Chinook fishing along "the beach" continues to be fair and generally poor by July standards. The weekend we have seen a few more showing up on the docks. The weather has improved with the fog being higher. We have been experiencing some really low morning tides again so things may improve once they pass. Offshore at the "chicken ranch" spring fishing is on fire! Limit catches are the norm with the average size getting larger on a weekly basis. Spoons and hoochies are the lures of choice. The fish are feeding on herring offshore and needle fish inshore. Coho are getting larger with some if the hatcheries getting up to 8 pounds. Remember hatchery only unless you are fishing area 121, Swiftsure Bank where you are allowed 1 wild Coho per day.
Halibut focus is now at the J Bouy and the "chicken ranch." High slack is the time to put the grubs or herring to the bottom. With the slower currents the NE corner and area 170 will all be fishable.
Notable Catches:
- Mark Gagen 32
- Roy Flower 36 apologies for the head cut off!!
- Mike Cozart 31
- Manny Gavilan 33 photo not available at this time
Note: Please note Port Renfrew Marina can no longer offer fishing license services.Please make sure you get your license before arriving at the marina. They can be done at home if you have internet and a printer or check around at sporting goods stores for who offers the service.
Upcoming Event: On Aug.30th and 31st of this summer Port Renfrew Marina will be holding it's 17th annual Labor Day Derby. Yes, it's only a little over a month until Labor Day, time is flying by! Tickets will be available at the marina only for about a week ahead of the derby. Tickets are $60.00 a rod and include a t-shirt, dinner, beverages and a live band on the Sunday night and a reminder that we are a cash business so please bring cashfor your ticket and stay. This derby is to raise funds for salmon enhancement and to help the local hatchery. We have many prizes, raffles, live and silent auctions. This year we have two items so far that we are raffling, one is a large Cuisinart stainless steel BBQ with convection cooking with the lid down, a side burner and its a beauty. Value $500.00 tickets are $5.00 each or 3 for $10.00. Donated by Audie Williams the founder of the Davey Derby. The other raffle item is a large gift basket full of great things, a bottle of red wine, a white wine, a bottle of Baileys, a bottle of Palm Bay pink grapefruit vodka that is a great summer drink which can be mixed with just about any light pop or juice and a bottle of Criollo which a salted caramel liqueur with some chocolate flavors, a one pound box of Purdy's chocolates, two pretty acrylic plates and condiment dishes, an acrylic picture frame, cedar wraps for baking salmon, Kicking Horse coffee beans and an assortment of many other items. Value $300.00 Tickets are $2.00 each or 3 for $5.00. Donated by the Port Renfrew General Store. A derby's success is dependent on the generosity of many different people so at this time we ask that if you or someone or a business you know that may be interested in giving a donation of any kind please contact us in the office or by email and we can supply you with a letter. All donations are recognized at the derby and on the website and we encourage all our customers to show appreciation of donators by patronizing their business.
Other Upcoming Event: Nearing the end of our season Port Renfrew Marina will be also having their annual Coho "Winner Take All" derby. This derby is slated for Oct. 4th and 5th. Tickets are $25.00 a rod with $5.00 a rod going to the hatchery. This derby is very popular also and the winner can be going home with a ton of cash! Winnings often run around $10,000.00 of course the amount won will be based on the number of entrants.
Bud & Rex