Salmon fishing on the west coast of Vancouver Island continues to delight us in 2010. We knew that fishermen’s predictions were more favorable for salmon than it was years ago, but we had no idea how good it would be. Media reports in Washington, Oregon and California had many people wondering if fishing was useless in the North. After all, if fishing was so poor south of the border, how much better would it be if it were just north routes?
One thing I want to make clear to all American readers, Vancouver Island is very different from Vancouver. Vancouver Island is 350 miles long and 150 miles wide at its widest point. Fishing on the west side of Vancouver Island is very different from fishing near Vancouver. Many people learn about fishing around Vancouver Island and then plan a trip to Vancouver, unaware that Vancouver Island is a 1.5 or an hour bus depending on the boat you are taking. If you want to go salmon fishing in one of the best destinations in the world, be sure to plan to go west to Vancouver Island and not just Vancouver.
The stunning west coast of Vancouver Island has produced excellent fishing, however, the fishing grounds have changed there over the years. For years the coastal sports fisherman and the commercial fisherman fished 20 miles from the sea. For the past 20 years with the advent of technology, sports boats have moved into commercial fishing vessels. With changes in sea temperatures and food supply areas, many salmon no longer feed on coastal areas but prefer to live where there is more and more food. Salmon almost always go where there are large fish to attract and therefore feed more when there is a large fish.
Areas such as Winter Harbor, Cluelet and Port Renfrew continued to produce high salmon prices even though the salmon fishery declined in 2008. Last year most of the sea found a return to good salmon fishing and this included Queen Charlottes. As I am a fishing guide at Ucluelet, we will hear reports that where large salmon run down the coast. Salmon usually travels 30-50 kilometers a day when it descends along the coast, so it is rare to catch the same fish every day. In our area, we will have large salmon schools from many different rivers around. Because we do not depend on one or two rivers that bring back salmon, we have a steady summer fishing.
In 2010 the return of the salmon was predicted to be very large in a few rivers near us so we knew we were going to have a good season – we just didn’t know it would be so good! We started catching salmon very close to the Ucluelet harbor in March, April and early May. We used to limit it in just a few hours with 6-10 Chinook (Kings). Now salmon are mostly seafood and we get salmon and halibut in the same place. Usually at this time of year we see Chinook from 6-10 lbs with an unusual 25 lbs. This year we weigh Chinook (Kings) from 12-15 lbs and get a few in high youth and low 20s.
We’re really spoiled by this good fishing, but I think it will continue all summer! When I started fishing for salmon in Ucluelet, I went out with my brother and followed a friend on another boat to the area from yesterday. We saw him bring the fish right away! We angrily tried to lower our line so that we would not miss the bite! Two hours later I had 4 Chinook between 25-35 lbs and after pulling out about 20 Chinook I realized that this bite had not stopped. It was the best fishing I have ever had and ever since I realized that fishing from Ucluelet is much better than anywhere else along the coast. The locals take it easy and when asked what the fishing is like will give their opinion based on their experience on the Ucluelet, not compared to the coastal areas. Usually, a slow day on Ucluelet is a good day for someone else! I know from now on I have been directed to a few different places along the coast and have been here for the past 6 years.
About Jasmohan Singh Bains
Jasmohan Singh Bains is a lover of luxury travel and adventure, always looking for inducing moment on his travels. Follow the blog to get the ultimate travel ideas for the luxurious adventurer.
