FISHING REPORT: PORT ALBERNI/PACIFIC RIM
SLIVERS CHARTERS SALMON SPORT FISHING
July 13, 2026
The sport fishing in the Alberni Inlet for Sockeye salmon during June and July has been terrific. The Sockeye return to the Somass River is projected to be just over 900,000 pieces. These wonderful salmon migrate through the river system then sit in either Sproat or Great Central Lake in deep water for the summer until the fall rains push them into the many streams and creeks to spawn. As of July 7th approximately 240,000 Sockeye have escaped into the two lakes.
The Sockeye in the Alberni Inlet do create a very fun and productive sport fishery. These salmon are currently in deeper water and most sport anglers are targeting them from 70 to 110 feet. The salmon travel in schools and are attracted to the boat by color. Many anglers use what is known as dummy flashers and as well use four rods with flashers and a mini hoochie. Flashers in green, purple haze, and red seem to be ideal with a mp pink and black or pink and blue hoochie. This has improved the Sockeye Fishing dramatically.
The Sockeye fishing for sport is historically a fishery that can continue through to the end of July. Coming into the second half of July and shifting into August we are expecting some excellent sport fishing opportunities in the Alberni Inlet and Barkley Sound.
The Second half of July and the month of August is a fabulous time for sport salmon fishing. This year should be of no exception as there should be spectacular salmon fishing on Vancouver Island’s West Coast, all of Barkley Sound, and the Alberni Inlet. The Alberni Inlet Sockeye returns in 2026 are excellent and has created some fabulous sport fishing. The sport fishing in the Inlet during the next few weeks should be fantastic. Pre-season estimates of returning Chinook to the area are termed to be abundant to the Somass River (Robertson Creek Hatchery) and the many other streams and rivers of West Coast Vancouver Island.
To date the sport fishing season in Barkley Sound and the inshore waters of Ucluelet is best described as “improving”. Most of the salmon retained in June and July have been migrating to the big watersheds of the Pacific North-West. August is the month when mature local salmon begin swimming to their natal rivers and streams to complete their lifecycle. Starting in late July and right into September migrating Chinook and Coho swim through the waters of Barkley Sound where they stop and feed heavily before completing their long journey into the Alberni Inlet and finally into the Somass River system or Sarita, Nahmint and Franklin River systems
In late July and August the returning salmon often school and feed heavily at many locations in Barkley Sound. Cree Island, Austin Island, Meares, Whittlestone, Fleming Island, the Bamfield Wall, Gilbraltor, Swale Rock and Pill Point are some of these fishing locations. The early morning, evening, and tide change are often the best bite times. August in the Sound is often the month when Anchovy in a variety of teaser head colors work well. Green and Purple Haze as well as Army Truck Glow and Cop Car anchovy teaser heads with at least a six-foot leader attached to a purple gold, blue or green gold flasher.
Depending on the size of the bait a variety of hootchies and spoons are also great lures. The AORL 12 is a great standby as is the Jack Smith, purple haze, and Green Spatterback for both Chinook and Coho. The various Skinny G and Big Eye spoons are excellent lures to have in the tackle box. The green and blue Herring Aid Skinny G have been working very well.
The bait has been very small in some areas and smaller spoons in the three-inch size or even less are working well. On the Bamfield side some of the various cuttle-fish hootchies are working as is anchovy. The salmon are often found in shallow water in August. Fishing from twenty-five to sixty feet are excellent depths.
Linda landed this fourteen pound Chinook at Austin Island using a green Herring Aid spoon.
The Chinook fishing in the Alberni Inlet often begins by the 10th of August. Hotspots in the Inlet and Harbor are Lone Tree Point and Coulson Mill. The China Creek Wall, the Narrows, and Underwood Cove often hold a good number of Chinook salmon as well. Sport Anglers fishing the Inlet will have the best success using Octopus Pink (O-15) and Red hootchies (O-16) as well as AORL12, Purple Haze, Army Truck and Spatterback. Anchovy is also a very good idea in August especially for Chinook when they are just coming into the Inlet from Barkley Sound.
The second half of July and August also will have some great days offshore for halibut and salmon. The Big Bank, South Bank and Long Beach can have some spectacular action for both Chinook and Coho. We are looking forward to many weeks of fabulous fishing on the West Coast of Vancouver Island especially in the Barkley Sound and Alberni Inlet areas. The fishing in the second half of July, August, and into September of 2026 should be world class.
Tight lines and Good Fishing
Doug Lindores
Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing
1 888 214 7206 (toll free)
1 250 731 7389 (mobile)
dlindy@shaw.ca (email)
www.catchsalmon-ca.com
FISHING REPORT: ALBERNI INLET, BARKLEY SOUND, & WEST COAST
May 13th 2026
The salmon sport fishing season in this Pacific Rim area of West Coast Vancouver Island for is now underway. Late April and May on the rugged but scenic West Coast is most often looked at by a variety of sport anglers as the true beginning of saltwater fishing opportunities. The 2026 season according to most pre-season indicators and forecasts for Chinook and Coho will be very much like the last few years which provided “excellent” sport fishing. The Sockeye fishing in the Alberni Inlet should be very good with 750,000 Sockeye expected to return to the Somass River system.
Many areas inside the surf line close to Ucluelet and in Barkley Sound have had some great fishing days for feeder Chinook and the early summer-spring run of Chinook salmon migrating to the big watersheds to the south. Migrating salmon to the vast Columbia River system and even Puget Sound come into the islands close to the Ucluelet Harbor mouth and much of Barkley Sound and feed on the very rich resources of bait fish.
As the spring months move forward into summer returns of Coho migrating to the south adds to sport fishing opportunities for most West Coast Vancouver Island fishing locations. In late July and the full month of August forecasts of returning salmon to West Coast Vancouver Island are forecast to be very “GOOD”. The return of Chinook in the high teens and into the twenty-five-pound range is considered the average weight class of returning Chinook to West Coast Vancouver Island. These fish come into the sound and then make their way to the Alberni Inlet before making their final journey to the Somass River system.
The 2026 sport fishing season in Barkley Sound and Pacific Rim areas will rely on the waves of transient salmon headed to the large southerly watersheds and the strong returns of salmon expected in August and September to West Coast Vancouver Island rivers, creeks, and streams. Barkley Sound and the Alberni Inlet will reap the benefits of the salmon returns providing some terrific sport fishing.
August will have wonderful salmon sport fishing opportunities in 2026 for those that enjoy fishing in calm, pristine and relatively scenic water. Anglers will be treated to some world class salmon fishing along Vancouver Island’s West Coast and Inlet areas. The Port Alberni Inlet, inshore areas of Ucluelet and Tofino and Barkley Sound will be wonderful areas for sport fishing in the many so called “hotspots” in 2026.
Anglers fishing the month of May will find that successful fishing trips often occur by finding the fish where one finds the bait. Using Anchovy in a variety of teaser heads and also needle fish hootchies in blue and green, silver hordes, and a variety of small three to four-inch spoons also work well. When fishing in Barkley Sound during May the best fishing can often be along the Bamfield Wall, Scotch Bay, the Whistle Bouy, Vernon Bay, Fleming Island, Edward King, Austin-Cree, and Swale Rock.
Areas just outside the Ucluelet Harbor with good salmon fishing are Sail Rock, Mara Rock, Big Bear, The Alley, and Beg Island. The fish in most areas can be in water of ninety feet to one hundred and sixty feet. Currently some of the best fishing has been between the tides. There have been a good number of residential salmon and the migratory salmon are showing as they continue their long journey to the watersheds of the Pacific North West.
The Alberni Inlet should have a terrific Sockeye salmon sport season. With a forecast return of 750,000 or more Sockeye the sport season should be fantastic. Sockeye normally get underway by mid June. With unseasonably warm air temperatures in the early part of May and with a lack of snow in the nearby mountain ranges the season may get underway even earlier. Sockeye are termed the number “ONE” commercial salmon. It is a very exciting and fun sport fishery for people of all ages.
The spring and the summer months of 2026 should definitely be a year when all anglers will have an opportunity to land a beautiful salmon in one of the most wonderful and scenic places in the world which is located in West Coast of Vancouver Island.
For more information, contact:
Doug Lindores
Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing
1 888 214 7206 (toll free)
1 250 731 7389 (mobile)
dlindy@shaw.ca (email)
www.catchsalmon-ca.com
FISHING REPORT: ALBERNI INLET, BARKLEY SOUND, WEST COAST VANCOUVER ISLAND – Mar 24, 2026
Early Spring Report
The salmon sport fishing season for West Coast Vancouver Island for 2026 is closing in on us very quickly. The month of March to date has been very cool and wet with little sunshine. With April closing in on us the rugged but scenic West Coast is most often looked at by a variety of sport anglers as the true beginning of saltwater fishing opportunities. The 2026 season according to most pre-season indicators and forecasts for Chinook and Coho will be very much like the last few years which has provided “excellent” sport fishing. Many areas inside the surf line close to Ucluelet and Barkley Sound should have some great fishing for feeder Chinook and then the early summer run of Chinook salmon migrating to the big watersheds to the south will begin to show up in April, May, and June. Migrating salmon to the vast Columbia River system and even Puget Sound come into the islands close to the Ucluelet Harbor mouth and much of Barkley Sound and feed on the very rich resources of bait fish. As the spring months move forward into summer returns of Coho migrating to the Big Southern Watersheds add to sport fishing opportunities for most West Coast Vancouver Island fishing locations. Barkley Sound is one of those primary areas.
In late July and the full month of August forecasts of returning salmon to West Coast Vancouver Island are forecast to be very “GOOD”. The return of Chinook in the high teens and into the twenty-five-pound range is considered the average weight class of returning Chinook to West Coast Vancouver Island areas. The 2026 sport fishing season in Barkley Sound and Pacific Rim areas will rely on the waves of transient salmon headed to the large southerly watersheds and the strong returns of salmon expected in August and September to West Coast Vancouver Island rivers, creeks, and streams. Barkley Sound and the Alberni Inlet will reap the benefits of the salmon returns to West Coast Vancouver Island providing some terrific sport fishing. August will have wonderful salmon sport fishing opportunities in 2026 for those that enjoy fishing in calm, pristine and relatively scenic water. Anglers will be treated to some world class salmon fishing along Vancouver Island’s West Coast and Inlet areas. The Port Alberni Inlet, inshore areas of Ucluelet and Tofino and Barkley Sound will be wonderful areas for sport fishing in the many so called “hotspots”.
The first salmon fishing derby of the season took place during the weekend of March 7th and 8th. The annual March Sproat Loggers Winter Spring Derby held out of Poett Nook took place with many entrants taking part in a weekend which provided some very good salmon fishing. The top three fish came in at 24.5, 18 and 17lbs with Taylor McPherson, Nick Mrus, and Dan Brunette in order being the first, second and third place finishers. These were good sized Chinook salmon and definitely close to some of the larger salmon landed in past years. Organizers were pleased with the number of people who entered the derby and thanked the many sponsors. Day two of the derby had exceptional weather. The top prizes were awarded by local Port Alberni businesses in Port Boat House, Gone Fishing, W Berry Trucking and Breakers Marine Port Alberni and Bamfield. The Derby goes on in the name of Don DeForest. Many would say this early season derby is the start of the local sport fishing season.
Those avid anglers fishing the month of April and May will find that successful fishing trips often occur by finding the fish where one finds the bait. Using Anchovy in a variety of teaser heads and also needle fish hootchies in blue and green, silver hordes, and a variety of small three to four-inch spoons also work well. When fishing in Barkley Sound during April and May the best fishing can often be along the Bamfield Wall, Scotch Bay, Brady’s Beach, the Whistle Bouy, Vernon Bay, Fleming Island and Sanford, and also Swale Rock. Areas just outside the Ucluelet Harbor with good salmon fishing are Sail Rock, Mara Rock, Big Bear, The Alley, and Beg Island. The fish in most areas can be in water of ninety feet to one hundred and sixty feet. Currently some of the best fishing has been between the tides. There have been a good number of residential salmon and the migratory salmon are showing as they continue their long journey to the watersheds of the Pacific North West.
The spring and the summer months of 2026 should definitely be a year when all anglers will have an opportunity to land a beautiful salmon in one of the most wonderful and scenic places in the world which is the West Coast of Vancouver Island.
For more information, contact:
Doug Lindores
Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing
1-888-214-7206
1-250-731-7389 (mobile)
dlindy@shaw.ca (email)
www.catchsalmon-ca.com
Port Alberni Salmon Festival and Derby During the 2024 Labour Day Weekend (Aug 28, 2024)
August 28th 2024
The 2024 Port Alberni Salmon festival and Derby will once again take place from August 31st to September 2nd.
The Port Alberni Salmon Festival Society is hosting the event with the Festival and Derby Headquarters located at Tyee Landing on Harbor Road. This year the largest salmon will win someone $15,000. There are three daily prizes for biggest fish each day at:
- Largest daily Salmon – $5,000.00
- Second largest Salmon – $2,000
- Third largest Salmon – $1,000
The Salmon Festival Society has put together a number of events including Salmon dinners and Live Entertainment which is led by new up and coming artist Cameron Whitcomb. The weekend will be fun as well as some great fishing in the Alberni Inlet and out into the scenic and pristine waters of Barkley Sound.
The Fishing in Barkley Sound has been consistent. There has been some fantastic Chinook and Coho fishing especially along the surf line locations. However as the fish are moving daily to migrate and spawn in their natal streams and rivers closer in areas such as Swale Rock, Pill Point, Assets, Diplock and Swiss Buoy, and Ecoole have been very good on various days. The fish are definitely hanging around and gorging on these rich resources of food, if there is bait fish in certain areas. The fish are feeding on the vast amounts of immature herring and needle fish. The best fishing on the surf line has still been at Cree and Austin Islands, Sail Rock and over to Mara Rock as well as Kirby, Edward King, and Sanford. The Chinook are in shallower water anywhere from thirty to sixty feet. Although some anglers are having better success later in the day in deeper water at Sail, Cree, and Mara. Coho have been on the surface to forty feet. Anchovy in purple haze, army truck, chartreuse, and glow teaser heads are working very well. The skinny G blue and green nickel herring aid and No Bananas spoons have been successful as well as the AORL 12 and pistachio hoochies. With a very high number of Chinook to return to West Coast Vancouver Island the sport Salmon fishing should continue strong over the next few weeks.
The Alberni Inlet has been inconsistent over the past ten days. Very Heavy rains for almost a week have driven many Chinook and Coho in the Stamp River. Normally the fish will remain in the inlet waiting for early September rainfall. However the very heavy rains have changed the historical pattern to this date. With warmer days in the forecast it is hoped that the Salmon moving from Barkley Sound to the Inlet will slow their migration. The best fishing to date has been out at Bells Bay and the Franklin Wall. Various anchovy teaser heads have been working the best for those anglers staying in the Inlet waters. Large Octopus Hoochies in the red and pink colors are working as well for those fisher persons having some success.
The fishing should continue in the area into the first half of September. The returns are expected to be very high with many of the migrating Chinook and Coho not arriving yet. The Salmon Festival and Derby during Labour Day should be a fantastic fun filled event.
Tight Lines,
Doug Lindores
Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing
1 888 214 7206
www.catchsalmon.ca-com
dlindy@shaw.ca