Vancouver Saltwater Salmon Fishing Report
Well, it’s 5:00 am Friday morning and I am having my morning coffee, looking at the marine forecast and deciding if I am going to make it over to Gabriola this morning. Looks like it will be doable for most and the SE backs off later in the day for a slightly smoother ride home. After this SE some NW comes in for the weekend. Currently, Saturday looks like the transition day and the calmer of the two weekend days with Sunday having some NW winds forecast in excess of 15 knots that might make crossing too rough.
I was over on Tuesday and fishing was great. There are lots of chinook around in all the popular spots. As usual, glow flashers with hootchies have been very productive. Depths vary considerably spot to spot but closer to the bottom has been better. Either just off bottom or within 20% is usually where you will see the bait and find the fish.
My starting line-up of Gibbs Flashers and Yamashita hootchies
If you aren’t crossing, I would look for some coho off South Bowen if conditions allow. I was reviewing my photos and journal from past years and we caught some nice coho this week in July. So far, the coho fishing has been spotty, but it should pick up right about now. Concentrate your efforts in the top 50 feet of the water column and try reflective flashers like the Oki Betsy or Gibbs Twisted Sista or Purple Onion. White hootchies are a go to for this fishery and if you want to fish spoons, smaller spoons in 3.0 to 3.5 in nickel or silver finishes with some green usually work well.
A reminder that chinook opens today for 1 a day, hatchery or wild, between 62 and 80 cm in area 29-1 and 29-2 and 17-10 and 17-11. Make sure to consult the regulations for exact details, but if you are W of Gower Point you should be good and if you are W of Thrasher Rock marker you should be good. The no fishing for chinook regulations are still in effect in other areas around Vancouver. Coho regs are 2 hatchery coho per day, min size 30 cm.
See you in the shop or on the water,
Jason Tonelli