NW Backcountry Report

Had to work last Saturday so I was up at crack of dawn- whenever this happens on a Saturday I tune in to KJR am 950 on your radio dial.  Usually sports but not on Saturdays from 6 am- 8am, its the NW Backcountry program about fishing in the NW.
On 7/12 they interviewed a Canadian guide who works out of Tofino, on the West side of Vancouver Island.  He had a couple of interesting things to say that might pertain to us as the fish get closer.
He (forgot his name), did a test fishery with some bigwigs from the Canadian Fisheries a couple miles off the coast to see what fishing conditions were.  They found kings mixed with silvers throughout the water column and they all seemed to be feasting on the sandlance or candlefish.  A couple of the kings they examined stomachs on were crammed with 20-30 of these baitfish.
There is no commercial fishery for the candlefish so their numbers have soared--apparently they mush up pretty quickly after being caught, which means they're easily digested by the salmon--happy coincidence for salmon.
Seems to me this might have significance when we select a lure for trolling.  Skinny lure like the Coho Killer might work better than a fat, herring-like lure.  Just a thought.
The other thing mentioned on the show was that silvers seemed to be running anywhere from 2-4 pounds heavier than usual for this time of year.  Something to look forward to.
Tight lines,

Rob.

Interesting ...

BTW, was the Northwest Wild Country? Not Northwest Backcountry.

-Allen

Thanks for the info. The Sound and Strait have a lot of Sand Lance right now. They resemble Candlefish, and are probably what most people are referring to as Candlefish. Fly anglers catching salmon and searun cutts in the S Sound have been reporting most fish caught are gorged with 'em right now, even puking them up during the fight.
Some of the anglers are wondering about whether the Coho they have been catching are large, well fed rezzies, or early ocean fish.

Those Sand Lance are about 1 1/2 inches in early Spring and keep growing all summer. What are they now, about 3" to 3 1/2"?

Some of the anglers are wondering about whether the Coho they have been catching are large, well fed rezzies, or early ocean fish.

Yup.  I too have been seeing reports of larger than average coho from the south sound.  Nothing wrong with a 6# coho on the BBQ!

-Allen

Interesting ...

BTW, was the Northwest Wild Country? Not Northwest Backcountry.

-Allen

Allen,  think you are right about that, it is Northwest Wild Country.

Anyone else listen to that program?

Rob.