With the change in weather, beach fishing is heating up! This is my favourite time of year when the salmon stage at river and creek mouths, bringing fishing opportunities even if you don't have a boat.
Fishing for pink salmon is well underway all along the east side of Vancouver Island. Hot spots are always around Campbell River, Miracle Beach, Kitty Coleman and the Qualicum Rivers. Departure Bay has also seen a good run of Pinks. Many lures work, but probably the hottest of the year has been the Tasmanian Devil lure. The Tazzy is an interesting lure, similar to a Buzz Bomb but with a more erratic action on the retrieve. I like the 7 g Pink Panther or, for longer casts, the 13.5 g Tinkerbell. They will be online soon, or email me if you want one.
Small spinners like Blue Fox Vibrax #3 in Rainbow Trout pattern as well as Chartreuse Marabou Aerojigs have also been working well for pink salmon when they aren't biting pink lures.
Coho are another fish that cruise close to all the gravel beaches and creek mouths. Larger spinners like Prime Lures Clean Up Crew in bright Orange or Blue/Silver and casting spoons like Gibbs Super Nugget always work for these fish. There has been a big push of very large unclipped Coho showing up in the last few weeks. In many areas (such as area 14) you can now keep wild Coho. So check your local regulations. I see near Comox you can actually keep two wild Coho, if you are in the correct sub-areas.
Speaking of large Coho, Port Renfrew is heating up with big northern Coho moving in. These are some of the biggest Coho around, and some of the hardest-fighting fish in our waters. Top lures are Coho Killers in Gold Rush Herring Aid, and the Luhr Jensen Koho King in 3".
With the change in the season, different colour flashers are required. Leave your green blades at home and try more obnoxious colours like red/gold, or orange. Flashers like Gibbs Red Jelly or my favourite Orange Phantom will work for these late-season fish.
Also, the great Scotty digital counter shortage is over. So if you have been waiting for one, come on in and get it.
