Weekly Fishing Reports
Ebb & Flow Week 6: July 8 , 2016
July 8, 2016 | 2056 Views
The Outpost had a distinguished visitor this week in the person of Dr. David Suzuki, globally renowned environmentalist and the long-time host of CBC TV’s The Nature of Things. While celebrity guests are not uncommon for The West Coast Fishing Club, this one took on some extra significance in that it hopefully helps to underscore The Club’s deep commitment to sustainability in all of its operations, including conservation-minded angling.
* Fish on at The Outpost!
Not surprisingly, Suzuki’s long list of friends includes entrepreneurs who share his commitment to sustainable development such as Bruce Langereis, president of Delta Land Group, with which Suzuki enjoyed his most recent trip to Port Louis. I like to think the former UBC Zoology professor and self-described “hippy scientist” is also aware of the extent to which The West Coast Fishing Club remains committed to species and habitat preservation. In addition to encouraging catch-and-release angling, The Club has raised millions of dollars with partners for Haida Gwaii Salmon Unlimited. More recently, its co-founder, Rick Grange, has spearheaded a new initiative called Friends of The Yakoun, which aims to restore human-damaged spawning habitat of the Yakoun River on Graham Island and enable the Chinook Salmon hatchery located just upstream from Masset Inlet to incubate up to a million fry annually.
* Chrome Chinook Salmon on a run.
* Acrobatic Coho.
As any angler knows, however, patience is a virtue, and patient anglers were rewarded with Chinook and increasing numbers of Coho Salmon this past week. Halibut are still on the menu too, including one down Port Louis way angled by Scott Fox that was estimated to have been roughly 440 pounds based on a length of seven and a half feet! For those of us who never lose the adrenalin rush of close encounters with marine wildlife, there was an added bonus as an extraordinary abundance of Humpback and Killer (Orcas) Whales cruised the waters of both Port Louis and Langara Island the last few days. Just ask Outpost guest Peter Warlick, who lost what looked like a very fine fish to a large bull Orca. For the next few minutes a large pod had the time of their lives picking Salmon off almost every line. (I prefer to remain philosophical about losing fish to marine life – it’s happened to me – as ultimately we are matching wits with nature in all its forms.)
* 90 Inch Halibut pulled off the bottom in an epic 53 minute battle.
* Belly side up.
* Orca getting it’s fill of Salmon at Port Louis.
* Bull Orca heading into a pack of boats off Langara Island.
* Peter Warlick with the remnants of his Orca feeding session.
Mikee Johnson had a whale of a time, so to speak, by celebrating his birthday this week at The Clubhouse along with 19 friends from South Carolina. A good time was had by all, so much so Mikee says this could be an annual tradition. Glad to hear that Mikee, and belated birthday wishes from all of us at The Club.
* Humpback putting on a whale of a show for our guests.
* The guests aren’t the only ones enjoying the waters of the Pacific Northwest.
Speaking of The Clubhouse, this week’s all-star team from Henslung Cove consisted of Ryan Fernhout, who caught and released a 40.5 pound fish, followed by Alexander Wiegand and Byron Altman who successfully angled 36 and 35-pound releases, respectively. Rodney Barr weighed in with a 35 while Jason Green picked up an even 30.
* Rodney Barr with guide Wiley and a 35lb Tyee.
* Byron Altman with guide Bryce and a 35 lb Tyee.
Meanwhile at North Island Lodge, young Jack McEwan led the scoring and showed up his dad Ken with a pair of Tyees, a 32 and a 30. Top fish of the week went to North Island Lodge guest Dave Mchardy with a 42 caught with guide Kyle Alton, who is at the top of the Tyee leaderboard among North Island Lodge guides of late. Unfortunately this fish was a bleeder with almost no chance for survival, much to Dave’s disappointment. In spite of rough weather the past few days down at Port Louis, the guides have been hunting down quite a few Chinook Salmon, with Frank Cicenelli’s 36 taking over as the top fish of the year so far for The Outpost.
* Jack McEwan and one of his two Tyees caught on a father son outing.
* Dave Mchardy and guide Kyle Alton with a 42lb Tyee.
*Frank Cicenelli posing with his 36lb Tyee.
Just one more stat to report this week friends, and it’s an interesting one. The Canadian Sportfishing Industry Association reports that more adult Canadians fish than play hockey and golf combined. According to industry sources, over eight million Canadians (roughly 25% of the population) enjoy recreational fishing, generating over eight billion dollars to the Canadian economy. The CSIA also reminds us that this week is National Fishing Week, which was created to encourage Canadians to get outdoors and enjoy our angling heritage.
* Kristie Nyrose with her pink Islander Reel and a nice Chinook.
* Marlene Auer and another nice Chinook.
I prefer to take that message a little further by encouraging all of us – and our American friends too – to take a kid fishing. Giving a young person the opportunity to experience fishing can be life-changing for them, and gives the next generation an experiential reason to care for our environment and resources. I have a hunch Dr. Suzuki would agree.
Until next week friends, stay safe and well.
Tight lines!
* Eagle keeping a close eye on the fishing in Lepas Bay.
Thanks Steve for those kind words. We are looking forward to your return next month.
The photos were awesome this week! Keep up the great work. Looking forward to being there in August.
Thanks Steve! Looking forward to seeing you then.
The West Coast Fishing Club