Port Renfrew Marina Report July 7/14

At Port Renfrew Marina the Chinook have arrived! It's been a wait but now there are lots of smiles in spite of the rain with lots of limit catches hitting the docks. Early morning till the evening, all day had good bite periods. Owen Point to the Rockpile was the place to be at first light, later in the day Cullite and Logan Creek came on. Best depths seem to be the 27 to 47 feet on the down-riggers. Anchovies or herring are definitely the bait of choice! No word yet from fisheries as to a Sockeye opening, our suspicions is that if they do open it, it will likely be in August but unfortunately we are usually given only a few hours notice. When we do hear we will try our best to let everyone know asap. Notable Catches:

•  Hugh Hamer   32
• Darren Keeler 38
• John Gordon 41  40 1/2
• Greg Wickland   31

The "chicken ranch" is still the place to be for quick catches of halibut and the teenager springs salmon. The action out there is very good. If the halibut slows there, a short move over to  bouy Julliet will produce fish.

Upcoming event:  This coming weekend Port Renfrew Marina will be having its first July Chinook Salmon Derby on July 12th and 13th. This derby is a simple affair with three top winners, first, second and third all cash prizes. The money won will be pending the amount of tickets sold and the winnings will be 50%, 30% and 20% respectively of winners. The tickets are $30.00 a rod with $5.00 of each ticket going to the hatchery. Tickets are available at the marina office or Eagle Eye Sports in Sooke and Wise-Buys Fishing Supplies in Colwood. There will also be a side bet that could prove interesting. If the two fish you weigh in total of say 37 pounds and the winning fish are all under that weight then you could be the winner of the side bet without even having a fish that qualifies for the top three weigh-ins. The weather is supposed to be great so come and enjoy a couple days fishing and maybe go home with money in your pocket. But as the saying goes, a bad days fishing is better than a good days work so how can you miss? A reminder; the marina is a cash business so please realize that we can not take credit cards for payments, please come prepared.

Port Renfrew Marina is raffling a Bradley Smoker and the winning ticket will also be drawn on July 13th after the derby is done. This a top quality smoker with 4 shelves and can smoke all your fish and meats, whatever you like to smoke. The smoker retails for $550.99 and tickets are $5.00 for one and 3 for $10.00.

Bud & Rex

Port Renfrew Marina Report July 4/14

For Port Renfrew Marina fishing has started picking up.  Chinook fishing is showing to be improving on a daily basis. Yesterday there was quite a few salmon brought to the docks including a 38 pounder, a 32 and today a 41. So it appears that the salmon are arriving. Pictures and more info in a report coming up in a few days.  

Port Renfrew Marina will be having the Chinook Salmon Derby this coming weekend after this one, on July 12th and 13th. The tickets are $30.00 a rod with $5.00 of each ticket going to the local hatchery to help support the growth and management of salmon in the northwest and Canada in general. Come and enjoy a couple days fishing and support a good cause at the same time. Check at the marina office, Eagle Eye Sports and Wise-Buys for details and tickets.

Bud &Rex

Port Renfrew Marina Report June 30/14

At Port Renfrew Marina and surrounding area the algae bloom for the last ten days or so has has slowed down the fishing badly. Zero visibility made it so that even if fish were around they could not see bait or lures easily. As of Sunday June 29th it appears that fishing has improved. There was a good bite at Camper Creek with Jordan Bruvold being the highliner of the day with a limit catch including a triple header for himself and his guest, all landed with the biggest at 34 pounds. Notable Catches:

• Jordan Bruvold     34

  

The predicted sockeye run is still supposed to be huge! Fisheries is still forecasting 72.5 million. Late July and August could be amazing!

Halibut fishing is fair right now. Some spots are red hot while just a half mile away it can be dead. Don't be afraid to move and make the most of those ebb currents.

By now we are thinking that the word is out regarding the fact that Port Renfrew Marina is not able to sell fishing licenses. As we get busier we know people come looking for a license and we are hoping that the word is out there that we are not able to supply them anymore. Please pass the word along if you know of anyone who may believe they can get their license with us. You must purchase your license online and this can be done anywhere a person has access to a computer with internet and a printer. Check around as to who offers this service, as far as we know they are available at Island Outfitters, Eagle Eye Sports and Canadian Tire.

Important News: Port Renfrew Marina will be hosting an impromptu fishing derby on July 12th and 13th this year. Anyone interested can purchase tickets at $30.00 a rod with $5.00 of each ticket going to salmon enhancement. The are available at the marina office, Eagle Eye Sports in Sooke and Wise-Buys Fishing Supplies in Colwood. This derby is a simple affair with the top three prizes for first, second and third all cash winnings. Come enjoy a couple days fishing and maybe go home with cash in your pocket! Rules are posted at each site where tickets are sold.

For anyone who needed the ATM at the marina office we apologize for the down time. It is now up and running again.

Bud & Rex

Port Renfrew Marina Report June 21/14

For Port Renfrew Marina and Renfrew in general Chinook fishing has been fair to good though the size of the fish remains on the smaller side, mainly in the teens. The runo f the 30 pounders from the about 1o days ago seems to have passed but with the usual predictability of Port Renfrew they will be here again and most likely soon. Halibut fishing has improved now that the currents have slowed down. The regular spots off Carmanah and NitNat are still producing fish. The "chicken ranch" was slow for fish during the big tides and strong currents. Fishing is back on now. Calm seas and good tides are proving to be a great combination for spring salmon to 25 pounds and halibut to 40 pounds. Trolled hootchies are working for both.

IMPORTANT NEWS: On Friday the ATM at Port Renfrew Marina went down. The part has been sent on a rush courier but unfortunately with a weekend it will be at least Monday, possibly Tuesday before it will be up and running. We are sorry for the inconvenience and advise anyone coming to fish please bring cash as we do not accept credit cards and do not have an Interac machine. We will be getting the ATM up and running as soon as we can but it will be down for the weekend.

In each report we have posted the fact that Port Renfrew Marina no longer is able to sell fishing licenses. We hope that by repeating this information that the word gets out to everyone it may concern. Fishing licenses are available online only now and you can purchase a license wherever you can access a computer with internet and a printer. Please be sure to get yours before coming to Renfrew. We are aware that both Canandian Tire, Island Outfitters and Eagle Eye Sports offer that service. Please phone around and check what options you may have if you aren't able to do one at home.

UPCOMING EVENT: Port Renfrew Marina has decided to hold a derby for the first time in July. The Chinook Salmon Derby will be held on July 12th and 13th and tickets are $30.00 a rod with $5.00 of each ticket going to salmon enhancement. This derby is a simple affair with a first, second and third place winner, each getting 50%, 30% and 20% respectively from ticket sales. We are hoping this will help a little to fill that big gap where the Davey Derby used to be held. There will also be a $10.00 side bet for the highest weight of the two fish weighed in over the two day event. Now this could be interesting because if a 35 pound salmon wins and the other fish that the winner caught was say 15 pounds then someone who caught say a 27 and 28 could win the bet. winnings will be gauged by ticket sales. Tickets are available at Port Renfrew Marina, Eagle Eye Sports in Sooke and Wise-Buys Fishing Supplies in Colwood. Come have a weekend of fishing, maybe win some money, help support salmon enhancement and have a good time.

Bud & Rex

Port Renfrew Marina Report June10/14

For Port Renfrew Marina and area the Chinook finally showed up on Thursday, June 5th. The cleaning tables have been busy ever since. Needle fish spoons like the Coho Killers or Krippled K and 12 pack anchovies are the lures of choice right now. Luckily Owen Point to Camper Creek have been the hot locations, nice and close especially for the smaller boasts and easier on fuel consumption. 45 to 60 feet down was the magic depth but that can change daily. Halibut fishing onshore had slowed slightly due to lack of current but undoubtably will have picked up by now. The "chicken ranch" is starting to turn on though you will have to fish as deep as 200 feet on your down-rigger some days. Monitor VHF channel 06 for daily chatter.

Notable Catches:

• Ken Gillard    35
• Glen Wilson  32

Important News:  Port Renfrew Marina is having a new derby this year to help take the sting out of the cancellation of the Davey Derby. This derby is the Chinook Spring Derby and is being held at the Port Renfrew Marina on July 12th and 13th. Tickets are $30.00 a rod with $5.00 of each ticket going to salmon enhancement. This derby is a simple affair with the prizes being for first, second and third only. For 1st place the winnings will be 50% of the total take from tickets sold, 2nd place will be 30% and 3rd place will be 20% of the total monies brought in. There will also be a side bet at $10.00 for anyone wanting to enter the combined weight of their 2 fish caught. The highest combined weight will be declared the winner and they will get the pot. Tickets will be available at Port Renfrew Marina 250 483-1878, at Eagle Eye Sports at 6734 West Coast Road in Sooke, the number there is 250 642-7983 and at Wise-Buys Fishing Supplies #102 1740 Island Highway in Colwood 250 590-6431. Regs will be posted at all locations.

At Port Renfrew Marina we are raffling a Bradley Smoker and selling tickets in the office. It is a 4 shelf smoker which retails for $550.99. This a perfect item to have if you are someone who enjoys smoking your own fish and meats. Tickets are $5.00 each or 3 for $10.00.

A reminder: For all anglers out there we are letting you know that Port Renfrew Marina is no longer able to sell fishing licenses of any kind. PLEASE make sure you purchase your license elsewhere before coming out to Renfrew. They can be bought online anywhere you can have access to a computer and a printer. We are aware that Island Outfitters and Canadian Tire both offer that service for a small fee but of course they are available through your personal computer if you have one.

For anyone new to Renfrew we would like to let you know that we do have an ATM in our office (the only one if town) for customers and residents convenience especially since we are a cash business. We do not take credit cards and do not have interact. Please come prepared if you are planning on staying with us. We hope that everyone that comes to Renfrew will have a great fishing experience! If you are new to the area or just need some advice feel free to come by and ask for help. We are there to show you the do's and don'ts of the area and hot spots.

Bud & Rex