February Fishing Report

 
     
 

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 February Fishing Report

 Chinook/Winter Springs/Black Mouths- If numbers are any indication of what we have in store for the 2016 season we are going to have one of the BEST Fishing/Catching seasons in recent history. On a non-stormy day it is impossible not to catch these feisty early season fish. These Chinook are gorging on needle fish and shiners on inside waters and gaining weight weekly. They are deep on edges that drop from 100ft to 120-150ft. At this mid-February date 9-14lb fish are plentiful. By mid-March the range will increase to 12-19lb.

Coho/Silvers-  per normal we will have the two distinct runs. The early spring/summer run which are in the majority Columbia River and its tributaries fish. These fish are usually smaller than our late summer/fall Coho run that often get up to 20lb.These fish are GREAT FUN to catch on light tackle inside the inlet

Halibut- The International Halibut Commission Meeting recently took place. No changes to existing regulations are expected for 2016. This year we are expecting a decent mid-April/mid-May herring spawn in Nuchatlitz and Rolling Roadstead areas. When this occurs the Halibut move in to clean up on the spawned out fish. White Rock, Entrance Reef and all the seaward contours around Nuchatlitz will produce Hali during this early season spawn. In relatively shallow water 40-90ft.

 

Ling Cod & Other Ground Fish- These fish remain in GOOD abundance in most of the waters off  Nootka and Esperanza. Fish the mouths of the many inlets, channels and islands like the Spanish Pilot Group Is., Hanna as well as Hecate Channels and Zeballos, Tahsis, Espinosa & inner Esperanza Inlets. You will find fish at these locations because there is lots of bait in these HOT Spots. Pay attention to the tides. Always fish the lee side of the structure. 3 Ling per day/6 in possession, 3 other Ground Fish per day/6 in possession. That’s lots of fish per person.

Prawns-The jury is still out on this one. Nearly all of Nootka Sound & Tahsis Inlets are closed until April 1st, 2016. So there is only a limited amount of prawning going on right now. The Commercial Harvesters have hit the local inlet stocks very hard over the past 2 seasons. ALL indicators from the fall of 2015 and this early season Esperanza prawn fishing is that the stocks are very thin, requiring trap sets to be moved around more than normal. Our recommendation is that if you choose to fish prawns this season do it immediately after the opening on April 1st until the 2nd wk. in May which is when the Commercial fleet usually arrives. That is a 5wk window of opportunity!!!

In Progress- Your Local Sports Fishery Advisory Committee is working with the BC Sports Fish Advisory Board and the Department of Fisheries to develop a science based harvest plan for Sustainable Conservation based harvest for prawns in our Local Inlet Waters for all Stakeholders. Stay tuned!!!

 


LOTS of Fish to Catch & LOTS of Variety.(Graeme & Jim)
"The Island Boys" with a typical early spring mixed bag catch. Vermilion, Halibut, Ling Cod & Chinook. Several more are at their feet.

             

  
   " Harvey Blunt from Saskatoon Sask. with  his early season 52lb Halibut" 
"Danny Stonedahl from NW Washington with his favorite
fish to catch & EAT a 34lb Ling Cod"
 		         
           "This Picture needs no explanation" 
 
  
"These two young men from the Whistler area, took their Dads Tom Calne & Chris Gjernes fishing in May
2015. In a short 4hr trip they caught 3 Springs/Chinook 11-15lb, 2 Ling Cod
14 & 15 lb & a 27lb Halibut"  These two young fellows are already signed up
to be summer dock hands in a couple more years.

Important Dates:

March 15th- Marina & Lodging Open for the season, Fuel Dock (gas & diesel), Island Attitude Coffee Shop, Tackle shop & Marina Mechanic Shop ALL open. Thats only a month away.

April 1st- Prawn Season opens throughout Nootka Sound & Esperanza Inlet. Patio/Deck PUB opens for the season.

May 8 th- Marina Grillhouse Restaurant Opens for “Mother’s Day Dinner Special” The Restaurant will remain open May 9th to the end of the season serving Lunch 11:30-5p & Dinner 5pm till closing nightly.

June 24th- The first of the Famous Friday Night “Steak Night” & “Rock the Dock” live music nights. Come and participate in one or both FUN activities. “Drink Specials”. These Awesome Friday night events continue ALL SEASON!!  June 24 – September 16.

July 9th- The 6th Annual “Salmon Enhancement BBQ Contest” is always a huge hit. 4 to 8 teams compete for the coveted title of “Supreme Chefs”. Over 100 guests (who are also Tasters & Judges) eat their way through the Delicious Bountiful competitors FOOD presentations.  It is GREAT FUN & nobody goes home hungry.

July 15, 16, 17- Tahsis Days. Each year it is different but generally the activates are: A Parade, Raft Race, Duck Race, Scavenger Hunt, Lots of FOOD Events & possibly a Dance!

August 26 & 27- “Westview Marina Regional Salmon Enhancement Fishing Derby” Lots of FUN, Thousands of dollars in Prizes & Cash. Everybody gets a prize. Over 200 participants. More than 100 door prizes.

 Last Yr. this event raised $35,693. Total over the last 12 Yrs. $350,000+.

                                         IT’s ALL ABOUT THE FISH

 BC Outdoor Sport Fishing

 BC Outdoors Fishing/Catching episode on Esperanza Inlet/Westview Marina & Lodge will be airing soon on these stations. Staring Mike Mitchell Editor & Host of BC Outdoor.

 All listings are in Pacific Standard Time

 To watch a 2 minute preview of this special click here

 CHEK TV:

Sunday, February 14 @ 6:00AM and 12:00PM  Thats this Sunday.

 WILD TV:

Monday, April 4 @ 7:30AM

Wednesday, April 6 @ 11:00AM

 Friday, April 8 @ 4:30AM

Sunday, April 10 @ 3:00PM

 SHAW CABLE: Shaw subscribers, Channel 4 (Metro Vancouver, Lower Mainland)

Saturday, February 13 @ 8:00AM

Sunday, February 14 @ 7:00AM

Monday, February 15 @ 3:30AM

Friday, February 19 @ 4:30PM

WFN:

Saturday - April 16 @11:30PM & 8:00PM

 Monday - April 18 @ 6:30AM & 12:30PM

Friday - April 22 @ 10:30AM & 6:30PM

GREETINGS: We are looking forward to serving you this 2016 Season with much optimism. With Fishing projections from DFO looking very good and a favorable weather pattern in the works it would seem that 2016 may be our BEST Season yet.

The majority of our nearly 30 staff are returning for another season of Fun and Rewarding experiences. The USA dollar at $1.30 over CA dollar is bringing lots of former and new Customers back to the Marina and Lodge. If you are from the USA and ever thought about a Fishing/Catching Adventure in Canada this is the year to do it with the exchange in dollars the way it is and the strong projection for GREAT Fishing this season in our Local Waters.

If you have not made your Moorage, Lodging, or All-inclusive Guided Charter Fishing Pkg. reservations do it SOON we are BOOKING UP faster than ever before!!

Look Forward to seeing you all this season.

 John & Cathy Falavolito   250-934-7672

 Owner Operators Westview Marina & Lodge

 Successfully Serving the Cruising and Fishing Public for 24 Years

  
     

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