Nanaimo Fishing Report; September 2014
On my way to pick up my Hourston from Ucluelet this past week Wednesday (September 10), I received a phone call from 2 eager Calgarians about a fishing trip in Nanaimo. Speaking honestly, I suggested they try the west coast of Vancouver Island since fishing in Nanaimo during the month of September can be a little slow, perhaps no show at all. They persisted and I’m glad they did. Crazy though, I almost did not make it back from Ucky due to a trailer tire blowing of the trailer on Hwy 4 mid way between Ucluelet and Port Alberni. Thanks to Al at Exhaust Masters (he drove out to the scene of the crime), we were on our way later that afternoon. Lesson learned: take those wheels off and inspect and lube those trailer bearings at the beginning of every year.
Anyways, I showed up at the Brechin Boat Launch early the next morning to meet Miles and Brian. We left at about 6:30 am and got out in time to watch the sun rise…, what a beautiful morning. We began by the “green can” and surprise of all surprises, hit our first nice spring about 30 minutes later. A beauty, 19 lbs. Shortly after, we picked up a nice coho. We then began to scout the area west of the Hudsons and the Five Fingers and then off to Neck Point. My gut kept telling me that the big ones where going to be closer to shore so we trolled out in front of Neck Point close to the hump where we picked up another beautiful mature spring (17lbs). We also had a couple of good hits before we called it a day.
Wow, that was more than I was expecting. However, with no rain, it appears that many of the Nanaimo fish are holding in places such as the Green Can, the Fingers, and Neck Point (and probably out in front of Pipers Lagoon too). Some anglers are picking these darker fish (again, they are waiting for the rain to go up river) jigging on the west side of the Fingers. Others (like our fish) are being picked up trolling at 100-120 feet using hootchies (army truck needle and the purple haze octy). Shorter leaders tend to be more effictive unless you are trolling spoons.
For any other info or to book a trip with us, feel free to call (contact info is on the website). Otherwise, be safe, fish sustainably, and have fun. All the best 🙂
Turk
Owner and operator of Reel Time Fishing Charters.