Ucluelet fishing with Reel Time Fishing Charters, Vancouver Island, B.C., Canada:
Ucluelet fishing with Reel Time Fishing Charters, Vancouver Island, B.C., Canada: The big story behind this summers fishing charters was the number of large halibut that were caught 5 to 20 miles off shore. During the months of July and August, we landed numerous fish in the 40’s, 50’s, 60’s, one that even tipped the scale at close to 80 lbs. And it wasn’t just us 🙂 Many other guides boats either from Ucluelet and Tofino were the reporting an abundance of large fish, many of them being caught on the Big Bank (shallows), Long Beach Bank, Inside Lighthouse Bank, and the Fried Egg (just southwest of the Outside Lighthouse Bank).
Salmon fishing was a different story. Areas that produced fish last year were empty this year. And when a bank or area turned on, the fish did not stay for long, something that probably pointed to the small size of the run. The only place that produced fish on a regular basis was the Rats Nose on the Big Bank.
Another concerning factor of our Chinook fishery this year was the amount of small fish. Many trips produced 3rd year fish that were well below the mid-teen range. In fact, I dare to say that most fish caught on the Big Bank this year were of the 7 to 9 pound range with a few exceptional days where a school of larger fish would move in for a day or two.
Having fished Ucluelet for many years, I truly believe that our salmon fishery, particularly our Chinook fishery is in trouble. And so, to all of you reading this post, I encourage funding or getting involved in a local salmon enhancement program. The Pacific Salmon Foundation is a good place to start (http://www.psf.ca). Letters to local MP’s concerning the plight of our salmon fishery would be helpful as well. My hope is that we will safe-guard this resource in a healthy and sustainable way so that generations to come may enjoy this wonderful and amazing fish.
Captain Turk (Andrew Turkstra)
Owner and operator of Reel Time Fishing Charters