Vancouver Salmon Fishing Report, March 15, 2024
Things are changing rapidly in our local waters so let’s get right to it as we only have 2 weeks left of chinook retention!
First off, the 4 months of excellent chinook fishing in Howe Sound has come to a standstill. Thing really shut down this past week. We went from multiple keepers to working hard for a bite in a matter of days. It was quite shocking really, but also not completely unexpected as we have seen this happen in the second week of March before, but it doesn’t always seem to happen. It’s a bit of a mystery, as the fish seem to literally disappear and then the algae bloom seems to turn off any remaining fish. But don’t fear if you are heading out yourself or have a trip booked, we have lots of productive options still. a
Luckily, we have had some light winds and have been crossing over to Gabriola and have had some great fishing there this week. Eddie and Josh were both across multiple times this week and put nice keepers in the box on all their trips.
I am also happy to report that the crabbing has really turned on the last few trips. Prawning is also still consistent, but nice to see the crab traps with lots of keepers in mid-March!
A nice size winter chinook from Gabriola and Dungeness crab from local waters!
Closer to home, in the last few days we have heard of decent reports from South Bowen. Try fishing from Cowan to Roger Curtis in 200-400 feet of water and 80-165 on the riggers. We will be giving this a rub in the next couple of days. From the reports we have and the pics we have seen, there are some decent ones in the area. It is very possible this is where some of those Howe Sound fish ended up, as they move out of Howe Sound after the herring spawn and focus on herring and anchovies off South Bowen.
Also, this time of year the Freighters and the Bell Buoy can really be hot. So far it hasn’t been that way, but it can change in a day and we are right about due for this to happen.
So that gives you some options this weekend. The Gulf Islands, South Bowen, or Vancouver Harbour. Howe Sound can turn back on again as well, it’s a big and complicated ocean, but for us the three spots mentioned will be at the top of our list this weekend.
See you in the shop or on the water,
Jason Tonelli