Sportfishing South Vancouver Island

Easily accessible from Vancouver via B.C. Ferries, the spectacular areas of Sooke, Victoria, Saanich, and the Gulf Islands offers the angler good to excellent salmon fishing.

Last summer an incredible tyee salmon run occurred suddenly, with a flurry of action along the greater Victoria waterfront the "Esquimalt boys" caught some beauties up to forty plus pounds along the kelp beds in water shallow enough to see the bottom at times. These lucky anglers are a seasoned breed of mariner knowing all the tricks it takes to hook and land big springs that tear out line, a hundred yards at a time. The Department of Fisheries and Oceans finally shut down the commercial netting up Juan de Fuca strait which allowed the economically sensible sport fishery to enjoy the chance of a lifetime, to hook a monster salmon, feel the powerful runs and jumps of a trophy to remember forever. (See Game Fish of BC)

Thick bull kelp beds are found along this mainly rocky shore of southern Vancouver Island, Here lies darkened clear ice-cold water that is perfect refuge for large schools of baitfish affording a little protection from the relentless feeding of big springs from below, plus pelagic birds of all sorts from above the surface. The result is a feeding frenzy beside the curtain of kelp, or any place the hungry salmon can surround their prey, with daybreak and the first hour or two being prime time This narrow zone can be fished with trolled gear in extremely shallow water of thirty feet or less with the big wild springs aggressively grabbing a lure and immediately taking off for deep water. Helmsman in other boats must watch for strikes in order to avoid crossing up lines from their fellow anglers by quickly accelerating, turning about and getting far away from a runaway fish.. Some nightmare stories of lost tackle and heavy-weight fish are told each year due to the incompetence of a few boat handlers.

Downriggers with light tackle that releases when fish strike, are used by the majority of salmon fisherman, but 8 foot trolling rods with slip weights remain popular. Mainlines of 30 to 50 pound test, and five to seven foot leaders of 20 to 40 pound test are common. Flashers and dodgers are used by most.

 

Luckily you have a large area to choose when salmon fishing the Victoria waterfront. Lots of reefs, islands, and prominent points of land with some fast currents and rip tides to contend with also. Anchovy, needlefish, pacific herring, shrimp, squid, krill, or sandlance are some of the big springs favorite food, so top quality bait or imitation with an erratic crippled action is a good bet. Always look for gulls and cormorants to show you where the feed is. Trolling or casting lures beside a herring "ball-up" can trigger an immediate strike at times.

Oak Bay, Discovery Island, Brotchie Ledge, Macaulay Point, Albert Head, Pedder Bay, Beachy Head, or Otter Point are just a few of the hot spots to try, but close scrutiny of chart #3440 will reveal many more. I like to avoid the crowded spots and venture away to find my own hot spot since the fish are free to roam wherever they choose and it makes for a more relaxed day out. So if your are lucky enough to fish the South Island, keep a sharp eye on the weather, practice catch and release, and enjoy the excitement that a "Victoria screamer" will bring.

Feeder springs are found year round while the main run shows up around mid-May and continues on through the summer months. Fishing for Bluebacks is good in May while the bulk of Coho show up in June. Coho fishing continues to be good through September and large northerns can still be caught in October. Pink and Sockeye are best fished during late July through August. In recent years Halibut have been making a comeback in the Juan de Fuca area and is now considered a worthwhile venture during the spring and early summer months.

Articles about this area:

• "Columbian Connection: Boating the Beauties of Juan de Fuca" by D.C. Reid
• "Bump the Bottom To Boat the Beauties" by D.C. Reid

www.bcadventure.com

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