It has been a super week for Vancouver Island river fishermen, and this weekend is shaping up to be an epic one. Now is prime time with Coho pouring into most systems. I've seen great reports from the Puntledge, Quinsam and Stamp/Somass rivers. And the pictures of the Coho I've seen looked like bright chrome ocean fish.
Interestingly, on the Somass there is also a big run of late Chinook that are also bright and chrome. They are cleaner looking than the wave that went up in September. This is odd, but very cool.
Drifting beads is working well as always. Top producers have been 14mm BnR soft beads in Northwest Steelheader pattern, as well as Slaying Steel 10mm hard beads in 'Crank Dat Natty' pattern. For your bead hook try the Mustad ADX Advantage Bead hooks is size #1. We have it in stock, just not the website just yet. You can call the store or email me at the address below if you need to order them or anything else I mention but isn't on the website yet.
Spinners have also been very hot this week. Flying 'C's took a lot of Coho and Chinook in the Stamp midweek. I was using them a couple weeks ago and was impressed at how well they cast. The other top spinner has been 1/2oz Prime Lures Clean Up Crew spinners in Metallic Blue/Chartreus and Metallic Pink/Pink
In the deeper pools twitching jigs are very effective for Coho. Try Jig Geek 1/2oz twitching jigs in Nightmare, Slaughterhouse and Wario or 1/2oz Aerojigs in black/chartreus.
Tips up! steve@harbourchandler.ca
