AREA REPORT: PORT ALBERNI, BARKLEY SOUND -- PACIFIC RIM AREAS
This is the time of year when Sport Fisher People look forward to the coming season. During the winter months storms slash most Pacific Rim areas, keeping people off the water. There are however winter days when one can get out and troll some favorite feeder Chinook areas.
March and April can be exciting months as the first “migrating” Chinook begin to swim down the West Coast of Vancouver Island and feed on herring and needlefish in Barkley Sound and up the Alberni Inlet to Nahmint and Franklin River. The salmon migrating to southerly watersheds can stay in this area for a lengthy time if there are abundant sources of food. This can be an exciting time of year as boat traffic is minimal and fishing for salmon from seven to twenty pounds is not uncommon.
Barkley Sound historically has the opening of halibut season for sport fisher persons in March and lingcod-rockfish normally opens on the first day of April. For many RECREATIONAL fisher persons this is a real fishing opportunity. Combined with the migrating Chinook, local winter or feeder Chinook, and of course rock fish and halibut sport fishing can be terrific for many individual sport fisher persons.
The beginning of the 2026 recreational season for many is early March when the Sproat Loggers Winter/Spring Derby occurs. The 2026 dates will be March 7th and 8th. Watch for reports and advertising as the derby hosted at Poett Nook attracts four to five hundred fisher persons.
When targeting salmon in the early spring troll deep and look for the bait. Expect to troll from 80 to 140 feet or more. Nahmint, Bamfield Harbour Mouth, Swale Rock, Mayne Bay, and Austin Island are a few of the very good spots for sport fishing. Using bait and teaser heads in a variety of colors, Herring Aid Spoons in green and blue, or hoochies in glow white, aorl12 or Pistachio are excellent choices. Spoon and Bait leader length should be at least six feet and hoochie leaders from thirty-six to forty-four inches.
When thinking of fishing for Halibut one will usually find these fish closer to shore. In Barkley Sound the halibut will be looking for herring once their spawn ends. A terrific spot is the swiss buoy between the Bamfield Harbour and Cape Beale. Folger Island and Austin-Cree can be good spots as well. Rock-Fish and Lingcod are often found close to a variety of rock piles. Using swim jigs is an excellent idea.
