Ebb & Flow Week 10 | August 15, 2019

Summertime and the Fishing is Easy!

By Deepwater DonGreetings friends from the Pacific shores of supernatural British Columbia. Another busy week has come and gone around the lodges of The Club, and I am happy to report that nothing has changed. That is to say, the incredible fishing that began way back in early June is still incredible, with the majority of guests catching all the chinook salmon, coho and halibut they could ever want or need. Eight tyees were recorded at The Clubhouse this last trip, along with lots of chinook in the upper twenties and lots of coho in the early to mid-teens.And like last week there is plenty of action on the east side of Langara Island and all along the north shore of Graham Island. The Highway is still a good place to drift with the tide offshore from the Lighthouse and Langara Rocks to catch scads of coho with the odd chinook showing up in the mix as well. No more 65-pound tyees to report from The Outpost, however another five tyees were recorded as of late. And finally, the weather. Yup. Same story. It’s just been an all-round amazing summer in northern Haida Gwaii.

A beautiful sunrise a few mornings ago captured by North Island Lodge guide, Macgregor Johnston.And there is still more to come, including the upcoming September to Remember trips that feature live music. And on that note (pun intended), I received a call today from rock star friend Marc LaFrance, drummer and singer extraordinaire of The Dock Rockers and Canadian rock icon Randy Bachman. Marc was never an angler, but he got hooked (no pun intended) on his first trip up north in 2015 and says he can’t wait to get back. He would want me to reiterate that his 19-pound coho, caught on the last day of the 2016 season, was the largest silver of the season for The Club.

Marc Lafrance with his 19lb coho. The music trips are a blast every year, and I must tip my hat to The Club for adding that element back in 2015. I know that many guests feel the same, like Chris Spafford for example. A longtime friend of The Club and a favourite among staff, Chris left his home in Dallas to return to The Clubhouse last week for the second time this year and is planning to return a third time for one of the September music trips. Ditto for Ron Cady, a longtime friend of The Club from San Diego who has been a regular on the music trips and is planning to be back in late August to take in Whistler’ BC’s ultimate party duo, Ruckus Deluxe.

Chris Spafford having a look at his beautiful catch! Photo by Jeff Vinnick.

Brent Gallacher and Chris Spafford with a 29lb catch and release! Photo by Jeff Vinnick.

Thanks to longtime guest and friend of The Club, Chris Spafford for this great black and white shot!Highlights from The Clubhouse this week include tyees ranging from 30 all the way to 38-pounds! Congratulations to the top three tyee anglers, Cathy Bentley with a 38 and 34-pound tyee release, longtime guest Gary Hayden with a 37-pound release and Duane Schneider with an impressive 36.5-pound release!The North Island Lodge congregation were again having some heavenly days out on the water of late. Lodge manager Todd McIntyre says it’s been very busy out there, with some good-sized fish being found shallow along the kelp beds. John Smart led the field with a 37 this week on a self-guided mission followed by a 33-pound release for Jean-Louis Baudouin and 30 for Vince Agostino, both under the guiding of Macgregor Johnston. Honourable mention goes to Christiane Dubreuil with a 29-pound "tryee." I could tell you that all guests are catching turkey-sized halibut, but you already knew that. Absolutely phenomenal year for halibut without the need to go very far offshore as we have done in the past.

A stunning sunset photographed by North Island Lodge guide Bryce Belyea.

Jean-Louis Baudouin and guide Macgregor Johnston with a beautiful 33lb catch and release.

Vince Agostino with a nice 30lb tyee.

Guide Macgregor and guest Christiane enjoying the sunshine and this 29lb almost tyee!

Angler Julie Salicco and guide Bryce Belyea are all smiles with this 30lb tyee caught on a beautiful day! Highlights from The Outpost are as follows: In addition to last week's 65lb tyee caught and released by Richard Morgan, long-time guest Bob Stan had a 39-pound release, while Kathy Bootle and Eugene Nagai both released 33-pound tyees and finally, a 31 for Ian Bootle. Nice work to all!

Longtime Outpost guest, Bob Stan with a beautiful 39lb tyee release!

Kathy and guide Bradan with Kathy's 33lb tyee! That’s it for week 10 of this vintage fishing year. Until next week, stay safe and well friends.Tight Lines!Deepwater Don

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