April 15, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Victoria, Fishing
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The South Island is usually the first place in the province to experience the spring fishing bight, and Victoria is no exception. It is no wonder that the earliest fishing derby of the year is on Elk/Beaver lake in early April. The fish can also be surprising large rivalling even the much lauded lakes of the Thompson/Nicola. Rumor has it that this year's derby winner was a 4 1/2 pound rainbow! That's no small potatoes. That fish would have been about double the size of the one you see in this photo. However, I did get three fish the week before the derby all over two pounds. I caught them all on a Wigglewood plug that I got from Black Creek Fly and Tackle. The Watermelon plug is what did the trick. Some other lakes on the South Island that hold larger than average trout to try out in April include Fuller lake, Cowichan Lake and Loon lake near Port Alberni. Have fun.