It has been another week of loads of smaller feeder springs. Fishermen are getting their keepers, but having to sift through a lot of just undersized fish to get them. This means we are going to have a great spring, with loads of Chinook, but right now you are having to put in a lot of reeling to get them. Although if you are a catch and release fishermen you will have an absolute blast out there right now.
Plugs continue to be your best bet to target the larger fish. The top ones of the week have been 4" Sparkle Herring Glow Belly and Glow T-Rex. I run plugs close to the downrigger line at this time of year. Not way back like when fishing shallow in the summer. It's also advisable to use a dummy flasher, or the daisy chain of in-line flashers that I make. I have made up some more of these set ups and they are available in the store, or contact me if you want one shipped. Single in-line flashers (aka triangle flashers) are available on the website.
Right on schedule the Southern Gulf Islands have gotten very hot. This is a lovely area to fish as it's calm and sheltered. It's also relatively shallow in this area, so it's easy fishing too. Tent Island and Booth Bay have booth been producing a lot of fish. And I've been hearing excellent reports from Tumbo and Cabbage Island area.
Prawning reports have been great in all areas, especially around Tent Island. Remember during pulse fishing closures there are some areas that stay open so check the regs. We just got so more of the Vancouver Island made Bauer prawn traps in. These are considered the best traps on the market. And don't forget to oil your prawn pellets with prawn attractant oil.
In the fresh water local rivers have been very good for winter Steelhead. Water levels should be dropping into shape for this weekend. 2/5 oz Pro-Steel casting spoons have been working lately. Trout fishing in the rivers have also been excellent. Chandler staff did very well earlier this week for trout. Small hard beads like10mm Blood Dot Eggs produced a lot of fish.
Tips up!! Steve@harbourchandler.ca
