2007 Fishing Outlook for Salmon & Halibut
- Ucluelet & Tofino,
Vancouver Island
For the 2007 fishing season, our early season Chinook
salmon fishing has already been very good, supporting
the outlook of a consistent season ahead for the west
coast of Vancouver Island. Consistent catches of feeder
chinook in the 6-18 lb. range have been caught in the
protected inlet waters of Barkley and Clayquot Sound,
as well as the offshore waters from Tofino and Ucluelet.
The chinook salmon fishing action in the inlet waters
and the offshore banks should stay very consistent right
on through to the summer.
The first runs of transient chinook
salmon start to show as early as April migrating in
a southern direction along Vancouver Island’s west coast past our inshore
and offshore waters. Fishing for chinooks gets even more
consistent as the summer begins as large numbers of transient
and local chinook make there way back to there local
rivers and streams. Trolling with herring, anchovies,
spoons and hootchies can be very effective producers
for any time of the year. Needlefish, pilchards, squid,
juvenile and mature herring seem to be the most common
baits around, although we have been finding lots of krill
in the chinook salmon’s stomachs as of late.
Early season chinook fishing is
favoured by many anglers, as the fight is as good as
the flesh, and both are high quality. A highlight for chinook salmon fishing
opportunities forecasted in the Ucluelet and Tofino area,
are for an abundance of our local 4 year old hatchery
origin chinook salmon in August and early September. Coho
Salmon numbers are forecasted to be better than last
year, which is great news considering last year was
the slowest I have seen for coho since I can last remember.
The coho run should be about 8 times better than
last year and we should be seeing numbers similar to
2005.
The 2007 season will again be a
high cycle year for literally millions of pink salmon
that pass by the Ucluelet and Tofino coastline, adding
to the action of your day. Pink salmon are a fun fish
for all light gear types, and provide great action while
casting or trolling small lures and flies that are pink,
orange or red. These colours resemble plankton, the
pink salmon’s main food
source.
For the many anglers interested
in Pacific Halibut, the halibut biomass is considered
strong and stable, so we anticipate another great season
for these powerful and tasty flatfish in the inshore
and offshore waters from Ucluelet to Tofino. Last season
was the best and most consistent halibut and lingcod
fishing we have experienced in years. Fantastic halibut
and lingcod fishing on Ucluelet and Tofino’s near
shore banks and out as far as 25 miles provided our
guests with fast and furious action. Triple and quadruple
headers of halibut were very common throughout the season.
Generally speaking most of the halibut
offshore are considered “chicken halibut” and
average between 15 and 25 pounds, while the inshore
areas seem to give way to a larger average of 25 to
100 pounds plus barn doors. This season should provide
a very similar halibut fishery in these same bait fish
rich inshore and offshore areas. Artificial baits such
as Berkley Power Baits, jigs (butt slammers), trolled
spoons and hootchies all work very well especially when
dogfish are present. Bait such as herring, pilchards,
mackerel, octopus, salmon and halibut all work very
well, minus the doggies.
Westcoast Fish Expeditions runs from January through
to October, though May, June, July and August are by
far our busiest time for both fishing and accommodations,
so reservations are highly recommended ahead of time.
If you have any questions regarding fishing in the Ucluelet
and theTofino area please drop me a line at www.westcoastfish.com or call anytime at 1-877-333-8221 toll free.
Tight lines,
Matt "Oly" Olcen owner/head
guide
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