sea life with whales, seals, sea lions and birds all taking advantage of the herring that has been on the rise the last few years, thanks to conservation efforts.
This time of year, I find the salmon are right at the bottom. If you are going to fish at the bottom (150′ to 250′), make sure you don’t start off with both riggers right at the bottom in case you find some rocky areas. I just talked to a friend who was fishing Fairfax/The Farm. He had a greenhorn running his boat while he set up the gear. Next thing he knew, downriggers were hooked on the bottom. Before he could get to them, over the side went his brand-new Fenwick rod with his brand-new Islander MR3 reel. While he saved his downrigger, he thought he lost his rod and reel forever. A week later a friend of his was fishing the same spot when they spotted another boat yelling and clapping—could it be? Yes, this other boat caught the rod and reel lost from the previous day. The owner was contacted and rod and reel returned home in exchange for a flat of beer. Unless you have this kind of luck, try starting off with one rigger close to bottom.
I like to use 3.5″ glow green spoons with green glow flashers because they can take a bit of a beating while being dragged around at the bottom. Sidney Island, Wain Rock, Fairfax, Salamanca Point, Porlier Pass, and Tent Island all hold fish this time of year. It’s not too busy on the water, so it’s a bit easier to try new spots. Watch the weather as always, and check the local regs to make sure your area is open. And remember, if you don’t know how to fish the bottom make sure you have beer on standby in case your gear goes overboard.
Tight lines!
Kurt Irwin
Saltspring Reel Action
(250) 537-6613
www.ssireelaction.ca
Fall/Winter 2021
The pink and coho salmon have shown up in numbers, and this year is shaping up to be pretty good. It’s been a year where you have had to wait and see what was open, but once you land on the fish they are there. More than ever have we had to use our sounder and fish finders to look for the bait.
Once you get your gear to where the feed is during the correct tides, the fish are on the line. Most years I will troll a fairly large area looking for feed. With the limited time and area to fish this year, once I find some good feed I do some tight turns and work the bait almost as if I am the fish feeding. With the warm dry weather, the fish seem to be going fairly deep mid-day as the hot sun bakes down.
As we all know, pinks like lots of gear, so load up two rods per downrigger with a pink hoochie and Green Glow flasher— my favorite combo for these non-stop action fish. Bleed them, rinse them, and eat fresh—you can’t beat a fresh pink salmon.
I had a friend smoke and can some pinks for me, and they turned out great. If you don’t know how to smoke and can salmon, then look for the friend that does. After they have spent 4 days smoking and canning fish for you, get them out fishing—that seems like a fair trade. There’s also an article on the Island Fisherman website called “Canning Salmon Like the Pros”. Search the site for “canning” and it will come up.
Even in September or later, you’ll need sunscreen, but try to put it on at home. Sunscreen and handling your gear don’t always mix. If you have a whole family or group, at least ask them to apply out on the back deck. My last guests tried to put sunscreen on in the cabin, and next thing I knew there was a full broken tube of sunscreen squirting all over the inside of my boat. When cleaning sunscreen from inside of your boat seats floor and roof I like to use Meguiar’s vinyl and rubber conditioner.
Tight lines!
Kurt Irwin
Saltspring Reel Action
(250) 537-6613
www.ssireelaction.ca
August 2021
August is here, and we’ve got our fingers crossed that the area will be open to retain Chinooks. Pinks and a few coho should be around, too. Look for the tide change and remember that first daylight is going to get some good action on the rods. Some like to fish the evening, but I prefer the morning because the weather changes so much and you have more options when starting early. As we all know, pinks love the bling. Stack up the rods, shorten up the leader length to 18″ to 28″, and try pink hoochies with green flashers.
We have had some extreme heat over the last few months, and it’s unclear how that will affect the salmon returns in the local rivers. Hopefully the Cowichan River, Goldstream River, and Nanaimo River systems have good water flow for returning salmon to spawn.
The seal population is flourishing, so if you’re having a bad day fishing, don’t hesitate to stop and have a few words with the seals. I always like to let my guests get some good pictures of the seals and let them know how well they get to eat around the Gulf Islands. If the salmon fishing is slow, you’ve lost all your cod lures, and it’s lunch time, there are some great pubs and restaurants around. Try Moby’s Pub on Salt Spring Island (just park and walk up the dock). Montague Harbour, Browning Harbour, and Thetis Island all have good spots to park and walk up the ramp for a cold
Tight lines!
Kurt Irwin
Saltspring Reel Action
(250) 537-6613
www.ssireelaction.ca
July 2021
The fishing in May and June was excellent, and with such high numbers in the Georgia Strait and south, these fish will be around for July through September. So far, it’s been catch and release only. Once we can retain Chinook, there should be some bigger ones in July outside of Galiano.
July usually offers very good fishing. The water is typically mucky, though, so glow spoons, glow teaser heads, and flashers work well. If the Pender Bluffs are open to fish, try running a pink hoochie, as there should be a few pinks around—this being an odd-numbered year.
Pinks are one of my favorite fresh salmon to eat—bleed them, rinse them, keep them cool, and you can’t beat a fresh pink salmon for dinner. Pinks like lots of gear so stack your rods on the downriggers and shorten up your leader. I like 18″ to 22″ of leader with green glow flasher.
Cod fishing will be good, so take out your favourite 10 lures you want to lose and try some new areas. Rocky humps at 50′ to 120′ are usually pretty good. Sometimes when I get a greenhorn out on my boat using my gear and they claim to know more about fishing than I do, I like to let them play the rock they just hooked for 15 to 20 minutes. Just make sure you move the boat back and forth a bit so they really can play them out.
All kidding aside, always check the regs for closed areas prior to going out, and check the weather. I tried to fish a few weeks ago outside Polier Pass with the winds of 15 to 25 mph out of the northwest. It was nasty and everyone felt sick, so it ended up being a bit of a waste of gas. Always tell a friend where you are going fishing and when you are coming back in case something happens. I told my wife once, but for some reason, she waited 5 days before she called anyone.
Tight lines!
Kurt Irwin
Saltspring Reel Action
(250) 537-6613
www.ssireelaction.ca
June 2021
Looks like another June of catch and release for Chinook in the Gulf Islands area. With that said, I am starting to see several boats targeting halibut and other bottom fishing. Some anglers are even catching halibut in spots I don’t usually try, like The Pick near Moresby Island, Beaver Point, and others near the Pender Bluffs. Perhaps the new size limit restrictions on halibut over the last few years has brought more halibut back into our area. Look for days with slow-moving tides. Look for humps 100′ to 400′ at the bottom, and make sure these areas are open before you try them. While the bite was slow in most areas, patience seemed to pay off. Most anglers said herring off the spreader bar seemed to be working.
If you have no luck on the halibut and the tides are not ripping too badly, try for some lingcod or rock cod. Rock structure about 40′ to 130′ seems to be about the best depth for around these areas. If you have some of your herring left, throw it down there and see what you get. If you get into some dogfish, remove the skin, take the meat off the back, marinate in 1⁄2 bottle dark rum, 8 oz tequila, 3 tablespoons of soy sauce, and a touch of garlic powder. Soak for 30 minutes, then lay the meat on a cedar plank over a fire for 10 minutes. When it’s done, throw the dogfish off and eat the cedar plank. Just kidding, though I do know of some people that eat dogfish.
Let’s hope we see the DFO regulations open our area soon for Chinook fishing for July and August.
Tight lines!
Kurt Irwin
Saltspring Reel Action
(250) 537-6613
www.ssireelaction.ca
May 2021
It looks like the algae bloom is in early this year, with a thick layer out in the strait of Georgia for March/April. Hopefully throughout May, the algae won’t be so bad. When fishing in this type of water, take a dish rag with you, as your line will gum up and make a mess of your gear. I always wonder how much the algae bloom affects the salmon. Does it affect their breathing and how much oxygen is depleted in the water? How much do the salmon avoid the bloom areas?
With the water being dark and murky I like to run with glow spoons, hoochies, and teaser heads. If the waters are too rough out in the strait, try fishing Fairfax Point, Tent Island, and Wain Rock. There are lots of changes again this year, with the DFO closing new areas, so check out the DFO website to make sure the area you want to fish is open prior to going out.
Crabbing is usually pretty good this time of year around the Gulf Islands. Take fresh chicken thighs and some crab pellets, and try out some new spots 40′ to 140′ of water. Remember—tight lines, cold drinks, and no bananas.
Tight lines!
Kurt Irwin
Saltspring Reel Action
(250) 537-6613
www.ssireelaction.ca
March 2021
This is the time of year we all keep our eyes on the weather and get out to fish as soon as we can. Traffic is low on the water, and the fishing can be good. Just a few weeks ago, I was out fishing with a friend 3 miles south of Porlier Pass when we witnessed a once-in-a-lifetime show—for more than 2 hours, Steller sea lions were trying to drown a humpback whale calf. The cow kept trying to swim underneath her calf and push her baby back to the surface, and all the sea lions would fall off the calf as she pushed her baby to the surface for air. Finally, the cow and calf swam towards my boat and dove under. The sea lions gave chase but stopped right as they got to the boat. The cow and calf survived their ordeal and were joined by another cow and calf and a big bull. As we slowly got away from shore, the whales started to circle my boat, lifting their fins and diving all around me as if they were saying thank you. I’ve never seen anything like it.
Back to fishing. Have a look at your charts and try a few new prawn spots when you are heading out. I like the 220′ to 280′ mark—look for a shelf and lay your prawn gear at the bottom or alongside of it. Crabbing can also be good this time of year, and some cheap raw chicken and prawn pellets are the ticket. Try 80′ to 120′ and look for a bay where there could be some good eelgrass.
Now that you have put your prawn and crab traps down, it’s time to try for some winter spring salmon. My favorite lures this time of year are glow spoons and hoochies combined with glow flashers. The water can be fairly murky this time of year with all the rain. If you can get outside of Galiano, do it! But make sure the weather will cooperate; if winds are blowing at 20 to 30 mph from the northwest, don’t even think about it.
If you can get out there, start off with one line down close to the bottom, and look for feed on the sounder. There can be a fair bit of herring around this time of year. Check your lines often, as there also is a fair bit of debris in the water in March and April. There are a few RCA areas outside Galiano, so make sure you know where they are. If the weather is too rough, head out in the Strait of Georgia and try your luck inside Tent Island, Erskine Point off Saltspring Island, Wain Rock, Fairfax Point, or Beaver Point.
Dress warm and stay safe. One last tip: Keep a journal. It’s great to look up how fishing was and what worked in years past.
Tight lines!
Kurt Irwin
Saltspring Reel Action
(250) 537-6613
www.ssireelaction.ca
September 2020
With all the coho that showed up in July and August, we should see some good coho fishing this September and October. With the limited areas to fish, tide change is going to be a big factor now. Fish an hour before and after tide change and try to push your speed a bit when trolling for coho, as they like a bit more speed. Normally your downrigger cable should be at a 45° angle. Of course, the deeper you are, the more the angle you’ll want.
I like to run braided line, just because it seems to have less drag when trolling in deeper water. Run the bright colours, like watermelon hoochies or spoons, if you are targeting coho. A Tiger Prawn hoochie with glow green flasher also works well this time of year.
I had a fellow in my boat who brought some whiskey for good luck. It seemed like it worked pretty well for him until the waves started to pick up and he spilled the whiskey in his eye. I don’t recommend whiskey in the eye or bananas on the boat. Keep a close watch on the the weather this time of year, as the wind and/or fog can roll in quickly. Remember, fishing is a good socially distanced activity, and get out there at least four to five times a week. It’s for your own safety—at least that’s what I tell my wife.
Tight lines!
Kurt Irwin
Saltspring Reel Action
(250) 537-6613
www.ssireelaction.ca
August 2020
As always, August should be bringing in the big Chinooks. This is the time of year they are ready and waiting to head up the local rivers. This could be a good coho year as well. I was out in mid- June and started to catch a few smaller coho in the top 40′ of water. This will probably not be a big pink year, as they show up more on the odd years. There are lots of changes this year with the new whale protection areas, so check your regulations to make sure the area you are fishing is open.
This time of year, I like to start off with a couple of rods at different depths between 20′ and 140’—look for feed on the sounder. If I get into some coho action, it is time to put another couple lines down. I like to run 3.5″ glow spoons and glow hoochies, as well as bait with glow teaser heads. The outside of Galiano Island can be productive this time of year. Salamanca Point and Polier Pass are good, but watch for the northwesterly winds, as they will turn your fun day into a bad one if you’re not careful.
If you end up coming to Salt Spring, don’t have a boat, and can’t take a charter, this is a pretty good time to do some shore casting. Ruckle Park off the point can be a good place to cast with a green and white Buzz Bomb or your favourite casting lure. Some of the big Chinooks swim right by the point, and I have caught several fish there myself. A net is handy when you get your fish close to shore, as I found out. It’s a deep drop off with lots of tide, so if you have kids with you, I would suggest a life jacket on them and yourself.
Salt Spring Island is opening up slowly to BC residents, so if you were to do some traveling this might be a good year to come over and check out the local sites and do some fishing. There are also five good lakes to fish from around Salt Spring, as well.
With the new COVID stage 3 openings in BC, I am doing a few things differently in my boat, such as hand sanitizer for everyone that steps aboard and sanitary wipes to clean the boat before and after guests. I also have a box of latex gloves and masks. It seems strange to have all this extra gear on the boat, but these are new times.
Tight lines!
Kurt Irwin
Saltspring Reel Action
(250) 537-6613
www.ssireelaction.ca
July 2020
July will bring the big Chinook in and around the Gulf Islands, as they are ready to start migrating up the local rivers and feeding as much as they can for the journey. Mid-size coho start showing up in the mix, as well as a few sockeye salmon.
Now that you know there are fish around, be sure to check DFO regulations, and always double-check on the day of your outings. When fishing in the Strait of Georgia, the water can be murky this time of year, so glow spoons, glow teaser heads, and glow flashers are a good ticket. Check your gear regularly as the weeds will get on your gear, and salmon don’t eat salad.
When the water is clear, use less glow gear. I also recommend using small hooks, as you will still get the same action but you’ll do a lot less damage to your fish. Especially if you are fishing catch and release, this really helps cut down on the “bleeders.” Remember to not handle fish too much and always “play” the fish until it is tired and ready to come to the boat. A good pair of needle-nose pliers should always be close at hand to ensure you get hooks gently and carefully out of your fish.
July is a good time to try some hoochies and spoons with multi-colour, like watermelon for coho. Of course, pack your favourite pink hoochie for the sockeye. A pink hoochie and glow green flasher on an 18″ leader works really well.
When there are lots of coho and sockeye salmon around, run lots of flash—they like the bling. Kind of like a fisherman going into a tackle shop—you don’t need it but you have to have it.
When fishing in July, run a different depth on each side of the boat until you find the depth where the fish are biting. Even 20′ could be the difference between having the bite or not. Also, try a surface rod.
Tight lines!
Kurt Irwin
Saltspring Reel Action
(250) 537-6613
www.ssireelaction.ca
June 2020
With the new catch-and-release Chinook regulations, fishing around the Gulf Islands is going to be on fire. In mid-June of last year, I went out for catch-and-release, and we had nonstop action on the rods. The Chinook are going to be everywhere from the top to the bottom. Look for feed on your sounder, and let the fishing start. If you don’t believe in using your sounder, go old school and look for the birds feeding on bait. Once you find the fish, make sure you troll with your downrigger cable on, or around, a 45° angle; I find this gives the best action on your gear.
Glow spoons of 3.5″ to 4″ with a 24″ to 60″ leader work well this time of year.
I adjust my leader length depending on the speed I am trolling and the color of the water. Glow hoochies also work well, and I like a leader length between 18″ and 36″ for those. A single barbless hook is best for catch and release. I normally like to run herring/anchovies, but with the 3-prong hook, it’s a bit harder to get a good clean release on the fish. When releasing your fish, try to handle them as little as possible.
While you are out having some family fun, you might want to try a new lingcod and rock cod hot spot. Look for structure under the water between 40′ and 120′. Check your tides prior to going out— you’ll want to fish up to, during, and just after slack tide for best results. Check your local DFO regs to make sure your area is open.
Kurt Irwin
Saltspring Reel Action
(250) 537-6613
www.ssireelaction.ca
Gulf Islands South Fishing Report Archives
May 2020
The last few months have brought some major changes to all our lives. Now is the time to get out and self-isolate, whether it’s in your yard or out on the water. It’s the perfect time to be out on your boat for your own safety—at least that’s what I’m telling my wife.
Salmon is now catch-and-release only until further notice; check your local DFO updates for any changes. So, what to do this time of year? It’s a great time to look at your charts and start looking for your new hot spot for prawns and crab. Prior to setting your gear, make sure the area is open. When prawning around the Gulf Islands, I like to look for a depth of around 220’ to 260’—if you can lay your gear on a ledge, find a hole that could be 300’, and try to get your gear just on the edge of it. This could be your new hot spot. Be sure to check the
tides. You want to try and prawn on a slack tide, or your gear could end up in Seattle. I like to use prawn pellets mixed with Carlyle Just Tuna cat food in the can. Mix the pellets and canned food together, and you are set. Next, drop your crab trap off anywhere from 50’ to 120’ using old salmon heads, fresh chicken thighs—whatever you have, load it up.
Now that your gear is soaking in the water, you can still catch and release salmon for a few hours. This time of year can be very productive. Last year I was out in the middle of May fishing off Salamanca Point, and it was the best Chinook fishing I ever had. I like to use glow flasher with glow spoon combo, as the water is murky this time of year. Look for the feed on your sounder and run your gear at different depths on either side of the boat until you find the hot spot. The smaller 3.5” spoons with the small barbless hooks make for an easy catch and release with no harm to the fish. Try not to handle your fish, and leave it in the water when releasing. If your boat is not set up to troll, try some jigging. Collinson Point off Active Pass can be a productive spot to jig for salmon, and the beginning of the flood tide can be especially productive. Make sure your jigs are set up with single barbless hooks for easy release. Active Pass, Polier Pass, the Sidney area, and Tent Island can all be good spots this time of year.
Kurt Irwin
Saltspring Reel Action
(250) 537-6613
www.ssireelaction.ca
March/April 2020
In March and April, the boat traffic around the Gulf Islands is low, but the fishing can be hot. If your boat has been sitting for the last few months, make sure it is in good running order before you hit the water, as the late winter/early spring weather can change in short order. If the wind is not blowing too hard, try heading outside of Polier Pass. This area can be productive this time of year, as can Salimanca Point, with Chinook averaging 7 to 15 lbs. This time of year also brings lots of freshwater runoff from the Fraser River, so make sure you run glow spoons/glow teaser heads and glow hoochies with a glow flasher. I like to shorten up my leader length a bit for the darker days—36” to 48”.
If the weather is too ugly in the Strait of Georgia, head to more protected waters where the winter fishing is good as well. Tent Island, Bold Bluff, Wain Rock, Morsby Island, Beaver Point off Salt Spring, Fairfax Point, and the Powder Dock near Sidney Spit are all good areas this time of year. Make sure you check your local regulations to be sure the area is open.
Fishing on a tide change or a slack tide will also increase your chances of hooking into the big winter Chinook. Glow spoons 3.5” to 4” work well. Skinny G Coho Killer spoons all work well. Running bait and hoochies off of one downrigger and spoon off another is a good way to see what the fish are biting on. Try mixing your gear up if you are not on the bite. Get your gear down to the bottom, and look for feed on the sounder. If you find an area with lots of feed, troll around and through it—don’t troll away from it. If you find the fish, you won’t have time for the coffee and donuts, as it can be nonstop action.
Remember to dress in lots of layers, and wear your life jacket. Check your lines often, as there are lots of smaller fish around as well, and you don’t want to waste time dragging them around.
August 2019
August should be a great month to fish pinks, coho, and Chinook around the Gulf Islands. Check your local regulations before you head out to make sure the area you are fishing is open due to the new area closed regulations.
August is a good time to dig out the pink hoochie and green flashers. When the coho and pinks are around, I like to stack my rods on the downrigger and run some dummy flashers; these fish love the bling in the water. Try running a surface rod as well. When running this much gear, remember not to turn the boat too sharply, as you will end up with tangled gear.
If you are fishing outside Galliano, be sure to check the weather—20- to 30-mph NW winds are not your friend out there. Also, check for the rock fish conservation areas, as there are a few. If Collision Point is open, it could be a good spot to try; just before the flood and slack tide is a good time to fish there. I have had good luck with the Tiger Prawn hoochie and Army Truck and Glow 3.5-in spoons in this area. You might also try the Bloody Nose teaser head or Glow Watermelon teaser head with a 4-ft leader to the flasher. Beaver Point and Morsby Island will hold a few fish as well.
Remember to try different depths and look for the feed on your sounder. This time of year I typically have a pink hoochie running off the boat, as the pinks tend to show up on the odd years. Always net these fish on the side of the boat; don’t net from the back of the boat with someone reeling the fish in behind you, as the pinks have soft mouths and the hook can come flying at you—I know this from experience.
It is going to feel warm out on the water, but remember life jackets as the currents are strong around the Gulf Islands.
Tight lines.
July 2019
July will bring the big Chinooks in and around the Gulf Islands. They are ready to start their migration up the local rivers, feeding as much as they can before they head into the rivers. Mid-size coho should start showing up in the mix, as well as a few pink salmon. Be sure to check DFO regulations so you know what’s open when you hit the water.
The big Chinooks will have plenty of fight in them, which will make for some non-stop catch-and-release action for you and your guests. In the Strait of Georgia the water can be murky this time of year, so glow spoons, teaser heads, and flashers are a good idea. Check your gear regularly, as the weeds get on your gear, and salmon don’t eat salad. When the water is clear, I like to use less glow gear.
With the new catch-and-release rules for Chinook until July 31, I recommend using small hooks, as you will still get the same action and do a lot less damage to your fish. Try not to handle them too much, and play the fish until it is ready to come to the boat. A good pair of needlenose pliers works great to get those hooks out of your fish.
July is a good time to start trying out some of those multi-coloured hoochies and spoons—watermelon for those coho and your favorite pink hoochie for the pink salmon—use a glow green flasher and 18-in leader with the hoochie for those pinks.
Run lots of gear when there are lots of coho and pink salmon around, as they like lots of bling in the water.
When fishing this time of year, run a different depth on each side of the boat until you find the depth where the fish are biting—20 ft could be the difference between having the bite on or not. Have a surface rod out as well—you never know.
Tight lines.
June 2019
June will bring the start of the big Chinooks. While it’s now catch and release, its still a great time to get out and have some fun. Chinooks this time of year are from the top to the bottom—try running a surface line and look for bait on your sounder to see what depth you’re going to try. When fishing around the Gulf Islands, make sure you check the DFO regulation for any rockfish conservation areas. Also check your marine weather—trying to fish on a 20 to 30 km NW wind is a no-go on the Strait of Georgia, but fishing around Moresby Island, Coal Island, and Beaver Point could be an option to get out of the wind.
Glow hoochies, 3.5″ to 4″ spoons, and bait all work well this time of year. Hootchies 18-36″ leader, spoons 24-60″ leader. Leader length depends on how clean the water is and the speed of your troll. The Fraser River can make the water dark, so you may want to shorten up your leader length and glow flasher and spoons/hoochies/teaser heads. To improve your chances, try to fish on slack ebb or flood tide; the bite seems to come on better throughout the tide change. Check your gear regularly, as there is a lot of debris in the water this time of year. Have a cloth to wipe your line when fishing in the Strait of Georgia as the algae in the water can gum up your line. If you want to see what the locals are up to, check out Salt Spring Island Anglers on Facebook, where there is a lot of conversation on what’s working and what’s not.
Remember, if you’re not out fishing, you’re not out catching. Tight lines.
May 2019
May will be a good time to grab your crab traps and set them when you head out to fish for the day. Dig out some of that old frostbitten fish or that chicken that’s been in the freezer since 2016. Remember your limit, check your crab sizes, and be aware of the regulations in your area.
The new regulations mean we are now catch and release on all Chinook until Aug 1. While you cannot keep any Chinook, we are all out there to have a good time. Playing the fish and getting a picture with a quick release is 99% of why we fish. When I first received the news of the non-retention, I thought it would hurt the fishing charter business, but just the opposite has happened: All of my pre-booked guests are more then happy to catch and release, since the Gulf Islands is one of the most beautiful places on the coast. May fishing will start to bring the big fish in. Fishing an hour before and an hour after tide changes should produce some results. As always, look for the bait on your sounder.
Outside of Galliano, the water can be murky this time of year from all the snow melt coming from the Fraser River water. So get your glow spoons and flashers on glow teaser heads and glow hoochies work as well. The murky water is normally just the top 2 to 10 ft, but it makes it dark underneath. The herring should be on the move around the Gulf Islands, so I like to run one side of the gear near the bottom and the other side mid-water or where I see bait on the sounder. If you have to go old school, then look for the birds—always a good sign. These being an odd year, expect to see some pink salmon start to show up later on in the summer. Some days it can be spotty on the fishing, so make sure you have a new or sharp barbless hook on check all your leader line and line on your reel. Samsun Narrows has been producing some nice fish this time of year, as have the Wain Rock, Bold Bluff, and Fairfax Point areas. Always check the weather, and remember that the DFO is doing lots of air patrols, so know the closed RCA areas before you go out. If it takes you 4 hours to go get milk, don’t let the wife see you leaving the yard towing the boat.
March 2019
March and April are some best months to be fishing around the Gulf Islands. Many people are going out and putting down their prawn traps, dropping a couple of lines, and picking up some nice winter Chinooks. Some hotspots for these winter Chinooks are Wain Rock out of Saanich, Bold Bluff off Saltspring Island, Erskine Point off Saltspring Island, Tent Island, Fairfax Point off Moresby Island, and Pender Bluffs. These are all inside waters and protected from weather for the most part, but always check the weather and check the regulations to make sure the spot is open for fishing and prawning.
I like to run the Cop Car, Irish Cream, Kermit, or glow Speckle Back spoons 3.5 to 4 inches. Glow flashers with glow spoons are deadly this time of year, if you get the right colour and the right depth. The best times to fish are an hour before and an hour after the low or high slack tides.
Now that you have tried the inside waters, check your weather and tides and have a look at doing a run out to Thrasher Rock, Porlier Pass, or Salamanca; try the same combo of lures and maybe even try a few hoochies and bait—green glow combo works well. When I fish outside Galiano Island this time of year, I, like to fish 220 to 120 ft of water. Make sure you know the closed areas before you go out. You’ll find a mix of small and larger fish, so you will be releasing several fish throughout the day–handle them with care and check your lines often. Look for bait balls on your sounder and troll right through the middle of them.
Sept-Dec 2018
September and October will see some action around the Gulf Islands. Sockeye are on their way, so what do you need to do? First off, if you are the last person on the grounds, you have probably missed the bite. This is an early morning fish, so charge up your head lamps and get the alarm set. Standard fishing for these fish is an 18” to 22” leader with pink hoochies. Flasher green glow or green/chrome flasher slow your speed down a bit, and if you can have lots of gear in the water, stack your rods 20 ft apart.
Salimanca Point, Polier Pass, and the mouth of the Fraser are going to be the hot spots. Watch for the northwest winds if you are going to cross the Strait of Georgia. Check the new closed areas for the Fraser River and make sure you’re not in them. There are still some nice springs around; look for bait as always and try fishing top waters at 30 to 80 ft. Skinny G Spoons and Coho Killers seem to be working, as well as the 3.5” to 4” spoons in glow green with green chrome flashers.
If you are fishing for Chinooks, look for tide changes. I like to fish an hour before and hour after tide change—morning or evening tide change seem to work. Always work one side of your gear to wherever you see feed on your sounder. I like to leave one side at one depth while working another side at different depths. If you’re working your gear a lot and out for the day, don’t forget to fire up your big motor once in awhile as the downriggers can burn up some juice on your batteries.
The word is that Pender Bluffs are supposed to be open October 1; check the regulations. With the late rainfalls, this could be the hot spot for some later coho fishing and maybe the tail end of the sockeye run. Cohos like lots of gear. I like to run the Watermelon teaser head with bait or Watermelon spoons—whatever you have in the tackle box with color, rusty hooks excluded. Remember that coho are not a tough fish, so try not to handle them too much. Make sure when you release the fish that you do it in a gentle manner—not throwing them off 20 feet with the gaff.
Tight lines.
August 2018
August will bring in a variety of fish, with perhaps a good chance to see some sockeye and the beginning of the cohos. Some bigger Chinook salmon will be on the move to the Fraser, Cowichan, and Nanaimo Rivers. Our area to fish around the gulf islands has been cut back a lot with the new DFO regulations, so you need to plan your fishing according to the tides and the new closed areas. I like to get out an hour before high or low slack and fish an hour after tide change, considering the calmer closed areas around Pender Bluffs and Active Pass. If you fish south of the Strait of Georgia, make sure you check the weather before you go out; trying to fish in the gulf on a NW 20-25 is no fun, and could be the last time the family wants to get out on the water with you.
Fishing from Lion Isle to Polier Pass can be very good in August; look for the RCA areas prior to going out, as there are a few. I like to fish mid-water at 100 to 120 ft, or wherever I see the bait on the sounder. Green Glow flasher with a Tiger Prawn hoochie or 3″-4″ Green Glow spoons work well. I also like to use the Bloody Nose teaser head with a Glow Green flasher, and a 5-ft leader works well this time of year. Once you get your downrigger lines down, try throwing out a surface bucktail line with a 6-oz slip weight–there could be a few fish up top that may surprise you.
If you are fishing inside near Morsby Island, again know the new closed areas before you fish. My favorite is the Green Glow Coho Killer spoon or Cop Car spoon; Sand Lance and Pesca spoons also work well. When fishing close to Morsby Island, run one side until you hit the bottom, then bring up 3 ft the other side and try to run mid-water. I like to run my glow spoons on the bottom rigger, as they can take a bit more when hitting the bottom, and run bait or hoochies mid-water. Don’t be afraid to try some spoons/hoochies and teaser heads with lots of color in them this time of year, as the cohos should be showing from the middle to the end of August. Dogfish can be a problem when fishing bait in these waters; if you can’t keep them off, try speeding up your trolling a little bit.
If Pender Bluffs was your go-to spot, try going over to Beaver Point. A lot of fish migrate right by the point; some big ones have been caught around this spot. Watch the bottom–it can be a bit grabby. If you have fished all these spots in a day and still have had no luck, then check your boat for bananas. Tight lines.
July 2018
There are big changes in Southern Gulf Islands fishing this year. If you’re headed out, take note of recent Chinook closures.
July is the middle child of the fishing season. She’s not the hot and heavy fishery we have all come to love and respect from the spring fishery. She’s moody and slightly dull in this neck of the woods. But don’t turn your back to her–fish are still available to those who work for it.
This is the time of year to return to structure. From Sidney to Thrasher, think about getting back to the basics. Fish will start holding on rock piles, kelp beds, and upwellings. The gear takes a small shift from hardware and spoons to more meat. Don’t leave home without some anchovies and/or herring. If you insist on being a gearhead, think scent. Lengthen your leaders and play with depth.
With structure being key, Porlier, Coal Island, Fair Fax, Salamanca, Lions Islet, first through second cable all being your friend. Rub the contours and earn it.
Spoons and hootchies will work, but this time of year I adjust my gear to meat! If fishing the straight and dirty water, think glow heads and flashers. If further south, think UV and clear.
This is a time of year where bass are active, especially smallmouth. Plan your approach according to the day at hand or for light conditions. Water temperature is rising, so crankbaits and spinner baits worked fast by structure will result in steady bites.
July is still a good month for the fly fisher, as the early morning and evening hatches can result in epic fishing. Mid-day nymph patterns stripped along shoals can make or break the day.
July is truly a mixed bag. It’s a transitional month in our region, one that this year comes with restrictions we’ve never faced until now. But the beauty of fishing is that we constantly evolve and move forward.
June 2018
June is basically the continuation of our May fishery, and it may offer slightly better action, with Porlier Pass, Salamanca Point to Second Cable, and the famed Thrasher Rock being the biggest producers. Fish will be throughout the water column, so it’s important to play with depths. 50-to 170-foot running spoons, hootchies, anchovies, and small herring will all produce. Glow is your friend, as the surface water in the strait can be murky this time of year. So light it up and add scent, especially if they are running deep.
Other areas that will produce, but not likely in the same kind of numbers, are Pender Bluffs, Tumbo Channel, Sidney Channel, and Hambley Point. Halibut fishing the Sidney area and south towards Victoria can produce for the patient angler too–it’s definitely an anchor show, and pay attention to the tides. If the dogfish get thick, use scented grubs.
Freshwater Report
June is prime time on Salt Spring for some fast-paced smallmouth bass in the shallows, or you can target trout in one of the many lakes that are annually stocked.
Bass will get up in the skinny water at this time of year, so think top-water baits early in the morning or at dusk. During the middle of the day, shallow-running crank baits, spinner baits, and jigs will produce just off the ledge or in and around docks. The same applies for the fly fisherman. Use poppers of varying sizes early and late in the day, and weighted minnow and leach patterns during the heat of the day. Smallmouth love structure, so focus your efforts in and around docks, submerged logs, and rocky points.
Trout fishers can have great success trolling small spinners, spoons, and plugs, running the ledge and doing long tacks until you find fish. Focusing on that area will put more fish in the boat. Fly fishermen have lots of options this time of year, either simply trolling attractor patterns with various weighted lines, anchoring up on likely shoals and casting weighted nymphs and leeches on floating lines, or matching whatever hatch is emerging that day and enjoying the slurp of a large trout as he eats your presentation off the surface.
The lakes are all different. If you’re after numbers of fish and family-friendly fishing, think Stowel Lake and Blackburn, both small lakes that are full of smaller trout. If you’re looking for a combination fishery of bass and trout, Cusheon and Saint Mary’s are the ticket. As for trophy trout, have a go at Weston lake (fly only) or Saint Mary’s, which holds the largest bass and trout on the island.
June is truly one of the best months to fish around these parts, so fuel up your saltwater rig for some longer runs. Or throw your tinny in your truck and grab the kids for some memorable time on the lakes.
May 2018
May in the southern Gulf Islands is quite possibly the best time to fish this area. We still have feeder fish (winter springs) in the mix. And the first wave of river-bound fish arrives with a bang. The prime area is the east side of Galiano, from Lions Islet to Porlier Pass. But remember to check the charts for RCA zones, as we have many. Fish can be found from 50 to 200 feet, so it’s a good time of year to run multiple rods and/or work the gear to search them out, like 4” glow spoons, four to five feet behind a flasher, glow hootchies and of course bait. Anchovies and small herring can often out-produce artificials this time of year. Trolling from Lions Islet to the Second Cable is a very productive tack. Remember to turn around if you hit fish, as they will hold in certain areas with the tide/current. Then from just above the RCA to Porlier Pass, sometimes inside tack; other days it pays to troll into the abyss and play with depths. Other areas to focus on are Pender Bluffs, between the two bird-stained rocks. East side of Mandarte, Coal Island, Hambley Point, and bottom end of Saturna Island/Tumbo Channel.
May is also the opening for bottom fish in these parts. Again, pay close attention to the RCA zones. Search out pinnacles on your charts and try to jig around slack tides for best results.
We are blessed with some incredible freshwater fishing on Salt Spring Island, with most lakes receiving annual stocking. Rainbows, cutthroat and smallmouth bass are all available. May is a great month to target all of the above. Saint Mary’s Lake and Cusheon Lake have smallmouth bass. These fish are up on their beds this time of year. So catch and release, as they are in spawning mode. Early morning and evening can be wicked top water times, popper flies or top water plugs can produce violent takes. During the day, crank baits and spinner baits worked through the shallows produce well. For trout, trolled leach flies, spinners and small spoons will work. For the purist fly fishermen, try Weston Lake; some trophy trout can be fooled with damsel nymph patterns, dragonfly nymphs and stickleback flies. A great lake to take the kids is Stowel. It’s a small lake, with plenty of hungry fish.
May is a great time around these parts. From saltwater salmon to chunky smallmouth bass, we’ve got something for everyone.
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Featured Catch
Father Day - Catch & Release 40 lb Hatchery male, North Island. Taylor and Ray Logan
