Salmon on the Fly! Saltwater Fly Fishing in Tofino: May - October

Clayoquot Sound offers unique opportunities to fish for Coho and Chinook salmon. This fishery is conducted in the calm protected waters inside the sound. These waters have a vast variety of structure to fish. Rock piles, kelp beds, sand flats and drop offs will all fish well in different seasons and on different tides.

In early May, Blueback Coho start to show up in Clayoquot Sound. These are immature fish usually two to three years old and two to five pounds. The skip fly or buck tail method can be used for these fish, but because they hold very tight to cover or bait casting clouser minnows on four weight rods is the most productive and exciting way to fish the kelp beds and sheltered bays of Clayoquot Sound.

By mid June, the larger mature Coho will move into Clayoquot Sound. At this time the fish will range across the sand flats feeding on large schools of candlefish and firecracker herring. Buck tailing is the best way to find these schools of six to twelve pound fish. Casting is also a productive method, but it is best to locate the Coho or concentrated bait first. This is the season to fish the famous Cat Face bar. Working the drop off on a flooding tide is a good bet. The Coho will move over a fairly large area.

August and September are prime time for salmon on the fly. These months have the largest numbers of the biggest fish. The best fishing is in the rock piles and kelp beds of the outer islands. This is the time to take a big Chinook on the fly. Coho are six to twenty pounds and even bigger Chinook. If you enjoy fly fishing trying this fisher is a must. A feisty acrobatic Coho is a tough act to follow.