Hey All,
The crew @Big Bear Salmon Charters would like to welcome Malcom Carruthers to our team of knowledgeable and experienced guides. Malcom comes to us from the north end of the Haida Gwaii, bringing his wealth of knowledge to assist in making memories of a lifetime for our guests. Along with Malcom, “the boys” are geared and ready to hit Ucluelet waters with a serious bang as we approach the red hot months of July, August, and September.
Barkley Sound:
Salmon:
Salmon fishing in Barkley sound has been excellent over the last couple of weeks with large numbers of both feeders and migratory Chinook being caught. Cree Island, Meares Bluff, Kirby point, Swale Rock and Folger are all producing limits of ocean fresh fish. The first of the Coho runs are also well into the sound with a mix of both wild and hatchery fish available for the taking. Remember to check your regulations regarding retention of Coho in the sound and on the offshore waters.
Chinook:
The Chinook are feeding primarily on needlefish in the sound. The needle fish hootchy in splatterback, army truck, and lemon drop have been lethal when paired with a gold betsy flasher from hot spot. The coyote spoons have also been producing huge, fished with or without a flasher. Try running a dummy flasher with approximately 6-8 feet of lead from the cannon ball and a naked spoon at an equal distance above the flasher. This makes for great action when not having to fight with the flasher. Popular spoons include the green/glo, copcar, blue metallic, and flat silver. The 3.5“ tomic in the 602 finish has also been a go-to spoon. Depths of 57 ft. to 120 ft. have been the most consistent.
Offshore:
Chinook:
The banks have been a little hit and miss as of late with no real rhyme or reason to where the fish will be from day to day. We are still waiting to see the biomass of bait fish show, primarily pilchards. Light house bank has been fishing well on the evening flood with reports of the odd tyee starting to come in. Long Beach, the Rats Nose and outside south have also been producing fish in the 10-20 lb. range. Hootchies and spoons are both producing in all of the usual patterns. There is also a large number of coho showing in the 4-8 lb. range. Depths have been anywhere from 80-140 ft. Basically hit the bottom and bring it up a bit.
Halibut:
Halibut fishing has been good to excellent now that we are done with the large spring tides. Long Beach, Lighthouse bank and the rats nose have all been producing quality chickens with the odd larger fish in the mix. Berkely power grubs in white and glo fished on a 16 oz. jig has been very productive. Try tipping it with a small piece of belly for added scent. Extra-large herring, octopus and bellies fished on the spreader bar can also be very good. The dogfish have yet to show up so fishing bait has been quiet pleasant without the nuisance of the doggies.
Give us a call or check us out online for current specials and any additional information you may require to make your trip to the west coast memorable.
Tight Lines,
The Crew @ Big Bear