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