NIL: "Happy 81st Birthday Walter!"

July 11, 2012

We had a great time at North Island Lodge last week. I was fortunate to have had the opportunity to fish with Douglas Baine from Calgary and his father Walter from Vancouver Island.

As spry as man 20 years his junior, Walter is usually out taking his friends on charters with his own boat he keeps moored on Vancouver Island. It was now his turn to to relax as Doug wanted to treat him to an unforgettable fishing trip on the legendary Langara Island.

Walter was celebrating his 81st birthday and it was good to see a father and son enjoying a past time they both love. While fishing might not have been the highlight of the trip, Langara Island once again provided an experience that won't be forgotten.

Early Wednesday morning we pushed our 18foot aluminum sled up on step skipping across the glassy pacific expanse enroute to do some halibut fishing.

We spotted a group of hump backs bubble netting just off our port side. We slowed the boat down and shut off the engine to enjoy the show.

No .. that's not a picture of a humpback passing by. This whale possibly over 30,000 lbs of him is moving directly for our 18ft aluminum skiff. The sound of him exhaling bellowed as I hung on to the side of the console. I tried to look calm as he passed directly below us.

While we all remained motionless in awe, Doug snapped a quick picture just as the enormous creature sank below the surface of the water. The cleat on the bow can be used as a reference point to how close he came to us.

We carried on to the Halibut grounds and made short work of it. We got a few chickens sized halibut to to the boat but we were still looking for something slightly larger than standard issue so we stuck it out.

There we go!! .. Injured hand and all Doug puts his endurance to the test as he drags up a 48lb Halibut. Great fish Doug !

With this cool little device called a "spot GPS satellite messenger" Doug sends his wife a message that goes to directly to her email of our exact location and what we've been up to. Very cool! ....

"Having the time of my life with Walter and my guide Pat Cullen .. home in a few days!"

A proud display of their catch from our Halibut mission on the west side of Graham Island.

Our last morning on the water was great. The sun came out the water was calm. We fished the east side of Langara and it was good to see both Walter and Doug play some Chinooks.

I'm looking forward to enjoying a few more rum and cokes with this Doug and his dad Walter in the future and will definitely take Doug up on his offer to float the Bow river with him in Calgary sometime this fall!

from 54°14′03″N 133°01′13″W,

Pat Cullen | NIL Fishing guide | WCFC sales & client services

patrickcullen@westcoastfishingclub.com

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JOHN BAKER
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