Anchovy at 90 to 120 Feet Is the Winter Chinook Ticket

What's Working on the Water Right Now

Let's get straight to gear, because that's what's filling the boxes this week. The winter Chinook are hanging deep and feeding steady, and the money setup right now is a glow-teaser-head anchovy run down to 90 to 120 feet. Give that bait a slow, lazy roll — these resident fish want a wounded-baitfish spin, not a frantic one. If the bite goes soft, I'll swap to a glow or chartreuse hoochie behind a flasher at the same depth, and that change-up has been turning heads on the quieter slides.

Today's Conditions in Discovery Passage

It's a soft, foggy start here in Campbell River this morning — 6°C, skies socked in, and NE winds barely moving at 5 km/h. The water is dead flat, basically 0.0m of wave height, which is about as glassy as it gets this time of year. We're fishing the morning slack easing into the flood, and that's exactly the window these fish turn on. As the flood builds and pushes bait through the Passage, your downrigger spread gets a lot more action.

Why the Chinook Are Here

These are local resident winter Chinook, feeding in Discovery Passage and the surrounding inside waters. They're pushing 8 to 15 lbs and staying close to the bait balls, which is why dialing in your depth matters more than covering water. When you mark bait on the sounder, drop right on top of it and hold that zone. Retention is 2 per day with a 62cm minimum, so measure carefully and release the shorts to grow.

What Guests Can Expect This Week

With calm conditions and foggy, mild mornings in the forecast, this is comfortable, productive winter fishing. We're staging downrigger spreads with two baits at staggered depths to find the feeding band, then stacking rods tight once we locate them. It's a steady, methodical bite — great for anyone who wants to learn the gear and still put quality Chinook in the net. Dress warm, the fog keeps things cool out there, but the flat water makes for an easy, enjoyable morning.

Book Your Spot

The winter Chinook fishery is one of our best-kept secrets, and days like today — glassy, quiet, and fish feeding on the flood — are why. If you want to learn the anchovy-and-downrigger game or just get a line wet in Discovery Passage, now's the time. Boats are running and spots fill fast on the calm days. Give us a shout and let's get you out there.

Ready to experience world-class fishing in Campbell River? Book your charter trip with Fishing Storie Charters today. Captain Jason and the crew are ready to put you on fish.