Anyone know if there is any Steelhead in the Sooke river this time of year or any resident trout I could chuck a fly at. I read the fishery survey and they have every thing from trout to Kokanee in there. Don't know how valid it is.

There is a few steelhead. I think 40 would be a good run at it's present state. There will be some sea run cutthroat in there right now doing their spawning run.

Kokanee? Doubt it. Weirder things have happen. There have been two sturgeon sightings in the lower river the last few years.

The Sooke has a few wild ones returning every year but reports should be kept tight lipped. The few that may return every year don't need the extra pressure.

As with any flow on Vancouver Island, you dont know what's there until you try it. Check the regs then go out and explore.. you may be rewarded and if not it's still very enjoyable trying.

Sooke has a small run and i thought back in the day they grabbed a couple for enhancement but i could be wrong ? Not much pressure on that flow as its hard to fish and land fish.

Yeh well if the run is that small I'm not looking to wipe it out. Maybe I'll try for some resident trout. It is frustrating living in Victoria because of the lack of available trout streams. When I was younger I thought nothing of driving to Cowichan or Harris creek now it's a chore. Also when I was in the militia in the 60's we went on an escorted trip through the Sooke watershed. The creeks at that time were loaded with spawning cutthroat. Too bad we are not allowed to fish the watershed, the fisherman in the U.S. fish their reservoirs. Having said that I know that letting in the great unwashed would create havoc. Regarding the Sturgeon my son took a photo of one around the campground a couple of years ago and posted it online and I think in the Sooke newspaper.

Looper, when I was in Victoria I felt the same way about freshwater river fishing. It's a little bit of a drive to get to a good flow. When you are young without commitments driving a few hours is no big deal but when time is limited, it makes things hard.

That's why in part the Cowichan has so much pressure - it is a fantastic stream both driftable and with good shore access and pretty much the only good option for anglers in the Victoria area looking to fish fresh flowing water.

Im not saying don't go fish the Sooke, just understand the state of this resource, and if you have success its probably best to keep it hush regarding this little flow.

This brings back memories for me too. When I lived in Victoria, I would try to get up to the Cowichan on my days off in the summer. The spring wasn't possible as I was on call. Same with the fall, and I couldn't afford to miss a day of work. I would try to pack and be organized for the 'weekend' and ride up there on my xt350. I had no saddlebags so lots of bungies. I had many odd looks from cars passing me (and they all passed me) with my rod case attached to my back pack. I had the impression they thought it was a rifle.

Sometimes I was just too tired to go, but when I did, it was rewarding even if I only caught one or two fish - or none. The Cowichan is such a beautiful river that just walking it with a small chance of catching a fish made it worthwhile. And to get out of the summer tourist crowds of Victoria.

The ride home wasn't fun as it usually coincided with heavy traffic and sometimes rain. On the single lane downward ride I would have quite a line of traffic behind me.

I mostly fish up island now (though I still fish the Cowichan on occasion) in the spring summer and fall. Less crowded, little traffic, wilder, and lots of room and options.

Anyway, I wanted to echo Cory's comments and your frustration. I liked Victoria in many ways, but the distance from an uncrowded river system is a drawback. Always hoped they would come up with an overnight train ride that would reduce traffic and give options to weary nature-hungry city dwellers.