Oh boy people! If there was any time one could put themselves in a position to catch a mature spring salmon it would be now in Barkley Sound. It is on folks!
All the usual places are producing, some better than others, but fish are everywhere. Just put in the time with the right gear and depth and you will be rewarded.
Last weekend Harbourside Lodge hosted the Pace Processing Group. Huge thanks to Sean Darrah for putting this together.
I had Bob and is son Michael on board Charley Girl. Bob is a longtime Harbourside regular and Michael was here for his second visit to the lodge. As most of you know I love it when family combinations come up to fish with us. There is nothing better than the bonding time family members have while spending time on the water. Bob and Michael had a very friendly rivalry going as to who was bagging the biggest and most fish. All in fun. I know Bob really wanted to show up Michael with the biggest fish of the weekend but the look of pride and joy in his eyes while watching Michael play a fish was genuine and heartwarming.
We fished mostly at Swale Rock. Tight to the shore at 35 feet on the downriggger was the ticket for us. We trolled anchovies in bloody nose glow teaser heads which were very effective.
We fished some at Whittlestone as well which also was productive. A little shallower for us here at 30 feet on the riggers. We dragged the same gear but glow white hootchies at this time of the year at Whittlestone can be incredibly effective.
At this point in the season these are the following areas I would suggest to produce good results for springs:
Harbour Entrance (over in the Broken Group)
Swale Rock
Kirby Point
Little Beale down to Whittlestone
Brady’s Beach east to the Wall and all the way down to Assits.
There are many other places to fish. These suggestions are just the ones I would got to being in close proximity to Bamfield.
Don’t forget it is the Port Alberni Salmon Fest this upcoming Long Weekend. Tons of prizes and such. Weighins are located both in Port Alberni and Bamfield but to weigh in a derby contestant you must weigh in at Port Aberni. You can get tickets at Gone Fishin in Nanaimo and Port Alberni as well at Breakers Marine in Port Alberni and in Bamfield
Our local coho are just beginning to show up. Hopefully by the weekend they will be here in force. They are usually a bit deeper than our springs. Try depths of 40 to 60 feet. Anchovies and glow white hootchies are the ticket for coho. Brady’s Beach and Sandford are local coho hot spots.
Harbourside Lodge has been very busy of late. Please check with Aussie John as to moorage and room availability.Gas and diesel are in good supply and the tackle store has lots of great gear, shaved salt ice, bait and everything else you need during your fishing trip.
I’ll be spending one last weekend at the lodge and then I am back to being Coach at school in Vancouver. I will be out during the week of September 10 with 44 grade 10 students. Awesome experience but I will tell you more abut that later.
In the mean time, go fish!
Coach…