Tofino Fishing Report

The inshore coho fishery throughout Clayoquot Sound is incredible this time of year. Who doesn’t like fishing calm water with lots of active fish? Green/ glow spoons and needlefish hoochies in the top half of the water column yields the most success. Want to spice things up a bit? Drag a bucktail fly on an 8-wt fly rod along the surface with a heavy sinking line in the prop wash, and just wait for the fun to start. It’s hard to beat that exhilarating rush you get when those coho explode out of the water and hammer your fly. Popular spots to fish are Father Charles Channel, Calmus Passage, and Russell Channel.

August is also known as “Fogust” on the west coast, so make sure you have a working radar and know how to use it. A helpful tip is to use your radar while it’s not foggy, so you know what to look for when it is. Tight lines and stay safe!

Rob Frawley
[email protected]
www.luckystrikesportfishing.ca
250-208-8123

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July 2022

July is one of the best months to fish in Tofino. The weather and sea conditions are typically as good as they get, and the same can be said about the fishing. The Alberni Inlet just down the coast from us is expecting about 130,000 Chinook to return this year, and we are one of the last stops along the way for these fish to really fatten up before their journey upriver. Salmon fishing moves into its peak as we move towards the end of the month and into early August.

The abundance of squid in the area should continue throughout the beginning of the month, so take your hoochies and look for those protected offshore bays where the squid spawn. Offshore salmon retention opens July 15, so places like Long Beach, Portland Point, and Raphael Point are all open for any salmon under 80 cm in length.

Wilf Rock, Tree Island, Blunden Island, Bartlett Island, and Barney Rocks are all great places to fish and retain Chinook throughout the month if you can’t get offshore.

The coho fishing is just starting to heat up, and there’s nothing more exciting than when you get into a feeding frenzy of coho. The nonstop action and acrobatic, direction-changing fights are what make coho fishing so much fun. For best success, target the top third of the water column.

Lingcod and halibut fishing remain strong throughout the month, and the techniques used to catch these fish don’t change much like they do with salmon throughout the year. July is when we start to see more dogfish bycatch when halibut fishing, so switch to a white grub or a swim jig if need be. The halibut are down there, but the dogfish just can’t leave those salmon bellies alone.

Rob Frawley
[email protected]
www.luckystrikesportfishing.ca
250-208-8123

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June 2022

June in Tofino means one thing— the salmon are coming! And they’re looking for their favourite snack this time of year: squid. The squid spawn in the protected bays along the west coast throughout June and into July, and when the fish get on the squid bite, it means action-packed, shallow water chaos. The bites are strong and the fights are a hoot! The fish don’t have that deep water to run so they zigzag all over the place looking for cover. One minute they’re ripping away from you and the next, your line is slack and it’s zooming straight for the boat.

Jigging live squid is extremely effective and a very fun way to fish as well. You can also put them in a teaser head. Spoons, anchovies, and of course hoochies are all on deck this time of year until you can figure out what the fish are eating that day.

Lingcod and rockfish make excellent table fare and are tons of fun on the light tackle. Your boat position and how you fish the structure will determine whether it’s a successful or merely expensive day on the water. The trick is to drift off the structure and fish the downhill side of the rock, letting line out as it gets deeper. Drifting uphill is when you’re most likely going to get stuck. Cleland Island and the pinnacles around it are a great place to start.

Halibut fishing this year has been great, with herring and salmon bellies being the baits of choice right now. Drifting and bottom bouncing along the subtle humps and dropoffs around Long Beach and the flats off Lennard Lighthouse should find some BC white gold.

Rob Frawley
[email protected]
www.luckystrikesportfishing.ca
250-208-8123

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May 2022

May in Tofino can feature some of the west coast’s best bottom fishing of the year. Lingcod and rockfish opened April 1, and with little to no angling pressure on them yet, the opportunities to catch some trophy-sized fish close to home are still plentiful. Look for structure in the 60′ to 100′ range next to some deeper drop-offs, and you should find what you’re looking for. The Lighthouse Lures swim jigs are an excellent lure for early season bottom fish.

Salmon regulations will mimic the past few years, in that we are able to keep Chinook salmon within 1 nautical mile of the surf line. That means productive spots like Lennard Island, Wilf Rock, Tree Island, Bartlett Island, Clifford Point, and Sydney Inlet will all be open until August 1. We see a lot of herring and needlefish in our area so smaller profile spoons will be the ticket. As the month progresses, the squid should start making their way into the bays and inlets in anticipation of the spawn in June. Hoochies, spoons, and anchovies should all be part of the daily gear rotation until you find out what the fish want that day.

May can also be one of the best times of the year for halibut fishing. Halibut are a migratory fish, and after the big tides brought on by the full moon in the middle of the month, it should be game on (if it’s not already from the new moon at the end of April). These fish use the big tides to move from the deeper spawning grounds off the continental shelf and onto the shallow feeding grounds where they will spend the summer. The best way to intercept them is find the structure, humps, and dropoffs along their path.

The Lighthouse Lures LED Squid tipped with herring or salmon belly is a favorite of mine for halibut.

Always remember to let someone know your trip plan, check weather conditions, and be safe on the water!

Rob Frawley
[email protected]
www.luckystrikesportfishing.ca
250-208-8123

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March/April 2022

Springtime in Tofino can offer some of the best fishing of the year on the west coast. Halibut opened on February 1; lingcod and rock- fish open April 1. Chinook has been open all winter, and this is an excellent time of year to take advantage of those salmon closer to shore feasting on the herring spawn that occurs in early March.

If it’s salmon you’re into, you’re in luck, because those early-run Columbia River fish are cruising right through our backyard in spring. What to fish for and where will certainly depend on weather conditions, but the great thing about Tofino is there are still fantastic opportunities for anglers throughout the calm, protected waters of Clayoquot Sound.

For halibut, think closer to shore this time of year. Once the herring spawn has ended, the herring will be on their way out of the inlets, where these halibut often like to intercept them. Look for the humps and subtle around 3 Humps, Portland, and Raphael Point. If you can’t make it offshore, Sydney Inlet and Russell Channel can be great inshore spots to try. It’s always best to match the hatch, and that’s why herring on a spreader bar is my go-to bait for halibut in the springtime.

The best places to look for salmon off- shore will be 3 Humps, Portland Point, Long Beach, and Raphael Point. Fish one rod “in the mud” or right along the bottom, as you can often pick up halibut that way, too. Water clarity will determine lure and leader length. If it’s clear, use longer leaders and a more natural color; the opposite if it’s dirty. If you’re limited to fishing inshore, Clifford Point and Sydney Inlet are my favorite spots. The Gibbs Delta Skinny G or Lighthouse Lures Big Eye spoons are my favourite.

Lingcod and rockfish are some of the tastiest fish in the ocean, and there’s no better time to catch them than when the season first opens. The pinnacles around Cleland Island are a great place to start, but use extreme caution and practice safe boating, as this can be a very dangerous area even in a light sea with a big ebb tide. Always let someone know your plans and location for the day, wear your lifejacket, and remember to check in when you get back.

Rob Frawley
[email protected]
www.luckystrikesportfishing.ca
250-208-8123

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Fall/Winter 2021

September may be the end of the season for some of the guides across the province, but in Tofino, the coho season is just kicking off and there are still fantastic fishing opportunities to be had up until the end of November. Clayoquot Sound is known for its coho fishing, and the fall is when we see these big “northern coho” return to the sound. These fish can get up to 20 lbs and make for an incredible fight. They often jump, they are extremely fast swimmers, and they change directions on you like crazy.

How and where to catch these monster coho depends on the time of year and how much rain we’ve had. In early September you’ll want to fish the smiley face bank in Father Charles Channel, Burgess Island in Calmus Passage, and around Bartlett Island in Russell Channel. Needlefish imitators are a great place to start in these areas. As we get more rain and move into late fall, the fish will move up the sound, so fish accordingly. Matlset Narrows and Dawley Pass are great places to look for late season coho in Tofino.

The Chinook fishing along the rocks at Wya Point, Wilf Rock, and Lennard Light will stay strong until the big rains come mid- to late September and move these fish up river. Feeder springs in the 8- to 12-lb range can be found offshore once the mature fish move out. Spots like Portland Point, Long Beach, Raphael, and the Hyson are great spots to look, as these areas tend to concentrate bait and therefore migrating fish.

Lingcod and halibut are open until mid-November, and as we approach our closing date, the lingcod are moving closer to shore, getting ready for the spawn over the winter. Fish the shallower rock piles in the fall and you should find some lingcod. Halibut tend to do the opposite this time of year. They’re making their way out to the dropoff of the continental shelf to spawn, so fish the deeper contour edges, weather permitting of course.

The rivers are full of water and full of fish from fall through spring. Grab your fly rod and hit the rivers on your drive to and from Tofino! You should see some fish along the highway in the Taylor and Kennedy Rivers.

Rob Frawley
[email protected]
www.luckystrikesportfishing.ca
250-208-8123

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August 2021

Is there really any better month for salmon fishing than Hogust? Sorry, I meant to say August. This time of year features some of the biggest fish you’ll catch, and typically lots of them!

The Alberni Inlet is expecting 130,000 Chinook to return this year, and the numbers already showing up throughout July indicate we are in for one special treat this month!

These big schools of Chinook are migrating down the coast, stopping wherever the big schools of bait are to fatten up for their journey upriver in September. The bait seems to be collecting along the rocks at Tree Island, Wilf Rock, and Lennard Island—making these great places to start close to home.

Offshore fishing opens this month, meaning Portland Point, Raphael Point, Long Beach, and the Hyson are all in play and have yet to be fished recreationally this year. Fishing in the mid- to upper water column is usually the ticket—87′ and 107′ on the riggers are my go-to starting depths offshore. When the bite slows down, drop your gear to the bottom and you can usually find a few that are “off the bite,” so to speak.

The inshore coho fishery throughout Clayoquot Sound is incredible this time of year. Who doesn’t like fishing calm water with lots of active fish? Green/ glow spoons and needlefish hoochies in the top half of the water column yield the most success. Want to spice things up a bit? Drag a bucktail fly on an 8-wt fly rod along the surface with a heavy sinking line in the prop wash and just wait for the fun to start. It’s hard to beat that exhilarating rush you get when those coho explode out of the water and hammer your fly. Popular spots to fish are Father Charles Channel, Calmus Passage, and Russell Channel.

August is also known as Fogust on the west coast, so make sure you’ve got a working radar and you know how to use it. A helpful tip is to use your radar while it’s not foggy so  you know what to look for when it is. Tight lines, and stay safe!

Rob Frawley
[email protected]
www.luckystrikesportfishing.ca
250-208-8123

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July 2021

July is the best month to visit Tofino, in my opinion. The weather and sea conditions are generally as good as they get, and the same goes for the fishing. The Alberni Inlet just down the coast from us is expecting about 133,000 Chinook to return this year, and we are one of the last stops along the way for these fish to really fatten up before their journey upriver. An abundance of squid should still be in the area towards the beginning of the month, so try out your hoochies in those shallow water bays where the squid spawn.

As we move into the middle of the month, it’s time to start fishing your gear higher up in the water column. When fishing offshore, I normally start with a spoon and an anchovy midwater, then adjust my depth accordingly to where the bait is in the water column. If you’re fishing closer to shore in less than 80′ of water, you’ll want to fish the top two thirds of the water column as a general rule of thumb, but don’t rule out the bottom third either. Wilf Rock, Tree Island, Blunden Island, Bartlett Island, and Barney Rocks are all great places to fish and retain Chinook throughout the month.

The coho fishing is just starting to heat up, and there’s nothing more exciting than when you get into a feeding frenzy of coho. The nonstop action and acrobatic, zig-zagging, direction- changing fights are what make coho fishing so much fun. For best success, target the top third of the water column. I always drag a bucktail fly along the surface when there are coho present because sooner or later, something is going to smash it.

Lingcod and halibut fishing remain strong throughout the summer months, and the techniques used to catch these fish don’t change as much as they do for salmon throughout the year. If you’re using salmon bellies and notice you can’t keep the dogfish off your line, switch to a white grub or the 14-oz Mega Bite jig from Lighthouse Lures. The halibut are most likely down there, but the dogfish are beating them to the hook. For lingcod, look for the rocky pinnacles with dropoffs into deeper or high-current areas.

If you’re fishing on your own, remember to tell someone where you’re going. With warmer summer weather, we also get a lot of fog and wind, so be sure to check weather  conditions. Be sure to have a working radar and a VHF radio, and know how to use them.

Rob Frawley
[email protected]
www.luckystrikesportfishing.ca
250-208-8123

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June 2021

June in Tofino means one thing: The salmon are coming! And they’re looking for their favourite snack along the way—squid. We see a wicked squid spawn along the west coast of Vancouver Island throughout the month of June and into July, and there’s nothing quite like a feeding frenzy of salmon when they’re on a squid feed. It’s usually shallow water fishing; the bites are strong and fast, and if you don’t get a hook into ’em quick enough, they’re gone. Run a tandem hook setup to help stick your bites.

Play with your leader lengths and the distance from the cannonballs to your gear to find out what kind of mood they’re in that day. Vary your speed as well.

Slow trolling big hoochies can really drive them nuts some days. Florencia Bay is a great place to start; just be mindful of weather getting there and back. Tree Island and Wilf Rock are also great spots to look within the 1 nm corridor in which we’re allowed to retain Chinook this year.

Water clarity is always changing with the tides, bringing with it different algae and plankton blooms from up and down the coast. A general rule of thumb is glow/ gold flashers and bright/glow lures for murky water and overcast days, while UV flashers and shiny lures are best in clear water and sunny skies.

With the lack of pressure this year, there should still be lots of opportunity for lingcod and rockfish around the rock piles near Cleland Island. Lighthouse Lures Mega Bite swim jigs are my go-to lures for bottom fish—they hardly get snagged and they keep the smaller fish off your line.

Halibut fishing this year has been incredible, with whole herring and salmon bellies being the bait of choice right now. Long Beach and Raphael Point are great places to catch a flat one.

Helpful tip: Sometimes the plankton blooms get so thick, it builds up on your line and clogs your guides. When you’re done fishing for the day, pinch the line where it meets the reel and collect the plankton between your fingertips. Use a towel or a rag to collect it off your line,so it won’t dry, harden, and create weak points in your line or damage the ceramic eyes of the guides.

Rob Frawley
[email protected]
www.luckystrikesportfishing.ca
250-208-8123

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May 2021

Tofino in May can offer some of the best bottom fishing on the west coast. Lingcod and rockfish opened April 1, and with little to no angling pressure on them yet, the opportunities to catch some trophy-sized fish close to home are still plentiful. The Lighthouse Lures 6-oz Max Shad swimbaits are my favorite for early season lingcod, as the fish are still relatively shallow this time of year. Look for structure in the 60′ to 100′ range next to some deeper drop-offs, and you should find what you’re looking for.

Salmon regulations could mimic the past few years, in that we are only able to keep Chinook within 1 nm of the surfline. That means productive spots like Lennard Island, Wilf Rock, Tree Island, Bartlett Island, Clifford Point, and Sydney Inlet will all be open until August 1. We see a lot of herring and needlefish in our area, so smaller profile spoons will be the ticket. With the big tides brought on by the full moon at the end of the month, the squid should start making their way from offshore and into the shallow bays and inlets in anticipation of the spawn next month. Hoochies, spoons, and anchovies should all be part of the daily gear rotation until you find out what the fish want that day.

May can also be one of the best times of the year for Halibut fishing. Halibut are a migratory fish, and after the big tides brought on by the new moon in the middle of the month, it should be game on, if they aren’t already around, due to the full moon we got at the end of April. These fish use the strong currents from the big tides to move from the deeper spawning grounds off the continental shelf and onto the shallow feeding grounds, where they will spend the summer. The best way to intercept them is to find the structure, humps, and dropoffs along their path. The Lighthouse Lures LED Squid tipped with herring or salmon belly is a favorite of mine.

Remember to always let someone know your boating plan, check weather conditions, and be safe on the water!

Rob Frawley
[email protected]
www.luckystrikesportfishing.ca
250-208-8123

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September 2020

September is the end of the season for most of the lodges and guides across the province. In Tofino, however, the coho season is just kicking off, and there are still fantastic fishing opportunities to be had up until the end of October. Clayoquot Sound is known for its coho fishing, and fall is when we see the big “northern coho” return to the sound. These fish can grow up to 20 lbs and make for an incredible fight—they often jump, are extremely fast swimmers, and change directions on you more than my girlfriend changes clothes before we go out to dinner.

How and where to catch these monster coho depends on the time of year and how much rain we’ve had. In early September, you’ll want to fish the “smiley face bank” in Father Charles Channel, Burgess Island in Calmus Passage, and around Bartlett Island in Russell Channel. Needlefish imitators are a great place to start in these areas. As we get more rain and move into late fall, the fish will move up the sound, so fish accordingly. Matlset Narrows is a great place to look for late-season coho in Tofino.

The Chinook fishing along the rocks at Wya Point, Wilf Rock, and Lennard Light will stay strong until the big rains come and move these fish upriver.

You can find feeder springs in the 8- to 12-lb range offshore once the mature fish move out. Spots like Portland Point, Long Beach, the Hyson, and the Chicken Ranch are great locations to look, as these areas tend to concentrate bait and therefore migrating fish.

Lingcod and halibut are open until October 31, and as we approach our closing date, the lingcod move closer to shore, getting ready for the spawn that takes places over the winter. If you fish the shallower rock piles in the fall, you should find some lingcod. Halibut are doing the opposite this time of year. They’re making their way out to the dropoff of the continental shelf to spawn, so fish the deeper contour edges—weather permitting, of course.

The rivers are full of water and fish in the fall and winter. Grab your 8 wt and an egg-sucking leech, and hit the rivers on your drive to and from Tofino! You should see some fish along the highway in the Taylor and Kennedy Rivers.

Good luck, tight lines and stay safe!

Rob Frawley
[email protected]
www.luckystrikesportfishing.ca
250-208-8123

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August 2020

Is there really any better month of the year for Salmon fishing other than Hogust, er, I mean, August? Big schools of Chinook are chomping anything and everything they can get their mouths around, fattening up for the big spawn ahead. With forecasted returns of more than 100,000 Chinook to Robertson Creek and a delayed start to the salmon run this year due to colder water temps throughout June and July, we are in for some of the best August fishing Tofino has seen in years!

Fishing the rocks along Tree Island, Wilf Rock, and Lennard Lighthouse should prove most beneficial for those looking to stay closer to home, but as of August 1, Chinook retention opens offshore and the abundance of salmon out there has me frothing at the mouth just thinking about it.

When looking offshore for Chinook, popular spots like Raphael, Long Beach, and The Hyson are all great places to look. Fishing in the mid to upper water column is usually the ticket—87′ and 107′ on the riggers are my go-to starting depths. When the bite slows down, drop your gear to the bottom and you can usually find a few that are “off the bite,” so to speak.

The inshore coho fishery throughout Clayoquot Sound is incredible this time of year. Who doesn’t like fishing calm water with lots of active fish? Want to spice things up a bit out there? Drag a bucktail fly on an 8wt fly rod along the surface with a heavy sinking line in the prop wash and just wait for the fun to start. It’s hard to beat that exhilarating rush you get when those coho explode out of the water and hammer your fly. Some days the surface fly rods outfish the gear. Popular spots to try are Father Charles Channel, Calmus Passage, and Russell Channel. August is also known as Fogust on the west coast, so make sure you have a working radar and you know how to use it. A helpful tip is to use your radar while it’s not foggy so you know what to look for when it is. Tight lines and stay safe!

Rob Frawley
[email protected]
www.luckystrikesportfishing.ca
250-208-8123

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July 2020

In my opinion, July is the best month to visit Tofino. The weather and sea conditions are generally as good as they get, and same goes for the fishing. The Robertson Creek Hatchery is expecting about 100,000 Chinook again this year, and we are one of the last stops along the way for these fish to fatten up before their journey upriver. Additionally, the coho fishing is just starting to heat up, and I don’t think there’s anything more exciting than when you get into a feeding frenzy of coho. Always drag a bucktail fly along the surface, because sooner or later, something is going to smash it.

Aside from the excellent fishing opportunities, I think my favourite thing about fishing in July is watching the sun rise over Lone Cone and Catface Mountain as you drive through Calmus Passage, en route to the western fishing grounds. There’s a certain feeling of gratitude and appreciation you feel when you’re surrounded by the beautiful landscapes that make up Clayoquot Sound in that kind of lighting.

On your way, look to the beaches of Opitsaht on Meares Island at low tide to see the oldest wild cows in Canada feeding on the eel grass. The cows were brought over by European settlers in the early 1900s to try and convert the First Nations from fishers to farmers. With the abundance of fish present, the First Nations felt no need to harvest the cattle but rather decided to protect it. They’re considered a sign of good luck—most days when the cows are on the beach, the fish are just chomping!

If you’re fishing on your own, remember to tell someone where you’re going and know that with warmer weather come patterns of fog and wind. Make sure you have a working radar and VHF radio, and that you know how to use it.

Stay safe and tight lines!

Rob Frawley
[email protected]
www.luckystrikesportfishing.ca
250-208-8123

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June 2020

June in Tofino means one thing: The fish are coming! And they’re looking for their favourite snack along the way: squid. We see a pretty good squid spawn along the west coast of Vancouver Island from May to July, and when you get into a feeding frenzy on the hoochies, be ready! The bites are short, and if you don’t get a hook into ’em quick enough, they’re gone, just like that. Run a tandem hook set up to help stick your bites. Play with your leader lengths and the distance between your gear and the cannonballs to find out what kind of mood they’re in. Florencia Bay and Gowland Rocks are great places to start, but be mindful of the weather. Tree Island and Wilf Rock are also great spots to look within the 1-nm corridor in which we’re allowed to retain Chinook this year.

Water clarity is always changing with the tides, bringing with it different algae and plankton blooms from up and down the coast. A general rule of thumb is gold/glow flashers and bright/glow lures in murky water and overcast days; UV flashers and shiny lures are best in clear water and sunny skies.

With the lack of pressure this year, there should still be lots of opportunity for lingcod and rockfish around the rock piles closer to town. Lighthouse Lures Mega Bite swim jigs are my go-to lures for bottom fish. Halibut fishing this year has been incredible, and whole herring and salmon bellies are the bait of choice right now. Long Beach and Raphael Point are great places to catch a flat one.

There are often lots of jellyfish offshore in the spring, so watch for “jellyfish bites.” When your rod moves like you kind of had a bite, but then nothing else happens, your gear just dragged through a jellyfish. Pull it up and get the slime off your lure; it won’t fish the same otherwise.

Sometimes the plankton bloom gets so thick, it builds up on your line and clogs your guides. When you’re done fishing for the day, pinch the line where it meets the reel and collect the plankton between your fingertips. Use a towel or a rag to collect it off your line. If you don’t, it will dry and harden, which can actually crack and break your line or even damage the ceramic eyes of the guides.

Good luck fishing and stay safe out there!

Rob Frawley
[email protected]
www.luckystrikesportfishing.ca
250-208-8123

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Tofino Fishing Report Archives

May 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic might have stopped us from travelling across the province to fish, but it doesn’t have to stop us from fishing locally so long as we’re all from the same boat and practicing safe social distancing down at the docks. With a lack of pressure on the fish right now due to the collapse in the commercial fish market, these fish are seeing no pressure further up the coast and we’re already seeing great size and return numbers passing through Tofino.

Chinook regulations are the same as 2019, which means Tofino, Clayoquot Sound, and everything within 1 nautical mile of the surf line on the west coast is open for Chinook retention.

Popular spots to salmon fish will be along the rocks that follow the surfline—Lennard Island, Wilf Rock, and Tree Island are great spots to look. If it’s too rough, head inshore and try Clifford Point, Millar Channel, or further up Father Charles Channel towards Moser Point until you are out of the weather.

The squid start showing up in May and hang around through June and into July. Gowland Rocks and Florencia Bay are some of my favorite places to fish during the squid spawn. If you cut your first fish’s stomach open right away, you’ll know what they’re eating and can match your lure or bait accordingly. If there are any fresh or intact squid within the stomach, try slow trolling one rigged up in a teaser head the same way you would an anchovy. You’ll thank me later.

This time of year is also great for halibut and lingcod fishing. For halibut, look for the humps and gravel beds with a drop off in 140’ to 180’ of water on your charts, and you’ll find the fish. Portland Point, 3 Humps, Long Beach, and Ra- phael Point are great spots to start. The offshore reefs are still abundant with rockfish and lingcod this time of year as there hasn’t been too much pressure on them yet. Remember to use a descending device for any rockfish being released.

Tight lines and stay safe out there!

Rob Frawley
[email protected]
www.luckystrikesportfishing.ca
250-208-8123

March/April 2020

Spring time in Tofino can offer some of the best fishing of the year on the west coast. Halibut opens in March, lingcod and rockfish open April 1, and those early-run Columbia River Salmon are cruising right through our backyard this time of year. What to fish for and where will certainly depend on the weather conditions, but the great thing about Tofino is there are always fantastic opportunities for anglers throughout the calm, protected waters of Clayoquot Sound.

For halibut, think closer to shore this time of year. The herring have all but finished up with the spawn and will be on their way out of the inlets, and these halibut often like to intercept them. Look for the humps and subtle drop offs around 3 Humps, Portland, and Rapha­el Point. If you can’t make it offshore, Sydney Inlet and Russell Channel can be great inshore spots to try. It’s always best to match the hatch, and that’s why herring is my go-to bait for halibut in the springtime.

The best places to look for salmon off­shore will be 3 Humps, Portland Point, Long Beach, and Raphael Point. Fish one rod “in the mud,” as you can often pick up halibut this way. Water clarity will determine your lure of choice and leader length. If it’s clear, use longer leaders and a more natural color, vice versa if it’s dirty. If you’re limited to fishing inshore, Clifford Point and Sydney inlet are my go-to spots.

Lingcod and rockfish are some of the tastiest fish in the ocean, and there’s no better time to catch them than when the season first opens. The pinnacles around Cleland Island are a great place to start, but use extreme caution and practice safe boating, as this can be a very dan­gerous area even in a light sea with a big ebb tide. Always let someone know your plans and location for the day, wear your lifejacket, and remember to check in when you get back.

Tight lines.

September 2019

Most of the lodges and guide outfitters across the province are all but done with their season come September, but in Tofino there are still fantastic fishing opportunities to be had up until the end of October. Clayoquot Sound is known for its coho fishing, and the fall is when we see these big ‘northern coho’ return to the sound. These fish can get up to 20 lbs, which makes for an incredible fight, as they often jump and change directions on you like crazy.

How and where to catch these monster coho depends on the time of year and how much rain we’ve had. In early September you’ll want to fish Father Charles, Calmus Passage, and Russell Channel. Needlefish imitators are a great place to start in these areas. As we get more rain and move into late fall, the fish will move up the sound, so fish accordingly. Be sure to check regulations regarding open areas, as there are some area closures in place to keep stocks healthy.

The mature Chinook fishing along the rocks usually stays strong until mid-September. Wya Point, Wilf Rock, and Lennard Light are favourite spots of mine come early September until the final big push of rain sends them up the river. Feeder spring salmon in the 8- to 12-lb range on average can be found offshore once the mature fish move out. Spots like Portland Point, Long Beach, the Hyson, and the Chicken Ranch are great spots to look, as these areas tend to concentrate bait and therefore migrating fish.

Lingcod and halibut are open until October 31, and as we approach our closing date, the lingcod are moving closer to shore, getting ready for the spawn that takes place over the winter. Fish the shallow rock piles, and you should find some lingcod. Halibut are doing the opposite this time of year. They’re making their way out to the dropoff of the continental shelf to spawn, so fish the deeper contour edges, weather permitting.

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August 2019

August, better known as ‘Hogust’ or ‘Fogust,’ is one of my favourite times of the year to fish in Tofino. Big schools of Chinook are chomping anything and everything they can get their mouths around, fattening up for the big spawn ahead. With forecasted returns of 130,000 Chinook to Robertson Creek this year, August is shaping up to be the best fishing we’ve seen out here since the 1990s.

Fishing the rocks along Tree Island, Wilf Rock, and Lennard Lighthouse should prove most beneficial, as we’ve seen lots of bait and migrating fish in and around the rocks already this year. My lures of choice are 3.5-in spoons, hoochies, and of course, anchovies.

When looking offshore for Chinook, popular spots like Raphael, Long Beach and Hyson are all great places to fish. Fishing in the mid- to upper water column is usually the ticket. When the bite slows down, drop your gear to the bottom and you can usually find a few that are ‘off the bite,’ so to speak. Plugs are a lot of fun when you find those big schools of fish, and they work well for keeping the coho off.

The inshore coho fishery throughout Clayoquot Sound is incredible this time of year, with calm water and lots of active fish. Drag a bucktail on an 8-weight fly rod along the surface while trolling with downriggers for some reel fun. Some days the surface fly rods outfish the gear. Popular spots to try are Father Charles Channel, Calmus Passage, and Russell Channel.

Remember to let someone know your plans for the day, and be sure you have a working radar and know how to use it. Having your radio hooked up to your GPS and registering for an MMSI number becomes even more important this time of year, as most days are pretty foggy offshore, making it difficult to find someone in the event of an emergency. Tight lines and stay safe!

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July 2019

July is considered one of the best times of the year to visit Tofino for a fishing trip. The weather and seas are generally as good as they get, and same goes for the fishing. As of July 15, we are allowed to retain Chinook from outside the 1-nautical mile corridor that has been in place since April. That means popular offshore spots like Raphael Point, Portland Point, Long Beach, and the Hyson will all be go to places to look for big schools of travelling salmon. Chinook, coho, sockeye and pinks will all be passing through these spots, so brush up on your fish identification and regulations before heading out, as sockeye are easily mistaken for a coho or pink and are non-retention in areas 24 and 124 this year or until otherwise posted by DFO.

For best results, fluctuate the depths in which you’re fishing to find the active fish.

A lot of my bites in July come in that mid- to high-water column, although fishing in the mud can prove beneficial during big tides or weather changes. Anchovies, spoons, and hoochies all work; you just need to figure out what bait is present and what they want that day. For some reel fun, drag a bucktail fly along the surface with a fly rod spooled with sinking line to target those aggressive and acrobatic coho.

Halibut fishing in July usually finds us working those deeper ledges in 180 to 200 ft of water. We often are able to target both halibut and salmon in the same areas when seasonal migration patterns and ocean currents move these fish along those outer contours, which act as fish highways.

Herring and salmon bellies off the spreader bar are my go-to baits this time of year.

For those looking for a protected inshore fishing experience, Clayoquot Sound features some of the best coho fishing on the west coast, and Chinook retention remains open until August 1 in area 24. Needlefish imitators and 3.5-in spoons work the best for lures. Father Charles Channel, Russell Channel, and Clifford Point are all excellent spots to start.

With warmer weather comes patterns of fog and wind, so make sure you have a working radar and you know how to use it.

Helpful tip: Use your radar when it’s not foggy so you know what it’s supposed to look like when it is.

Stay safe and tight lines!

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June 2019

June in the Tofino/Clayoquot Sound area is when fishing really starts to kick off on the west coast. Salmon fishing along the rocks this time of year is always productive. Sandlance (needlefish) are usually found near the bottom around popular spots like Wilf Rock and Father Charles Channel, so match the hatch—think needlefish hoochies and Coho Killer spoons. Herring schools are always found throughout any fishing trip, so watch where they are in the water column and adjust your depth accordingly.

The squid start showing up around the bays this time of year; hoochies and squid imitators are fantastic options around spots like Sydney Inlet and Blunden Island. Short leaders behind a flasher work best. Halibut fishing is still great this time of year. Salmon bellies, octopus, and herring are great baits to use. When using herring, be sure to check your baits often, and give the herring a little cut down the side to allow for extra scent to flow.

Lingcod and rockfish fishing is always a fun way to get the rods moving. The rock piles on the outer edges of Clayoquot Sound provide some world-class bottom fishing to those who know how to fish them. Bigger swim baits like the 14-oz Lighthouse Lures Mega Bite Jigs are a favorite of mine—the angle of the jig keeps the hook pointed up, so you’re less likely to snag. The 6-oz Max Shad is great for rockfish. Just remember to use a descending device for all fish that you release!

Always practice safety on the water and let someone know your plans for the day.

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May 2019

With the recent announcement from DFO regarding Chinook closures, it’s easy to think that fishing is closed everywhere, but don’t forget that Tofino, Clayoquot Sound, and everything within 1 NM of the surf line is open for Chinook retention until July 14, when it then opens for retention everywhere in area 124. That’s over 45 NM of coastline access for salmon fishing on any given day! We also have incredible halibut, lingcod, and rockfish fishing here on the west coast.

Popular spots to salmon fish will be along the rocks that follow the surf line; try both sides of Father Charles, Brabant Channel, and Russell Channel. Note that these areas can get very sloppy with bigger tides and swells, so be careful. If it’s too rough, head inshore and try Clifford Point, Millar Channel, or further up Father Charles Channel until you are protected from the swell.

The squid start showing up in May and hang around all through June, so match the hatch—octopus and squid hoochies are a go to for me this time of year. We also see needlefish and herring in and around the rocks, so pay attention to your sonar and try to identify the bait. Herring will be dense, tight balls, all over the water column. Squid look like thin, spaced out dots, usually in a cluster. Needlefish often hang out near the bottom and look like a big streak or rock, unless being chased towards the surface by predators.

This time of year is also great for halibut and lingcod fishing. The halibut continue making their migration from their spawning grounds and onto the shallow feeding grounds of the continental shelf. Look for the subtle humps and gravel beds in 140 to 180 ft of water on your charts and you’ll find the halibut. Long Beach and Raphael Point are great spots to start. The offshore reefs are still abundant with rockfish and lingcod this time of year, as there hasn’t been too much pressure on them yet. Remember to use a descending device for any rockfish being released.

Tight lines and stay safe out there!

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March 2019

Spring in Tofino usually finds us fishing popular inshore spots like Clifford Point and Monks Rock in Millar Channel and Wilf Rock and Moser Point in Father Charles Channel. But when conditions allow, heading out offshore to Portland Point, Raphael Point, or Long Beach can yield fantastic results during the early season for both salmon and halibut.

Offshore or in the deeper inshore channels, it’s best to fish your gear fast and deep. Drag a cannonball in the mud or very close to the bottom and you can target both salmon and halibut on the troll. Catching halibut on the salmon gear always offers a fun and exciting fight.
To learn more about halibut fishing, check out this video we filmed last year: islandfishermanmagazine.com/tofino-for-halibut/

When fishing those shallow spots, keep in mind the water in spring is usually crystal clear, so it’s often best to fish more natural colours. Lighthouse Lures’ Georgia Tyee Big Eye spoon is an early season favorite.

Pay attention to the type of bait in the area, and match the profile of your spoons accordingly. If there’s a lot of needlefish, try the smaller spoons or needlefish hoochies. If it’s herring or pilchard, try running some bigger spoons or plugs, naked (without a flasher).

Lingcod and Rockfish open April 1 on the west coast, and targeting those shallower rock piles closer to shore can be very productive. Just remember to release any big females still hanging out in the area after the spawn, as these fish keep our populations strong.

For best results, schedule your trip around a tide change; if you can do it on a high tide, even better. Salmon this time of year are generally smaller, juvenile fish migrating out to sea and up the coast. These smaller fish may require measurement; it’s best to not use a net and handle the fish as little as possible, in case they must be released. These are the fish of the future and the more we let go without damage, the better.

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Jan 2019

Winter fishing in Tofino usually finds us around popular inshore spots like Clifford Point and Monks Rock in Millar Channel and Wilf Rock and Moser Point in Father Charles Channel. If you’re fishing solo in Tofino this time of year, consult with a guide beforehand; some of these areas can be dangerous during big seas and tides.

If the seas allow, head out offshore to popular spots like Portland Point, Three Humps, and Long Beach. When fishing offshore or the deeper inshore channels, it’s best to drag your cannonballs fast and deep, and if you go deeper than 80 feet, think about glow lures and flashers. The best thing you can do is find the baitfish and match the hatch. Don’t see any baitfish? Drag one in the mud or close to the bottom when fishing deeper water for winter fishing success.

This time of year, the water is clean and clear. When fishing 70 feet and above, you will find more success using more natural colors or UV lures—blue/silvers, green/silvers, and white/green combinations see the most strikes. The Georgia Tyee Big Eye by Lighthouse Lures and the Herring Aid or Kitchen Sink Skinny G by Gibbs Delta are excellent spoons in the winter. Nothing is more natural than anchovies or herring in a teaser head, and if they’re not hitting the spoons or bait, try a white hoochie.

When prawning in the winter, look for roughly 250 to 350 ft of water with mud bottom next to a rocky dropoff with a source of freshwater nearby. Some of the best bait is Carlyle’s Cat Food—it leaves an awesome scent trail and doesn’t break the bank. Remember it’s illegal to keep any “berried” or pregnant prawns. Proper care and a quick release is mandatory. Check the underside of the prawn’s tail; if they are carrying eggs, you will see a roe sack attached.

For best results, schedule your trip around a tide change, and if you can do it on a high tide, even better.

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Sept/Dec 2018

As fall descends on Clayoquot Sound our energies start to shift.

There are still opportunities for Chinooks along the surfline from Wilf Rock and the Long Beach area, as well as farther out at the Chicken Ranch area, Hyson Bank and SW Corner for the late running fish. All gear works—including spoons, anchovies, and hoochies—but use larger sizes, as these fish can be the biggest of the season.

This is when local cohos start to arrive in good numbers. Areas such as Tonquin Island, Stubbs Bar, Catface Bar, and Monk Rock should have decent numbers of aggressive feeding fish that take well to needlefish hoochies and coho killer spoons.

The halibut fishing starts to fade as these fish start to move back out into the deeper water. I find areas like the Wreck, Hyson Bank, and the Chicken Ranch still can give up some.

Remember to practice boating safety, watch the weather carefully, and enjoy the crisp fall weather!

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August 2018

The month of August has long been eagerly anticipated by Tofino anglers, as the Chinook salmon are returning in good numbers, plus schools of coho salmon are showing up.

We have great offshore fishing for feeding Chinooks and hatchery cohos in areas like Raphael Point, Cleland Island, Portland Point, and Long Beach, depending on where the baitfish are congregating. Our go-to setups are anchovies or herring in clear and green teaser heads, spoons, and the Brown Turd. If the bait is large herring, we like to use 5- to 6-inch Tomic plugs and Superior spoons with no flasher.

We also find the shore-hugging Chinooks heading for the Nitinat and Somass rivers. Popular spots are Wilf Rock, Gowland Rocks, and Schooner Cove. Large anchovies, medium herring, and the Brown Turd are great choices to target these good-sized fish.

We also have a great inside fishery for local unmarked coho in shallow protected waters using needlefish hoochies and Coho Killers. There are many restrictions to protect Clayoquot Sound Chinooks, so anglers must do their homework to avoid having a negative encounter with our local DFO officers.

At this time of year, we start fishing farther out in the deeper waters for halibut, as they move out from shore. The Chicken Ranch and humps on the 40-fathom edge get lots of effort in August.

Be prepared for eighth month of the year, which many of us call ‘Fogust’!

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July 2018

As we embrace July, with its runs of migrating mature Chinook and sprinklings of coho, we Tofino anglers are a happy lot. We can find Chinooks migrating and feeding along the surfline at places like Bartlett Island, La Croix group, Blunden Island, and Wilf Rock. Some of these areas may be influenced by the tides, but can be rewarding if you’re at the right place at the right time.

I prefer anchovies and green pack herring (approx. 6- 7-inch, small size) in UV and Chartreuse teaser heads using either in-line or dummy flashers. I have also been having good success using AP needlefish spoons as well as needlefish hoochies in blue and green tones.

The offshore banks such as Portland Point, Raphael Point, 3 Humps, Cleland Island, and Long Beach will be holding small herring, anchovies, or needlefish, which will provide feeding stations for migrating Chinook. Wherever the bait is concentrated should provide good action fishing around the bait balls using glow or non-glow needlefish hoochies, a variety of spoons, and anchovies in a variety of teaser heads.

Halibut fishing is in full swing. They generally prefer salmon bellies this time of year, but large herring are always a good option. We can find them from the 20 fathom line right out to 60 fathom line of off any bottom structure. The big challenge will be to find the fish that aren’t over the max size of 115 cm.

Bottom fishing is very popular here as well, with good populations of offshore lingcod as well as rockfish. It’s important to use a good descending device to carefully release any yelloweye rockfish you catch while bottom fishing.

Always be sure to watch the weather and be a courteous boater, respecting the other boaters and anglers by not ‘waking’ them or crowding them when they are fishing.

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June 2018

June is an exciting time for fishing in the Tofino/Clayoquot Sound area. That’s when the Chinook runs heading for their natal rivers start to traverse our area.

The sandlance are usually in good concentrations on the offshore banks, as well as along the surf line. Also, there are a variety of sizes of herring in smaller schools in unpredictable areas.

Popular areas like Raphael Point, Cleland Island, Portland Point, and Long Beach should be holding bait and hungry fish.

Offshore, needlefish hootchies and Coho Killer spoons are a staple this time of year behind flashers fishing the bottom third of the water column.

Of course, small anchovies work now too but usually aren’t necessary.

Along the shallow surf line, spots like Tibbs, Blunden Island, and Wilf Rock are where nice migrating Chinooks can be intercepted. I usually have an anchovy setup (often without a flasher) on one rod when fishing these areas and a Flash Fly or some other bucktail fly behind a flasher on the other side.

Coho usually are open for hatchery-clipped fish June 1, but we don’t see a lot of them until later in the month.

Halibut fishing is in full swing. There are still a few fish inshore, but there are even more farther out in the 30-fathom edges. Salmon bellies and herring on anchor are my staples in this fishery.

Good numbers of lingcod should be available to us anglers, but we need to be conscious of the zero retention of yelloweye rockfish. This is now the time every angler should be in possession of a descending device for safe release of rockfish. I have used the SeaQualizer for two years and have had great results with it. I had been using a different product for four years before that, but the results weren’t nearly as good.

Please remember: If you are fishing the unpredictable west coast waters, be sure to double-check all your safety equipment and marine radio, and leave a sailing plan with ETA before you leave the dock.

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May 2018

May in Clayoquot Sound brings warmer weather and increased angling opportunities for the adventurous spirit.

The key to successful outings this time of year is to find the migratory offshore herring coming into our bays and inlets to spawn during March and April. These spots can be unpredictable and changeable from year to year.

Chinooks can be found in some of the more traditional offshore areas such as Portland Point to the south of town, as well as up to the west in the Raphael Point areas, but if you find the herring you will find the nicer early run Willamette fish. I have found them in areas protected from the weather such as Calmus Passage, Brabant, Russell and Father Charles Channels.

When probing the offshore areas looking for the bait and fish, I usually use anchovies in glow or chartreuse teaser heads and glo and blue or green octopus hoochies. If I find some salmon I try and clean them as soon as possible to see what they are feeding on and then try to match the bait size.

If I’m fishing the bays and inlets looking for salmon feeding on the herring I use a little bigger sized gear; green or blue pack herring in green or UV teaser heads as well as four inch chrome spoons. Once I do find this situation I like to switch to 5- to 6-inch Tomic plugs in 157, 232 or 700 series colours to target the larger sized Chinooks.

With the promise of a smaller maximum size this year, I will be using mostly circle hooks for easy release of oversized halis. I like to target these fish at this time of year using, of course, large herring as well as some salmon belly hanging off a white power bait grub. I usually don’t fish farther offshore than two miles for halibut in May.

The lingcod season is now open in area 24 and should be in decent numbers on offshore pinnacles. This is a weather-dependent but fun fishery.

The big thing is to make sure your boat and its safety equipment are up-to-date and watch the weather as it can be very unpredictable in the spring.

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Spring 2018

Fishing deep is the key in the early season, the water clarity is pristine, using your downriggers just off the bottom at depths averaging 42 to 50 meters. Fishing on the banks located offshore you will find great action for feeder Chinooks and halibut in some reliable spots like Portland Point, Clifford Point, and Rafael Point. When you can locate the fish, simply stop and switch to using drift-jigs of the same size and colour as the bait. An anchovy or herring in a teaser head, with or without a flasher for early-season baits can make your trip a trip to remember.

Another dependable method for both species is glow or translucent hoochies, and 6- to 7-inch spoons, 6 to 8 feet behind your favourite flasher.

Leader lengths vary from 5 to 7 feet for natural baits, 38 to 42 inches for hoochies, and between 4 and 5 feet for the right spoon action. Don’t forget to try a Tomic plug # 602, 500, or 232.

Watch for large schools of pilchards. When they are present, spoons and plugs often out fish other gear types, and you will be rewarded with fantastic action for Chinook in the 10- to 25-pound range. Time your outing around a tide change. Fish are feeding aggressively in the hours before, during, and after a tide change, so for best results be sure to schedule a fishing trip to take advantage of at least one tide swing.

Halibut that started their inward migration during February should continue increasing in numbers throughout the summer. They typically range in size from chickens (15 to 30 pounds). For halibut, rig a spreader bar with a single no. 16/0 circle hook or two no. 8/0 to 10/0 J-hooks in tandem. Try fresh bait like a strip of salmon belly, herring, pilchard, chunk of octopus, or a shish kebab of two or more baits. Also worth a try are Berkley Power Bait Saltwater Grubs in white or glow.

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Sept/Dec 2017

Following the last few seasons of extremely consistent sport fishing along Vancouver Island’s Pacific Rim region, and considering the 2015 season unfolded to likely be the strongest in the last decade, many would not have thought that the best is yet to come.

The DFO-developed forecasts for Chinook, coho, sockeye and chum salmon marking the starting point for developing 2015 salmon-fishing seasons. “It’s early in the process, but these forecasts point to an exciting summer of salmon fishing.” This year’s forecasts include a return of more than 1.6 million Chinook salmon–which would be the largest since record-keeping began in 1938.