At Port Renfrew Marina Chinook fishing along the beach is back to fair after a few good days on our last report. The salmon seem to be staying very close to shore even into 40 feet of water. There have been some notable catches if one can stay away from the seals and sea lions! Notable catches:
- Grant Hilliard 32
- Ken Gillard 31
- Terry Van Weiren 37.5
- Wayne Winters 34
- John Bart 32
- John & Gail Gordon 31 33
- John & Gail Gordon 38.5
Offshore, at Swiftsure, calm seas have returned. The prior five days had everyone getting totally beat up in very ugly weather. Fishing is very good out there for Chinook, Coho and halibut. Spoons and Baitrix at 170 feet for Chinook. White gulp and salmon bellies for halibut. Coho can usually be caught trolling on the surface or casting when you see them.
Inshore halibut remains very good and will get better still as as the guide pressure is off as they fish the "chicken ranch."
Crabbing is starting to slow down a bit although the ones you get are hard and heavy and a good size. It has been an incredible run all season long so a bit of a slow down is to be expected.
Upcoming Event: The 2nd annual Port Renfrew Marina Spring Salmon Derby will be held on July 16th and 17th held by the Cowichan Kinsmen. This derby is a fun one with many great prizes and this year there will be a simple dinner. Winnings go to the biggest springs caught. 1st prize is $2000.00 2nd prize $800.00 and 3rd prize $400.00. 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
Raffle Item: Port Renfrew Marina is raffling an Islander Reel donated by them to raise funds for the local salmon hatchery. It is a MR 2-LA Mooching Reel called ARBOR SLATE. Tickets are $5.00 or 3 for $10.00 and available at the marina. Buy a ticket and support the hatchery so you and generations to come can enjoy the sport of salmon fishing.
Another Raffle Item: Again the Port Renfrew General Store has generously donated another gift basket for raffle for the Labor Day Derby. This basket is full of some amazing items, such as a bottle of Ketel vodka, Gran Reserva Bacardi rum, 1 bottle of quality red wine, & a bottle of salted caramel Baileys, a ceramic LED candle lantern, a box of Purdys chocolates, cedar salmon wraps, acrylic plates and bowls, 1 pound Salt Spring organic coffee, Stash organic green tea, bamboo reed diffuser, 4 stemless wine glasses and much more, all sitting in a metal beer cooler tub with a built in bottle opener on the side. It can be viewed at the Port Renfrew General store or at Port Renfrew Marina later in the month. Tickets are $2.00 each or 3 for $5.00, what a deal for a basket of approximately a $300.00 value! Must be 19 or older to buy tickets and attendance is not required to win. At this time the basket can be seen at the Port Renfrew General Store.
Port Renfrew Marina is still working on getting the water line in, please forgive the mess of gravel and road work torn up in places.
Port Renfrew Marina has a Labor Day Derby every year, this years will be the 19th annual derby, this year it falls on Sept. 3rd and 4th. We are now trying to collect donations for this derby and we ask if anyone feels they can help with a donation or knows a business that could help out we would be grateful to hear from them. You can come by the office or call us at 250 483-1878 and let us know. As you know a successful derby is dependent on prizes and as usual we are trying to help the local hatchery who depends on organizations to help them stay viable and productive. All of us at the marina want to make sure that there are salmon around for generations to come! All donations, large and small are greatly appreciated. The Labor Day derby is a 2 day event with prizes for top three largest fish, one for woman's and under 16, hidden weights, door prizes, silent and live auctions and raffle items. As usual there will be a dinner and beverages and the live band that plays every year.
Bud & Rex