At Port Renfrew Marina we have had sunny skies and very warm weather the last few days and it is supposed to continue for the coming week. Fishing for halibut is still excellent! There are lots of limit catches on a daily basis. The size has picked up since the last report, jumping from 20 to 30 pounders up to 60 and 70 pounders coming in. Out west is still the place to fish, nothing coming in so far from the Sombrio area. If the currents are right and you are feeling strong you can try fishing the 420 foot deep hole east of the NE corner.White gulps with bait is what works there.
Crabbing is still crazy good! Best results comes from a heavily weighted trap that sits solid on the bottom and doesn't drift around.
Chinook fishing remains slow so far with the notable exception of a 42.5 pound beauty caught June 3rd by cut plugger, Eric Eckdahl. Congratulations of our first over 40 pounder of the season. People "in the know" have told us to expect the best Chinook fishing since 1998 this year. These fish that are expected to show will be 4 and 5 year old salmon so sizes will be likely bigger than in the recent past. Lets hope they are right!
Notable catches: Eric Eckdahl 42.5
If you have left messages on the marina phone and no one has gotten back to you, we apologize as we have had phone issues that have taken quite a while to resolve but they are now fixed and we can now access our messages. At this time the pay phone, office phone and ATM are all working!
Upcoming events: Coming up on July 9th Port Renfrew Marina will be having another "Hoody" derby in honor of Blair Houdayer, who was a long time customer and friend of all of us at the marina. This derby will be for cut pluggers only, details to come.
Also the Port Renfrew Spring Salmon Derby held by the Cowichan Kinsmen will be coming up on July 16th and 17th. This derby is a fun one with many great prizes. Winnings go to the biggest springs caught. 1st prize is $2000.00 2nd prize $800.00 and 3rd prize $400.00. There is an early bird draw for tickets purchased before July 4th, it is a $200.00 tackle box package. There are hidden weight and door prizes. Tickets will be available at Port Renfrew Marina, Bucky's Sports, Gord's Flybox or from Dustin 250 701-5253 or dustin_m@hotmail.com. Monies raised will go to local service projects, youth sport programs, San Juan Enhancement Society, Port Renfrew Park, families in need, special needs people and Cystic Fibrosis to name a few. For photos of previous derbys go to www.lakecowichankinsmen.com
New News: Some of you may have noticed a lot of drilling and digging lately at the marina. We are in the process of putting in a water line, we are hoping it will be completed in a month or two.
Raffle Item: At Port Renfrew Marina we have a Islander Reel donated by Islander Reel, Victoria for raffle. Value of the reel is $625.00. Tickets are at the marina and are $5.00 each or 3 for $10.00. All proceeds go to the local salmon hatchery in Renfrew.
Bud & Rex
