Vancouver Saltwater Salmon Fishing Report
Due to Covid restrictions and the nasty winds and rain, we haven’t been out on the water much these past few weeks. Some of our colleagues and customers did make it out on the few calm days and the reports were fairly standard for this time of year. Put in the time and get a few fish.
Unfortunately, the number of fish being lost to seals in most of the popular spots in Howe Sound and in Vancouver Harbour is at a new level. Without a doubt, there are more seals and more educated seals, ones that follow you and wait for you to hook a fish. This is becoming a major concern and is having a significant impact on people’s ability to fish for and harvest winter chinook in the Vancouver area. I am not sure what we can do about it. Basically, short of a permit for removal of these particular animals, they are here to stay. It’s not likely that is going to happen unless First Nations is granted permits for harvest, and there is some effort towards this, but it is years away at best in my honest opinion. So, for now, the best thing you can do if a seal is following you is to pick up and move.
We have been getting some really good reports from the South Vancouver Island, so that is promising. There are good numbers of legal fish, with most of them being adipose clipped, hatchery fish, mostly from the USA. Some of those fish will make it up to our waters in the coming weeks, so that is good news indeed. If conditions allow, now would be a good time to make a run across to the Gulf Islands as they usually produce well in January for winter chinook.
Prawning continues to be consistent. Remember to carefully release all berried females.
See you in the shop or on the water,
Jason Tonelli