Tofino B.C Vancouver Island Salmon Fishing Report May 2001For the Tofino and Ucluelet B.C. areas, the month of May starts off another promising season for Sport fishing on Vancouver Island’s west coast. With Chinook Salmon stocks anticipated to reach a fifty-year high in the lower 48, our local early season fishery will undoubtedly benefit from these abundant stocks. Another notable improvement is the strong potential that our local Chinook stocks may be more accessible than the past two seasons. Watch for announcements or consult with local fisheries representatives. It is hard to believe that this kind of fantastic Chinook Salmon fishing is anticipated to continue through late August, only to compliment the returning stocks of Coho that help solidify the backbone of our World Class saltwater sport fishery. Watch for these early season brutes to range in size from 18-35 lbs, with good opportunity to hook fish 40 lbs. and over. Concentrate fishing efforts in the offshore waters from Tofino’s Portland or Raphael Pts with your gear from the bottom up to 110 feet. Anchovies rigged in clear, chartreuse or Army Truck teasers, 6-8 feet behind your favorite Hot Spot or Oki flasher is undoubtedly a must have piece of gear. These aggressive fish are notorious for slamming large spoons and plugs, so be prepared with a few of the proven producers for more of a light tackle experience. After an excellent start to the Halibut season, May is often when this fishery really heats up. Anticipate your efforts to be rewarded with Halibut ranging from 20-60 lbs. Fishing with Lead Minnow and Pipe style Jigs on the bottom are quite effective, but the method of choice would be to fish baits like Herring, Pilchards, Octopus or Salmon Bellies on a Gibbs spreader bar. The use of scents on your jigs or hoochy skirts is something worth trying. Abundant numbers of juvenile Coho Salmon have started the local saltwater fly fishery early this year, with the sizes of these feisty salmon increasing rapidly over the next few months. Small flies in orange or pink are the best bet. Check in at our Fly & Tackle shop for updated information. Numerous late spring Steelhead have been providing great action on Flies, Marabou Jigs, and light spinning gear. Steelies Nightmare, Clayoquot Prawns and Bunny Leeches have been popular on the Steelhead hit list. Gibbs Koho spoons are a great springtime lure for both Steelhead and Cutthroat. Trout Fishing in the Tofino-Clayoquot Sound area is in prime time with opportunities all around. The local beaches are teeming with aggressive Sea-runs willing to take any thing that resembles a Salmon fry. Local lakes are active for both Rainbows and Cutthroat with Chironomids, nymphs, leeches and small minnow patterns a focus. With some of the best sport fishing opportunities in many years, come and see for yourself why Tofino B.C. is one of the most focal destinations in British Columbia. Jay Tofinofishing.com
Web Address: TofinoFishing.com 
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