Alberni Inlet / Barkley Sound / Ucluelet
Fishing Report - Port Alberni Inlet, Barkley Sound, West Coast (Ucluelet), Somass-Stamp River System, May 14th 2008
by Doug Lindores - Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing
The Salmon and Halibut Fishing on the West Coast of Vancouver Island out of Ucluelet B.C. and the Barkley Sound area has picked up dramatically since the beginning of May. Many of the springs early fish were local feeder Chinook weighing on average ten to fifteen pounds. With the migratory push of salmon moving down Vancouver Islands coastline and the halibut now making their migratory move from deep water to the shallows the sport fishing opportunities have really increased. Fishing pressure to date has been low as most of the boats observed in the waters of Barkley Sound and off of Ucluelet have been predominately fishing charter operators. As we close in on the long weekends of both Canada and the U.S. we should see some heavier activity as many anglers prepare for what looks like a pretty good year for the sport fisherman.
Port Alberni Inlet - Barkley Sound
The DFO has announced a pre-season expectation of only 150,000 sockeye to return to the Somass River. This low number will prohibit any sockeye sport fishery in June and July. This means the Alberni Inlet will remain very quiet for sport fishing until August. Chinook and Coho returns back to Robertson Creek look extremely promising as do returns to the various tributary streams, creeks and rivers. If this in truth occurs all sectors of the salmon fishing industry will receive plenty of opportunity to fish. August and September should see some extremely good fishing for the avid sport fisherman and salmon sport fishing guides in the Alberni Inlet. Expected are some good sized Chinook as returns of five year olds are predicted to be high.
The 2008 Port Alberni Salmon Derby which takes place during the Labor Day Weekend has an excellent chance of this being the year that one of the largest Chinook in Derby history is weighed in. The Derby is an excellent event for the whole family. When one has had enough fishing for the day there are many fun filled events on the derby grounds. Derby headquarters is Clutesi Haven Marina located on River Road in Port Alberni.
The fishing in Barkley Sound has picked up over the last few days. Meares, Kirby Point and Edward King have reported some Chinook up to twenty pounds. Local guides have been using anchovy in glow Rhys Davis Teaser heads, brass spoons, and various clear and white hootchies. At Meares some of the Chinook have been in 80 to 110 feet of water. With the migratory fish now into their fifth or sixth week we are expecting some good sized Chinook and Coho to make their way into the Sound to feed on the rich bait balls found in some of the more prominent fishing areas. Those not wanting to travel as far as the surfline, fish Swale Rock, Diplock, Pill Point or even Samatao Bay. Anchovy in various teaser heads are always a good bet to use as well as green and white hootchies. Green-glow coyote spoons and even the old stand-by cop- car are good bets. By the beginning of August Robertson Creek Hatchery Chinook will begin to make their way into the Sound and will linger and feed before making their way up to the Alberni Inlet and into the Somass River System.
The sport fishing for the months of June, July, August and September should be incredible in Barkley Sound. Accomodation and fishing packages are available.
Ucluelet (west coast)
The areas out of Ucluelet have been very good over the past 10 days for both salmon and halibut. Local guide Mike has been fishing the Amphritite Bank and the Lighthouse Bank which basically means he is putting in time at South Bank and the South-West Corner. Mara Rock and Beg Island have been hotspots for salmon. Halibut have been best in about 180 feet of water in the South Bank area. Trolling and bouncing grubs or herring off the bottom for halibut and fishing for salmon in 60 feet of water or better have been producing some incredible results. Halibut up to 25 pounds and Chinook up to 30 pounds have been numerous. The Chinook have been hitting anchovy in a purple or clear or glow teaser head. Chrome and Chartreuse coyote spoons have also been attracting the salmon with a six foot leader behind a red hotspot flasher.
If fishing is anything like last year one should plan to fish halibut in favorite hotspots first thing in the morning and then move to the beach later in the morning for Chinook and Coho. For some reason last year the salmon did not move out to distant waters in their usual migratory route until August. Remember that the summer becomes very busy on the West Coast. Plan your fishing journey and destination now so your trip will always be memorable.
Somass- Stamp River
The steelhead fishing is now over. We are gearing up for the fall and expecting some incredible fly-fishing and other methods of fishing aboard jet and drift boats. Our fishing and accommodation packages for the Stamp River are now available. Avid river fishermen do not want to miss out on some great fall angling. Late summer steelhead fishing usually picks up from mid October through November.
Port Alberni Salmon Derby
The Port Alberni Salmon Derby will occur once again this year during the Labor Day Weekend. It is a fun time with some great prizes and most important excellent fishing. There is some boat availability for those interested in being guided during this event.
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Thompsons' from Alberta. The halibut and rockfish and salmon were caught a few miles out from Ucluelet The prawns and Crabs were picked up in Barkley Sound close to Mayne Bay. Guide was Mike Marriott. |
Alex from Saskatchewan w/his first winter steelhead - Stamp River close to Port Alberni - guide:Rollie - Photo:Slivers
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Paul, Trudy & son Aiden from Alberta - Photos:Slivers |
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Stamp River Steelhead - Photos:Slivers |
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When fishing above The Bucket in the Stamp River one cannot use fresh bait , must use artificials. This fish was caught on Janson Eggs - Photos:Slivers |
guide Matt releasing Kens fish into the Stamp river |
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December winter steelhead from lower Stamp River. Pictured is Jim who fished with guide David. This steelhead caught below "The Bucket" on jet boat using bait - Photo:Slivers |
These fish were all picked up on the Upper Stamp. Fishing aboard jet boat and using Janson Eggs and trout beads.
December 5th 2007
The final numbers are now in for Sockeye, Chinook, and Coho that actually moved into the Somass River and went through the counters to the various spawning grounds. Returns for Sockeye and Chinook were rather disappointing. Coho returns were fabulous.
Adult Sockeye returns through Stamp Falls and returning to Great Central Lake were 70,503. There were 7,100 Jacks. The Sproat Lake adult Sockeye return was 60,879 with 11,104 jacks returning.
Chinooks returning to the system and also Robertson Creek Hatchery were 17,000. The Jack Chinook count was a mere 2,034.
Adult Coho returns totaled 44,479. The Jack return was 4,168.
It seems that Port Alberni was fortunate to have a fairly strong return of Chinook and Coho as compared to other areas of British Columbia. We are fortunate enough to have a rather spectacular and healthy river system (Somass-Stamp) and an excellent, well-managed hatchery, in Robertson Creek.
Escapement to October 29th 2007
- Chinook escapement through Stamp Falls is 16,550 adults and 2,000 jacks.
- Coho escapement through Stamp Falls is 42,940 adults and 3,484 jacks.
- Sockeye escapement to Great Central Lake is 70,503 adults and 7,100 jacks.
- Sockeye escapement to Sproat Lake has totaled 61,000 adults and 11,104 jacks.
The escapement totals for Chinook and Coho could slightly change as they will be calculated until mid November. The escapement for sockeye will likely not change.
Port Alberni Labour Day Salmon Derby pasalmonfest.com
Dan from Coquitlam B.C. with his chinook just off of Amphritite Point. Second picture is Arden with her chinook in the Austin Island area of Barkley Sound. Their guide was Mike with Slivers
| Theo Huval of Vancouver B.C. with his 19 pound chinook caught at Meares Bluff in Barkley Sound. Barkley Sound Fishing has really picked up. there is lots of bait in the area and the chinook are in good numbers with plenty of coho coming into the mix |
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Bob Schaefer from Nanaimo B.C. Bob was a guest of Riel a resident of Port alberni. They fished with guide Mike. This chinook was 18 pounds. Riel and his 2 guests . limited on chinook in three hours at Effingham in Barkley Sound. All fish were caught on anchovy on chrome head teaser heads. |
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Halibut caught last week by Fil Jorge at Sail Rock. The Halibut weighed in at 107 pounds. With Fil is guide Mike of Ucluelet. Sail Rock is found between Uclulelet Harbor and Barkley Sound |
| Jeff from Vancouver B.C. who limited out with his party of 4 with chinook at Meares Bluff located in Barkley Sound. This chinook is 14 pounds and is one of 8 salmon caught on Monday May 21st 2007. Jeffs guide was Michael Mariott. |
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This is Josh of Vanocuver B.C. who is with guide Mike Marriott. This is a 10 pound chinook caught a Meares Bluff located in Barkley Sound on Monday May 21st 2007 |
overview
The West Coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia has much to offer. The West Coast is a beautiful area of the world with its rugged but scenic coastline outlined by snowcapped mountains in the background. Ucluelet and Tofino both found on Vancouver Islands coast are located south of Clayoquot Sound, which is full of beaches, islands and rainforests. The Pacific Rim National Park (Long Beach) is located in the area and has grown into a very popular tourist destination with oceanfront resorts, hotels, motels, lodges, campgrounds, quaint cafes and restaurants and even art galleries. The Pacific Rim National Park is a paradise for surfers and beachcombers. There are large rolling waves and miles of pristine beaches.
Ucluelet is nestled in a small harbor, which is dominated by surf and sandy beaches on the west and rainforests on the east. The area has fantastic walking and hiking trails. The Rainforest Trail, Lighthouse Trail and the sands of Big Beach are areas people can roam for hours. Hi-Tin-Kis Park has spectacular views that people worldwide come to admire.
During the winter Ucluelet and Tofino offer spectacular Storm Watch opportunities. Many of the luxurious resorts, which are scattered along the coastline, offer this as part of their packages from November until early March. March and April often finds visitors watching the migration of Gray Whales, which are passing along the coastline making their way to the Beaufort Sea. The Whale Festival begins this year on the 17th of March is featured by the “Chowder Chow Down.” The festival continues into mid April.
Ucluelet and Tofino provide some of the best salmon and halibut fishing in the world. The coastline between Ucluelet and Tofino is a feeding and spawning destination of some of the West Coast of British Columbia’s largest runs of chinook and coho. The months of May, June July August and September are considered prime time for sport fishing inshore and offshore. The sport fishing industry is provided with vast amounts of coho, chinook, pink salmon and halibut that are migrating outside the doorstep of Ucluelet.. All of the fish follow the thick balls of bait which most often are herring, sardines, needlefish, squid and krill.
The Ucluelet Sport Fishing season gets underway when the wather changes into early spring. The winter often displays battering storms and huge surf, which makes it most difficult and of course dangerous for guides and sport anglers to get out to the fishing grounds. However, during the winter there are some days that one can fish for winter or feeder springs close the Ucluelet Harbor and Barkley sound. The winter season is also a time when individuals have opportunity to fish for Dungeness Crabs, prawns, oysters, clams, and some rock fish. Late February, all of March, and the early part of April often have feeder chinook close to the Ucluelet Harbor and inner surfline of Barkley Sound. Slivers Charters Salmon sport Fishing and other guide services will normally fish Begg Island, Mara Rock, Great Bear, the Red Can, Sail Rock and even South Bank during this time of year. Most of the salmon are feeder springs and can range from 8 to 25 pounds. Most guides and local anglers use a variety of lures. Anchovy is often he best bait choice all year and is rolled behind a Rhys Davis Teaser Head in white, green, purple haze, or pearl. Hootchie choices are often glow whites, purple haze, or various blue green white colors and army truck. Various Coyote and Titan Spoons work well also. This year watermelon has been very good along the whole coast as have silver spoons. During the year there is some bottom or rock fishing. The lingcod season opens April 15th. Halibut fishing most years become more fishable in May and can be combined when fishing for the various salmon species migrating down the coast. During the summer months some guides will troll for Halibut and Salmon at the same time. The Halibut are found at the bottom hiding in the sand and the salmon are found in mid water.
During the summer months Ucluelet provides some of the best salmon and halibut fishing in the world. The area has continuous and very consistent fishing due to the migration of salmon which are headed to their spawning grounds. Whatever summer month one decides to fish there will not be disappointment as there is always fish inshore or offshore.
People often ask “what should I bring if I am coming to Canada’s West Coast to fish and explore. Of course bring a camera to take all kinds of pictures. Binoculars are also a great idea. Bring Rain Gear and rubber boots. Most of the guide boats have extra rain gear on board but this is not provided when hiking in a rainforest or walking the beach on an early drizzly foggy morning. Be prepared for sunshine and warm days especially later in the morning and the afternoons. The West Coast is a place to be totally prepared for all weather. Dress in layers. There is a saying “Its easy to dress down but not up”. If you do not have the correct warm clothing ones day can be miserable to start. It is important to have coolers to take catches home. If flying most airlines now want people to have a correct airline container, which are available on the coast. People can also be prepared to have their catch sent directly to their home as St. Jeans located in Ucluelet will ship directly after our guides have prepared your catch for shipping.
Canada’s West Coast of Vancouver Island is a fantastic area to visit. Those who live in the area take it for granted. This area of the world has a lot to offer and is still undiscovered by many. It is part of super natural B.C. Take some time and come to visit and yes come fishing as this is the place to be in the summer of 2007.
Salmon Returns November 8th, 2006
Port Alberni is fortunate enough to have a very healthy river system and hatchery (Roberson Creek Hatchery). Chinook and Coho return to the Hatchery and Sockeye return naturally to the river and then to Sproat and Great Central Lake. From the lakes the sockeye move out to tributary streams and then spawn.
- Chinook 43,000 return as of October 15th. Numbers may have reached 55 to 60,000 by now as many late fish have arrived.
- Jack chinook 1,000 This number is low and will probably see a low return in three year olds in 2007. Four, Five and Six year olds should be strong in numbers.
- Adult Coho 11,000 Low in return but enough for hatchery program.
- Jack Coho 6,142 Great numbers which should give us a very healthy return of adult coho in 2007. These Adult returns should be back to normal in 2007.
- Adult Sockeye 137,000 return through the counters. Not a strong return as the early prediction was almost 800,000.
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Sport fishing for salmon
Winter Spring
The Alberni Inlet and the Barkley Sound offer year round fishing at its best. Springs, often referred to as
Black Mouths, start showing up in the Barkley Sound in the middle of March. These feisty fish stay and
feed in the Sound on the bountiful herring and anchovy that are spawning in the area. These fish range
from 5 to 25 pounds and as active feeders provide action filled days for the fishermen.
SPRING AND SUMMER
This season offers a great opportunity for fishing for many different species of salmon. In May, the
Springs are still in the Barkley Sound and the early running Tyees are beginning to appear as they begin
their migration up the Alberni Inlet. This season provides excellent fishing for Springs, Tyee and also the
famous Sockeye. The Sockeye are the best eating salmon and run in our area is huge. In late June and
July, the Sockeye start running up the Alberni Inlet in huge quantities. In 1987, there were an estimated
750,000 Sockeye that came up the Alberni Inlet. You can imagine the success rate for anglers! The
Sockeye run continues through August.
SUMMER AND FALL
The months of July, August and September yield the largest fish of them all - the magnificent Tyee or
Chinook Salmon. These fish range from 15 to 70 pounds on average size. At this time of year, the salmon
are within 15 minutes of the inner harbour and the Coho are running as well.
FRESH WATER FISHING
January, February and March is the winter run of Steelhead in the Ash, Stamp and Nahmint Rivers and of
the Cutthroat in China Creek. April and May are good months for Steelhead and Cutthroat in Nahmint and
Sproat Lake and for Rainbow Trout in Great Central and Loon Lake. June is the start of the best months
for the middle of resident runs of coastal Cutthroat in most lakes including Sproat and Great Central Lake.
October, November, and December, Rainbow and Cutthroat season ends. The Steelhead season begins in
china Creek. All year Trout can be caught in McBride and View Lakes, Brown Trout in Cameron Lake and
Rainbow and Cutthroat in Cameron Lake.
Port Alberni Tourism
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![Shaun w/Chinook [hit an anchovy] - a few miles off of Ucluelet - Photo:Slivers](javascript:newWindow('photos2008/80514slivers02.jpg'))
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Jim from Belfast)
Gerry from Belfast)
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![Zach Barton w/40 plus pounder in Barkley Sound [on a Cop Car coyote spoon] - Photo:Slivers](javascript:newWindow('photos2007/70820slivers02.jpg'))
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