Chinook fishing is still very strong! Thrasher, Grande to Whalebone, Entrance, and The Fingers are all alive with fish. The size mix seems to have gotten more divergent, on Saturday we released lots of undersized in the 3 to 5 pound category, but released a couple of bigger fish between 12 and 16 pounds. In the two weeks prior, all of the fish seemed to be “cookie cutters” in the 7 to 9 pound range. Typically in July we do encounter lots of undersized fish, mixed with teenagers. Hot lures continue to be the Cookies and Cream, and Bob Marley spoons. Jigging has been fantastic off The Fingers, if you want to make the run.
Coho numbers seem to be slightly growing, although nothing too substantial, yet. They can sometimes be found as shallow as 25 feet.
Ling fishing was slower this past week. It’s odd when they go off the feed, they are such voracious fish.
Prawning sucks. Give it a couple of weeks.
Great news on the funding front for The Nanaimo River Hatchery. Cabelas is donating $25,000, and The Pacific Salmon Foundation $62,000 towards improving the infrastructure there. Clyde said that COVID was partially responsible for these grants, as people had so much free time to spend on applications! Thanks to Linda Smith for her very generous donation in fishing tackle for the annual Hatchery Fundraiser in October.
If you do want to derby fish, Derek from North Shore is running a all cash derby July 17th and 18th out of Silva Bay Marina. You can sign up at Arbutus Building Supplies. Entry is $50.
Good fishing!