Ebb & Flow Week 14 ~ August 24, 2017

By Deepwater DonThe shadows on the water are growing longer as the sun begins to set on another summer in mystical Haida Gwaii. With just three weeks remaining, the fishing has been reported as “spotty but steady” for the past week at Langara Island. There were mornings that a group of boats wouldn’t catch anything in one area and then move to another in the afternoon and catch a nice mix of salmon and halibut. It’s been a bit of a trend that way all year, but still no evidence of anything but happy anglers, and sometimes entire extended families.Such was the case during the Coastal Culinary Adventure when three generations of the Friess family descended on The Clubhouse and made indelible memories, particularly in the case of 12-year-old Cotter Friess, who topped the rest of the clan with the best fish of the entire week at Langara Island, a 37-pound thing of chrome-coloured beauty under the guiding of Owen Drysdale. And once the measurements were taken and quick pictures snapped, Cotter displayed exemplary sportsmanship by letting that big fish continue its natal journey. Good work on both fronts Cotter - the catch, and the release. Wear that tyee pin with pride!

Cotter Friess with a tyee on the line.

Cotter Friess and guide Owen Drysdale with a beautiful 37 lb tyee!

Cotter & Owen graciously releasing the tyee.

Owen congratulating Cotter on a job well done!

Russell Kirkpatrick & Owen Drysdale with a nice take home 29 lb chinook.Coho Point appears to remain the place of choice, with most of the boats heading that way by morning, but spreading out all around the island by afternoon. Patricia Wu, The Club’s new Marketing Director paid her inaugural visit and her first-ever experience fishing. Thanks to her patient guides, Jona, Jacob and VP of Business Development Derek Nyrose, Patricia was able to catch plenty of halibut and salmon during her stay. Rather determined angler, it would appear she is. “She pushed me out of the way!” exclaimed our man Derek, who is a rather strapping chap, easily twice the size of the petite Patricia. Having dispatched Derek with a firm elbow, she grabbed the rod from the holder and promptly boated a 14-pound coho.

Patricia Wu with an impressive 14 lb coho.Not to be outdone, minutes later the Beast of Boulder (Derek) reeled up something that felt oddly sluggish at first. You see friends, octopuses don’t have fins, and so they don’t put up quite as much of a fight as other species. With all eight tentacles intact, it weighed in at 12 pounds, and was immediately put on ice and spirited back home fresh to la belle province by celebrity guest Chef Charles-Antoine Crête who no doubt had special plans for it. When not fishing, a small group of guests including Derek and Patricia visited Kiusta, the former Haida village on Graham Island and walked a beautiful forest trail to Lepas Bay to collect shells and look for Japanese glass fishing floats. I’m putting that on the list for next trip, perhaps with some tasty things and a bottle of chilled wine in hand - ah, the gracious living to which one can conspire amidst the marine wilderness.

The view of Lepas Bay walking out of the hike from the village.Speaking of gracious living, that was the vibe around The Clubhouse as it played host to the second annual Coastal Culinary Experience. Be sure to give Patricia’s event recap a read as she details her experience of the gastronomic adventure. Rumor has it that Chef Charles had Derek, Patricia, Jona and sous chef Simon hard at work on a boat harvesting fresh kelp to be poached and used as serving vessels on the table. Apparently, the weather forced cancellation of the beach picnic, so rather than bringing the guests to the seaside, Chef Charles brought the seaside to the guests, reportedly earning a standing ovation as dinner concluded.

Blue fin tuna & tostada served on local kelp.

Cherry lamb.

Cucumber, melon and duck.Meanwhile over at Beale Cove, guests of North Island Lodge carried forth with equal merriment last week. Lodge manager Todd McIntyre tells us there is still good fishing off the east side. The weather he says is starting to behave after some tough conditions last week. Like last year at about this time, the fishing has been good out on “The Highway” offshore from McPherson Point and as far north as Langara Rocks, with decent numbers of chinook salmon in the 15-25-pound range. Just yesterday, Todd put in a guiding shift for long-time guests and friends Richard and Christina Masef, highlighted by a 28-pound chinook for Christina. Way to keep that line tight Christina! The North Island gang said it was a pleasure having you back and hope you both had a blast.

Christina and Richard Masef with a 28 lb chinook.Here is the rundown of recent highlights at Langara Island:Cotter Friess- 37 lb Tyee (released)Toby Mallinder - 31 lb Tyee (released)Kim Scoville - 31 Tyee (released)Bryan Anderson - 30 TyeeGabe Losey - 30 Tyee

Kim Scoville and guide Jacob Brunelle with a 31 lb released tyee!Sadly, the season is now coming to a close at The Outpost, but be sure give Lodge Manager Jordan Knight's latest report a read.

Outpost guest Conor Sheridan with a 31 lb tyee guided by Carl Archibald.This Saturday night the 11^th annual Fishing For Kids Tournament kicks off with the pre-tournament reception at Reflections Lounge in the fabulous Rosewood Hotel Georgia, featuring pre-tournament live auctions with all proceeds going to the Canucks Autism Network, and an exclusive performance by Vancouver’s own Juno Award winners, 54-40. Should be big fun!Until next week friends, stay safe and well.Tight Lines!