Ebb & Flow Week 14 | August 31, 2018

"It's Not Over Yet!!!"

By Deepwater DonWhile many anglers and lodges are stowing their gear for the winter, the action is heating up in a big way up at The Clubhouse. And that’s just the way it should be. Summer isn’t over friends; it just isn’t. Let me count the ways.Earlier this week saw just 44 anglers combine their generosity and fishing skills to raise a cool million dollars for the Canucks Autism Network (CAN). You read that right - 44 anglers, a million bucks and all in just three days! This (hitting the million-dollar mark) has only been done two other times in the 13-year history of the annual Fishing For Kids tournament, which went August 26-29 at The Clubhouse.

The 2018 Fishing For Kids Tournament. There were a lot of new faces at FFK this year as well as many longtime participants. This year’s champion child was Andrew McCormick, who had a whale of a time with FIN, the Vancouver Canucks mascot, along with his dad, Lee McCormick, and mom, Tina Chiao. Andrew also had the opportunity to find out what it feels like to have a wild chinook salmon on the line, thanks in large part to the expertise of guide Robin Leakey.

The Champion Child Family and FIN having a great time on the water.

Lee McCormick, guide Robin Leakey, Champion Child Andrew McCormick, FIN and Tina Chiao with Andrew’s catch.And when it was all over, the victory cheque for $200,000 went to Canucks assistant coach Nolan Baumgartner for the top fish which weighed in (measured and released actually) at just an ounce or two under 31 pounds, caught off Cohoe Point. Gentleman that he is, Nolan adhered to tournament tradition and released the cheque back to the Canucks Autism Network. Hey that’s two classy releases - nice work Nolan!

Blake & Travis Green, guide Korey and FFK 1st place winner Nolan Baumgartner with his 30.76 lb chinook.

Congratulations to Nolan Baumgartner for the top fish of the tournament. Also, a big thank you for donating the cheque back to the Canucks Autism Network. Kit McLean’s 28.5 pound model was good enough for second place while Brent Thompson took third spot with a fish just under 28 pounds. Meanwhile in the Coho Pool, first place went to Sonny Allen with a 13 followed by Mike Allen (11) and Doug Perks (8). All runner-up prizes were similarly turned back to support CAN and, in turn, families living with autism throughout the province. Meanwhile, North Island Lodge, which hosted FFK sponsors and support staff, ran a friendly sponsor derby which was won by Mark Van Aken with a 31, followed by Julie Catling with a 30. Hats off to all participants, sponsors and organizers for continuing to support the nation’s most prestigious and benevolent sport fishing tournament.

2nd place fish - Kit McLean's 28.51 lb chinook! Guide Owen Drysdale and Jim Cox.

Third place finisher, Brent Thompson with his 27.77 lb chinook caught and released at Bowel.The east side in general, and Cohoe Point in particular, have seen the bulk of the action recently. Just ask Greg Garske and his daughter Mckenna who grabbed 32 and 31-pound tyees, respectively, on shallow trolls in that hallowed spot just a couple of days ago. Dana Michels didn’t quite earn a tyee pin but had a pretty good day this week too, fishing with Screamer off Cohoe and landing a beautiful 29 as well as a 15-pound coho. Guides are now targeting chinook primarily, although the coho are still out there a bit more offshore. Last week saw similar action with the top anglers being Eric Hollekim and Dave Hildebrand each picking up 32-pound specimens and John Mark Hanson with a 31.

Mckenna Garske and her 31 lb tyee, caught and released off Cohoe Point. Guided by Mike Tonessen "Screamer".

Lindsay Garske starting the trip off right with a 27 lb chinook.

Dana Michels with a nice 15 lb northern coho.North Island Lodge and The Outpost have now closed for the year, but the final guests of the season at the Outpost wrapped up the season with a flourish. Lots of fish in the waters around Port Louis leading up to the August 23 close. A gang of friendly regulars from Prince Rupert Grain, led by Dan Lorette, made their annual foray to these mystical waters and reportedly had lots of fun having a friendly derby. They did business with a lot of fish, including a whole bunch in the mid-twenties which is enough to make anyone grin. The last trip of the season saw the Ruifing group back for a similar fun-filled week during which David Kong caught the last tyee of the season down that way, a 32 under the guiding of Andy Hislop. Stir in a few northern cohos in the 16 and 17-pound range and some more turkey-sized halibut and you can see why this was a great finish for staff and guests at The Outpost.

Ben Soucy with a nice mid-twenties.

Brian Olsen and Richard Forsell with their catch.

The Outpost staff celebrating another great season in Port Louis.The next (and final) two weeks of the season will surely go down in The Club’s history as a September to remember. The reason is that it’s time to officially celebrate the 30^th anniversary season of The West Coast Fishing Club, which can be traced back to the late 1980’s when co-founder Rick Grange first fixed his gaze on the seascapes around Langara Island, and netted a 52-pound tyee within minutes of dropping lines. Since that time, he and business partner Brian Legge have slowly revolutionized the entire salt-water industry in BC by offering escalating levels of service, amenities and special events.

Construction of The Clubhouse back in the 90's.

Present-day Clubhouse. And so with that in mind, The Clubhouse is currently hosting a full house, including many long-time guests, who are enjoying late-season fishing with promising weather in the forecast, complimentary spa treatments and live music. This week it’s Ruckus Deluxe, a talented twosome well-known in the pubs and patios of Whistler, cranking out the tunes in the fireplace lounge. Sunday sees The Clubhouse debut of Kenny Blues Boss Wayne, one of the world’s finest blues and boogie-woogie piano masters and singers. Mark LaFrance and Mick Dalla-Vee of the Randy Bachman Band will hold forth September 6-9 and then The Dock Rockers, The Club’s own house band, will kick out the jams nightly September 9-12 to put a period mark on the 2018 season.Because it’s like I said friends. Summer isn’t over. It isn’t. It just isn’t!Until next week, stay safe and well.Tight Lines!

HONOURABLE TYEE CLUB MEMBER NOTICEChris Spafford would like to announce a new tyee club member from his August 9-12 trip to The Clubhouse this season, Brant Ince.

“While this picture does not depict the monster, 30.000001 lb tyee that Mr. Ince masterfully angled into the boat, we have it on good authority that it is an accurate recreation. Note that nothing can stand between a man and his Kokanee. Special assists to Dr. Gill Kirkpatrick (who had to perform CPR on Mr. Ince post the epic battle) and Korey, who we all know did 150% of the actual work.” - Chris Spafford