Ebb & Flow Week 12: August 19, 2015

By Deepwater DonWith just over three weeks to go in this vintage season of fishing, I have a peculiar sense of déjà vu. This may be way crazy, but it feels like the final days of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games, when the world’s best hockey players were in our city battling it out in medal-round play.Anyone with even a mild interest in the sport on both sides of the Canada-US border may recall the showdown between our two countries in the gold medal finals for both men and women. Hockey keeners may even recall the men’s bronze medal final, in which Teamu Selanne and Saku Koivu led the Fins to victory over the upstart Slovaks, who stunned the hockey world by beating Alexander Ovechkin and the Russians in the preliminary round and then came within a hair’s breadth of qualifying for the gold medal game in a 2-1 semi-final loss to Canada.Alas, it was a heady time. Admittedly, comparing those incredible days of 2010 to the current fishing season may be a stretch, but most of us around The Club agree that this has been a rather mind-blowing fishing season. And now, as then, we’re headed down to the wire.

* Patrick "Cat Gravy" Davies getting a nice Chinook in the bag for his guests. But then maybe I just have hockey in mind as the team at The Clubhouse makes final preparations this week for the 10th annual Fishing For Kids Tournament, which has evolved to become Canada’s most benevolent sport-fishing tournament thanks to a partnership with the Vancouver Canucks and the support of generous sponsors and enthusiastic anglers. Those would of course include Delta Group president and defending FFK tournament champion Bruce Langereis and his tournament partner, Willie Mitchell, a former Vancouver Canuck defenseman and a two-time Stanley Cup Champion with…well, with another team.

* Bruce Langeries and fishing partner Willie Mitchell celebrating their second win as a team in 2014. Our good friend Mr. Langereis cheekily taunted the competition, although not in an unsportsmanlike way, after last year’s win alongside Mitchell with the words: “Catch us if you can!” Make sure to tune in next week as 40 steely-nerved anglers vie to take top spot and maybe even eclipse the record for net profit set in 2013, when the eighth annual FFK netted $1.17 million for the Canucks Autism Network to assist families living with autism throughout BC. FFK gets under way this Saturday with the Kickoff Reception sponsored by the Delta Group at the Rosewood Hotel Georgia followed by departure to The Clubhouse early Sunday morning. Best of luck and sincere thanks to all the participants and sponsors.

* Humpbacks have been everywhere around Langara the past few weeks. A bit of wet weather has set in up north since we last spoke friends, and mixed with some winds from the southwest has made for some choppy conditions. Still lots of Tyees and darn-nears for everybody, although a bit tougher to find at times. That can and likely will change as another surge of Chinook and Coho move in as they have in abundance during late season in each of the past five years.

* Norm Daignault and his near Tyee caught deep in Boulder Bay. Earlier today Screamer posted his latest report on the action at The Clubhouse, which last weekend welcomed the Macquarie group, long-time friends and FFK sponsors. The group included Jon Awde, Geoff Gates, and David Palmer, all of whom picked up Tyees just north of 30 pounds. To boot, Daniel Nadir bagged a 34 and Matt Nelsen a 30 on this last trip. Last I heard, Screamer was also working to get details and the name of the guest from the Onofrechuk group who caught and released a 57lb Tyee fishing on guide Korey’s boat just off Gunia that measured out to an impressive 51 by 30 inches.

* Jon Awde and his Tyee. Meanwhile North Island Lodge general manager Todd McIntyre checked in with us and reported some encouraging highlights. Long-time friends from the Bosa family of companies booked the entire lodge and caught their fair share of wild Pacific Salmon. Successful Tyee anglers among the group included Robert Bosa (32), Noel Liewellyn (32.5), Chris Thorpe (37) and Mike Oakley (33.5). Ken Mosley picked up a handsome 37.5 while Larry Krawchuck and Wesley Jess netted a pair of 31s the trip prior. Gary Tzotzolis grabbed the top fish of late (44) followed closely by Keith Playle (41.5) and Dene Fuller (38).

* Mike Oakely and Guide Brent Gallacher with a 33.5lb Tyee.

*Ken Mosley with a 37.5lb Tyee.

* Dene Fuller and Guide Patrick "Cat Gravy" Davies with a 38lb Tyee that was released.And as I hunt and peck, the last guests of the season at The Outpost are on the water for their final full day of fishing. With The Outpost now shutting down after more than 300 guests experienced it over the course of the season, it would be a good time to acknowledge the fine people who made it all possible. Working at a remote fishing lodge isn’t easy friends, and so I want to close with a quick shout-out to the staff at The Outpost who worked tirelessly and cheerfully day in and day out with no days off for the entire season. Even when they did get a few hours off here and there, they more often than not pitched in to help out another staff member, because selfless team work is an operational imperative – full stop.So with that, our hats go off to general manager Jordan, chefs Paul and Stephanie, lodge staff Mackenzie, Marilyne, Kyla and Elizabeth, and the all-star guide team of Ben, Carl, Dewy, Francis, Hanis, and Robby (who in recent days became a happily married man – congrats Robby). And best of luck to Ben, Dewy, Francis and Hanis who will pound their 22-foot steeds up to The Clubhouse on Saturday to pitch in with Fishing For Kids.Finally, to Hasnain Khaku of Anaheim Hills, California, whose kind comments a couple of weeks ago truly made me smile, thanks for the note. I sincerely hope that you and your 11 cousins made many lasting memories at The Outpost and on the mystical waters of Haida Gwaii.

* Hasnain Khaku and his group at The Outpost. Until next week friends, be safe and well.Tight Lines!