As most of you know, this has been a season where DFO has thrown us a few curves when it comes to Chinook retention.
First, after imposing a non retention of Chinook order on Area 20-1 until July 15, they hit us with an 80 cm slot size limit three days before the non retention order was to be lifted. Next on the afternoon of July 14, an order was imposed on 20-1 reducing the daily catch limit of Chinook from two per day to one. After being challenged on this latest last minute change, DFO did issue a "correction" to that notice and WE CURRENTLY HAVE A TWO PER DAY CATCH LIMIT.
During the period of the slot size limit, fishing was very good and in particular the cut pluggers did very well with a lot of bigger Chinooks during that time. We have reports of Chinooks with estimates of weights up to the low forty pound range and numerous fish in the thirties. Although there are still some fish in that range, we have been seeing lots of "cookie cutter" fish in the fifteen to twenty pound range in the last couple of weeks. Anchovies trolled behind flashers remains the most popular technique for catching these fish. Lately there has been lots of baitfish in our waters. We expect the good fishing to continue until the Labour Day weekend as it typically does.
The Swiftsure Bank Halibut fishery has remained consistent through the first one half of our season with lots of "chicken" halibut and also numerous larger fish in the forty to fifty pound range have been taken.
The Dungeness Crab fishery which was outstanding earlier this year, has dropped off lately with an abundance of female crabs being caught and released.
The Marina and Camp ground are currently quite busy with most of our sites with power and water occupied. Having said that, dry camping sites are always available along with daily and monthly moorage.
Our annual Labour Day weekend Derby takes place on August 31 and September 1 this year.
Hope to see you soon
Rex