Hi All
Well, we are right smack dab in the middle of prime time. Barkley Sound is pumping. You can find limits of springs at all the local hot spots. Kirby, Fleming, the Wall, Beale, Austin and Cree are all happening right now. Get up early and take advantage of the early morning bite. It is a virtual guarantee for multiple hookups first thing.
Traditionally this is a bait fishery. Anchovies rolled on teaser heads 6 – 7 feet behind your favourite flashers is always effective. It’s certainly my “go to” at this time of year. That said, lots of folks are catching springs and coho on a variety of spoons and hootchies. Green and white skinny gs and glow white hoochies are working very well. Not a bad idea to run bait on one side and rubber or metal on the other.
Depending on where you are fishing we keep the gear up rather shallow between 30 and 50 feet. I’ve been fishing Beale a lot and my standard depth has been 44 and 49 feet. At Kirby and Fleming I’d be running my gear between 30 and 43.
Traditionally this is a bait fishery. Anchovies rolled on teaser heads 6 – 7 feet behind your favourite flashers is always effective. It’s certainly my “go to” at this time of year. That said, lots of folks are catching springs and coho on a variety of spoons and hootchies. Green and white skinny gs and glow white hoochies are working very well. Not a bad idea to run bait on one side and rubber or metal on the other.
Depending on where you are fishing we keep the gear up rather shallow between 30 and 50 feet. I’ve been fishing Beale a lot and my standard depth has been 44 and 49 feet. At Kirby and Fleming I’d be running my gear between 30 and 43.
There have been some gorgeous coho showing up, many of them pushing 10 lbs or more. It doesn’t seem to matter what you put into the water for these feisty fish because if they see it they will hit it. The coho bite has been sporadic though. Here one tide and gone the next. More frequent all the time though.
Offshore fishing has been solid for both salmon and halis. Halibut are still taking bellies and grubs off spreader bars. Bait is not the best choice for salmon offshore. try hoochies, spoons and my favourite, plugs, instead. Springs are deep offshore. Start at 120 feet and go from there. Coho will be up higher. Don’t forget offshore coho retention must be hatchery only.
I am still dumbfounded at the majesty of this place. There is so much protected fishable water. We have had three gentlemen staying with us for the past 5 days: Bryce, Gordon and Peter. They all fish solo out of their little runabouts. Peter is 89! and still fishing by himself like a madman! I love it. I’ve always said that fishing doesn’t count in the days of your life. Those are all bonus days. I don’t doubt we will be seeing Peter still fishing here for years to come. It’s these kinds of things that give me hope that all is still well in the world. This amazing pastime is for everyone. No age barrier, no gender gap, not just for Dad but the whole family as well. So much to see, so much to experience. If you haven’t already, put a trip to Barkley Sound on your calendar for next year. We are right here in your very own backyard!
Well I have a rare morning off. I have gear to tie and a boat to clean. Looking forward to my next crew coming in this afternoon.
Brenda our Harbourside GM has the store open everyday for salt ice, tackle and bait. We welcome you to stop in to say hi. I am back at the dock by 3ish most days and always up for a fishing chat.
Until then…
Coach is gone fishin…