Vancouver Saltwater Salmon Fishing Report
Week one of August is in the books and we’ve got some intel from what the guide team has been seeing locally and across the Strait thus far.
A productive afternoon on the water
As of August 1st, area 28-6 opened to chinook retention for 1 fish between 62cm and 80cm. This fishery has always had a habit of being a bit temperamental at first but begins to heat up as the month progresses with more Fraser and Capilano fish showing up. So far, it’s had a decent start! Chinook have been found in primarily the 55ft to 65ft section of the water column, and it’s been a relatively even split between bait and spoons/hoochies. Hatchery coho have also been found in the mix. If you’re marking bait and fish down on bottom, don’t be afraid to drop it there. Although these chinook are often higher up in this area, some feeder, or winter chinook as we call them, are still out there chasing bait around the harbour.
South Bowen seemed to have a bit of a lull in the past couple weeks, but recent reports are showing the coho are still around, just not quite spoiling us the way they did back in June and July. If you’re willing to put in the time and work the tide swings you are likely to run into a snap bite or two as a school passes through. If you’re finding it to be slow, experiment with the depth of water you’re in. Moving out towards 700 to 1000 feet of water can often be the difference maker. Remember, troll fast, troll high, and make it flashy!
South Bowen produced some nice coho this week
The Gulf Islands have continued to do what the Gulf Islands do best: produce. Plenty of chinook are being found at entrance with the odd coho being caught down deep. Thrasher Rock has been producing solid numbers of hatchery coho as well as some chinook higher up in the water column.
The bottom fishing has continued to impress with some decent lingcod being trolled up on salmon gear while looking for chinook down deep in the trench!
A nice lingcod caught on a Gibbs Power Paddle
Jake Comrie
Capilano Update!
The beach had some decent action this week. Reports were solid with ardent anglers grinding out fish on the tide changes. If you make the effort, you will eventually be rewarded.
Timing is everything and we have some good low tides coming up in the next few days. We are also looking at a small break in the warm weather, possibly rain on Monday. This should offer anglers cover and stretch that golden hour bite. Fish can be encountered all along the beach especially when fishing the change. Look for pods in the canal, lagoon, along the outer sand bar, and rock jetty. When the water is up, expect to find fish close to shore. As it drains out, I usually move out with it.
The most productive method has been spinners and spinner/hoochie combos. Buzz bombs and zingers continue to take a number of fish in the salt as well. Have some decent fluorocarbon leader material on hand and “confidence check” your gear often. I recommend having a few presentation sizes on hand. I fish small spoons and spinners when I anticipate fish moving close to shore and cast larger heavy lures a mile offshore during low slack. You can also rig up pencil lead or egg weights in fronts of lighter gear to gain extra distance. To that, note: The use of braided main lines over mono can also make a significant difference.
Fly anglers are getting in on the action too. As I mentioned above, fish move surprisingly close to shore during the change. I prefer to stalk for fish and intercept a moving pod. For this I keep my fly in my hand and have a plenty of running line ready in my stripping basket. I make a few blind casts as I walk the beach, but I want to see the fish and cast to them. Shooting head style lines excel at this. They load quickly and require few false casts for decent distance. Another popular method is setting up in deep water traveling lanes. Fish will move in and out along the bank where it drops off. Wade out just enough that you are casting to the deeper water. Make long casts and cover the water in-front of you. Try different retrieves and flies. You will wade deeper as the tide moves out. I like longer lines here as it gives control at distance and a more relaxed casting tempo.
A little something for the river folk. The Monday rain might help the sleep deprived Capilano angler. Some rain adds colour to the water and may even relax the notoriously lock jawed canyon fish. The river is low, low, low so keep those presentations small. A reminder that the bait ban is now in effect. This included natural baits, scents, and scented plastics.
Be sure to thoroughly rinse clean your gear at the end of the day and pack out everything you brought down to the shore. Good luck out there!
Eric Peake