-Jim-
Active Member
Hi Gents,
As I posted elsewhere, one of my buddies who bought a Hewes Sea Runner 201 HT a couple years back wants to go chasing some Pinks up Indian Arm in a few weeks. This is the first Salmon fishing from his boat (OMG!), so I thought I'd ask for your input on what gear to use for this somewhat unique (at least for us) fishing adventure to make it a success.
Even though I've been fishing in the Pacific Northwest since I was a kid with my Grandfather ages ago in a cartopper by Hole-in the-Wall (near Horseshoe Bay) I've never targeted Pinks. I've fished all around Vancouver Island, Gold River, the Sunshine Coast, Millbank Sound, the West Coast up to the US border past Prince Rupert, the Charlottes, Langara Island, etc. and have caught Pinks, but we always tossed them back as a nuisance, or in some cases up north, used parts of them for Halibut bait. (They make good Halibut Bait!) Ages ago we used to fish cut plug for Springs, and had to drop them quickly to get passed the Pinks (and sometimes Cohos) to get a shot at some "real" salmon. I know those days are long gone, but my memories of them remain strong.
Anyway, to my limited knowledge Salmon Fishing in Indian Arm (or should I say Salmon catching) it is virtually non-existent except for the odd year Pink runs. Please comment if I've got this wrong. I was thinking we'd troll for Pinks. I've heard stories of guys using 8 weight Fly setups, but we don't have the gear for that - even though it sounds like a hoot.
I've been trying to convince my friend for years to go beyond Lions Gate as they dock their boat in Bedwell Bay, but his wife is scared for him (or them) to go under the bridges. I got him to take the Power Squadron course to get comfortable and safely into boating. (I went as well even though I've been boating for 60 years but it was a good refresher). I've done the trip under the bridges numerous times, and it's a non-issue if you follow the basics. Anyway, he's now up for that as well, as long as we come and go at slack (or near slack) tide. (Baby steps...) So that would be another post. I mention it here as we may get that done before this trip which is scheduled for September 5th.
My friend's adult son, (whose' never been salmon fishing) will be there, and possibly another friend (who is very competent) as well. I couldn't get my Buddy to go for the rear helm control when he bought his Huey, so it could be a bit more of a challenge fishing without it. I bought a couple of electric Scotty Downriggers off another buddy who was upgrading, and have installed them on the Huey. I also bought a selection of weights for them. But I don't yet have the release clips for them.
Is it advisable to use downriggers when fishing Pinks in Indian Arm? Do you use Flashers? Hoochies or Spoons? Pink Bucktail Flies? Please give me your best suggestions as I really want my Buddy and his son to have a great time and find out how much fun salmon fishing can be. But the need will be to catch Fish!
Thanks for your suggestions and comments.
As I posted elsewhere, one of my buddies who bought a Hewes Sea Runner 201 HT a couple years back wants to go chasing some Pinks up Indian Arm in a few weeks. This is the first Salmon fishing from his boat (OMG!), so I thought I'd ask for your input on what gear to use for this somewhat unique (at least for us) fishing adventure to make it a success.
Even though I've been fishing in the Pacific Northwest since I was a kid with my Grandfather ages ago in a cartopper by Hole-in the-Wall (near Horseshoe Bay) I've never targeted Pinks. I've fished all around Vancouver Island, Gold River, the Sunshine Coast, Millbank Sound, the West Coast up to the US border past Prince Rupert, the Charlottes, Langara Island, etc. and have caught Pinks, but we always tossed them back as a nuisance, or in some cases up north, used parts of them for Halibut bait. (They make good Halibut Bait!) Ages ago we used to fish cut plug for Springs, and had to drop them quickly to get passed the Pinks (and sometimes Cohos) to get a shot at some "real" salmon. I know those days are long gone, but my memories of them remain strong.
Anyway, to my limited knowledge Salmon Fishing in Indian Arm (or should I say Salmon catching) it is virtually non-existent except for the odd year Pink runs. Please comment if I've got this wrong. I was thinking we'd troll for Pinks. I've heard stories of guys using 8 weight Fly setups, but we don't have the gear for that - even though it sounds like a hoot.
I've been trying to convince my friend for years to go beyond Lions Gate as they dock their boat in Bedwell Bay, but his wife is scared for him (or them) to go under the bridges. I got him to take the Power Squadron course to get comfortable and safely into boating. (I went as well even though I've been boating for 60 years but it was a good refresher). I've done the trip under the bridges numerous times, and it's a non-issue if you follow the basics. Anyway, he's now up for that as well, as long as we come and go at slack (or near slack) tide. (Baby steps...) So that would be another post. I mention it here as we may get that done before this trip which is scheduled for September 5th.
My friend's adult son, (whose' never been salmon fishing) will be there, and possibly another friend (who is very competent) as well. I couldn't get my Buddy to go for the rear helm control when he bought his Huey, so it could be a bit more of a challenge fishing without it. I bought a couple of electric Scotty Downriggers off another buddy who was upgrading, and have installed them on the Huey. I also bought a selection of weights for them. But I don't yet have the release clips for them.
Is it advisable to use downriggers when fishing Pinks in Indian Arm? Do you use Flashers? Hoochies or Spoons? Pink Bucktail Flies? Please give me your best suggestions as I really want my Buddy and his son to have a great time and find out how much fun salmon fishing can be. But the need will be to catch Fish!
Thanks for your suggestions and comments.
