September is always one of the coolest of fishing months.
As the British Columbia weather turns to Autumn things on the salt chuck take a turn. Our beloved Pacific Salmon migrate North to South each season to spawn in natal streams and things tend to slow in the North and pick up on Vancouver Island and Mainland Coasts. It’s the truest sign of arrival of Fall fishing time.
In Prince Rupert this season Chinook closures were not as bad as originally projected but Coho returns were lacking compared to years past. Once the Skeena fish are in the river, salmon tends to tail off, although strong fishing has been had off Rupert and Haida Gwaii well into September last few years. Bottom fishing for halibut and ling cod remains strong through the Fall, and remains a North Coast angling staple.
September up North also means Albacore Tuna and West Coast of Haida Gwaii has become an emerging August/September tuna destination. It’s an awesome sign of Fall when the North Pacific Albacore Tuna finally make their way up the BC Coast after making land in Northern California and running North through Oregon and Washington.
And if we’re talking September Albacore Tuna, the West Coast of Vancouver Island has long been THE place to chase long fin. From Bamfield and Tofino North to Nootka and Winter Harbour, the WCVI is a legitimate tuna hotspot in September.
Salmon fishing in September around Vancouver Island can be exceptional. Summer seems to hold on longer on the Southern Island and hooking great fish from Campbell River down through Comox, Parksville and Nanaimo provides great Fall angling. Some late run Chinook also provide some big-time opportunities on the Inside, but we’re not naming any river systems or tacks here. West Coast or Inside…take your pick!
The diversity of the Island fishery has always been it’s calling card, and you can fish everything from tuna and five species of salmon to halibut, cod and bottom fish. Let’s not even get started on the crabbing and pawning opportunities that remain.
Moving East over to the Mainland Coast, September fishing can be exceptional working your way down from Toba and Bute inlets, down the Sunshine Coast and back to Vancouver. It’s prime time in Vancouver in Fall, specifically with Fraser River Chinook openings off the Fraser River. Even if you don’t like traffic sometimes, it’s pretty cool to see a couple hundred boats out at Sandheads on Opening Day chasing nice Chinook salmon.
And while many get caught up in chasing larger Chinook through Summer, September is owned by the Coho. These feisty fish are at their peak in September along the BC Coast, and a quick change to lighter gear and Coho tackle can make for a pile of fun.
Finally, September is also one fine fishing month as our commercial fishing brethren wrap up their seasons up and down the BC Coast. Many move onto tuna themselves, once openings for other species are exhausted. The commercial boats are a big part of our coastal fabric, and it’s always cool to see them running along the Coast in beauty Fall weather.
Our Fall fishery is incredibly diverse on the BC Coast, with a ton of tackle, gear and accessory requirements. With three great locations in Prince Rupert, Parksville and Steveston, Pacific Net and Twine is there to get you hooked up and answer your Autumn angling questions. With a smile of course!