May 6th Port Renfrew Marina Report

Port Renfrew Marina is now open! Things have been very busy with people moving their units in for the season. Power sites are getting in short supply except for a few on the asphalt side.We have been busy also, cleaning up the area and getting things ready for business. We have just last weekend finished 120 feet of new dock space. We have also cleared a big area for parking boat trailers and are hoping this will give us more space available for parking and possible space for more units. We are also in the stages of building some new picnic tables which have been in chronically short supply. We still recommend that if you are coming camping to bring a table with you. If you were a seasonal customer and haven't contacted us yet as to whether you are going seasonal you must do so ASAP as sites are going fast.

Halibut fishing is average with most of the fish in the 30 to 50 pound range. Weather of course, is a major concern this early in the season. Once the barn doors start showing up the boats will be heading out in large numbers.

No Chinooks as yet but no one is trying for them this early, the focus is Halibut and crab. The crabbing continues to be excellent and as always so sweet. This should continue until late June so enjoy it while it lasts!

Wanted: Port Renfrew Marina is still looking for gas boys for the summer. If you know of anyone who is interested in having a summer job and making some money please let us know. We need someone strong to pump gas for the boats and cars. This job would usually start around 1 or 2 in the afternoon until about 6. This could also entail cutting grass and just general help around the marina.

Port Renfrew Marina did post on the site that we would no longer be selling wood but we have since found a source for bagged firewood that we will be selling. These are bags of around an arm load. You are still encouraged to bring firewood with you.

Wishing all our customers, old and new, a great summer fishing and good times at the marina. See you there!

Bud and Rex

April 14, 2008 Port Renfrew Marina Report

Port Renfrew Marina will be officially opening for business on May 1st. A reminder, if you are a past seasonal camper with us you must contact us by May. 1st to confirm your site or we will assume you are no longer needing it. We have been having many new inquiries lately so speak with us soon. You can e-mail us through the website or call 474-2643 or call Noel at 483-1486.

We will have fuel, bait and tackle available on our opening date. We will not be selling firewood this year so please keep that in mind and bring your own supply to enjoy your campfires. A new addition is a pay phone for customers convenience just outside the office and we are in the process of looking into having a ATM machine in the office for those customers that don't have cash.

This year Rex will be only working part of the summer so we will be having a new person helping out. Knutt, a previous employee of Bud's will be there to help with the office, gas, etc. We are lucky to have him as he is a great guy and we are sure the everyone who meets him will feel the same.

While it's early for fishing given the weather and sea conditions, crabbing has been reported to be pretty good. They are hard, sweet and fairly plentiful.

Wanted: Port Renfrew Marina is looking for gas boys to hire for the summer. If you know someone who loves the marina atmosphere and will be around for the summer and would like a summer job, let us know. It's a great opportunity for to be able to fish in the morning and then work a few hours in the afternoon.

Looking forward to seeing all our friends and customers in the new season.

Bud & Rex

March 18, 2008 Port Renfrew Marina Report

Greetings everyone:

For our regular and new customers, welcome to our 2008 season. With winter being officially over in 2 days Port Renfrew Marina will soon be into our spring opening of May 1st. If you were a seasonal camper last year please confirm your site for this year before May15th. by phone to Noel 483-1486 or Bud 474-2643 or by e-mail through this site. Failure to do this will mean we are to assume you no longer require your site.

If you are planning to be at the marina on Easter weekend the gate will be open but you must bring your own water, bait and fuel and as well be responsible for taking your garbage to the dump when you leave.

Please be advised that there is a heavy swell warning for this weekend so please be very careful!

Here is a copy of fisheries new ruling on fishing and retention of Halibut for this year for those of you that have not seen it.

RECREATIONAL - Fin Fish (Other than Salmon)
Fishery Notice - Fisheries and Oceans Canada Subject: FN0077-Halibut: All Tidal Waters -

Further to FN0044 - Changes to the Recreational Fishery Further to Fishery Notice FN0044:In order to manage within domestic halibut allocations, the following changes will be implemented in the 2008 recreational fishery:

Coastwide---------
March 1 to 31: Daily limit of one. Possession limit of 3.
April 1 to May 31: Daily limit of one. Possession limit of 2.
June 1 to Dec 31: Daily limit of two. Possession limit of 2.Areas 121, 23 and 123------------------

April 1 to Dec 31:

Oct.19th Port Renfrew Marina Report

Port Renfrew Marina is now closed (officially on Oct.14th) for the season. 2007 was a very good Chinook year in spite of the poor weather this summer. We had 57 Springs over 40 pounds, much improved over 2006 when we registered only 30 over 40 pounds.

Coho expectations were high this year. The Coho showed up at Swiftsure Bank in great numbers but unfortunately the expected peak run that would come to the beach got hit with extremely heavy rains and wind conditions that made fishing risky at best. 2007 will go down as only slightly better for Coho than the disappointing 2006 year.

Port Renfrew Marina operations for 2008 are expected to be pretty much the same as this year with the plan of more dock space and some much needed dredging.

Here are some pictures of just some of the wildlife that can be seen in Port Renfrew. Early in the year we start putting the fish carcasses on the far side of the beach and it is quite a spectacular show when the Bald Eagles show up with their young fledglings and teach them how to feed for themselves. Most days you can see up to 30 or more Eagles feeding. Later the bears show up and they feed for most of the summer fattening up on the fish scraps. Often there will be a mother with her cubs. All this can be seen right from the docks.

All of us at Port Renfrew Marina wish all the best for everyone, have a great winter and we look forward to seeing you next spring.

Please Note: If you still have your boat or unit to take home please make arrangements as soon as possible. To confirm sites or make arrangements for your stay next year please make sure you contact us by May 1st. 2008. The number for the marina again is 250 483-1878 or toll free 1 866 565-2354 or send an e-mail through Port Renfrew Marina's web site.

Bud & Rex

Port Renfrew Marina's Coho Derby

Port Renfrew Marina's 5th Coho Derby has come and gone for another year and what a weekend it was! With Coho fishing slowing down after the first big rush and the weather expected to not be the best, the turnout wasn't as many this year. Given these conditions there were still 490 tickets sold and and a spirit of excitement to be the hopeful winner. Fishing on Sat. was slow at best with a Southeast wind stopping fisherman getting to their secret spots. Some areas were so rough you couldn't stand up in your boat. Fishing by yourself was a real ordeal. Blair Davis and Gary Whittaker started by sharing first place at 14.7 pound Coho's. That held through the rainstorm on Saturday night and Sunday morning. Sunday morning also brought in another 14.7 by Larry Poggmueller. It was looking like a 3 way tie when with 20 minutes left to the 1:00 weigh in time Mark Kloss weighed in the winning Coho at 14.9 pounds for a $9800.00 purse. This would be the first year the winning Coho has been under 20 pounds.

Now we are all wondering, will the big Coho show up this year? Maybe, after this week of rain. There were reports of Coho out in the beach but few were willing to risk their boats for the catch with log debris and boats broken loose from the dock area down from Port Renfrew Marina. There were rumors that the San Juan log jam had broken loose but it was just damage and debris from the intense rain storm the night before. Many a boat needed bailing during Saturday night but luckily no boats in the marina suffered any damage.

Fishing for Springs has slowed down with a few big ones around. Gary Whittaker caught a 42 pound Spring and the Coho's are there in pockets to be found if you are willing to put in the time.

If you would like a fishing report please call the office at 483-1878 or toll free at 1 866 565-2354 and get the latest on the situation.

A Reminder: Port Renfrew Marina will be closing on October 14th. Please remember to pull your boat and unit out if not already done so or make arrangements for winter storage.

Bud & Rex