Jay and Konrad Rupp (right) from Germany

Although the recreational opportunities are seemingly endless, there are very focused individuals that are lured by Vancouver Island's REEL Pacific Rim TREASURES. They come from far and wide in search of the SILVER bright Chinook Salmon, the DIAMOND shaped Pacific Halibut, the YELLOW-GOLD bellies of the Sea-Run Cutthroat and the absolute PRICELESS exhilaration of releasing a native steelhead, all in some of nature's most pristine surroundings.

These exciting fisheries are available all along our beautiful western coastline, from the more rugged and remote northern areas of Quatsino Sound , Kyoquot Sound and Nootka Sounds, to the more accessible but equally pristine and abundant, Clayoquot Sound and Barkley Sound areas to the south.

The Alberni Inlet on Vancouver Island is a long, narrow flute that leads 25 miles (40 km) inland from the open ocean of Barkley Sound and the Pacific Ocean. In general, the Alberni Inlet and Barkley Sound offer year-round fishing. Salmon school in the inlet before ascending to the spawning grounds. Timing is crucial if you wish to take advantage of their presence. One day they're here; the next, they're gone, so plan ahead. At the head of Alberni Inlet is Port Alberni, where visitors on fishing vacations base themselves and take trips to a variety of surrounding locations.

Early season fishing on the west coast of Vancouver Island starts off with great opportunities for aggressive feeder Chinook Salmon in the 6-15 lb range. This early fishery starts soon after the New Year, with the size and strength of these juvenile fish increasing through the spring. Most of the early saltwater fishing is limited to the inshore islands and inlets while the offshore fishing opportunities increase as the weather starts to stabilize in March.

The offshore areas from Tofino, Raphael and Portland point, as well as Ucluelet's main offshore areas, South Bank and La Perouse or 'Big Bank' start to consistently produce larger salmon and halibut by early April. The preferred methods are trolling for salmon with spoons, hoochies or bait and still fishing spreader bars with bait for halibut.

By mid-June the first runs of Coho Salmon start to show up, both offshore and in the more shallow protected waters of Clayoquot and Barkley Sounds. These feisty 4-8 lb fish are a welcome sight for the light tackle enthusiasts, especially for the growing ranks of saltwater fly-fishermen. Along with the ever-acrobatic coho, numerous Sea-Run Cutthroat help create the bounty of the early season fly-fisherman, with numerous species of cod and a variety of salmon to mix up the catch later in the season. This booming new fly fishery has labelled the Tofino/Clayoquot Sound area as British Columbia's premier sport fishing destination.

Jay's guest Robert Rubin from Washington DC with his first Chinook

July through August sees salmon fishing increase along the near-shore areas of Clayoquot and Barkley Sounds. The maturing Chinook Salmon at this time of the year reach weights of over 30 lbs, with many over 40 lbs, and some trophy-class fish breaking the 50 lb mark. Abundant numbers of coho feed hard in these same areas, often providing non-stop action.

As the season progresses into early fall, fishing for local maturing Chinook Salmon tapers off after the second week of September. During this same period, strong runs of maturing Coho Salmon in the 8-14 lb range return through Clayoquot and Barkley Sounds en route to their home streams to spawn. This is a fantastic time of the year for fly fishing, light tackle and bucktailing.

By late October, the tail end of the saltwater season sees strong returns of Chum Salmon mixed in with the late coho runs. There is little fishing pressure at this time of the year, but opportunities to catch these powerful fish are excellent.

For the freshwater enthusiasts, there are fantastic trout fishing opportunities year-round. Sea-Run Cutthroat can be found in any of the many river estuaries or nearby beaches at any time of the year, with the downstream migration of salmon fry in the spring creating a feeding frenzy that makes them especially susceptible to anglers. Any well presented minnow type fly, small spinner or spoon should entice one of these hungry 'yellow-bellies'.

There are numerous mountain lakes that hold great populations of cutthroat and Rainbow Trout, providing some fantastic action to those that venture into these pristine spots. Some of these lakes have vehicle access, with most requiring a short flight in a float plane. Small boats, float tubes or pontoon boats are perfect craft to help you fish the majority of lakes in our area. May through October provides the best fishing conditions and cooperative weather.

The west Coast of Vancouver Island is undoubtedly one of the best places on earth to fish for steelhead. These elusive Sea-Run Rainbow Trout have an addictive quality that mystifies many and consumes even more in an ongoing quest of the almighty 'chromer'. With world famous rivers like the Gold River and the Stamp River, and the lesser known but no less productive remote river systems in the area, steelhead fishermen are situated in Angler's Eden.

During the winter months of December through March, the Gold provides chances to catch and release average sized ironheads, while the Stamp gives anglers the option to keep one of the hatchery supplemented steelhead. In March, April and early May, the smaller remote rivers scattered along the coast have an unbeatable combination of true native steelhead in some of nature's most pristine surroundings. There are a number of these west-draining systems that hold Summer Steelhead between May and November, with these fish more likely than their winter cousins to take a well presented fly.

Come and see for yourself what many others have already experienced - just why the West Coast of Vancouver Island continues to prosper with sport fishing and tourism.

Port Alberni's harbour district is thick with tackle shops, boat rentals, and fishing charters. This is definitely one of the major hubs for angling on Vancouver Island and is the best resource centre for information on fishing locally in both saltwater and freshwater.

The Alberni Inlet is a long, narrow flute that leads 25 miles (40 km) inland from the open ocean of Barkley Sound. Salmon school in the inlet before ascending to the spawning grounds. Timing is crucial if you wish to take advantage of their presence. One day they're here; the next, they're gone, so plan ahead. In general, the Alberni Inlet and Barkley Sound offer year-round fishing.

Salmon is the prize catch in these waters but so too are halibut. Actively feeding spring salmon (also called blackmouths) begin appearing in March as they follow the bountiful herring and anchovy spawning runs. Springs linger into May, when they are replaced by early-run tyee (chinook) salmon migrating in the Alberni Inlet. Sockeye salmon succeed the early-run tyee in late June and are joined by late-run tyee, the largest of all salmon, in July and August. Call the Alberni Valley Chamber of Commerce for details; (250) 724-6535.

One of the chief staging areas for fishing the Alberni Inlet is China Creek, 9 miles (14 km) south of Port Alberni on the road to Bamfield. You'll find a marina, a private campground, a boat launch, and quite possibly a salmon or two. China Creek is now designated as a provincial park. Primary fish runs in China Creek include cutthroat trout from January to March, and steelhead from October to December. Call (250) 954-4600 for a salmon update. For information on privately operated China Creek Provincial Park marina and campground, call (250) 723-9812.

Port Alberni has a freshwater side that would be the envy of any fishing town anywhere. The Somas River runs through the heart of town. Bank casting is possible from a number of locations beside Hwy 4 and along Hector Road off Hwy 4 west of Port Alberni, including the privately operated Arrowvale Campground (30 vehicle/tent sites), 5955 Hector Road, (250) 723-7948. Just north of Port Alberni, the Stamp River would probably make every chinook and steelhead angler's Top Ten.

Beginning in January and lasting through March, a winter run of steelhead occurs in the Stamp, while April and May are good months for steelhead in Sproat Lake. In late summer, upwards of a half-million salmon make their way to the spawning grounds near the Stamp River Hatchery. Bank casting is permitted downstream from the hatchery. Follow Beaver Creek Rd about 7.5 miles (12 km) north from Hwy 4 to Stamp River Provincial Park, (250) 954-4600. Watch for pullouts beside the river along the way.

Nearby Sproat Lake also has a solid reputation for rainbow-trout angling, particularly June through September. Use the boat launch here to head out for some trolling or casting. For more information on freshwater angling here, call the Wildlife Conservation Officer in Port Alberni, (250) 724-9290.

For any further information on the Pacific Rim and its limitless options, or for fishing and booking inquiries, don't hesitate to call toll free @ 1-888-5FISHBC or e-mail jay@steelheadsalmonhalibut.com. Visit us at www.vancouverislandfishing.com.

Reports by Jason Mohl Jay's Clayoquot Ventures Tofino British Columbia