Weekly Fishing Reports

Ebb & Flow Week 1: June 3, 2015

June 3, 2015 | 5858 Views

By Deepwater Don

At the risk of being repetitious, I will say it again; June is not a shoulder season for Salmon fishing at Langara Island. Let me be more specific. Summer for your agent began just after noon June 1 at Andrews Point when my fishing partner and I had our first strikes of the season, resulting in a double header with a pair of twenty-something fish. Either as a result of early season jitters or just lousy luck, we lost both fish after about 10 minutes. But no matter. The adrenalin was flowing and we knew that there was more to come. As it turned out, much more for all of us who are up here for the first trips of the season at North Island Lodge and The Clubhouse.

According to long-time guests Bob McDonald and Peggy Zoro, opening day on May 31 for The Clubhouse gang was one of the most productive in the history of The West Coast Fishing Club, with all boats producing big numbers, all ranging from mid-teens to low twenties. The catch included a 58-pound Hali and an eight-pound Coho. But as day four of the 2015 season begins, there is a general feeling that it’s an any-minute kind of thing before somebody rings the bell on a tyee. In the meantime, the action has remained steady with the sole exception of a slow Tuesday morning on the east side and Boulder-Gunia, although North Island Lodge guest Dan Brion and his fishing partner bucked the trend at Lacy Island and released about 10 Chinook Salmon before checking back in for a hearty smoked beef brisket lunch courtesy of Ted Reader, who is here headlining the inaugural Ultimate Grill Showdown.

* Peggy Zoro and guide Owen, show off one of their many fish on the day.

Armed with that info, a few of us streaked out to Lacy for the afternoon shift and weren’t disappointed. Rods were bent and nets out on all sides of the rock. Yours truly picked up a 25 and a 20 for the dinner table back home. It was great fun to watch fellow North Island Lodge guests Ron Henze and Jay Ringrose having the time of their lives at Lacy too. Just last week Jay said goodbye to a 35-year career with the RCMP and rewarded himself with his first-ever trip to this amazing part of the world. I suspect he’ll be back.

* Ken Ohlson and Ron Henze enjoy a smoked brisket sandwich and good cold beer.

In just over 48 hours-time, the helicopters will shuttle the first guests of 2015 to The Outpost down at Port Louis, where general manager Jordan Knight and his team are making final preparations. No intel yet on what the fishing is like in that region, but it’s hard to imagine it being any different than what we’re seeing here. Meanwhile it’s the final day of the Short Notice Club Derby over at The Clubhouse, where the current leader is Richard Graham with a fish just under 25 pounds. But it’s anybody’s game with a full day remaining.

* Smiles all around as Ted Reader and Christian Pritchard took a break from the grill to get in on the action!.

Last thing friends, although the late Walter Pelliccia’s presence is sorely missed by all who knew him, the tribute being paid to him this week at the North Island Lodge couldn’t be more reverent – or delicious.  North Island Lodge’s new executive chef Liam Paul and his kitchen crew kicked it off in high gastronomic fashion on Monday, from the appetizers to desserts. Walter would have been pleased. We certainly were. Way to go Liam.

Ted Reader and Christian Pritchard took over yesterday on the barbecue front. The written word is inadequate to describe the results of their efforts. Forget any notion of simple barbecue fare; dinner last night was sophisticated and presented with flair and humour. Memphis Blues restaurant founder Park Heffelfinger (one of the nicest guys the North American continent has ever produced) was busy early this morning preparing today’s and tonight’s smoked offerings. By all accounts, another grand tradition has begun for The West Coast Fishing Club. Brilliant way to start the season at North Island Lodge, where everything is going smoothly, right down to the fresh flower arrangements at every table. Amazing.

That’s it for now friends. Signing off from the marine wilderness of Langara Island.

Tight lines!