Port Renfrew Marina Report Oct.16/13

The 2013 fishing season for Port Renfrew Marina is officially over.The season overall was a good one. Chinook catches were very good with more over 40 pound springs than the last two years. Coho fishing was the best in many years but was cut short by the heavier than usual rains in September. It really was too bad as it was shaping up to be the best one ever. Halibut was good as always with the "chicken ranch" giving up fish all summer long. Crabbing was disappointing this year with 3 commercial boats sitting out front, not leaving much for the sports fishermen. Closing up this year went well, with fantastic weather. A big thanks go out to Odd Johansen, Todd Garrett and Reid Warren for all their help with putting the docks away for the winter. We ask that anyone who has units or boats not arranged for storage to contact the caretaker, Desi Hatchard, for pickup. The gate is kept locked so you need to contact him for access. The number to reach him is 250 483-1486, the marina number will not be taking calls. Please be aware that if left, storage fees will apply. We also ask that anyone with an outstanding account send their payments as soon as possible so we can be prompt getting the marina shut down for the season. Any questions or concerns please email us at info@portrenfrewmarina.com.

For those of you who are already wondering when they can come back to fish, the marina will reopen on May 1st 2014. Any seasonal customers MUST contact us before May 10th if they want to keep their spots otherwise we will assume they are available. There is a high demand for sites so we can't leave them as an unknown.

All of us at the marina wish all our customers a safe and healthy winter and look forward to seeing you back next year. We also want to thank our customers for their loyalty and their efforts to support us by buying local and helping keep businesses in Port Renfrew doing well. We want all of you to know it does not go unnoticed and we are grateful. Here's to another year to come being even better than the last!

Bud & Rex

Port Renfrew Marina Report Oct.7/13

Port Renfrew Marina is reaching an end to the season for 2013. The springs have all but disappeared and gone up the rivers to spawn. Coho fishing was quite spectacular this year with hundreds of them just about everywhere at least until the extreme heavy rains we had the weekend before last. That four days of torrential rain pushed many of them up the rivers also. We estimate that there is a week or so left to get out there and catch the remaining few out there , weather permitting. Port Renfrew Marina held our annual Coho Derby "Winner Take All" this past weekend. We were very lucky to have excellent weather, with the rain holding off almost completely. Sunday in particular was a gorgeous day, a great way to end a fishing season. Although the weather was great Coho fishing was slow, it appears the Northern's haven't really started to show in any great numbers. All entrants were catching many shakers and most fish caught were in the low to mid teens.  To get a big one most anglers had to fish deep, the winning Coho was caught in 300 feet and many fishermen were fishing even deeper. When normally Coho time means you can fish with spoons, hoochies, apexs, etc the fish still seemed to biting on bait. This years derby went very well with 508 tickets sold.

Derby Results and Info:

Derby winner:  Brick and Rosie Betsworth with a 19 pound 12 ounce Coho. The total amount collected from ticket sales $12,700.00. The winning pot $10,160.00 and $2540.00 going to the local hatchery.

We apologize for the crazy way the pictures loaded but after trying many times for some reason they won't cooperate! Computers!!

IMPORTANT INFO:  On October 13th Port Renfrew Marina will be closing for the season. It is imperative that all boats be pulled from the water and removed from the marina unless storage arrangements have been made. Also all units must be removed unless being stored for the winter. You must contact us regarding storage asap to make arrangements. The number is 250 483-1878 This number will be in effect until October 14th, after that there will be no way to leave messages on this line. The caretaker, Desi Hatchard can be reached at 250 483-1486. You must contact him a couple days ahead if you plan on coming to the marina because the gate is kept locked.

Bud & Rex

Port Renfrew Marina Oct.2/13

Well, in spite of the biblical proportion rainfall at Port Renfrew Marina there are still lots of Coho around. From the river mouth out to the "can buoy" fishermen are catching them. The largest to date that we have seen was 17 pounds. Hatchery staff at the blocking fence report quite a few Coho in the 20 pound range and have estimated a couple in the low 30's! There are lots of fish in the river system and still lots to come. So, having said, that we are expecting and very hopeful of a great turnout of Coho for the annual Coho Derby "Winner Take All" that is happening this coming weekend. The weather should be ok, hearing a variety of reports from sunny and nice to wet and cloudy so it's anyone's guess but so far there are no indications of radical weather or heavy winds. Also there are no tidal issues for that weekend and none really for the remainder of our season. Tickets are available at the marina on the Friday and early Sat morning. They are $25.00 a rod with $5.00 of each ticket going to the hatchery. The derby time rules are Saturday dawn till 6:00 and on Sunday, dawn till 1:00. You must be on the dock with any fish you may have ready to be weighed in BEFORE 1:00 cutoff. Any arriving after that will not be weighed. The winner will be announced shortly after all weighins are done to finalize the weights. Please remember that we are a cash business so bring cash for your stay and tickets. We do have an ABM for your convenience. Don't worry if you arrive late and are concerned about space, we always fit everyone in that's entered in the derby.

ATTENTION: Anyone who may know Mark Harding who was the highest bidder for the 2014 Bite Me Derby tickets please have him contact us asap. 250 483-1878. If we do not hear from him by this weekend we will be auctioning them off to the highest bidder during the Coho Derby.

IMPORTANT:  Please be aware that Port Renfrew Marina will be closing the following weekend on October 13th. All boats must be out of the water and removed from the marina with any units unless storage arrangements have been made. If left then storage fees will apply. If you would like to arrange storage please see us in the office. We do have a caretaker, Desi Hatchard, who lives on site and keeps watch over all storage items. The gate is kept locked and if you require entrance in the marina after closing you must contact him so he can open the gate. His number is 250 483-1486. Storage is prepaid for the winter so please come prepared to do so.

Bud & Rex

Port Renfrew Marina Report Sept.26/13

For Port Renfrew Marina the 2013 Chinook fishery is now over. The recent rains have pushed them into the rivers. The hatchery staff are very pleased with the numbers and size of fish returning ti the river system. Coho fishing remains very strong but the weather seems to be a problem. Heavy rains have made the water dirty. Large swells make the river-mouth crossing dangerous and somewhat uncomfortable while out fishing.

On the good days hoochies in green, blue and yellow are all good and we have heard the watermelon apex is a hot lure.

Halibut fishing we think is still good to excellent but with the bad weather there has been no one targeting them lately. Fisheries has now stated that the halibut fishery is open until Dec. 31st.

Important News:  Port Renfrew Marina will be having it's annual Coho Derby "Winner Take All"  on October 5th and 6th a week from this weekend. Tickets are sold at the marina that weekend until early Sat. morning. They are $25.00 a rod with $5.00 of each ticket going to the hatchery. This derby is a very popular one with all anglers, it's simple and straight forward and everyone has the chance to win a large amount of money. Lets hope the weather is good for that weekend. PLEASE remember to bring cash as we don't take credit cards. Tickets are cash only.

VERY IMPORTANT NEWS:  Port Renfrew Marina will be closing on Oct. 13th this year. Please make sure you have made arrangements to take your boat out of the water and either take it home or put it in storage. Also all units must be removed or arranged for winter storage. If left, storage fees will be applied. Also we are asking that anyone with an account outstanding should come by and get their account updated. For those that have not done storage before we do have a caretaker, Desi Hatchard, on site for the winter and the gate is kept locked so if you do have storage set up you will need to contact the caretaker so he can let you in past the gate. The number to contact him is 250 483-1486.

Bud & Rex

Port Renfrew Marina Report Sept.13/13

For Port Renfrew Marina mid September Chinook fishing continues strong. Even though there us very little pressure, those targeting the springs are catching them in all the regular spots with water by Hammond Rocks giving up the bigger ones. With the predicted rain for the next week the Chinook may start their journey up the rivers. It will be a wait and see issue, if the rain isn't too hard we may have a better chance to catch a big one.  There are a few big whites showing. Halibut fishing on the anchor has turned on again. September is usually a very good month for the flatties. Salmon bellies and grubs have been working but spoons could be the ticket if the currant is running fairly fast.  Halibut fishing was extended until Sept.18th until further notice by the DFO. We haven't heard anything about any changes so far but check in at the office if you are unsure.

Coho fishing is fantastic! It is still early for the big Northerns a;though the odd 15 to 17 pounder has been weighed in. Off shore you will have to catch a lot of fish to get your hatcheries. Yellow or green hoochies, coyote spoons, Coho killers and tiny strip baitrix are all hot lures. Early day depths are 35 to 60 feet going deeper later in the day. Right now you are allowed 2 hatchery Coho and 2 wild IF they are caught inside the bay. Wild Coho opens outside the bay on Oct.1st.

If you see Coho jumping at the river mouth, give it a try in the very shallow water, 3 to 10 feet deep. Find and stay with the jumpers.

Notable catches:

• Jim Morris  30
• Ken Gillard  30

Port Renfrew Marina's annual Labor Day Derby has now passed and we are still waiting on a couple of payments for live auction items but the total tally is looking to be near $18,000.00. We will have a precise amount in a few days hopefully. What a great fundraiser, thanks go out to all who donated and participated to help out the local hatchery.  Maurice Trembley spoke at the derby and explained that a good portion of the money is going towards completing a blocking fence in the San Juan river.It is great to know that they use the money wisely!

Upcoming Event: So soon the annual Coho Derby will be happening. "The Winner Take All" derby is our most popular derby and this year is looking to be a banner year for Coho as there seems to be no lack of them around. The derby is October 5th and 6th so wild will be open outside the bay.  Hopefully the big Northerns will be here a plenty and some lucky person will catch one and win the pot! Again of the $25.00 a rod ticket $5.00 of each one will go to the hatchery. Please be advised: We are a cash business and you will need to bring cash with you to buy your tickets, etc.

Important News: On October 13th Port Renfrew Marina will be closing for the season. It is very important and the customers responsibility to know this date and that you come by on or before then and remove your boat and unit, otherwise storage fees will apply. If you would like to do storage please speak to someone in the office.

Bud & Rex