December 2011

 

2012 FISHING EXPECTATIONS

Lots of fish - sea conditions for all species have been exceptional with plenty of feed in the food chain!

CHINOOK ( SPRING / KING )

Should be the same or better than last year. Good numbers of 20 – 35 pound fish but not many topping 45 pounds. Quantities of fish coming down the West Coast of Vancouver Island (WCVI) to the USA are predicted even higher than last year which was a 25 year record high.


COHO ( SILVERS ) EXCELLENT FLYFISHING

Again this season the fish will start moving by mid May and will continue well into the fall. The early fish tend to be USA hatchery stocks and the Aug and Sept fish are a mix of Canadian stocks, many of which are the Northern Coho ranging from 16 to 26 pounds. These fish will take a fly as they school inside Esperanza Inlet at the mouths of the many inlets. Aug 15 - Sept 30th is the best time.


PINKS

This is an even year so stock will be less than last year, but still a good year.


SOCKEYE

The runs seem to be reviving over the past 2 years. 2010 brood stock in many rivers were up. We should get a mid season opening on WCVI just like the last 2 years. The opening will be driven by the timing of sufficient stocks arriving in the Fraser River and its tributaries.


CHUM - EXCELLENT FLYFISHING

The most underexploited recreational fishing opportunity in all of Esperanza Inlet and Nootka Sound. Most all rivers in the area have Chum stock – some more than others. They arrive in mass quantities in mid September and usually are around until the end of October. Limit is 4 per day with 8 possession. The best Chum fishery on all Vancouver Island and no sport fishing pressure.


HALIBUT (BUTTS)

Stocks remain strong and are on an uphill climb in numbers and size of fish. Lots of Hali from 40 to 140 pounds daily throughout the 2011 season and the occasional 200 plus is kept. This will continue and most likely improve for our 2012 season. The   political battle over recreational and commercial fisheries looks like it will come back to centre (center) with all parties getting some of what they want. In real words what does that mean to the recreational fishery? The Halibut season will open as usual in the early spring. Limit will increase to 2 per day and 2 possession. A system will be in place to monitor quotas. Every effort will be made to keep the season open at least until early September and most likely through September 30. There will be a winter / spring closure probably Oct 1 to early spring. All in all that is good news. Many Thanks to all the volunteers from a wide variety of groups who have worked with DFO and the commercial sector to work through this important issue. Keep tuned in for final official results and Dept. of Fisheries notices.


LING COD

Still are being commercially harvested because of the huge biomass of fish off of WCVI. 15 – 45 pound fish are common place on the cleaning tables daily. Daily limit is 3 and possession limit 6.


OTHER GROUND FISH

Again, stocks are generally ALL in great shape. Limit 5 per day of which only 2 can be yellow eye. Possession of 10.


PRAWNS

Winter closures are now in effect for a few areas. The closures are there to insure strong stock for the spring – opening April 1. The last time these closures were in place in 2009 the spring opening was over the top for extra large prawns and lots of them. Limit of 200 per day and 400 possession.


CRAB

Dungeness and red rock crab have made a significant comeback. Some say it is the water temperature others point out that there are no longer any mills in the area. Aggregate limit is 6 per day possession of 12 - male crabs only.


CONCLUSION

A GREAT 2012 SEASON IS COMING SOON. MAKE YOUR PLANS AND RESERVATIONS FOR MOORAGE, LODGING, CHARTERS NOW SO THAT WE CAN BEST ACCOMMODATE YOUR REQUESTS.

  • CATCH ALL 5 SPECIES OF SALMON AND LOTS OF THEM!
  • HALIBUT FILLETS THAT WILL FILL YOUR LARGEST COOLER
  • COD – EVERY TYPE THAT WILL BE A DELIGHT AT DINNER
  • PRAWNS AND CRAB – YOUR FAVORITE O’DOERVE OR DINNER

ALL DONE WHILE HAVING GREAT FUN IN ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL ECO SYSTEMS IN THE WORLD – SEE YOU IN 2012

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WESTVIEW MARINA & LODGE, AN UNEXPECTED PLEASEURE IN SERVICE AND HOSPITALITY LOCATED IN A VILLAGE WHICH IS ROAD, BOAT, AND SEAPLANE ASSESSIBLE. THE AREA SURROUNDED BY NATURAL WONDERS. THE VILLAGE IS SAID TO BE THE NEXT TOFINO WITH MORE FISHING, WILDLIFE (BEARS, EAGLES, SEA OTTERS, WHALES AND ON AND ON AND ON) PLUS SCENARY THAT WILL TRULY IMPRESS YOU.

OTHER ACTIVITIES BEYOND FISHING ARE: * ECO TOURS * CAVING * WIND SURFING * SEA KAYAKING * MOUNTAIN BIKING * DIVING * SURFING * HIKING * TRAIL WALKING.