Port Renfrew Marina Report June 18/15

For Port Renfrew Marina onshore fishing continues to be fair to moderate. Fish are there one day and gone the next. The Logan Creek to Walbran Creek stretch seems to be a bit better than most if the beach. As usual small anchovies and small spoons such as Coho Killers are the best lures. Farther up the coast "hole in the wall" past Nit Nat has been the only consistent hot spot. You can troll right on the bottom as it is sand and loaded with needle fish. Offshore the "chicken ranch" has come on again which is typical for mid June. The guides are reporting limit catches of springs and halibut. Spoons and hootchies are always favorites out there. Watch the fog as the ranch is right in the middle of the Freighter traffic lane!

Inshore halibut fishing remains slow at all the usual spots, though we would expect it to improve shortly as the pressure is off now that fish are at the bank.

Notable Catches:

• Ken Evans   31

Upcoming Event: As many of our regular customers know Blair Houdayer, a long time fisherman who had been coming to Port Renfrew Marina for more years than anyone can count, passed away a few months ago. In honor of his memory Port Renfrew Marina is hosting a one day derby on July 25th. This derby is called "The Houdy Memorial" and is for cut pluggers only. If you don't fish that way why not give it a try that day? The derby entry is by donation only and all proceeds will go to the Canadian Cancer Society. There will be a small trophy for the biggest spring caught that day. More details to come. 

Upcoming Event: Port Renfrew Marina is offering all the fishermen a chance to sell and or trade old and unwanted fishing gear under the Longhouse this coming Aug.1st, Saturday only. We will have tables up and you can come and sell your items and buy new ones maybe find old treasures of long ago discontinued items or have a chance to sell off all the multiples of things you felt you needed at the time! Time is not set yet but approximately 10:00 to 2:00 may be a good timeline. All we ask is that when you are done you remove your items and leave the area as clean as when you arrived. Any questions or suggestions see us in the office.

Another Upcoming Event: Port Renfrew Marina will be holding it's second annual "Spring Derby"on August 8th and 9th. This is the derby we quickly put on to help fill the gap of missing the Davey Derby which had been cancelled. Guess nothing lasts forever but it sure was great while it lasted!! This derby will be to raise funds for the San Juan salmon Hatchery and will be $25.00 a rod with $5.00 of each ticket going to the hatchery. The winnings will be cash and will be 50% of the net ticket sales to first place, 30% to second place and 20% to third place.

IMPORTANT REQUEST: Coming up in September Port Renfrew Marina will be having its 18th annual Labor Day Derby. We all know and love this one with prizes, raffles, silent and live auctions and lots of fun stuff like the kids bullhead derby and the adult one! At this time we are asking for anyone who lives in the Duncan, Cowichan, Chemainus, Cobble Hill, Nanaimo or Ladysmith area to be kind enough to volunteer some time and do some canvassing for donations in their local area. If a few people come forward and do this we can see that each person has only a half dozen to maybe ten businesses to go to and this doesn't leave one or two people doing it all. With new faces we may be able to come up with new ideas and businesses to approach. One person who did Nanaimo for us is unable to help this year so we are in need of extra help. We have Sooke, Colwood and Langford and a few places in Victoria covered. Any help will be much appreciated and it is recommended that whoever is willing that they start now before fishing season gets busy and also so the businesses have time to consider a donation and contact the powers that be to get them approved. As everyone knows a derbys success and fun value depends very much on its prizes.

Bud & Rex

Port Renfrew Marina Report June 8/15

The spring and halibut fishing has only been fair this week. East Point was actually one of the most consistent spots though the cut pluggers at Camper Creek are doing well but have to deal with the seal problem. It is still an ongoing issue, they seem to have multiplied in numbers. Halibut fishing has been slow, though the weather has been kind of rough to travel far too far. The "chicken ranch" at Swiftsure Bank should turn any day now.

Port Renfrew Marina will be putting on it's second Spring Derby this coming Aug. 1st and 2nd this year. Tickets are $30.00 a rod with $5.00 of each ticket going to the local San Juan hatchery. Winnings will be 50%, 30% and 20% of total pot going to the top three fish. The Hoody derby in memory of Blair Houdayer who passed away this last January, is to be announced. It will be a 'cut plug' only fishery in his honor. No downriggers! Should be a fun way to pay tribute to one of our best fisherman and a wonderful gentle person who will be sorely missed for his winning smile and easy going personality.

Notable catches:

• John Gordon   31

Well, as we have mentioned the Salmonberry Bistro is now gone and so the marina was left with no hot food for those fishermen who don't want to bother with making their own breakfasts or dinners. Luckily, Wayne & Gwen Coleman have come to the rescue on that front! They will have a very simple menu to be found at their campsite. It is called K.I.S.S. Cafe for keep it super simple! They will be offering Egg burgers with bacon, sausage or ham, Hashbrowns, Hot Dogs, Hamburgers, Coffee, French Fries and possibly a couple other items. They will only be open Friday, Saturday and Sundays, the hours yet to be decided. There first weekend opening will be this coming one June 12th 13th and 14th. Prices are amazingly fair and reasonable!

Please, if anyone can help with a donation to our annual Labor Day derby coming up in Sept, let us know. We struggle with donations since we are at the end of a fishing season so to speak so the sooner the better if anyone out there can help whether it's personal, business or a suggestion. Volunteers to work the derby are also appreciated, every dollar we can save means more goes to the local San Juan Hatchery for the conservation of salmon stocks.

Things are looking up at Port Renfrew Marina as our ATM and the phone system are still up and running well! Please remember that we are a cash business so if you are coming to stay with us bring cash, we do NOT accept credit cards. For those who have not been to the marina we have boat gas, car gas and diesel, ice, tackle and bait. We NO LONGER are a fishing license vendor. If you need a license you must go online to Fisheries and Oceans Canada. Their email is fishing-peche@dfo-mpo.gc.ca or call 1 877 535 7307 for general inquiries. Licenses can be obtained online at home or at a business that offers access to the website. All you need is a computer and a printer and it's done.

Bud & Rex

Port Renfrew Marina Report May 30/15

At Port Renfrew Marina this week hasn't seen much improvement in the halibut fishing. The usually good spots out west are hit and miss. If you land on them you can load up but most are on the anchor for hours with pretty slim results. It will change as halibut fishing is usually a constant out there. Spring fishing has been very good but slowed a bit today, Saturday. Anchovies in the 12 pack and the always popular coho killers are the answer right now. "Hole in the Wall" at Nit Nat has been very good for some time. For those who can't or don't want to run that far Camper Creek has been good but be prepared to be "sealed," they are the worst ever this year. Logan and the rock pile are a better choice as a fish you catch there you will probably land.

Crabbing is still very good, yum yum!

Notable Catches:

• Hugh Hamar   25
• Desi Hatchard  35
• MillerTime  30
• Mike Styba  29
• Wally Brouse  27

Port Renfrew Marina is still looking for a inexpensive work truck. If you know of one that may be for sale please contact us at the office. As stated before, pretty is not necessary but reliable is. For those who come to the marina and need to access cash we have our ATM up and running now and it seems to have all its little quirks fixed. The phones are also up and running and we can now access voice mails left for us. It's just great when modern technology finally works!

This year Port Renfrew Marina will be having its Labor Day Derby on Sept.5th and 6th. We are posting this early to give our customers the heads up to see if they are able to make a donation either personally or through their work or a business they know. As derby's go ours is one of the last ones of the year so we tend to get issues with businesses being tapped out so we have decided to ask earlier each year. Donations are what make derby's successful so we count everyone to pitch in. Please contact us at the office for info.

Bud & Rex

Port Renfrew Marina Report May 20/15

For Port Renfrew Marina this last week has seen an improvement in the salmon fishing. Owen Point to Camper Creek has been the best area. Small anchovies or Coho killer spoons are working well. A word of caution; be prepared to lose at least one fish per day to a seal, a MAJOR problem already. Hali fishing has slowed right down this week. No one knows why as the currents are good in the mornings. Perhaps its time to hit the chicken ranch.

Crabbing is still very good. Put some weight in your traps to keep them from moving along the bottom.

Notable Catches: 

• Myles Van Eeuwen  26 lb salmon
• Eric Eckdahl   22  25 & 27
• Wayne Schiffner  27
• Bobby & Tom Holland   42 halibut

At Port Renfrew Marina we have had issues lately with our phones and the ATM. We are happy to announce that both are up and working! It took some doing but the ATM is fully functioning after needing a variety of new parts and the phone will now let us access our voice mails. If you have called and left messages and had no response this is why so please try again if you are in need of information.

A reminder that we are now separating our food waste from non-biodegradable garbage as per the new CRD ruling. You will see the new green garbage cans for food waste. You can dump directly into is with no bag or is using a bag it MUST be compostable. We appreciate your cooperation in this effort, please do your best.

As most everyone knows the Salmonberry bistro is gone now and we no longer have hot food available. There is in the works a small venture coming and we will have the info on it within a week or two. If so it will be simple coffee and muchie type foods. As soon as it is confirmed we will be letting everyone know. It should hopefully be up and going by the month of June. Meanwhile be prepared to pack your food for those early mornings.

This past weekend we had two very helpful little girls, Aliya Allard and Paisley Kovacs, doing their best to raise funds for the local salmon hatchery. This was their own idea and efforts and they sat by their stand for the two days. They raised a total of $36.50! We want to thank them for their selfless time and willingness. We think everyone enjoyed getting their hand painted rocks! Good for you, girls!!

If you are a seasonal camper with Port Renfrew Marina and have not contacted us regarding your return, the deadline has passed and your site will be considered available unless you contact us asap.

We are Port Renfrew Marina sadly lost 5 of our customers this year. We want to acknowledge them and express our sadness at losing such good people. This includes Doug Olson, Don Campbell, Blair Houdayer, after along illness, Lana Gallant and recently, Chic Akiyama. They will all be missed.

Bud & Rex

Port Renfrew Marina Report May13/15

Fishing has slowed down a bit from the last report. Currents and sea conditions last week were perfect for halibut fishing. Dwayne Isaac, back from Alberta, put a clinic on how to fish for them successfully. Several trips with various friends all produced very nice catches.  The next set of ebb tides should bring back good halibut fishing. Crabbing remains good. Deeper water 50 to 60 feet seems better than the shallower waters. If you don't have a large commercial like trap try weighting it down so it doesn't move or float along the bottom.

Salmon is a little slow. Owen Point to Camper Creek trolling coho killers seems to be the right choice at this time.

For any customers that are unaware of the new CRD ruling, we need to let you know that you are now required to separate your food wastes from the non-biodegradable garbage. We have new green cans in the cages where the garbage cans are for this use. You can either dump your wastes in loose or in a COMPOSTIBLE bag. No plastic or bags saying bio-degrabable are accepted. If you are unsure of the rules or have questions please come by the office and we can help. Please do your best to comply with this new ruling as there are severe penalties for anyone not complying.

We at Port Renfrew Marina want to apologize for the ATM's continued breakdown. Another part is on its way and we are hoping this will have things fixed. It should be up and running by Friday sometime if all goes as planned. We also had issues with the phones not working for a couple of days. If you try to contact the marina and have no luck it is likely they are down, the most common result will be a constant busy signal. Also although our phones will take voice mails messages we are unable to access them, so far we have tried to set it up so the voice mails go to an email but if you don't get a return call then that means we have not been able to get the message. We again apologize for this, our system is old and has flaws that can't seem to be resolved.

Port Renfrew Marina is still looking for a marina truck. We are needing one to take garbage and move things such as wood and debris around. It does not need to be pretty or in perfect shape, we just want one that is reliable and cheap. Anyone knowing of a truck for sale please call or email us. 250 483-1878. Thank you!

For those not aware the Salmonberry Bistro is now gone. We no longer have a cookshack for hot food. There is still a possibility that a small venture will start but if it does, it will be weekends only and very basic. If you have counted on meals from the cookshack be prepared to go elsewhere for now or bring food with you!

Bud & Rex