Ebb & Flow Week 4: June 24, 2016

By Deepwater DonFather’s Day was no doubt rewarding in every way for US Open winner and new dad Dustin Johnson, but so it was too for a number of father and son and father and daughter fishing duos up north, where the sun has recently prevailed over calm seas and lots of rod-bending action from Boulder-Gunia all the way to Lacy Island. The latter location is where the father and son team of Michael (Dad) and Julian Morris picked up a matching pair of 32-pound Tyees within two hours of their arrival at North Island Lodge. Darned if they didn’t also find a 38 the following morning, which they kept along-side just long enough for some pictures and a smooth release by guide Kyle Alton. Nice work gentlemen.

* Michael Morris with guide Kyle Alton and a 38lb Tyee.

* Kyle with the release. Meanwhile over at The Clubhouse Kelly Van Aken bagged a Tyee this past week too, while son Oliver caught and released a sizable slab on a Hali-hunt in the 40 plus range. Kelly’s uncle George Berry and his son Nicholas had a whole lot of fun catching their limit of Chinook Salmon, as did Andrew Ference and daughter Stella, who made lasting memories together on the waters of magical Haida Gwaii. No Tyees to report in those boats, but lots of fish for all from the low-teens to mid-20s.

* Kelly Van Aken spending fathers day with his son Oliver.

* Nicholas Berry with guide Steven Tennant and a nice Chinook. All of this goes to say that the fishing has picked up around Langara Island, with plenty of bait now in evidence and many guests stripping down to t-shirts the last couple of days while the rest of the province shivered in the “Junuary” wind. Most of the fish have been caught on a shallow troll along Graham Island’s north shore or on the west side. Nothing size-wise to match the 45 reported last week for Todd Gardiner, but The Clubhouse reported five plus-30 fish so far this week, including a trip-leading 35 for Dan Brown fishing with good friend Dan Butler, also known as “the fish whisperer” around the dock for his uncanny ability to find the big ones year in and year out. Ivor Jones was number two on the leader board with a 33, followed by long-time Club friend Bruce Keltie who was just one shot back with a 32. Aforementioned dad Kelly Van Aken grabbed a fish just a few scales over 30, as did Suzette Halferty.

* Beautiful day for a troll off Lepas Bay.

* Tyee pin presentation to Dan Brown, Ivor Jones, Bruce Keltie, Suzette Halferty and Kelly Van Aken.

* Dan Brown 35lb Tyee.

* Kelly Van Aken with a nice Tyee. And remember the talk last week of an offshore Hali excursion by some of The Clubhouse guides that resulted in serious tonnage? We begin again with Kelly Van Aken, who said hello and goodbye to a fish that taped out to an estimated 250 pounds, roughly equivalent to an ideal-sized NFL middle linebacker. Others on this hunt-and-release mission included Lorne Walters( 150), Eugene Hughes (130), Trevor Hughes (110), Marcello Chiacchia (100) and Amy Hughes (100). If anyone is puzzled as to why federal regulations require us to release such large fish, it’s helpful to know that anything over about 75 pounds is almost sure to be an egg-bearing female. Simply put, it’s the right thing to do so thank you friends for handling these ladies gently when sending them back home. The good news is that guests are still picking up perfect take-home sized Halibut of roughly 15 to 60 pounds on deep trolls (120-140 feet) not far from shore, so let’s hope that bit of fun continues.

* Guests heading offshore on a perfect day for Halibut fishing.

* Days don't get much better than this to troll around Lacy on the west side. No word so far this week from The Outpost, which has been rocking and rolling with Chinook Salmon right from opening day, but keep a watch for general manager Jordan Knight to provide an update soon. Speaking of rock and roll, here is some news from New York City. The Clubhouse’s house band, The Dock Rockers, are doing their sound-check at this very moment for tonight’s show with the legendary Randy Bachman at BB King’s Blues Club, located just off Times Square. The late and sadly missed big man himself (BB King, that is, not Randy) played the very first shows at this now-famous venue when it opened back in 2000. This is the first of two shows for the boys with Bachman in New York, which is part of a multi-city tour across the continent that concludes just in time for them to join us at The Clubhouse for the End Of Season Party, September 11-14. Marc, Mick, Brent and Ian have also been busy of late playing corporate shows on their own, including a recent 15th consecutive appearance at the Indy 500 pre and post-race parties. Last I heard there were still a handful of spots left on this trip, so discerning music-loving anglers take note.

* Marc LaFrance of the Dock Rockers performs with Bachman Turner.

* The Dock Rockers bringing down the house in 2015. Last thing, belated Fathers’ Day wishes to all the good men (and good women) in our Club for doing the most important job there can possibly be. And to all the fathers and mothers and sons and daughters who know just how very special it is to journey together to the marine wilderness in the manner that we do, I sincerely hope - and trust - that you had the time of your lives.All of this reminds me of a luncheon I attended many years ago in Washington, DC at which former US Presidential candidate, Senator Bob Dole, was giving a speech that included the words: “No person stands taller than when he or she bends over to pick up a child.” I’ve always loved that.Until next week friends, stay safe and well.Tight Lines!

* All good trips must come to an end, as one boat heads in as one chopper heads out.