Tofino B.C. Coho Fishing in the Rain
Capt. Adam Watson
September 13, 2010
Clayoquot Sound - Saltwater Fishing Report
Fishing in the Rain, Coho Salmon return
Tofino B.C.'s Salmon and Halibut fishing continues through September
Well we've been waiting for the rain....It seems a little crazy to be living in a coastal temperate Rain Forest that attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors from all over the world, and we have found ourselves waiting for more precipitation. I suppose it goes along with all else delivered by Mother Nature, weather and conditions that have been predicatably unpredictable.....
Predictions for Salmon returns to the hundreds of River systems along the Pacific Northwest have actually been accurate for the most part, with many larger runs returning above forecasted levels such as the robust numbers of Chinook Salmon to the Columbia, and the largest Sockeye Salmon return to the Fraser River in this century.
Coho Salmon are normally the "survivor" species, and following an exceptional fishery in 2009 that was anticipated to be as strong or even better in overall numbers, Coho returns have been actually been the acception to predicted returns along the coast.
Though the numbers of Coho Salmon traveling and feeding among Tofino's prime coastal location have been fair at best, this has been a highlighted area compared to most regions on the B.C. coast, which has been the common theme over the past 4 seasons. Now that the rains have arrived, and will likely cease within a few days, with it will arrive more hungry Coho Salmon that often will not head to the rivers until mid to late October. With the timing much later than normal this season, and historically many Coho have held in the Saltwater until late December, Mother Nature could deliver us a great latre season with strong numbers of large and hungry Coho Salmon.
The past three days of Fishing in the Tofino area, the Coho numbers have been increasing substantially, with light tackle trolled or jigged shallow, as well as cast flies and Buck-tail patterns becoming more effective with each tide. Larger Coho have been in the 15-17 lb. Range, with an average around 7-11 lbs. Retention limits for the Tofino area are set at 4 Coho per person per day, and the Chinook limits are still at 2 per person in the offshore waters, with non-retention of Chinook inside Clayoquot Sound waters. The outside fishery for Chinook Salmon and Halibut has been consistently good, and should remain strong until the weather becomes more unstable, often sometime in late October.
For more detailed information on our great late season fishing options in the Tofino area, call us toll free at 1-888-534-7422 Watch for our most recent episode of Sportfishing BC with Mark Pendlington on Cable and Satellite channels, where we fish for Coho and Chinook Salmon on the Fly. This episode includes a very memorable release of an exceptionally large Chinook Salmon that tested Mark's 8 weight Fly rod and 12 lb. Test leader, as well as his stamina......What a Battle.
Catch up with us soon for another update here at www.tofinofishing.com
Clayoquot Sound Fishing Forecast:
Tofino B.C. and West Coast Vancouver Island Coho Salmon Fishing should continue to provide good fishing opportunities through mid to late October.
Target Species:
Coho Salmon and Chinook Salmon
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