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

Sept.26 Port Renfrew Fishing Report & Notice

Port Renfrew Marina is seeing slower fishing than expected for this time of year although it is slowly improving. Chinooks have all but past but there are a few around and the Coho haven't showed up in any numbers yet.

Large seas have kept fisherman from Swiftsure so we have no reports on Coho numbers out there or where the Halibut are in any numbers. The fish were there for ones with strong stomachs and a boat big enough to handle the large swells. In the last few days the seas have calmed down considerably so hopefully fishing will improve in that area.

Photos are Martin Hill (upper right) with his 44.5 pound Spring and Kyle & Angie Hughes (below) with their 40 pound Spring

Unfortunately rain is forecast the next few days and through the weekend. This may bring the Coho in to the beach but the fisherman warm and dry at home. Although with the Coho Derby planned for this weekend the lure of winning a very large amount of money will most likely bring them out in big numbers! Last years winner got $13,880.00 for the largest Coho weighing in at 22.52 pounds.

Remember to play it safe this time of year! Be sure your boat

is sea worthy and you are prepared for possible rough seas.

Dates to remember: Port Renfrew's 5th annual Coho Derby is this coming weekend, Sept. 29th & 30th. Entry is still $20.00, winner take all.

Port Renfrew Marina will be closing for the season On Oct. 14th, please remember to come get your boat, unit and close your account with us until next year.

Please Note: For those of you who are heading in via Lake Cowichan Highway please be advised that the Harris Creek bridge is being worked on and is open only between noon and 1 pm and then after 4:00pm , September 26-27 and 28th.

Fish of notable size in the past weeks:

Blair Houdayer 31 Hugh Hamer 35

Trudy Ammann 32 Shawn Kent 32

Hugh & Angie Hughes 40 Trudy Ammann 4o

Jack Cotterill 40 Wilson Taylor 40

Bud & Rex

Sept. 14, 2007 Port Renfrew Marina Fishing Report

Port Renfrew Marina fishing is in it's transition phase right now. The last of the Chinook are passing by and the Coho are still mainly off shore. There are still some chrome-bright big springs showing up, with limit catches for those with the stick and stay plan. Camper and East Point are producing for those willing to put in the time. Come get your fishing time in before the marina closes for the season! Closure this year is Oct.14th, please make arrangements to have your boats and rigs out on time.

Off shore Halibut fishing is still FANTASTIC! Try some of the old spots like the 170, Face, the Well, etc. They haven't had any pressure for a month or so.

Coho on Swiftsure Bank is Crazy!! Acres of them! Find the birds and krill and the Coho are there. Coyote's in bright yellow and strip work best by most accounts. Bring your trout and fly gear!

Just a reminder: A small informal Coho Derby is this coming weekend Sept.22nd & 23rd put on by Clint Groen for firefighters burn unit. A great event to support!
The Coho Derby is Sept.29th & 30th and the entry fee is $20.00.

Fish of notable size caught in the last week or so:
Mark Stewart 38
No Banana's 37
Ian Bateson 38
Brett Mcknight 38
Tim Hoohey 40.5
Fritz Hollenbach 35
Heavy Hauler Charters 40.5
Hindsight Charters 43.5
Don Soderquist 41.5
Bob Parker 40
Ken Gillard 44
Nick Tzonev 54 This Spring is in the lead at Island Outfitters for the biggest Spring of the year, we'll see if it holds!

Sorry, no pictures available as yet!

Bud & Rex