WHAT WE CATCH
Salmon Fishing On Vancouver Island, British Columbia
Incredible salmon fishing all season long is only part of the reason we have a world class fishing destination. Unlike many lodges, at Reel Obsession, our unique location means we are not reliant on one particular run to produce great fishing for a few weeks each season. We have huge runs of salmon passing by all the time. This is why they call our area “The Salmon Highway”. We have access to amazing fishing all year long, but at our west coast lodge, we focus on the peak fishing times throughout May to September with a focus on salmon, halibut and tuna.
The Mighty Chinook Salmon
BC Chinook salmon, also called Kings and Springs, are the largest of the pacific salmon, very powerful, and really get your adrenaline pumping when on the end of the line.
In the early season, migrating American stocks come by our area in vast numbers producing great fishing in the 15-30 pound range. We typically target these fish fairly close to shore in 50-150 feet of water. From early June through to early September we have consistent salmon fishing along the rock piles and beaches that make up this beautiful coastline. It is very exciting trolling next to a kelp bed with your line down only 25 feet and hearing the scream of the reel when a large salmon hits. Imagine grabbing the rod making sure to keep your hands free of the single action reel that is now spinning at a rate that would burn rubber! That’s the kind of exciting, unfailing action you’ll consistently find.
Another special reason our west coast fishing lodge is located in Esperanza Inlet and Nootka Sound is due to the offshore Salmon fishery we have available. Just a few miles North West of Esperanza the continental shelf comes in closer to Vancouver Island than it does anywhere else. What this does is funnel the South migrating Salmon into a tight corridor closer to shore than most other offshore salmon fisheries along Vancouver Island’s coast. This area known as “The Salmon Highway” can hold Salmon all year long. May through September is indeed prime time with mature Salmon passing through on the way to their native river systems.
Coho salmon, also called silvers are known for their acrobatics and aggressive nature. When the Coho are thick it creates an exciting fishery where fish can be taken right on the surface and on light tackle. We typically have good Coho fishing from mid July through the end of September.
Pink salmon are much more common in odd years, 2019, 2021. These fish are very underrated for the eating qualities. They are not the feistiest of salmon, but when bleed out on the boat and iced right away, they are excellent table fare and are great for smoking.
