As far as fishing goes in the Renfrew area there is not much more to add from the last report. Beach Chinook fishing though improved some, remains quiet. This seems to be the tend all along the lower west coast.
Chicken Ranch fishing is hot and cold with the salmon being mostly on the smaller side. Halibut has slowed down.
Inshore halibut remains very good. Try some new spots on the anchor for limit catches! All the best fishing has been to the west. East of the bay is all dogfish.
Notable catches:
- Chris Allen 34.9 (from the previous report time)
- Hugh Hamer 28
- Chris Flint 30.4
- Mary Dice 31.5
- Judy DeFrane 30
- Manning Watson 28
- Gord & Keri Dolbec 30 20
Hoody Derby: Last week Port Renfrew Marina held a very informal small derby in memory of Blair Houdayer, a long term regular at the marina and well loved by everyone. This year was the second one and was attended by about 25 fishermen who all had to fish by cut plugging as Blair always did. The fishing was very slow but the feelings of remembering Blair and having a day of fishing in his name was the most important. The winner this year was Greg Jones, the grandfather of Matthew Jones who won last year. $855.00 was raised for the Canadian Cancer Society.
Kinsmen Derby: This past weekend Port Renfrew Marina held the second annual Kinsmen Derby. It was a great derby with over 200 tickets sold for a solid turnout. It was a two day derby with a hamburger dinner included on the Sunday. Fishing for this derby definitely improved some, happily. The weather held up nicely and the seas were calm. The freezer draw raised $2136.00 and the funds went to the local Port Renfrew Park. The side bet raised $890.00 and that money went to the San Juan Hatchery. The Lake Cowichan Kinsmen club raised approximately $10,000.00 to other widespread causes with a total of monies raised approximately $13,000.00 for the derby! Not bad at all for only it's second year running, thanks to all who participated and or donated to this great derby with well deserved causes.
Winners:
- First Place: Bob Biggs 33.5 $2000.00
- Second Place: Joe Serpa 29.11 $800.00
- Third Place: Jay Degoesdriand 26.2 $400.00
Sorry, no picture of third place winner
Ongoing work: The water line is moving along and we hope to have it up and running soon, work gets done every week and we hope for completion in the next month or sooner.
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. To all those who are helping us get donations a big thanks goes out to them for their efforts. 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.
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 Purdy's 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.
Bud & Rex