Hi All
Things have slowed down some here in Barkley Sound but for some that might be good news.
“what you talkin ’bout Coach?’. Well the good news is that means it’s about to turn on again. And when it does? Hopefully you are up here with lines down.
The squid spawn is still happening although not quite as prolific as in previous weeks. Glow white hootchies and flash flies along with turds are still your next bet. That said we have had some success with the Amundsen Irish Cream Skinny G knockoffs.
Austin and Cree have been steady and producing fish if you are willing to put in the time. Depths from 80 to 100 feet on your down rigger seem to have produced the most takes.
I just finished up 4 days with the Gilbert and the Underhill brothers, Dave and Jim. These guys have been with me for over 15 years and it’s always a blast to have them on board. It was a struggle for us to put numbers of silver on board. Austin and Cree proved to be our best bet as Beale and Little Beale really dried up. As I mentioned earlier 80 to 100 feet on the downrigger proved most effective. We ran a glow white flash fly and the Amundsen irsh cream spoon. The spoon got the most love for us. Springs were between 12 and 15 lbs, nothing huge but still lovely fish.
We managed a day offshore for hali and had to put in a full day to punch our cards. The hali action started early and we hooked up numerous times boating a perfect 112cm on the dot and a very fat 90 cm flatty. We continued to have some great takes but it seems they were able to spit the circle hooks we were using. It took us late into the afternoon to pick up our last fish. We had a ton of fun playing with coho and the odd spring jigging while waiting for the hali bite. Lil’ Nib 2.5 oz blue and white jigs were very effective at 15 to 20 pulls off our mooching reels.
Anyway here is what you need to know…
If you are making your way up here make sure you have glow white squid imitations in hootchies, flash flys and or turds (keep your leaders short,chin to extended arm is how I measure). Skinny gs in green and white will always produce. Fish close to the bottom.
Fish are now being caught from Bamfield harbour trolling west past Aguilar Pt, Scott’s Bay to Brady’s Beach. Whittlestone to the west end of Beale. Kirby through to Edward King is worth your while and as I mentioned earlier Austin and Cree. Pound these spots hard before you start searching elsewhere.
As for halibut? Choose you weather days wisely. Find a hump off the bank and fish in and around it. Slamon bellies on psreader bars and herring have been the go tos. If there are lots of dogfish around try salmon heads (coho heads ) and collars as the doggies have a tougher time getting them in their mouths.
If you are int he area and want some up to date info please, by all means, stop by Harbourside and ask for Coach. I am always back to the dock by 4ish at the lateset.
In the meantime and in between time, I am out (fishing off course…)
Coach….