OP Report: Mahalo Fishers! ~ July 23, 2015

Mid July at The OP is always a raucous affair. We are just over halfway through our short, yet exceptionally diverse fishing season, and the staff are soaking it up. At this time of year, the Chinook bite is in full swing, and those little green backed, silver cousins start to arrive in number. Yes this last week at Port Louis, the Coho showed up…big time.There is little in life to equal the satisfaction of a perfectly brined herring, looped through the eye and hooked near the tail, gently tested in the water for that perfect drill like action. There is serenity as you watch it slowly spin out of sight with the knowledge that it’s…BAMM!!! A 12lb Coho hits the thing so hard it turns the herring inside out, and that’s before you’ve even stopped the downrigger. Eventually after several attempts it’s time to put on the shinny spoons and lay a smack down.These last few trips we have welcomed back to The OP again, some familiar faces.

Larry Boudreau corked over on a 70+ inch Halibut. Deb and Larry were back in action again this year, with Deb taking a commanding (and well verbalized) lead in the Chinooks caught between the two. No mercy.

The blackfish were back in town keeping our local sea lion population in check. Not to mention a little showing off for the guests.

Here’s Dave Akins with his beauty mid 20’s caught right in front of the lodge.

Only to be out done by his lovely misses Sandi with this gorgeous 28lber. Although, I’m not sure the conversation was all that riveting.

Here we have Andrew, showing Merlin and Louis the cattle ranchers, how we lasso here in the Gwaii.

Neil and Clark getting a lesson in how to release a 300lb Halibut. I swear Carl is in most of these photos. The roommate tandem of Carl and Myles (or as we affectionately call them here…Carmyle) has been producing beauty fish and great shots all summer.

Back at the dock Randy Hansen with a nice 31lb Tyee. This trip produced a good number of big fish and I handed out a lot of pins. I’m pretty sure I’m going to run out of Halibut release pins before the seasons out!I realize I’ve been neglecting updating the board on the recent KRUD winners. Or at least I was reminded quite sharply that I was neglecting it. Anyway, without further delay, an abbreviated winners board.

Carl Archibald: a win three seasons in the making!

To Paul (with a nice photo bomb from new arrival OP member Brett)

To Stephanie (no more chasing the dream, you got it…you’ve done it)

Yes we have seen a pile of fish here in the last few trips. Trips to Hippa with the team fishing deep resulted in quite a good number of mid 20’s to low 30’s. We have rediscovered Kicking Horse as prime Chinook producing spot, thanks in part to the new acquisition of guide Sean.There has been a ridiculous amount of bait here in the 2 bays, and Louis Rocks and xCENSOREDx, has been producing perfect 130cm Hali’s for weeks. No better time to be coming to The Outpost. The weather is great, the fishing is great, and the people…well they are the best.

Got to give a shout to my man Myles Panz, for a great effort in helping to keep this blog updated with the latest and greatest photos. Kia Ora Bra.

And like the Mola Mola says,Mahalo Fisher’s, it mid JulySpoiler Alert

It’s On!Jordan KnightGeneral Manager, The Outpost