The 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 year-round 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. Tahsis Inlet is famous for its 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 about 75 to 100 metres of water. Falavolito gives one final tip for 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.” Esperanza Inlet has experiences to offer anglers, any time of the year. Just off the coast is Six Mile Reef and The Pinnacles. Both are great locations to fish for halibut. You can also catch the salmon as they head into the inlet. “Lots of people fish the ebb tide [of Six Mile Reef] for halibut and then get their salmon“ says Falavolito. Moving into Esperanza Inlet, you will pass a number of great fishing locations, such as Double Island, Rosa Harbour and Blind Reef. He describes the Whale’s tail as “worth its weight in gold. Its structure on the bottom looks just like a whale’s tail ... and the fish hold in this depression.” Exceptional fishing opportunities 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 fishing spots any time of the year. Maquinna Point, at the south end of Nootka Island, is one of the first hot spots as the Connuma fish enter Nootka Sound. This is because the bait stacks up here, along the big rocks. Moving into the sound, along the south side of the island, anglers can try out Wash Rocks, San Miguel Islands and Friendly Cove for more great places to fish. A lot of salmon travel up Zuciarte Channel—a narrow but deep stretch of water. Fish the walls up and down the channel, mainly the down-island side. Chinook fishing is good from May to August. Tlupana Inlet begins just past the north tip of Bligh Island 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 spots to cover are Hoiss Point, San Carlos Point and Camel Rock. There are also number of volunteer hatcheries that enhance the quality and quantity of fishing opportunities in the Campbell River area. For more information about fishing this section of Vancouver Island’s west coast, call John at Westview Marina and Lodge. Call 250-934-7672 or email to [email protected]. Also visit anglersatlas.com and search for Esperanza, Nootka, and Tahsis.

Canada Day July 1 it is the start of the: Best Of The Best Fishing/Catching for Salmon is now upon us!! Yes all the efforts of the federal hatchery at Conuma River and the many volunteer hatchery efforts at the Burman, Gold and the Canton Rivers in Nootka Sound and the Tahsis, Leiner and Zeballos Rivers in Esperanza Inlet are paying off BIG TIME. With over 4 million Chinook/Springs/Kings fry & 2 million Coho/Silvers fry being released annually, an average of 84,000 salmon are returning to Nootka & Esperanza Annually. COME GET YOUR SHARE!!! Before the first fall rains arrive these fish will be stacked up and hungry at all the usual places. In Esperanza the Glory Hole between Catala Is. and Double Is., Rosa Harbour and Pin Rks. In Nootka at Coopte Pt., Fidalgo Passage and Camel Rk. All of these areas are basically inside water fishing. While the outside water of Esperanza and Nootka remain productive it is usually not necessary to go outside to fill your fish box as the salmon move inside the sound and inlet. GEAR for the inside waters: Flashers Hi Vis, UV reflective & Glow patterns work BEST. Baits- Rapala FlashFlys, Double Glow Hoochies, Glow Cop Car Coho Killers, Glow Dark Green Lighthouse lures and the same colors with GLOW Coyote spoons will all get the job done. Have you noticed the theme GLOW! Whatever you use make it Glow or Double Glow. As always, all of the fore mentioned baits are imitating Anchovies & Needle Fish bait. A properly rolling Anchovy will normally out fish most artificial baits. The trick is getting it to roll properly. Most of the anchovy headers out there will help with this. Again Cop Car Glow scale pattern or Green Glow headers work well. Read and follow the instructions on the package then hold on FISH ON! Depth and speed of trolling your bait off your downrigger varies with location, time of day and tides BUT, generally you want to fish just above the bait you will be seeing on your sounder 30-50 ft. speed 2.5 mph +/- .5mph. BOTTOM FISH- 2018 has proven to one of the BEST years ever for 30 to 45 lb Halibut & 15 to 35 lb Ling Cod. Stop by the Westview Marina & Lodge Tackle Shop and we will get the charts out, with GPS #s and point you to the HOT SPOTS for these delicious fish.

Ken Strongbow with a 24.5lb silver bright Chinook caught at the world famous Ferrer PT. Double Glow and UV Terd squid hootchie scored large for him & his crew. 4 guys 8 Chinook/Kings/Springs 14-24.5lb Photo Courtesy of Westview Marina & Lodge, Tahsis

Branden Adams from Vancouver BC with his near Tyee Spring/King/Chinook. 28.5 lb. The salmon was caught at the World Famous Ferrer Point on July 1, 2018. Branden was rolling/trolling an anchove near the kelp beds when the cry went off “Fish On”.

"Diamond Dan Dillman" from Oregon with a beauty 29lb Halibut. The Hali was caught while trolling for salmon out at the Whales Tale on the Highway (Hwy). Look over Dan's shoulder. He and his crew also caught Spring/Kings that day on the Hwy.

Angler's Atlas staff member, Clayton with his 20lb Chinook caught around Catala Island on June 21st. This was Clayton's biggest catch ever and the staff record for the trip - good eating too!

President of Angler's Atlas, Sean caught this chinook on June 21st out of Westview Marina and Lodge.

End of Spring Surprise

Mark from Bellingham with his 26.5lb Chinook caught in the Highway on June 17, 2015. www.westviewmarina.com

Esperanza 4-Pack

An early season 4-pack caught near Esperanza, BC. The ling, hali, and spring each weighed in at 17 lbs. Caught on May 17, 2015. www.westviewmarina.com

52lb. Halibut

Deven from Estevan, Sask. with his 52 lb. halibut caught last week. www.westviewmarina.com