Find out what’s working and what’s not when fishing in the Port Alberni area on Vancouver Island’s Pacific Rim. Tips, best practices, places and the go-to lures are just a sample of what you’ll find in our fishing report.
Port Alberni Marine Weather Forecast
Port Alberni Fishing Report
Port Alberni Fishing Regulations Area 23/123
September – October 2024 Port Alberni Fishing Report
With the 2024 Chinook return to the west coast Vancouver Island rivers, streams, and creeks in September being called “abundant,” salmon fishing should be extremely good, especially during the first half of the month in the Alberni Inlet and Barkley Sound. September is always a favourite salmon sport fishing month, with this year hopefully being exceptional.
Coho will also be in the mix in all Pacific Rim areas as the various salmon species complete their longest life journey. Chinook returns have a forecast model showing a return of approximately 95,000 to more than 170,000 Chinook to the Somass River system. This is great news for anglers and organizers of the Port Alberni Salmon Festival and Derby. This year’s derby is from August 30 to September 2, with the derby headquarters at Argyle Pier.
September has crisp early mornings and warm afternoons, providing an opportunity to fish the pristine, calm, and scenic waters of Barkley Sound and the Alberni Inlet. Barkley Sound hotspots are Pill Point, Swale Rock, Gilbraltar, Assets, Whittlestone, and the Bamfield Wall. Salmon will often hold if there are large quantities of baitfish. The Chinook and coho are in shallow water in September. Coho are on the surface in the early mornings and later in the evening. During the day, coho are in 25′ to 40′ of water, while Chinook are often in 20′ to 60′. Anchovies using various teaser head colours create great success, using leader lengths of 6′ to 7′ behind a blue, purple, or green-gold flasher. Various spoons and hoochies in octopus and cuttlefish sizes are a terrific choice.
Hotspots are Lone Tree, Coulson’s, China Creek Wall, Dunsmuir, Underwood, and the Narrows. The salmon are usually in 20′ to 50′ of water and are most aggressive in the early morning and on tide changes. In the early season, anglers use anchovy in various teaser head colours, while later in September, hoochies in the O-15, O-16, O-2, AORL12, and Purple Haze are excellent choices.
Doug Lindores
Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing
www.catchsalmon-ca.com
(250) 731-7389 mobile
(888) 214-7206 toll free
[email protected]
August 2024 Port Alberni Fishing Report
West Coast Vancouver Island— including the Alberni Inlet and Barkley Sound—will see many terrific angling days in August. Returning Somass River Chinook are forecast at 107,000 and could climb as high as 165,000. With so many wonderful places for anglers to fish for salmon in this beautiful Pacific Rim area, there’s plenty of room for anglers to fish at times in solitude. With high returns predicted, West Coast Vancouver Island Chinook already showed in late July and will likely peak in numbers from mid-August to the first week of September. Coho returning to streams and rivers begin to show in August and peak later in the month into September.
The large schools of Chinook, followed by coho, swim into Barkley Sound and feed on the rich resources of baitfish before making their journey to the Alberni Inlet and then into the Somass River. The best Chinook and coho fishing in the Alberni Inlet usually begins around the tenth of August. There are many hotspots in the inlet. Two of these are Lone Tree and Coulson Mill, which are both in the harbour. China Creek Wall, Underwood, Leaning Tree, and the Narrows are a few other locations that usually hold a good number of returning Chinook.
Sport fishers in the Alberni Inlet waters will often have success using anchovy in a variety of teaser heads: Glow Army Truck, Purple Haze, Cop Car, and Green Haze with a 6′ leader behind a variety of flashers will often create results. Anglers will also have success using pink and red octopus hoochies.
In Barkley Sound, fantastic sport fishing will occur along the Bamfield Wall, Austin-Cree, Beale, Whittlestone, Gibraltar, Swale Rock, and Pill Point. The returning salmon are in shallower water from 25′ to 60′. The best results fishing Barkley Sound are when using an anchovy in a variety of teaser heads. Coyote, Skinny G, and Big Eye spoons with 56″ of leader and AORL 12, Purple Haze, and Spatter back hoochies are also a sure bet.
August Chinook and coho fishing will produce fabulous opportunities for sport anglers—get after it!
Doug Lindores
Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing
www.catchsalmon-ca.com
(250) 731-7389 mobile
(888) 214-7206 toll free
[email protected]
July 2024 Port Alberni Fishing Report
July is a fantastic month for sport fishing in the Alberni Inlet and Barkley Sound. The weather, water conditions, and fishing are usually perfect. In July, anglers are excited about the return of sockeye salmon to the Somass River system and the migration of Chinook and coho along the surf line of Barkley Sound and areas close to the Ucluelet harbour mouth. Sockeye returns in 2024 are predicted to be from 400,000 to 600,000 pieces and should provide for sport fishing opportunities of four per day. The best fishing areas for sockeye in the Alberni Inlet are from Nahmint and Ten Mile Point to Lone Tree. Underwood, the Narrows, and Cous Creek will all provide excellent angling. The best lures are squirt-size hoochies in Bubble Gum, pink/blue, or pink/black. Short leaders with a single black hook work well.
Barkley Sound is a feeding station to transient salmon. Many areas of Barkley Sound hold vast quantities of bait fish, such as herring, anchovy, squid, and needlefish. Locations such as Cree Island, Meares, Kirby, Bamfield Wall, Pill Point, and Swale Rock provide excellent sport fishing. The 2024 salmon season will get even better in late July, and will continue into early September when the West Coast Vancouver Island salmon begin their migration to natal streams and rivers. This year’s return is described as nothing short of “abundant.”
While trolling, an anchovy behind a flasher is a common and consistent salmon producer, and fish hitting Herring Aid spoons as well as various Skinny Gs and Coho Killer spoons are rising in popularity. A variety of octopus, cuttlefish, and needle fish hoochies are terrific. Hoochie leader lengths behind a flasher are best at 38″ to 42″ and spoons from 42″ to 60″.
The summer of 2024 should have some world-class salmon sport fishing in the Alberni Inlet and Barkley Sound area. Be here.
Tight lines and good fishing!
Doug Lindores
Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing
www.catchsalmon-ca.com
(250) 731-7389 mobile
(888) 214-7206 toll free
[email protected]
June 2024 Port Alberni Fishing Report
As we get into the month of June and consider July many anglers in this Vancouver Island area are excited about the return of sockeye salmon to the Somass River system. Those that prefer to Fish for Chinook and Coho do realize that there is a bountiful migration of these two salmon species along the surf line of Barkley Sound and areas close to the Ucluelet Harbor. To date, the sport fishing in these two areas has been terrific! Some areas further inshore such as Pill Point, Tzarus Island, Swale Rock, Kirby and Diplock have had some particularly fantastic sport fishing days. Kirby and Diana Island have been two remarkable areas over the last couple of weeks. Many of the Chinook have been in the mid to high teens with a few landed fish into the mid twenty-pound range.
Sockeye salmon returns to the Somass River system are predicted to be approximately 500,000 pieces for 2024. This number is currently providing for a sport fishing opportunity of up to four sockeye salmon per day and a two-day possession limit of eight for sport anglers. Sockeye fishing in the Alberni Inlet has already seen some days early in the season with limits landed by sports fisher persons. The migration of Sockeye to the Somass has been underway for a few weeks with Sockeye already swimming through the counters and making their way into either Great Central or Sproat Lakes. The salmon will remain in the deep water of these two lakes until they spawn in the fall months. The cooler weather and water temperatures have allowed for a steady daily migration of Sockeye.
As the weather, air, and water temperature warms up, the sockeye in the Alberni Inlet areas will school in large numbers which helps fishing success. Sockeye fishing is great fun for everyone, and is a very comfortable angling opportunity for people of all ages. The best fishing areas for Sockeye in the Alberni Inlet are from Hocking Point or Nahmint, and Ten Mile Point to Lone Tree. Underwood, the Narrows, and Cous Creek all provide for some excellent angling. Currently, the sockeye are migrating in water from thirty to fifty feet. The best fishing has been in the China Creek area from The Narrows to Dunsmuir Point and into Cous Creek. The best lures are Mini Plankton (MP) hoochies in a bubble gum color, or pink-blue and pink-black color scheme. The double tandem combination or single black hook has also been successful for some anglers who prefer to use black hooks. The Mini Plankton (MP) hoochie leaders are varying from twenty inches for some anglers and up to twenty-seven inches for others. Black hook leaders are sixteen to eighteen inches. A variety of flasher colours are working. The Sockeye Sport fishing is historically at its best from Father’s Day weekend through to the end of July.
The runs of migrating Chinook combined with some early coho swimming Vancouver Island’s West Coast as they migrate to the big southerly watersheds should give endless opportunities to sport fishing enthusiasts fishing west coast inshore waters.
Current sport fishing regulations, at the time of this writing, provided by the DFO will allow sport fishing for Chinook salmon within one nautical mile of the coastline until the fifteenth of July. After this date, anglers should be permitted to fish offshore waters and retain Chinook. Pacific Rim areas are often a feeding station to these transient fish. The islands close to the Ucluelet Harbor mouth such as Great Bear, Mara Rock, the Alley, and Sail Rock and up the coast line towards Wya Point and Florencia have had some great fishing in the early days of June.
Many areas of Barkley Sound hold vast quantities of bait fish in herring, anchovy, squid and needlefish. The salmon come into these areas and gorge themselves on these rich-nutrient fish. Barkley Sound locations such as Cree Island, Meares, Kirby, Bamfield Wall, Pill Point, and Swale Rock have experienced some wonderful fishing days. This trend will continue and became better in late June. July is historically very good but will improve two-fold in later part of the month when the West Coast Vancouver Island salmon begin their migration to their natal streams and rivers. West Vancouver Island returns for 2024 are termed “Abundant”. This area should have some world first class fishing this summer.
Historically the most common gear and consistent salmon producer when fishing Barkley Sound has been trolling with anchovy behind a variety of flashers. How ever that trend has changed especially in June and much of July over the past couple of years with fish hitting various Herring Aid spoons as well as Skinny G’s, Coho Killer spoons, and a variety of octopus, cuttlefish, and needle fish hoochies. Anchovy teaser head colours that work well are Green Haze, Glow Army Truck, Herring Aid, and Cop Car. Flashers in blue, purple glow, green glow, and chartreuse, with at least a six-foot leader are best. Spoons behind a flasher can vary from forty-two inches to five feet.
Hoochie leader lengths behind a flasher are thirty-seven to forty-two inches. Favorite hoochies and needlefish hoochies are the B-84 in the needlefish and also a variety of blue and green hoochies, dark green spatter back, the AORL 12, J-79, Jack Smith, and Purple Haze and pistachio.
The salmon have currently been feeding on very small herring and needlefish around Meares, Austin-Cree, Swale Rock, and Edward King. Smaller Spoons if the bait is small have been working very well. In areas around Beale, Whittlestone, and the Bamfield Wall there has been mature squid meaning Octopus hoochies and cuttle fish are working best. The best cuttlefish have been Tiger Prawn UV, Army Truck, and a variety of white cuttlefish colours.
Halibut fishing in June is in full swing. Many sport-fisher people will either drift, jig or anchor. Halibut will often prefer salmon bellies as well as large herring or octopus. If jigging, try a Gibbs Hali Hawg tipped with salmon belly. Lingcod fishing is off and on. It is important that a good descending device is on board as any yellow-eye rockfish are to be released.
June of 2024 and the rest of the summer should have some world class salmon sport fishing in the Alberni Inlet and Barkley Sound. With Chinook numbers forecast to be high the angling season should be phenomenal.
Doug Lindores
Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing
www.catchsalmon-ca.com
(250) 731-7389 mobile
(888) 214-7206 toll free
[email protected]
May 2024 Port Alberni Fishing Report
In May, the saltwater fishing opportunities increase, as does the sport fishing. May is a favorite time for anglers to begin their summer season and is a time for early Chinook, halibut, and lingcod on Vancouver Island’s West Coast. In Barkley Sound, the “early summer Chinook” migrating to the big southerly watersheds swim down the coast and come into surfline areas of Barkley Sound and feed on the rich resources of bait fish.
There are many popular spots to salmon fish in May and into early June in the pristine protected waters of Barkley Sound. Surfline areas like Cree Island, Austin Island, Meares, Edward King, Sail Rock, Great Bear, Mara Rock, and Swale Rock are fantastic spots that often have the best salmon fishing possibilities. With colder water, copepod abundance plays a key part in the salmon food chain. Squid also begin to show, especially around the Ucluelet Islands, Wya Point, Florencia (which are inside the one-mile nautical mile areas around Bamfield), and the Bamfield Wall. As well, needlefish and small herring can be found in huge dense abundant schools. The salmon and bait are normally in water ranging from 80′ to 130′. Most anglers will fish with a variety of octopus, squid, and needlefish hoochies. Spoons from 2 1⁄2″ to 4″ will work well.
Halibut begin to show in good numbers by mid-May as they migrate to the many sandy banks offshore. Halibut are also around the Swiss buoy in Trevor Channel, Austin Island, and Swale Rock.
The 34th Annual Sproat Loggers Winter/Spring Derby was well-attended with more than 450 participants in early March. Don Deforest, one of the founders who spent countless hours yearly organizing the derby, suddenly passed away on February 5. Don’s legacy continued with other committee members making the derby happen in Don’s name. Those that knew Don will dearly miss him. The three largest fish in the derby were landed by Mike Roberts at 21.5 lbs, Brian Elliott 19.6 lbs, and Dave Fleck 17 lbs.
Doug Lindores
Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing
www.catchsalmon-ca.com
(250) 731-7389 mobile
(888) 214-7206 toll free
[email protected]
April 2024 Port Alberni Fishing Report
It’s a new year and new sport-fishing opportunities will be with us in 2024. Columbia River returns look positive, and West Vancouver Island Chinook and coho returns are looking similar to 2023, which provided outstanding sport fishing.
For us locals, the true beginning of the 2024 saltwater sportfishing season in this area is always the Sproat Loggers Winter/Spring Derby on March 2 and 3.
Halibut can be found in many Barkley Sound and Ucluelet Harbour mouth areas in the early part of the year as they migrate from the deep water to spawn in the inside waters. Many recreational anglers historically land beautiful halibut outside Bamfield Harbour up to the Green Whistle Buoy.
The winter weather on the West Coast has had a true El Niño pattern. There have been some pleasant days for those avid Barkley Sound sport anglers. Winter Chinook fishing in areas of Barkley Sound, especially around the Bamfield Harbour Mouth, has seen some salmon landed in the 6- to 9-lb range in 60′ to 130′ of water. A variety of spoons, needlefish, or hoochies in green shades are working best. Bamfield Harbour, Scotch Bay, the Whistle Buoy, and Fleming Island (Sanford) are often fantastic winter and early spring locations to sport fish. A good number of these fish are clipped. Returning heads of hatchery fish to a local DFO head depot is always requested for coded wire tag (CWT) data.
The new year has many sportfishing opportunities which will give many anglers something very positive to look forward to.
Doug Lindores
Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing
www.catchsalmon-ca.com
(250) 731-7389 mobile
(888) 214-7206 toll free
[email protected]
November 2023
The 2023 summer sport fishing season has come to an end for most saltwater sport fishing locations in mid and West Coast Vancouver Island locations as well as the many other saltwater angling areas around British Columbia. The weather during much of the fall in the Pacific Rim areas has been unbelievably dry. There has been ample rainfall to help the migration of the returning salmon to their spawning grounds. There have been many wonderful sunny warm afternoons in many parts of Vancouver Island’s west coast and Barkley Sound. Right up to the beginning of November keen anglers have been able to enjoy the last salmon fishing opportunities for 2023 in many local rivers where the last of the Chinook, coho and chum salmon have migrated to their natal streams, creeks, and rivers.
Chinook and coho salmon returning to the many streams, creeks, and rivers were fantastic. The return of Somass River Chinook and Coho salmon stock in 2023 were historically high. The In-Season forecast of one hundred and twenty-five thousand returning Somass River Chinook was quite accurate. The Chinook escapement was close to forty thousand. Coho escapement was over twenty thousand and Sockeye returns to Sproat and Great Central Lakes were close to Two hundred and forty-five thousand. Chinook and coho salmon usually pass through the counters until early December.
Barkley Sound areas and those areas close to the Ucluelet Harbor had mediocre sport fishing from mid-September into October. Wya Point was likely one of the best spots as were areas offshore. The Big Bank was on fire for many days with plenty of hatchery Coho dominating the sport fishing in rather shallow water. In Barkley Sound the best fishing during the Fall months was the Bamfield Wall and Fleming Island.
Now we are into late November and most tidal anglers in this area only have fond memories of the fabulous 2023 sport fishing season and look forward to the 2024 saltwater angling year. Anglers are hoping the 2024 Sockeye Sport fishery in the Alberni Inlet is as good as 2023. Chinook returns to West Coast Vancouver Island in 2024 are hopefully like the last few years. Coho returns continue to improve to the Somass River system and numbers to the many streams located in the rest of West Coast Vancouver Island continue to get stronger. One very important positive is that Ocean conditions have been favorable over the past few years. The mortality rates have been lower. Food sources for salmon stocks in the North Pacific Ocean have been relatively good. The sport fishing season in 2024 on British Columbia’s West Coast should be very exciting with plenty of opportunity for everyone.
Stamp River Fall Fishing
For those fisher persons that know the Stamp River the sport fishing especially for Chinook during the fall has been very good. The river until the first heavy rain was extremely “LOW”. Sport Anglers and guides taking guests out on the river did however have great success through October. There has been ample rain to keep the river at a reasonable level for salmon migration. Those on the river will likely continue to fish for the late Chinook and Coho coming into the system but also are now targeting Fall Steelhead. The fall season is normally a fantastic time for fly fishing enthusiasts. Fly fishing usually occurs on the Stamp River from mid October to mid-November. The best fly fishing to date for those on guided trips in jet boats or for those walking has been the Lower and Upper River. Entering the river close to the gun range or driving out to Service Road which is just off Hector Road and walking to Dolan’s Pit is another terrific fishing spot when the water levels are at a normal level. The key is finding an area where the water is not moving too quickly. The river has had over twenty thousand Coho migrate into the Somass River System. This migration often continues into December as Coho continue to trickle in. The late Chinook and coho are in a natural spawn and drop their eggs in the riverbed. With the fresh egg drop the Steelhead in the fall become very active as they search for loose eggs. Fly Fisher persons can use a variety of flies of choice. Anglers who are wishing to fish conventionally can use gooey bobs, or wool that is white, pink, or orange. Other popular areas to fish when water conditions are normal are Stamp Falls Park, Eagle Rock, Black Rock, Moneys Pool and the Slide Pool. The Stamp is still referred to as a very healthy river system and is fishable twelve months of the year.
Barkley Sound and Alberni Inlet
The 2023 saltwater sport fishing was remarkable in both Barkley Sound and the Alberni Inlet. The Sockeye returns to the Somass River were much higher than originally forecast. This made for a terrific sport fishery of four Sockeye salmon per person per day. The Chinook fishing in the Inlet and Barkley Sound was phenomenal for fisher persons up to the end of the Labor Day Weekend.
One of the best sport fisheries and enjoyed by all in the Alberni Inlet is Sockeye fishing. It is a great family fishery and is fantastic for all ages. Sockeye Fishing when numbers are high in terms of returns can last from mid-June through until the beginning of August. Most years Chinook Fishing historically gets well underway by the tenth of August and continues through until Labor Day.
There were some beautiful fall days on the water in Barkley Sound, areas around Ucluelet, and for some as far away as the Big Bank and South Bank. There were many wonderful afternoons that were gorgeous with great warmth from the sun and water that was magically smooth. Coho salmon fishing was best in the Sound from Whittlestone to the Bamfield Harbor. The Islands close to the Ucluelet Harbor had some fantastic Fall fishing but the best area was from Little Beach up to Way Point. The sport season has dramatically ended. A few local and very keen anglers have taken opportunity to search for some of those late Coho and Chum Salmon in Barkley Sound.
We look forward to another fantastic Salmon season in 2024. In late May, June and July, we will target the migratory salmon headed to the southerly watersheds to the south. In late July, August and September we will target returning West Coast Chinook and coho.
Inda and family fished with Doug of Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing
We offer great day trips in the Inlet, Barkley Sound, and West Coast offshore fishing. We also offer fantastic lodge accommodation where people take opportunity to experience extended trips in Barkley Sound, West Coast, and offshore for sport fishing. Take advantage early and organize one of these extended trips for the summer of 2024. These trips are often for three or four days and nights. You will not be disappointed. Join us in a comfortable and fun environment in the 2024 summer from early June through early September.
Doug Lindores
Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing
www.catchsalmon-ca.com
(250) 731-7389 mobile
(888) 214-7206 toll free
[email protected]
September 2023
September is many anglers’ favorite salmon sportfishing month. West Coast Vancouver Island salmon are into the final stages of their longest life journey as they enter their natal rivers, streams, and creeks. Port Alberni and Pacific Rim sportfishing areas should produce world-class fishing from mid August into September. West Coast Vancouver Island Chinook and coho returns in 2023 are forecast to be “fabulous,” with the model showing a range of return from 95,000 to 170,000 Chinook.
September gives anglers opportunity to fish the pristine, calm, and scenic waters of Barkley Sound and the Alberni Inlet. Barkley Sound hotspots are Pill Point, Swale Rock, Gilbraltor, Assets, Whittlestone, and the Bamfield Wall.
The Salmon will often hold if there are large quantities of bait fish. The Chinook and coho are in relatively shallow water in September. Coho are often found right on the surface early in the morning and later in the evening, and in 25′ to 40′ of water during the day. Chinook are often in 20′ to 60′ of water. You’ll find great success with anchovy using teaser head colors in Purple Haze, Green Haze, Army Truck glow, and Cop Car. Leader lengths should be 6′ to 7′ behind a blue, purple, or green-gold flasher. A variety of spoons from 2″ to 4″ work very well with leader lengths up to 5′. Various hoochies in octopus and cuttlefish are always a terrific choice.
September usually presents a terrific mix of coho and Chinook making their way to the Somass River. Hotspots are Lone Tree, Coulson’s, China Creek Wall, Dunsmuir, Underwood, and the Narrows. The salmon are usually in 20′ to 50′ of water and are most aggressive in the early morning and on tide changes. In the early season when the salmon push toward fresh water, anglers use anchovy in various teaser head colours. Later in the season, hoochies in the O-15 (Bubble Gum), O-16, O-2, and the standard OA12R, Spatter Back, Purple Haze, and Army Truck all are excellent lure choices.
Doug Lindores
Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing
www.catchsalmon-ca.com
(250) 731-7389 mobile
(888) 214-7206 toll free
[email protected]
August 2023
August is historically a terrific month for west coast Vancouver Island Chinook sportfishing.
In the latter half of the month, the coho salmon begin to migrate to the nearby streams and rivers.
The Alberni Inlet began to see Chinook salmon showing in good numbers by the 10th of the month. The Chinook often sit in Barkley Sound for a few days, feeding on the vast amounts of rich baitfish before they make their last push to their natal streams. Large schools of Chinook move into the most accessible areas of Barkley Sound and the Alberni Inlet, followed by coho.
Hotspots in the inlet for Chinook are Lone Tree Point and Coulson’s Mill. The China Creek Wall and Underwood Cove located on the south side of China Creek also hold a good number of Chinook. Sport anglers fishing in the Alberni Inlet will have the best success using Octopus pink and red hoochies. The OAL 12R, Purple Haze, Army Truck, and Spatter Back Green hoochies are also excellent choices. Some of the best results can be had with anchovy using a glow Army Truck, Cop Car, or Green Haze teaser head behind a green glow, green gold, or purple gold Hot Spot flasher.
If there are ample amounts of baitfish in the area, the salmon will hold and gorge themselves before continuing their journey into the various freshwater systems. If there are rich resources of baitfish on your sounder, the salmon usually are in the area, too.
August often finds the local returning Chinook in shallower water. Coho salmon also will be there and can often be right on the surface. My best results in August are with anchovy in Green Haze, green glow, Cop Car, and glow Army Truck teaser heads. Sometimes a slower troll than what is used in June and July is advised when attracting Chinook salmon. Various Coyote and Skinny G spoons are terrific for Chinook and coho too!
Doug Lindores
Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing
www.catchsalmon-ca.com
(250) 731-7389 mobile
(888) 214-7206 toll free
[email protected]
July 2023
The prediction of excellent returns of several salmon species to their natal streams and rivers on the west coast of Vancouver Island will certainly create a wonderful salmon sport season during July of 2023. Sockeye returns to the Somass River system are forecast to be in the range of 500,000 pieces. The sport sockeye fishing should be terrific in the Alberni Inlet for the entire month of July. The current sockeye limit is 4/day in inlet waters. The coho and Chinook salmon travelling the coastline of Vancouver Island on their migration to the large southerly watersheds create a fabulous opportunity for sport fishing in Barkley Sound. Barkley Sound locations such as Meares, Cree, Austin Island, Kirby Point, Swale Rock, Beale, and Edward King are fantastic areas for sport fishing.
Near the end of July, Chinook returning to the west coast begin to show in Barkley Sound. Many of these early Chinook salmon are headed to Robertson Creek Hatchery. With Chinook and coho migrating to the south and west coast salmon returning, the sport fishing will be fabulous in July.
The most-used gear in Barkley Sound in July is normally a variety of spoons in the 21⁄2″ to 4″ choices. Anchovy trolled in Green Haze, glow Army Truck, or Green Glow are excellent choices behind a flasher and 6′ leader. Favorite hoochies are the AORL12 and a variety of needlefish hoochies.
Sockeye sport fishing in July should be fabulous from Cous Creek out to Ten Mile Point and Nahmint. Hotspots are The Slide, Leaning Tree, Dunsmuir Point, and The Narrows. The usual pink or blue and pink mini plankton hoochies and, most importantly, black hooks should all work well with very short leaders.
Rockfish and lingcod are open in the sound and help create some extra fishing fun for many anglers.
Doug Lindores
Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing
www.catchsalmon-ca.com
(250) 731-7389 mobile
(888) 214-7206 toll free
[email protected]
June 2023
June offers incredible sportfishing opportunities. This is a time when most prime fishing spots in Barkley Sound and the Alberni Inlet are not as busy as in July and August, and their natural beauty, scenic rugged coastlines, and pristine water can be breathtaking. In June, the Alberni Inlet historically has good returns of sockeye salmon while Barkley Sound provides fantastic Chinook fishing and often— later in the month—coho salmon migrating toward the big watersheds to the south.
The 2023 preseason sockeye forecast is for a return of 500,000 to the Somass River system. This will likely mean sport anglers will have the opportunity in later June to fish for sockeye with retention of two or four per day.
Barkley Sound and the area just outside the Ucluelet harbour mouth provide excellent Chinook fishing during the spring months. To date, there has been excellent sport fishing along the surfline. Sail Rock, Cree Island, Austin, Edward King, Kirby, Swale Rock, and the Red Can close to Ucluelet have all been terrific fishing locations. These areas have had nutrient-rich baitfish in the form of needlefish and herring. The salmon travelling down the coastline normally come into these areas and feed before continuing their long migration.
When fishing for sockeye, the best opportunity will be when these salmon school in big numbers. This normally will occur when the water hits 18°C. The sockeye in June often will be in 40′ to 60′ of water. The salmon fishing out in Barkley Sound and the islands around Ucluelet will be found wherever there are vast amounts of baitfish. June is usually a month where the Chinook are in 60′ to 120′ of water. The salmon will hit anchovy in various teaser heads in green glow, Army Truck glow, and Green Haze. Needlefish and various octopus or cuttlefish hoochies are excellent choices. A variety of 3″ spoons should always be in one’s tackle selection.
Doug Lindores
Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing
www.catchsalmon-ca.com
(250) 731-7389 mobile
(888) 214-7206 toll free
[email protected]
May 2023
May is the month most of the recreational fleet begins fishing for salmon in Barkley Sound and inshore Ucluelet locations. The average size is 8 to 15 lbs, but can be much larger if schools migrating toward the big watersheds to the south enter the sound to feed on the large quantities of baitfish. Some of these “early Chinook summer run” salmon can weigh more than 20 lbs. The early March Sproat Loggers Winter Spring Derby had salmon weigh in just over 18 lb. Derby winner Justin Kumagai of Port Alberni landed an 18.4-lb salmon close to the Bamfield Harbour, as did second-place finisher Jody Thompson, with an 18.2-lb fish. Finishing third was Dan Nadokas with a 17-lb salmon. These were likely migratory fish, giving anglers hope that many more will be swimming along the surfline of the sound and the islands close to Ucluelet to gorge themselves before continuing their journey.
Popular areas to sportfish in May are along the surfline or towards the inside waters. If baitfish are relatively abundant, terrific locations include Cree and Austin Islands, Meares Bluff, Edward King, Great Bear, Sail Rock, Mara Rock, Kirby Point, and as far in as Swale Rock and Pill Point. The salmon and bait are usually in water ranging from 80′ to 130′. A variety of octopus and squid hoochies often work well, as do needlefish hoochies. A variety of spoons in chrome and favourites like the blue Skinny G Herring Aid and needlefish spoons will all work very well. Anchovy using teaser heads in chartreuse, green glow, and green haze behind either blue, purple, or green Hotspot flashers are favourites and always create fantastic success.
Doug Lindores
Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing
www.catchsalmon-ca.com
(250) 731-7389 mobile
(888) 214-7206 toll free
[email protected]
March/April 2023
The winter weather on the West Coast in late January and early February was spectacular. In places other than Alberni, the sun has been glorious with some warmth. Bamfield has been especially beautiful with bright warm winter-type afternoons, and there have been some productive fishing days for feeder Chinook close to Bamfield and the islands outside the Ucluelet Harbour mouth.
Halibut can be found in many Barkley Sound and Ucluelet areas as they migrate from the deep water to spawn in the inside waters. Many recreational fishermen land some beautiful halibut outside the Bamfield Harbour mouth right up to the green whistle buoy.
The herring spawn often occurs late in February or early in March. This is a fantastic tourist opportunity, because it is so easy to witness along the shoreline, between Toquart Bay and Salmon Beach.
For those individuals who enjoy setting traps and jigging, the 2023 opening dates are likely to be the 1st or 15th of April. A variety of spoons, needlefish, or hoochies in green colors are working best. The Bamfield Harbour, Scotch Bay, the Whistle Buoy, and Fleming Island (Sanford) are often fantastic winter and early spring locations to sport fish.
This new year will bring a lot of sportfishing opportunities which will give many individuals something very positive to look forward to.
Many recreational fishermen land some beautiful halibut outside the Bamfield Harbour mouth right up to the green whistle buoy.
While Chinook fishing this past winter, we have seen 6- to 9-lb salmon landed, caught in areas of Barkley Sound, especially around the Bamfield Harbour mouth in 60′ to 130′ of water.
Doug Lindores
Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing
www.catchsalmon-ca.com
(250) 731-7389 mobile
(888) 214-7206 toll free
[email protected]
September 2022
September is a fabulous month for anglers seeking large Chinook and coho salmon. The west coast of Vancouver Island often experiences great weather in September, with beautiful mornings and warm afternoons giving anglers opportunity to fish the pristine, calm, and scenic waters of Barkley Sound and the Alberni Inlet. Barkley Sound’s hotspots are Pill Point, Swale Rock, Gilbraltor, Assets, Wittlestone, and the Bamfield Wall.
Salmon will often hold if there are large quantities of bait fish and gorge themselves before migrating into big river systems. The Chinook and coho are in relatively shallow water in September. Coho often can be found right on the surface in the early mornings and later in the evening. Often during the day, coho are in 25′ to 35′ of water; Chinook are often in 20′ to 60′ of water.
Anchovies typically bring good success. The best teaser head colors are Purple Haze, Green Haze, Army Truck Glow, and Cop Car. Leader lengths are 6′ or more, preferably behind a blue/gold, purple/gold, or green/gold flasher. Depending on the size of the baitfish, many spoons from 2″ to 4″ work very well with leader lengths of 50″ to 5′. Various hoochies in octopus and cuttlefish are a terrific choice.
The Alberni Inlet usually fills with migrating salmon by mid-August and usually peaks right around the Labour Day weekend, which is right on schedule with this year’s Salmon Derby. September usually has a good mix of coho and Chinook making their way to the Somass River. Hotspots are Lone Tree, Coulson’s, China Creek Wall, Dunsmuir, Underwood, and the Narrows. The salmon are usually in 20′ and 50′ of water, and are most aggressive in the early morning and on tide changes. In the early part of the season, when the fish come in fresh, many anglers will use anchovy in various teaser head colors. In September, try hoochies in O15 (Bubble Gum), O16, O2, MP2, MP15 and 16, and then the regular standard AORL12, Spatter Back, Purple Haze, and Army Truck.
September is a wonderful time to visit the inlet and the sound—take advantage of it!
Doug Lindores
Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing
www.catchsalmon-ca.com
(250) 731-7389 mobile
(888) 214-7206 toll free
[email protected]
August 2022
West Coast Vancouver Island returns are forecast to be of terminal abundance for all hatchery and wild Chinook. The forecast released in late May 2022 predicts returns of 135,000 to Barkley Sound and the Alberni Inlet. With this forecast, the actual range is approximately 100,000 to 170,000 Chinook. The age category predictions are three-year-old Chinook at 36%, four-year-old Chinook at 54%, and five-year-old Chinook at 11%. Coho returns are above average due to spectacular ocean conditions.
The large schools of Chinook migrate into Barkley Sound and feed on the rich resources of bait fish before making their final journey to the Alberni Inlet and then into the Somass River. The best Chinook and coho fishing in the Alberni Inlet historically begins early in August. Hot spots are Lone Tree and the Coulson Mill in the harbour. Further south, try China Creek Wall, Underwood, Leaning Tree, and the Narrows.
Anchovies in a variety of teaser heads will be most successful for the inlet’s waters. Glow Army Truck, Purple Haze, Cop Car and Green Haze with a 6′ leader behind a variety of flashers will produce the best results. Anglers will also have success using pink and red octopus hoochies. The OAL12R, Purple Haze, and green Spatter Back are excellent hoochie choices.
During August, many anglers will fish Barkley Sound from the surf line to the far end of the Bamfield Wall over to Pill Point and Ecole. Austin and Cree, Beale, Whittlestone Point, the Bamfield Wall, Gibraltar, Swale Rock, and Pill Point should all have terrific angling opportunities through the month. The returning salmon are most often in shallower water from 25′ to 60′ while coho are often right on the surface. The best results for fishing Barkley Sound will be from using anchovies in the same teaser head colors as the Alberni Inlet. Also, a variety of Coyote spoons, Skinny G, and Big Eye, as well as a variety of hoochies, are often a sure bet.
August is a banner month for Chinook and coho fishing, and will produce many opportunities for recreational anglers.
Doug Lindores
Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing
www.catchsalmon-ca.com
(250) 731-7389 mobile
(888) 214-7206 toll free
[email protected]
July 2022
In July, most anglers in this area are excited about sportfishing for sockeye salmon returning to the Somass River system. Others focus on the migration of Chinook and coho found on the surfline of Barkley Sound and around the Ucluelet Islands. Sockeye returns are predicted to be approximately 450,000 pieces. This number should allow anglers to retain up to four salmon per day beginning in late June or early July. Alberni Inlet areas with excellent sockeye sportfishing are Underwood, Cous Creek, and The Narrows. The runs of migrating Chinook, combined with decent schools of coho travelling the Vancouver Island West Coast surfline to the large southerly watersheds should give endless opportunity to fishing enthusiasts in the vast and pristine waters of Barkley Sound. This month, many Pacific Rim areas are feeding and resting spots for the
The most common gear and consistent salmon producer when fishing Barkley Sound in July has been trolling with a variety of spoons and needlefish and octopus hoochies. Anchovy behind a variety of colored flashers is also fantastic. The past few years, the salmon have been hitting various Herring Aid spoons as well as Skinny Gs and Coho Killers. Anchovy teaser head colors that work well are Green Haze, Glow Army Truck, Herring Aid, and Cop Car. Flashers in blue, green glow, purple, and chartreuse with at least a 6′ leader are best. Run spoons 42″ to 5′ behind the flasher; run hoochies 38″ to 42″ behind the flasher.
Doug Lindores
Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing
www.catchsalmon-ca.com
(250) 731-7389 mobile
(888) 214-7206 toll free
[email protected]
June 2022
In June, Barkley Sound and the Alberni Inlet become havens for anglers keen on sockeye fishing. The sockeye season opens on May 1 with a possession limit of two; around June 14 the limit will likely to go four. The return forecast for Somass River sockeye ranges from 350,000 to 500,000. Fisheries management conservatively predicts the return may be closer to 400,000. The forecast shows an unbalanced return, with returns in Sproat Lake being more dominant than Great Central. The first run size update will be June 23.
Migrating Chinook come into the sound to rest and feed heavily before continuing their journey. The first migrating coho also come into the sound to feed aggressively, often gaining a pound per week before reaching their natal streams. The best salmon fishing is along the many surfline areas. Cree, Austin Island, Sail Rock, Great Bear, Meares, Edward King, and Beale can all produce excellent Chinook, weighing from the mid-teens to the mid 20-lb range. The Bamfield Wall, Swale Rock, and even the Pill Point area offer fantastic opportunities for Chinook and coho averaging 6 to 8 lbs. Anchovy in a variety of teaser heads work well. Needlefish hoochies and octopus hoochies in green, white, and even blue and white colours are excellent choices. Spoons in a variety of colours like Cookies and Cream and Herring Aid in 3″ to 4″ are a wonderful choice.
In June, halibut fishing can become much more productive.
Doug Lindores
Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing
www.catchsalmon-ca.com
(250) 731-7389 mobile
(888) 214-7206 toll free
[email protected]
May 2022
Summer is getting closer, and many anglers are enthusiastically gearing up for another terrific saltwater season. Anglers see May as the month that is full of promise for the summer season to come. It’s also when most charter and recreational fleets begin to pursue salmon in many Barkley Sound locations. The average salmon size ranges from 8 lbs into the mid twenties. Currently, the salmon fishing in all of Barkley Sound is fantastic. In March and April, we saw anglers land Chinook up to 20 lbs. A derby taking the place of the Sproat Loggers Derby had a winning fish of just over 19 lbs.
The Chinook currently in the sound are either local feeder Chinook or migratory salmon that are making their way to the large watersheds to the south. The migratory flow of salmon continues in waves right into May and early June.
The salmon are in relatively deep water and most anglers refer to them as the “early summer run.” These early fish are very feisty, with flesh coloured very deep red. They swim the offshore waters and the surfline, and come into Barkley Sound and the islands close to Ucluelet and gorge themselves on the rich resources of bait fish before continuing their long journey.
Popular locations in May and into early June are along the surf line, off the many islands and points close to Ucluelet, or towards the inside areas of the Sound. Cree, Austin, Meares, Edward King, Great Bear, Sail Rock, Kirby Point, areas close to Bamfield, and Pill Point offer terrific sportfishing opportunities if baitfish are abundant. If there is bait, there is normally an abundance of feeding salmon.
In May, the squid begin to show, especially around Bamfield and Ucluelet. Normally needlefish are in schools, and there are very dense and abundant schools of small herring. A variety of squid, octopus, needlefish hoochies, and a huge variety of spoons will all work well. Of course, anchovy is always of necessity.
May is also an excellent time for lingcod and halibut fishing, as the halibut migrate to the many offshore sandy banks.
Doug Lindores
Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing
www.catchsalmon-ca.com
(250) 731-7389 mobile
(888) 214-7206 toll free
[email protected]
March/April 2022
This year’s La Nina weather pattern created cooler water out in the Pacific Ocean, which is favourable for the life cycle of salmon. March is often the beginning of the saltwater season in this area, and there are often some nice-sized Chinook.
Halibut is open, and you can find them in many Barkley Sound and Ucluelet areas as they migrate from the deep water to spawn in the inside waters. Many recreational fishermen land some beautiful hali outside the Bamfield Harbour mouth, right up to the green whistle buoy. The herring spawn will often will occur later in February or into early March, and Toquart Bay up to Salmon Beach is an unbelievable area to watch this firsthand. The Alberni Inlet is a great for spot prawn fishing. April 1 is the expected open. Ling and rockfish typically open the first or fifteenth of April.
2022 should bring outstanding fishing on the west coast out to the surfline, as Chinook and coho returns to the big southerly watersheds are predicted to be excellent. These fish run down the coast of Vancouver Island, and then come into the sound and outside the Ucluelet harbor mouth to feed on the rich quantities of baitfish, such as the spawning herring and sand lance. One of the biggest watersheds is the Columbia River, which has three major tributaries in the Kalama, Willamette, and Cowlitz.
Big runs of Chinook, coho and chum come into these systems. The Sacramento is another big system that has fantastic salmon returns. These returning salmon come early and midsummer and create wonderful sport fishing from the Vancouver Island surfline in. In later March and April, many of these migratory salmon begin to appear in Barkley Sound.
Our 2022 sport fishing outlook is “Good News.”
Doug Lindores
Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing
www.catchsalmon-ca.com
(250) 731-7389 mobile
(888) 214-7206 toll free
[email protected]
Fall/Winter 2021
The days become shorter as we get into September, but with the crisp early mornings and fabulous warm afternoons, it’s many an angler’s favorite month. The weather patterns create fabulous settings for many memorable sport fishing days. This is also the month that the bigger coho and Chinook approach the final destination of their longest life journey. The salmon historically are making their way and waiting for the final push into the many streams, creeks, and rivers of the west coast of Vancouver Island. The salmon in Barkley Sound feed frantically before entering freshwater systems, and in the Alberni Inlet the Chinook and coho make their way into the fabulous Somass River system.
September is also that time of year when some of the more prominent fishing derbies take place. The city of Port Alberni normally hosts the 3-day Labour Day Weekend salmon festival. On the west coast, tuna fishing presents an opportunity for what has become known as the “Tuna Shootout.” Tuna fishing has become very popular in September and even late August. The warmer water currents bring the tuna closer to the beach and make them more accessible for those in good-sized sport boats. Anglers heading out for tuna have to watch and be aware of the water current, look for the temperature break, and fish the warmer side of what is known as the blue water.
This year, the DFO has forecast Chinook returns to West Coast Vancouver Island to be one of the best in a very long time. Late August and September sportfishing in the Alberni Inlet and Barkley Sound should be world class. Pill Point, Swale Rock, Diplock, Assets, and the Bamfield Wall are excellent fishing areas during the first half of September. The salmon will hold in these areas if there are large quantities of baitfish. The salmon on the Bamfield Wall side—headed to the
Somass River, Sarita, or Nitnat—will often hold on the long stretch from Whittlestone to Poett Nook, and gorge themselves as they wait for the first fall rains to provide water for their final migratory push. The coho in September are in very shallow water and can often be found on the surface in the morning and later in the evening. Chinook are often in 20′ to 60′ of water. Anglers at this time of year using anchovy often have the best success. Using teaser heads in Glow Army Truck, Purple Haze, Green Haze, and Cop Car with 6′ or more of leader line behind purple or green-gold flashers usually creates the best results. Many hoochies in a variety of colors are great standbys.
The Alberni Inlet in the last half of August and first half of September fills with Chinook and then later coho. In September the Chinook and coho are in an abundant mix. Hotspots in the inlet include Lone Tree, The China Creek Wall, Underwood, Coulsons, and Dunsmuir Point. The salmon are in 15′ to 50′ of water and are most aggressive in the early morning and on tide changes.
September 2021 will provide anglers with some world-class fishing opportunities in this area. The Alberni Inlet and Barkley Sound locations will be definite hotspots in British Columbia and the west coast.
Doug Lindores
Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing
www.catchsalmon-ca.com
(250) 731-7389 mobile
(888) 214-7206 toll free
[email protected]
August 2021
There are so many wonderful places for anglers to fish for salmon in this area during the month of August. West coast Vancouver Island Chinook begin to show near the end of July and peak in numbers from mid-August to the first week of September. Coho returning to streams and rivers in this area arrive in August and peak later in the month into September. Early season forecasts have 98,000 to 140,000 Chinook returning to West Coast Vancouver Island. Approximately 15% to 17% of these fish are 5 years old, meaning there will be some good-sized salmon in the mix.
In early to mid-August we see the continued large migration of salmon headed to the big watersheds to the far south and Puget Sound. August predictably will be a terrific month for all anglers on the west coast of Vancouver Island.
The large schools of Chinook, followed by coho, swim into Barkley Sound and feed on the rich resources of baitfish before making their journey to the C Alberni Inlet and then into the Somass River. The best Chinook and coho fishing in the Alberni Inlet usually begins between August 10 and August 15. There are a variety of hotspots in the inlet, CM including Lone Tree and Coulson Mill,MY both located in the harbour. China Creek Wall, Underwood, Leaning Tree, and The Narrows usually hold a good CMY number of returning Chinook salmon. With a good number of 5-year-old Chinook returning, there should be some in the 25- to low 30-lb range.
Sportfishers fishing the inlet waters will often have success using anchovy in a variety of teaser heads. Glow Army Truck, Purple Haze, Cop Car, and Green Haze with a 6′ leader behind a variety of flashers will create some of the best results. Anglers will also have success using pink and red octopus hoochies. The AORL 12, Purple Haze, and dark green spatterback are excellent hoochie choices.
During August, many anglers will fish Barkley Sound from the surfline to the far end of the Bamfield Wall over to Pill Point and Ecoole. Austin-Cree, Beale, Whittlestone, the Bamfield Wall, Gilbraltar, Swale Rock, and Pill Point should have fantastic angling opportunities through the month.
The returning salmon are most often in shallower water from 25′ to 60′. Coho are often right on the surface. For best results fishing Barkley Sound, use anchovy in the same teaser head colors as the Alberni Inlet. A variety of Coyote, Skinny G, and Big Eye spoons with 56″ of leader and the standby AORL 12, Purple Haze, and spatterback hoochies are often a sure bet at different times of the day and month.
In short, August will be a banner month for Chinook and coho fishing and will produce many opportunities for sport anglers.
Doug Lindores
Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing
www.catchsalmon-ca.com
(250) 731-7389 mobile
(888) 214-7206 toll free
[email protected]
July 2021
July of 2021 should offer some world-class salmon sportfishing. Sockeye returns are predicted to be approximately 350,000 fish. This number should provide for sportfishing opportunity of up to two salmon per day. If the return is higher, the retention limits may very well become four salmon per day. The runs of migrating mature Chinook, combined with decent schools of coho travelling the west coast Vancouver Island surfline to the large southerly watersheds, should give endless opportunities to sportfishing enthusiasts fishing Barkley Sound and areas close to Ucluelet. Sockeye fishing is great, because it offers a very accessible angling opportunity for people of all ages. The best fishing areas for sockeye in the Alberni Inlet are from Hocking Point to Lone Tree, but Underwood, the Narrows, and Cous Creek also will provide some excellent angling.
Current DFO regulations at the time of this writing will allow sportfishing for Chinook salmon within one nautical mile of the coastline until July 15. After this date, anglers will be permitted to fish offshore waters for Chinook. Pacific Rim areas are often a feeding station to these transient salmon. The islands close to the Ucluelet Harbor mouth, up the coastline to Wya Point and Florencia, and the many areas of Barkley Sound often hold vast quantities of baitfish in the form of herring, anchovy, squid, and needlefish. To date, Sail Rock, Great Bear, and The Alley (which are all close to Ucluelet) and Barkley Sound locations such as Cree Island, Meares, Kirby, Bamfield Wall, and Swale Rock have experienced some very good sport fishing. This trend will continue even stronger in July, and will likely improve two-fold from late in the month into early September when the west coast Vancouver Island salmon begin returning to their natal streams and rivers.
Historically, the most successful salmon producer when fishing Barkley Sound has been trolling with anchovy behind a variety of coloured flashers. However, that trend has changed over the past couple of years with fish hitting various Herring Aid spoons as well as Skinny G’s, Coho Killer spoons, and a variety of octopus, cuttlefish, and needlefish hoochies. Anchovy teaser head colors that work well are Green Haze, Glow Army Truck, Herring Aid, and Cop Car. Flashers in blue, green glow, chartreuse, and even red with at least a 6′ leader are best. Spoons behind a flasher can vary from 42″ to 5′. The best leader lengths for hoochies behind a flasher are 38″ to 42″. Favorite hoochies are the AORL 12, J-79, Jack Smith, and Purple Haze.
The salmon have been feeding on large mature herring and needlefish, and small immature herring around Meares, Austin-Cree, Swale Rock, and Edward King. If the bait is small, smaller spoons have been working very well. In areas around Beale, Whittlestone, and the Bamfield Wall, there have been mature squid, meaning octopus hoochies and cuttlefish are working best. The best cuttlefish have been Tiger Prawn UV, Army Truck, and a variety of white colours.
Halibut fishing is in full swing in July. Many anglers will drift, jig, or anchor. Halibut often will prefer salmon bellies, as well as large herring or octopus.
If you’re jigging, try a Gibbs Hali Hawg tipped with salmon belly. Lingcod fishing is also relatively good. Remember, it’s crucial that a good descending device is on board as any yelloweye rockfish are to be released.
Doug Lindores
Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing
www.catchsalmon-ca.com
(250) 731-7389 mobile
(888) 214-7206 toll free
[email protected]
June 2021
Barkley Sound and the Alberni Inlet are two wonderful June fishing locations, not only because of the wonderful salmon fishing but because of the natural beauty, scenic rugged coastlines, and pristine water, which is simply breathtaking. But June offers some of the year’s most productive fishing opportunities. Most years, the Alberni Inlet has good returns of sockeye, while Barkley Sound will see fantastic Chinook fishing and often–later in the month—coho, as the migration of salmon along the west coast of Vancouver Island make their way to the big watersheds to the south.
The 2021 sockeye season currently has a pre-season forecast predicting around 350,000 sockeye returning to the Somass River system. This will likely mean sport anglers may have opportunity some time in late June to fish for sockeye with likely retention of two per day. Check with the DFO for insight and regulations for this fun sport fishery.
Barkley Sound and the area just outside the Ucluelet harbour mouth has had some excellent Chinook fishing during the 2021 spring months. There have been some excellent fishing days, especially along the surf line. Sail Rock, Cree Island, Austin, and the Red Can close to Ucluelet have been terrific fishing locations. These areas have had lots of nutrient-rich baitfish in the form of needlefish and herring. The salmon travelling down the coast line come into these areas and feed heavily for days before continuing their long migration. Usually in June the Bamfield Wall, Swale Rock, Edward King, and Kirby are wonderful and productive salmon fishing areas.
When fishing for sockeye, the best opportunity will be when these salmon school in big numbers, which normally occurs when the water hits 18°C. The sockeye in June are often in 50′ to 60′ of water. The salmon out in Barkley Sound and around the Ucluelet Islands will be found wherever there are vast amounts of baitfish. In June, Chinook are in
60′ to 120′ of water. The salmon will hit anchovy in various teaser heads in Green Glow, Army Truck Glow, and Green Haze. Needlefish and various octopus hoochies are excellent choices, and a variety of spoons in the 3″ size should always be in one’s tackle selection.
Tidal water fishing from June into September should be very good. Pre-season forecasts are very favorable for Chinook and coho.
Doug Lindores
Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing
www.catchsalmon-ca.com
(250) 731-7389 mobile
(888) 214-7206 toll free
[email protected]
May 2021
May is upon us, and those of us living on Canada’s west coast are patiently awaiting the summer months which will bring us longer and warmer days. The many avid sport saltwater anglers can expect weather and water conditions to dramatically improve. Along with those changes, the saltwater fishing opportunities increase, as does the sport salmon fishing productivity. May is the month many anglers begin their summer season and is a favorite time for early season Chinook, halibut, and lingcod sport fishing on Vancouver Island’s West Coast. The “early summer Chinook” that are migrating to the big southerly watersheds swim down the coast and come into surfline areas of Barkley Sound to feed on the rich resources of bait fish. With the change in offshore winds, many anglers will venture to out to the sandy banks and fish for halibut, which are also migrating from the deep water to the shallows.
There are many popular spots to salmon fish in May and into early June in the pristine, protected waters of Barkley Sound. Surfline areas like Cree Island, Austin Island, Meares, Edward King, Sail Rock, Great Bear, Mara Rock, and Swale Rock are fantastic spots that often offer the best salmon fishing possibilities.
The area typically presents great fishing opportunities this time of year if the baitfish are plentiful. With colder water at this time of year, copepods’ abundance plays an important role as a key component in the salmon food chain. The squid also begin to show, especially around the Ucluelet Islands, Wya Point, and Florencia, which are inside the 1-nm range, and also areas around Bamfield, the Bamfield Wall, and out towards Beale. We also see needlefish and small herring in huge, dense schools. The salmon and bait are normally in water ranging from 80′ to 130′. Most anglers will fish with a variety of octopus, squid, and needlefish hoochies and match up with the bait in the area. Spoons from 2 1⁄2″ to 4″ chrome or favorites like Cookies and Cream and Irish Cream work well, as do some of the Skinny G and the 3″ needlefish spoons.
Halibut begin to show in good numbers by mid-May as they migrate to the many sandy banks offshore. The halibut will lay in water from 140′ to 200′, and are also found in areas such as the Swiss Buoy in Trevor Channel and around Austin Island and Swale Rock. Cutthroat and rainbow trout fishing in the two big lakes—Sproat and Great Central—is very productive in the spring months. Gear fishermen will use flatfish wiggling plugs.
Doug Lindores
Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing
www.catchsalmon-ca.com
(250) 731-7389 mobile
(888) 214-7206 toll free
[email protected]
September 2020
The Alberni area has seen two big surprises during this fishing season. One was the increase of returning sockeye to the Somass River system, which brought the opportunity for sockeye sportfishing in July. The second surprise is that a number of Port Alberni community sportfishing leaders have revised the Labour Day Weekend Salmon Fishing Derby, which was initially cancelled in April. The derby will have the same prize structure as past years, but there will be no festivities on the derby headquarter grounds. This is great news for the many anglers who enjoy coming to the Alberni area and fishing the pristine waters of the Alberni Inlet and Barkley Sound, hoping to land the largest salmon during the derby, which will take place Saturday, September 5 through Monday September 7.
September is a fabulous month for anglers seeking large Chinook and coho. West coast Vancouver Island is expecting good returns of Chinook to the many streams and rivers as the migrating salmon make a push to their final destination. The coast experiences great weather in September, with beautiful mornings and warm afternoons giving anglers opportunity to fish the pristine, calm, and scenic waters of Barkley Sound, the surfline of
Vancouver Island, and the Alberni Inlet. Pill Point, Swale Rock, Gilbraltor, Assets, Wittlestone, and the Bamfield Wall are all hotspots during the first half of September in Barkley Sound. The salmon will often hold if there are large quantities of baitfish and gorge themselves before migrating into big river systems like the Sarita, Nahmint, or Somass. The Chinook and coho are in relatively shallow water in September. Coho can often be found right on the surface in the early mornings and later in the evening. During the day, coho often are in 25′ to 30′ of water, while you can often find Chinook between 20′ and 60′. This time of year, anchovy brings good success good success, and the best teaser head colors are Purple Haze, Green Haze, Army Truck glow, and Cop Car. Try a 6′ leader length or longer, preferably behind a blue gold, purple gold, or green gold flasher. Depending on the size of the baitfish, many spoons from 2″ to 4″ work well with leader lengths of 50″ to 5′. Various hoochies in octopus and cuttlefish produce some great results in most Barkley Sound locations, as do Tomic plugs and spoons in the 6″ and 7″ sizes with no flasher.
The Alberni Inlet usually fills with migrating salmon by mid-August and peaks right around the Labour Day weekend, which coincides with this year’s salmon derby. September usually presents a good mix of coho and Chinook making their way to the Somass River. Hotspots include Lone Tree, Coulson’s, China Creek Wall, Dunsmuir, Underwood, and the Narrows. The salmon are usually in 20′ to 50′ feet of water and are most aggressive in the early morning and on tide changes.
In the early part of the season, many anglers will use anchovy in various teaser head colors. In September, hoochies in the O-15 (Bubble Gum), O-16, O-2, MP 2, MP 15 and 16, and the regular standard AORL12, Spatter Back, Purple Haze, and Army Truck all are excellent lure choices.
September is a wonderful contrast to August, and many say it has no fog, no wind, and less boat traffic. The days are shorter with slightly cooler mornings and evenings but fresh and warm afternoons, and the sport fishing is historically fantastic.
Doug Lindores
Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing
www.catchsalmon-ca.com
(250) 731-7389 mobile
(888) 214-7206 toll free
[email protected]
August 2020
August of 2020 will offer spectacular salmon fishing on Vancouver Island’s west coast, Barkley Sound, and the Alberni Inlet. August will be the first month in 2020 that anglers will have a chance to sport fish in the calm pristine waters of the Alberni Inlet. June and July were rather quiet months, as sockeye salmon returns to the Somass River were low in number, which led to the closure of sockeye sport fishing. Preseason estimates of returning Chinook and coho to the Somass River (Robertson Creek Hatchery) and the many other streams and rivers of West Coast Vancouver Island are similar to— and perhaps even better than—the last two years.
To date, the sport fishing season in Barkley Sound and the inshore waters of Ucluelet has been consistently good. Most of the salmon retained in June and July have been migrating to the big watersheds of the Pacific Northwest. August, however, is the time when the mature local fish begin swimming to their natal rivers and streams to complete their lifecycle. Starting in late July and right into September, migrating Chinook and coho swim through the waters of Barkley Sound where they stop and feed heavily before completing their long journey into the Alberni Inlet and finally into the Somass River system.
In August, the returning salmon often school and feed heavily at Cree and Austin Island as well as Whittlestone, Fleming Island, the Bamfield Wall, Gilbraltor, Swale Rock, and Pill Point. The early morning, later evening, and tide change are often the best bite times. These areas are great sport fishing locations.
August in the Sound is often the month when anchovy in a variety of teaser head colours work well. Try green and Purple Haze, as well as Army Truck Glow and Cop Car anchovy teaser heads with at least a 6′ leader attached to a purple, gold, or green/gold flasher. Other flasher colours of choice seem to work
for many anglers. Depending on the size of the bait, a variety of hoochies and spoons are also great lures. The AORL 12 is a great standby, as is the Jack Smith and Green Spatterback for both Chinook and coho. The various Herring Aid and Big Eye spoons are excellent lures to have in the tackle box. The salmon are often found in shallow water in August. Fishing from 25′ to 60′ is best in August and September.
The Chinook fishing in the Alberni Inlet often begins in early August. Hotspots in the inlet are Lone Tree Point and Coulson Mill. The China Creek Wall, the Narrows, and Underwood Cove often hold a good number of Chinook salmon as well. Sport anglers fishing the inlet will have the best success using Octopus Pink (O-15) and red hootchies (O-16) as well as AORL12, Purple Haze, Army Truck, and Spatterback. Anchovy is also a very good idea in August, especially for Chinook when they are just coming into the area from Barkley Sound.
August will also have some great days offshore for halibut and salmon. The Big Bank, South Bank, and Long Beach can have some spectacular action for both Chinook and coho. Tomic Plugs and 6″ and 7″ Road Runner spoons are often the best gear.
We are looking forward to a fantastic month of fishing on the West Coast of Vancouver Island, especially in the Barkley Sound and Alberni Inlet areas.
Tight lines and good fishing.
Doug Lindores
Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing
www.catchsalmon-ca.com
(250) 731-7389 mobile
(888) 214-7206 toll free
[email protected]
July 2020
July should provide excellent opportunities for many anglers. The runs of migrating mature Chinook, combined with decent schools of coho travelling the Vancouver Island west coast surfline to the large southerly watersheds, should give endless opportunities to sport fishing enthusiasts fishing Barkley Sound and areas close to Ucluelet. Current sport fishing regulations provided by the DFO will allow sport fishing for Chinook salmon within one nautical mile of the coastline until the July 15. After this date, anglers will be permitted to fish offshore waters for Chinook. Pacific Rim areas are often a feeding station to these transient salmon.
The islands close to the Ucluelet Harbor mouth and up the coastline to Wya Point, Florencia, and the many areas of Barkley Sound often hold vast quantities of baitfish in herring, anchovy, squid, and needlefish. To date Sail Rock, Great Bear, and The Alley—which are all close to Ucluelet and Barkley Sound locations such as Cree Island, Meares, Kirby, Bamfield Wall, and Swale Rock—have experienced tremendous sport fishing. This trend will continue in July and will likely improve two-fold later in the month and into early September when the west coast Vancouver Island salmon begin returning to their natal streams and rivers.
Historically, the most common gear and consistent salmon producer has been trolling with anchovy behind a variety of colored flashers. However that trend has changed over the past couple of years with fish hitting various Herring Aide spoons as well as Skinny Gs, Coho Killer spoons, and a variety of octopus, cuttlefish, and needlefish hoochies. Anchovy teaser head colors that work well are Green Haze, Glow Army Truck, Herring Aid, and Cop Car. Flashers in blue, green glow, chartreuse, and even red with at least a 6′ leader are best. Spoons behind a flasher can vary from 42″ to 60″. Hoochie leader lengths behind a flasher are 38″ to 42″. My favorite hoochies are the AORL 12, J-79, Jack Smith, and Purple Haze.
Halibut fishing is in full swing in July. Many anglers will either drift, jig, or anchor. Halibut often prefer salmon bellies, as well as large herring or octopus. If you’re jigging, try a Gibbs Hali Hawg tipped with salmon belly. Lingcod fishing is also relatively good, but it is important to have a good descending device onboard, as any yelloweye rockfish are to be released.
Once again, sockeye sport angling in the Alberni Inlet is in jeopardy. This is a fun fishery for everyone regardless of ability and age. The number of returning sockeye are very low. Current predictions estimate 170,000 pieces to return to the Somass River.
Tight lines and good fishing.
Doug Lindores
Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing
www.catchsalmon-ca.com
(250) 731-7389 mobile
(888) 214-7206 toll free
[email protected]
June 2020
June is a wonderful month for salmon fishing in Barkley Sound and, most years, in the Alberni Inlet. Many anglers enjoy fishing Barkley Sound for both the fishing and the breathtaking scenic views of rugged coastline. And in June, there are fewer anglers on the water than in July and August, making for a much more relaxing outing.
The opposite is true of the Alberni Inlet most years, when June brings large gatherings of sport boats fishing for sockeye salmon. But the 2020 sport- fishing season likely will not see any boat traffic in the Alberni Inlet, as the numbers of sockeye migrating back to the Somass River system are very low. Preseason forecasts predict only 170,000 returning sockeye, which does not allow any user group to retain the fish during the 2020 sport season.
In the Sound, salmon fishing has been consistent during the spring months. Anglers have targeted transient Chinook headed toward the big watersheds to the south, as well as more local feeder Chinook. Barkley Sound has ample, nutrient-rich baitfish, which bring the fish migrating down the coastline in to rest and feed heavily, before continuing their lengthy journey. June is also when the first migrating coho will enter the sound. At this time of year, coho feed aggressively and often gain a pound per week before reaching their natal streams.
The best June salmon fishing often can be found along the many surfline areas. Cree, Austin Island, Sail Rock, Great Bear, Meares, Edward King, and Beale can produce some excellent Chinook weighing from the mid teens to the mid 20-lb range. The Bamfield Wall, Swale Rock, and even the Pill Point area can present fantastic fishing opportunities for Chinook and coho averaging 6 to 8 lbs. In June, the salmon are feeding heavily, and anchovy in a variety of teaser heads work well. Needlefish hoochies and octopus hoochies in green, white, and even blue and white are excellent choices. Spoons in a variety of colors (Cookies and Cream and Herring Aid) in the 3″ to 4″ range are also a wonderful choice.
Halibut fishing in June can become much more productive. Anglers anchoring out will use octopus, salmon bellies, and sardines. Others will backdrift and use Berkley grubs.
2020 will be a great sport fishing year in the Pacific Rim areas.
Doug Lindores
Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing
www.catchsalmon-ca.com
(250) 731-7389 mobile
(888) 214-7206 toll free
[email protected]
Port Alberni Fishing Report Archives
May 2020
May is the month when the charter and recreational fleets start fishing for salmon in most Barkley Sound and inshore Ucluelet Locations. The average size is 8 lbs to 14 lbs, but they can be much larger in May if schools of salmon migrating to the big watersheds to the south come into the sound and feed on the large quantities of baitfish. Some of these “early Chinook summer run” salmon can weigh over 20 lbs.
Popular spots to salmon fish in May and early June are along the surfline or towards the inside waters. Cree Island, Austin Island, Meares, Edward King, Great Bear, Sail Rock, Mara Rock, Kirby Point, and as far in as Swale Rock and Pill Point all offer great fishing opportunities if baitfish resources are relatively abundant. This time of the year, the squid begin to show up, especially around Ucluelet and inside the 1-nautical mile line at Wya and Florencia. We also will see needlefish and small herring in huge, dense schools because of the recent spawn. The salmon and bait are usually in water ranging from 80′ to 130′.
A variety of octopus and squid hoochies work great, as do needlefish hoochies. Spoons in chrome, Cookies and Cream, green and blue nickel, and Herring Aid work very well, as do needlefish spoons. Try anchovy with teaser heads in chartreuse, green glow, and Green Haze behind either blue, purple, or green Hot Spot flashers; they always produce the most success as long as there is not a big number of undersized salmon in the area.
The halibut are migrating into the sandy banks from the very deep water and feeding in 140′ to 200′ of water. Please read all DFO rules and regulations pertaining to size and limits.
Trout fishing (rainbow and cutthroat) in Sproat and Great Central Lakes is very productive during the spring. Gear fishermen often will use flatfish wiggling plugs, while fly anglers will cast or troll the dark purple Carrie fly, the black Wooly Bugger, or the Crystal Hair black leach.
Doug Lindores
Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing
www.catchsalmon-ca.com
(250) 731-7389 mobile
(888) 214-7206 toll free
[email protected]
March/April 2020
Spring in the Pacific Rim will arrive soon, and we can expect weather conditions to improve and allow for early productive angling days on the water. Winter Chinook fishing in Barkley Sound has been slow but improves as we get closer to the herring spawn. The Bamfield Harbour, Scotch Bay, the Whistle Buoy, and Fleming Island (Sanford) are fantastic winter and early spring locations to fish. The first weekend of March often triggers the beginning of the sport fishing saltwater season with the Sproat Loggers Derby, which is hosted out of Poett Nook at the far end of the Bamfield Wall and Sarita Bay. Over the past few years, well over 400 entrants have fished this event. Often there are several fish weighed in from 15 to 20 lbs. The feeder Chinook in the early spring and late winter range from 8 to 15 lbs and are mostly hatchery clipped fish. Most anglers fish between 60′ and 150′, depending on the area. Anchovy on the troll with a 6′ (or longer) leader with various glow teaser heads work very well. Small spoons in Irish Cream and TKO Cookies and Cream work well, as do the 3” coyote sardine and a variety of Skinny G spoons. Hoochies in Purple Haze, green Spatterback, and Needlefish are effective. Try flashers in green, blue, or black glow.
Areas just outside the Ucluelet Harbor such as Beg Island, Mara Rock, Great Bear, and even Toquort and Mayne Bay are favorite fishing areas for many local guides and sport fishermen. Inshore Ucluelet and Barkley Sound are very protective areas on the West Coast, where anglers have the chance to land a 20-lb Chinook year-round.
Early season fishing in the Pacific Rim areas often relies on returns of salmon to the big watersheds to the south as well as the amount of bait fish that move into the area. In the spring and summer, Barkley Sound often has huge numbers of rich nutrient-filled baitfish that the migrating salmon will come in and feed on. The baitfish vary from sardines to small herring to needlefish. Always pay close attention to the type of bait in the area. If there are a lot of needlefish, try smaller 3” and 3.5” spoons or needlefish hoochies.
Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing
www.catchsalmon-ca.com
(250) 731-7389 mobile
(888) 214-7206 toll free
[email protected]
September 2019
September is the time of year when some of the largest Chinook and coho are migrating in the waters of the Alberni Inlet and Barkley Sound. Better-than-average returns of Chinook and coho are forecast.
Barkley Sound areas such as Pill Point, Diplock, Assets Island, Gilbraltar, Swale Rock, and the Bamfield Wall are wonderful hotspots in the early part of the month. The Nitinat, Sarita River, Robertson Creek, and even the very late fall Columbia River fish fill the water from Cape Beale to Poett Nook, and along the opposite coastline from Swale Rock to Rainy Bay. Coho are frequently on the water’s surface in the early morning and late evening, and Chinook in 20 to 60 feet of water. Sport fishermen often use anchovy in a Glow Army Truck, Purple Haze, Cop Car, or Green Haze Rhys Davis teaser head with 6 ft of leader behind a purple and gold or a green and gold Hot Spot flasher. Various hoochies in the AORL 12, Green Spatterback, and Army Truck are very good standbys. Tomic spoons and plugs in the 6- and 7-in size with no flasher also produce some great results.
Coho follow the Chinook migration, and both species will be in a good mix. Hotspots are Coulsons, Lone Tree, the China Creek Wall, Boy Scout property, and China Creek. They are usually most aggressive in the early morning and on tide changes. Top producers are anchovy in an Army Truck or Green Haze teaser head behind a Green Glow or Chartreuse Glow Hot Spot flasher. In hoochies, the O-15, O-2, O-16, Purple Haze, Green SpatterBack, and the MP2 and MP16 are also great lures behind a Hot Spot flasher.
Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing
www.catchsalmon-ca.com
(250) 731-7389 mobile
(888) 214 7206 toll free
[email protected]
July 2019
The prediction of excellent returns of several salmon species to their natal streams and rivers on the west coast of Vancouver Island will certainly create a wonderful salmon sport season during the summer months of 2019. With this in mind, and the combination of coho and Chinook salmon travelling the coastline of Vancouver Island, the opportunity for sport fishing in July is endless.
With the new fishing regulations, all sport fishing for Chinook salmon must stay inside the surfline of Barkley Sound until July 15.
After this date, anglers will be permitted to fish and retain Chinook salmon in offshore waters. To date the early Chinook migration to the large watersheds to the south has seen many salmon swim into the nearby islands located just outside the Ucluelet Harbor and inside many surfline areas of Barkley Sound. Great Bear, Sail Rock, Mara Rock, and The Alley—which are all very close to the Ucluelet Harbour Mouth—have all experienced good sport fishing. Barkley Sound locations such as Meares, Cree Island, Kirby Point, Swale Rock, Beale, and Edward King are fantastic areas when the baitfish are holding.
Near the end of July, the first of the local returning Chinook salmon will begin to arrive. Many of these early Chinook salmon will be headed to Robertson Creek Hatchery. With Chinook and coho also migrating to the south, the sportfishing will be fabulous. The salmon often gorge themselves on the rich resources of baitfish before continuing their journey to their spawning grounds.
The most commonly used gear, and often the most consistent producer, is trolling with anchovy behind a variety of flashers.
Anchovy teaser heads in Green Haze, Glow Army Truck, Green Glow, and Cop Car are excellent choices behind at least a 6-ft leader. A variety of 3-in to 4-in spoons in Cookies and Cream, Irish Cream, Herring Aide, Knight Rider, Blue and Green nickel, Skinny Girl spoons, Coho Killers, and so forth are all great choices. Favourite hoochies are the AORL12, Green Spatterback, J-79, Purple Haze, Jack Smith, and a variety of needle fish hoochies.
July should provide for some excellent sportfishing opportunities for pink salmon for many anglers on Vancouver Island’s west coast. The pink salmon out on the west coast are in a cycle year. Pink salmon are perfect out on the coast for those times of the day that are slow for Chinook and coho.
During first half of July, coho and pink salmon will definitely be the target of choice for anglers in offshore water.
One area of concern this July is the sockeye sportfishing opportunity in the Alberni Inlet. In June anglers have been permitted to retain two sockeye per day. At this time, the returns of Somass River sockeye in 2019 are expected to be 400,000. More information will be available after several test fisheries in June.
Tight lines!
Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing
www.catchsalmon-ca.com
(250) 731-7389 mobile
(888) 214-7206 toll free
[email protected]
June 2019
Vancouver Island is a majestic geographic area of tall coniferous forests and breathtaking scenic views of rugged terrain and coastlines battered by winter storms. There is not only a continuous display of rugged coastlines, but there are also wonderful exquisite and secluded beaches with pristine, calm waters in Barkley Sound and the Alberni Inlet. Not only does the west coast of British Columbia have these unbelievable landscapes, but the salmon fishing in many areas is nothing short of world class. This is one of British Columbia’s only areas where anglers have an opportunity to land a 20-lb salmon year-round.
But fishing is just like the weather, and in June it really does start to heat up. The fishing for Chinook salmon—and also some early coho in Barkley Sound—can be very consistent during June. In June, large schools of salmon (mostly Chinook) will hang around Barkley Sound and feed on the rich quantities of baitfish before continuing their long journey to the large watersheds to the south.
Lots of quality salmon linger around the surf line, and anglers have excellent opportunities to land some nice-sized salmon at a variety of hotspots like Cree Island, Austin Island, Meares Island, Sail Rock, Edward King, and Beale. June is also a wonderful month for sport fishing in the Alberni Inlet. The many areas to fish can still be relatively quiet and peaceful in respect to the number of anglers on the water during July and August. The inlet historically offers sockeye salmon fishing in June.
Predictions for 2019 are showing rather low numbers of sockeye returning back to the Somass River system. With 400,000 to 430,000 sockeye forecast to return, retention for sport fishing in June will be two sockeye per day with a two-day retention limit of four per person. With the current environmental conditions, sockeye fishing for sport should get underway by Father’s Day weekend. When the inlet water warms up, the sockeye begin to school in good numbers. The salmon usually school from Cous Creek out to Nahmint and Franklin River. The sockeye in the Alberni Inlet in June will predominantly sit in 45 to 60 ft of water, and they’ll swim deeper as the water warms. Sockeye hit shorter leader lengths from 18″ to 24″ behind a variety of flashers. The best lures are MP-15s in pink and blue or pink and black.
The trout fishing in June is often extremely good. The sockeye smolts leave Sproat and Great Central Lakes and travel out through the Somass River. This smolt migration wakes the trout up, and using flatfish and Kwikfish that resemble smolts in the frog and rainbow patterns work really well when trolling. If fishing from the various banks, use power baitfish.
Tidal water fishing for Chinook and coho should be very good this year. Pre-season forecasts for these two species returning to the west coast of Vancouver Island are extremely strong. Both migratory and hatchery Chinook numbers are forecast to be above average.
Tight lines!
Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing
www.catchsalmon-ca.com
(250) 731-7389 mobile
(888) 214-7206 toll free
[email protected]
May 2019
May is the month that most sport fishermen prepare their boats and gear for the anticipated sport fishing season. It is also the month that most get out on the water and enjoy their first sport fishing opportunities in saltwater locations. In May, the migrating “early summer Chinook” head toward the big watersheds to the south and swim down the coast close to the beach. Barkley Sound (Area 23) is one of those areas along the rugged coast line of British Columbia that has water which is very well protected, and anglers have the opportunity to fish almost year-round.
With improved weather conditions and the change in winds, it’s also when offshore fishing opportunities intensify. In May we will concentrate on halibut fishing, which will intensify as these fish migrate to the sandy bottoms of the nearby banks out on the offshore areas.
Barkley Sound is full of baitfish, including needlefish, herring, and anchovy. With these sources of food in Area 23 waters, good-sized schools of salmon swim into the area and feed heavily on these rich nutrient sources. Sometimes, the salmon will rest and gorge themselves for days before continuing the journey to their natal rivers and streams. Often May and early June will see good-sized schools of salmon lingering inside the surf line areas like Cree Island, Austin Island, and Meares. Edward King Island and Kirby Point are two other great locations. Depending on the bait sources, these migratory salmon can come right to Swale Rock and as far as Pill Point to feed on the baitfish before heading back to the open ocean. Early-season salmon are usually in water ranging from 80 to 130 ft. A variety of spoons in chrome and favorites like Cookies & Cream, Irish Cream, and a few of the 3″ needlefish spoons in chartreuse and white glow will work very well.
Anglers will have the best success around the Ucluelet Harbor Islands and in Barkley Sound using anchovy in chartreuse, green glow, green haze, and purple haze Rhys Davis teaser heads behind either green, blue, or purple hotspot flashers. 4″ and 3″ spoons in Irish cream and cookies and cream, gold and silver gold star spoons, and needlefish, especially the b-149, are all excellent choices on the troll.
Trout fishing (rainbow & cutthroat) in the two big lakes—Sproat and Great Central—are very productive in the spring months. Gear fishermen in the spring often use Flatfish wiggling plugs, while fly fishers will cast or troll the Dark Purple Carrie fly, the Black Woolly Bugger, or the Crystal Hair Black Leach.
Tight lines!
Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing
www.catchsalmon-ca.com
(250) 731-7389 mobile
(888) 214-7206 toll free
[email protected]
March 2019
2019 looks to provide good opportunity for sport fishers targeting Chinook, coho, sockeye, and—it being an odd year—pink salmon. The Chinook numbers should remain stable, with some of our area streams and rivers improving in returns. The coho mortality rates are down, and they are increasing in return numbers to local water systems in late August and September. Sockeye returns to the Somass River system should be average and much better than what occurred in 2018.
The feeder Chinook fishing should improve dramatically if the herring spawn is as fantastic as it has been over the last few years. For those sport angling people getting out on the water, there have been a few afternoons where there are some feeders in deep water right in the Bamfield Harbor mouth, Scotch Bay, the Bamfield Wall, Whistle Buoy, and the stretch of water from Kirby to Edward King. The front side of Fleming Island and Sandford across from Bamfield has also provided some nice salmon up to 10 and 11 pounds. The fish are in very deep water up to 150 feet.
March, April, and the first half of May can provide excellent fishing for avid anglers outside the Ucluelet Harbor. Many will troll right alongside Beg Island and to the Red Can. Sail Rock, Great Bear, Mara Rock, right back to Mayne Bay, and over to Swale Rock can also provide some great winter Chinook opportunities. In the early spring, many anglers will fish very close to the bottom. Coyote spoons, or spoons in Irish Cream, Cookies and Cream, green and blue nickel, and other various spoons and colours in the 3- and 3.5-inch size work very well. If there are not a lot of undersize Chinook in the various angling spots, anchovy will often outfish spoons. Chartreuse, Cop Car, Army Truck, and Green Haze are often good anchovy teaser head colours. A six-foot leader or better when trolling anchovy is a wise decision. For those who prefer trolling with hoochies, Purple Haze, Green Spatterback, and various glow whites tend to work well behind green and blue flashers.
Early season fishing in late April, May, June and July often will rely on returns of Chinook and Coho to the very large watersheds to the south such as the Columbia, the Kalama, Willamette, and Sacramento. The sandy banks off the west coast out to twenty miles provide rich resources of baitfish. The salmon will stop and gorge themselves for days before moving on in large schools. Barkley Sound also has huge amounts of rich nutrient-filled baitfish that these migrating salmon will come in and feed on.
Tight lines!
Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing
www.catchsalmon-ca.com
(250) 731-7389 mobile
(888) 214-7206 toll free
[email protected]
Sept-Dec 2018
The month of September is a fabulous time for anglers as the big coho and Chinook approach their final destination of their longest life journey. September also is a wonderful time of year for anglers as weather patterns create fabulous settings for many memorable sport fishing days. The days of course are shorter, but the afternoons are warm and the salmon that are swimming along the Vancouver Island coastline and in the many Barkley Sound locations are feeding frantically before making their final destination to their natal streams and rivers.
September is not only a fabulous month for sport fishing, but it is also the time of year when there are some terrific fishing derby opportunities. The city of Port Alberni hosts the three-day Labor Day Weekend Salmon Festival. This year’s derby dates are September 1-3. The derby provides cash and prizes of more than $60,000, as well as endless weekend entertainment. The 2018 festival should have some fantastic results, as the returning Chinook run to West Coast Vancouver Island includes a mix of three-, four-, and five-year-olds. The returns of Chinook are forecast to be at approximately 85,000 pieces to the Somass River system. This prediction should provide for fabulous world-class salmon fishing in Barkley Sound and the Alberni Inlet in September.
Tuna fishing also presents an opportunity in September. This fishery is still rather new to the area and requires some specialized gear and knowledge before heading out. In September, the warm water currents bring the tuna closer to the beach and make them more accessible in a good-sized sport boat. The Tuna Shootout occurs in September, weather permitting. Anglers have to watch and be aware of the water current, look for the temperature break, and fish the warmer side of the blue water. The tuna fishery is a lot of fun, but safety is of essence. It is important that the weather is perfect and that other people know where your boat is headed. Any sport fishing vessel should be outfitted with Transport Canada-approved safety equipment. When landed, the tuna must be put on ice immediately to preserve their quality. Having a larger sport fishing boat is a good idea, as many will take up to five hundred pounds of ice or more.
Pill Point, Diplock, Assets Island, and Swale Rock are wonderful Barkley Sound hotspots where, in the first half of September, the salmon will hold if there are large quantities of rich resources of baitfish. The Bamfield Wall also provides unbelievable sport fishing. The fish headed to the Somass River, Sarita River, and Nitnat will often hold from Whittlestone to Poett Nook, gorging themselves on baitfish as they await fall rain before migrating to their final destination. Salmon also stretch along the opposite Barkley Sound coastline from Gibraltar Island to the fish marker in Rainy Bay. The coho are in shallower water in September, and it is not uncommon for them to be on the surface in the early morning and late evening. Chinook are often in 20 to 60 feet of water. Anglers using anchovy usually have the best success. Anchovy in a Glow Army Truck, Purple Haze, Green Haze, and Cop Car teaser head with six feet of leader behind Purple-Gold, Green-Gold or Purple Haze flasher should have some excellent success. The AORL 12, Dark Green Spatter Back, Clown, Purple Haze, and Army Truck hoochies are fantastic standbys. Tomic spoons and plugs in the six and seven inch size with no flasher also produce some great results when fishing in the many Barkley Sound locations.
The Alberni Inlet historically fills with Chinook salmon during the second half of August and continues into the first half of September. Coho follow the Chinook migration. In September, both species are in a great mix migrating to the Somass River. Hotspots in the Inlet are Coulsons, Lone Tree, the China Creek Wall, Dunsmuir, and Underwood. The fish are in 20 to 50 ft of water and are usually most aggressive in the early morning and on tide changes. Again, the top producers in terms of lures are anchovy in various teaser heads behind a Green Glow or Chartreuse Glow Hotspot flasher. The best hoochies are O15, O2, and O16, which are all Red and Pink and work extremely well. Purple Haze, Green Spatter Back, and the mp2 and mp16 are also fantastic behind a Hotspot flasher. When in the inlet, the salmon are anxious to hit the river, and when any rain occurs they bolt to the river mouth.
September is a wonderful month. The days are shorter with cool mornings and evenings. The late mornings and afternoons are warm with that cool, fresh ocean breeze. The boat traffic is much lighter than in July and August, which makes for an even better sport fishing opportunity.
Tight lines!
Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing
www.catchsalmon-ca.com
(250) 731-7389 mobile
(888) 214-7206 toll free
[email protected]
August 2018
August offers spectacular fishing opportunities on the west coast of Vancouver Island. The sport fishery in August and into September is expected to be very good in 2018.
Chinook fishing in the Alberni Inlet will begin close to the middle of the month. Chinook begin arriving in the first few days of August and will arrive in larger numbers by August fifteenth at the latest. The return of west coast Vancouver Island Chinook to the various hatcheries is expected to be better than average, with the predominant age class forecast at three-, four-, and five-year olds. There should be some excellent angling opportunities in August and September in Barkley Sound and the Alberni Inlet.
Hotspots in the Inlet are often in the Harbour at Lone Tree Point and Coulson’s Mill. The China Creek Wall and Underwood Cove located on the south side of China Creek will also hold a good number of returning Chinook. The sport Chinook fishing season will be excellent through the Labor Day Salmon Fishing Derby, held annually in Port Alberni. Sport anglers fishing in the Alberni Inlet and Harbour have the best success using Octopus Pink and Red hootchies. These hootchies are either O-15 or O-16. The AORL 12, Purple Haze, Army Truck, and Spatter Back Green hootchies are also excellent choices. Anchovy using a Glow Army Truck, Purple Haze, Cop Car, or Green Haze Teaser Head behind a Green Glow or Green Gold Hot Spot flasher creates some of the best results.
Barkley Sound fishing along the Bamfield Wall, Pill Point, Diplock, Swale Rock, Meares Island, Gilbraltor, the back end of Fleming Island, and Assets Island will have some great fishing most of the month. There will be some nice-sized Chinook for sport anglers fishing the Sound. If there are ample amounts of baitfish in the area, the salmon will hold and gorge themselves. The Bamfield Wall to Poett Nook and out to Cape Beale and Wittlestone are often hotspots.
Coho will also be in shallower water and can often be right on the surface. Use bait in a Green Haze, Green Glow, Purple Haze, and Glow Army Truck teaser heads. Sometimes a slower troll is advised when attracting Chinook salmon. Various Coyote spoons and the stand-by AORL 12 and Green Spatter Back hootchie are fantastic for Chinook and Coho. A key indicator in August is baitfish. If there are rich resources of baitfish, usually the salmon are in the area.
The sport fishing out on the Big Bank, South Bank, and even Long Beach can have non-stop action with some very quick results, with opportunities to land not only Chinook but hatchery coho and halibut. Anchovy, six- and seven-inch road runner spoons, and Tomic plugs are by far the best gear for great results.
August may or may not have any retention of sockeye salmon.
Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing
www.catchsalmon-ca.com
(250) 731-7389 mobile
(888) 214-7206 toll free
[email protected]
July 2018
July should provide some excellent opportunities for many sport fishers. The prediction of excellent returns of salmon to the large watersheds to the south and the return in late July of several salmon species that are migrating to their natal rivers and streams on the west coast will certainly create an excellent salmon sport season. Anglers fishing for salmon will largely focus on Chinook and coho in the first half of July. Barkley Sound locations such as Cree, Meares, Kirby, and Edward King have all been on fire when baitfish are holding. These areas and offshore waters will continue with some excellent sport fishing through July. In late July and all of August, the west coast Chinook and coho should be in full swing and in abundance. Forecasts are calling for better-than-average returns of these two salmon species.
The first three weeks of July, anglers will be focusing on migratory salmon headed to other locations. Near the end of July, the first of the returning local Chinook begin to show along the surf line heading toward their natal rivers, streams and creeks. Historically, the most common gear and most consistent producer is trolling with flashers and anchovy teaser heads. The best teaser heads are Green Glow, Glow Army Truck, Green Haze, and Cop Car. Leader length of at least six feet is recommended. A variety of spoons are also excellent. The last couple of years, smaller spoons have sometimes worked a little better than the larger variety. Spoons as small as two to three-and-a-half inches in Irish Cream, Cookies and Cream, Green, Knight Rider, Skinny Girl varieties, Blue and Green Nickel, and some of the Coho Killers work very well. A variety of hootchies in green, blue, and white also work very well. Favorite hootchies are often the old standby AORL 12 and Dark Green Spatter Back. The J-79, Purple Haze, Jack Smith, and Army Truck Glow are also very good choices. Needlefish hootchies (B-149) also have been very good producers up until mid-July.
Sockeye sport fishing in the Alberni Inlet is a fabulous fishery for all avid sport fisher people young and old. The first three weeks of July often see the peak of the Somass River sockeye in the Alberni Inlet, which is a terminal area before heading into the river. The best areas are the Nahmint-Franklin area, the Narrows, the Slide, Cous Creek, and Leaning Tree, which is just south of the China Creek Marina. Sockeye are attracted by color. Often anglers will have as many as eight flashers behind their boat. Short leader lengths from 18 to 24 inches behind a variety of green, red, and purple haze flashers work very well. Lures in mp 15 or mp 2 that are either bubblegum or red in color are excellent. Hootchies in pink and blue or pink and black seem to work even better.
Regardless of where you are fishing, July is a wonderful month to get out on the water in the many Pacific Rim areas.
Tight lines and good fishing!
Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing
www.catchsalmon-ca.com
(250) 731-7389 mobile
(888) 214-7206 toll free
[email protected]
June 2018
West coast Vancouver Island, Barkley Sound and the Alberni Inlet should have some excellent salmon fishing during the late spring, summer, and early fall months in 2018. The migration of those Chinook and coho swimming to the large watersheds to the south are forecast to be relatively good.
West coast Vancouver Island Chinook and coho have had a high survival rate, which means returns beginning in August to many of the streams, creeks, and rivers should be like the returns in 2017.
The sockeye returns to the Alberni Inlet are forecast to be at a historical average which means a relatively good return of sockeye to the Somass River system. June is often a key month for many anglers to get out on the water in the many superb saltwater fishing locations this area has to offer. Sockeye begin to school in the Alberni Inlet by mid-June. The key is the water in the Somass River and the Inlet warming up to 18 C.
When this occurs those anglers visiting from world-wide locations often have a wonderful first-class sport fishing opportunity. Late May and the early part of June is usually when the halibut have migrated back to the shallows. The halibut are often in deep water and in May migrate back to the many banks and lay in the sandy bottoms of many offshore locations.
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. Many visitors from all over the globe come to the area to witness the true beauty of the landscape. They also come for some first-class sport fishing.
This is one of British Columbia’s only areas in which anglers have an opportunity of landing a 20-pound salmon 12 months of the year.
Once the calendar changes into the prominent month of June, things change dramatically. The weather patterns on the west coast, which usually begin to change in May, are now in place by June with more of a northerly wind.
The key to sockeye fishing is creating lots of color close to the boat. Many sport fishers will run up to eight flashers 10 feet behind the boat at various depths. Four of the flashers are termed dummy flashers. The bottom four flashers have lures in various colors of pink and red and also black. Leader lengths can vary from as little as 16 to 26 inches. Popular Alberni Inlet areas in June are Cous Creek, all of the China Creek area, the narrows, and Nahmint.
The trout fishing in June is often extremely good. The sockeye smolts, as example, leave Sproat and Great Central Lakes and travel out through the Somass River. This smolt migration wakes the trout up and using flat fish and Kwikfish that resemble smolts in the frog and rainbow patterns work really well when trolling.
Tight lines!
Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing
www.catchsalmon-ca.com
(250) 731-7389 mobile
(888) 214-7206 toll free
[email protected]
May 2018
The summer is fast approaching. Fishermen and women are preparing for another fantastic saltwater season. Anglers see May as the month that is full of promise for the summer season to come. May is that month when there are many cool but mostly sunny days out in Barkley Sound, when weather and any winds are low. This is the time of year when there are many more boats out on the water than people actually think. Locals from Port Alberni, Bamfield, Ucluelet and others from various Vancouver Island communities motor by boat out to the Sound to take advantage of the excellent weather and the pristine, protected and calm water. Fishing in the Sound and along the coast is often very productive as there are often some bright and very chrome feeder Chinook in the 8- to 14-pound range. These winter Chinook are really feisty and very hard fighting. They are in deep water and the flesh is very deep red in colour. There are also many migratory Chinook in the mix as the early summer run of salmon headed to the big watersheds to the south begin to show in relatively good numbers, ranging in weight from fifteen to twenty-five pounds.
The winter and early spring feeder Chinook fishing has been productive for those fisher people who have ventured out on the water during the late winter and early spring. The Bamfield Wall, Sanford, the Trevor Channel Whistle Buoy, Vernon Bay, Mayne Bay, Swale Rock and the Canoe Pass area have all had some great feeder Chinook fishing days. The previously mentioned areas as well as Cree Island, Meares, Sail Rock, Kirby Point and Edward King are excellent salmon fishing locations as we get into May.
The early summer run of Chinook are migrating to the big watersheds to the south and swim down the coastline outside of Ucluelet and the surf line areas of Barkley Sound. Kirby Point up to Edward King and also the Whistle Buoy all the way down to the Bamfield Wall have these hard fighting Chinook sitting normally in 100 to 150 feet of water. Spoons in chrome and also cookies and cream and Irish cream are very productive. Bait is also an excellent choice, but if there are a lot of small undersize Chinook in the area that anglers are fishing, then spoons or hootchies are definitely the way to go.
The migratory Chinook sit out on the offshore banks and also come into many areas of Barkley Sound and feed heavily on the rich resources of bait fish like needlefish, herring and pilchards. Some of the best gear to use is three-and-a-half and four-inch coyote spoons in green and blue nickel, green glow and Irish cream. The best plastic is the white AORL12, green spatterback, army truck and a variety of blue and green needlefish hootchies. If fishing on the troll in Barkley Sound with hootchies, fish in deeper water from 100 to 140 feet with a leader of 40 to 44 inches behind a green glow or a chartreuse hotspot flasher. Bait is often a favourite choice with anchovy in a green haze, purple haze or chartreuse Rhys Davis Teaser Head with six feet of leader behind a glow hotspot flasher or various UV patterns. Chinook are not terribly fussy in May as they are feeding heavily especially on the tides. The best fishing is often where the bait fish are located.
For those avid halibut fishermen, May is the month that the halibut migrate from the deep into the shallows. The various banks offshore have plenty of halibut by mid May. Often areas around Bamfield and Swale Rock inshore are very good. This is the time of year that some of the larger halibut are landed. Before and during the slack tide is a great time to fish halibut. Trolling or using drift jigs on the bottom can be most effective. Many individuals will use very large herring, salmon bellies, and octopus for bait. Some will use a spreader bar with large spoons or a Mudraker.
In the Stamp/Somass Rivers the steelhead fishing has slowed down. In May the water is often very clear in the river. The best lures are often small Jensen eggs or small corkies in rocket red.
As the weather warms, the trout fishing improves. When fishing in streams and rivers, only single barbless hooks are permitted. Sproat Lake and Great Central Lake are usually quite productive in the early and mid- spring months. There are often some very nice cutthroat and rainbow trout. Fly fishers usually are casting or trolling a crystal hair black leach or a variety of artificial lures that resemble small fry as the trout are often feeding on small sockeye fry.
To read more, click to Subscribe!
Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing
(250) 731-7389 mobile
(888) 214-7206 toll free
[email protected]
Spring 2018
It is a new year and hopefully some new and wonderful sport fishing opportunities will fall upon us in 2018. The Spring, summer and fall of 2018 are looking very favorable for Chinook, coho, and sockeye fishing in the Alberni Inlet and Barkley Sound. Chinook and coho numbers in 2018 returning to West Coast Vancouver Island rivers and streams should resemble the fantastic returns that we witnessed in 2017.
Sockeye salmon returns to the Somass River should be better than average. Approximately 300,000 sockeye returned to the Somass system in 2017. This was a very low return of what is termed the “Number 1” salmon of the five salmon species. The early season forecast for sockeye is approximately 600,000 or better which historically is an average return. More data will be provided as we get closer to mid-April.
The winter weather on the West Coast and inland Vancouver Island has been “stormy”. Big winds and rain has battered the coast and inland areas especially in November and January. Spring will be welcomed by many. We can expect weather conditions to change in late March and April and allow opportunity for some warmer air temperatures which should allow for some productive fishing days out on the water of Barkley Sound and the various islands outside the Ucluelet Harbor mouth.
March provides the first of many salmon fishing derbies in this area. The first March weekend is the annual Sproat Loggers Derby. This Derby is hosted out of Poett Nook located at the bottom end of the Bamfield Wall in Sarita Bay. This Early season derby has had winter Chinook in the mid-twenty pound range weighed in as derby winners.
The Sproat Lake winter Chinook Derby has been attracting well over four hundred entrants over the last few years. This derby usually marks the beginning of the salt water angling season in the Barkley Sound area. The derby has many outstanding prizes for those many entrants that travel from afar to take part. There will be plenty of information online regarding the derby. Entrant tickets are usually available at the Gone Fishing store locations.
Winter Chinook fishing has been slow through late January and early February. That being said the weather has not cooperated for anglers except for those local anglers in Bamfield and Ucluelet to get out on a nice winter afternoon or morning.
The feeder Chinook fishing should improve dramatically if the herring spawn is as fantastic as it was the last two years. For those fisher people getting out on the water there have been a few afternoons where there are some feeders in deep water right in the Bamfield Harbor mouth, Scotch Bay, the Bamfield Wall, Whistle Buoy, and the stretch of water from Kirby to Edward King.
The front side of Fleming Island and Sandford across from Bamfield has also provided some nice salmon up to ten and eleven pounds. The fish are in very deep water up to one hundred and fifty feet.
March, April and the first half of May can also be excellent for avid anglers outside the Ucluelet Harbour. Many will troll right alongside Beg Island and to the Red Can. Sail Rock, Great Bear, Mara Rock, right back to Mayne Bay and over to Swale Rock can also provide some great winter Chinook opportunities. In the early spring many anglers will fish very close to the bottom.
Coyote spoons, or spoons in Irish Cream, Cookies and Cream or other various spoons in the three and three and a half inch size. If there are not a lot of undersize Chinook in the various sport fishing areas anchovy will often out fish spoons. Chartreuse, Cop Car, green or blue nickel, and green haze are often good anchovy teaser head colors. Those who prefer trolling with hootchies purple haze, green spatter-back, and various glow whites tend to work well behind green and blue flashers.
Early Season fishing in late April, May, June and July often will rely on returns of Chinook and coho to the very large watersheds to the south. The biggest watersheds are the Columbia, the Kalama, Willamette and Sacramento. The salmon often travel along West Coast Vancouver Island as if travelling on a highway. The sandy banks off the west coast out to twenty miles provide rich resources of bait fish. The salmon will stop and gorge themselves for days before moving on in large schools. Barkley Sound also has huge amounts of rich nutrient filled bait fish that these migrating salmon will come in and feed on.
For anglers the fishing for Chinook up to thirty pounds can be first class sport fishing. The West Vancouver Chinook and coho will begin to show in early August and begin to peak later in the month and into September. The 2012, 2013 and 2014 runs that went to sea have had a few years with a La Nina weather system in place. This has provided for relatively excellent salmon survival which should provide for good returns to West Coast Vancouver Island rivers, streams, and creeks.
Trout fishing on the lakes has been slow. Some have fished Dog Mountain and just up from the Ski Club but success rates have been minimal. Great Central Lake has had a few anglers have a little success fishing from shore using power bait and even worms. Over the last few weeks Stamp River conditions have been very poor due to very high water. When the water is low and clear anglers in the river have been on average hitting a few fish per day. Steelhead fishing has been in both the upper and lower river. There are Winter and Fall Steelhead in the system. These fish will spawn in the spring. Hopefully when conditions warm up so will the Stamp River fishing.
Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing
www.catchsalmon-ca.com
(250) 731-7389 mobile
(888) 214-7206 toll free
[email protected]
Sept/Dec 2017
West Coast Vancouver Island salmon fishing in saltwater and fresh water locations is predicted to be very good in the month of September. Better than average returns of Chinook and coho are forecast to migrate to many of the rivers, streams and creeks in this area. This is a beautiful time of year to be out on the water. The late mornings and afternoons are often very warm. The sunset is much earlier in the evening than what it was in late June and early July but the weather pattern on the west coast creates a sense of peace. September is often termed the month with no wind or fog, and is the perfect sportfishing month.
September weekdays are like those in June with very few people out on the water fishing. The Chinook return is forecast to be predominately of the four- and five-year-old age class. This is wonderful news for the many anglers who have been waiting for the past few years to have an opportunity to land a tyee.
Coho are also going to be in good numbers in the Barkley Sound and the Alberni Inlet. The coho, as they migrate toward their natal streams and rivers, put on almost a pound per week. September fishing should see some very nice coho in the mix for anglers who are fishing along the coastline of West Coast Vancouver Island, Barkley Sound and the Alberni Inlet.
September is the month that has the final migration or “push” of salmon that are headed to their original streams, creeks and rivers. September is also the month with some terrific salmon fishing derby opportunities.
The city of Port Alberni hosts the three day Labor Day Weekend Salmon Festival and Derby. This year marks the forty-sixth annual derby event, and will take place at the Harbor Quay Center. The derby dates are Sept. 2, 3 and 4.
Each year the derby provides cash and prizes of over $55,000 with endless weekend entertainment on the derby headquarter grounds. This year’s festival should have some fantastic sport fishing results as the returning Chinook salmon to West Coast Vancouver Island is predominately an age class of four- and five-year-old salmon. With returns above average there should be some excellent results. In 2016 a 52-pound Chinook took top honors. That may be a hard fish to beat in 2017. With this forecast the salmon fishing in Barkley Sound and the Alberni Inlet will be world-class throughout September.
In the early part of the month, Barkley Sound fishing at Pill Point, Diplock, Assets Island, and Swale Rock are wonderful hotspots where the fish will hold if there are good quantities and rich resources of bait fish. The Bamfield Wall also provides some terrific sport fishing. September historically has good quantities of bait fish that Chinook and coho gorge themselves with before migrating to their final destination. The Nitnat, Sarita River, Robertson Creek and even the very late fall Columbia River fish fill the water from Cape Beale to Poett Nook. The salmon also stretch the opposite Barkley Sound coastline from Swale Rock to the boundary in Rainy Bay. The salmon arrive in good numbers on a daily basis and as eager as they are to get to their spawning grounds, they are as eager to heavily feast before making their way to their final destination. The salmon are in shallower water in September. It is not uncommon for coho in the early morning and late evening to be on the water’s surface. Chinook are often in 20 to 60 feet of water. Sport fishermen using anchovy often have the best success. Anchovy in a Glow army truck, purple haze, or green haze Rhys Davis teaser head with six feet of leader behind a purple and gold or a green and gold hotspot flasher are most often the best producers. Various hootchies in the AORL 12, Green Spatter Back and Army Truck are also very good standbys. Tomic spoons and plugs in the six and seven inch size with no flasher also produce some great results.
The Alberni Inlet will fill with Chinook salmon during the last 10 days of August and into the first half of September. Coho follow the Chinook migration and during September both species will be in a good mix as they migrate to the Somass River system. Alberni Inlet hotspots are Coulsons, Lone Tree, The China Creek Wall, Boy Scout property, and China Creek.
The fish are in 20 to 55 feet of water and usually are most aggressive in the early morning and on tide changes. The top producers in the Inlet are anchovy in an Army Truck or Green Haze teaser head behind a green glow or chartreuse glow hotspot flasher.
In hootchies, the O-15, O-2, O-16, purple haze, green spatter back and the mp2 and mp16 are also great lures behind a hotspot flasher. The salmon are anxious to hit the river and if any rain occurs will hit the river mouth very quickly. Often there are many anglers right up to the boundary by Harbor Quay on a daily basis.
September will provide sport anglers with some fantastic world-class fishing opportunities. The salmon migration in Barkley Sound and the Alberni Inlet will be in good numbers and a larger-than-normal weight class.
Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing
www.catchsalmon-ca.com
(250) 731-7389 mobile
(888) 214-7206 toll free
[email protected]
August 2017
There are so many wonderful places to fish in this area in the month of August and into the early fall. August is a terrific month for West Coast Vancouver Island Chinook sport fishing. In the latter half of the month the coho salmon also begin to migrate to the nearby streams and rivers.
At the same time there continues to be a large migration of salmon headed to the big watersheds to the far south in the mix. With all of this in mind August predictably is just a terrific month for sport anglers on Vancouver Island’s West Coast. The two salmon sport species that anglers target are in good numbers which creates some terrific angling.
Historically August is the time of year when the sockeye fishing in the Alberni Inlet has already peaked and comes to an end during the first 10 days of the month. However the 2017 sport fishing season will not see any sockeye salmon sport fishing in the Alberni Inlet.
Sockeye returns in 2017 to the Somass River are minimal with a return perhaps just enough for conservation measures. The Inlet often begins to see Chinook salmon showing up in good numbers between the tenth and fifteenth of the month. These early Chinook salmon are often sitting in Barkley Sound for a few days feeding on the vast amounts of rich bait fish before they make their last push to their natal streams.
Large schools of Chinook followed by coho move into some of the most accessible areas of Barkley Sound and the Alberni Inlet.
Chinook fishing in the Inlet will begin by the middle of the month. Chinook begin arriving in late July and will show in larger numbers by Aug. 15 at the latest. The return of West Coast Vancouver Island Chinook to the various hatcheries is expected to be better than average with the predominant age class forecast at four and five year olds. Hotspots in the Inlet are often in the Harbor at Lone Tree Point and Coulsons Mill. The China Creek Wall and Underwood Cove located on the south side of China Creek will also hold a good number of returning Chinook salmon.
The exact number of species that are returning to the Somass River system is unclear but the sport Chinook fishing season in the Alberni Inlet will be fantastic through the Labor Day Salmon Fishing Derby which is annually held in Port Alberni. There should be some good sized Chinook weighing in the mid twenty to low thirty pound range. Sport anglers fishing in the Alberni Inlet and Harbor have the best success using Octopus Pink and Red hootchies. These hootchies are either O-15 or O-16. The AORL 12, purple haze, army truck, and spatter back green hootchies are also excellent choices. Anchovy using a glow army truck, purple haze, cop car, or green haze Rhys Davis Teaser Head behind a green glow or green gold hot spot flasher creates some of the best results. Barkley Sound fishing along the Bamfield Wall, Pill Point, Diplock, Swale Rock, Meares Island, the back end of Fleming Island and Assets Island will have some great fishing most of the month. With the predominant age class of four and five year old fish migrating in big numbers to local streams and rivers there will be some nice-sized Chinook for sport fishermen fishing the Sound. If there are ample amounts of bait fish in the area the salmon will hold and gorge themselves before continuing their journey into the various fresh water systems.
The Bamfield Wall down to Poett Nook and out to Cape Beale and Wittlestone are often hotspots as returns of salmon going to the Sarita River, Nit Nat, and Robertson Creek make the area a highway of salmon in August. August often finds the local returning Chinook in shallower water. The Chinook salmon are often in 25 to 60 feet of water along The Bamfield Wall, Assets Island, and Swale Rock. Coho salmon will also be in shallower water and can often be right on the surface.
Best results for sport fishermen in August is using bait in a green haze, green glow, purple haze and glow army truck Rhys Davis Teaser heads. Sometimes a slower troll than what is used in June and July is advised when attracting Chinook salmon. Various Coyote spoons and the standby AORL 12 and green spatter back hootchie are fantastic for Chinook and Coho. A key indicator in August is bait fish. If there are rich resources of bait fish usually the salmon are in the area.
August still has some wonderful offshore fishing days. The sport fishing out on The Big Bank, South Bank and even Long Beach can have non-stop action with some very quick results. August also has great opportunities to land not only Chinook but hatchery coho and halibut. Anchovy, six- and seven-inch road runner spoons and Tomic plugs are by far the best gear for great results.
August often has fog in the Sound and offshore areas in the morning but brilliant sunshine can take over in the late morning or early afternoon. Be prepared for fog and also check all of the local regulations that can often change on Aug. 1. Current regulations allow for possession of one halibut and two Chinook per person.
Tight lines and good fishing.
Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing
www.catchsalmon-ca.com
(250) 731-7389 mobile
(888) 214-7206 toll free
[email protected]
February 2017
It has been a relatively long and colder than average winter in all areas located in Central and West Coast Vancouver Island. Spring and summer are coming and when finally arriving we can expect the weather conditions to improve and allow for some productive days out on the water. Winter chinook fishing in Barkley Sound and close to the Bamfield Harbor has been slow but should improve if the herring spawn is anywhere like 2016. Over the past six weeks there has been some opportunity for a few avid anglers to get out salmon fishing in the afternoons when there has been some warmth from the sun. There have been reports of a few feeders being landed around Kirby Point and all the way up to Edward King Island. There have also been a few feeders landed around Scotch Bay and up at the whistle buoy. Those few anglers on the water have been fishing depths from 60 to 150 feet. Anchovy and herring on the troll in various glow teaser heads with a six-foot leader have been working. Three-and-a-half-inch spoons in Irish Cream, Cookies and Cream, cop car, and a four-inch Gibbs green glow are great choices. Hootchies in purple haze, green spatter back and glow whites should also be an excellent choice of lures.
Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing
www.catchsalmon-ca.com
(250) 731-7389 mobile
(888) 214-7206 toll free
[email protected]
Visit the Store
$34.99
$34.99
Featured Catch
Father Day - Catch & Release 40 lb Hatchery male, North Island. Taylor and Ray Logan
