Vancouver Saltwater Salmon Fishing Report
Here is a really quick report today as I am just heading down to the dock to get ready for a full day of guiding.
The coho fishing is STILL going off around South Bowen and up the Sunshine Coast. As per previous reports, the fish have been 25-55 on the riggers. We are still getting limits of hatchery coho on most of our half day trips. The fishing has been amazing, and it just keeps going. The fish are getting bigger and bigger every week.
The coho fishing has been amazing!
The pinks have showed up as well and are open for retention (consult your regulations for the area you are fishing). We are seeing them off South Bowen, around Cowan Point in 200 to 450 feet of water. Most people are focusing on coho, but don’t be surprised if you get into some pinks as well.
The chinook fishing off Gabriola and Entrance has also been fantastic. We are getting limits of chinook and then getting some coho there or fishing for coho off South Bowen on our way and doing well. If you put in the effort there are some lings are also!
Guide Josh Lo’s guests had a banner day at Entrance for chinook and lings and then topped it off with a limit of coho in local waters!
Locally we will see some chinook retention opportunities as of August 1 as area 28-6 opens for chinook retention. This area is basically West Van from Point Atkinson to the small point of land where the Pink Apartment is. Draw a line from point to point and fish inside of that and you are in 28-6. Limits are 1 chinook per day between 62 and 80 cm, hatchery or wild.
This will be a great area to fish in August as you can fish for coho and chinook at the same time. Most of the chinook encountered will be Fraser chinook in the 8 to 15 pound range and most of these will be headed to the Thompson River and are not stocks of concern, hence the harvest opportunity. Luckily these fish travel fairly shallow, usually in the top 50 feet of the water column like the coho, so encountering both at the same time is common. Area 28-9 is scheduled to open for chinook as well, on August 13th, so be ready for that. As we get later into August, we will also see some of the Capilano white chinook start to show up in 28-6 and 28-9.
As always, be sure to familiarize yourself with the regulations – you can find the fishery notice here!
So, as you can see, the fishing is excellent right now. If you would like to book a trip, give us a call at 778-788-8582. If you are heading out in your own boat, drop by the shop for some expert advice on what is working and where.
See you in the shop or on the water,
Jason Tonelli