Fishing Report Sept 8, 2020

Well, just like that it ends… 2020 is in the books for Coach. Charliegirl is out of the water, on the hard and waiting to be out to bed for the winter. As I left the Bamfield Harbour mouth in brilliant sunshine and flat seas it hardly seemed right to be calling it quits. I am now back in Van City and attempting to bring some normality back to students and their Covid-19 educational world. Not sure which job is harder, that or trying to catch spring salmon the past few days! It seems both are challenging me for sure!

We wrapped up derby weekend at Harbourside this weekend. So appreciative of the Alberni Valley Tyee Club for taking the responsibilities of the Derby on. Such great tradition. Hopefully we can return to normal festivities next year on Labour Day!

As for the fishing? Well it was slow for us for sure. We skipped a salmon day on Saturday as the waters were so calm offshore and we headed out for one last day of flatty fishing. We had three Harbourside boats out at 12 mile and with Captain Tom leading the way we eventually all limited out. The halis wanted herring this day. We had refusals on salmon bellies but they eagerly hit herring and herring like jigs. Once again we anchored up on the banks at a hump that comes up to 200 feet or so. Fishing in and around the hump in 212 to 220 feet of water was the ticket. We love to jig coho while we hali fish and we tried but they were scarce. Typically this time of year the coho are thick offshore, but alas not on Saturday.

Sunday we fished hard for springs. We trolled a good 8 hours at Little Beale and managed some nice takes but only managed to boat one spring at about 15 lbs. Not exactly a derby threat. I did see some fish taken so there were some around. Not exactly what it should be for this time of year however. The coho situation almost seems dire. They are indeed hard to find. Hopefully they are still to make their way in. I, however, am long gone so I have missed them. If you are out and about Bamfield way over the next few weeks. Please, by all means, let us know if the coho show up. I am so very much hoping they do!

The lodge is still up and running for another week and a bit and then we will shut her down for the winter. For me? I am now looking forward to donning my waders and having some fun fly casting for coho, chum and the occasional spring in various Lower Mainland Rivers.

I am also already thinking about next year. And so can you.  Email Aussie John for charters, accommodations and moorage at requests@harboursidelodge.com