For Port Renfrew Marina the 2014 Chinook season has pretty much wrapped up. A very poor season in with mostly small fish and nothing as was predicted by the DFO. Hopefully the 2015 season will see the fishing we are used to in the summer. Coho season is very good though and should become fantastic in the next month. They are, for the most part, 6 to 8 pounds right now with the occasional 14 to 16 pounders. We predict that there will be lots of 20 pounders plus by mid October. Lots of limit catches are coming in from offshore waters in the 400 to 550 foot depth water with 40 to 90 feet on the rigger. Short leaders behind flashers armed with hoochies in blue, green, yellow or white are popular. Coho killers in green/white and Baitrix are working very well. Herring strip is a great Coho bait and a company called Black Label in now making it again.
Halibut fishing is very slow right now but should improve with the ebb currents next week.
DFO Notice:
Recreational Fishers fishing for Coho Salmon in the Port San Juan and Juan de Fuca Area
This notice is to clarify Coho limits in the Port Renfrew area.
1. From September 11th, 2014 until December 31st 2014 the daily combined quota for Coho Salmon in Sub-areas 20-2 and a portion or 20-1 (Inside a line from Owen Point to the Whistle Buoy thence to San Juan Point) is Four (4)…of which Two (2) can be wild.
2. From September 11th, 2014 until September 30th, 2014 the daily combined quota for Coho Salmon in the rest of Area 20 (Bonilla Point east and excluding the area described above in 1.) is Two (2) … of which only One (1) can be wild.
3. From October 1st, 2014 until December 31st, 2014 the daily combined quota for Coho Salmon in the rest of Area 20 (Bonilla Point east and excluding the area described above in 1.) is Four (4) of which only Two (2) can be wild.
Please note…The daily limit for coho is 4 of which the maximum number of wild is 2 regardless of what area they are caught in. For example you CANNOT have two wild Coho from inside Port San Juan and one wild Coho from outside in Area 20. For further clarification please contact the local Fisheries and Oceans Office Victoria: (250)363-3252 Duncan: (250)746-6221
Upcoming event: Coming up on October 4th and 5th Port Renfrew Marina will be having its annual Coho Derby "Winner Take All." This derby is very popular and this year it should prove to be a good one if the amount of Coho we are seeing so far is any indication. The tickets for the derby are only available at the office and only for a few days before the derby. The tickets are $25.00 a rod with $5.00 of each ticket going to the local hatchery. The winnings vary in size and are dependent on the amount of tickets sold. The winnings have been anywhere from $5,300.00 (for the first year) all the way to $13,800.00 one year and all cash. This a great derby, its not expensive to get entered and you can hope to go home with a lot of cash in your pocket and it helps the hatchery. It's a great way to say goodbye to the 2014 fishing season. PLEASE remember we are a cash business and bring cash with you for your stay. We do have an ATM for customers to use in case they need it. We DO NOT take credit cards or Interac. The Salmonberry Bistro is planning on being back at the marina for the Coho Derby so it will be available for early morning coffees and quick breakfast sandwiches.
IMPORTANT INFO: Port Renfrew marina is closing this year on October 12th. Please make sure you are aware of this date to make arrangements to pick up your boat or unit or make arrangements for winter storage. If a boat or unit is not picked up it will be assumed you are wanting winter storage and the fees will apply.
Bud & Rex