Christmas Chinook Report

The winter fishing for Chinook has been good all week, and the forecast for the next couple weeks looks promising. So if you have anytime off over Christmas getting out on the water would be fun.

From Campbell River South to Duncan I'm seeing great Chinook reports. Average depth varies with location, but unlike last years shallow fish we are seeing more normal depths for this time off year. Which of course means fairly deep, or right on the bottom. 220ft down is what I keep hearing from mid-island fishermen. Although there are Blue Back Coho around as well, which are much shallower. The Chinook are consistently hitting on Glow Cop AKA Night Rider spoons in 3.5" and Pink Sink spoons in 3". Although with the mature herring rolling in I expect bigger lures to start producing soon. Plugs are a great choice when these herring show up, basically from now to mid April when the herring spawn hatch happens, and then micro gear will take over.

Location wise, Entrance Island, the East Side of Gabriola down to Thrasher Rock are holding the most Chinook. Most of these fish are close to the bottom feeding on needlefish. So narrow spoons like Skinny G's in Glow Yes Bananas or Koho Kings in Kitchen Sink will work for these fish.

I haven't had too many river reports this week. Maybe everybody is busy with Christmas things, but if you get out please send me a report to the email below. I did get one report from the southern mid-island area that the Steelhead are hitting on Prime Lures casting spoons in Brass/Chartreus and Mad River worms in Pearl White.

Tips up!,

steve@harbourchandler.ca