Ok- first, I am so sorry… I promised a fish report just a few days after my last one and it’s been two weeks. I have not forgotten all of you though I do deserve to be chastised! One thing that I suppose happens to all of us is it seems I am getting on. Damn I feel old! I have been flat out exhausted and I am only 3 weeks in! My hands are nicked and cut, my back is sore, my artificial hips ache and at 8 pm in the evening I can’t keep my eyes open! And the funny thing is, I still love it. Being on the water everyday is such a blessing! To see what we see, to experience folks seeing their first whale or catching their first fish makes this all so very much worth it. The camaraderie shared at the dinner table each night with all kinds of people from all over might make it the best time of the day. Yes I’m tired and sore but I’m happy and so very blessed. Best job ever!
Ok are you ready for some fish news?
Fishing in Barkley Sound has been and will continue to be exactly what it is with migrational fish. Some days are lights out, some days you have to grind to get it done and some days Mother Nature just says nope. That is exactly what the last few weeks have been.
July is when we see the migration of Washington bound springs hugging the coast lines of Vancouver Island feeding at various locations along the way. The annual spring and early summer squid spawn lures these fish to numerous places in Barkley Sound. Great Bear, Sail Rock, Austin and Cree, Kirby, Beale, Keeha and Pachena, are all places where at any given time these fish will show. Now that we are in the middle of the month, the Nitnat fish are also starting to hug the shorelines as they approach their native spawning grounds. It’s really all about timing. If you happen to be there when they are passing through or have stopped to feed then look out, it’ll be on! The key is putting in the time at the right place using the right gear at the right depth and at the right speed. Add all those together and your chances at boating some serious silver increase dramatically.
So where do we start? Location, location, location. We have all heard that before. as it is in running a business it is in fishing Barkley Sound as well. Understand these fish like to move down the coast on the perimeter of the Sound, dipping in occasionally to feed if the opportunity is there. All the places I have mentioned above are all worthy of your efforts. I am not as familiar with the Ukey part of the Sound. I don’t go much farther north than Austin and Cree Island but Sail Rock, Mara and Great Bear have all turned on at times this month. Austin and Cree have been reliable. At times lights out and as I alluded to earlier, at times you have to grind it but it almost always produces quality fish. We have had success there with Amundson Skinny G knock offs, particularly the Bon Chovy spoon (green white with gold). 66 feet was our magic number but we did pick some fish up deeper at 90 feet. 66 was the most consistent for us. A glow white hoochie also scored for us at times there as well. A hoochie on one side and a small spoon on the other covers you off nicely.
At Kirby it’s been a mixed bag. Lots of shakers to wade through. I like fishing shallower there, 50ish on the rigger but I know folks have success further out and deeper to 125 feet on the rigger. Skinny gs wee gs, and white hootchies would be my go to terminal gear here.
Beale and Little Beale has been a bit of feast and famine. Earlier in the summer it was very productive. It’s definitely been slower there as of late. It can turn on any time though. Again, I tend to fish shallower than most. I fish Little Beale usually between 40 and 50 feet.
Keeha and Pachena are also good bets when you can safely get around the corner of Beale. Small spoons and hoochies are also must haves when trolling these spots. Keep your gear near the bottom, it’s shallow so 50 to 55 feet on the down rigger will work just fine. I find that there are very few shakers at Keeha and Pachena, almost all mature fish.
Ok let’s sum it up. Small spoons and white hoochies. Bait is not necessary at this time of year. Trust me! Save your money and time. Rolling anchovies will come later in August, not now. You don’t really need to change your gear up if the bite is off. Find the bait and the bite will come on. Do not, under any circumstances pull up your gear and travel to another spot and before and an hour after tide change., Fish it through then leave and travel mid tide.
Don’t be afraid to troll at faster speeds. 2.8 to 3.3 mph works fine when dragging spoons and plastic. Besides you will cover more ground and allow better chances to find where the bait is at. Once that happens then hang on!
As for the offshore fishery? I would not be going offshore for salmon fishing, but far be it from me to say no to all of you. I just find that the fish on the perimeter of the sound are bigger and way more fun to catch. a 15 lb spring taking your gear at 37 feet on the down rigger compared to 80 feet? I love the violent takes when fishing shallow! No comparison for me.
Hali fishing for me has been so so this season. Perhaps I am losing my touch as I haven’t been having as many stellar days butt fishing as in seasons past. I have heard though that many others have been doing great. Salmon bellies on spreader bars, white grubs have been what most folks have been using.
Fishing for Black cod or Sablefish has been awesome. Every time out we have been picking up our daily limit from 4 to 8 lbs. We use regular hali gear but smaller trebles with small chunks of salmon belly. This is a highly recommended fishery. Sablefish are so tasty!
Ok, that’s it for me. I have a boat to clean and gear to tie. I am out on the water later today with Donnie, Brock and the Boys from Nat’s Pizza (best pies in Vancouver folks!). And to boot it’s burger night at Harbourside today! Yeh!!
Ok, time to pop an ibuprofen and get to work!
Coach is out! (aka Jonathan…)
Standing by, Coach…. (aka Jonathan)
