Now we are into the best fishing of the summer, effective the 20th of July, the slot size of 85cm on wild Chinook salmon has been lifted in the waters between Sheringham to Cadboro Point. So now you can go out and catch and retain two chinook salmon minimum size 45cm and no maximum size, including fin clipped.
Pink salmon numbers continue to grow, these fish are the easiest salmon to catch, just get out on the tide line, fishing at depths of 30-90 ft on the downrigger with any pink hootchy, mini plankton, short litre 25-30 inches behind a flasher. For even more fun try fishing any spoon with some red or pink on it with no flasher which provides an even more sporting way to land these fish that average four to eight pounds.
Coho numbers have thinned out over the last 10 days but still some around, hatchery only, two per day is the limit.
Chinook fishing remains steady and all the usual hot spots from Beechy Head to Sheringham Point. Anchovies are the bait of choice for the chinooks, in various colours of teaser heads. These fish are being caught as shallow as 35 feet of water on the downrigger, in close to shore, to as deep as 80-120 feet in deeper water. There was a report of a 50 pound chinook being caught on July 16 off Otter Point late afternoon.
Port Renfrew
This past week has seen fairly steady chinook returns to the dock. Salmon fishing along the beach has had some very good but short bite periods, some only lasting as little as a half hour at a time. Most action has been from the Cullite to Walbran area. Some anglers are finding the fish out in deeper water and fishing as deep as 65 feet on the downrigger.
Coho come and go but if you want some steady action just start trolling away from shore as far as three to four miles and you will get them. Regulations for coho are two hatchery a day with a total possession of four, from two days fishing.
Currents and tides are very good for anchoring for halibut if you don’t want to run all the way to Swiftsure Bank, herring and mackerel with a skirt will work well and the “chicken ranch” continues to be the hot spot.
Any questions on fishing, or interested in booking a charter in Sooke or Port Renfrew call Duff Johnston @ Duffy’s Salmon Charters 250-642-5789 or cell 250-661-5245 Email duffyssalmoncharters@shaw.ca
Until next week, tight lines!