At Port Renfrew Marina Sockeye fishing has sadly ended from what we can see. After waiting 8 years for an opportunity to fish for these beauties lots of anglers made the most of their brief appearance.
"Chicken Ranch" fishing is over for halibut and spring salmon for 2018. Coho are still out there in good numbers.
Chinook fishing remains strong along the beach and East Point or San Juan Point as some know it, with limit catches hitting the docks on a daily basis. Still most in the twenties.
Coho have started to show up with reports of good sized wild ones released. The bay opened Sept. 5th for retention of 2 wild and though it's a bit early they can be found.
Offshore Coho fishing is starting to heat up and will only get better the later in the month we get. Generally hoochies and spoons are what the Coho like.
Putting on a derby of this proportion can be a huge job but as usual we had a some dedicated helpers that we can count on and this year they came through again! We want to send out a big thanks to the people who helped collect donations which is a huge job and anyone who has done this will definitely agree. Thanks to Sharon Winters, Deb Gilmore, Brian Kitagawa, Vic Gee and Chris Clements.
For the derby we also want to thank the people who help with all the other many things needed doing such as selling raffle tickets, helping at the silent and live auctions, setting up and taking down tables, cleaning up and helping with getting the prizes set up. these people are Sharon Winters (my right hand girl!) Linda Holman, Diane Clarke, Judy DeFrane, Linda Bondu and Melanie Bingham, Marge & Steve Donaldson, Doug Mills, Mike Game, Dennis Summerhayes, Candace & Brian Kitagawa. Without these people helping the derby would never go as smoothly and we owe them a big thank you for taking time out of their day to help. Please forgive us if we forgot anyone and please let us know as everyone who helps deserves recognition.
Winners: Top three
Dustin Mayo: 29lb 13oz.
Clayton Wright: 27lb 13oz.
Dave mills: 27lb 7oz.
Woman's biggest fish and biggest for under 16:
Robin Dubay: 25lb 9oz.
Blake Voghell: 14lb 2oz.
Port Renfrew Marina's 21st annual Labor Day Derby was a huge success and fun was had by all. The dinner was great with the help of the Lake Cowichan Kinsmen and the dance as always was so popular and really fun. The band has added a sax player and new songs and everyone was dancing into the night. The weather held and it was just a great way to celebrate the summer ending. Every year we get told this was the best one yet and this year was no exception. Everyone commented on how well it went, how many prizes there were.
As mentioned there is a lot of businesses and individuals who donate to a derby to help for salmon enhancement and we want to thank and acknowledge these for their generous donations and a willingness to support this kind of cause. Below is the list of everyone and please if you stop by any of these places try and make a point of thanking them and also if given a choice of where to get a service or goods try to choose the businesses that supported the derby and believe in helping to save the salmon for us and future generations to enjoy.
Harbour Air, Alpine Marine, Islander Reels, Kelly Wagner of Gizmo's Computers, Island Outfitters, Tomi's Restaurant, Butler Bros, Chris Clement Construction, Port Renfrew General Store, Victoria Truss, Handsome Dans, Soule Creek Lodge, Sooke Legion Hall, Valley Floors, Central Is. Powerline, C.E.S. Gallery House, All Battery, Stillhead Distillery, Adrena Line, Nisers, Deans Marine, Willow Street Antiques, Tirecraft, Larry Green of DSS Welding, Bucky's, Joe Serpa, Lorelei Green, Chris Flint, Dennis Summerhayes, Merv Pywell, Barry Hobbis, Dave & Ruth Haddad, John Sheldrake, Hugh Hamer, Doug Mills, Bob Biggs, John Strolger, Marion & Howard Randall, Ian & Deb McGregor, Jim Hermanson of Great West Equipment, Silver Streak Boats, Greg's RV, Sooke Power Supply, Steve Holgate & Sure Span, A&W of Sooke and Lk. Cowichan, Lordco in Sidney, Buckerfields, Diamond Eye Care, E.C.S. Sleggs, Fields, Birks Intertruck, Select Mortgage, Redl, Sheringham Distillery, Bumper to Bumper, Princess Auto, Liqour Planet, Lakes Marine Supply, Milestones, Val Galvan, Wendy Palou, Lifetimer Boats, Tiptons, Riverside Cold Beer & Wine Store, Peninsula Coop, Shoppers Drug Mart-Sooke, Sooke Castle Pub, Lynn James, Glenwood Meats, Cineplex Theater, Ajac's Equipment, Parker Marine, Thai Pinto Restaurant, Bin 4, Turmeric Restaurant, Six Mile Pub, Superstore, Darcy's Pub, White Spot-Langford-Duncan, Browns Social House, Fountain Diner, Great Canadian Oil, Artisan's Well, Country Grocer, Irly Bird, Red Arrow, Red Rooster restaurant, Dog House Restaurant, I Max, Serious Coffee, 17 Mile Pub, Western Foods, Route 14, E-Fish-Ent, Sooke Brewing Co, Subway- Lk Cow, Hardie Honey, Romeos Pizza, Floyd's Diner, J&V Burgers & Pizza, Jakes on the Lake, ATP Bait & Tackle, Saltair Pub, Farmacy, Village Foods, Trailhead Resort, Scotty Plastics, Black Dragon Enterprises, Steve Lamont of Maple Bay Marina, Steve Freisen Meats, Eagle Eye Sports, Prestige Resort, Westcoast Tire, Fastenall, Trotac, Harbour Chandler, Gone Fishin', Monti's Boat Sales, Duncan Ironworks, Big Fish Lodge, Anglers Retreat, Northwest Aluminum, Fairway Markets, Sabhai Thai Restaurant, Boston Pizza, Westland Insurance, Home Hardware, Starbucks,Tim Hortons. Now, with a list this long it can happen that someone or a business has been missed, PLEASE let us know if someone was omitted as we want to give recognition to all who donated.
Monies Raised from Raffles:
Gift Basket: $1506.00
Bar Fridge w/ beer: $272.00
Magma Gass Grill: $470.00
Watercolor Painting: $200.00
Islander Reel: $2365.00
For a total amount of $4813.00
Live Auctions raised $1675.00 and silent auctions raised $2225.00. We still have two raffles to complete on Sept. 30th, they are a Lenovo 17.3" Laptop donated by Gizmo's Computers value, $699.00 and a Lowrance Hook 5 with GPS and Sonar and navigation map capabilities donated by Island Outfitters, value: $500.00. Tickets are $5.00 each or 3 for $10.00 and are available at Port Renfrew Marina. Once we have those completed and the monies brought in from the Coho derby we will be able to give a total amount being donated.
Upcoming Event: Coming very soon will be Port Renfrew Marina's annual Coho derby, "Winner Take All." This derby is going to be on Sept. 29th and 30th this year. A little earlier than usual but Thanksgiving is early this year so unfortunately we can not have it in Oct. This means that wild Coho will not be open outside the Bay but that shouldn't hold things up. Last year Coho were found in very shallow water at the river mouth. The tickets will be $25.00 a rod with $5.00 of each ticket going to salmon enhancement. Whoever catches the biggest Coho wins the cash pot which usually runs around $10,000.00 sometimes a bit less but most of the time, more. The winnings are dependent on the number of entrants. This is our most popular derby of all for it's simple set up and it's very reasonable cost. it is a hectic and wild 2 days but a lot of fun. Don't miss the chance to win a large pot of money and go home with Coho.
Important Info: Coming soon also is Port Renfrew Marina's closure for the season, this year we close on Oct.14th. This date is important for you to keep in mind if you are either needing storage for the winter or plan on taking your unit and or boat home. Please be sure to make arrangements before that date.
Bud & Rex
