Most East Side Vancouver Island Rivers are hitting perfect water conditions this weekend. The water levels have dropped and are clean and clear. These levels will allow access to more areas letting fishermen spread out a bit. The Stamp, Nanaimo, and Cowichan all have fresh fish entering the systems and pushing up stream. It's also worth noting that the Stamp still has fall run Steelhead and we should see the winter run fish start showing in the next few weeks.
The fish are hitting on hard and soft beads that look like Chum eggs (in rivers with Chum runs). So smaller natural pattern beads should be your go to this weekend. Try 10mm Slayn Steel in Chrome-Crank pattern, or 10mm BnR in Mottled Natural.
Twitching jigs fished on the bottom have still be producing a lot of Coho. 1/2oz Jig Geeks in Nightmare pattern have been mentioned by several successful fishermen this week. This is a slightly tones down colour pattern with red and black and a white head. It should continue to work in the clear water we have right now.
I've been hearing about (and seeing) some great trout fishing in all local lakes lately. Cowichan, Westwood and Long lake fishermen have all been reporting incredibly productive fishing. Fishing was already hot, but then more stocked trout were recently released in all stocked lakes on the Island, so this weekend should be on fire! I'll be at either Westwood or Long Lake with a half dozen little boys all decked out in Harbour Chandler gear trying our luck. If you see us come say hi.
If you're lake fishing from shore use Mepps Aglia spinners or a ball of Power Bait Turbo Dough floating just off the bottom. And if you are trolling the Berkley Flicker Minnows in Lime Chrome have been absolutely dynamite!
In the ocean the winter Chinook fishing has been excellent, with large catches of larger than average fish in certain locations. While areas close to shore like Five Fingers have been mostly undersized fish, farther out at Entrance Island and along Gabriola the fish have been very nice. I saw some great reports from Entrance this week with double headers of solid mid-teens Chinook. Top lure was T-Rex Hoochies behind a Salty Dawg flasher. Tomic plugs have also been very productive, and have taken some of the larger fish. Best choices have been 5" Tubby T-Rex (yes again) and 6" Easter Egg.
Also remember you can follow the blue links to any product I mention to order it. Or email me directly if you have any questions, comments, fishing reports or photos for me.
Tips up!
steve@harbourchandler.ca
