We at Port Renfrew Marina held our annual Coho Derby, "Winner Take All" this past weekend. Well, weather and fishing leading up to the derby were awesome and all indicators seemed to say it would stay so but unfortunately the week's perfect weather could not last into the derby weekend. Saturday, the first day of the derby was pounded by the infamous Renfrew rain, Sunday was nice, clear and sunny but fishermen had to endure big seas and now on Monday it is sunny and calm. Fishing was also slower on the weekend than during the week but there were still a lot of Coho hitting the docks, numbers were high but the size of most were smaller, most in the 10 to 12 pound range. Small herring and Baitrix seemed to be the best choice of the more successful fishermen. The fishing should remain very good until we close, just keep an eye on the marina reports.
The winner for this years "Winner Take All" derby was Don Smith with a 17 pound 10 ounce Coho
First big Coho weighed in by Ian White at 15' 13" next big one to be in first place was Nathan Van Wieren with a 16' 12" Coho which ended up getting beat out by the winner Don Smith. On the Sunday an Ian McKinnon weighed in 17' 6" Coho, close but still second. Two others were weighed in at the 14 pound range. The prize money was presented to Don Smith by Bud Watt on the Sunday about 1o minutes after the 1:00 deadline and he was given a bag donated by Scotty to put his money in.
Notable Catches:
- Neil Hanson & Gord Porritt great catch ling cod up to 17' 7 coho up to 12'
- Ian McKinnon 17'6" Coho
- Kerry Rawlick 28 spring
For the 2017 season Port Renfrew Marina raised funds for the local San Juan salmon hatchery as we do each year. Counting monies raised from our donation jar, the Labor Day derby and the Coho derby we were able to raise a total of $16,180.85 to present to Maurice Trembley to help support and maintain the hatchery. A check was presented to Maurice Trembley by Bud Watt. Also the Lake Cowichan Kinsmen presented Mr. Trembley with their donation of $1000.00 to support the hatchery also from their Salmon Derby held each year in July at Port Renfrew Marina.
Important News: Port Renfrew Marina will be closing on Sunday October 15th this year. This season flew by so quickly! It is very important that you make sure you contact the marina regarding removing your boat or unit before closing or make arrangements for winter storage. Winter storage is to be prepaid, if you do not contact us and do not remove your unit, winter storage rates will apply. We ask that all outstanding accounts be settled up before this date. Once we close if you need to come and check on your unit you will need to contact our caretaker, Reid Warren for access through the gate as it is kept locked. His number is 250 483-1486. Any person storing their unit on the marina property can stay overnight ONE night a month to make sure things are working correctly and your things are in order.
Bud & Rex