July 27th, 2010
Port Renfrew Marina Chinook fishing in July has been very hit and miss along the shoreline so far. Since the last report fishing has improved though only for some boats. While we are hearing of two days of fishing without a salmon other fisherman are hitting the docks regularly with limit catches up to 35 pound salmon. It is proving to be a frustrating experience for some and even for the more experienced fisherman that know the area well. Fishing further to the west on the high tides is most productive. Favorite teaser heads have been green glow and puple chrome and the UV ones are always popular.
Salmon, both springs and Coho and halibut fishing offshore is on fire as it should be this time of year. Fishing shallow in the early morning to as deep as 140 feet later in the day. Spoons, plugs and hoochies are all working well.
Crabbing is still going very well for this late in the summer. Catches are coming in with many big, hard shelled and full crab.
Offshore fisherman should note! The seas on the ebb currents are very dangerous and have been for almost 2 weeks now. The guides report that it is some of the worst and treacherous conditions they have dealt with in recent memory. Use extreme caution until things settle down.
Notable catches:
- Dave Mills 35.5 35.5
- Phil Rankine 32
- Chad Hughes 33
- Greg Cretin 33
- No Bananas Charters 31
- Jolly Rogers Fishing Adventures 30 32 33
- Marion Randall 32
- Terry Valley 51.5
Many of you may be wondering about the anchovie situation as most places in the lower mainland and Vancouver Island have been out and not clear on when there may be more available. At Port Renfrew Marina we do have anchovies (5 1/2 inch). So far they are only available for guests staying at themarina. Medium herring is also working in place of anchovy. If supplies come through soon then it will be open to the public with no restrictions on quantity. Please call the marina 250 483-1878 if you would like to inquire as to the status.
A final reminder of the upcoming Davey Derby that is on this weekend at the marina. It starts Fri and finishes Sun. For details go to www.daveyderby.ca . This derby is wonderful, great prizes and all proceeds go to charity. This year there is entertainment.
Upcoming events:
- Labor Day Derby. Sept. 4th and 5th
- Coho Derby. Oct. 2nd and 3rd
- Port Renfrew Marina closes. Oct. 10th
Bud & Rex
July 18th, 2010
Port Renfrew Marina fishing has been slow for the past week. A large storm on Monday and Tuesday of last week and almost 0 foot tides in the morning didn’t help the catches at all. Along the inshore coast the fish coming in were caught later in the day on a flooding tide.
Offshore the salmon fsihing for both Chinook abd Coho has been very good but the sea conditions have been terrible with some long time guides commenting on it being “the worst they’ve seen.” Conditions will be good this week with calmer seas and much better tides. We have seen improvement already with the fishing picking up on Friday.
Halibut fishing is still very good with drifting at various locations being productive for bigger than average catches. Crabbing is remaing good for this late date, a nice bonus for this season.
Notable catches:
- Ken Gillard 30 30
- David Cowie 36
- Marion Randall 32
- Tony Hodgson 34
- Harvey Wood 100 halibut
Please note: It has come to our attention that our website is not coming up regularly on Google. We are unaware of why this is happening and are looking into it. If you are reading this report then you have overcome this problem or had our site in favorites but if you run across anyone saying our site isn’t there please let them know that it is likely to be reached if you type in the site name www.portrenfrewmarina.com in the top tool bar in Google and not in the main center bar.
Bud & Rex
July 9th, 2010
Port Renfrew Marina salmon fishing is still going stronger than most Vancouver Island spots. Fishing on the beach continues to give up some big ones. Manny Gavin weighed in a 44 pound spring and there are many hitting the docks in the 20 to 30 pound range. Anchovies (if you can get them) as well as green white hoochies and “baitrix” lures are working well. The baitrix is a relatively new imitation anchovy and has had very good comments. (We have them in stock at the office.) With extreme tides this coming week first light and high slack will be the better times for catching those elusive springs. Both Camper Creek and Logan are areas showing the best results.
Notable catches:
- Shemel Gillard 30
- Joe Serpa 32 40 32
- Joe Maurer 32
- Ken Gillard 33 40
- Ray Hamelton 35
- Manny Gavlin 44
- No Bananas Charters 56 (photo below)
Swiftsure Bank: the salmon have arrived off shore right on schedule. Plugs and hoochies fished deep (180′) will get you fish. Hatchery Coho have showed up in some numbers also.
Halibut catches continue to be very good and now drifting or backtrolling will put fish in the boat. Herring and “gulp” are working well at the NE corner and the 170′ hot spots. Crabbing is slowing down as is usual for this time of year but they are still around if you are persistent.
Notable catches:
There is a story behind the catch of Steve French’s 176 pound Halibut. He was out fishing the day before andthe rod holder broke and the halibut rod went overboard and was lost. The next day he was out again in the same spot and when 3 lines got tangled, they reeled them in and hooked on the three was the rod he had lost the day before! Since it was the only one not tangled up they rigged it and that is the one that caught the 176 ! What are the odds??
If you have caught a spring over 30 pounds and would like it posted and we don’t have a picture of it, check at the office for an email address to send it to us and we will post them.
Important Dates:
- Davey Derby July 31st & Aug.1st
- PRM Labor Day Derby Sept.4th & 5th
- PRM Coho Derby Oct. 2nd & 3rd. (tentative)
Bud & Rex
July 2nd, 2010
Port Renfrew Marina is seeing fishing continue to improve on a daily basis. Unbelievably calm seas have allowed all size boats to get to the fishing spots. Fishing farther west from Camper Creek has started to light up, early mornings or on the high slack tides are best. Offshore salmon fishing for Chinnok and hatchery Coho is getting better and better with hoochies and spoons working best. Anchovies in the 10 pack are doing well.
Notable catches:
- Graham Smith 42
- Ian Batty twins 29 & 29
- Eric Eckdahl 33.5 29 27
- Brian Dice 32
- Steve Holgate 36 24
- Blair Houdayer 37
- Ken Beachum 31
- Wayne & Judy Schiffner 34 32
Halibut catches continue to be strong and with the weather being so perfect all spots have been accessed with great results.
Notable catches:
Important Dates:
- The Davey Derby is coming up on the August long weekend. July31 st to Aug.1 st. This is a favorite of many, named after a great family man who passed away a few years ago and carried on since. There are great prizes and all proceeds go to a variety of very good charities. This year there will be entertainment. Tickets are $45.00 a rod and available at Port Renfrew Marina.
- The Port Renfrew Marina Labor Day Derby is on Sept.4th and 5th. This derby is a fundraiser for the local San Juan Hatchery. All proceeds go to help maintain this hatchery that is all but forgotten by the government. There is a dinner, beverages, t-shirt and live band all for $50.00 a rod and will be sold at the marina soon. If you or a business you know would be interested in making a donation for this derby please contact us at the office, call or e-mail us with your suggestions.
- Port Renfrew Marina’s Coho Derby “winner take all” is tentatively scheduled for Oct. 2nd and 3 rd.
We are happy to announce that the pay phone appears to be working and hopefully will stay that way! Our ATM is working fine this year and is for customers convenience when they arrive and don’t realize we only do cash sales.
Bud & Rex
June 24th, 2010
Chinook fishing seems a little hot and cold right now except for the cut pluggers who are doing well everyday. For the trollers the bites seem to be very short, sometimes only 20 minutes long. First light seems to always be the best time. Small anchovies and needle fish hoochies behind UV flashers are working best.
Notable spring catches:
Halibut fishing remains very strong and with calm seas it can be a city of anchored boats at the hot spots to the west. Mackerel and herring are the choice of bait right now. Most halibut are in the 20 to 40 pound range though there are still some barndoors.
Notable halibut catches:
An update on the pay phone: It seems that we no sooner say it’s working than it breaks down, we want to apologize to our customers for the inconvenience of it’s ongoing problems. We sincerely want to thank Andrew Hoffman who has spent countless hours and phone calls trying to resolve the problem. Without his help we would have been lost! It appears it is working and the problem has likely been resolved. Fingers crossed!
The Davey Derby will the August long weekend this year. There will be entertainment this year. The proceeds from this derby go to an assortment of charities. The Port Renfrew Labor Day Derby will be Sept. 4th and 5th this year. The proceeds from this one will go the local hatchery as usual.
A reminder: Port Renfrew Marina only deals in cash so please for those of you who are unaware of this come prepared. We do have an ATM machine.
Bud & Rex
June 11th, 2010
Chris and friends enjoy a great day with Seawind Fishing Charters
Chinook fishing remains very good with most in the 12 to 20 pound range. Fishing further west than the usual spots is best right now as there is a needlefish hatch happening in the sandy flats. Spoons and hoochies in the whites on greens are working very well.
Halibut continue to hit the docks in good numbers with at least 1 barndoor a day hanging on the scales. Any bump in the contour lines in about 200 feet of water seems to hold fish. Bait is out-fishing plastic right now. Notable catches go to John Rogers of Jolly Rogers Fishing Adventures with a great catch of halibut and springs. The biggest halibut weighing in at 62 pounds and to Steve French of Seawind Fishing Adventures with also a great catch of halibut and springs with the biggest halibut weighing 92 pounds.
Crabbing is still excellent and should be for the rest of June, possibly later.
Ken and crew with Jolly Rogers
As was mentioned in the last report we have come to realize we lost our toll free number without our knowledge. At this time we are not reinstating it as we are making possible changes to our system. We apologize for any inconvenience to our customers.
We are in the process of making a few new fingers on the docks. We have also had Knut making more picnic tables so if you are in need of one for your site, let us know.
There will be a guide meeting with DFO Friday, June 18th at 6:30 at the longhouse. All guides with Port Renfrew Marina are asked to attend for new information.
Bud & Rex
June 4th, 2010
Port Renfrew Marina has seen a fairly steady result for fishing in the last couple weeks. Halibut fishing is still good with many coming in. It still isn’t necessary to go out to Swiftsure bank which given weather conditions is just as well. Most are being caught from Camper Creek to Carmanah. Crabbing is still going strong, hard shells, sweet and in large numbers.
Chinooks are coming in at a nice rate. They are still in the teens for the most part with the odd one in the 20’s. A notable catch goes to Nathan Van Weiren bringing in a 39 pound spring last weekend. Unpredictable weather with strong winds, heavy rains and cold spells have made fishing more challenging, therefore less fisherman going out and so less fish coming in. Here’s hoping the weather settles down soon with calm seas and less swells and maybe a bit of warm sun.
It has come to our attention that our toll free number is not working. We apologize for the inconvenience and are trying to get it up and running. It should be in effect in a few days and will be posted as we will have a new number. Also the pay phone we thought was repaired is working but not very well. It seems to be plagued with problems. We are also working to see if it can be resolved. The good news is our ATM is working and we think will be fine this year. To people who are first time visitors at Port Renfrew Marina we only take cash and not credit cards or debit, so please come prepared.
Bud & Rex
May 28th, 2010
Port Renfrew Marina fishing has been picking up every week. Weather conditions make it hard to predict what it will be like each day. Halibut fishing has been very good with most fisherman bringing in their catch from anywhere near Camper Creek to Carmanah. Crabbing is still excellent.
Chinook fishing is slower but not surprising for this time of year. Still mostly feeder springs with some reaching in the 20’s with most fisherman using anchovy and hoochies right now. A notable catch goes to Wally Browse with a 32 pound spring and a 15 and 20.
To all our past seasonal customers, if you haven’t confirmed with us by now that you are returning your spot is no longer saved. If you are coming back we will do our best to find you a suitable spot.
Bud & Rex
May 21st, 2010
With the long weekend already upon us Port Renfrew Marina is starting to be an active place for fishing. For the past three weeks we have had all kinds of weather, from cold hard winds, heavy rain to light mist, full sun and very calm seas. In that time the marina has had great fishing results for halibut. Desi Hatchard of Vicious Fish Charters gets recognition for catching the first halibut over a 100 pounds two weeks ago and then last week a 110 pounder and many other mid size ones. (see picture in last report)
Crabbing is amazing. They are large, hard shelled, sweet and in huge numbers.
Salmon fishing is on the rise. At Port Renfrew Marina we saw many springs come in around the 10 to 15 pound range and Sandy Fisher brought a 33 pounder in last week.
If you are a past seasonal please contact us as soon as possible regarding your site and moorage to see if it is still available. Spots are going fast.
Good news, the ATM is still working and it appears it will be fine this year. The pay phone is being repaired and should be up and running soon.
Port Renfrew Marina now has bait, tackle, ice, gas and diesel if anyone out there is unsure.
Bud & Rex
May 14th, 2010
First 100 lb halibut of 2010
At Port Renfrew Marina the fishing for halibut remains very good. Each boat returns with their catch limit, weather permitting, although recently the waters have been calm. We have been lucky with warm blue skies and little or no swells and people are taking advantage of it while it lasts. On the whole the fishing is quiet given the numbers of fisherman out there as it is still early in the season. Crabbing remains excellent! The crab are big and so sweet. Getting your limit is a daily occurrence. If you are looking for springs there are a few out there, mostly feeders in the 10 pound range. Congratulations go to Desi Hatchard of Vicious Fish Charters for catching the first 100 pound halibut this year.
It is now past the date for past customers to confirm their stay. If you are returning, we recommend you contact us if you have not already before you risk losing your spot. We can no longer guarantee it for you.
Port Renfrew Marina now has fuel, ice, bait, tackle and fishing licenses. The ATM is working and we seem to have beat the problems we were having with it last year. Unfortunately the pay phone died during a power outage we had in the winter and we are looking into having it repaired or replaced.
All of us at Port Renfrew Marina look forward to seeing everyone again and wish all a great season.
Bud & Rex
