Quote from Robert Van Pelt : ''The Original CJ Special Salmon lure is developed and designed by ardent angler Charlie Jones. Charlie hand tools and finishes his lures to a craftsman-like finish. Charlie's passion has been delicately furnished into every lure he makes.While testing the CJ Specials along the coastline of British Columbia, Canada, we [...]
Author: gil d'Oliveira
Quick Change From Bead to Roe
When I fish rivers where bait is permitted, I always carry both roe and beads. In particular, roe offers a big advantage in early mornings and low-light conditions. Throughout the day, bait effectiveness often varies as I move between river locations and encounter changing flow conditions. Rather than re-tying each time, this technique lets me [...]
Removing fishing line with a drill
Take a close look at the fishing line left on your reels from last season. Monofilament line suffers in the sun and weakens with every knot, tangle, nick, crease, and scrape. Removing all that old line can feel like a chore, but here’s a simple trick: keep the reel in the rod seat and thread [...]
The Twitching Jig
Fishing with jigs is a widely recognized technique. Anglers have traditionally employed this type of lure to target various species, such as bass, crappies, salmon, and steelhead. Fish are typically attracted to lures that mimic prey or provoke an instinctive predatory response. Anglers use floats to drift jigs in moving water or suspend them in [...]
Somass River Salmon Fishing Low-Water Tactics
Salmon East Coast Vancouver Island Beaches
Nothing is more exhilarating than the pursuit, discovery, approach, and culmination. But this isn't traditional hunting; it is beach fishing for salmon along the East Coast of Vancouver Island. A distinct sense of mystery comes with approaching a body of water and contemplating the aquatic life within. It is hard for an angler to resist [...]
Camping on the Somass River
We camped on the Somass River for four days. River conditions were challenging: low, clear water, sunny weather, and slower-than-usual flow. Larger setups were ineffective, as the salmon were cautious. We had to lighten the leaders and the main line. We used 10- and 12-pound fluorocarbon leaders for the large spring salmon. For the [...]
Another Adventure on the Somass
Another adventure from pro staff Gil d'OliveiraI enjoyed another outing on my favourite river using the Amundson Kudos Strategy X carbon fibre casting rod. This rod is 11.5 feet long and features a fast action. High tide occurred at 3 am, prompting salmon to enter the river throughout the night and into the early morning. [...]
Spey Day on the Campbell River
There has been anticipation of the arrival of Pink salmon in the Campbell River system, but only a few have entered so far. Early this morning, a high tide at 1 am reached nearly four meters, causing a twelve-foot rise in the estuary and prompting the salmon to enter the river. I arrived at the [...]
Definition of a Pro Staff
An 'angler pro staff' serves as a promotional team member who represents fishing brands by endorsing gear, boats, or apparel, sharing content, participating in events, and cultivating a positive online presence. I am frequently asked about my path to becoming a pro staff member. My journey began in 2014, when a friend recommended me due [...]
AP Tackleworks Herring Lures
Ap Tackleworks Herring 7", 5', 3" AP TackleWorks Reflective Lures Ahead of the opening season, our test outings have produced strong results, with numerous Coho and Spring Salmon caught. Made from 304 stainless steel, the lure absorbs UV light and has a highly reflective surface that changes colour with the viewing angle to attract salmon. [...]
5″ MVP Herring Lure
Our start was delayed by stubborn winds, but hope lingered in the forecast, promising calmer weather by noon. We finally launched at 11 AM. Though the wind still tugged at us, the waves had settled. The tide barely shifted, with just a modest 0.8-meter difference between high and low. The latest fishing report promised hatchery [...]
Another Lure Challenge
Amundson Outdoors TMX5-SE match to TMX mooching rod We launched onto the water at 6:30, eager for another day of fishing. On our previous trips, we hauled up plenty of fish from depths beyond 150 feet, though hatchery coho salmon remained elusive. The latest local report promised better odds between 50 and 100 feet, so [...]
The Soft Bead Sensation
Here are my observations and thoughts. Salmon have quick reflexes when it comes to their senses; if they encounter an imitation egg that doesn’t feel natural, they tend to spit it out before the angler has a chance to respond. This is where soft beads offer an advantage, as the salmon may hesitate longer, providing [...]
BnR Stopper Bead With A Slip Knot
When an angler is covering a river with varying water depths, it is advantageous to use a sliding float. A sliding float allows the angler a shorter float to lure length and also has the ability to reach various depths of the river flow. Wading through shallow fast water approaching a deep pool Often in [...]
