Alberni Inlet / Barkley Sound / Ucluelet
Fishing Report - Port Alberni Inlet, Barkley Sound, West Coast (Ucluelet), Somass-Stamp River System, September 24th 2008
by Doug Lindores - Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing
Sport fishing in the area for charter guides and sport fisher persons has been much better up until the middle of September than what it was at the end of August and during the Port Alberni Salmon Derby which took place at the beginning of September. The big rains the last two weeks of August moved a lot of Chinook and Coho into various rivers and creeks. The sport fishing either side of the Labor Day weekend was not at all that good in the Port Alberni Inlet and various areas of Barkley Sound. However things have dried out and the salmon have been holding in the Port Alberni Inlet and various Barkley Sound locations. The sport fishing in the Stamp River has also picked up dramatically as plenty of Coho and Chinook are in the system as are many late summer steelhead.
Port Alberni Inlet & Barkley Sound
The Port Alberni Inlet has had some good days lately in the mouth of the river, the Holm Island area and in McTush Bay. Coho fishing has been the best salmon fishing. McTush Bay has produced some beautiful Coho as schools have been holding in the area. Guide Mel has been guiding some fairly happy guests as limits or close to limits have been picked up daily. The Coho have been in 20 to 40 feet of water and have been hitting green and white colored hootchies. The silver-glow and the cop car coyote spoons have also been very good lures. Most of the hootchies have been trolled behind a green hotspot flasher with a 32 to 36 inch leader. The McTush area has been producing in the morning and ends suddenly by mid-day. There has also been a good evening bite. The Harbor area has produced some good Chinook and Coho fishing. Over the last two weeks it seems that the Coho lay in one area of the Harbor while the Chinook are in another area. The Coho have been hitting the same gear as what had been used further down the Inlet at McTush but lately they have become a little picky. This past weekend sport fishermen using small apex lures had some great success. A four inch apex trolled in the top 20 feet of water and orange-white in color had excellent results. A couple of fortunate sport fishermen and one guide using the orangey-white apex with no flasher were able to land up to 8 nice sized brightly colored Coho. Chinook have also been fairly picky at what they want to hit but a few fishermen who still have the old T-Spoons hidden away in their tackle boxes have done extremely well. Some fishermen who have gone out at day break and have fished all morning and have had little success are hearing stories of those going out during the afternoon tide change and within two hours have four big 20 plus pound Chinook using the old T-Spoons. We are expecting Coho to continue moving into the Port Alberni Inlet until mid October. This should create some excellent sport fishing.
Pill Point has been a great Barkley Sound fishing location for guides Doug and John. The days in Barkley Sound have been just gorgeous. The sun has been warm and the breeze from the ocean has kept temperatures just perfect. Pill Point, Ecoole, and Diplock have had some very good Coho fishing in September. For guide Doug the Coho have been mainly in 18 to 45 feet of water. The fish are hitting the green spatterback, T Rex, and the AORL12 hootchies as well as the silver-glow coyote spoon. Doug and John have been trolling a 39 to 42 inch leader behind a green hotspot flasher and have also hit Chinook and the odd Chum salmon which have weighed up to 20 plus pounds. The Coho have been big and have averaged 14 pounds. The biggest Coho to date has been close to 20 pounds. The last few days has slowed down but there is still promise of some great early fall fishing days. There should be some Chum salmon which are tremendous battlers show up in good numbers in the Sarita Bay area. Reports of a few of these being landed have already occurred. Chum salmon also known as Dog Salmon are great on the barbecue. Chum often are in the Nahmint area and also Cous Bay in the Inlet. One guide has reported landing a couple using a big red hootchie in McTush Bay.
Ucluelet (west coast)
Guides Mike and Al are still have some great success on inside and outside waters. The waters of the Pacific have been just wonderful. There have been many days when the water is as flat as any well known lake. The Big Bank is still producing Halibut up to 40 pounds. The Rats Nose has produced some Chinook (a few) up to 28 and 30 pounds. The halibut have been picked up by jigging, using a spreader bar, or by trolling hootchies and spoons. Most of the hootchies are glows and have been working very well. The Chinook on the outside have been hitting bait in glow teaser heads and various glow hootchies. There are also plenty of Coho with the biggest to date coming in at 20 pounds. The South Bank area has been also producing. Chinook 12 to 14 pounds have been hitting white hootchies and a hootchie known as the UGLY. Coho in this area are up to 14 pounds. Fishing out of Ucluelet should continue into October with plenty of migratory fish on the move. Halibut and other bottom fish should remain outstanding until mid October.
Somass-Stamp River
River fishing has really picked up. There were a couple of days after a commercial opening in the Port Alberni Harbor that really slowed fishing down but the salmon are coming into the river in good numbers. Many guests are aboard jet boats with a guide and are fly fishing. Many guides are putting a small piece of red wool on the fly to add color. Some are not only using red but are also adding a blue or a yellow color. One can easily walk the river. B.C. Hydro recently released some water from the Ash River which is to help the salmon migrate with ease up to Robertson Creek Hatchery. This was done on Sunday which actually raised the water level of the river quite dramatically. Those walking the river may have to work very hard as the fish are there but might not be in the first couple of spots one comes to. Those that work the river hard are limiting each time out with Chinook and Coho. Guides are treating their guests with up to 12 to 14 fish per day which they have opportunity to play. Many guests are only keeping a couple of salmon per day. All of the salmon to date have been bright silver. There are becoming more and more late summer steelhead in the system also. The river is a wonderful and beautiful area for the sport fisher person.
Port Alberni Salmon Festival
» Aug 29 - Sept 01, 2008 - Port Alberni Salmon Festival
| Dawn Penner of Revelstoke B.C. caught this 32 pound beauty on thursday morning with four other salmon. Caught near Lone Tree Point in the Port Alberni Inlet on a red Octopus Hootchie. |
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![The Finley Family/Portland & Larry/New Mexico [right] w/fish caught off Folger Island, Barkley Sound - Photo:Slivers Charters](photos2008/80828slivers03a.jpg)
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The Finley Family from Portland Oregon and Larry from New Mexico to the far right show a few of their fish caught just off Folger Island in Barkley Sound. A 26 pound halibut was a bit of a fluke. There was some fairly good action on this day as the bite was continuous. |
| Kyle w/two salmon caught on the surf line in Barkley sound. These two fish are mid twenties with the other at 30 pounds - Photo:Slivers |
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Tyler from Utah shows off 20 pound Chinook picked up at Kirby Point in Barkley Sound |
| Guide John (red hat) with guests from Utah Tom, Marque Tyler and Jordan. A wonderful day on the water as they show off their fish at the Clutesi Haven Marina in Port Alberni British Columbia |
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A spectacular sunrise in Barkley Sound. The fishing and the beauty in Barkley Sound ins unbelievable. Photo taken by Tom Householder of Port Alberni British Columbia |
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Julie from Utah w/Coho picked up at Swale Rock on anchovy in a green UV rhys Davis Teaser Head gave Julie a great battle. |
Parker and Saskya from Utah show off their Barkley Sound salmon |
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Joanne and John from Florida show their catch of Chinook salmon from Swale Rock, Barkley Sound. All hooked on anchovy. |
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guide John showing a 24 and 25 pound Chinook caught at Swale Rock, Barkley Sound. With John are Malika, Isaac, Matthew and Zack. Isaac and Mat each had opportunity to catch one of these big Chinook. - Photo:Slivers |
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This picture of an eagle picking up a rock fish dinner was taken by:Paul a Vancouver guest.
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Owen from Port Alberni w/Chinook @ The Wreck, which is off of Ucluelet - Photo:Slivers |
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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.
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![The Finley Family/Portland & Larry/New Mexico [right] w/fish caught off Folger Island, Barkley Sound - Photo:Slivers Charters](javascript:newWindow('photos2008/80828slivers03.jpg'))
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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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