Recent fishing reports from Canada

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[size 2]These reports are for specific areas of Canada. Please scroll down to the area that interests you and find your report for that section. There is some flyfishing information included for most of the areas as well some saltwater reports.[/size]
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Fraser River - June 10th, 2004
supplied by: [url "http://www.fisheyesoup.com/redir.php?recKey=123,re"][#0000ff]Fred's Fishing Adventures[/#0000ff][/url]
FISHING: Good
The river level is holding with slight ups and downs daily. There is very little debris flow and visibilty is good for bar fishing. This could be the peak for the year with the snow pack under the average and some of the main tributary rivers levels such as the Thompson now dropping quickly. We can expect some good Chinook fishing during June with ideal water conditions due the the lower run-off. Many of the productive gravel bars are out of the water which provide opportunity for the bar angler and bottom bouncer. Numbers of fish so far this year have been down but the past few days it has improved. Most if the fish are 10-25 pounds but we did see some big fish over the past several days with the biggest a womping 56 pounder. Sturgeon fishing has been decent with some very good days and some more of a challenge. You may want to venture down to the mouth of the Sumas where it meets the Fraser for some Chinook. Trolling spoons, casting or fishing bait can be very worthwhile at this time of year. It is an option if the Fraser has poor visibility. Be sure to check on the water conditions on the Vedder before heading out.

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Oak Bay - Vancouver Island - June 10th, 2004
supplied by: [url "http://www.fisheyesoup.com/redir.php?recKey=118,re"][#0000ff]Quigley Sport Fishing[/#0000ff][/url]
FISHING: Fair
Salmon fishing is still SPOTTY in Oak Bay. Some springs up to 23 lbs were taken out of the flats this past week, but overall it was really slow. Most of the action was coming late in the day after the end of the ebb tide and the start of the flood. Anchovy has been the most productive bait for trollers lately, especially in Green Scale teaser heads. The best patterns for squirts have been the Purple Haze, Jellyfish and the J79. If you want to troll spoons, the #4 Silver/Green or Silver/Blue Coyote or Gibbs Gypsy are good ones to try. Troll about 10-20 feet off of the bottom for best results. Closer into shore, jiggers have had little success on springs. The 40 and 60 gram Gibbs Minnows or Stingers have been the best jigging lures. HALIBUT – Halibut fishing was slow off Oak Bay. Extra Large Herring combined with Octopus and fished off of a spreader bar with a 2 lb weight was the best set up for the big flatfish

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Cowichan River - June 10th, 2004
supplied by: [url "http://www.fisheyesoup.com/redir.php?recKey=118,re"][#0000ff]Quigley Sport Fishing[/#0000ff][/url]
FISHING: Fair
Fishing was SLOWER this past week. The water level is holding steady at 0.4 meters and the river is very easily waded it’s whole length. It’s way too low for drift boats. Water color and clarity is good. Best success now is coming in the late evening and just after sunrise. The insects are still hatching and there has been good activity for fly anglers on the river. Fly anglers have been reporting good success with March Brown, Gold Ribbed Hare’s Ear and Prince nymphs, with or without bead heads. Black Wooly Buggers have also been good for the larger Brown trout. Some nice trout have been taken on dry lies as well. Spin fishermen can get some trout action on Len Thompson spoons, Roostertails, Blue Fox and Mepps spinners upstream of Skutz Falls and below the 70.2 CNR Bridge.

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Vedder River - June 9th, 2004
supplied by: [url "http://www.fisheyesoup.com/redir.php?recKey=123,re"][#0000ff]Fred's Fishing Adventures[/#0000ff][/url]
FISHING: Poor
Chilliwack/Vedder


Closed until July 1st. The water levels are high with good visibility for anglers wanting to fish the Sumas. At this time of year you can do well fishing for spring salmon at the mouth of the Sumas where it enters the Fraser River. Best is casting or trolling large spoons such as #55 Kitimat or Kohos. You can also fish roe or sandshrimp on the bottom with 2 oz of weight or try using a slip float with the bait close to the bottom.

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Chilliwack Lake - June 9th, 2004
supplied by: [url "http://www.fisheyesoup.com/redir.php?recKey=123,re"][#0000ff]Fred's Fishing Adventures[/#0000ff][/url]
FISHING: Good
Most of the Fraser Valley Lakes continue to fish well, the weather has been great and this certainly makes for some great opportunity in the valley. Some of the bigger lakes are producing larger fish such as Cultus, Chilliwack and Harrison. Jones lake is fishing well, most of the smaller lakes are very worthwhile in the Chilliwack and Harrison valleys. Kawkawa Lake has been good for Kokanee

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Campbell River - June 9th, 2004
supplied by: [url "http://www.fisheyesoup.com/redir.php?recKey=124,re"][#0000ff]Tyee Marine[/#0000ff][/url]
FISHING: Good
Salmon River; Cutthroat trout are prevalent in the Salmon River and spring can be a good time to angle for them. They are available from the estuary upstream to the boundary at Kay creek but mostly tend to be found in the middle and lower river at this time of year. These fish can be caught on gear but they will take flies.

Campbell River; The Campbell has been producing Sea-Run Cutts in the estuary and Further upstream. Resident cutthroat and Rainbows are also available. Evening and morning dry fly fishing has been yielding good results. There are hatches of Mayflies coming off almost every evening stimulating the bite.

Oyster River; Occasional reports of Sea-run Cutts coming from the Oyster. June is one of the best months for estuary fishing at the mouth of the Oyster and that fishery should be on soon.

Elk River; Great Rainbow action continues in the Elk. The majority of the run is in the river and slowly migrating upstream. While wet flies like bead-head Hare’s ears are most effective, dry flies will work at times if the fish are not stale from being fished over.

Lake Scene; Area lakes are being heavily fished and the fishing has been excellent. With as much warm weather as we have had lately, fish have been feeding heavily and are gaining weight and becoming aggressive.

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Sooke - Vancouver Island - June 9th, 2004
supplied by: [url "http://www.fisheyesoup.com/redir.php?recKey=118,re"][#0000ff]Quigley Sport Fishing[/#0000ff][/url]
FISHING: Good
Salmon fishing was PICKING UP with quite a few fish in the thirties being caught. However, considering the number of anglers fishing in the Wallaby derby, not a lot of salmon were caught. Secretary (Donaldson) Island was the most productive spot to fish for springs that weighed as much as 35 ½ lbs. Otter Point is starting to turn on for fish in the teens and twenties. Most anglers are catching springs at the 50 to 80 foot on the downrigger. Large anchovies were the most productive bait. The most successful teaser heads have been the in Glow Green patterns. If you want to troll hootchies, Purple Haze or Green/White remains the best choices. Spoons were also working well, especially those with Glow /Green. Some we would recommend are the #4 Coyotes, #4 Titans or #5 Gibbs Gators in Glow /Green, Silver/Green or Black/Glow. Halibut fishing was fair out to the west. A few ”chickens” were brought in. Herring and octopus fished off a spreader bar is the best way to catch them.

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Becher Bay - Vancouver Island - June 9th, 2004
supplied by: [url "http://www.fisheyesoup.com/redir.php?recKey=118,re"][#0000ff]Quigley Sport Fishing[/#0000ff][/url]
FISHING: Poor
Salmon fishing was SLOW considering the number of anglers fishing in the Wallaby derby. The Trap Shack Reef continued to produce good springs and Beechey Head, Aldridge Point and the Bedfords also held some fish. The biggest spring salmon weighed close to 38 lbs, with quite a few in the twenties and thirties also taken. Most of the salmon were caught trolling from 50 to 85 feet down. Large anchovies, Glo Green teaser heads and a Green Flashers were the best combo to fish this past week. If you want to troll artificial baits, try #4 Coyotes, #4 Titans or #5 Gibbs Gators in Silver/Green and for plastics the Purple Haze or Green & White was the best choice.

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Pedder Bay - Vancouver Island - June 9th, 2004
supplied by: [url "http://www.fisheyesoup.com/redir.php?recKey=118,re"][#0000ff]Quigley Sport Fishing[/#0000ff][/url]
FISHING: Fair
The salmon fishing is having a LATE START in local waters. This past weekend, most of the springs taken weighed between 13 to 30 lbs and were caught trolling from 50 to 70 feet down near Church Rock. The biggest fish on the weekend was a 40 lb spring that was NOT entered in the WALLABY CLUB DERBY! Considering the number of anglers fishing in the derby, not a lot of salmon were caught. Anchovy is accounting for most of the salmon caught trolling and Green Scale or Glow Green have been the most productive teaser head colors. If you want to troll spoons, try #4 Coyotes, #4 Titans or #5 Gibbs Gators in Green/Silver, Blue/Silver or Black/Glow. Good squirts/hootchies to use were the Purple Haze, Mint Tulip, Army Truck, and Jellyfish. Anglers jigging for springs have had consistent success jigging from the Deep Hole to the RCM Blasting sign. The needlefish Lucky Jigs or Gibbs Minnows have been good lures to jig. HALIBUT – This past weekend was poor for halibut due to huge tides and currents. This weekend should be much better. Extra Large Herring and Octopus fished off of a spreader bar with a 2 lb weight was the most successful combination to catch the big flatfish.

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Victoria Waterfront - Vancouver Island - June 9th, 2004
supplied by: [url "http://www.fisheyesoup.com/redir.php?recKey=118,re"][#0000ff]Quigley Sport Fishing[/#0000ff][/url]
FISHING: Fair
Salmon fishing was BETTER off of the waterfront and SPOTTY out at Constance Bank. For a couple of days, anglers jigging close in and shallow were having good success off Clover Point on the flood tides. That seems to have died down by the weekend. Off Constance Bank, the tides were really ripping and the salmon fishing was spotty. Otherwise, it’s hit and miss from Albert Head to Trial Island. Anchovy was the most productive bait this past week for those trolling. If you want to troll artificial baits, try #4 Coyotes, #4 Titans or Gibbs Gypsy spoons in a silver/ green or blue/silver combinations. For plastics, use the Jellyfish, Purple Haze or Army Truck patterns in needlefish or squirts. HALIBUT – Halibut fishing at Constance Bank and Border Bank was much slower in the huge tides that we had. The current was really ripping this past week. Extra Large Herring or Octopus fished off of a spreader bar with a 2 lb weight is the best bet to catch the big flatfish.

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Sidney - Vancouver Island - June 9th, 2004
supplied by: [url "http://www.fisheyesoup.com/redir.php?recKey=118,re"][#0000ff]Quigley Sport Fishing[/#0000ff][/url]
FISHING: Good
Salmon fishing was GOOD this past week. It‘s still best at Hambley Point for springs up to 20 lbs. The Sidney Channel, the Powder Wharf and Arbutus Point have also produced some salmon, but not as consistently as Hambley Point. Also, the salmon have been very good about striking on a wide variety of lures. The most productive bait was anchovy (any size) fished in a Green/Yellow Chrome Rhys Davis teaser head. Other favorite lures have been Tiny Strip, small Anchovy, or spoons. Use a glow in the dark teaser head with bait. The most popular spoons have been the #4 Coyotes, #4 Titans or the Gibbs Gypsy in Glow White/Green or Cop Car.

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Local Lake - South Vancouver Island - June 9th, 2004
supplied by: [url "http://www.fisheyesoup.com/redir.php?recKey=118,re"][#0000ff]Quigley Sport Fishing[/#0000ff][/url]
FISHING: Fair
Trout fishing is FAIR, slower than in previous weeks. Most of the action is now coming in the early mornings and evenings, with the trout being deeper in the day. However, if you fish the thermocline, you can get activity all during the day. Elk Lake continues to produce the most and largest trout on average (14-18 inches) and some fish are still coming from the fishing dock. The highway side has been good as well. Langford Lake has also produced a few very large holdover rainbows lately. Prospect Lake has also been consistent for trout action. Fly anglers can stay with the old reliables (Black Leeches, Green Wooly Buggers) and expect good action. Chironomids have been good and Pheasant Tail, Halfback and Gold Ribbed Hare’s Ear nymphs also work well. For trolling try #6 Len Thompson spoons, Flatfish or Wee Tads in frog patterns, red & white, or yellow with red spots. Willow Leaf Lake trolls and worms will almost always work if fished at the thermocline too. Spring stocking of trout has been completed and future stocking times for catchable rainbows are September 15-25 and October 20-30.

Bass Fishing

Bass Fishing has been GOOD for smallmouths up to 4 ½ lbs. The bass have finished spawning in most lakes and are moving into the post spawn pattern. Some of the bass though are moving into deeper water during the day. Anglers have reported good smallmouth action in Beaver, Elk, Langford and Prospect lakes while fishing close to shore. Shawnigan Lake has been outstanding and Quennel should also be good for smallmouths now. For largemouths, fish Elk or Beaver Lake. In the shallower waters try spinnerbaits, crankbaits, or soft plastics fished close to structure or docks. Remember that both largemouth and smallmouth bass are closed for retention from April 15th to June 15th to protect the spawning fish.

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Campbell River - saltwater - June 8th, 2004
supplied by: [url "http://www.fisheyesoup.com/redir.php?recKey=124,re"][#0000ff]Tyee Marine[/#0000ff][/url]
FISHING: Good
Weather [[url "http://www.weatheroffice.ec.gc.ca/forecast/city_e.html?ybl"][#0000ff]click here[/#0000ff][/url]]
Tides [[url "http://www.lau.chs-shc.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/cgi-bin/tide-shc.cgi?queryType=showZone&language=english&region=1&zone=14"][#0000ff]click here[/#0000ff][/url]]

Cape Mudge; Fishing has been fairly good at the lighthouse this past week in the context that it is still early days yet as far as the summer salmon season is concerned. As always, the early morning ebb tides are the best to fish. Water clarity has been an issue, with algae blooms contributing to the clouding. When the water is turbid, it never hurts to max out on the flash by creating a parade down by your terminal tackle. The 180 to 200 ft. depth just off the lighthouse is the best depth.

The Hump; Huge tides this week made fishing at the hump a challenge to find water that was not smoking along at 5 knots. When the tides mellow a bit and there is actually a slack tide between flood and ebb, the Hump is a great spot to fish in June.

Willow / Shelter Points; Coho have begun to show up at Willow Point. The fly-fishing contingent usually present on the beach in June has reported that some Coho are being caught. While not much boat based effort is being directed at the area, just south of shelter point can be a very good spot to fish in the early season.

Beach fishing has begun with anglers trying their luck at Willow Point, Rotary Beach and the mouth of the Oyster. Sea-Run Cutthroat is the prime quarry but with small numbers of Coho present, it makes for a fun fishery.

[url "javascript:newWindowA("http://www.fisheyesoup.com/cgi-bin/metar.pl?icao=CYZT&units=s&template=portal_weather.html&cache=on", cc(600,525))"][#0000ff]Weather and Lunar Phases[/#0000ff][/url]

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Gold River - June 8th, 2004
supplied by: [url "http://www.fisheyesoup.com/redir.php?recKey=124,re"][#0000ff]Tyee Marine[/#0000ff][/url]
FISHING: Fair
Gold River; Not too much to report on the gold this week as it is a transition time between winter and summer Steelhead in the gold. There are some resident trout in the Gold but not many. The Muchalat River is a better bet for resident trout. There is also a sockeye run that heads up the Much at this time of year. While fishing them would be strictly catch and release, it does present a fishing opportunity.

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Courtenay - saltwater - June 7th, 2004
supplied by: [url "http://www.fisheyesoup.com/redir.php?recKey=124,re"][#0000ff]Tyee Marine[/#0000ff][/url]
FISHING: Good
Tides [[url "http://www.lau.chs-shc.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/cgi-bin/tide-shc.cgi?queryType=showZone&language=english&region=1&zone=14"][#0000ff]click here[/#0000ff][/url]]

Fishing in the Courtenay area has been reasonable with some fish being caught near Bates and Kitty Coleman as well as farther south near Hornby Island. Sentry Shoals and Grant’s Reef have also been producing the occasional fish. Bait tends to pile up around areas like Sentry and Grant’s, which attract feeding salmon.
The freshwater fishing in the Courtenay area continues to be superb with lots of activity at most local lakes.

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Oyster River - June 7th, 2004
supplied by: [url "http://www.fisheyesoup.com/redir.php?recKey=124,re"][#0000ff]Tyee Marine[/#0000ff][/url]
FISHING: Good
Salmon River; Cutthroat trout are prevalent in the Salmon River and spring can be a good time to angle for them. They are available from the estuary upstream to the boundary at Kay creek but mostly tend to be found in the middle and lower river at this time of year. These fish can be caught on gear but they will take flies.

Campbell River; The Campbell has been producing Sea-Run Cutts in the estuary and Further upstream. Resident cutthroat and Rainbows are also available. Evening and morning dry fly fishing has been yielding good results. There are hatches of Mayflies coming off almost every evening stimulating the bite.

Oyster River; Occasional reports of Sea-run Cutts coming from the Oyster. June is one of the best months for estuary fishing at the mouth of the Oyster and that fishery should be on soon.

Elk River; Great Rainbow action continues in the Elk. The majority of the run is in the river and slowly migrating upstream. While wet flies like bead-head Hare’s ears are most effective, dry flies will work at times if the fish are not stale from being fished over.

Lake Scene; Area lakes are being heavily fished and the fishing has been excellent. With as much warm weather as we have had lately, fish have been feeding heavily and are gaining weight and becoming aggressive.