Port Renfrew Marina Fishing Report Oct.7/14

At Port Renfrew Marina Coho fishing is the best it has been in ten years! Just like the old days, getting 20, 30, 40 fish on per day is not uncommon. Truly sore arms! Offshore in 250 to 500 feet of water and 50 to 70 feet down is the hot spot. Baitrix, spoons and hoochies are working very well. If you are brave enough put down some strip or anchovies but don't expect to sit down or eat your lunch! The river mouths are giving up fish mostly just after the high tide as it starts to drop. Bait, Baitrix or spoons with no weight, 70 to 80 feet behind the boat in as shallow as 4 feet deep out to 20 feet deep seems to be the ticket. Watch for the jumpers! If you want some of the best fishing you will ever have then come on up in the coming week before we close on October 12th! The water is thick with Coho and then they are gone, you don't want to miss out!

So as most all of you know Port Renfrew Marina held it's annual Coho "Winner Take All" Derby this past weekend. It was a huge success and possibly one of the best derby's we have had. We had 481 entrants fishing for the two days. The weather was fantastic, sunny, warm, calm seas and best of all the fishing was excellent! Everyone was enjoying the weekend even if they didn't bring in the big one, everyone got their limits. Fishing seemed to be a bit hotter on the Saturday and the winning fish was caught on Saturday and held up until the derby was over on Sunday at 1:00 PM. The winners were Gord and Janice Lee weighing in a Coho at 15 pounds and 13 ounces. The grand total for the biggest Coho this year was $9620.00 with a total of $2405.00 to be donated to the local San Juan Hatchery. There was a side bet going on and 63 people chose to enter that and again Gord and Janice Lee won that also! That total amount was $1260.00, giving them a grand total of $10880.00 prize money! You can tell by their happy faces that they were over the top with the winnings and had a great weekend fishing!

Also Port Renfrew Marina held the annual Labor Day Derby on Aug. 30th and 31st, already over a month ago! It also was a success due to all the efforts of the donators and people who pitch in and help. The final totals for that fundraising event and others during the year with a break down of misc. cash $335.00, the Chinook Derby, held in July this year, $710.00 and the 2014 Coho Derby just held $2405.00 and the PRM Labor Day Derby raising $3493.85 for a total of $6973.85 all going to the San Juan Enhancement Society to the local hatchery in Port Renfrew. Also raised was a donation of $5000.00 to the B.C. Wildlife Federation. A big thanks to all that participate and contribute, it wouldn't happen without all of you.

Important News: It is important to know that Port Renfrew Marina will be closing on October 12th this year and if you have a boat or unit on the grounds you must come in and settle your account and make arrangements to with do winter storage or remove your units. By Sunday October 13th the phone in the office will not be working and if you need assistance with anything regarding your unit or boat or have any questions you can call our caretaker at 250 483-1486 or Bud and Tedi at 2590 474-2643. After that weekend the gate will be locked and you will need to call ahead to make sure you can get in. 

Bud & Rex

Port Renfrew Marina Report Sept. 28/14

For Port Renfrew Marina the 2014 Chinook and halibut season has come to an end. It was a very good halibut year and as everyone knows a very poor spring season. Coho fishing has been quite good though last Wednesday's huge swells put a damper on catches for a few days. It is picking up on a daily basis now. Offshore in the 300 to 700 foot depth water is where most boats are. Bait was working best the last few days but Coho killers and hoochies in green/white or yellow on super short leaders are good stand by's. Little known or tried Baitrix also works very well for Coho.

Inshore, really inshore, as in the river mouth can be very good. Bait, Baitrix, a green apex and peach zingers trolled with no weight seems to be bringing in the bigger fish. Troll fast in as shallow water that you dare!

Upcoming Event: Coming up very soon is Port Renfrew Marina's last derby of the year. The well known and popular Coho Derby called "Winner Take All." This derby is being held on October 4th and 5th this year. Tickets are available at the office and are $25.00 a rod with $5.00 of each ticket going to the local hatchery. The derby is a very informal affair with a simple concept, whoever gets the largest Coho wins the pot. The amount of winnings varies depending on the number of tickets sold. The cash prize can be anywhere from $5300.00 (first year) up to the most we ever had of $13,800.00! So come and enjoy two days of Coho fishing for a small cost with the possibility of winning a huge pot of cash! At the same time you will be helping out the local hatchery. Please remember that we are a cash business so please be sure to bring cash as we do not take credit cards or have interact. We do have an ATM for your convenience.

Important News: Port Renfrew Marina will be closing this year on October 12th. Please be sure to contact the office regarding your unit and or  boat. You will need to remove them on or before that date or make arrangements for winter storage. If you do not contact the office it will be assumed you are having winter storage and those fees will apply. We appreciate each customer to call and give us their decision on how they want to deal with the season closure for their personal items so we are clear on what each one wants. As usual we will have a caretaker on the grounds for the off season to keep an eye on things and to be there if someone wants to come in to check on their unit. You will need to call Desi Hatchard before coming out to be sure he can be there to open the gate for you as it is kept locked. His number at the marina is 250 483-1486.

Bud & Rex

Port Renfrew Marina Report Sept.19/14

For Port Renfrew Marina the 2014 Chinook season has pretty much wrapped up. A very poor season in with mostly small fish and nothing as was predicted by the DFO. Hopefully the 2015 season will see the fishing we are used to in the summer. Coho season is very good though and should become fantastic in the next month. They are, for the most part, 6 to 8 pounds right now with the occasional 14 to 16 pounders. We predict that there will be lots of 20 pounders plus by mid October. Lots of limit catches are coming in from offshore waters in the 400 to 550 foot depth water with 40 to 90 feet on the rigger. Short leaders behind flashers armed with hoochies in blue, green, yellow or white are popular. Coho killers in green/white and Baitrix are working very well. Herring strip is a great Coho bait and a company called Black Label in now making it again.

Halibut fishing is very slow right now but should improve with the ebb currents next week.

DFO Notice:

Recreational Fishers fishing for Coho Salmon in the Port San Juan and Juan de Fuca Area

This notice is to clarify Coho limits in the Port Renfrew area.

1. From September 11^th, 2014 until December 31^st 2014 the daily combined quota for Coho Salmon in Sub-areas 20-2 and a portion or 20-1 (Inside a line from Owen Point to the Whistle Buoy thence to San Juan Point) is Four (4)…of which Two (2) can be wild.

2. From September 11^th, 2014 until September 30^th, 2014 the daily combined quota for Coho Salmon in the rest of Area 20 (Bonilla Point east and excluding the area described above in 1.) is Two (2) … of which only One (1) can be wild.

3. From October 1^st, 2014 until December 31^st, 2014 the daily combined quota for Coho Salmon in the rest of Area 20 (Bonilla Point east and excluding the area described above in 1.) is Four (4) of which only Two (2) can be wild.

Please note…The daily limit for coho is 4 of which the maximum number of wild is 2 regardless of what area they are caught in.  For example you CANNOT have two wild Coho from inside Port San Juan and one wild Coho from outside in Area 20. For further clarification please contact the local Fisheries and Oceans Office   Victoria: (250)363-3252   Duncan: (250)746-6221

Upcoming event:  Coming up on October 4th and 5th Port Renfrew Marina will be having its annual Coho Derby "Winner Take All." This derby is very popular and this year it should prove to be a good one if the amount of Coho we are seeing so far is any indication. The tickets for the derby are only available at the office and only for a few days before the derby. The tickets are $25.00 a rod with $5.00 of each ticket going to the local hatchery. The winnings vary in size and are dependent on the amount of tickets sold. The winnings have been anywhere from $5,300.00 (for the first year) all the way to $13,800.00 one year and all cash. This a great derby, its not expensive to get entered and you can hope to go home with a lot of cash in your pocket and it helps the hatchery. It's a great way to say goodbye to the 2014 fishing season. PLEASE remember we are a cash business and bring cash with you for your stay. We do have an ATM for customers to use in case they need it. We DO NOT take credit cards or Interac. The Salmonberry Bistro is planning on being back at the marina for the Coho Derby so it will be available for early morning coffees and quick breakfast sandwiches.

IMPORTANT INFO: Port Renfrew marina is closing this year on October 12th. Please make sure you are aware of this date to make arrangements to pick up your boat or unit or make arrangements for winter storage. If a boat or unit is not picked up it will be assumed you are wanting winter storage and the fees will apply.

Bud & Rex

Port Renfrew Marina Report Sept. 8/14

For Port Renfrew Marina Chinook fishing continues to be very good. Anglers are reporting up to 10 hookups a day right now. Logan Creek and Camper Creek seem to be the hot spots but Owen Point just opened so that  is worth a try. Red/gold flashers with any glow head on a 7 foot leader is working well. Some teaser heads that are getting lots of feedback are the new Snotty Nose, No Bananas both glow and UV and Alligator. Coho fishing is good but the strong easterly winds the last few days has made it hard to get offshore. Hoochies on a very short 2 foot leader fished down 40 to 60 feet seems to be the ticket. Remember as of Sept.7th you are now allowed four Coho per day, 2 of which may be wild.

Notable Catches:

• Lacey Telford  30

Upcoming Event: For Port Renfrew Marina we have one more event before our season ends for 2014. Coming up on October 4th and 5th will be our annual Coho "Winner Take All" Derby. This derby is probably our most popular one of all with anglers from all over coming in the hopes of winning a lot of money bringing in the biggest Coho. Tickets are $25.00 a rod with $5.00 from each ticket going to the local hatchery. Tickets will be sold only at the marina the week of the derby. Winning pots vary depending on the amount of tickets sold but the average pot is around $9,000.0 to $10,000.00. The largest pot one year was $13,800.00. From what we have seen of the Coho fishing so far there should be plenty to catch. We have had a some weighed in at 10 to 13 pounds so far.

Port Renfrew Marina Closing Correction: Port Renfrew marina will be closing on October 12th this year, NOT on October 13th as stated before. We will be closing on the Sunday before Thanksgiving Monday. If you have a boat in storage please make sure you come and settle up your account and have your boat removed. If you are wanting winter storage for your unit please also make arrangements before the office closes for the season. Storage is to be prepaid.

Bud & Rex

Port Renfrew Marina Report Sept. 2/14

At Port Renfrew Marina Chinook fishing greatly improved for the long weekend and for the Port Renfrew Marina Labor Day Derby. Though the majority of fish from the beach were teenagers there were quite a few limit catches. In the day and a half derby there were 150 fish weighed in making it one of the best derby's, fish wise that we have had in recent memory. The new teaser heads, Snotty nose and No bananas both in glow and UV are producing, also many favor the bloody nose and there is a new one called Alligator. East Point has been good early mornings all the way into Woods Nose boundary sign. Rockpile to Camper remans very good for an afternoon bite. Logan to Walbran can be red hot one day and cold another so if there are no fish being caught a move east is a good idea.

Coho Fishing as expected is picking up nicely, even onshore for the past few days. Offshore in the 400 o 600 foot depth range fishing is very good. Spoons and hoochies trolled 40 to 60 feet on the downrigger are working well. As of September 1st you can keep one wild and one hatchery anywhere but that changes on Sept.7th so please check with your regulation book and the area you are in.

Sockeye fishing was pretty much a bust this year unless you were fishing on the inside of the island. One day the test boats brought in 1100 and we all thought they were coming, then less than a week later they did another test and after a full day they only had 13!!

Halibut daily limits as of September 1st increases to two per day per angler. The size restrictions remain the same. We will supply an inshore halibut report next week. Again please check your regulation book and or call fisheries for clarification on rules and regs as they seem to change faster than a person can keep up with them.

Notable catches:

• Chris Ford    32.5
• Eric Eckdahl   35  neither in derby

As most all of you know Port Renfrew Marina held the 17th annual Labor Day Derby this past weekend. This derby has become a really welcome event for all the loyal attendees and never lets anyone down for a good time and a memorable event. This year we had a few less tickets sold but having said that there were still 272 sold and a wonderful assortment of amazing prizes that seem to get better with each passing year. Almost everyone goes home with a prize. The fishing improved the day before the derby started which helped bring the spirit up for everyone in the derby. The top three winners were:

• Hugh Hamar  31.9
• Arnie Morris   28.10
• Ken Gillard    26.14

This year Port Renfrew Marina made the decision to allocate some of the fundraised monies from the derby to the B.C. Wildlife Federation. On behalf of it Paul Ricard from the Sports Fishing Advisory Board accepted the check in the amount of $5000.00 and it will be used to help cover their legal fees defending the halibut quotas for sports fishermen in B.C. through their efforts they won the court case and were able to retain the 3% in the quota. Scroll across the pictures for details.

Port Renfrew Marina's Labor Day derby was another success, although the money raised was less than the previous year, given the attendance being 30 less tickets everyone made a great effort to help us bring it as much as possible to help the BC Wildlife Federation and also the local hatchery here in Renfrew. After all is said and done we were able to raise $8473.00. The Cusinart BBQ donated by Audie Williams, founder of the Davey Derby raffle made $1360.00 and the Gift Basket donated by the Port General Store raised $630.00. Besides the derby we now have the annual adult bullhead derby on the Sat. night with it bringing in $604.60. A big thanks to Val MacDonald and Gail Kerrone who take the time and effort to put this together. It was discovered that the bullheads are also few and far between as some caught none. They seem to be as scarce as the springs this year! The kids bullhead derby was also a fun event for the little ones who look forward to it for weeks. They also found almost no bullheads but still had fun.  For the first time was a tie for the girls.

Again a derby is only as successful as its donators and the participants and we have a long list of the people and businesses who were generous enough to help out with a donation. As times are tight for many businesses we appreciate it even more and we send out a big thank you to all of them. Please forgive us if we forget to mention anyone and if so please let us know and it will be corrected. A very special thanks go out to Vic Gee, Odd Johansen, Larry DeFrane, Chris Arnold, Sharon Winters, Steve Holgate, Grant Hilliard and Don Colegrave for all their efforts in helping to find donators and doing the thankless job of running around picking up.

Redl     Cabelas    Butler Bros.     Select Mortgage Group    Travel Bea &  Ass.  Coast Capital       Handsome Dan's    Botanical Getaway     Tomi's Restaurant      Port Renfrew General Store    Soule Creek Lodge  Big Fish Lodge    Trailhead Motel   Artisans Well      Three Point Properties   Coastal Kitchen   Island Outfitters   Islander Reel     Monti's Boat Sales    Milroy  Engineering    Gizmo's Computers   MVCC (Marion Randall)  Victoria Harbor Ferry   Ian & Deb McGregor  Darcy's Pub

Best Western Prestige Hotel  Sooke Home Hardware   All Battery  Shoppers Drug Mart (Sooke & Colwood)   Sure Span Structures     Sure Span Ready Mix   Blair Davis    Eagle Eye Sports   Mt. Sicker Lumber     Maple Bay Marina    Tro Tac

Valley View Construction    Nisers   Wise Buys Fishing Supplies   Choice Charters    Dumont Tire    Alpine Marine   Dennis Murray   Gone Fishin'    JV Driver    Parker Marine     Wholesale Sports      Harbor Chandler    N.W. Aluminum      Kal Tire    Mike Smith    Coastal Outboards     Item(Vic Gee)   Buckys Sports    Madil (Jim Hermanson)    RBF Concrete    St. Jeans Cannery     Gerry Murray     Penninsula Co-op      John Sheldrake      Cast Art Studios    Mike Daines   Scotty    Ken Gillard

Home Depot (Lk. Cow)    OK Tire  Diamond Cutting & Sausage   Canadian Tire (Duncan)     Sleggs Lumber (Admirals)    Deans Marine   Tim Hortons (Lk. Cow & Langford)    Cowichan Fly & Tackle    Glenwood Meats    Lakes Marine    Judy Eilertsen ATB Bait & Tackle   Eriks    Langford Cold Beer & Wine Store   Whitespot (Colwood)    Stone Pipe   Village Foods  Western Foods   Thrifty Foods    Starbucks (Colwood Langford)      Gordon n' Gordon   Walker Power Shop    Four Points Sheraton

A&W(Duncan)    Gregs RV   Arbutus RV    Baljet    Horseshoe Bay Inn    The Oak & Carriage Pub   Superior Propane   Lordco (Lk. Cow)     Copper Lane   Ecco Supply     Western Equipment    Fastenall    Irly Home Center    Country Grocer    Subway

Don Colegrave    Grant Hilliard   United Rentals     Ian & Rhonda Robinson     Hugh Hamar   Duncan Auto Parts     Delta Victoria Hotel    Hardie Honey   Out of the Blue Designs    West Bay Mechanical    Buddy's Natural Pet Food

Red Barn Market   Great Canadian Oil Change

Upcoming Event: Coming up on October 4th and 5th Port Renfrew Marina will be having it's annual Coho "Winner Take All" Derby. When it comes to derbys, this one is crazy popular! Every year we get fishermen from everywhere wanting to fish in this derby. The rules are the same, biggest Coho wins the pot. Tickets are $25.00 a rod with $5.00 of each ticket going to the hatchery. This a great way to finish off your fishing season in the Renfrew area. Where can you go for two days and fish your heart out for $25.00 and maybe go home with a huge pile of money? Usual take home wins are around the $10,000. range, the amount depending on tickets sold. Since the Coho fishery seems to be increasing we are again hoping for a great derby with maybe some big ones showing up.

Important Info: This year Port Renfrew Marina will be closing on October 12th. Please remember to come in before closing an settle any outstanding accounts and please remember we are a cash business only. We appreciate the effort to settle things before we close for the season.

Bud & Rex