Fishing Tips for Johnstone Strait (Northern Vancouver Island)

(compiled by the Mt. Waddington Regional District)

This information is to introduce you to good fishing in the North Vancouver Island region. The Sport Fishing Guide (BC Tidal Waters) should be consulted and local Department of Fisheries & Oceans officers contacted to receive up to date information on closures, quotas and interpretation of regulations.


PINK SALMON:
There are more pink salmon caught than the total of the other four species combined.
They arrive in great numbers and can generally be caught by even a novice fisherman. A small bright pink hoochie behind a red “Hot Spot” flasher with 6 ounces of weight is a sure Pink catcher. They can be caught fly-casting, or spinning any small lure. They are a great scrapper. On the even years the pinks are local fish and aren’t big, but on odd years they’re Fraser River fish and 7-9 pounders are not uncommon.

SOCKEYE SALMON:
Sockeye fishing has been gaining in popularity as this is a very acrobatic salmon, great eating and without doubt, the most beautiful salmon in the sea. The sockeye is a choice catch indeed. Double Bay and the tide rips are favourite areas. Troll very slowly with a red “Hot Spot” flasher and a stripped down bright pink mini-plankton (hoochie). They seem to bite well on a low slack tide and the best area for this is along the trash lines northeast of Donegal Head. Sometimes they will be deep and have to be fished with a deep line.

CHINOOK SALMON:
Chinook – every fisherman dreams of catching a Tyee and many a 30 pound plus is caught in this area during the season. Make sure all your tackle is in good shape, hooks “sticky” sharp and don’t be in a rush to boat the salmon. They are very powerful and a lot of fine chinnok have been lost by overanxious fishermen. Be patient and persistent and watch what the pros do. Herring strip is the local’s favourite. Plug cut herring is very productive if fished properly. White plugs are worth a try. Buzz bombs are very productive for those who like to fish with light tackle.

COHO SALMON:
This is everyone’s favourite fish. Nothing is more exciting in salmon fishing than to hear the sing of a reel and watch a large coho come somersaulting out of the water. Coho are aggressive fish and strike lures or bait with ferocity. Strip is always a favourite fo the big coho but these fish can be very “dolour fussy” in hoochies. You have to expedriment as ask the other fishermen what they’re biting. The small coho that appear early in the year (Bluebacks) really like small grey or green flashtails behind a flasher or dodger. They’re great sport with light tackle and buzz bombs.

CHUM SALMON:
Chum come in a summer and fall run. When in bright colours they are hared to distinguish from the large choh. They are caught on a variety of gear; nothing in particular. When present they can usually be seen “finning” and skipping along the water. Small orange hookies work very well at times but the commercial fishermen catch a lot with a green and red hoochie. They are a good canning fish and a great smoking fish.

BOTTOM FISH:
Halibut, Ling Cod, Yellow-Eyed Rockfish (Red Snapper) plus many varieties of rock fish and perch.

Weynton and Blackney Passes plus the reefs and banks of Blackfish and Queen Charlotte Sound offer great bottom fishing opportunities.

Most the large bottom fish are caught in similar fashion with each expert having their own little trick. The most common method is a handline of at least 100 metres or 250 pound test line on board. The lure should be one pound or more. This gets to the bottom faster and helps overcome currents. Reefs and holes on the ocean floor are the most productive areas for Halibut and Ling Cod. Bait is also very good, live bait especially productive areas, but if the dogfish are around, move on or go to lures. Low slack tide is the preferred time to fish due to lack of currents. Kelp beds and reefs are the most productive areas for Rockfish.

With practice, you’ll get a fell for the bottom and avoid a lot of the hang-ups. This is one reason such heavy line is used. The hook will normally straighten before the line breaks. Have a good gaff and a large bonker to dispatch these monsters of the deep.

Rockfish are usually caught with casting gear. Buzz-bombs, sting-zildas, jigs – almost anything with catch them when they’re feeding. Be careful of the rockfish spines, as these can cause considerable pain if they break the skin. There are many ways to prepare this delicious fish.

For conservation reason please release the really big ling cod as these are the females.

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