SLIVERS CHARTERS SALMON SPORT FISHING
July 13, 2026
Robert and grandson Aiden from Thunder Bay Ontario fished with Doug of Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing. Both had a great time fishing and bonding during the fishing day.
The sport fishing in the Alberni Inlet for Sockeye salmon during June and July has been terrific. The Sockeye return to the Somass River is projected to be just over 900,000 pieces. These wonderful salmon migrate through the river system then sit in either Sproat or Great Central Lake in deep water for the summer until the fall rains push them into the many streams and creeks to spawn. As of July 7th approximately 240,000 Sockeye have escaped into the two lakes.
The Sockeye in the Alberni Inlet do create a very fun and productive sport fishery. These salmon are currently in deeper water and most sport anglers are targeting them from 70 to 110 feet. The salmon travel in schools and are attracted to the boat by color. Many anglers use what is known as dummy flashers and as well use four rods with flashers and a mini hoochie. Flashers in green, purple haze, and red seem to be ideal with a mp pink and black or pink and blue hoochie. This has improved the Sockeye Fishing dramatically.
The Sockeye fishing for sport is historically a fishery that can continue through to the end of July. Coming into the second half of July and shifting into August we are expecting some excellent sport fishing opportunities in the Alberni Inlet and Barkley Sound.
Linda, Dan and Jess from Vancouver Island had a great day fishing landing a limit of Sockeye Salmon in the Alberni Inlet. Sockeye fishing has been very good since mid June in the Alberni Inlet and hopefully will continue into late July. The forecast is for 900,000 Sockeye to return to the Somass River system.
The Second half of July and the month of August is a fabulous time for sport salmon fishing. This year should be of no exception as there should be spectacular salmon fishing on Vancouver Island’s West Coast, all of Barkley Sound, and the Alberni Inlet. The Alberni Inlet Sockeye returns in 2026 are excellent and has created some fabulous sport fishing. The sport fishing in the Inlet during the next few weeks should be fantastic. Pre-season estimates of returning Chinook to the area are termed to be abundant to the Somass River (Robertson Creek Hatchery) and the many other streams and rivers of West Coast Vancouver Island.
To date the sport fishing season in Barkley Sound and the inshore waters of Ucluelet is best described as “improving”. Most of the salmon retained in June and July have been migrating to the big watersheds of the Pacific North-West. August is the month when mature local salmon begin swimming to their natal rivers and streams to complete their lifecycle. Starting in late July and right into September migrating Chinook and Coho swim through the waters of Barkley Sound where they stop and feed heavily before completing their long journey into the Alberni Inlet and finally into the Somass River system or Sarita, Nahmint and Franklin River systems
The Sockeye angling in 2026 has been terrific. Darrel and Kim had a great day fishing with Doug of Slivers Charters Salmon Sport Fishing. The couple limited on Sockeye and had a fantastic time fishing.
In late July and August the returning salmon often school and feed heavily at many locations in Barkley Sound. Cree Island, Austin Island, Meares, Whittlestone, Fleming Island, the Bamfield Wall, Gilbraltor, Swale Rock and Pill Point are some of these fishing locations. The early morning, evening, and tide change are often the best bite times. August in the Sound is often the month when Anchovy in a variety of teaser head colors work well. Green and Purple Haze as well as Army Truck Glow and Cop Car anchovy teaser heads with at least a six-foot leader attached to a purple gold, blue or green gold flasher.
Depending on the size of the bait a variety of hootchies and spoons are also great lures. The AORL 12 is a great standby as is the Jack Smith, purple haze, and Green Spatterback for both Chinook and Coho. The various Skinny G and Big Eye spoons are excellent lures to have in the tackle box. The green and blue Herring Aid Skinny G have been working very well.
The bait has been very small in some areas and smaller spoons in the three-inch size or even less are working well. On the Bamfield side some of the various cuttle-fish hootchies are working as is anchovy. The salmon are often found in shallow water in August. Fishing from twenty-five to sixty feet are excellent depths.
Returns of Chinook and Coho in 2026 will be remarkable in 2026. We are expecting some world class fishing in Barkley Sound and the Alberni Inlet in August and into early September.
Linda landed this fourteen pound Chinook at Austin Island using a green Herring Aid spoon.
The Chinook fishing in the Alberni Inlet often begins by the 10th of August. Hotspots in the Inlet and Harbor are Lone Tree Point and Coulson Mill. The China Creek Wall, the Narrows, and Underwood Cove often hold a good number of Chinook salmon as well. Sport Anglers fishing the Inlet will have the best success using Octopus Pink (O-15) and Red hootchies (O-16) as well as AORL12, Purple Haze, Army Truck and Spatterback. Anchovy is also a very good idea in August especially for Chinook when they are just coming into the Inlet from Barkley Sound.
The second half of July and August also will have some great days offshore for halibut and salmon. The Big Bank, South Bank and Long Beach can have some spectacular action for both Chinook and Coho. We are looking forward to many weeks of fabulous fishing on the West Coast of Vancouver Island especially in the Barkley Sound and Alberni Inlet areas. The fishing in the second half of July, August, and into September of 2026 should be world class.
Tight lines and Good Fishing
