Ebb & Flow Week 3 | June 27, 2019

June is Jumping!

By Deepwater DonGreetings friends from the fireplace lounge at The Clubhouse on world-famous Langara Island. It’s only week three and already 42 tyees have been recorded for guests of The West Coast Fishing Club. That number excludes me, but it matters not. My fishing partner and I have just wrapped up a four-day self-guided mission in which we caught and carefully released scads of chinook and coho salmon.

A serene Coho Point captured by Clubhouse guest, Karen Delaney-Wolverton. See her impressive catch below!

Karen Delaney-Wolverton with an almost tyee, 29.5 lbs guided by Jona Diening-Verge.And even though we couldn’t match the average weights of the guided boats, we had the time of our lives. I am fishing with my brother-in-law, Scott Brown, and we are both now of an age that we appreciate more than ever the simple things of life, the good people in it, and the many wonders of the natural world. And there is much to appreciate on all three counts here at The Clubhouse and in the marine wilderness of Haida Gwaii.Our self-guided colleagues have also fared extremely well both on the water and in the lodge, but once again there is ample evidence to prove that if size matter more than numbers, then guided fishing is what you want to do. Every single one of the 11 tyees recorded by guests of The Clubhouse on this trip have been on guided boats. Paulo Pessoa is hands-down the player-of-the-week with a hat trick, including a new season-high 50 caught shallow at Cohoe Point on a weighted rod under the guiding of Korey Fletcher. Korey also hunted down a 34 and a 32 for Paulo, who I am pleased to report is a true sportsman, opting to let all three fish continue their natal journey.

Guide Korey and Paulo Pessoa with the season's top chinook - 50lb released tyee.Jerry Cochrum recorded a 43 - the third best fish of the season for The Club – off Langara Rocks on day three with the help of guide Andrew Griffiths. Todd Stanberry and Phillip Lombard each caught 35’s with the help, respectively of Owen Drysdale and Evan Minigan. Phillip proceeded to catch a second 35-pound tyee that very same day, which was also released. Add to that a 33 for Tom Shaw, and a 32 and 31 for Bryan MacNeil under the guidance of Brent Gallacher. Great work gentlemen on both the catches and the releases. Carol Webb also deserves a mention for coaxing a 200-pound halibut off the ocean floor west of Lacey Rock, with the help of guide Tucker Marshall.

Guide Andrew Griffiths and a 43lb released tyee angled by Jeff Cochrum.

Evan Minigan & Phillip Lombard with one of two 35lb released tyees caught on Phillip's trip.

Evan Minigan with Phillip Lombard's 2nd 35lb tyee of the trip!

Phillip preparing to release his beautiful catch. Congratulations Phillip! Highlights of the previous trip include a released 31.5 for Richard McLean and an even 30 for Alan Smith. The Outpost has also reported superb fishing of late. Luiz Martinez Fernando Hinsen topped the leaderboard on the most recent trip with a released 39, followed by a double for Kevin Foreman with tyees of 36 and 31 pounds, both released.

Outpost guest, Kevin Shoreman with a released 31lb tyee guided by Scott Beckett.

Scott Beckett releasing Kevin's tyee. Overall, the number of tyees released so far this season at all three lodges indicates that guests embrace the conservation-minded philosophy of The West Coast Fishing Club, as does the high participation rates on the 50-50 raffle in support of the Friends of the Yakoun River Society. Thank you one and all for your shared concern for the future of wild Pacific salmon.

Guide Brady Steffenson releasing his guest's 29.5 lb chinook. Last thing friends, a couple of hours ago I had the pleasure of meeting Anita Smurthwaite and her friend Eullen Elizondo. They are guests at North Island Lodge, where their husbands, Bob Smurthwaite and Fernando Chavarria have fished together for the last 16 consecutive years. North Island Lodge manager Todd McIntyre kindly arranged for the ladies to be transported over to The Clubhouse for massage treatments courtesy of therapist extraordinaire Charlene Fritz. They also savoured a bottle of Moet on the upper deck while taking in the captivating seascapes of Parry Pass and the coast of Graham Island. Now there are two people who really get this place and the simple, good and wonderous things it offers. I thoroughly enjoyed chatting with them and hope to see them again here in mystical Haida Gwaii.

The stunning seascapes of Parry Pass.

North Island Lodge guide Bryce Belyea and Brian Plumb with a 32 lb catch! Stay tuned for more reports and updates from North island Lodge and The Outpost. For now, believe me friends, it has been a really great start to the season. And, as always, the staff teams are finely tuned and are delivering the trademark service for which The Club has long been famous. It is truly a special place to be.Until next week, stay safe and well.Tight Lines!Deepwater Don