OP Report: Personal Touch ~ July 20, 2016

As a long time guest said to me the other day, “ It’s all about the personal touch.” He continued by saying companies today have lost that personal connection with their customers. More and more it’s emails and texts. Less and less do you receive phone calls, have face to face and shake their hands. At The OP we have a few days to greet our guest, make them comfortable and give them an insight to why we think this place is like no other in the world. My old boss and good friend Ken Beatty always said Canadian hospitality is about sharing ourselves with our clients. It’s about being open, honest and genuine while still attending to every little need. Nurturing those characteristics has always been a staple of the crew at The OP after Ken. Welcoming back old friends is a chance to practice. Welcoming new friends is a way of life.And as always…The inmates are still running the asylum.Last week we welcomed a group from Huber Engineered Wood, Doug Asano and crew were pumped for a full 5 days of fishing fortune. Here we have Doug with a couple beauty mid 20’s. Doug chase the derby all week only coming up short to David Schur.

Here is David with his trip topping 32lber. Landed on the second morning, it gave the team something to chase until the very last morning.

Mean while Greg Goodale celebrates his trip winning 14lb Coho with guide Hanes(pronounced HAN-IS). Greg was so jacked up he went for a refreshing dip.

Happy to say the KRUD jacket ended up back where it belonged.

Jim Denny and guide Carl taping out and releasing a 60 incher. The donkey Hali’s have been swarming the waters off Athlow Bay. It seems we get a 200lb+ every trip, if not more.

Huber had a great trip, and topped it off with fantastic meals and personal service.

Up next we had Steve Kasteler returning for his second trip of the season. Steve brought some gentlemen from home for their first trip to The OP and the boys did not disappoint. Needless to say the weather was a little salty on the weekend, but the crew made out the best they could and put the pedal down on Sunday to bring in the goods.Day 1 was a windy one, so the guides had to make the best of it. Head guide Sean turned his eyes to the ground and pound, and it made for a colourful table.

Christopher Watkins came in with the fish of the trip with this oh so close Tryee.A hair under 30lb’s, the baby had the shoulders to play pro, but needed a little work on the squat rack. That’s great fish to catch when it’s blowing 20kts.

.The Hali’s were not far behind, with the guiding team shipping the main sails and closing all sea hatches to bring in the turkeys.

Up next (and currently) we invite back some long time OP returning guests. The Dowling’s, the Hansen’s, the Boudreau’s and the Sokoloski’s. There is nothing like a little witty banter during the nightly debriefing that can extend the talk for…a while.Debbie and Larry Boudreau getting ready to enjoy some of chef Stephanie’s incredible Tuna Crudo.

On this trip already we have had 2 Tyees brought in. Peter Sokoloski on day 2 with a 30lb on the nose.First time Salmon fishing and newly married couple Renee Lang and Mathew Born enjoying the first sights of Haida Gwaii.

Just so happened Renee and Matt are from Dubai, where they have a boat and fish often. Matt even brought his spinning gear, and one afternoon when Renee was stepping off to relax, I jumped on and we went and casted to bombers until 7. I have to say it was blast and nice change up from the usual mooch and wait. On the finishing cast, Matt hooked a keeper Ling and we cheers the bass slay.

Renee was far from done however, as the next morning she went out and picked up this beasty 32lber off Tian. Hell of a way to start off your Salmon fishing career.

Needless to say, Jonah’s first guided Tyee will be a good memory for the trips to come.To summarize, the fishing has been a little slower than usual of late. We have had to go a little further than we are used to this early, but with a little travel and the guides keen sense’s we have found silver one way or another. Yesterday Free Town mission had a decent size average and Selvy was firing again. A couple trolls past Off shore lunch spot didn’t produce anything yesterday, but way off shore lunch spot is still full of turkeys. The weather came down in a big way the other day and fishing has been superb. Feedback has been a resounding approval. Everybody has said that this is a great crew, and the place is better than ever. It seem that a little bit of Canadian hospitality is just what’s in order to help you relax.Until next time, signing off from Port Louis,Jordan Knight