Vancouver Saltwater Fishing Report
It’s mid-July and the excellent coho fishing in local waters has kept our guides busy and our guests happy! We have had a lot of fun this past week, and it’s been great to see so many families out enjoying this fishery.
It’s been a fun time out there for the kids and the adults!
For the most part we have been fishing off South Bowen from Cowan to Roger Curtis and our gear has been in that top 45 feet of the water column. If you want to keep it even closer to Vancouver, we have also caught some coho off West Vancouver and the mouth of the Capilano. Keep this in mind if you are in a smaller boat or if it’s just too rough out of South Bowen for your crew.
Productive gear has been chrome or moon jelly flashers with some of favorites being the Oki Betsy and Gibbs Twisted Sista. We have been fishing mostly white UV hootchies with mylar inserts but smaller spoons like the Skinny G and Wee G have also been doing well in chrome and nickel finishes.
Crabbing has slowed down quite a bit now that the commercial boats have been hitting the harbour for about 3 weeks. This trend will continue as they harvest the last of the legal males in July and August.
We, like many of you were eagerly waiting for the chinook opening announcements for Area 17 and NW of Gower Point on July 15th, just like it has the past 4 years. I did have a call with some of the Managers at DFO this week, asking when the Integrated Fisheries Management Plan was going to come out and when we could expect the July 15th announcement. I didn’t get any clarity on either, which is nothing new. While my prediction was a 5PM release of the notices we got them a couple of hours ago. We have had a quick read and all looks to be the same openings as last year. As always be sure to read and familiarize yourself with the regulations. Links to the notices are below:
Given the amazing chinook abundance we have experienced this year and in recent history I expect chinook fishing to be excellent off Gabriola, Entrance, and Nanaimo.
See you in the shop or on the water,
Jason Tonelli
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Capilano River & Beach Fishing Report
The Cap still has fish trickling in but most action will be at the mouth of the river.
This week The North Van beaches had mid-day low tides with full sun and hot weather. This typically moves fish further offshore. Coming into the weekend we should see some low tides starting in the AM and improving through the start of the week. This will be a terrific opportunity to get out early.
I bring a medium action spinning rod and an 8-weight fly rod. If I am lucky enough to see fish moving, I try to get in front of them with the fly gear. Cast well ahead of moving fish and slowly retrieve back… I use the spinning rod to cover water and making the long casts when fish move far off. Spoons and spinners will do the trick with buzz bombs being utilized for distance.
We have received numerous reports of bait showing up all through the harbour. Massive shoals of herring have been spotted in Tsawwassen, Howe Sound, North/West Vancouver, and around the Gulf Islands. We have seen dolphins, porpoises, and whales feasting on the shoals of bait. This might present some unique opportunities for beaches that normally do not see salmon action. If you find bait you will eventually find salmon. If you are planning a day by the water, or a vacation up the coast you might want to bring your rod and a little gear.
Good luck out there!
Eric Peake