FISHING Official predictions from fisheries managers are not out yet, but we can pretty much count on an excellent year in the Pacific in 2023. Nowhere will ocean salmon fishing be better than along the west coast of Vancouver island. All of my best ocean salmon fishing has occurred here and I’ve caught three legitimate tyee-class Chinook, along with scores of other kings, plus coho, chrome chums, and pinks. Salmon funnel tightly along the island’s ocean side due to its close proximity to the continental shelf and the fishing can be amazing. This beautiful Chinook was caught on a flasher and spoon combo off of a Scotty downrigger by a client of Kerry Reed out of Ucluelet. (REEL ADVENTURES SPORTFISHING)
Plan A Trip Up The Salmon (And Halibut, Ling, Tuna, Etc.) Highway With improved ocean conditions and lots of species to fish for, the time is now to nail down a west coast Vancouver Island expedition. By Jeff Holmes
T
his December as we bundle up to head outdoors or as we hide in our houses planning spring and summer fishing trips and
shoving food in our faces, many of our Northwest spring Chinook are preparing to binge eat along Vancouver Island’s west coast before heading south to our waters in spring. This is all long before hordes of anglers
from around the world will descend in summer 2023 on some of the world’s best and most affordable salmon and halibut fishing grounds. As winter progresses, our springers tuck into the five protected sounds of Vancouver nwsportsmanmag.com | DECEMBER 2022
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