Ebb & Flow Week 15 ~ September 1, 2017

First Woman Wins Our Fishing For Kids Tournament with a 40.43 Pound Chinook Salmon!

By Deepwater DonI've said it once and I'll say it again; women make better anglers. The reason is simply that they are inherently more patient. During slow periods, they are content to relax in the boat, breathe clean air and gaze peacefully as God’s great creatures cruise by. And when a fish finally strikes, they are frequently cool as cucumbers in the moments that follow, even when coaxing a large and aggressive fighter into the net.

Fishing For Kids Tournament winner Tanye Mahe and Paul Cheung with the winning 40.43 lb Chinook and guide Evan Minigan!So it was bound to happen, and it finally did. Earlier this week Tanya Mahe became the first woman to ever win The West Coast Fishing Club’s Fishing for Kids Tournament in the event’s 12 year history. That’s not all. It was her first-ever fishing experience too. Not only that but the 40.43 - pound chinook salmon that Tanya caught somewhere out on the east side earned her first place along with a $200,000 cheque, which she promptly returned to tournament organizers to add to $800,000 total raised for the Canucks Autism Network. Congratulations Tanya, and thank you for donating the spoils of victory to assist families living with autism throughout the province.

A nice release of this beautiful fish.
Congratulations are also an order to Fishing for Kids Vice President Courtney Hatfield, and also to members of her organizing committee and sponsors. And since we’re on the topic, it’s worth noting that Courtney is a superb example of woman as master angler. For many years she co-hosted her own fishing show on network television, and she has forgotten more than guys like me will ever know about matching wits with nature on the water. Watch for more news and a full report on this year's Fishing for Kids Tournament in the days to come.The action of late round Langara Island continues to be hit and miss, as it has frequently been this season. Some people hooked into lots of fish this past week, while others just didn't. Since all of The Club’s guides are seasoned experts you are always in the best of hands and as we all know it's called fishing not catching for a reason. Regardless there is never a bad day on the water in Haida Gwaii.

The weigh boat crew releasing a chinook.

Christian Aquilini with a fish on the line!

Support team staff on the weigh boat.Other highlights for the week include a 27-pound fish for Scott Lyons, who took second place in the FFK tourney, while a 22-pound version for James Monteith was good enough for third. There was a tie for first in the coho pool between Sean Salem and Glen Eastwood, with identical 12-pound silvers. A regular competitor, Sean is the gentlemanly proprietor of Le Vieux Pin and La Stella wineries in the south Okanagan, not to mention the sponsor of all of the featured wines poured at FFK tournaments over the years. Canuck legend Manny Malhotra tied Trenton Douglas for second place in the coho pool with 11-pounders. Current Canucks forward Sven Baertschi’s 10-pounder matched those of Julie Catling (way to go Julie; see paragraph one) and Harold Leishman to produce a three-way tie for third.

Maureen and Scott Lyons waiting on their next bite.

Manny Malhotra celebrating his latest catch.

Beautiful release shot by Jessica Haydahl Richardson.The good times rolled along as usual at North Island Lodge this week, starting the trip off with Adam Grieder catching a 28 pounder with guide D.J. on the first afternoon. Brandon Patitucci fishing for the first time in Haida Gwaii with his Dad, long time guest and passionate angler extraordinaire, Steve Patitucci, caught and released a 32 lb tyee. They were fishing off shore on the east side and Steve had a hunch that they should drop down deep sub 100 feet, which lead to his son catching a beautiful tyee. Lodge Manager Todd McIntyre and team soon prepare to depart Beale Cove on North Island Lodge's way to a dockside berth on the Vancouver side of the Fraser River for winter storage and refurbishment. Meanwhile at Port Louis, The Outpost is now in shut-down mode, but watch for a season wrap-up and photos from lodge manager Jordan Knight in the days ahead.

Father daughter duo, Brian and Chantelle Walker enjoying quality time on the water.This week The Clubhouse plays host to the inaugural event of The West Coast Fishing Club’s International Culinary Series. This year will feature the Central American flavours of top Panamanian chef Mario Castrellon, the Executive Chef and Owner of MAITO – one of Latin America’s Top 50 restaurants - who will provide food demos beginning this Monday morning when he leads guests through his own Salmon Ceviche recipe.

Chef Mario CastrellonAnd in just 10 more sleeps my favourite fishing partner and I will make out way back up to mystical Haida Gwaii to steal a few more days of summer in the marine wilderness, and to hear some great music too. The third annual End Of Season Party - or “the last blast at Perry Pass” - as some of us fondly call it, will again feature live music by The Dock Rockers, who have spent the better part of the summer touring and recording a new album with legendary Canadian guitarist and songwriter, Randy Bachman.

Dock Rockers bringing down the house at the 2016 End of Season Party.It’s the most remotely located dance party in the entire province, and it promises to be a good one.Until next week friends, stay safe and well.Tight Lines!

Another gorgeous sunset over Langara Island for the books.
*Photo Credit: Fishing For Kids Tournament photos by Jessica Haydahl-Richardson