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Sunny, breezy weather bring out local fishers

Anglers are picking their days to venture out into the Strait of Juan de Fuca
61656sookeHali-Fishing
Mike Friesen

By Ron Neitsch

Now in the last month of sport fishing for 2016, anglers are picking their days to venture out into the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

So far, it appears that early predictions of a cooler winter on the West Coast were correct, and the weather is playing a huge part in the off-season recreational fishery. Far less boats are fishing, and of course, we are receiving fewer reports on how and when to fish.

Last week, boats that went out for salmon and halibut, due to sun and low winds.

Tory Howe from Goin Coastal Charters reported catching and releasing many small spring/chinook salmon, some keepers, on the bottom, in front of Sooke harbour down to Otter Point, while our boat sat at anchor in 300 feet of water fishing for halibut.

We had good success halibut fishing with herring and octopus on spreader bar systems. Keeping the gear on the bottom, we had one 34 pounder landed at 11 a.m. and a 26 pounder landed at 1:30 p.m. Winds were reported on “Big Wave Dave” out of the northeast at five to 10-kilometres for the day.

Only a few more days to get out for halibut as it will close at the end of December, usually reopening in February.

Sooke Boxing Day Chinook Derby is coming up on Monday (Dec. 26), raising funds for salmon enhancement efforts and the Sooke Food Bank. Tickets available at Eagle-Eye Outfitters, Island Outfitters, and Trotac

Marine.

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Ron Neitsch is the owner of 2 Reel Fishing Adventures, based in Sooke.