Winter Springs

 The Winter Springs have really showed up all though out the Georgia Straight. It's looking like we will have an excellent winter fishery with large numbers of salmon in the typical areas. Normally we fish deep, trolling 200 feet down dragging the bottom for these feeder Chinook. This can be done all along the Eastern shore of Gabriola, Valdez and Galiano. I have no reports from Sansum Narrows but it often holds fish at this time of year. Best lures are consistently going to be chartreus green spoons like Yellowtail or No Bananas, and Spirit Lures. Pair these with Salty Dog flashers or White Glow. Scent is important as it's dark at these depths. I prefer Smelly Jelly in any blend that is intended for salmon. The fish are usually hugging the bottom eating sandlance. However there have been a few aberrations with salmon being taken in shallow waters around Entrance Island on Half Jigs. I don't know if this will continue but it is a nice change from deep water fishing.

With the cold clear weather shellfish harvesting season is starting. For clamming and oysters the good low tides only happen at night. One of my first dates with my wife was a midnight clamming expedition that we still talk about. You see a lot of sea creatures that don't normally come out when it's daylight. So grab a headlamp and your clam bag and give it a try. Or bundle up and head out for Winter Springs.

Tips up!

steve@harbourchandler.ca