Port Renfrew Marina Report May 7/15

The 2015 fishing season is starting off well. Generally very nice weather has helped. For Port Renfrew Marina we are filling up with our seasonal people so if you are a seasonal and haven't contacted us about your return, please do so as soon as you can. This helps us with knowing what sites are available for new customers. There a change this year as the Salmonberry Bistro has moved to a different location. As of now we do not have a cookshack for hot food. We are still in the process of possibly getting another option but if so it will be on a smaller scale. Once we know for sure we will be posting the information. For those who are wondering we now have the ATM back up and running. We had to wait for a part to be shipped but it is now fixed. For all our customers we want to inform you of the new CRD ruling regarding food waste in the garbage. The marina has purchased new green cans for the food waste which now must be separated from non- bio-degradable products. The food waste can be dumped into the garbage cans loose, as from a bucket or bagged as long as the bag is a compostable bag, not a plastic or bio-degradable bag. Please try to do your best in complying with this new ruling as there are serious consequences if not followed. Any questions regarding this new rule please come by the office and ask us.

In late April we put in the docks for the season, this is nearly an all day job and we want to thank everyone who helped Bud with the placement. A big thanks goes to Odd Johansen, Todd Garrett, Reid Warren and the Mills brothers, Dave and Doug. Without their help each year the job would be very difficult. Bud and our handyman, Eric have been doing dock repair and it is an ongoing job.

Crabbing has been very good, the key seems to be large ex-commercial traps that don't move with the swell and placed in 50 to 60 feet of water. Nothing like a fresh catch of crab at this time of year!

Halibut fishing is good, as expected this time of year. Perfect ebb tides, with low swells make this coming few days a great time for fish. Sombrio to the east, and to all spots to the west are all giving up fish.

Salmon fishing has been fair to good, Owen Point to Camper Creek is a good spot. Coho killers and small hoochies are working as the main feed is needlefish now.

Bud & Rex

April 28/15 Port Renfrew Marina Report

Port Renfrew Marina will be opening officially on May 1st, this coming Friday. We have been at the marina for the last week to prepare for our opening this season and for any seasonal early birds. If you are seasonal and are preparing to come in soon or have decided to not return please contact us asap to let us know your status for this season. The number is 250 483-1878 for the office. Also for our caretaker, Desi, his number is 250 483-1486. Important Notice:  This year we have a new ruling with the CRD regarding the compostable garbage disposal. Please note that it is now mandatory to separate your bio-degradable vegetable wastes from your non degradable garbage. For campers this year it will be necessary to separate your vegetable wastes and any organics from the other garbage and you will see we have a separate container for it. It is imperative that all campers do their best to comply with this new ruling. Please check in with the office for details regarding the ruling and how to meet with compliance of this new by-law.

For Port Renfrew Marina the crabbing has been good and coming on nicely. Halibut fishing is also coming along well considering it is early in the year. Lets hope the weather and conditions lend themselves for a productive year! This year will follow the ones before with the usual derbies we have had in the past. By now most of you know that the Davey Derby is not happening anymore but Port Renfrew marina will be trying to compensate for that derby so sorely missed. This year we are having a small salmon derby in honor of Blair Houdayer or Hoody as most of us knew him. He passed away last year and in his name we are having a derby for recognition of him and his wonderful nature and good spirit. He was a gentle sweet guy who will be sorely missed by all who knew him. Info available at the marina office.

A reminder for all fishermen. Port Renfrew Marina no longer sells fishing licenses. If you need a license you must pick one up at a store that offers purchasing such as Canadian Tire or in Victoria at Island Outfitters. The easiest and cheapest way to get one is to go online and get it yourself. Just go to Government of Canada, Fishing and Oceans Canada and look for saltwater fishing license, click on get a fishing license. If you have access to a printer its simple and only takes a few minutes.

Port Renfrew Marina is still looking for a marina truck. It doesn't need to be pretty and we are looking for one that is cheap. We are also in need of a freezer as our one last year died. Anyone knowing of either one that would work for us please contact us at the number 250 483-1878. It would be much appreciated!

For all of us at Port Renfrew Marina and for Port Renfrew in general,  we wish all our customers, old and new have a great year fishing and enjoying their summer. Lets hope the fishing is outstanding and the weather is also! As you return you will see the same old faces and we welcome Knut back and our handy guy, Eric who keeps the grounds nice. See you all soon!

Bud & Rex

April 11/15 Port Renfrew Marina Report

Port Renfrew Marina is looking for a work pick up truck. Our old one gave up the fight and had to be scrapped. We are looking for an older truck, it doesn't need to be pretty or expensive, cheap is good!  It is needed mostly for taking garbage to the dump, moving materials around the marina and such. If you know of an older truck that is in reasonable shape please contact us at 250 474-2643 and ask for Bud. The marina will be opening soon, May 1st. If you are a seasonal customer and wanting to get your trailer out please contact Desi and let him know what dates you are looking to arrive. The gate is kept locked and you will need to give him some notice. There will be someone in the office from April 24th and we are hoping to have the phone lines working by then.

We have been informed recently from Tahnee that the Salmonberry Bistro will not be at the marina this year. She is moving to an area near the Coastal Kitchen as they are not open for dinners this year. There is a possibility of someone opening a small food stall at the marina but that is not confirmed yet. If not we are hoping that the office will be able to at least make coffee available. We will know more near opening time.

Any seasonals who are NOT returning please contact us and let us know as soon as possible so we can be aware of any spaces that can be made available for new customers. We always have new people inquiring and it would be helpful to know who is coming back and who may not be.

Bud & Rex

Port Renfrew Marina Report April 4, 2015

The 2015 season for Port Renfrew Marina is almost upon us again! The winter went by quickly, the fishing will be starting up soon and we will all be looking forward to the crabbing to turn on. As most of you know the marina opens on May 1st. Those of you with your units in storage with us may want to check on things but with the mild winter our caretaker, Desi, says things are looking ok. The season this year is from May 1st to Oct. 12th. Anyone wanting to bring their units in will need to call and make arrangements either with Bud 250 474-2643 or with Desi Hatchard 250 483-1486. The gate is kept locked and it is important for all customers to call ahead. We at Port Renfrew Marina look forward to seeing our regular customers again for another season and to meet new our ones who we hope will enjoy their stay with us. Bud & Rex

Port Renfrew Marina Report Oct.14/14

Well, for Port Renfrew Marina the 2014 fishing season in now over. While we had one of the driest and warmest summers for some time and many calm sea days, Chinook and Sockeye fishing was poorer than predicted. The springs just weren't around in the numbers or sizes that we have come to expect. The Coho fishing proved to be the best in probably 10 years. It is still fantastic but the winter storms have moved in and it can be far to dangerous to get in and out of the river. A heads up for next year, trolling in the river mouth and the river itself can be very successful. No weight with spoons or apex trolled 80 feet back of the boat can be deadly. Just yesterday we fished in as little as 2 feet of water to get our fish. The biggest being 15 pounds.

As of this past weekend Port Renfrew Marina is now closed for the season and will reopen on May 1st 2015. The gate is kept locked and there is no launching available until we reopen. Anyone who may have a boat or unit at the marina and is not planning on doing storage must contact us or our caretaker, Desi, 250 483-1486 to arrange for the gate to be opened. If left, winter storage fees will apply. There is no gas available and will not be any also until we reopen in May. Please remember for next year to get your fishing license before arriving at the marina. As of this past year we no longer are able to sell licenses.

We want to thank our caretaker, Desi Hatchard, Reid Warren, Odd Johansen, Todd Garrett, and our old caretakers, Wayne & Gwen Coleman and Knut, our employee for their help with the marina in many different ways and keeping an eye on things for us while we are closed. We also want to thank all our customers for their continued support at the marina and we always look forward to seeing them again in the new season and meeting any new ones we get. Again we want to thank all the people and businesses that help us out with our derbys. The successes of those derbies are very reliant on their help and donations. It is all very much appreciated.

Bud, Tedi, Rex, Diane and Knut all want to wish you the very best in the coming winter, have a safe year until we see you again in the 2015 season.

Bud & Rex