Ebb & Flow Week 13 | Sept 5, 2019

Don't Touch That Dial!

By Deepwater DonIt’s not over yet friends. After a few days of tough weather and slower fishing that typically accompanies it, September dawned under blue skies and upon calm seas. Even better for guests of The Clubhouse, the chinook salmon resumed feeding about midway through the Labour Day weekend. The coho have been scarce in recent days but I am not at all convinced they won’t return in good numbers for the final days of this incredible season of fishing. I have always had good coho fishing in the last days of the year so no reason not to expect more of the same.Just one tyee to report since we last spoke, and that was caught by Brent Wolverton, a 31 that was measured and promptly released. Although it took a couple of days after the winds died for the salmon to show up again, several guides took advantage of hot sunny weather and calm seas to go out west in search of halibut. The result is that plenty of halibut hit the dock during the final couple days of August, with honorable mention going to John Oliver for catching and releasing one estimated at about a hundred pounds.

Lisa and Karen Delaney-Wolverton with a nice coho and enjoying the beautiful weather.

Guide Brady Steffenson and angler Sam Newell with a 44lb catch and release! Congrats on a beautiful tyee, Sam! (Caught Aug 22-25 trip.)

It's always a good time when you're catching chinook! Wildlife viewing has been even more incredible than usual in the late season with numerous orca (killer whale) sightings, as well as humpbacks, porpoises and dolphins. As usual, eagles can be spotted daily, plucking baitfish off the surface with spectacular accuracy. Every now and then one of these mighty birds will hover in the wind over top of a boat, presumably in search of a flying handout, and if you time your skyward herring toss just right, they will expertly maneuver to snatch it out of mid-air. Great fun that is.

Clubhouse guests enjoying a whale of a show. Photo by Jeff Vinnick.

A spectacular sight for guests fishing the waters of Langara Island. Photo by Jeff Vinnick. The September to Remember series of trips at The Clubhouse are moving along amid much levity aided by some great musical performances so far by Ruckus Deluxe and Brian Neale. Guest bartenders, Joey Donnelly (Clough Club) and Robyn Gray (head bartender at the Rosewood Hotel Georgia) have been mixing up their summer cocktails to appreciative crowds both by the fireplace and on the deck overlooking magnificent Parry Pass. Still to come to the stage are Mick Dalla-Vee and Marc LaFrance followed by the Dock Rockers, who will light things up at the season-ending party in just a few days’ time.

Ruckus Deluxe kicking off the first September to Remember trip and giving a lively performance for guests!

Guest mixologist, Joey Donnelly adding the final touches to his Espresso martini.

Guests enjoying the final days of summer on the back deck. Meanwhile lodge manager Jordan Knight is closing up The Outpost for the season and will likely file a final report from down Port Louis way. Todd McIntyre is similarly wrapping up operations and preparing North Island Lodge for its return voyage to Vancouver and its winter moorage on the friendly banks of the Fraser River.

A serene morning in Port Louis captured by Outpost guest, Tom Zanetos. Thanks Tom for sharing your photo! To repeat, however, it’s not over yet friends. It’s just not!Until next week, stay safe and well.Tight Lines!Deepwater Don