Vancouver Saltwater Salmon Fishing Report
Mid-July has treated the PA guide boats well. We’ve finally enjoyed a stretch of calm, consistent weather, which allowed the team to head over to the Gulf Islands on nearly every trip last week. The chinook fishing in Area 17 has been on fire. Other than a brief lull midweek when a pod of orcas moved through, chinook action has been excellent overall, with some decent coho mixed in.
Some hungry chinook out there. Don’t be afraid of big presentations!
The Gulf Islands fishery has been nothing short of incredible. If you haven’t experienced it yet, now is the time. The salmon fishing continues to impress, and the bottom fishing has remained steady, even with the pressure the area has seen lately.
One for the memory books! A day on the water with the kids is a day well spent.
Closer to home, the fishing has also been world-class. Coho are still showing in good numbers off South Bowen and further up the Sunshine Coast. Gower Point has produced some keeper slot-size chinook, although undersized fish are still common. Some days require extra effort to find a keeper, but the bite can turn on quickly, and there’s no shortage of coho while you search.
Quick limit for these lucky anglers across the strait.
In the harbour, coho reports have been solid from Point Atkinson all the way down to the mouth of the Capilano River. It’s been a bit more tide-dependent, but some lucky boats have dropped into aggressive bites and managed to box a few hatchery coho.
Pink salmon haven’t arrived in big numbers just yet, but there have been a few early signs. Some boats trolling off South Bowen picked up a couple earlier this week, and beach anglers around Ambleside have started reporting the occasional pink as well. Their main push should arrive soon. Pinks are a great option for beginners– when they show up, they come in thick and can be targeted with a variety of methods. One of our favourites is jigging Buzz Bombs with light spinning gear.
There’s a lot to look forward to over the next few weeks. The weather has been great, and the fishing opportunities are plentiful across all trip lengths.
If you’re thinking about booking a charter, now is the time to go. Give us a call at 778-788-8582 to check availability or ask any questions.
Tight lines,
Jake Comrie