Apr 18, 2016

May 15, 2010

1 877 314 6800
Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing
Doug Lindores

The sport fishing salmon and halibut season is well underway along the rugged but very scenic coastline and inshore and offshore areas of west Vancouver Island British Columbia . It is almost May and the weather to date has not been perfect. This is not to say that there have not been some beautiful sunny days on the open Pacific Ocean and the protected waters of Barkley Sound . The weather in early May can be quite variable . This past weekend (Mothers Day) had three magical days that one could term as “perfect”. The salmon season for Chinook and Coho is forecast to be one of the best in twenty years. Chinook returns to the Columbia River watershed is forecast that early summer and mid summer runs will be well over 1.2 million for the 2010 fishing season. With this number in mind and the migratory flow of Chinook salmon returning to other distant streams and also local rivers and creeks the fishing opportunity this summer should be more than sensational. Coho salmon are also once again predicted to be in record numbers. There are already reports of Coho salmon in local waters off Ucluelet and Barkley Sound. Some of the Coho are currently four to five pounds but those of us who have fished these very aggressive and acrobatic sport salmon know very well that they will put on up to a pound per week in June and July as they feed on the rich and very nutrient bait fish found along coastal waters and the waters of Barkley Sound. By August and September these five pound Coho can weigh anywhere from twelve to twenty pounds. The 2010 salmon sport season during the spring, summer and fall months out of Ucluelet, Barkley Sound, the Alberni Inlet and Stamp River will no doubt be one to remember.

Fishing is one reason that many visitors come to Vancouver Island .

Those coming to British Columbia ‘s west coast can experience a vacation full of adventure and unique culture. Coming to the Island to sport fish also presents opportunity to explore the great rainforests, beaches, and lakes. One can also seek out local wild life, whale watch, and surf the waters between Ucluelet and Tofino. The pristine water of Barkley Sound is a great area for many to Kayak. Hiking, camping, spa retreats, enjoying west coast cusine and observing and discovering First Nations heritage are also many of the fascinating adventures that visitors can take in.

Ucluelet

Barkley Sound

The saltwater fishing in April and the first part of May has been very good and fairly consistent for Chinook, halibut, and bottom fish. Crabbing and prawn fishing has been absolutely perfect. May and early June is often an exciting month out in the Pacific Rim area. This year has already seen plenty of feeder Chinook and hatchery fish which are migrating to the south landed by local anglers and many vacationers on guided trips. The 20 th of May is often the time when sport fishing really begins to produce for those fishing salmon and halibut. It is often by this time that most of the halibut have migrated from the deep water to the shallows.

Many areas around Ucluelet have been quite good. Beg Island , Mara Rock, Great Bear, and the Alley all have been fairly decent for salmon. Sail Reef has produced some great lings and halibut. Salmon have been hitting green and blue coyote spoons behind a five foot leader. Bait has also been good in the chartreuse Rhys Davis Teaser Head behind a five to six foot leader. In plastic a green needle fish and the brown turd has been working for some guides. The salmon have been in water from fifty-five to one hundred and thirty feet and have averaged ten to fifteen pounds with some catches coming in around the twenty-five pound weight class. The biggest salmon to date on one of our guided trips is twenty-eight pounds. Halibut at this time of year are often picked up on the troll fishing fairly close to the bottom. One thing to note about May and early June fishing is that most of the salmon are close to the shoreline which means travel time is only a few short minutes out of the Ucluelet Harbor .

Sport fishing out on the west coast this summer will be absolutely spectacular. Many thought 2009 was going to be hard to beat. All indicators show that 2010 will be even better.

In Barkley Sound the two opposite shorelines and close to what is termed the surf line have to date had the best salmon fishing. Whittlestone and Edward King close to Bamfield and Effingham Island and areas close to Swale rock have had the best fishing opportunities on the opposite shoreline to Bamfield. Effingham and Austin Island have had great reports of salmon weighing ten to seventeen pounds. The fish off of Effingham have been in eighty to one hundred and ten feet of water. The four inch green-glow coyote spoon and anchovy in a green Rhys Davis Teaser Head have both been working well. This is a great time of year for feeder and migratory Chinook to come into protected surf line locations to feed on the rich sources of bait fish. If one finds the bait there is often plenty of salmon in the area meaning that sometimes it is important to be patient. Be sure to have a variety of four and five inch spoons and different hootchie colors such as whites, greens, bluey-greens, and plenty of bait.

Some of the hotspots in Barkley Sound during the summer fishing season are Meares, Austin , Cree, Folger, Beale, Edward King and Kirby Point. There should be great fishing all summer in these areas. It is important to have a good GPS and depth finder. Sometimes anglers not knowing the waters will fish quite deep and not realize that the water depth can move from one hundred and eighty feet to forty feet in a matter of seconds. Barkley Sound is protected from winds coming from the south and north off the Pacific. The area has mostly calm pristine waters and is a wonderful scenic area to fish.

With mid May approaching the fishing should really improve with June and July being unbelievable fishing months. The possession limits to date for the areas off of Ucluelet and Barkley Sound are the following:

Chinook——two per day and four in possession
Coho hatchery-two per day and four in possession
Halibut——-one per day and two is possession
Ling Cod——check local DFO rules

Port Alberni Inlet

The Alberni Inlet will be open for Sockeye this year. Forecasts for the 2010 season are much higher than 2009. It is predicted that six hundred to seven hundred thousand Sockeye will return to the Somass River and make their way into either Sproat Lake or Great Central Lake . The sport fishing will open on either June 1 st , 10 th or 15 th with early season possession limits of two per person. If there is adequate escapement during the latter part of May and the month of June through the counters than on July 1 st possession limits may move to four per person per day. The Department of Fisheries will make this decision. China Creek Camp ground should become a very busy place by June 1 st with many of the tourists camping in the area anticipating some great fishing and good times while on the water. Some of the best Alberni Inlet fishing locations for sockeye will be Nahmint-Franklin, Cous Creek, Dunsmuir, Underwood, the Narrows , Narrows Slide, and the China Creek Wall up to Lone Tree Point. Guide Doug of Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing recommends that the mp 15 and mp 2 are two excellent lures to use for Sockeye. The mp (mini-plankton) 15 is a bubblegum color and the mp 2 is red in color. Fish with four rods and create plenty of color with at least four flashers in the water that are green or red. The green or red hotspot flashers seem to work the best with leader lengths of twenty-two to twenty-eight inches. The Sockeye in the early part of the season could be moving quickly in the top thirty feet of water but as the river and Inlet water warm-up they will move down to depths of fifty and eighty feet. Sockeye fishing is a fabulous sport fishery for the whole family. It is a lot of fun and a good time for children who especially have never landed a salmon.

The Port Alberni Inlet will be a real hotbed for fishing in June and July for Sockeye Fishing. By mid August Chinook and Coho begin to move into the Inlet and continue until mid September.

Stamp River

The Winter Steelhead fishing is now basically over. One avid guide during the last week hooked into ten Steelhead and nine trout two days in a row. With the season over we are now shifting into the fall season which should be fabulous. The Summer Steelhead and Coho fishing should be better than last year which was a banner year. Mid September through mid October will be excellent for those wanting to fish Coho. The fly fishing for Summer Steelhead should be very good once the salmon have dropped their eggs beginning the middle of October through November. The Jet and Drift boat trips we offer are very popular and are quickly filling. If you are keen to fish salmon and Steelhead in one of British Columbia ‘s best river systems

Organize your trip now.

For More Information

Contact:
Doug Lindores
1 250 724 2502 (home)
1 877 314 6800 (lodge-summer fishing and accommodation packages.
1 250 731 7389 (cell) after 7pm
dlindy@shaw.ca (e mail)
www.catchsalmon-ca.com

1 877 314 6800

  APRIL 15 TH 2010

  Doug Lindores

Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing

The spring and summer salmon fishing for the 2010 sport season is closing in on us. How time does fly. The 2010 season on the West Coast of Vancouver Island (Ucluelet) and Barkley Sound is forecast to be remarkable. The Sockeye and Coho returns to the Somass-Stamp River System are forecast to be better than 2009 which was incredibly good. Chinook returns to the Columbia River are predicted to be well over 700,000. In fact Chinook migrating to Watersheds to the south of this area are forecast to be 500,000 Chinook in the early spring run and 700,000 in the summer run. The early spring Chinook will migrate in April, May, and June. Some of these salmon have already been seen in northern and central Vanocuver Island waters and most recently along the surf line of Barkley Sound. With this number in mind (1.2 million) mixed in with Coho and then returns of Chinook and Coho to streams and rivers located in Barkley Sound, the Port Alberni area and other areas of the Pacific Northwest it should be fairly easy to hook into some great sport salmon fishing during the spring, summer, and early fall of 2010. Anglers world wide will be treated to some world class salmon fishing along Vancouver Islands British Columbia ‘s West Coast and Inlet Areas. Not only will there be some great salmon fishing but the scenic views are breath taking for those that have and have never visited and fished for salmon on Vancouver Island . Vancouver Island ‘s west coast, the protected waters of Barkley Sound the Alberni Inlet are noted for rugged coastlines, wonderful exquisite and secluded beaches and pristine calm waters. With all of this in mind are the rugged mountain peaks of the Island and the B.C. Coast Mountain range in the background. The scenario sets up some great days ahead on the water.

The early spring weather has not been great on Vancouver Island . The last few days of March and early April delivered some torrential rain and high winds which produced very high surf. Any fishing on the coast and out of the Ucluelet Harbor had to be cancelled and even areas of Barkley Sound especially on the surf line were difficult to fish. However the weather pattern has changed and the last few days have had some great days with warm sun-filled afternoons. The Stamp River still has had some remarkably great winter Steelhead fishing. However by mid month we will wrap the season up. Barkley Sound and areas around Bamfield and also Ucluelet are actually fishable year round. There are times during the winter and spring when the Pacific is at rest and the smallest of sport boats can enjoy time on the water. This past year has not been any different. Early results have produced some bigger Chinook than most winters and early spring. The first derby of the year, the Sproat Loggers Derby saw a 29 and 27 pound Chinook win first and second place. The 2010 salmon fishing season will be one to remember.

Port Alberni Inlet

Barkley Sound

Summer fishing in the Port Alberni Inlet should get underway by mid June for Sockeye salmon. Sockeye fishing has become a very popular sport fishery and is fun for everyone from the most avid and trophy hunting fisherman to the beginner. For children it is also fun and never creates any boredom. The fishing is in very protective waters and the action can be mind boggling. There are times when two, three and even four sockeye can hit the rods which can create havoc for all. The forecast for returning Somass River Sockeye is better than 2009 which was one of the best seasons since 06. Early preliminary returns are expecting 600,000 to 700,000 sockeye to make their way up the Port Alberni Inlet and into the Somass before making their way to Sproat and Great Central Lake . Sockeye travel the Inlet in shallow water and swim into the river system fairly quickly. However when the water in the Somass warms to 18 degrees Celsius the sockeye slow down and move to deeper water and school in reasonably big numbers. The sockeye usually school in various areas around China Creek. Cous Creek, Lone Tree, the Narrows , Underwood, Dunsmuir and the Franklin-Nahmint area are several hotspots in June and July. Sockeye limits should be four per person per day with a possession limit of eight. Sockeye fishing often continues into early August. By mid August the Chinook begin to show up in the Inlet as they make their way to the river system. Chinook and Coho sport fishing continues to mid September in the Port Alberni Inlet.

Prawn fishing is currently taking place in the Inlet as a sport fishery. The China Creek area is also a very popular area for prawn fishing. The sport fishery should continue into early May and then the commercial prawn fishery gets underway.

Barkley Sound is a very popular fishing area that has accessible fishing waters year round. The waters of the Sound are protected and are very rich in bait fish which brings in summer Chinook and Coho Salmon making their way down the rugged coastline of Vancouver Island . The migratory salmon in May, June, July, and early August come into the sound and viciously feed on needle fish and sardines. This often creates some fantastic sport fishing especially along the surf line. Places like Effingham, Cree, Austin Island , Edward King, Kirby point, Beale and Swale Rock should produce some great sport fishing with 1.2 million Chinook making their way to southern watersheds. Some effective gear to use early in the year will be blue/green needle fish hootchies, anchovy in clear and chartreuse Rhys Davis Teaser Heads, various coyote spoons in watermelon, army truck, and green-glow. These fish will be found in deeper water but there will be spots where they are shallow. Often 80 to 120 feet is a popular depth but places like Austin and Cree can often find some Chinook and early Coho in 35 feet of water.

The current fishing has produced some good sized feeder Chinook. Over the past weekend Ship Island and Edward King produced some hatchery Chinook weighing 20 to 25 pounds. These salmon were probably the first of the early Columbia summer run. The Chinook around Ship Island were in shallow water and were taking anchovy in a green and clear Rhys Davis Teaser head.

Needle fish hootchies and a four inch green-glow coyote spoon were also very popular lures for guides and sport fishermen. Hotspot flashers in green mirror have been popular as have purple haze, and the green haze flashers. Inside waters have had some nice feeder Chinook weighing 8 to 15 pounds. The protected waters of Samatao Bay have had some nice feeders in shallow water. On Friday one angler and his fishing friend picked up 4 Chinook on a white AORL 12 hootchie in 60 feet of water. The area of water between Pill Point and Vernon Bay has been producing some great salmon and prawn fishing.

Ucluelet

Year after year Ucluelet continually produces some of the best salmon fishing on B.C.’s west coast. The last several years has produced some unbelievable salmon fishing for those brave enough to venture the offshore waters. This year predictions are indicating that 2010 will be the best fishing year in the last 60. One great indicator is winter fishing results. This past winter the abundance and the size of the Chinook have been fantastic. The salmon are in good numbers and have been averaging 3 to 5 pounds heavier. The best fishing to date has been around Great Bear, Mara Rock, Sail Rock, and the Lighthouse. Most of the fishing success has been with the use of small and medium sized anchovies in clear, UV, and chartreuse Rhys Davis Teaser Heads.

Needle fish hootchies in blue/green continue to be hot as are the green-glow four and five inch coyote spoons and the army truck hootchie. One guide has had a lot of success using the purple haze hootchie behind a purple ultra violet flasher. Halibut fishing is very popular and there has been some good catches close to the Ucluelet Harbor . Sail rock has produced some great catches in the early season. There definitely is a lot of hype going into this season. Offshore bank Chinook and halibut fishing will needless to say be unbelievable. Chinook and inshore Coho fishing will also produce for all anglers some exceptionally good salmon fishing. April and early May is a time when we offer a Seafood Safari. Guests can enjoy a wonderful day on the Pacific fishing salmon, bottom fish, prawns and crab. The seafood dinner with some great B.C. wine is a great ending to a great day and opportunity.

Stamp River

The Winter Steelhead season is come basically to an end. The current season was one of the best over the last four or five years. Those on the river the last few weeks have continued having some success. The Upper River has produced some chrome fish. Many of the fish are now making their way back to the Ocean. They have spawned out. With returns looking very favorable back to the Somass and Robertson Creek Hatchery the Fall Fishing for Coho and Summer Steelhead is looking better than 2009. Those interested in fly fishing for Summer Steelhead should look into coming to the area beginning about mid October. Those keen on Coho and Steelhead should note that the best fishing gets underway by mid September.
 

For more information

  Contact

  Doug Lndores

  1 250 724 2502 (home)

  1 250 731 7389 (cell)

  1 877 314 6800 (Accomodation-fishing packages)

EMAIL Captain Doug
http://www.catchsalmon-ca.com

1 877 314 6800
February 11th th 2010
Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing

The days are becoming longer and brighter and we are now on the upside for what is expected to be a fascinating 2010 summer saltwater fishing season on the west coast and central area of Vancouver Island, British Columbia. This is not saying that the only time to fish for salmon is during the summer and fall. This area offers 12 months of salt water salmon fishing. Beautiful Barkley Sound has waters that are protected during west coast storms which shut down any surf line or offshore fishing opportunities. This is not to say that there are not still some great November, December and January days on the Pacific Ocean with opportunities to land a feeder Chinook salmon up to twenty pounds. February offers some warmer afternoon temperatures on the West Coast and also arouses many avid ocean anglers that the summer is fast approaching and summer plans should be made.

Pre Season forecasts for the summer of 2010 are very encouraging with predictions that the fishing in June, July and early August on the West Coast and areas of Barkley Sound will be even better than in 2009. Oregon fish and wildlife has announced that the early spring run of Chinook set to return to the Columbia River and its immediate tributaries could be as high as 470,000. This means that these fish will begin to appear around Barkley Sound and the Ucluelet area in May and should peak sometime in June. Most of these fish swim relatively close to the nutrient rich waters of Vancouver Island’s outer coastline and feed hard for long periods of the day as they near the end of their life cycle. By mid June the mid-summer migratory flow of Chinook and the first Coho begin to show and also feed on herring, needlefish, squid, and pacific sardines. Chinook pre season forecast returns according to a Seattle Times report are close to 700,000 pieces. These salmon will peak sometime from mid July into early August. Anglers fishing for the earlier fish should have plenty of anchovy and various Rhys colors of Rhys Davis anchovy Teaser Heads. Needlefish hootchies and needlefish style spoons are also a must.

There are many indicators in relation to pre season forecasts. One indicator is the return of premature salmon to their home rivers, creeks and streams. These premature salmon known as Jacks are predominately males. The Jack return to the Columbia in 2009 was 80,000 to 100,000 pieces. This return was the highest on record since 1938. With other factors including better than normal ocean conditions and high ocean survival the Salmon Fishing in 2010 along Vancouver Island’s West Coast and in the pristine waters of scenic Barkley Sound should be absolutely phenomenal in the summer of 2010.

Port Alberni Inlet

Barkley Sound

The Port Alberni Inlet is relatively quiet during the winter for any type of salmon fishing. Often in late January and into February bait fish will come in big numbers to the Franklin-Nahmint area which often brings up feeder Chinook feeding on the rich bait resources. There have been a few good reports of winter Chinook being landed in the area and also around China Creek where there have been some huge bait balls. The summer fishing in the Inlet should be wonderful. We are looking forward to a very good Sockeye salmon sport fishing season. Numbers last year were by no means a record in terms of returns but the dismal 250,000 in pre-season forecasts in 2009 multiplied to well over 500,000 which paved the way for one of the best sockeye seasons in the Inlet since 2006. The 2010 season will not see record returns but Sockeye returning to the Somass system should be very similar to last summer. Chinook and Coho returns to Robertson Creek which show in the Port Alberni Inlet by mid August have not had any preliminary forecasts but information should be made available relatively soon. The Inlet is also a great area for sport prawning. At the moment this is closed and is due to re-open at the beginning of April.

Winter Chinook fishing in Barkley Sound has been very good for those venturing down the Inlet on some of the many spectacular winter days that we have had. The Canoe Pass, Swale Rock area has produced some nice feeder Chinook from seven to thirteen pounds and great reports have been received out of the Bamfield Harbor all the way down to Sarita Bay. Winter Chinook can always be found where there is bait and all of the areas mentioned have had some good sized bait balls. The Winter Chinook are found in deeper water often up to 130 feet and can often be in the high teens and low twenties. Anchovy, green coyote spoons and often blue-green hootchies work very well for feeders.

The Herring spawn often brings in big number of feeders from offshore. The herring begin moving toward the beach and into Barkley Sound from the last 10 days of February and into mid-March. The Sproat Lake Loggers Derby is occurring this year during the weekend of March 6 th and 7 th which should produce some very excellent fishing opportunities for those competing in the derby. Our trips to Barkley Sound also include some great prawn fishing during the winter and early spring.

Ucluelet (West Coast)

Ucluelet is located on the extreme west coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Known for its summer fishing popularity the summer time population of this relatively small B.C. west coast town explodes. Ucluelet is not the resort area that Tofino, which is forty-five minutes away, is. However this tiny west coast town does provide various wonderful accommodation locations that can be classified as five-star. Fishing in the winter for feeder Chinook often occurs very close to the Ucluelet Harbor. The last few weeks has produced some very good fishing at the mouth of the harbor, the red can, Mara Rock and the lighthouse. The winter Chinook have been averaging in weight from 10 to 12 pounds. Needlefish hootchies, green and green-glow coyote spoons and anchovy in chartreuse colored teaser heads have been working well. The fishing should by recent reports up and down the west coast of Vancouver Island continue to be good right through the summer. Northern portions of the island are already reporting that the summers’ migratory fish have already shown. Some of these fish are averaging 14 to 23 pounds and are destined for the Columbia River.

This spring we will continue to provide opportunities with our “Seafood Safari”.

This is a great family opportunity on the open Pacific where guests have opportunity to fish for salmon, bottom fish, prawns, crab and perhaps pick a few wonderful oysters. Halibut fishing usually begins by the 24 th of May when they make their way from deep water to the shallows.

Somass-Stamp River

The Stamp River is often considered the best winter and summer Steelhead River in the province of British Columbia. Winter Steelhead arrive to their natal river from December through March and often peak in mid-February to the latter half of the month. One guide has been quoted as saying that “the peak of the season is the day that the largest school enters the river”.

The Winter Steelhead fishing in the Stamp this year has been one of the best seasons since 2006-2007. There have been some days because of poor weather that has made it impossible to fish. In fact there were five or six days in January that the monsoons created a bit of havoc and the water was moving too quickly and was way too high. However when one considers approximately 150 winter Steelhead fishing days during the winter season there probably will be a few bad days. One could say that that over the last couple of years there has been better than normal ocean conditions and the survival rate of the fish in the vast areas of the North Pacific have been very good. In the fall of 2009 the Stamp had a Coho return of well over 70,000 pieces. Coho and Steelhead share the same life cycle. Returns of winter Steelhead this winter are comparable to the Coho return with predictions that the next year or two will be very similar. We are hoping that all of the ocean survival theories are correct.

The last few days have been fairly good on the Stamp. Some of the fish we have landed aboard jet boats have had sea lice which means fresh fish are still entering the system. Often fresh fish will continue into late February. Both the upper and lower portions of the Stamp are producing. Some fish have moved through the falls. Bait is still the ticket in the Lower River below “the bucket”. The Steelhead in the lower have been taking roe and roe bags. If fishing in the upper portions of the Stamp, jigs, plugs, worms, and gooey bobs are working well.

If fishing along the banks is your style then the area below the falls pool has been the best but the activity on some days is very heavy. Often being aboard a jet boat gets anglers to various spots and most often the best spots. One can wait in an area for hours for new fish to swim by if walking the river. If aboard a boat new areas are quicker to get to during the day. We are expecting to great Steelhead fishing in the Stamp through March.

For more information
Contact
Doug Lindores
Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing
1 877 314 6800
1 250 724 2502
1 250 731 7389 (cell)
www.catchsalmon-ca.com
dlindy@shaw.ca

1 877 314 6800
December 8 th 2009
Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing
Doug Lindores

The November monsoons are gone. In fact, November was a month where there was very little time that it did not rain. Henderson Lake which is not far from Port Alberni or Ucluelet and sits right behind Pill Point which is a hot fishing area during the summer in Barkley Sound receives an average of 394 inches of rain per year. That is almost 30 feet of water. With the wetness of November 2009 the area will receive well over 400 inches of rainfall this year. December is already here and there is hope that summer will again come in 2010 but before that we should experience a little bit of Canadian winter weather. The next week is to be cool and sunny. With night time temperatures expected to get down to minus 8 and 10 and with daytime temperatures just below freezing things should dry up and the Stamp River Steelhead fishing, which has been extremely good on many days, especially for those aboard jet boats, will get even better. The water on the Stamp has been high and is coming down everyday. In many areas the water is still running fairly fast. It has been difficult for those walking but over the next week things will really change. There has not been any rain for a week and little in the weather forecast meaning desirable areas may open up for those on foot.

Returns for Port Alberni and Barkley Sound salmon summer runs were good, except for Chinook. Returns back to the Somass River were rather spectacular for Sockeye and Coho. After entering the Somass River Sockeye return to Sproat Lake and Great Central Lake and in late October either spawn along the shallow edges of the lake or in a tributary stream or creek. Returns were close to 500,000 fish which was much greater than the season forecast. Coho numbers reached well over 80,000 which again was more than double the forecast return. Many Coho have made their way to Robertson Creek hatchery while many other Coho have spawned or are spawning naturally in the Stamp. The winter and summer Steelhead are feeding on Coho dropped eggs in the gravel beds of the river.

Port Alberni Inlet

Barkley Sound

The Inlet is very quiet. But for a few boats going up and down the inlet to Barkley Sound on a daily basis not too much is happening. Check the DFO regulations for prawn fishing. This sport fishery opens on the 15 th of December. When the sport guys are on the water it is often very busy and those travelling have to watch for the various buoys in the water. The summer run in 2010 for Sockeye is expected to be very good. Returns in 09 were much better than forecast and indicators for next year are very positive for a very good return to the Somass River. If the Sockeye numbers are high and the water in the Somass warms up to 18 degrees Celsius the Sockeye begin to school up in the Inlet by the middle of June. Usually areas like Cous Creek, the narrows, Underwood and the Nahmint-Franklin area have great June and early July Sockeye sport fishing. The salmon are most often in the top fifty feet of water. As we move later into July the whole inlet can have big schools of these great tasting salmon in various locations. As the water warms the fish go deeper and often the sport fisherman will be fishing at 100 to 120 feet. Sockeye are attracted to the sport fishermans’ boat by color. If you are planning a trip and using your own boat create lots of color and use at least 6 flashers.

Sockeye Sport Fishing has become a very lucrative sport fishery in the Port Alberni Inlet over the past twenty plus years. Sockeye Salmon support one of the most important commercial fisheries on the Pacific Coast and is increasingly sought by recreational fisheries. Once thought of as a prime commercial salmon Sockeye have become a very popular sport fish. Each summer large runs of Sockeye swim into the waters of Barkley Sound. These fish have come from distant Northern cold waters. From Barkley Sound the Sockeye swim up to the Port Alberni Inlet and make their way into the Somass-Stamp River system. It is while in the inlet and when conditions are right that these salmon also known as “reds” school in big numbers and make it relatively easy for the sport fisherman to land a few salmon on a beautiful June or July day.

During the winter months especially in January and February Bells Bay and the Franklin-Nahmint areas can have some nice sized schools of winter Chinook swim in from Barkley Sound. Most often bait fish have moved up and the salmon follow them. Last January and February was fairly good with a few very good fishing days with the biggest Inlet fish recorded at 24 pounds.

Barkley Sound has some great Winter Chinook and Prawn fishing. We do many trips each year and give guests an opportunity to create their own seafood delights. There are some great spots for a few bottom fish, prawns, crab and even the odd oyster or two. If the bait is around so are the Chinook salmon. Hotspot areas for these great feeders are Vernon Bay, Canoe Pass Area, Swale Rock, Sarita Bay and the mouth of the Bamfield Harbor. We are expecting some great fishing this winter in the Sound which is situated in very calm and protected water.

Ucluelet (West Coast)

The fishing out on the west coast is extremely good in the late spring and summer months and into mid October. The West Coast however is a place on B.C.s coastline that one can have the opportunity to land a twenty pound salmon twelve months of the year. Of course weather conditions play a role in the ability for one to get out on the water. There are days in the winter when the ocean is calm and lurking in the water are often. some nice sized feeder Chinook. The feeders are often found where there is bait fish and during the winter months most sport and charter guide fishermen stay close to the Ucluelet Harbor. The harbor and the harbor mouth can be great spots to fish and are protected. Mara Rock, Great Bear, and up into various areas of Barkley Sound are also good winter fishing areas. We offer not only salmon fishing but the area is also rich in many different rock fish, crab, and prawns. In the spring we offer our wonderful Seafood Safari that is absolutely amazing. There is nothing like a warm spring or even late winter day on the open Pacific. The West Coast of British Columbia on Vancouver Island is an amazing destination to site see, wander a beach or isolated trail, watch a storm, and also salmon fish aboard comfortable and warm sport fishing boats. The area has wonderful accommodations and is a great spot to visit no matter what time of year.

Somass-Stamp River System

The fishing on the Stamp River system during the fall months has been nothing more than incredible. Even though the last few days have not been as incredible in terms of landing fish the fishing has been one of the best years we have witnessed in quite some time. With the returns of Sockeye and Coho being extremely high the same has been true of the summer run of Steelhead and the Winter Steelhead are already showing in good numbers. Winter Steelhead are in the same cycle as Coho and sockeye. The forecast is for a great return in Winter Steelhead. The Stamp is still quite high but the water is going down each day which will make it a little easier for those walking the system. The last two days we have been fishing the Lower River below Stamp Falls to the confluence of the Stamp/Sproat. There have been a lot of people fishing the falls area and some days it is crazy. Fortunately we are aboard a jet boat and can politely escape the hoards of people. We can also find spots that have areas of quiet water. We have been fishing conventionally using artificial egg patterns or anything that resembles an egg. With the high and fast water we have also been using jigs. The Coho are still spawning and this keeps the Steelhead eager to eat and bite. There is still a good mix of summers and winters. We have been targeting the winters lately and have been hooking into an average of six a day. When the larger schools come into the system and the water levels drop even more we should have some exceptional fishing days where guests have the opportunity to play ten to fourteen Steelhead. The second half of December, January, February, and March should be very good for Winter Steelhead.

For more information
Contact:
Doug Lindores
1 877 314 6800
1 250 724 2502
1 250 731 7389 (cell)
dlindy@shaw.ca
www.catchsalmon-ca.com
www.catchsalmon.ca

PH# 1 877 314 6800
November 12 th 2009
Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing
Doug Lindores

The November rains, wind, and first real winter storm have come. Basically the 2009 saltwater sport fishing season has come to an end. The fall weather for the most part has been magnificent. Some great fishing on the coast and out in scenic Barkley Sound continued well into October. This is not to say that there will not be some great early winter days of feeder Chinook fishing, bottom fishing and prawn fishing for those anglers keen to be on the water. The Stamp River Coho fishing in October was fantastic as well over 60,000 Coho entered the system through the Stamp Falls counters. Currently the Stamp in the Upper section of the river is experiencing terrific Steelhead fishing which will continue well into March of 2010.

The Last Somass River Escapement Bulletin was released on November 3 rd . The Somass system is a “key stream” for Sockeye, Chinook, and Coho. Sockeye and Coho returns to the system were much higher than the preseason forecast. Chinook returns were unfortunately much lower. Fisheries and Oceans Canada in partnership with the Hupacasath First nation run a counting operation at various sites from late May through October. “In September all salmon passing through the Stamp Falls fish way are counted by trained and experienced observers. The observers identify the fish to species and estimate the portion of jacks by relative size and estimate the portion of marked fish.” “The migration through the fish way is videotaped for later verification of daytime real-time counts. Real-time observations are typically greater than 95% accuracy.” The counting is very close but on days of high rainfall the river dramatically rises and visibility becomes very poor which often means the fish way is closed. This has been a recent scenario.

The duration of the last week of counting at the Stamp Falls counters saw very few salmon come through. The high day for Chinook was 66 with the seasons’ total escapement into the river for natural spawn and to Robertson Creek Hatchery hit 11,600. The high day for Coho was 236 with a total escapement of 63,184. Sockeye escapement to Sproat lake and Great Central Lake is approximately 400,000.

Escapement of various salmon species to other key streams around the Greater Alberni Inlet and Barkley Sound reported by the DFO are as follows:

Nahmint River- 84 Chinook, 1160 Sockeye, 296 Coho, and 4, 775 Chum.

Sarita River – 425 Chinook, 414 Coho and 6,000 Chum.

Clemens Creek- 52 Chinook, 19,245 Sockeye, 2,765 Coho and 182 Chum.

Port Alberni Inlet

Barkley Sound

The Port Alberni Inlet has been relatively quiet in terms of any sport fishing. At times during the latter part of January and into February the Franklin-Nahmint area often has some winter Chinook that come up to feed on bait fish. A couple of local anglers each year seem to do well at this time using anchovy and various hootchies. One local Port Alberni Fisherman had a few good sized feeder Chinook last winter in the mid-twenty pound range. Most of his success came between Bells Bay and the Franklin Wall. The 2010 Sockeye season early reports and reviews are looking very promising. If conditions in terms of water temperatures in the Inlet and Somass River are ideal the Sockeye sport fishery will often get underway by mid-June. Mid August through September is ideal for Chinook and Coho. Expectations for the 2010 sport fishing season in the Port Alberni Inlet is looking very good.

Barkley Sound and areas around Bamfield are now slow. Up until a week to ten days after the Thanksgiving weekend there were still a few Coho swimming the waters and some anglers were targeting Chum around the Sarita Bay area. We will begin some guiding for Winter Chinook in December. Often the best fishing occurs later in January and continues through March or even early April. The Herring spawn brings in a good number of fish. The largest feeder Chinook picked up last year by one guide was 26 pounds. The best spots for winter Chinook are Vernon Bay, Swale Rock, Canoe Pass Area, Pill Point and quite often there is some good fishing in Samateo and Sarita Bay. The Winter Chinook are in deeper water. Most sport fishermen have their gear from 110 to 140 feet. Various white, green and bluey colored hootchies and bait are often the best lures. Samateo and Sarita Bay are at times the two spots where the salmon are not as deep. Often these two areas have fish from 50 to 80 feet. Sarita Bay was in fact one of the best spots to fish for feeder Chinook last winter.

The summer of 2010 is expected to be as good as this past summer. There should be a very good migratory flow of Chinook and Coho. This often means that the fishing along the surf line of the Sound is very good in June, July and August. Of course in early August salmon returning to their natural streams in the Barkley Sound/Port Alberni Inlet area begin to arrive.

Ucluelet

The winter storms have arrived and most residents and guides have been winterizing their sport fishing and guide boats. We will have availability all winter for those wishing to fish the west coast. The Ucluelet Harbor and areas very close to the harbor like the “red can” are very easy and often productive areas to fish during the winter. There are often some great days out on the ocean also. The area has a lot of rich natural bait fish which attracts the feeder Chinook. On those great winter days we will fish Great Bear, the Lighthouse Bank, Mara Rock, a couple of the closer banks and also parts of Barkley Sound. Guides Mike and Bob had some great fishing last winter in the quiet waters located around Mayne Bay and the back side of Swale Rock both located in the waters of the Sound. Bottom fishing, prawning, and crab fishing is also excellent during the winter. There are some DFO restrictions which will be posted. It is important to read all regulations before venturing on any fishing trip. Our Seafood Safari will begin in late March or early April.

Stamp River

Steelhead fishing is currently on fire especially in the upper river. Guide boats are entering the river at the hatchery and doing very well. Guests from Edmonton during the past week did well in three boats playing up to twelve fish in each of the boats. On Friday and Saturday (November 6 th and 7 th ) two novice fishermen who were a father son pairing landed nine Steelhead and two very chrome Coho. November in the Stamp River is the month that the Steelhead begin a feeding frenzy. They really pound the gravel beds eating freshly dropped eggs from mainly Chinook. The Summer Steelhead fatten up for their winter stay before heading back out into the North Pacific in the spring. The Ministry of Environment will often truck the earlier Summer Steelhead that come to the hatchery back to the lower portions of the river. When this occurs the fishing in both the Upper and the Lower River becomes very good. This should happen in the next week or two.

The temperature of the water in the Stamp is about 11 degrees. We are now fishing conventionally. There is a bait ban in the upper river. This ban is year round. We are using all artificials including Alaskan beads, artificial eggs, wool fly patterns that look like eggs and various small numbered spin’n glows. The Stamp Falls Pool will open up on the 15 th of November. This should be a great area for many to fish. The rain and the water released from the Great Central Lake Dam has put a lot of water in the river and has made it difficult to fish for those not using a jet or drift boat. Many avid fishermen who are on the banks are in disbelief of the boats that pass them and each time the fishermen aboard seem to be hooked into a fish. Summer Steelhead fishing can often continue until mid December or even longer. The winters often begin to show up about the 20 th of November. We are expecting some unbelievable Stamp River Steelhead fishing for the rest of the fall season and the early part of the winter and carry right on through March.

For More Information

Contact
Doug Lindores
1 877 314 6800 (lodge) reserve winter and summer accommodation-fishing packages.
1 250 724 2502 (home)
dlindy@shaw.ca (email)
www.catchsalmon-ca.com
www.catchsalmon.ca

September 18 th 2009
1 877 314 6800
Doug Lindores
Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing

September is here, in fact it is mid-September and almost the beginning of fall. This area of British Columbia located on beautiful and scenic Vancouver Island, which includes the Pacific Rim region has provided, since May, very consistent and exciting fishing action for all sport anglers and sport fishing charter guide groups and guests. The Port Alberni area, Barkley Sound and the Pacific Rim region actually provides one of B.C.’s longest fishing seasons where anglers can hit the water almost any time of the year and have opportunity to play and land a salmon. If weather conditions did not hamper fishing opportunities in the late fall and winter months there would probably be an opportunity to land a salmon over twenty pounds during twelve months of the year. In three of our four fishing areas the sport fishing for salmon at this time is still rather spectacular. For some reason the Port Alberni Inlet is one area where the salmon are arriving in huge numbers but most are not interested in biting what sport fishermen are offering. The Somass-Stamp has big schools of Coho moving in everyday. There are Chinook and Summer Steelhead in the mix also. The fishing in the river system is incredible. Some areas of Barkley Sound including the legendary Pill Point area have great fishing at the moment for Coho and some Chinook as does the Bamfield Wall, Kirby, Sanford and Fleming Island. Offshore on the West Coast of Vancouver Island there is still some great halibut and late summer Chinook and Coho fishing. The fishing should continue into October.

Port Alberni Salmon Festival

The Port Alberni Salmon Festival took place on the Labor Day weekend and has wrapped up with the final count released showing that there were just over 2,000 entrants. The Derby awarded $48,000 in cash and prizes. Local Port Alberni fisherman Cory Jones won $10,000 with the biggest fish of the Derby worth $7,000 and the biggest fish of the day valued at $3,000. This fish like many of the top fish of the Derby was caught in Barkley Sound. Jones’ 43.4 pound Chinook was caught at Nanat Island on bait. Many of the fish that were derby winners of the day were either caught at Pill Point or the Bamfield Wall and areas nearby. On Saturday, the first day of the derby, all three winning fish were caught by Port Alberni resident anglers. Jeremy Kolba picked up a 41.8 pound Chinook at Pill point and Shaun Evans’ 35.5 pound Chinook was landed close to Whittlestone. Bryce Romeril had the 32.7 pound third place winner. Clayton Hawkins, a nineteen year old avid fisherman landed Mondays’ largest fish which came in at 38.1 pounds. Clayton, fished with two school mates Troy Rata and Travis Coghill, picked up the $3,000 winner on the backside of Fleming Island using anchovy in a Rhys Davis army truck teaser head.

Port Alberni Inlet

Barkley Sound

As expected the Port Alberni Inlet is filling with Chinook and Coho but these salmon just do not seem interested in taking bait, hootchies, spoons, or any other type of lure that fisher persons have to offer. During the derby weekend and the last complete week very few fish have been recorded as being landed in the inlet. A couple of fishermen have had fortune to land a fish in the harbor. One angler had a 27 pound Chinook at Lone Tree Point. The angler from Washington State had fished three days and on the third day at 1pm the Chinook hit an anchovy in a glow army truck teaser head. Those having any success have landed fish mostly down at the Narrows, Bells Bay, Mctush, and the Franklin Wall. This is the area where incoming salmon first arrive and the water changes dramatically to fresh water influence. This is also the area of the inside fishing boundary and anglers cannot fish beyond it in order to protect those salmon swimming into the Nahmint Bay and River system. Guide Mel and Doug of Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing have spent an hour or two for a couple of mornings before heading down to fish areas of Barkley Sound. Mel had fortune to land one Chinook and two Coho at Mctush on Saturday morning. The Chinook hit a green and white coyote spoon behind 52 inches of leader and a green-glow hotspot flasher. The two Coho Salmon hit a white and a spatterback hootchie behind 37 inches of leader and a green-glow hotspot flasher. Guide Doug landed three salmon for Bellingham guests in the narrows on a four inch cop car coyote spoon. Chinook and Coho will continue for the next few weeks to flood the inlet before making their way into the Somass River. Fortunes may change for sport fisher persons as the new salmon coming in each day may be more active and willing to strike at the various lures that fishermen offer. (If fishing the upper inlet the O-15 and 0-16 hootchie or the AORL12 hootchie are good bets as are the mp-2 or mp-15 for Chinook. Green hootchies such as the spatterback, T-Rex and the green-ghost are all excellent choices. Use 32 to 36 inches of leader for Coho).

Barkley Sound fishing for the past two weeks has been very good. Last week and this past weekend two individual fishermen were recorded as saying the Bamfield Wall is so good that the fish are jumping into the boat. The Wall especially close to Poett Nook has been good for Chinook and there are plenty of good sized Coho ranging from 12 to 18 pounds. Anchovy in various teaser heads (glow army truck, chartreuse, and clear) are working very well. Pill Point has also been good with most of the salmon found in 25 to 60 feet of water. Various guides including Mel and Doug of Slivers Charters have found that the traditional white and green hootchies are working. The Coho are very active and are of good size, averaging 14 pounds. We are excited about the next two weeks of fishing out in the Sound. There are still plenty of salmon swimming the inside waters of Vancouver Island. Many of these fish will probably come into Barkley sound as they make their way into the streams and creeks located in the area or are coming to the Somass River in Port Alberni.

Ucluelet (West Coast)

Fishing out on Vancouver Islands west coast continues to be quite good. The hot spot for guide Al has been the Whales Tail which is located on the southwest corner of the Big Bank. Al has continued to please guests including the Finnish National Womens Olympic Hockey Team coaches. Coaches Arto and Jurri were guests with Al late last week. Halibut, Coho, and Chinook were all in abundance with each species being limited. The halibut and salmon were all picked up on the troll. Bouncing off the bottom the halibut have been hitting a “Big Turd”. The best two have been the dark brown and the radioactive colors. Most of the halibut are averaging 15 to 25 pounds. The Coho and Chinook have been in water from 90 to 120 feet. The salmon have been hitting green hootchies and spoons. The four and five inch green glow and green-nickel coyote spoons have been the best lures. The Coho are of good size averaging 15 pounds. Remember that only hatchery Coho can be landed. The Chinook in offshore areas such as the Big Bank are predominately feeder springs and average 10 to 12 pounds. This is not to say that there are still not some big Chinook on their migration in September. Guide Mike has been staying rather close to the Ucluelet Harbor and has had some great success at the “Red Can” and at Great Bear. Coho, wild and hatchery, are in big numbers and are up to 18 pounds with the biggest taken on Sunday weighing in at 21 pounds. The Coho are hitting various white colored hootchies but seem most interested in a Tiger Prawn hootchie. Mike has found leader lengths to be best at 36 inches. When the sun comes out which it often does in Ucluelet and offshore areas in September a black and white hootchie is working best. Most of the Coho are in 20 to 60 feet of water and unbelievable battlers when hooked. Believe it or not there are a few halibut in the “red can” area. A 120 pound hali was landed on the weekend in the area. Mike is still hooking into a few Robertson Creek Chinook which are swimming the beach. They are hitting anchovy in a chartreuse teaser head. Salmon and halibut fishing should continue to be fairly good into October out of Ucluelet. If visiting the area take one of our many fishing charter opportunities. You will be surprised with all of the activity that takes place on the water during the early fall.

Somass-Stamp River

The early fall, river fishing has been incredible. This is the perfect time of year to spend a wonderful day aboard a jet or drift boat and navigate the lower Stamp and fish for bright silver salmon that are moving into the river system and have actually just arrived from the Pacific Ocean. The best fishing is just below “the bucket” and the most abundant salmon are Coho. There are a few Chinook salmon and also some Summer Steelhead in the mix. Fishing has been best in the fast water using a float and weight (traditional fishing) with red, orange, or pink wool. Guides are aboard jet and drift boats with guests. There are also a good number of anglers walking the beach each day. Some anglers have been happy to just fish up at Stamp Falls. Many of these fisher people have not had the success that those in river boats have. We are offering some great fishing-accommodation packages for the fall. You can be either a novice or a seasoned river fisherman. No matter what there are great fishing opportunities on the Stamp River.

For more information

Contact:
Doug Lindores
Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing
1 877 314 6800 (leave message at lodge)
250 724 2502 (home)
250 731 7389 (cell)
dlindy@shaw.ca
www.catchsalmon-ca.com
www.catchsalmon.ca

1 877 314 6800
September 1 st , 2009
Doug Lindores
Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing

Incredible Year

The 2009 sport fishing season on the West Coast of Vancouver Island and the Port Alberni and Barkley Sound area to date has been absolutely terrific. June and July were two months where the Coho and Chinook swimming Vancouver Islands west coast and surf line of Barkley Sound and the Sockeye in the Alberni Inlet just never seemed to quit being around in big numbers. There have been many days of fishing (true of August also) that sport fishermen just continually had a salmon slamming whatever bait or lure they offered. The season is not over and there should be many more great days of fishing into mid September. When ocean fishermen are thinking about wrapping up their season of fishing those that enjoy spending a day on a drift or jet boat in the Stamp River are just getting underway. The Stamp River will have incredible fishing opportunities in the fall.

We are nearing the end of August which is often Prime Time for Chinook and Coho fishing in the Port Alberni Inlet and Barkley Sound. This is also the time of year when the Somass-Stamp River begins to see Chinook and Coho enter the system and the Summer Steelhead begin to return in bigger numbers. The last week saw great numbers of Chinook come into the Alberni Inlet and for the sport fisherman there were a couple of days where anglers were limiting (2 per day) on Chinook and sport fishing guides were landing 4 or 5 Chinook for guests. However the outlook for Chinook returns to the Somass River was increased by the Department of Fisheries and a two day and two night Seine and gillnet commercial opening deteriorated the sport fishing. The numbers of Chinook taken by the commercial fleet were not big in numbers but it was enough to slow the sport fishery in the Inlet down for a day or two. There currently is another push of Chinook and some Coho coming in from the surf line and Barkley Sound,which should once again create some fabulous fishing in the Port Alberni Harbor and Inlet.

Sockeye escapement into the Somass River has really picked up over the last few weeks. It was hoped that escapement into Great Central and Sproat lakes would exceed 340,000. The number is getting close. The latest report showed that 160,000 Sockeye have made their way through the fish way into Great Central and just over 140,000 into Sproat Lake. Sockeye will continue returning into September. Daily returns have been as low as 183 fish and as high as 3,010. The return looks very good for 2009 which is very good for conservation.

Port Alberni Inlet

Barkley Sound

The Inlet has had some great morning and evening fishing. Lone Tree Point, Dunsmuir and the Bells Bay area are three locations which has had the best Chinook fishing. Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing guide Mel to date landed the heaviest fish for Slivers Charters guests at 31 pounds with guide John not far behind landing one at 29 pounds for guests from Alberta. Both Mel and Johns’ fish were landed around Lone Tree Point. One salmon was picked up on the O-15 bubblegum hootchie and the other on an army truck hootchie. Many of the salmon charter fishing guides and sport anglers, on the best days of fishing are finding that all of their favorite lures are working. For some an O-15 (bubblegum) hootchie has been working very well while others choose the O-2 or the mp (mini-plankton) 2 or 15. Some fishermen are trolling with the favorite standby spatterback or AORL 12 hootchie. Some anglers will fly three or four anchovy in a purple haze, clear, or army truck teaser holder. Those fishermen flying hootchies find that leader lengths from 38 to 42 inches are working well. Those flying bait are using leader lengths from five to six feet. Robertson Creek Hatchery is expecting just over 60,000 Chinook to return to Barkley Sound and the Port Alberni Inlet. Coho returns to the hatchery and the River are expected to exceed 40,000. With 80% of the predicted Chinook return to be four year olds there should be many salmon in the mid twenty pound range and there will be fish returning in the 30 and 40 pound range but only 10% of the return is expected to be in the five year old or better age category.

Barkley Sound areas that have traditionally been hotspots at this time of year have been rather unpredictable. Pill Point, Diplock and Swale Rock on one side of the Sound and Kirby Point, Edward King, and Fleming Island on the other side have had their bright moments but they have really not been hot. There is a lot of bait in Barkley Sound and fish are feeding but not staying long. When the Chinook and Coho swim into these areas, sport fishing guides and sport anglers are hitting 8 to 10 salmon during the morning and doing the same on tide changes. This type of fishing has definitely not been as predominant as most years. The best and most consistent fishing has been on the surf line and offshore three to seven miles. Doug and John of Slivers Charters have been fishing these areas and finding many hatchery Coho and Chinook. If the fish are thick they almost will hit anything thrown their way. This is most true of the Coho which are getting up to 15 and 16 pounds. On a recent trip guide Doug had four guests from Los Angeles California land 14 salmon. The area fished was just five mile straight out off Cape Beale. A black and white hootchie and a five inch cop car coyote spoon were all it took for some spectacular sport fishing. The Coho were in 20 to 100 feet of water and the Chinook from 60 to 150 feet. Guide Wayne on the 27 th of August had a similar day landing 15 salmon with the biggest coming in at 29 pounds. There seems to be a lot of fish sitting on the various banks from three to twelve miles off the surf line. Evening fishing close to the Bamfield Harbor has offered some success. Anglers have landed some nice fish along the Bamfield Wall. Others have discovered that Whittlestone Point can be quite productive as can Kirby and Sanford Point. There will be a big surge of Chinook and Coho come into the sound as many of these fish will be headed to Port Alberni and Robertson Creek Hatchery and of course many of the nearby rivers, creeks, and streams. Late August and early to mid September should have some remarkable fishing days.

Ucluelet (West Coast)

Favorable reports are still coming out of Ucluelet. The Wreck, Big Bank, the shallows, and southwest corner have all been producing some great fishing. Guide Al had a two day trip for Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing with Ontario guests. One of the guests, Mardie, wrote “I have fished all over North America and Mexico and this has been the best fishing trip I have ever been on.” The Ontario guests limited on halibut, which has recently been upgraded to two fish per day. They also limited on a two day possession limit of hatchery Coho and landed eight Chinook with the biggest coming in at 26 pounds. Guide Al hs had some great fishing most of the summer at the south west corner but chose the Deep edge for this group. The Deep Edge is just west of the shallows out by The Wreck. The halibut were all picked up on the troll from 200 to 225 feet. A brown and a UV glow big turd has been doing extremely well for halibut and some of the salmon are also hitting them. The Chinook are also hitting a T-Rex hootchie and a UV tiger prawn hootchie. The Coho have been very abundant and are hitting everything. Surprisingly some of the Coho have been picked up at the 180 to 200 foot level and the Chinook have been in 45 to 50 feet of water. The inside water around Great Bear and Beg Island and the Lighthouse Bank have not been that good over the last week. Robertson Creek fish should start pushing down along the beach and the migratory flow of late summer Coho and Chinook should remain strong into mid September.

Somass-Stamp River

The River is now open and guide Nick has been fishing for summer run Steelhead. On Wednesday and Thursday Nick hit 11 Steelhead each day, fishing with conventional gear. There is a good number of Steelhead in the river and the salmon are also beginning to show up. The September, October and November Stamp river fishing in the Upper and Lower River should be remarkable. We are offering a wonderful fishing-accommodation package. More information on river fishing will be available by contacting Doug at 1 877 314 6800. The river fishing will really pickup by the 10 th of September.

Port Alberni Salmon Festival (38 th Annual Derby)

The salmon festival which takes place on the Labor Day Weekend will kick start on Friday September 4 th with a fireworks display at Clutesi Haven Marina. Salmon Fishing begins on Saturday September 5 th at 6am and continues until Monday September 7 th with final weigh-in at 3pm. The winning fish will claim the lucky person with the overall biggest fish $10,000. This would come in the form of $3,000 for the days’ biggest fish and $7,000 for the derby’s largest salmon. The daily second place fish each day will win the lucky fisher person $2,000 and the daily third place winner will win $1,000. There are many daily hidden weight prizes. Derby headquarters will once again be at Clutesi Haven Marina on River Road in Port Alberni

For more information

Contact
Doug Lindores
1 877 314 6800
Slivers Charters Salmon Sport fishing
1 250 724 2502 (home)
1 250 731 7389 (cell)
dlindy@shaw.ca
www.catchsalmon-ca.com

1877314 6800
JUNE 20 TH 2009
DOUG LINDORES
SLIVERS CHARTERS SALMON SPORT FISHING

The time is quickly passing and we are already into mid-June. The fishing to date has been absolutely terrific. Ucluelet and Barkley Sound have had some extremely excellent days. The best fishing in Barkley Sound has been along the surf line. The Chinook are getting bigger as are the Coho. The biggest Chinook to date is 35 pounds picked up by guests with Ucluelet guide Mike close to the Ucluelet Harbor at Great Bear. Guide John picked up his biggest fish of the young season last week at Kirby Point in Barkley sound at 23 pounds. Sockeye fishing in the Inlet opened on Monday June 15 th . The season opening will permit the sport fisherman to obtain a limit of 2 salmon per day with four in possession after 2 days of fishing. To date the Sockeye fishing for the sport angler has been absolutely amazing. Guides have been limiting for guests each day.

Indicators are showing that Sockeye numbers may very well be higher than what was originally forecast. The counters are now in place and the June 17 th reading showed that approximately 10,000 sockeye have made their way into Sproat Lake and 14,000 Sockeye have gone through the counters into Great Central Lake. The Sockeye season for sport fishermen should really shape up well.

The 2009 season predictions seem to be very accurate for Chinook and Coho. Migratory flows to the south are 1.6 million Coho and approximately 750,000 Chinook. Pink salmon returns are estimated to be between 14 and 17 million. Sockeye returns to the Fraser are between 12 and 13 million. Barkley Sound and Inlet fishing and of course all fishing offshore should be unbelievable.

We offer some very attractive fishing-accommodation packages for those travelling to the area to salmon fish. Any guest or visitor to Vancouver Island wishing to salmon fish should organize very quickly as dates are quickly filling.

Port Alberni Inlet
Barkley Sound

Sockeye fishing in the Port Alberni Inlet opened on Monday June 15 th . As described by guide Mel the fishing was absolutely fantastic on the first day of fishing. Mel with two guests from Ontario picked up their limit by 8am. The fishing has been very good around Lone Tree Point and Cous Creek. The China Creek area around Underwood and Dunsmuir Point has been good. The best fishing for the first week however has been the Nahmint area. There seems to be a very large number of schools in the whole area. Guides Doug, Mel and John have limited for guests from areas around the world the last three mornings. The sockeye are taking all of the regular gear. The mp 15 and mp 2 hootchies as well as the 183 hootchie which has a glow green head are working well. Mel has also had hits on black bare hooks. The best fishing has been in depths of 50 to 60 feet. Green and red hotspot flashers were working with the mp hootchies. We are expecting if forecast numbers go up, per day limits could be raised to four salmon. Sockeye fishing often continues into the beginning of August. The water temperature of the Somass River has reached almost 18 degrees Celsius. This has slowed the Sockeye down and they are obviously beginning to school in the inlet.

Barkley Sound fishing has at times been unpredictable. There have been some fabulous days where there is a mix of big Chinook in the 20 to 25 pound range and a good number of Coho. There have been some fabulous fishing days at Kirby Point and Edward King Island as well as Cree Island and Meares Bluff.

Guide John of Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing had a husband-wife team last week and had some of the years or even past two years best fishing days. The group mainly fished around Kirby Point and Edward King Island. The biggest fish of the two days was 23 pounds and the Calgary couple took home limits of Chinook and Coho. The Cop Car Coyote spoon and the four inch watermelon coyote spoon were working very well. The salmon were not interested in bait.

This past Saturday and Sunday and also Thursday was completely different with many salmon in the 6 to 13 pound range. The number of Coho from 5 to 7 pounds has been unbelievable to say the least. Guide Doug on Saturday morning June 13 th had guests from Edmonton play 30 or more Coho. On Thursday the 18 th of June guests from Spokane Washington played well over 40 Coho. Being selective the group landed 6 Coho around 7 pounds and 3 Chinook weighing 12 pounds each. The Coho were in the top 30 feet of water and the Chinook in about 80 feet of water. The Coho were very interested in hitting a purple haze hootchie on a purple haze flasher. The place to fish in Barkley Sound over the past weekend of was Cree and Austin Island. Guide Wayne had two very good days landing some nice Chinook up to 27 pounds. The Chinook were taking anchovy in an army truck Rhys Davis Teaser Head. The UV green teaser head behind a green hotspot flasher was also working well. As we get into later June and early Julythe Coho will get bigger as they vigorously feed on the rich sources of bait fish. Coho can often put on a pound per week.

We are expecting the June and July fishing to really improve with even better fishing opportunities in August. The migratory flow will continue in big number through the summer and in August and September the Barkley Sound and Robertson Creek Hatchery returning fish will show up. This will create some unreal fishing days.

Ucluelet
West Coast

Ucluelet fishing offshore and inshore has been very good for well over a month. Guide David has been fishing the big Bank most days. David often fishes halibut and salmon on the troll. The success rate has been very good as guests have been picking up limits in both Chinook and Halibut. The Salmon on the Big Bank have been hitting the purple haze hootchie and white hootchies. The Halibut have been hitting an army truck glow hootchie. The Chinook on the big Bank have been averaging up to 17 pounds. Many of the Coho have been 8 pounds. Other guides who have not been doing the combo trips have stayed close to Great Bear and the Lighthouse Bank and have had tremendous success with guests. Guides Shawn and Al have been hitting fish up to 30 pounds. The last three days have been phenomenal. Many guides and sport fishermen have been limiting in salmon by 9 am each morning. Bait in a clear and purple haze Rhys Davis Teaser Head, nasty boy coyote spoon, and army truck spoon and blue colored hootchies have all been working very well.

The days have been relatively clear in terms of weather on the coast. July and August can often bring fog. When fishing on your own sprot fishermen should be equipped with a good GPS, radar reflector if no radar and a good VHF radio. Safety is of outmost concern especially when others can be at risk if in your boat.

Barkley Sound and Ucluelet fishing will be the ultimate of fishing right through September. Call Doug at 1 877 314 6800 for more information.

Somass-Stamp River
The Somass River will have a Sport Sockeye fishery. Opening day was June 15th.

For those that cannot get out onto the inlet in a boat this is a great fishery. People often get on the banks of the Somass River by 4 am. We also provide jet boat fishing for Sockeye on the Somass. The fall fishing in the river will be extremely good for Chinook, Coho and summer steelhead.

For more information
Contact:
Doug
1 877 314 6800
dlindy@shaw.ca
250 724 2502 (home)
250 731 7389 (cell)
http://www.catchsalmon-ca.com

FEBRUARY 24 TH 2009
SLIVERS CHARTERS SALMON SPORT FISHING
DOUG LINDORES
1 877 314 6800

It is almost the end of February and the saltwater fishing season is closing in on us very quickly. Winter Spring sport fishing out of Ucluelet and Barkley Sound has been on for almost a month. The weather has been absolutely unbelievable. We have had more hours of sunshine this year on the West Coast and the Alberni Valley than any other year that can be remembered (at least it seems that way).

One problem with having the great weather that we have had is that for this time of year there is very little snow pack which is not good for the summer. The preseason forecast for returning salmon to this area in August and September is quite good. The migratory fish swimming down the coastline of Vancouver Island is forecast to be one of the best years ever. According to various Fisheries officers in Canada and the US the return of salmon to the Fraser River and the Columbia River is very high. Many of these fish come into Barkley Sound during June, July, August and September to feed on the rich resources of bait fish. We are very excited about the fishing opportunities in June and July in Barkley Sound. In August Chinook and Coho returning to the Robertson Creek Hatchery in Port Alberni and salmon returning to the various rivers and creeks in the Sound area will also provide unbelievable fishing opportunities.

This Areas Sport Fishing Advisory Board has recently made a public announcement that there will be a sockeye opening in the Port Alberni Inlet this summer. This is great news as this will be the first opportunity to fish sockeye since the summer of 2006. There has been no formal announcement on run size, limits, or when the actual season will open but the news is fantastic for the sport fisherman, fishing charter guides, and the community as a whole in terms of tourism.

Port Alberni Inlet

Barkley Sound

Every February a few local sport fishermen and also local sport fishing charter guides fish the Inlet around Nahmintand Franklin River. This year is no different and with so many gorgeous days on the water some local sport fisher people have been out on the water. Finding bait in the Nahmint area local sport fishermen decided to troll the area with anchovy and hootchies. One local sport fisherman picked up one of the largest Winter Chinook of the season. In an area known s Bells Bay this sport fishing enthusiast hit a 22 pound fish that just did not want to come into the boat. This fish battled for well over twenty minutes until finally giving up. This fish and other feeder Chinook ranging in the 8 to 12 pound range hit an anchovy in a chartreuse Rhys Davis Teaser head. Leader length was five and a half feet. There has been a few other Winter Chinook in the area reported to be in the 20 to 22 pound range in the Bells Bay Nahmint-Franklin area. Most of the fish in the Inlet have been in 80 to 100 feet of water. The Barkley Sound area has many good areas to fish Winter Chinook. The weekend of FEBRUARY 28 th and March 1 st is the 21 st annual Sproat Loggers Winter Spring Fishing Derby. This Derby is based out of Poett Nook which is just on the other side of Sarita. (traveling toward Bamfield) This Derby has a cost of $15 per person. It is not $15 per rod. There are a lot of fantastic prizes that will be awarded on Sunday at 12 noon. There are only 500 tickets printed which can be picked up at the Port Alberni and Nanaimo Gone Fishing Stores and also Port Boat House. Launching and moorage etc. on this derby weekend at the Nook is free of charge. Sarita Bay, the mouth of the Bamfield Harbor, Samatao Bay, Pill Point and Diplock, Vernon Bay, Canoe Pass area, and Swale Rock to name a few can all be hot spots for feeder spring fishing. Of course these salmon are always found in good numbers in areas where there is bait. This past Saturday 3 guests from Alberta enjoyed a beautiful day on the water with Slivers Charters guide Al. Pill Point showed a few fish in the 100 to 130 foot depth but showed no interest to bite. There were fish around Diplock that were not that deep and there seemed to be quite a few shallow fish off of Swiss Boy. However Vernon Bay and the area just out from Canoe Pass had bait showing and salmon that were interested in biting. From noon to about 2 pm eight fish hit and four were taken at the boat. Anchovy in a green Rhys Davis Teaser head and hootchies in green and blue and white were also working well behind a green hot spot flasher. Guide Ken has been fishing the area of Samatao over the last couple of weeks had has found some smaller fish in the eight to ten pound range. The fish in Samatao have not been deep and have been hitting white hootchies (AORL12) with 40 to 44 inches of leader behind various flasher colors.

Those people interested in coming to Vancouver Island should be making their plans. Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing is currently booking summer trips for the Port Alberni Inlet, Barkley Sound and the West Coast.

West Coast (Ucluelet)

Most of our trips for Winter Chinook to date have been into Barkley Sound. We have fished Mayne Bay where quite a bit of bait has been found. Many of the feeders in the area are 6 to 8 pounds. The back area of Swale Rock has had some good days. Any fishing close to Ucluelet has been just outside the Harbor and close to Beg Island and the lighthouse. The Herring spawn is getting close and the herring should be headed toward the beach which should really pick up our fishing over the next couple of weeks. Do not miss out on our SEAFOOD SAFARI which features Salmon, Rock Fish, Prawns and Crab. We are also encouraging people to do some whale watching in March and April and at the same time enjoy some fishing opportunities. Late March and April is often beautiful with quiet water on the open Pacific Ocean.

Stamp River

We are still in the midst of steelhead fishing on the upper and lower Stamp. The guides are on the water everyday and have a bit of an advantage because of this. We usually have one or two boats in either area. Some days have been fantastic where guides are hitting up to 8 or 9 fish. Other days are slower where only 2 or 3 hit. The water levels have been low which can make it very difficult to fish. One of the guides recently hit a 15 pound Winter Steelhead for guests from Italy. The biggest fish of the season is still 18 pounds. We are hoping for some rain to bring water levels up. If this occurs the fishing will really improve. We have been happy to date with our results however. It does help to be on the river on a daily basis. Many who are just coming on their own have gone home fairly flustered and frustrated. We are expecting the Winter Steelhead fishing to continue right until the end of March.

We are expecting some great continued winter fishing. On the horizon it looks like a very good year for summer salmon fishing especially on the west coast and Barkley Sound. Port Alberni Inlet fishing should and will be much better than last year. Sockeye numbers are good enough to have an announced Sport fish opening. Chinook and Coho returns should be very strong.

For more Information
Contact:
Doug
1-250 723 2435 or
1-877 314 6800
dlindy@shaw.ca
www.catchsalmon-ca.com
www.catchsalmon.ca
1-250 731 7389 (cell)

December 18, 2008

Doug Lindores

Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing

      Christmas and the first day of winter are both quickly approaching.  Once we get into the New Year many individuals will take their minds of the global crisis we have encountered and think of the brighter days that lay ahead.  Many will plan their summer fishing trips in either the protected waters or the Port Alberni Inlet or Barkley Sound areas.  Others will choose Vancouver Islands West Coast and fish the waters offshore.

However at the moment most avid fishermen who fish saltwater probably have their Christmas fishing wish list in and are only slightly thinking of those great summer days that lay ahead on the water.  Items from new rods and reels to various lures and flashers are examples of what some folk may want.  Some might also be fortunate enough to put on their list some new electronic equipment or even a fishing trip or two.

        At the moment the best fishing opportunity is in the many river systems on Vancouver Island.  The Upper and Lower Stamp River located just outside Port Alberni

has some absolutely wonderful steelhead fishing.  Fishing for Feeder Chinook in Barkley Sound and the waters off of Ucluelet has been slow.

Stamp River

         The Stamp River Salmon counters are now closed.  The 2008 return of Chinook and Coho are now in.  The Robertson Creek Hatchery got its egg count but the 27,000 Chinook forecast return was close to 4,000 Chinook Salmon short.  Coho numbers were very good with the final tally to the hatchery at about 43,000.

         Steelhead fishing in the Upper and Lower Stamp River has been good.  Stamp River fishing is absolutely wonderful.  Not only has the fishing been excellent but just being in the great outdoors is absolutely fantastic.  The scenery along the river is superb along with the many wonders and sounds of nature.  The Lower River was a little slower than the Upper River but has really improved over the last four days and is very close to the fishing in the Upper.  There is a mix of summer-fall Steelhead and winter Steelhead.  The winter Steelhead are more prominent in the Lower River.  Those fishing below “the bucket” can use natural bait like salmon eggs in roe bags or shrimp. 

Fishermen who are fishing above “the bucket” must remember that only artificial lures can be used.  The  best choice of artificial lures are red spin-n-glows, a corkie, or gooebobs in a subtle color.  Those coming to the area and not using a guide or drift boat can enter the river at the Gun Range or the Galaxy Campground.  People are also fishing above Stamp Falls.  Guides in boats are still treating their guests to some unbelievable fishing.  For example this past weekend guests from Edmonton and Victoria who had never fished the river played six or seven steelhead each.   If you have never fished in the river the various guides will work with you and by the end of the day you will feel like you have done this type of fishing for many years.

          If you are fishing the river on your own or fishing on a guided trip you will notice that there are various methods and equipment being used.  When the water is low due to dry and cool weather the gear being used is quite small.  The leader lengths are also longer and lighter.  For example, at the moment, because we have not had a lot of rainfall, guides, when using a spin-n-glow are using a #12 in a cherise color.  When there is high water use large gear with shorter leaders and brighter lure colors.  Guides will use large pink worms or a #8 or 10 spin-n-glow with a luminescence finish.

For more information on current conditions and river fishing call or email Doug at 1 877 314 6800.

Port Alberni Inlet

Barkley Sound

Ucluelet

          There is not a whole lot of action in either of the areas.  There are a few winter Chinook being picked up around Swale Rock and Vernon Bay located in Barkley Sound in 125 to 135 feet of water.  Anchovy in a chartreuse Rhys Davis teaser head is working as are various white hootchies. The same holds true out of Ucluelet where during the month of November it is very difficult to fish due to winter storms. We have been able to fish a couple of days one of those being on Sunday December 7. Beg Island and Sail Rock had a few fish and two guests from Alberta were delighted to pickup a 7 and 9 pound winter Chinook on a hootchie with 44 inches of leader.  Most of our Ucluelet trips will end up in Barkley Sound.  We will include prawn and crab fishing plus Feeder Chinook fishing.  We are now booking trips out of Ucluelet where we will also have our Seafood Safari.  The Seafood Safari is very popular where guests have opportunity to fish for salmon, rock fish, prawns and crab.  Trips begin in January with the Seafood Safari actually getting under way in late March.                                                                                                                   

        The Inlet will not have any salmon sport fishing opportunity until the sockeye arrive next June.  Following the sockeye fishery Chinook begin to show by August 10, or so, followed by Coho in early September.  The return of Chinook and Coho once again looks fairly promising for 2009.

          The 2009 Summer Barkley Sound fishing should be very good.  We are looking forward to some excellent June and July fishing.   The migratory numbers will be strong.  The Columbia River for example is forecast to have big returns of fish.  Many of these fish come into Barkley Sound to feed on the rich resources of bait fish.  In August and September the areas returning salmon show up with many returning to their natural streams or head up to the Alberni Inlet where they return to the Robertson Creek Hatchery or many of the tributary streams or creeks.

For More Information

Contact

Doug Lindores

Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing

dlindy@shaw.ca

1 877 314 6800

250 724 2502

250 731 7389 (cell)

www.catchsalmon-ca.com