FISHING REPORT: PORT ALBERNI/PACIFIC RIM
AUGUST 2020 DOUG LINDORES SLIVERS CHARTERS SALMON SPORT FISHING ph# 250 731 7389
August is always a fabulous month to fish and this particular year there should be some spectacular salmon fishing on Vancouver Island’s West Coast surf line, all of Barkley Sound, and the Alberni Inlet. The Alberni Inlet for many anglers offered a huge surprise in July as Sockeye returns were a little higher than previously expected. About Three hundred and thirty Thousand Sockeye was an upgraded number of returning Sockeye to the Somass River with Two Hundred and Thirty-five Thousand making their way into the Stamp and Sproat systems. With the returning numbers higher than expected a two limit per day sport opportunity became available. Many anglers were more than delighted to get out on the local water to sport fish. Pre-season estimates of returning Chinook to the area are similar and perhaps even better than the last two years to the Somass River (Robertson Creek Hatchery) and the many other streams and rivers of West Coast Vancouver Island.
To date the sport fishing season in Barkley Sound and the inshore waters of Ucluelet is best described as “inconsistent”. Most of the salmon retained in June and July have been migrating to the big watersheds of the Pacific North-West. August however is the time when the mature local fish begin swimming to their natal rivers and streams to complete their lifecycle. Starting in late July and right into September migrating Chinook and Coho swim through the waters of Barkley Sound where they stop and feed heavily before completing their long journey into the Alberni Inlet and finally into the Somass River system or Sarita, Nahmint and Franklin.
In August the returning salmon often school and feed heavily at Cree and Austin Island as well as Whittlestone, Fleming Island, the Bamfield Wall, Gilbraltor, Swale Rock and Pill Point. The early morning, later evening, and tide change are often the best bite times. These areas are fantastic sport fishing locations. August in the Sound is often the month when Anchovy in a variety of teaser head colors work well. Green and Purple Haze as well as Army Truck Glow and Cop Car anchovy teaser heads with at least a six-foot leader attached to a purple gold or green gold flasher. Other colors of choice “Flasher” seems to work for many anglers. Depending on the size of the bait a variety of hootchies and spoons are also great lures. The AORL 12 is a great standby as is the Jack Smith and Green Spatterback for both Chinook and Coho. The various Skinny G and Big Eye spoons are excellent lures to have in the tackle box. The Herring Aid Skinny G have been working very well. The bait is very small in the Cree, Austin, Meares, Swale area and smaller spoons in the three-inch size or even less and also a variety of Coho Killers are working well. On the Bamfield side there seems to be some squid around so some of the various cuttle-fish hootchies are working as is anchovy. The salmon are often found in shallow water in August. Fishing from twenty-five to sixty feet is the best depths.
The Chinook fishing in the Alberni Inlet often begins in early August. Hotspots in the Inlet and Harbor are Lone Tree Point and Coulson Mill. The China Creek Wall, the Narrows, and Underwood Cove often hold a good number of Chinook salmon as well. Sport Anglers fishing the Inlet will have the best success using Octopus Pink (O-15) and Red hootchies (O-16) as well as AORL12, Purple Haze, Army Truck and Spatterback. Anchovy is also a very good idea in August especially for Chinook when they are just coming into the area from Barkley Sound.
August also will have some great days offshore for halibut and salmon. The Big Bank, South Bank and Long Beach can have some spectacular action for both Chinook and Coho. The Tomic Plugs and six-and seven-inch Road Runner Spoons are often the best gear. We are looking forward to a fantastic month of fishing on the West Coast of Vancouver Island especially in the Barkley Sound and Alberni Inlet areas.
Some other exciting news for avid anglers. The Labor Day Weekend Salmon festival was cancelled in April. Some avid Port Alberni anglers and residents however have put the derby together and for this year will name it “The Ultimate Fishing Derby” which will take place on September 5th, 6th, and 7th. This is great news for the Alberni Valley and those fisher people who look forward to a derby with this magnitude close to the seasons end in many salt water locations.
Tight lines and Good Fishing
Doug Lindores
Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing
toll free 1 888 214 7206
mobile 250 731 7389
