June Fishing in Bamfield, Barkley Sound, & Ucluelet!

Most people associate the Bamfield, Barkley Sound, and Ucluelet fisheries with August and September. This is understandable since that is the time when the local Salmon return to the rivers.

What most people don’t realize is how great June can be! There is a “Salmon Highway” that runs past Barkley Sound as millions of Salmon migrate down the west coast of Vancouver Island from the North Pacific to the Puget Sound, Strait of Georgia, Fraser River, Columbia River, and beyond. June is also a great time to drop the lines down to the bottom and target the huge number of Halibut that move onto the offshore banks.

The fishing in June is actually pretty easy: Head offshore 5-8 miles and then drop the downrigger balls down to the bottom (150-200 feet) while trolling between 2-3 MPH. Its not tough to find the banks because there will be plenty of other guides and commercial boats around. Troll a purple haze or glow hoochie behind a glow or purple haze flasher. You’ll pick up Chinook Salmon and Halibut on this setup. It’s actually a very leisurely way to fish!

If the wind and waves don’t cooperate then simply head to one of the protect island hotspots in the surfline of Barkley Sound. Places like Effingham Island, Great Bear, Meares Bluffs, Austin Island, and Kirby Point all off good fishing for Chinook (King) Salmon when the North Pacific isn’t cooperating!

The great thing about fishing in June is the lack of crowds and the off-season rates. Accommodations are cheap and easy to find, and our boat rental rates are significantly lower than they are in July, August, and September.

So what are you waiting for? Get out here and get your lines in the water!