It is hard to believe that Port Renfrew Marina has been open nearly a month already. The season is starting and already feels like it's going fast. Most of our seasonals have arrived and people are settling in along with the arrivals of new customers eager to experience fishing in that area. Fishing is still very good for halibut mainly in the area between Nitnat and Carmanah. There is no need to go to the "chicken ranch" as yet. We feel that halibut fishing is one of the best years in quite a few years. There are a few salmon coming in and they are mostly in the teens, things should pick up for salmon in June. Crabbing is still good, you will see good days and off ones when the commercial guys hit the area but for the most part it's still a predictable catch that you can expect. We at the marina apologize for the phones. If you have tried to contact us over the last two weeks and got no where then you aren't alone. It is very frustrating for all of us. We are out of the Telus area and they aren't interested in coming there as yet since there isn't the population or demand to make it profitable for them. Our system when put in was new but is now older and the main issue is we are not wireless so our phone lines and internet go down a fair bit. If you get a busy signal or it refuses to connect you then you will know it is the phones. This happens through out the year. Thanks for bearing with it as we have no other options at this time.
If you read the last report then you already know and if not then you will be aware that the Davey Derby has been cancelled this year. This derby was a lot of fun and so popular that the marina is hoping to hold a smaller derby this July to help dull the sting of missing it. This news of the cancellation of the Davey Derby came to us just two weeks ago so the derby we are planning is very impromptu. We have yet to come up with a name for it but it will be a derby for the largest Chinooks caught and there will be a prize for first, second and third place. The date of the derby so far is planned for July 12th and 13th. The tickets will be sold at the marina office and will be $30.00 a rod with $5.00 of each ticket going to Salmon Enhancement. The monies collected will then be divided for the winners. The amount decided on how many tickets sold. Sorry, there will be no side prizes or dinner, etc like we do for the Labor Day Derby. That derby is still going on as it does every year as will the Coho Derby in the first weekend of Oct. Tickets will only be available a short time before the derby. More info will be coming and hopefully a name for it and confirmation on dates, etc. Anyone wanting to know more can call the marina 250 483-1878 a little later on.
An important note to remember is that as posted, Port Renfrew Marina is no longer able to sell fishing licenses at the office. Fisheries has stopped offering hard copy licenses that they supplied to businesses. The only way to purchase or acquire a fishing license is to do so online. You can do this at home if you have a computer and printer but also anywhere public that offers access to customers such as a public library or a business such as Island Outfitters. We have heard that Canadian Tire offers this service also. Please make sure you arrive with your license before coming to the marina and if you aren't able to get one before coming then you will need to find a place in the town where access is allowed to the public. If you are speaking to anyone regarding fishing in the marina's area please give them the heads up on this new situation and hopefully we can get this news out there. We have been selling licenses ever since we have been there so this will be a big transition for some people and we do apologize for anyone coming in the future and getting this bad news. Unfortunately we have no other alternatives to offer people so they can avoid this issue.
We at Port Renfrew Marina look forward to seeing are returning customers and meeting all our new ones. May everyone have a great year filled with good fishing and safe boating!
Bud & Rex