Tofino Salmon fishing better than forecasted

[tofinofish]

Tofino Area Fishing far better than forecasted by DFO

Admittedly, the early season of saltwater fishing for Salmon in the Tofino B.C. area was only fair. It seemed that the Chinook and Coho Salmon were on a very similar time line with our spring time weather conditions, with both being much anticipated, but late to show up. Very fortunately for local anglers, the fishing for Halibut in the Tofino area has been on time and on fire, bringing some warmth and action to the colder late spring / early summer days of 2008.
Almost exactly aligned with the arrival of summer solstice, good numbers of Chinook and Coho salmon showed up in Tofino area waters, with the average size and overall health of these fish very admirable considering the forecasted outlook for their ocean survival was less than optimal. Since the first “wave” of Chinook and Coho arrived along the Tofino area coastline, the numbers and fishing action seems to be intensifying. Many anglers have been commenting about fishing as good as they have seen for quite some time in areas like Blundan Island West of Tofino. With good numbers of Salmon feeding and traveling through the Inshore and Offshore areas of Tofino’s coastline, and Halibut fishing extremely strong in most of the same spots, many anglers have looked beyond the false forecast to enjoy some great days on the water.
July fishing opportunities are commonly very strong for the Tofino area, with most areas of the coastline providing good action for a variety of species and angling techniques. For more information on the various fishing options available in the Tofino area, see further details at www.tofinofishing.com or contact Clayoquot Ventures at 250-725-2700

 

[tubber]

Heading over on the 19th-23rd with a truck loaded with everything I need to troll with downriggers or cut plug, jig for hali, bucktail, flyfish and crab. The catch is I need to stay in calmish waters in my 11' whaler. How are things close in? I'll be in to see Jay's outfit for bait and stuff, but just wondering if anyone has an update. Thanks

 

[Pippen]

A friend of mine who guides(ed) for Jay's just buzzed me yesterday; apparently due to the "price of fuel" the fish are accomodating and the salmon are coming down "closer to shore".

Okay...maybe not because of the price of fuel but he did say that they were in closer this year; now I don't know "how close" that is, but we were into fish not too far off Tofino last year when I was over there.

 

[tofinofish]

I'd like to think that the Salmon are cooperating due to fuel prices,,but it is good that the patterns seem to be shifting back to what they were years ago when we didn't need to fish way offshore to find action.
We are seeing a change in the habitat, mainly in the way of Kelp forests likely due to the Otter resurgence. I know these critters making a strong comeback is a little bittersweet, but it sure is creating "normal" habitat again for the masses of Needlefish that are here again. I'm interested to see what happens with the Herring spawn over the next few years with the Kelp abundant again...

I'm convinced that between a natural shift in travel (also water temp.) for these transient Chinook and Coho and the abundance of Bait along the coastline, these hungry fish are slowing down and feeding hard along the islands, reefs and kelp beds like they did in the past..

Places like Blundan Island have been rocking for a few weeks, along with Bartlett and Burgess Islands. For the 11ft boat, you will have to watch the weather closely, as this size is pushing the lower limit for fishing anywhere in the saltwater, esp. the West Coast.

Catface is a good standby for this size of boat for sure. It is 15 minutes from the harbour, and protected unless a cranking NW wind.
My Fly boat has been ripping into nice size Coho and a few Chinook on Bucktails, but casting has still been slow.

Cut Plug will work with your patience, but not your best method right now...Chovies or artificials trolled mid water in the areas mentioned above should be your focus.

We look forward to helping you with more details when you stop by the shop.

Jay's Fly & Tackle / Booking Office
564 Campbell St. Tofino

Jay

 

[tubber]

Thanks Jay. I've fished the Malcolm area and Sooke several times; plus Bamfield, Nootka and Tofino(1 afternoon only)the big windy lakes in the Okanagan/ Shuswap in this boat. I know it's limitations well, and am less daring than I used to be. I treat it like a kayak and will only peak outside the outermost islands if the weather and forecast are good. I'll be puttering around hoping to sneek toward the outside rather than driving her hard for the banks. Looking forward to a fun trip. I'm on a friend's big Lifetimer out of Uki right after I fly my wife home, so there should be opportunities for more of a meat thing then. I have charts 3640 (old) and 3685. I need the one in between. Do you have those in stock or should I grab one in Vancouver on the way through? I'll likely be stopping by several times, but Saturday afternoon for sure. Staying at the Swell Lodge.

 

[tofinofish]

Sorry we don't have the chart. I've repeatedly tried to deal with Can. Hydrographic service on these charts, and seems everyone is on lunch break?....

We'll be happy to help you get dialed in, and look forward to seeing you when you get here. If I am not in the shop, Megan or Matt can easily help you out.

BTW Pretty rockin Coho snap this A.M. inshore....Really good to see.
Chinook along outer edge and short distance offhshore was going off like it has been lately.

See you soon.

Jay

 

[tofinofish]

Tubber,

I took my Son to a really close spot last night for a couple hours so he could stay busy with Rockfish and Lings, but we didn't jig fish for very long with Salmon crashing the surface around us..

We ended up trolling for 1 hour with small spoons off the downrigger for 0 Coho and 1 for 3 on Chinook (Approx.26 lbs)

We fished through a low slack, which is not ideal for this spot, but seemed to be some active fish around.

This is a great spot for your boat,,,,,I'll fill you in.

Jay

 

[tubber]

It sounds like a great spot for my wife too. The fact that it was evening rather than first light is also cool for her. She won't like the outer edges unless it's a miracle flat calm no fog day.
Thanks, can't wait.

 

[Charlie]

quote:Originally posted by tofinofish

Places like Blundan Island have been rocking for a few weeks, along with Bartlett and Burgess Islands. For the 11ft boat, you will have to watch the weather closely, as this size is pushing the lower limit for fishing anywhere in the saltwater, esp. the West Coast.

Catface is a good standby for this size of boat for sure. It is 15 minutes from the harbour, and protected unless a cranking NW wind.
My Fly boat has been ripping into nice size Coho and a few Chinook on Bucktails, but casting has still been slow.

Jay's Fly & Tackle / Booking Office
564 Campbell St. Tofino

Jay

Jay,
May I ask where is "Burgess Island"? I know of "Bartlett and Blundan Islands".

I will be passing through and stopping at Tofino for fuel. Might like to drop a line in one or two of these spots, time permitting!

Thanks... Charlie

 

[MTChief]

Hey Jay,
We will be up Wednesday night (staying at the Golf Course).., any more updates?
Steve

 

[tofinofish]

Charlie,

Burgess is on the N.W. corner of Vargas Island. This spot is just inside from Bartlett and Blundan, and directly across from Monk Rock. Normally calm water, and only 25-40 feet deep, so when you hook up on Chinook, they usually run long.
A good ebb tide spot compared to most.

Yesterday it was excellent for Coho and some big Chinook.

Jay

 

[tofinofish]

Steve,

Its only been getting better...

Coho inshore lit right up in the last few days. Light gear and Bucktails consistent, with cast flies O.K. for those with patience and local knowledge of areas/tides etc.

Chinook fishing is good to great all over the chart. Cleland (Bare) Island has been very steady, along with most outer island spots. Chinook and Halibut have been spread out all over the offshore areas that we normally fish out to approx. 12miles

If you want to burn little fuel and have good opportunity for action, it is happening.

I'll be posting a detailed update on www.tofinofishing.com ASAP


Hope this helps.

Jay

 

[tofinofish]

What a month,,,,,, Overall nice weather aside from yesterday, which was the last and possibly ugliest day of the month. The poor weather didn't slow the fishing much with most vessels hooking into approx. 12 Chinook Salmon for the morning trips.
Fishing in the Tofino area was very good for the month, with strong numbers of Chinook Salmon in good size averages, Coho Salmon arrived in schools just strong enough to intensify local inshore fisheries for Flies and Gear. Fishing for Halibut and Ling Cod was intense for those able to travel approx. 10 miles out, with great Salmon fishing action waiting just inshore a few miles closer to the coast.
After many reports from up and down the coast over the last month, we are no doubt fortunate to be one of the most consistent fisheries on the B.C. coast, again.

This is very exciting considering that we have two more peak fishing months ahead of us, and the fish are only showing up larger and stronger. We are looking forward to September when the bulk of the bigger fish will likely show up.

Jay