Hi All,
It’s Monday morning, August 17. We are right in the middle of prime time here in Barkley Sound. This is about as good as it’s gonna get. This past weekend was crazy busy in Bamfield. Lodges are full, the harbour is stuffed with boats anchored out and everyone is having a great time. It’s on folks, if you can, get here ASAP and take advantage of some of the West Coast’s best ever fishing opportunities.
Typically middle to late August Barkley Sound becomes a bait fishery, usually salted and brined anchovies in various coloured teaser heads trolled 6′ to 7′ behind a rotating flasher. This is still a very effective method for fishing spring salmon. Earlier in the season, May, June and July, we troll small hoochies, small spoons and flash flys. These seem to be preferred over bait. However, here in prime time during August we are finding that glow white hoochies and flash flys, along with skinny Gs and skinny G knock offs, are not only holding their own but in many cases outperforming bait. A pleasant deviation from the norm. Cheaper than buying two packages of bait every day and much easier to fish. We will see if this trend continues as we progress through the month towards the end of the season.
In the meantime, here is the skinny (not G) …
All of our local hot spots are producing. In some cases I am finding fish slightly deeper than normal for this time of year but if you are playing between 30′ to 60′ on your downriggers, you are in the game.
Trolling green / sliver skinny g knock offs (West Coast or Amundson spoons) at 53′ and 57′ has been very effective for both springs and coho off of Beale, Little Beale and Edward King. Glow white hoochies and flash flys have equally produced. Yes- bait will still work so if you love rolling anchovies then go right ahead, you’ll get into fish.
Whittlestone has turned on. Bring your gear up when fishing here. 28′ to 40′ feet works well here, especially if you like to troll the rocks. If so, then 28′ to 32′ is where I’d drop my riggers.
Kirby, Ohiat and Sandford have also produced. Depths really vary here. I know folks who fish 90′ to 120′ and others who only drop their gear to 30′ to 45 ‘. It all depends on your tack and where you feel comfortable. The Wall and all the way down to Danvers has been very fishy the past week. Drag your gear here between 30′ and 65’.
Coho fishing has still been very good though it has slowed down some form a week ago or so. Lots of wild fish. ID your fish before you net them so as to keep the coho as unharmed as possible when you release them.
Halibut fishing might be the real story as it continues to be red hot. The weather has been very cooperative as of late so getting offshore to hali spots has been easy. As per usual salmon bellies have been the best hali bait going but extra large herring have been very good as well.
A shout out to Jason and Francis, my crew who are leaving today. We had a blast, so much fun!
Looking forward to DJ, Brian, Steve and Bill coming in this afternoon.
Expect an updated report at the end of this week.
In the meantime and in between time, Coach is out…