Tofino peak season continues
September Fishing – The peak season continues…
Historically, mid August through mid September is the time when the Tofino area coastline plays host to some of British Columbia’s strongest and diverse stocks of Salmon, most specifically the prized sport fishing species, Chinook and Coho. This season’s fishing action has again been very consistent for the Tofino area, and likely stronger than most areas of the B.C. coast that have experienced a change in Salmon travel and feeding habits.
With delayed timing for many runs that typically travel past Tofino during the peak month of August, sport fishing opportunities for the month of September are anticipated to be very strong.
Various areas and gear types will be receiving the most focus by experienced Tofino area anglers, with the following recommendations for those considering a trip on your own boat or with a local charter company;
Chinook salmon fishing offshore from Tofino’s coastline will likely provide the season’s strongest opportunity for larger 4-5 year old Chinook. With an anticipated return of abundant late summer Chinook Salmon to the lower Fraser and Columbia Rivers, the chance of catching your first Tyee, or even one over 40 lbs will not get any better for fishing the Tofino area. This same area will also provide great action for the season’s largest Coho salmon, with many of the acrobatic fighters in the 15 to 20 lb. range. All “wild” Coho Salmon must be released in offshore areas, unlike the adipose fin clipped Coho that can be retained offshore. Many anglers troll 40 – 80 feet deep with large spoons or plugs to catch both Chinook and Coho.
Inshore Coho fishing is favoured by many during this time of the year, with the retention limit now raised to 4 Coho per person per day, with only 2 of the 4 being non-adipose fin clipped. With bait-fish stocks extremely strong, and many Coho salmon feeding hard inside Clayoquot Sound, many anglers with smaller vessels appreciate this prime opportunity. Fly anglers are focused on casting and Buck-tailing areas like Tibbs Island down to Catface and Coombs bank for hard hitting and hard fighting Coho salmon on 7-9 weight Fly rods.
Halibut and Bottom-fish action is also a great late season fishing option for the Tofino area. Species such as Ling Cod, Yellow-Eye and Cabezon all live within a short distance offshore, and are a great compliment to the great Halibut fishing that has continued through the spring and summer. Artificial jigs with a little fresh bait for scent will often reward your efforts for these varied species.
On the freshwater side of angling interests, September is when things really start to light up for Salmon in the various streams of the region, along with the Trout that are often close by to pick up stray eggs from the spawning salmon. Most rivers provide good opportunities for catch and release fishing for Salmon and Trout, using single barbless hooks, while respecting the bait ban that is common for most streams on Vancouver Island.
With the combination of great fishing opportunities, normally fantastic weather conditions, and more room to move about in town and on the water, why wouldn’t you consider fishing the Tofino area this September?
For more info, check on-line at www.tofinofishing.com or call 250-725-2700
Historically, mid August through mid September is the time when the Tofino area coastline plays host to some of British Columbia’s strongest and diverse stocks of Salmon, most specifically the prized sport fishing species, Chinook and Coho. This season’s fishing action has again been very consistent for the Tofino area, and likely stronger than most areas of the B.C. coast that have experienced a change in Salmon travel and feeding habits.
With delayed timing for many runs that typically travel past Tofino during the peak month of August, sport fishing opportunities for the month of September are anticipated to be very strong.
Various areas and gear types will be receiving the most focus by experienced Tofino area anglers, with the following recommendations for those considering a trip on your own boat or with a local charter company;
Chinook salmon fishing offshore from Tofino’s coastline will likely provide the season’s strongest opportunity for larger 4-5 year old Chinook. With an anticipated return of abundant late summer Chinook Salmon to the lower Fraser and Columbia Rivers, the chance of catching your first Tyee, or even one over 40 lbs will not get any better for fishing the Tofino area. This same area will also provide great action for the season’s largest Coho salmon, with many of the acrobatic fighters in the 15 to 20 lb. range. All “wild” Coho Salmon must be released in offshore areas, unlike the adipose fin clipped Coho that can be retained offshore. Many anglers troll 40 – 80 feet deep with large spoons or plugs to catch both Chinook and Coho.
Inshore Coho fishing is favoured by many during this time of the year, with the retention limit now raised to 4 Coho per person per day, with only 2 of the 4 being non-adipose fin clipped. With bait-fish stocks extremely strong, and many Coho salmon feeding hard inside Clayoquot Sound, many anglers with smaller vessels appreciate this prime opportunity. Fly anglers are focused on casting and Buck-tailing areas like Tibbs Island down to Catface and Coombs bank for hard hitting and hard fighting Coho salmon on 7-9 weight Fly rods.
Halibut and Bottom-fish action is also a great late season fishing option for the Tofino area. Species such as Ling Cod, Yellow-Eye and Cabezon all live within a short distance offshore, and are a great compliment to the great Halibut fishing that has continued through the spring and summer. Artificial jigs with a little fresh bait for scent will often reward your efforts for these varied species.
On the freshwater side of angling interests, September is when things really start to light up for Salmon in the various streams of the region, along with the Trout that are often close by to pick up stray eggs from the spawning salmon. Most rivers provide good opportunities for catch and release fishing for Salmon and Trout, using single barbless hooks, while respecting the bait ban that is common for most streams on Vancouver Island.
With the combination of great fishing opportunities, normally fantastic weather conditions, and more room to move about in town and on the water, why wouldn’t you consider fishing the Tofino area this September?
For more info, check on-line at www.tofinofishing.com or call 250-725-2700
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