Vancouver Island Fishing 2013
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Catch Big Fish Out Of Tahsis–Year Round
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he west coast of Vancouver Island is one of the most productive fishing waters in the world, and Tahsis is centred right in the middle of it. Whether you are going after the world class prawning grounds in Tahsis Inlet, some big Ling Cod and Halibut along the coast, or the famous Conuma River salmon run in late July, Tahsis offers yearround fishing adventures.
There are four major fishing areas easily reached from Tahsis— Tahsis Inlet, Esperanza Inlet, Nootka Sound and Tlupana Inlet. Each one of these locations holds a unique fishing experience.
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Falavolito gives one final tip when prawning. “Don’t use fresh fish of any kind. If you do your traps will be full of slime eels rather than loaded with delicious prawns.”
Exceptional fishing opportunites exist throughout the inlet, from early spring to late fall. With a little help from Westview Marina, you can be sure to find the hottest speranza Inlet has experiences fishing spots any time of the year. to offer anglers, any time of aquinna point, at the south end of Nootka Island, is the year. Just off the coast is Six Mile Reef and The Pinnacles. one of the first hot spots as the Both are great locations to fish for Connuma fish enter Nootka Sound. halibut, and also catch the salmon This is because the bait stacks up as they head into the inlet. here, along the big rocks.
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and this is where the Conuma River salmon run converges. Fishing this run starts mid July and runs about two to three weeks. “Anywhere from 250,000 to 400,00 fish come back,” says Falavolito. “You can fish the mouth of the river, into the estuary and up the river as well, from the hatchery down.”
If you time the run right the fishing is unbelievable. Three good “Lots of people fish the ebb tide Moving into the sound, along the spots to cover are Hoiss Point, San [of Six Mile Reef] for halibut south side of the island, anglers Carlos Point and Camel Rock. and then get their salmon“ says can try out Wash Rocks, San For more informaiton about fishMiguel Islands and Friendly Cove ing this section of Vancouver Falavolito. Island’s west coast, call John at Moving into Esperanza Inlet, you for more great places to fish. will pass a number of great fishing A lot of salmon travel up Zuciarte Westview Marina and Lodge. loctions, such as Double Island, Channel—a narrow but deep Call 250-934-7672 or email to stretch of water. Fish the walls up info@westviewmarina.com. Also Rosa Harbour and Blind Reef. He describes the Whale’s tail as and down the channel, mainly the visit The Angler’s Atlas website “worth it’s weight in gold. It’s down island side. Chinook fishing and search for Esperanza, Nootka and Tahsis. structure on the botton looks just is good from May to August.
ahsis Inlet is famous for it’s productive prawning, and is the only place open year round. John Falavolito, owner of Westview Marina and Lodge in Tahsis, says prawns are near steep drop offs in like a whale’s tail ... and the fish about 250-300 feet of water. hold in this depression.”
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lupana Inlet begins just past the north tip of Bligh Island