Fishing Reports

Report Doug Lindores– SLIVERS CHARTERS SALMON SPORT FISHING

      The summer of 2022 is fast approaching.  Fisherpersons are preparing for another fantastic saltwater season with excitement and enthusiasm.  Anglers like to see the late part of April and the month of May as a time that is full of “promise” for the summer season to come.   Late April and May is a time when there are many cool-sunny days in Barkley Sound, those areas along the surf line, and areas close to the Ucluelet Harbor mouth.  This is the time of year when there are many more boats out on the water than what people actually think.  Locals from Port Alberni, Bamfield, Ucluelet, and other fisher persons from various Vancouver Island communities motor by boat out to the Sound to take advantage of the excellent weather and the pristine, protected, and calm water of the Sound.  Fishing in Barkley Sound and along the coast is often very productive as there are often some bright and very chrome Feeder Chinook in the eight to fourteen-pound range.  These winter Chinook are very feisty and very hard fighting.  They are in deep water and the flesh is very deep red in color.  There are also many migratory Chinook in the mix as the early summer run of salmon headed to the big watersheds to the south begins to show in relatively good numbers.  Some of these salmon are ranging in weight from fifteen to twenty-five pounds.   The Alberni Inlet at this time of year is still very quiet but many local anglers are gearing up with their red and pink gear in anticipation of Sockeye fishing which historically gets underway by mid-June.  Sockeye fishing is a wonderful family fishing event for all ages.  

        The winter and early spring feeder Chinook fishing has been productive for those fisher people who have ventured out on the water during the late winter and early spring.  The Bamfield Wall, Diplock, Harbor Entrance to Swale Rock, and the Trevor Channel Whistle buoy area have all had some great Feeder and Migratory Chinook fishing days since early March.  The previous mentioned areas as well as Cree Island, Meares, Sail Rock, Kirby Point, and Edward King are excellent salmon fishing locations in the early to mid-spring time.   To date, there have been some very good fishing days with good numbers of migratory Chinook weighing in the mid-teens to low twenties.  An early March Barkley Sound Derby had a winning Chinook weigh in at just over nineteen pounds.

        Late April and May is the time of year that the “early summer run” of Chinook that is migrating to the big watersheds to the south swim down the coastline outside of Ucluelet and the surf line areas of Barkley Sound.   May historically has plenty of Winter springs in Barkley Sound and the Bamfield area which really helps to increase the sport salmon fishing opportunity.  Kirby Point up to Edward King and also the Whistle Buoy all the way down to the Bamfield Wall and areas around Swale Rock have these hard fighting Chinook sitting normally in one hundred to one hundred and fifty feet of water.  A variety of spoons tend to be very productive.   Spoons in chrome, various cookies and cream colors in the TKO or even cop car, Herring Aid, and krippled K in green and silver.  Hootchies in Octopus and cuttlefish as well as a variety of needle-fish hootchies are also fantastic lure choices.  In May if there is a lot of squid in any area white hootchies or even the stand-by green spatter back in octopus and cuttlefish are excellent choices.  If trolling hootchies in late April and the month of May depending on your location if around the Ucluelet Islands or Barkley Sound fishing from one hundred to one hundred and forty feet is not uncommon.  Leader lengths behind various flashers may be between thirty-eight and forty-four inches.  Bait is also an excellent choice but if there are a lot of small undersize Chinook in the area that anglers are fishing then spoons or hootchies are definitely the way to go.

         The migratory Chinook salmon sit and migrate on the various offshore banks and come into many areas of Barkley Sound and feed heavily on the rich resources of bait fish before continuing their journey.  The baitfish are needlefish, herring and pilchards.  Matching up lures with the bait can lead to some fantastic sport fishing success.    The Chinook are not terribly fussy in May as they are feeding heavily, especially on the tides.  The best fishing is often “where the bait fish are located”.  Find the bait and you will find some nice Chinook Salmon.   Late April and May is a fantastic salmon fishing times with often some beautiful weather conditions.

           For those avid halibut fishermen, May is the month that the halibut migrate from the deep into the shallows.  The various banks offshore have plenty of halibut by Mid May.  Often areas around Bamfield and Swale Rock can be very good.   This is the time of year that some of the larger halibut are landed.  Fishing halibut before and during the slack tide is a great time.  Trolling the bottom or using drift jigs on the bottom can be most effective.  Many individuals will use very large herring, salmon bellies, and octopus for bait.  Some will use a spreader bar with large spoons or a Mudraker.  All can be very effective methods of fishing Halibut.

            As the weather warms in May the trout fishing does improve.   The two large nearby lakes which are Sproat Lake and Great Central Lake are usually quite productive in the early and mid- spring months.  There are often some very nice cutthroat and rainbow trout.  Fly fisher persons usually are casting or trolling a crystal hair black leach or a variety of artificial lures that resemble small fry as the trout are often feeding on small Sockeye fry.   

           It is time to get out on the water.   Good Luck and Tight Lines.

Doug Lindores

Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing
​www.catchsalmon-ca.com
1 250 731 7389     mobile
1 888 214 7206     toll free
dlindy@shaw.ca

SEPTEMBER 1^st 2021    DOUG LINDORES

2021 ALBERNI VALLEY SALMON FESTIVAL  50^th ANNIVERSARY  September 4^th to 6th

         Labor Day weekend is upon us and that means it is Salmon Festival time in the Alberni Valley and areas of Barkley Sound.  The Derby takes place on Saturday, Sunday and Monday with fishing beginning each day at 6 am.  This year marks the 50^th anniversary of this popular Alberni Valley and area event.  The derby closes on Labor Day Monday at 3 pm with the final weigh-in.  The Derby headquarters once again is once again at Tyee Landing.  Any potential winning fish for each of the three days must be weighed in at Tyee Landing.  There are fantastic prizes with the winning fish and the top three salmon for each day winning prize money.  The largest salmon will win a lucky individual $10,000 with daily prizes for the top largest fish valued at $5.000, 2,000 and $1,000.  The cost per rod for 2021 is $50.  Some of this money will go to “local” enhancement.

         The Alberni Valley and much of Barkley Sound has experienced very warm and dry weather conditions during the summer.  The Chinook and Coho are waiting for fresh wter before entering the many streams, creeks and rivers.  There has been minimal migration into the Somass River system.  In Barkley Sound fresh Chinook and some Coho are moving in with the late August and early September migration.  Many of the salmon migrating into the Sound will migrate up to the inlet and into the Somass system.

        The best fishing at this time is in Barkley Sound.  The Alberni Inlet over the past three weeks has also experienced some excellent Chinook fishing.  The inlet has experienced some commercial fishing which has slowed the sport fishing over the last few days.  However fish will continue migrating and the inlet should fill up with salmon in time for the derby.  Barkley Sound has been fantastic and the fishing has been “World Class”.  Swale Rock, Pill Point, Wittlestone, Beale and Little Beale, The Bamfield Wall, Austin, Meares, and Assets have all been fantastic sport fishing locations and should remain this way for the next few weeks.  The salmon in the sound have been feeding very hard during much of the day and of course on tide changes the bite is even better.  The salmon are in fairly shallow water in the sound and Inlet.  Fishing between thirty and fifty feet is not uncommon.  The best lures in the inlet have been the Octopus hootchies in the O-2, O-16, purple haze and the AORL 12.  The best leader length for these hootchies has been thirty-eight to forty-two inches.   Anchovy in the inlet was a very good choice at the beginning of the season and still is a great choice but many sport anglers are have success with hootchies.  In Barkley Sound bait in a variety of teaser heads is working the best.  Army Truck, green haze, and the herring aid seem to be a great choice with the leader length being six feet.  At this time of year green gold and purple gold flashers are by far the best.  With approximately 140,000 Chinook salmon returning to West Coast Vancouver Island the Derby weekend should have some great results.  The number of five year old’s returning are approximately 17% which means there could be some nice sized fish landed during the derby and into September.    

For More information

Contact   Doug Lindores

 dlindy@shaw.ca

1 888 214 7206

www.catchsalmon-ca.com

Doug Lindores-Late August and September 2021                                Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing

         As we approach the month of September we realize that the days become shorter but with the crisp early mornings and fabulous warm afternoons this is the month that many anglers enjoy as the weather patterns create fabulous settings for many memorable sport fishing days.  This is also the month that the bigger Coho and Chinook approach the final destination of their longest life journey.  The salmon historically are making their way and waiting for the final push into the many streams, creeks, and rivers of West Coast Vancouver Island.  The salmon in Barkley Sound feed frantically before entering fresh water systems and in the Alberni Inlet the Chinook and Coho make their way into the fabulous Somass River system.

         September is also that time of year when some of the more prominent fishing derby’s take place.   The city of Port Alberni normally hosts the three-day Labour Day Weekend salmon festival.  On the west coast Tuna fishing presents an opportunity for what has become known as the “Tuna Shootout”.  Tuna fishing has become very popular in September and even late August.  The warmer water currents bring the Tuna closer to the beach and make them more accessible for those in good-sized sport boats.  Anglers heading out for Tuna have to watch and be aware of the water current, look for the temperature break, and fish the warmer side of what is known as the blue water.

       This year (2021) the DFO has forecast Chinook returns to West Coast Vancouver Island to be one of the best in a very long time.  Late August and September sport fishing in the Alberni Inlet and Barkley Sound has been “World Class”.  Pill Point, Swale Rock, Diplock, Assets, and the Bamfield Wall are excellent fishing areas during the later half of August and into the first half of September.  The salmon will hold in these areas if there are large quantities of rich resources of bait fish.  The salmon on the Bamfield Wall side headed to the Somass River, Sarita, or Nitnat will often hold on a long stretch from Whittlestone to Poett Nook and gorge themselves as they wait for the first fall rains to provide water for their final migratory push.  The Coho in September are in very shallow water and can often be found on the surface in the morning and later in the evening.  Chinook are often in twenty to sixty feet of water.  Anglers at this time of year using anchovy often have the best success.  Using teaser heads in glow army truck, Purple Haze, Green Haze, and cop car with six feet or better of leader line behind purple or green-gold flashers usually create the best results.  Many Hootchies in a variety of colors are great stand-bys.  The Dark Green spatter-back, AORL12, Purple Haze and Army Truck are great choices when using hootchies as a lure.

          The Alberni Inlet in the last half of August and first half of September fills with Chinook salmon followed by Coho.  In September the Chinook and Coho are in an abundant mix.  Hotspots in the Inlet are Lone Tree, The China Creek Wall, Underwood, Couslons, and Dunsmuir Point.  The salmon are in fifteen to fifty feet of water and are most aggressive in the early morning and on tide changes.  Most sport fishermen have had early success using anchovy.   Lately a variety of hootchies have provided excellent success.  The O-2 and O-15 which are a pinkly colored hootchie have worked very well as have the mp-2 and mp-15 which are smaller mini plankton colors.

          September 2021 will provide sport fisher people with some world class fishing opportunities in this area.  The Alberni Inlet and Barkley Sound locations will be definite hotspots in British Columbia and the West Coast for anglers.

Tight lines,

Doug Lindores

Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing

www.catchsalmon-ca.com

toll free    1 888 214 7206

dlindy@shaw.ca

JULY 4^th 2021      DOUG LINDORES     SLIVERS CHARTERS SALMON SPORT FISHING

Sockeye Salmon Sport Fishing Opens in The Alberni Inlet—–“BREAKING NEWS”

         As we embrace July of 2021 most anglers in this area are excited about the return of Sockeye salmon to the Somass River system and the migration of Chinook salmon and Coho along the surf line of Barkley Sound and areas close to the Ucluelet Harbor Mouth.  Sport Fishing opportunities should be incredible during this wonderful summer month.  Sockeye returns are predicted to be approximately 500,000 fish.  This number should provide for sport fishing opportunity of up to four salmon per day.   The runs of migrating mature Chinook combined with decent schools of Coho travelling the Vancouver Island West Coast surf line to the large southerly watersheds should give endless opportunities to sport fishing enthusiasts fishing Barkley Sound and areas close to Ucluelet.   Sockeye fishing is a great opportunity for everyone and is a very comfortable angling opportunity for people of all ages.   The best fishing areas for Sockeye in the Alberni Inlet are from Hocking Point to Lone Tree.  Underwood, the Narrows and Cous Creek will provide for some excellent angling.

         Current sport fishing regulations, at the time of this writing, provided by the DFO will allow sport fishing for Chinook salmon within one nautical mile of the coastline until the fifteenth of July.  After this date anglers will be permitted to fish offshore waters for Chinook.  Pacific Rim areas are often a feeding station to these transient salmon.  The islands close to the Ucluelet Harbor mouth and up the coastline to Wya Point and Florencia and the many areas of Barkley Sound often hold vast quantities of bait fish in herring, anchovy, squid and needlefish.  To date Sail Rock, Great Bear, The Alley, which are all close to Ucluelet and Barkley Sound locations such as Cree Island, Meares, Kirby, Bamfield Wall, and Swale Rock have experienced some very good sport fishing.  This trend will continue and become stronger in July and will likely improve two-fold in late July and into early September when the West Coast Vancouver Island salmon begin returning to their natal streams and rivers.

        Historically the most common gear and consistent salmon producer when fishing Barkley Sound has been trolling with anchovy behind a variety of colored flashers.  How ever that trend has changed over the past couple of years with fish hitting various Herring Aid spoons as well as Skinny G’s, Coho Killer spoons, and a variety of octopus, cuttlefish, and needle fish hootchies.   Anchovy teaser head colors that work well are Green Haze, Glow Army Truck, Herring Aid, and Cop Car.  Flashers in blue, green glow, chartreuse, and even red with at least a six-foot leader are best.   Spoons behind a flasher can vary from forty-two inches to five feet.  Hootchie leader lengths behind a flasher are thirty-eight to forty-two inches.  Favorite hootchies are the AORL 12, J-79, Jack Smith, and Purple Haze.   The salmon have been feeding on large mature herring, needlefish, and small immature herring around Meares, Austin-Cree, Swale Rock and Edward King.  Smaller Spoons if the bait is small have been working very well.   In areas around Beale, Whittlestone and The Bamfield Wall there have been mature squid meaning Octopus hootchies and cuttle fish are working best.   The best cuttle fish have been tiger prawn UV, army truck and a variety of white cuttle fish colors.    

          Halibut fishing in July is in full swing.  Many sport-fisher people will either drift, jig or anchor.  Halibut will often prefer salmon bellies as well as large herring or octopus.  If jigging try a Gibbs Hali Hawg tipped with salmon belly.  Lingcod fishing is also relatively good.  How ever it is important that a good descending device is on board as any yellow-eye rockfish are to be released.

            July of 2021 should have some world class salmon sport fishing.

Tight lines and Good fishing

Doug Lindores

Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing

1 888 214 7206

250 731 7389   (mobile)

dlindy@shaw.ca

www.catchsalmon-ca.com

JUNE 16^th 2021      DOUG LINDORES     SLIVERS CHARTERS SALMON SPORT FISHING

Sockeye Salmon Sport Fishing Opens in The Alberni Inlet—–“BREAKING NEWS”

Retention of FOUR SOCKEYE PER PERSON BEGINS JUNE 15th

         As we embrace mid June most anglers in this area are excited about the return of Sockeye salmon to the Somass River system and the migration of Chinook salmon and Coho along the surf line of Barkley Sound and areas close to the Ucluelet Harbor Mouth.  Not only has the sport fishing along the surf line been good but areas such as Pill Point and Tzarus Island have been fantastic.   Sport Fishing opportunities in this area are currently incredible.   Sockeye returns are predicted to be approximately anywhere from 350,000 to 500,000 fish.  This number is providing for sport fishing opportunity of up to FOUR Sockeye salmon per day beginning on the 15^th of June.  Possession limits will be four per day and eight over two days as a possession limit.    The runs of migrating mature Chinook combined with decent schools of Coho travelling the Vancouver Island West Coast surf line to the large southerly watersheds should give endless opportunities to sport fishing enthusiasts fishing Barkley Sound and areas close to Ucluelet.   Sockeye fishing is a great opportunity for everyone and is a very comfortable angling opportunity for people of all ages.   The best fishing areas for Sockeye in the Alberni Inlet are from Hocking Point or Nahmint and Ten Mile Point to Lone Tree.  Underwood, the Narrows and Cous Creek will provide for some excellent angling.  Currently the Sockeye are migrating in shallow water and anglers are having success fishing the top twenty-five to forty feet of water.  The best lures are mp hootchies in a bubble gum color or pink-blue or pink-black hootchies or a double tandem or single Black Hook.

         Current sport fishing regulations, at the time of this writing, provided by the DFO will allow sport fishing for Chinook salmon within one nautical mile of the coastline until the fifteenth of July.  After this date anglers will be permitted to fish offshore waters for Chinook.  Pacific Rim areas are often a feeding station to these transient salmon.  The islands close to the Ucluelet Harbor mouth and up the coastline to Wya Point and Florencia and the many areas of Barkley Sound often hold vast quantities of bait fish in herring, anchovy, squid and needlefish.  To date Sail Rock, Great Bear, The Alley, which are all close to Ucluelet and Barkley Sound locations such as Cree Island, Meares, Kirby, Bamfield Wall, Pill Point, Samatao, and Swale Rock have experienced some very good sport fishing.  This trend will continue and become stronger in July and will likely improve two-fold in late July and into early September when the West Coast Vancouver Island salmon begin returning to their natal streams and rivers.

        Historically the most common gear and consistent salmon producer when fishing Barkley Sound has been trolling with anchovy behind a variety of colored flashers.  How ever that trend has changed over the past couple of years with fish hitting various Herring Aid spoons as well as Skinny G’s, Coho Killer spoons, and a variety of octopus, cuttlefish, and needle fish hootchies.   Anchovy teaser head colors that work well are Green Haze, Glow Army Truck, Herring Aid, and Cop Car.  Flashers in blue, green glow, chartreuse, and even red with at least a six-foot leader are best.   Spoons behind a flasher can vary from forty-two inches to five feet.  Hootchie leader lengths behind a flasher are thirty-eight to forty-two inches.  Favorite hootchies are the AORL 12, J-79, Jack Smith, and Purple Haze.   The salmon have been feeding on large mature herring, needlefish, and small immature herring around Meares, Austin-Cree, Swale Rock and Edward King.  Smaller Spoons if the bait is small have been working very well.   In areas around Beale, Whittlestone, and The Bamfield Wall there have been mature squid meaning Octopus hootchies and cuttle fish are working best.   The best cuttle fish have been tiger prawn UV, army truck and a variety of white cuttle fish colors.    

          Halibut fishing in June is in full swing.  Many sport-fisher people will either drift, jig or anchor.  Halibut will often prefer salmon bellies as well as large herring or octopus.  If jigging try a Gibbs Hali Hawg tipped with salmon belly.  Lingcod fishing is also relatively good.  How ever it is important that a good descending device is on board as any yellow-eye rockfish are to be released.

            June of 2021 and the rest of the summer should have some world class salmon sport fishing in the Alberni Inlet and Barkley Sound area.

Tight lines and Good fishing

Doug Lindores

Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing

1 888 214 7206

250 731 7389   (mobile)

dlindy@shaw.ca

www.catchsalmon-ca.com

JUNE 2021      DOUG LINDORES        SLIVERS CHARTERS SALMON SPORT FISHING

         June is a wonderful month for salmon sport fishing in Barkley Sound and “most” years the Alberni Inlet.  Many anglers enjoy fishing the areas of Barkley Sound not only because of the wonderful salmon fishing opportunity but also because of the breath-taking scenic views of rugged coastline.  June is a month unlike July and August when there are fewer fisher people on the water making fishing conditions much more relaxing.  The Alberni Inlet can be quite the opposite in June when most years there are large gatherings of sport boats fishing for Sockeye Salmon.   The 2021 sport fishing season will see boat traffic in the Alberni Inlet as Sockeye migrating back to the Somass River system are expected to be moderate in number.  Pre-Season forecasts are predicting about 350,000 returning Somass River Sockeye.  Until the 14^th of June 2021 sport fishermen fishing tidal waters are able to retain two Sockeye salmon per day.    There will be many test fisheries with detailed reports regarding any change in returning numbers.  Later in June the retention number may increase if the return looks stronger than anticipated.  The Sockeye will move through the fish ways and sit in either Sproat or Great Central Lake for the summer months before moving into the various streams to spawn in the fall.

         The West Coast Vancouver Island 2021 Chinook return looks relatively strong.  The 2021 forecast return for Stamp River Chinook to the terminal areas of Barkley Sound and the Alberni Inlet is approximately 133,000 pieces.  The age class of the returning salmon are age three at 23%, age four at 62% and age five at 15%.  The West Coast returns usually begin to show in numbers along the surf line of Barkley Sound close to the end of July.  With a very healthy age class return the sport fishing in Barkley Sound and the Alberni Inlet should be “first class” with some very nice sized salmon in the mix.

         Salmon fishing during the spring months in Barkley Sound and the area close to the Ucluelet Harbor has been consistent.  Anglers have targeted transient Chinook salmon headed to the big watersheds to the south and also local feeder Chinook.   Barkley Sound has ample rich nutrient bait fish which bring the fish migrating down the coastline into rest and feed heavily before continuing their lengthy journey.  June is also a time when the first migrating Coho are in the Sound and surf line locations.   Coho at this time of year feed aggressively and often gain a pound per week before reaching their natal streams in the early fall.  Coho salmon limits in Barkley Sound are currently two per day in which one Coho can be unmarked.  Beginning on August 1^st 2021 Coho limits in Barkley Sound and the Alberni Inlet will become four in which one Coho can be unmarked. 

        Often the best salmon fishing during June is along the many surf line areas.  Cree and Austin Islands, Sail Rock, Great Bear, Meares, Swale Rock, Edward King, the Bamfield Wall and Beale can produce some excellent Chinook weighing from the mid teens to the mid twenty-pound range.  The Bamfield Wall, Swale Rock and even as far in as the Pill Point area can have fantastic fishing opportunities for Chinook Salmon and also Coho that can often average six to eight pounds.  Some of the current years best sport salmon fishing has been around Austin, Meares and Swale Rock. The salmon in June are feeding heavily as they do have a long journey in their migration to their natal streams, rivers and creeks.  Many Anglers will use anchovy in a variety of different colored teaser heads.  The best teaser head colors are usually chartreuse, green haze, army truck glow, cop car, and purple haze.   Needle fish hootchies, octopus and cuttlefish hootchies in green, white and even blue and white colors are excellent choices.  The salmon close to Bamfield have been feeding heavily on squid and bigger herring.  White hootchies in Octopus or cuttlefish have worked well.  Spoons in a variety of colors (cookies and cream and herring aid) in the three to four-inch size are also a wonderful choice.  Many anglers who have been fishing Meares, Austin and Cree have found a variety of spoons as the best lure.  For some the Coho Killers in Cookies and Cream have worked well for salmon in the eight to twelve-pound range and fishing from sixty-five to ninety feet.  Others have done well on skinny G spoons and also spoons as small as the two-inch Silver Night Herring Aid.  Those who have had great success around Swale Rock have been fishing on the front side of the rock from 100 to 135 feet.

          Halibut fishing in June can be very productive.  Fisher persons anchoring out will use Octopus, salmon bellies, and sardines.  Others will back-drift and use Berkley Grubs.

            2021 will be a great sport fishing year in Pacific Rim Areas.  Sockeye, Chinook and Coho opportunities with the predicted returns make for the possibilities of a fantastic sport fishing year.

Tight lines

Doug Lindores

Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing

www.catchsalmon-ca.com

toll free   1 888 214 7206

mobile     250 731 7389

dlindy@shaw.ca

MAY 1, 2021

DOUG LINDORES, SLIVERS CHARTERS SALMON SPORT FISHING

Vancouver Island is a majestic geographical area of tall coniferous forests and breath-taking scenic views of rugged terrain and coastlines battered by winter storms.  There is not only a continuous display of rugged coastlines but there are also wonderful exquisite and secluded beaches with pristine calm water in Barkley Sound and the Alberni Inlet.  Not only does the West Coast of British Columbia have these unbelievable landscapes but the salmon fishing in many areas is nothing but “World Class”.  This is one of British Columbia’s only areas that anglers have an opportunity of landing a twenty pound salmon twelve months of the year.  Fishing is just like the weather and in May and June it really does start to heat up.  The Salmon fishing for Chinook salmon in May and June in Barkley Sound can be very consistent.  During the spring months large schools of salmon, mostly Chinook, will swim into Barkley Sound and feed on the rich quantities of bait fish before continuing their long journey to the large watersheds to the south.  Plenty of quality salmon linger around the surf line and anglers have excellent opportunities of landing some nice sized salmon at a variety of hotspots such as Cree Island, Austin, Meares, Sail Rock, Edward King, Beale, Kirby Point, Swale Rock and of course the many islands just outside the Ucluelet Harbor mouth.   Coho salmon which are migrating down the West Coast become more frequent in mid-June and come into Barkley Sound and feed heavily on herring and needle fish.                                                                                                                                

The Spring months are a wonderful time to sport fish in the many locations of Barkley Sound.  The many areas to fish can still be relatively quiet and peaceful as the boat traffic is not like the summer months.  July and into early September are often very busy with many anglers taking advantage of their summer holiday time to come to one of the world’s best kept secrets. 

The Alberni Inlet historically offers some spectacular Sockeye salmon fishing in June.   Predictions for 2021 are showing rather low numbers of Sockeye Returning back to the Somass River system.   With 350,000 to 400,000 Sockeye forecast to return retention for sport anglers from May 1^st through June 14^th 2021 there will be two sockeye per day for those fishing the Alberni Inlet to the surf line.  On the 15^th of June a new regulation will come out with regulations depending on early returns allowing a possibility of retention of four Sockeye per day.  With the current environmental conditions Sockeye Salmon fishing for sport should get underway by Fathers-Day Weekend.  There has been a relatively large snow pack and if the water in the Somass River remains cold the Sockeye will not school.   When the Inlet water warms up the Sockeye begin to School in good numbers.  The Salmon usually school from Cous Creek out to Nahmint and Franklin River.  The Sockeye in the Alberni Inlet in June will predominately sit in forty-five to sixty feet of water.  As the water warms the salmon will swim to deeper water.  Sockeye hit shorter leader lengths from eighteen to twenty-four inches behind a variety of flashers.  The best lures are mp 15’s, the pink and blue, and pink and black Sockeye Hootchies.   The Key to Sockeye fishing is having up to six or even eight flashers.

The early fishing in Barkley Sound has been sporadic.  Some anglers have had some success along the Bamfield Wall and into Scotch Bay.  The front of the Bamfield Harbor Mouth has had some anglers have some success.  The Best fishing to date has been around Ucluelet Harbor Mouth, the Islands and the Red Can.  Great Bear and the Red Can has had fantastic Chinook sport fishing for salmon from ten the eighteen pounds.  A variety of three-inch spoons and anchovy in chartreuse, glow army truck and clear teaser heads have been working very well. 

The trout fishing in May and June is often extremely good.  The sockeye smolts as example leave Sproat and Great Central Lakes and travel out through the Somass River.  This smolt migration wakes the trout up and using flat fish and Kwikfish that resemble smolts in the frog and rainbow patterns work really well when trolling.   If fishing from the various banks use power bait fish. 

Tidal water fishing in 2021 for Chinook salmon and Coho should be very good.  Pre season forecasts for these two species returning to West Coast Vancouver Island are good.   The migratory Chinook number are expected to be average or better. 

Tight lines

For more information

Call  Doug  

Cell: 250 731 7389

Toll free: 1 888 214 7206

dlindy@shaw.ca

www.catchsalmon-ca.com

Written by Doug Lindores        250 731 7389

Slivers Charters Salmon Sport fishing

       Winters on the West Coast of British Columbia often seem especially long and uneventful.  During the past months most people are likely tired of all the bad news concerning the pandemic, joblessness and economic crisis.  In the late winter and early spring of 2021 many avid fisher people can only “hope” that 2020 is behind us and there is brighter news in health and politics and that there will be some excellent sport fishing opportunities for the coming salt water sport fishing season.  For many avid salt water sport fisher persons who spend many wonderful hours and days fishing the pristine waters of Barkley Sound and the Alberni Inlet from early March to September the 2021 early sport fishing outlook is quite favorable.  Returning Sockeye, Chinook, and Coho numbers in pre forecasts look much better and/or similar to 2020 returns.  Sockeye salmon returns and Coho returns are predicted to be much improved.  Chinook returns are predicted to be much like 2020 and 2019.  With these predictions summer fishing should be fantastic in this area.

          Barkley Sound and the Alberni Inlet should be two very opportunistic geographical areas on Vancouver Island for salmon sport fishing this spring and summer.  These two areas should be like the last couple of years with reasonable retention limits of salmon.  Chinook numbers in 2021 will resemble the excellent returns of 2019 and 2020.  Coho returns to the big watersheds to the south and also West Coast Vancouver Island are more favorable in early season forecasts for 2021.  The Sockeye sport salmon fishing in the Alberni Inlet has been curtailed the last few years.  In July of 2020 some sport Sockeye fishing did occur with good results.  The indicators regarding Sockeye returns to the Somass River system are looking very promising for a sport fishery this June and July.

          Winter Chinook fishing in Barkley Sound, Nahmint, and the Inlet has been great during January and early February of 2021 for those that have been able to get out on the water and brave cooler air temperatures.  Most of the salmon landed by anglers have been in the six to nine pound range in seventy to one hundred and thirty feet of water.  A variety of spoons are working best.  The Bamfield Harbor, Scotch Bay, the Whistle Buoy, and Fleming Island (Sanford) are often fantastic winter and early spring locations to fish.  The first Weekend of March often triggers the beginning of the sport fishing salt water season in this area with the Sproat Loggers Derby.  Due to Covid 19 organizers have decided well in advance that the Derby for 2021 will officially be cancelled.  

       As we get closer to the early Spring the feeder Chinook will range on average from Eight to Fifteen pounds and are mostly hatchery clipped fish.  Most anglers are fishing depending on the area in Pacific Rim areas, which include areas near Ucluelet, in depths from sixty to one hundred and fifty feet.  Anchovy on the troll with a six-foot leader or better with various glow teaser heads work very well.  Small spoons in Irish Cream, TKO cookies and cream, the three-inch coyote sardine, and a variety of Skinny G spoons are effective.   Hootchies in Purple Haze, green Spatter-back and needlefish hootchies work well.   Flasher choices in green, blue, or black glow are normally a great choice.

          The sport salmon fishing season in Barkley Sound, the Alberni Inlet, and up to a mile offshore in late April, May, June and the first part of July often rely on the return of Chinook and Coho to the very large watersheds to the south.  The big watersheds are the Columbia, Kalama, Willamette, and Sacramento river systems.  Puget Sound over the past few years has also had some early summer run returns.  Salmon that are migrating along the west coast of Vancouver Island often come into Barkley Sound or stay on the Sandy Banks just off the surf line and gorge themselves on the rich resources of bait fish.  The salmon come in runs and will feed and rest before continuing their long journey to their spawning grounds.  In July Chinook salmon can often be up to twenty-five and thirty pounds depending on the age class of the return.   Late July, August, and September the West Coast Vancouver Island Chinook and Coho arrive and peak in the Alberni Inlet and Barkley Sound the second half of August.  The sport fishing can be very eventful and provide for what can be termed “first class sport fishing”.

             Trout fishing on a variety of lakes in the area has been reasonable.  Two of the lakes frequently fished are Sproat and Great Central Lakes.  On Sproat Lake the Willows and over by Dog Mountain and the top end of Taylor Arm there have been some tremendous days of maximum success and other days where one might say the fishing is reasonable.   Around the Willows some anglers are shore or bar fishing at twelve to fifteen feet and are having their best success using power bait or salmon eggs.  Those angling enthusiasts trolling seem to be having success using a gang troll or Willow Leaf.  Great Central Lake has had some great fishing with anglers having their best success using power bait or worms.  Fishing on the troll has been the best.    When trolling the best lures are flat fish in darker patterns with a trailing dew worm.  Gang trolls are also a good choice.  During the winter months Cut Throat and Rainbow range from two to four pounds.

          The new year will be a breath of fresh air.  The sport fishing opportunities will certainly give many something very “positive” to look forward to.  Our 2021 sport fishing outlook is “Good News”.  Salmon fishing should be “FIRST CLASS”.

Tight lines

Doug Lindores

Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing
www.catchsalmon-ca.com
mobile  250 731 7389
toll free     1 888 214 7206
dlindy@shaw.ca

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER REPORT—LATE FALL 2020     

SLIVERS CHARTERS SALMON SPORT FISHING——–DOUG LINDORES

         The 2020 summer sport fishing season has come to an end for most saltwater sport fishing locations in mid and West Coast Vancouver Island locations as well as the many other saltwater angling areas around the rest of the scenic Province of British Columbia.  The weather during the fall in the Pacific Rim areas has been unbelievable.  There has been ample rainfall to help the migration of the returning salmon to their spawning grounds.   There have also been many wonderful sunny warm afternoons in many parts of the west coast and Barkley Sound sport fishing areas.  Right up to the beginning of November those very keen anglers have been able to enjoy the last salmon fishing opportunities for 2020 in many local rivers and also saltwater locations where there have been ample Coho and Chum salmon which are still migrating to their natal streams, creeks, and rivers.  The East Coast of Vancouver Island has had some excellent beach Coho fishing.  There has been some very good Chum sport fishing in Brown’s Bay which is close to Campbell River.  The Chum fishery is very popular and the nineteenth annual derby was held and was termed the “Covid-19 non derby”.  Three hundred tickets were sold for this fantastic charitable event which is often the last fishing “derby” on Vancouver Island each year.

           Chinook and Coho salmon returning to the many streams, creeks, and rivers have been excellent to date.   The return of Somass River Chinook salmon stocks up to the 23^rd of October were at 38,582 pieces.   Included in this number is 38,304 Chinook escaping through Stamp Falls and 278 escaping in the Sproat River.   Coho returns have remained at a very “Low Status” with a total of 15,644 Coho returning with 12,013 to Stamp Falls and 3,632 to the Sproat River.  Chinook and Coho will continue passing through the counters until early December.

        Barkley Sound areas and those areas close to the Ucluelet Harbor had mediocre fishing in the later part of September and into October.  Wya Point was likely one of the best spots as were a few areas offshore.   The Big Bank was on fire for many days with plenty of hatchery Coho dominating the sport fishing in rather shallow water for several days.  In Barkley Sound the best fishing during the Fall months was the Bamfield Wall, Fleming Island, and Swale Rock.

          Now that we are into the month of November most sport fisher persons only have fond memories of the 2020 season and look forward to the 2021 sport angling season.  Hopefully the Sockeye fishery in the Alberni Inlet becomes what it historically was.  Chinook returns to West Coast Vancouver Island in 2021 should be relatively good and we are hoping that the Coho returns get back to at least forty to fifty thousand to the Somass River system and also excellent returns to the many streams located in the rest of West Coast Vancouver Island.  One very important positive is that Ocean conditions have been favorable over the past year.  The mortality rates have been lower.  Food sources for salmon stocks in the North Pacific Ocean have been relatively good.  The sport fishing season in 2021 on British Columbia’s West Coast should be very exciting with plenty of opportunity for everyone.  

Stamp River Fall Fishing

        For those fisher persons that know the Stamp River the sport fishing especially for Chinook during the fall has been very good.  Sport Anglers and also guides who are taking guests out on the river have been having some great success.  There has been enough rain to keep the river at a reasonable level for salmon migration.  Those on the river will likely continue to fish for the late Chinook and Coho coming into the system but will also begin to fish for Fall Steelhead.  This time of the year is normally a fantastic time for fly fishing enthusiasts.  Fly fishing usually occurs on the Stamp River from mid October to about the 20^th of November.  The best fly fishing to date for those on guided trips in jet boats or for those walking has been the Lower and Upper River.  Entering the river close to the gun range or driving out to Service Road which is just off Hector Road and walking to Dolan’s Pit is another terrific fishing spot when the water levels are at a normal level.  The key is finding an area where the water is not moving too quickly.  The river has had just over 15,000 Coho migrate into the system.  This migration should continue into December.   The Coho in the Lower River have been fresh and very bright and are averaging eight to twelve pounds.  The best method of fishing Coho salmon has been conventional using roe, spinners, blades, and the Gibbs Coho spoon.  The late Chinook and Coho are in a natural spawn and are dropping their eggs.  With the fresh egg drop the Steelhead have become very active as they search for loose eggs.  Fly Fisher persons can of course use a variety of flies of choice.  Anglers who are wishing to fish conventionally can use gooey bobs, or wool that is white, pink, or orange.  Other popular areas to fish when water conditions are normal are Stamp Falls Park, Eagle Rock, Black Rock, Moneys Pool and the Slide Pool.  The Stamp is still referred to as a very healthy river system and is fishable twelve months of the year.  There is still plenty of time for Coho salmon fishing and of course Fall Steelhead.

Barkley Sound and Alberni Inlet

          The 2020 fishing was quite good in both the Sound and Inlet.  There were more Sockeye that returned to the Stamp River than originally forecast.   This made for a sport fishery of two Sockeye salmon per person per day at the beginning of July.  The Chinook fishing in the Inlet and also the Sound was great for many up to the end of the Labor Day Weekend.  The return of Chinook salmon to West Coast Vancouver Island was very strong in 2020 and 2021 should be similar.   Coho were termed “Low Status” and it is unclear what the 2021 season in terms of returns will look like.   One of the best sport fisheries and enjoyed by all in the Inlet is Sockeye fishing.  It is a great family fish and is fantastic for all ages.   Sockeye Fishing when numbers are high in terms of returns can last from mid-June through until the beginning of August.  Most years Chinook Fishing historically gets well underway by the tenth of August and continues through until Labor Day.

          There have been some wonderful fall days on the water in Barkley Sound, areas around Ucluelet and for some as far away as the Big Bank and South Bank.   There were many wonderful afternoons that were gorgeous with great warmth from the sun and water that was magically smooth.  The sport season has dramatically ended but a few anglers took opportunity to search for some of those late Coho in the Sound and some also fished for Chum Salmon in the Sarita Bay area.

          We look forward to another Fantastic Sport Salmon season in 2021.  In late May, June and July we will target the migratory salmon headed to the southerly watersheds to the south.  In late July, August and September we will target returning West Coast Chinook and Coho.

         We offer great day trips in the Inlet, Barkley Sound, and West Coast offshore fishing.  WE ALSO OFFER FANTASTIC lodge accommodation where people take opportunity to experience extended trips in Barkley Sound, West Coast, and offshore for sport fishing.  Take advantage early and organize one of these extended trips for the summer of 2021.  These trips are often for three or four days and nights.   You will not be disappointed.   Join us in a comfortable and fun environment in the 2021 summer from early June through early September.

For More Information contact:

Doug Lindores

1 888 214 7206—–toll free

250 731 7389——-mobile

dlindy@shaw.ca—email

www.catchsalmon-ca.com

Doug Lindores       Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing

September 2020

           September is upon us and it is that time of year when some of the largest Chinook and Coho are migrating in the waters of the Alberni Inlet and Barkley Sound.  West Coast Vancouver Island salmon fishing in saltwater and a variety of fresh water locations is predicted to be very good in September as over one hundred and seventeen thousand Chinook are estimated to make a return to the Somass River system.   To this date there has been a relatively high catch rate by all of the various groups targeting the salmon returning to the area.  Escapement up to the 12^th of September is approximately fourteen thousand Chinook and close to seven thousand Coho.  Into Stamp Falls 13,985 Chinook and 5,000 Coho have passed through the counters.  The Sproat has had 15 Chinook and approximately 1,800 Coho return.

          September is the month when the Alberni Valley normally hosts the Labor Day Weekend Salmon Festival.  This year the long time Derby was re-created and became (due to Covid 19) the Ultimate Fishing Derby.  The number of tickets sold were just over 1,700.  The Derby took place from Saturday September 5^th to Monday the 7^th and had local fisher person Adam Dombrowski win the three-day event with a 33.4-pound Tyee landed while fishing the Bamfield Wall.  Local anglers Tanner Hodgson (33-pound Tyee) and Morgan Steed (31-pound Tyee) landed the second and third place salmon on the first day of the Derby which were also landed close to Bamfield.  Day two had Davis Mayo land a 30-pound Chinook for largest fish of the day while local fisher person Colton Lloyd landed the largest salmon at 29 pounds on day three.   Other local fisher persons finishing in the top three on each day were Ken Danroth landing a 25-pound Chinook for second place on day three and Robert Lindores landing a 27 pound Chinook and finishing third on Day two.   Much of the money raised at this fantastic event has gone to salmon enhancement.

          This is a beautiful time of year to be out on the water.  The late mornings and afternoons are often long and very warm.  The sunset of course is much earlier in the evening than what it was in late June and early July but the weather pattern on the west coast creates a sense of peace.  September is often termed the month with no wind or fog.  It is often the perfect sport fishing month.   During the week days September is like the month of June with very few people out on the water fishing.  The Chinook return is forecast to be predominately of the four and five-year-old age class.   The Coho as they migrate toward their natal streams and rivers put on almost a pound per week.  September 2019 sport fishing for Chinook and Coho for anglers who are fishing along the coast line of West Coast Vancouver Island, Barkley Sound, and the Alberni Inlet should be world class. 

             September is the month that has the final migration or “push” of salmon that are headed to their original streams, creeks and rivers.   Barkley Sound fishing in areas such as Pill Point, Diplock, Assets Island, Gilbraltor and Swale Rock are wonderful hotspots where the fish in the early part of the month will hold if there are large quantities and rich resources of bait fish.  The Bamfield Wall also provides some terrific sport fishing.  September historically has good quantities of bait fish that the Chinook and Coho gorge themselves with before migrating to their final destination.   The Nitnat, Sarita River, Robertson Creek and even the very late fall Columbia River fish fill the water from Cape Beale to Poett Nook.  The salmon also stretch for a long distance along the opposite Barkley Sound coastline from Effingham Island to Assets.  The salmon arrive in good numbers on a daily basis and as eager as they are to get to their spawning grounds they are as eager to heavily feast before making their way to their final destination.  The salmon are in shallower water in September.   It is not uncommon for Coho in the early morning and late evening to be on the water’s surface.  Chinook are often in twenty to sixty feet of water.  Sport fishermen using anchovy often have the best success. Anchovy in a Glow army truck, purple haze, cop car or green haze Rhys Davis teaser head with six feet of leader behind a purple and gold or a green and gold hotspot flasher are most often the best producers.  Various hootchies in the AORL 12, green spatter back and army truck are also very good standbys.  Tomic spoons and plugs in the six and seven inch size with no flasher also produce some great results.

           The Alberni Inlet will fill with Chinook salmon during the last ten days of August and into the first half of September.  Coho follow the Chinook migration and during September both species will be in a good mix as they migrate to the Somass River system.  Alberni Inlet hotspots are Coulsons, Lone Tree, The China Creek Wall, Boy Scout property, and China Creek.  The fish are in twenty to fifty-five feet of water and usually are most aggressive in the early morning and on tide changes.  The top producers in the Inlet are anchovy in an army truck or green haze teaser head behind a green-gold, purple-gold or chartreuse glow hotspot flasher.   In hootchies the O-15, O-2, O-16, purple haze, green spatter back and the mp2 and mp 16 are also great lures behind a hotspot flasher.  The salmon are anxious to hit the river and if any rain occurs will hit the river mouth very quickly.   Often there are many anglers right up to the boundary by Harbor Quay on a daily basis in September.

          September will provide sport anglers with some fantastic world class fishing opportunities.  The salmon migration in Barkley Sound and The Alberni Inlet will be in good numbers and a larger than normal weight class.

For More information

Doug Lindores    Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing
1 888 214 7206    (toll free)   office
1 250 731 7389    (mobile)
dlindy@shaw.ca
www.catchsalmon-ca.com