We have had a good spell of calm warm weather for the last week which is perfect fishing weather. At least on the dryer days. The winter Chinook fishing has really picked up though out most Georgia Strait locations, and it should only improve . I've had good reports from Campbell River and Comox with good sized fish between 200-250ft down. Same for French Creek at the double bumps right on the bottom. Large glow plugs like West Coat Tackles Green Meanie and Yakima Baits Silver Chartreus Scale Spinfish in have been the top lures. Run them with a Bon Chovy dummy rigged flasher
In Nanaimo the fish moved in closer to Five Fingers last week. They were so close to the beach that the shore casters had a great weekend, with some nice sized Chinook landed. The best I'm aware of was a 32" Chinook, which is a great fish for this time of year caught from shore. Shimano Current Snippers in Brown Aji were the top lure.
The guys trolling did well at Entrance and Down to Thrasher for Chinook in the 10-14lb range. The fish are mostly deep down 200+ft except for some just North East of Entrance reef where a few are getting caught only 140ft down or so.
Top lure for Nanaimo this week has been the brand new Northern King Salty Dog spoon with a Salty Dog flasher. This is a glow chartreuse pattern spoon is based on the salty dog flasher which has always been one of the top winter/spring colours, so we had a spoon made to match it! Our dedicated product testers took it out and it's going to be a winning combo for winter fishing.
In the rivers the winter steelhead run has started. I've already had some good reports from the Stamp. Soft beads and worms will be the lures of choice for the start of the season. Top patterns so far are the new WFO soft bead in 12mm Peachy Keen or WFO Arctic Ice 3.5" PD Worms.
Tips up!
steve@harbourchandler.ca
