Vancouver Saltwater Salmon Fishing Report
It’s been a month since the coho showed up in full force, almost to the day, and what a month it has been. Coho fishing has been nothing short of fantastic this past week, just like the previous 3 weeks, and there are still many more to come.
What has changed is we are now seeing some good numbers of coho from Point Atkinson down to the Capilano River Mouth. There are still plenty of coho off South Bowen Island and further up the Sunshine Coast, but it’s great to see some good size schools of fish so close to the city.
As we move into August, these numbers should only increase, as the Capilano River remains low, fish destined for the Capilano or Seymour systems will hold in the saltwater until the fall rains. That means more opportunities right along the West Vancouver shoreline down to the Cap— ideal if conditions off South Bowen are rough or you’re short on time.
Eddie’s guests with some great coho from a morning trip in local waters.
As many of you know, chinook are now open NW of Gower Point and over off Gabriola Island in Area 17-10, 17-11 and 17-12. You can retain 1 chinook (hatchery or wild) a day, greater than 62cm, up to 80 cm. Anything less than 62cm or greater than 80cm needs to be released. The winds kept us from Area 17 on opening day of July 15, but on Thursday the NW backed off later in the afternoon and one of our boats was able to zip over a few hours and was rewarded with some excellent chinook fishing.
This fishery will continue all of July and August and is literally some of the best chinook fishing on the entire coast. Double digit days are the norm, not the exception, and we can also retain rockfish and lingcod in this area. If you haven’t experienced this fishery, it’s never been better in recorded history and now is the time, so give us a call.
PA Guide Josh Lo had to wait until late in the day to make the crossing on Thursday, but it was worth the wait with red hot chinook fishing for his guests, pictured here with their chinook, coho, and some rockfish and a ling.
See you in the shop or on the water,
Jason Tonelli