Big Chinook and Coho

It was a week of excellent Chinook and Coho fishing in local waters. With large schools of Coho around Entrance and Five Fingers Islands, and even more down at Thrasher Rock. The Coho's averaged in depth between 60-90ft and are feeding on krill and crab larva. Best reports lures have been pink TKO spoons, which are basically an apex copy, and and Pink Flamingo Looney Spoons. If you want a better fight try pairing these with smaller 8"  flashers, especially lil' shooter Coho Special and Ultra Violet Green Stripe.

Also if you don't own downriggers the fish are shallow enough that you can get to them with a planer board like  a Deep Six.

Down around Tent Island where there is some openings for Chinook we are seething really good size fish. Herring aid Skinny G spoons and T-Rex needlefish hoochies have been the top lures paired with Herring Aid flashers.

We are also see loads of big Chinook between Entrance Island and Hudson Rocks. While not open for retention, the opportunities to catch and release a few dozen Chinook every trip is a recipe for fun.

One Pink salmon was reported to be caught around the North end of Gabriola. This is interesting as we don't normally see them yet, but they do occasionally get mixed up with Coho schools and show up at odd times. Pink are currently open in area 17 around Nanaimo. The limit is 4 per day, 30cms or bigger.

In Alberni the first good Sockeye reports are trickling in with some fish taken around China Creek. If we get more sunny weather this fishery should really kick off. As always small bubblegum pink hoochies on short leaders (19"-24") are your best lure bets.

Thanks to Tim for the photo with this post, and to Brett for his good reports.

Tips up,

steve@harbourchandler.ca