Ebb & Flow Week 11: August 12, 2015

By Deepwater DonI wish I had more news to report friends. The truth is that not much has changed since we last spoke. But that in itself is great news.The thing I’ve been harping about ad nauseum regarding increasing numbers of large fish showing up? That trend continued this past week – with 29 Tyees between 30 and 41 pounds recorded during a single week at The Clubhouse alone. Same thing down at Port Louis too, as in four in a recent afternoon among just 14 guests. Not sure I’ve ever heard of such a proliferation of Tyees before – ever.And Cohos? Yup, same deal as last week, lots of ‘em in the 8-12 pound range and getting bigger every week, not to mention Chinook Salmon in the high teens and twenties everywhere. Weather? Sunny and very warm like pretty much the entire province. In fact, for the first time in a decade the Ministry of Forests has issued a ban on campfires throughout Haida Gwaii.

* John Simpson showing off his high twenties catch on a calm, sunny day. Wildlife sightings? Well, a bit of news in that regard, and it’s all good. The sea lions have eased up a bit around Langara Island, and humpback whales are as common these days as gossip mags in the check-out aisle. Oh, one other thing, there is a noticeable absence of Pink Salmon so far in August. Now there’s a trend many would like to see continue.

* Sarah Palin took some time out of her recent trip to pose with the staff. Summary: flat, calm waters, sunny weather, no wind, God’s mystical creatures at every turn and more fish than you can shake an Ugly Stik at. Full houses of happy guests remain satiated by full totes on the dock, gastronomic nirvana at every meal, and the rare form of camaraderie that invariably takes hold amid such rich and impossibly beautiful surroundings.(Editorial time out: An Ugly Stik, as you may know, is a top-selling brand of fishing rod. Forgive me for giving in to corny temptation.)

* Bob Stan down at The Outpost with his 30lb Tyee. As frequently noted by Yours Truly and our man Screamer, the bigger Chinook Salmon remain concentrated along the top of Graham Island, shallow on the kelp from Gunia down to Boulder. This week’s most outstanding player award among Clubhouse guests was Jeff Kuhn, who scored a hat trick with three released Tyees, a 41, 40 and a 31.5. It pays to keep your stick on the ice – nice going Jeff. The second star last week was Al Norris, who fished with his wife Amy and North Island Lodge head guide DJ Shinduke, and caught and released the fish of a lifetime - a 50-pound Tyee. As many do in such circumstances, Al and Amy immediately reserved their spots for next year. Clubhouse guest Duane Schneider picked up the third star with a 41 and a 38 – both released.

* Jeff Kuhn and his 31.5 Tyee.

* Al Norris and Guide DJ with a 50lb Tyee.

* Gary Hayden and Duane Schneider fighting one of Duane's Tyees. There were many honourable mentions last week, starting with The Outpost duo of Tim and Mitchell Johnson, who combined for four Tyees between 32 and 36 pounds. A few days earlier The Outpost crew welcomed the Stan family from Calgary. Bob and Kathryn Stan are long-time favourites of The Outpost staff, and their group of family and friends always brings a lighthearted but competitive spirit in the form of a friendly fishing derby. Not sure who took home the coveted Spruce Bluff Tyee Cup this year, but last I heard Bob and his brother Ron Stan were all square with a 30 each. Other guests of The Outpost who earned Tyee pins were Stuart Anderson who made his journey from Nebraska a memorable one with a 32 and Gordon Lanctot with an even 30.

* Mitchell Johnson with guide Sean and a 36 lb Tyee.

* Kathryn Stan celebrating her birthday at The Outpost.

* Ron Stan with his 30lb Tyee and guide Carl Archibald.

* Stuart Anderson with a 32lb Tyee and guide Carl Archibald.

* Gordan & Cathy Lanctot with guide Carl and a 30lb Tyee. Happily, this no-news week includes the continuing trend of guests releasing the largest fish to resume their journeys to natal rivers and streams. This week’s list of notable hello and goodbye catches were concentrated at Langara Island and include Wesley Bates (41.5); Gary Hayden (41) Rick Rechter (40.5) and Randy Senteney (40). Most of the smaller Tyees were also released and those that were retained were very much within reason size-wise, so thanks to all on behalf of future generations.In no particular order, the balance of this week’s top anglers at Langara Island were John Feren (36), Todd Palin (32), Chris Grogan (32), Mike Jones (34.5), Jerry Remaklus (36), Craig Winborn (30), Sheryl Lamb (30), Earl Jessiman (31), Robert Brumpton, Jamal Al-abdul Wahid, Dan Brown and Christopher Slater, all with 31-pound fish, along with Jack Gucker who netted a pair of 31s. Rounding out the list was Robert Ware (32.5), Moh Faris (34), Sarah A. Slater (39), Nancy Schneider (34.5), Phil Sencerbox (35.5) along with Jim Carns, Pat Elliott and Mike Owen, each with 30s.

* John Feren and guide Screamer with a 36lb release.

* John Simpson and his upper twenties Chinook.

* Matt Conelley (AKA Conman) hosting a nice Chinook over the rail. Well, that pretty much wraps it up on the fishing front, but here is one tasty tidbit to tempt you until next week friends. The special guest chefs have been confirmed for the Langara Rocks End Of Season Party September 6-9 at The Clubhouse. As Chef de Cuisine at Vancouver’s landmark Hawksworth Restaurant, Kristian Eligh will be one of the headliners at this season-ending extravaganza of bread, wine and song. His impressive resume includes recent tenures as opening Chef de Cuisine at Market by Jean-Georges, at the Shangri-La Hotel and also as Chef de Cuisine at Diva at the Metropolitan Hotel in Vancouver.

* Kristian Eligh. Also confirmed for this last blast at Parry Pass are the husband and wife team of Paul Moran and Stephanie Noel, who have dazzled guests of The Outpost all season long, save for a one-week period in June when Paul represented Canada at Expo Milano 2015 in Milan, Italy in a global competition for the title of World’s Best Young Chef. And of course The Clubhouse’s own Shaun Snelling will anchor the culinary proceedings for this season closer, which also features live music nightly on the deck by some of Canada’s finest A-List musicians.

* Chef Paul Moran serving up Paul & Steph's famous salt baked Chinook Salmon at The Outpost. The fishing has been spectacular in late summer in each of the last five years too, so here’s hoping to see you join us to rock the docks and close out one amazing season.Until next week friends,Tight Lines!