Lodge Reports
Salmon Masters Tournament Results
Whale Channel Fishing Report - June 15, 2009
Our third week of operations here at Whale Channel continue to be blessed with beautiful weather and decent fishing. As I sit in the office it is currently raining for what seems like the first time since our Salmon Masters Derby. It almost seems like a nice change, but I’m confident that there are those that disagree, I may have a biased opinion, being dry and all!
This past week has seen some great fish coming back to the lodge. Marcus Owen tied for the big Spring of the year with a beautiful 43lbs Chinook. Congratulations Marcus! An honorable mention has to go out to Larry Faulkner who weighed in, a 40lbs Chinook as well, not mention a 37 & 32, way to go Larry!
It still seems like the majority of the boats are deciding to spend most of their time in the southern end of the fishing grounds. Some these spots include Duckers, Clarke Cove, Eclipse and Dougan. York Pt has also been popular, and seems to be a good central point to start the day before deciding on heading North or South.
A report from the North can usually be given from Brentos or Corn, as they seem to be spending time up there religiously. With that said there has consistently been Tyee salmon being weighed in each and every day.
On another positive note we have been pleasantly surprised by the nice Coho in the Area. While the numbers are fluctuating Coho in the 5-10lbs range have been making frequent appearances on the fish board.
We have also had a very productive week for Halibut fishing. There have been several organized Halibut Charters out into Estevan Sound. While there has been varying results, anglers who put their time in out there are being rewarded with some nice Hali’s, plus some tasty Cod as bi-catch. These excursions have also produced 2 barn doors, which was an exciting weigh in back at the dock. Dan Sweeney and partner Wayne Skeels managed to hook and land a whooping 140lbs Halibut, Good work men! This particular fish was taken off Duckers. It shows that any place is worth a drop to the bottom. Our other lucky angler was Joe Giangarra, who managed to convince a104lbs Halibut that life above water was more pleasant. Congratulations Joe, some great negotiation skills!
As mentioned before, the past week was much of the same weather we have been experiencing all year, High Pressure system generating a lot of sun, and light to moderate inflow winds. It would seem that today is bringing in a low pressure system with the same light to moderate winds, accompanied by some showers and overcast skies. Nonetheless it does not seem to be bothering the fish. I’m still blown away by the amount of Whale sightings taking place on the water. Humpbacks and Orca’s have been seen every day, and in large numbers.
If you have recently returned from a visit to Whale Channel, the whole crew would like to say Thank-You. For those anglers looking forward to their first visit of 2009, we look forward to your arrival.
Please feel free to contact us anytime, mmaslak@westcoastresorts.com
Best fishes,
Morey Maslak
Lodge Manager, Whalebanke
Hippa Island Fishing Report - June 15, 2009
As we enter the middle of June, the fishing around Hippa Island has remained excellent. Even more impressive than the strong fishing has been the incredible weather. So far this season we have been experiencing the ultimate double header of good weather and good fishing. Guests have been continuously raving about our new location and the crew is very excited about showing off our new home to those of you who haven’t made it up yet.
The most productive salmon fishing this past week was once again on the west said of Hippa Island and primarily around the Lighthouse. There have also been lots of springs caught a little further south off the Shipwreck and for those boats willing to travel a little further, Freeman Rocks has continued to produce strong results. Most of the springs continue to be in the 15-22 lb range with the odd tyee (over 30 lbs.) thrown into the mix. This past week we also had a few entries to the Brag Board (over 40 lbs.) with a 42 for Paul Burrowes and the largest of the past week, a 43 caught by Bill Scales.
The most pleasant surprise of the season could easily be the incredible number of coho around. Boats have been limiting out on coho on a regular basis, something that is typically unheard of until mid to late July. Most of the coho are in the 5-7 lb range although there have been a few over 10 lbs. There are also lots of pinks and chums around so altogether the result has been pretty constant salmon action. Most of the springs are being caught between 30 and 70 feet deep and the cohos are typically found closer to the surface between 20 and 40 feet.
Once again we continue to expand in our quest for halibut and this past week resulted in the discovery of another productive spot, now known as the Turkey Bowl. (Named for the nice 30-60 “turkey” halibut that have been coming out of it). Other productive halibut spots have been throughout Hippa Passage, off Next Rock (another new spot), and around Hippa Rocks. All of these spots have produced a wide range of nice sized halibut with many in the almost perfect 40-60 lb range. We have also had no problem locating an abundance of lingcod, red snapper, and other rock fish.
As for the weather, it truly doesn’t feel like we are on the west side of the Charlottes anymore. This past week we experienced very little wind and calm seas for almost the entire time. Occasionally we have seen a bit of an increase in the afternoon winds (up to about 15 knots) but this has done little or nothing to slow us down. Looking at the forecast, I can hardly believe it but it looks like this blessing from Mother Nature is going to continue.
If you have recently visited Hippa, thank you for joining us and we hope to see you again. For those of you who have a trip planned to Hippa in the near future, the staff and I look forward to your arrival. If you have any questions or comments feel free to e-mail me at rorr@westcoastresorts.com
Ryan Orr
Lodge Manager, Hippa Island
Englefield Bay Fishing Report - June 15, 2009
Another fantastic week in Haida Gwaii! We have had an amazing stretch of weather and the fishing has been great. As I alluded to in the last fishing report the high pressure that was plaguing us completely disappeared, leaving us with light variable winds and flat calm seas. It didn’t even take one tide and the fishing was right back to where it should be this time of year. Guests have also been pleasantly surprised to be catching 4 out of the 5 species of Salmon this early in the year. Along side of Chinook Salmon they have been bringing in Coho, Chum and Pink Salmon. A nice variety for everyone!
Chinook Salmon have been coming in strong this past week from Denham Bay and Cape Henry. The fish taken at Denham have mostly been right off the point or in the ozone. At the Cape the same thing was happening. The average size has increased to 21-26lbs with a few Tyee’s coming in every day. The largest Chinook this week was landed, without assistance, by 11 year old Kees Jansen! Well Done Kees! The inside fishery really hasn’t been touched this past week as the weather has been so calm on the outside. Coho’s continue to hit the dock in large numbers. Guests have been busy between Chinook bites battling these feisty devils. Average size has been between 8 and 12 lbs. What a great bonus this time of year!
Halibut and bottom fishing have been solid. Denham Shoals continue to produce strong catches of tasty Yelloweyes and Ling Cod. Willie Island and Tijuana also came into play last week. We did find a new spot for Hali’s last week. It’s just at the mouth of Moore Channel across from Denham Point. The depth we were fishing was between 260 and 500ft. This spot has produced numerous Halibut in the Turkey and Barn Door size range. Yelloweyes and Lings have also been fairly consistent out of our new location making it a one stop shop!
As mentioned before, the weather has been fantastic; little to know wind and zero precipitation. We have also had some amazing wildlife sightings. Just today guests have seen Sea lions (not so nice when they take your Salmon), Orca’s, a pod of False Killer Whales (never seen before in the Bay), breaching Humpback Whales, Albatross, Clown Puffins, Peregrine Falcons and there are even reports of someone seeing a Fin Whale. About two hours ago I even watched a Deer swimming across the channel in front of the lodge. What an amazing part of the world we live in!
I would like to extend a special thank you to all of our guests. You have become family to our crew I and we can’t wait to see you again next year to defend our title. Please feel free to contact us any time at jnorquist@westcoastresorts.com.
Best Fishes,
James Norquist
Lodge Manager, Englefield Bay