Salmon
Well it looks like some quantities of fish are starting to show! Fishing off of Sooke was better than off here last week and now we seem to be finding fish in the usual spots around Pedder Bay. As a matter of fact there was a great bite on at Church yesterday at the current change. A bunch of fish was caught including a beautiful 40 pounder off Church using the tried-and-true summer colours of Green Gold Flasher and bloody-nose Anchovy head.
Some Coho are showing now as well. Remember for the moment that Coho are hatchery only. For these guys try fishing a little farther off shore and a little faster than you would fish for Springs.
Halibut
Hali fishing has been pretty consistent this year. Nothing new about where the fish are and what is attracting them. the only thing different in baits would be that there are no extra large herring available so fisherman are using sardines, mackerel, octopus and squid with great success.
Dog fish are in thick and some are getting frustrated with hooking so many. Many fishermen will use larger baits and try to hide the hook a bit in the bait. Another way to avoid hooking as many dog dish and not have to check bait as often is to use jigs. I have used the Lucks jigs in 1 and 1 ½ lbs. with great success. Give them a try if the sharks are giving you trouble.
Halibut Tides
In Juan de Fuca West (west of Race Rocks) tides almost every day are fishable for halis. Check the current section of the tide tables. The Race Rocks currents look to be way too fast for effective hali fishing for the remainder of the month. Jaun de Fuca East does not look as good for fishable tides for the remainder of August. If were going to fish out there this month I would try the 22nd through the 26th—these tides look good all day.
Good luck out there. When you get back remember to give us a report on how you did. With out those reports we haven't the info to help you find how the fishing has been and where to go.
Richard Taggart
Manager
Pedder Bay Marina
