Salmon fishing in Sooke is starting to heat up again in Sooke waters. Much better catches are being reported over the last few days. The fish are still mostly larger winter run Springs, but the numbers of strikes and fish in the boat are better. Boaters are reporting that the Salmon are still deep for the most part taking ; hootchies , spoons , and of coarse anchovey trolled in glow and glow green heads. Remember that the slot restriction for Chinook Salmon is now in effect in Sooke and wild (unclipped) Springs, must be released if over 67cm.(around 8lbs). Most anglers are reporting that there are plenty of large hatchery Salmon around for trollers to take, until the restriction is lifted on May 21st. You could put a measuring sticker from D.F.O. on the side of your boat, to measure the fish in the water, so as not to harm Salmon you're going to release. The stickers are available at Eagle-Eye Outfitters in Sooke. Halibut fishing appears to getting better overall in the Sooke area, this past weekend saw some of the best catches of this new season. Mike a local Sooke Harbour Resort and Marina angler took a 70lb flat one, pulled from west of Sooke Harbour. Local Halibut fishers are pleased with the the amount of bait fish and Salmon in the area, as this means the Hali are here as well.

Feb.5th Fishing with Bill and Neil, local Sooke fishers, for Halibut at a local spot only 10 minutes from Sooke Harbour. Caught two large rock fish and a large Cabazon which we released due to current cod closures in our area. We did land one small Halibut, good for a couple dinners. Flat day,sunny warm weather with no wind. Back at the dock heard of two other Halibut, one caught locally (west of Sooke Harbour) and the other from Victoria waters.

Feb.8th Fished with Barry and Ryle Pastors from Victoria and Calgary, for Salmon out infront of Sooke Harbour. No Salmon strikes. We did pull 8 large Dungeness crabs out of the traps on the way in. Flat,calm,sunny day.

Feb.10th Fished with Bob from 2REEL2, his son Luke, and Nick from Eagle Eye Outfitters. Nick landed a 20lb Halibut on a large orange, silver and pink P-Line hootchy slid over a herring threaded with two single hooks, and smeared with Butt Juice. This spot only minutes from Sooke Harbour. Released a Grey Cod. Flat slow moving water, light rain sprinkles, no wind.

Feb.13th Fished for Halibut in local Sooke waters with Gerhardt, Felicity, David and Brenon. Caught some rat fish, no Halibut to report. Saw one on another boat, not sure how big it was. Flat water good tides, some wind from the North East.

Feb.17th Fishing with Mel and Heather from Calgary, for Spring Salmon,from the Harbour Mouth to Beechy Head and back to the Bluffs. Had one good strike in a tide rip off the Trap Shack that didn't hook up at 125ft on anchovey. Our anchovey trolled in a chrome bait head, behind a Silver Betsy flasher, did produce a 10lb Spring infront of the Bluffs at 120ft on the downrigger. Mel's first Pacific Spring Salmon. Sunny, cool wind, some choppy water with wind out of the East.

Feb.25th Fished the Sooke Harbour mouth west to the Trailer Park with Paul from P.E.I. Had a double header on winter Spring Salmon infront of the Trailer Park with the gear at 110 and 120ft on the downrigger in 140ft of water. Landed one of the Springs about 5lbs. We were running a Party Girl spoon and anchovey in a glow bait head. Had 5 strikes on the gear in total and landed two Salmon , largest 8lbs. Saw two adult Orca whales with a very young Orca travelling very slowly towards Victoria. Great weather, low winds, sunshine,flat water,Salmon.

Feb.26th Fishing in the afternoon with Micheal, Josh and Katrina, we had a 12:30pm start, and hit one Salmon just as we put the gear down in the Harbour mouth. We were trolling a Party Girl spoon at 110ft on the downrigger in 114ft of water when we had the strike that didn't hookup. Had one other strike that didn't hook up infront of the Tin Shed. There were good numbers of birds feeding infront of the Trailer park, and Josh played and landed a nice 9lb Spring Salmon . The tide was in full ebb by this time, didn't have anymore action. Brisk wind out of the N.E., that didn't effect the water.

March 4th Fishing with Sylvain and Eric from Quebec and Victoria for winter Salmon infront of the Harbour mouth and west, past Otter Point. Trolling anchovey and the Party Girl spoon at 110 to 125ft on the downrigger, we had at least 7 strikes on the gear and landed 4 smaller winter Spring Salmon around 5lbs. Weather was good, sun and low winds made for a great day of fishing.

Good Fishing, Ron