At Port Renfrew Marina salmon fishing is still a bit slow but should turn on any day now. June Chinook feed mostly on needlefish so your tackle should match them. Coho killers, small strip and the 12 pack anchovies will all work. Halibut fishing is still the best we have seen in the 18 years of running Port Renfrew Marina. As it is still too early for the "chicken ranch" all focus has been on the north side of the closure. The NE corner, the 170, the well and the flats between Carmanah and NitNat are all producing not only lots of fish but a good size average.Herring has been out fishing all other baits. Check out your fisheries guidelines book or go online to make sure you have the correct info on size and quantity for legal catches.
Crabbing has been spectacular but has slowed down to very good. It appears as though a third boat has moved into the bay so we will see what impact it will have.
Our 1st Summer/Spring Derby will be held this July 12th and 13th. It will be very similar to our annual Coho Derby we hold every fall. The cost will be $30.00 a rod with $5.00 of each ticket going to Salmon Enhancement. 50% of the total pot will go to the first place winner with the largest Chinook, 30% to the second place winner and 20% to the third place winner. There will also be an optional $10.00 side bet. The angler that weighs in the most weight for two salmon will win the total side bet pot. This derby was thought of to help dull the disappointment of a cancelled Davey Derby which we all loved. Lets hope we get a good turnout and raise some money to help keep salmon stocks going strong for years to come so not only we can enjoy the plentiful catches but future generations also! Lets hope that the fisheries is correct in their estimations and predictions of strong healthy runs this year.
As mentioned before, Port Renfrew Marina is no longer able to sell fishing licenses. We apologize for this inconvenience but with fisheries making licenses only available online now it is not possible for us to offer that service out there. Our internet does not have the band width to handle such use. PLEASE make sure you purchase your license before arriving to Renfrew and if speaking to anyone who you may think will be going out that way inform them also. We have tried to make this notice as public as possible but we know we can't reach everyone.
Bud & Rex