Port Renfrew Marina Report May 20/15

For Port Renfrew Marina this last week has seen an improvement in the salmon fishing. Owen Point to Camper Creek has been the best area. Small anchovies or Coho killer spoons are working well. A word of caution; be prepared to lose at least one fish per day to a seal, a MAJOR problem already. Hali fishing has slowed right down this week. No one knows why as the currents are good in the mornings. Perhaps its time to hit the chicken ranch.

Crabbing is still very good. Put some weight in your traps to keep them from moving along the bottom.

Notable Catches: 

• Myles Van Eeuwen  26 lb salmon
• Eric Eckdahl   22  25 & 27
• Wayne Schiffner  27
• Bobby & Tom Holland   42 halibut

At Port Renfrew Marina we have had issues lately with our phones and the ATM. We are happy to announce that both are up and working! It took some doing but the ATM is fully functioning after needing a variety of new parts and the phone will now let us access our voice mails. If you have called and left messages and had no response this is why so please try again if you are in need of information.

A reminder that we are now separating our food waste from non-biodegradable garbage as per the new CRD ruling. You will see the new green garbage cans for food waste. You can dump directly into is with no bag or is using a bag it MUST be compostable. We appreciate your cooperation in this effort, please do your best.

As most everyone knows the Salmonberry bistro is gone now and we no longer have hot food available. There is in the works a small venture coming and we will have the info on it within a week or two. If so it will be simple coffee and muchie type foods. As soon as it is confirmed we will be letting everyone know. It should hopefully be up and going by the month of June. Meanwhile be prepared to pack your food for those early mornings.

This past weekend we had two very helpful little girls, Aliya Allard and Paisley Kovacs, doing their best to raise funds for the local salmon hatchery. This was their own idea and efforts and they sat by their stand for the two days. They raised a total of $36.50! We want to thank them for their selfless time and willingness. We think everyone enjoyed getting their hand painted rocks! Good for you, girls!!

If you are a seasonal camper with Port Renfrew Marina and have not contacted us regarding your return, the deadline has passed and your site will be considered available unless you contact us asap.

We are Port Renfrew Marina sadly lost 5 of our customers this year. We want to acknowledge them and express our sadness at losing such good people. This includes Doug Olson, Don Campbell, Blair Houdayer, after along illness, Lana Gallant and recently, Chic Akiyama. They will all be missed.

Bud & Rex

Port Renfrew Marina Report May13/15

Fishing has slowed down a bit from the last report. Currents and sea conditions last week were perfect for halibut fishing. Dwayne Isaac, back from Alberta, put a clinic on how to fish for them successfully. Several trips with various friends all produced very nice catches.  The next set of ebb tides should bring back good halibut fishing. Crabbing remains good. Deeper water 50 to 60 feet seems better than the shallower waters. If you don't have a large commercial like trap try weighting it down so it doesn't move or float along the bottom.

Salmon is a little slow. Owen Point to Camper Creek trolling coho killers seems to be the right choice at this time.

For any customers that are unaware of the new CRD ruling, we need to let you know that you are now required to separate your food wastes from the non-biodegradable garbage. We have new green cans in the cages where the garbage cans are for this use. You can either dump your wastes in loose or in a COMPOSTIBLE bag. No plastic or bags saying bio-degrabable are accepted. If you are unsure of the rules or have questions please come by the office and we can help. Please do your best to comply with this new ruling as there are severe penalties for anyone not complying.

We at Port Renfrew Marina want to apologize for the ATM's continued breakdown. Another part is on its way and we are hoping this will have things fixed. It should be up and running by Friday sometime if all goes as planned. We also had issues with the phones not working for a couple of days. If you try to contact the marina and have no luck it is likely they are down, the most common result will be a constant busy signal. Also although our phones will take voice mails messages we are unable to access them, so far we have tried to set it up so the voice mails go to an email but if you don't get a return call then that means we have not been able to get the message. We again apologize for this, our system is old and has flaws that can't seem to be resolved.

Port Renfrew Marina is still looking for a marina truck. We are needing one to take garbage and move things such as wood and debris around. It does not need to be pretty or in perfect shape, we just want one that is reliable and cheap. Anyone knowing of a truck for sale please call or email us. 250 483-1878. Thank you!

For those not aware the Salmonberry Bistro is now gone. We no longer have a cookshack for hot food. There is still a possibility that a small venture will start but if it does, it will be weekends only and very basic. If you have counted on meals from the cookshack be prepared to go elsewhere for now or bring food with you!

Bud & Rex

Port Renfrew Marina Report May 7/15

The 2015 fishing season is starting off well. Generally very nice weather has helped. For Port Renfrew Marina we are filling up with our seasonal people so if you are a seasonal and haven't contacted us about your return, please do so as soon as you can. This helps us with knowing what sites are available for new customers. There a change this year as the Salmonberry Bistro has moved to a different location. As of now we do not have a cookshack for hot food. We are still in the process of possibly getting another option but if so it will be on a smaller scale. Once we know for sure we will be posting the information. For those who are wondering we now have the ATM back up and running. We had to wait for a part to be shipped but it is now fixed. For all our customers we want to inform you of the new CRD ruling regarding food waste in the garbage. The marina has purchased new green cans for the food waste which now must be separated from non- bio-degradable products. The food waste can be dumped into the garbage cans loose, as from a bucket or bagged as long as the bag is a compostable bag, not a plastic or bio-degradable bag. Please try to do your best in complying with this new ruling as there are serious consequences if not followed. Any questions regarding this new rule please come by the office and ask us.

In late April we put in the docks for the season, this is nearly an all day job and we want to thank everyone who helped Bud with the placement. A big thanks goes to Odd Johansen, Todd Garrett, Reid Warren and the Mills brothers, Dave and Doug. Without their help each year the job would be very difficult. Bud and our handyman, Eric have been doing dock repair and it is an ongoing job.

Crabbing has been very good, the key seems to be large ex-commercial traps that don't move with the swell and placed in 50 to 60 feet of water. Nothing like a fresh catch of crab at this time of year!

Halibut fishing is good, as expected this time of year. Perfect ebb tides, with low swells make this coming few days a great time for fish. Sombrio to the east, and to all spots to the west are all giving up fish.

Salmon fishing has been fair to good, Owen Point to Camper Creek is a good spot. Coho killers and small hoochies are working as the main feed is needlefish now.

Bud & Rex

April 28/15 Port Renfrew Marina Report

Port Renfrew Marina will be opening officially on May 1st, this coming Friday. We have been at the marina for the last week to prepare for our opening this season and for any seasonal early birds. If you are seasonal and are preparing to come in soon or have decided to not return please contact us asap to let us know your status for this season. The number is 250 483-1878 for the office. Also for our caretaker, Desi, his number is 250 483-1486. Important Notice:  This year we have a new ruling with the CRD regarding the compostable garbage disposal. Please note that it is now mandatory to separate your bio-degradable vegetable wastes from your non degradable garbage. For campers this year it will be necessary to separate your vegetable wastes and any organics from the other garbage and you will see we have a separate container for it. It is imperative that all campers do their best to comply with this new ruling. Please check in with the office for details regarding the ruling and how to meet with compliance of this new by-law.

For Port Renfrew Marina the crabbing has been good and coming on nicely. Halibut fishing is also coming along well considering it is early in the year. Lets hope the weather and conditions lend themselves for a productive year! This year will follow the ones before with the usual derbies we have had in the past. By now most of you know that the Davey Derby is not happening anymore but Port Renfrew marina will be trying to compensate for that derby so sorely missed. This year we are having a small salmon derby in honor of Blair Houdayer or Hoody as most of us knew him. He passed away last year and in his name we are having a derby for recognition of him and his wonderful nature and good spirit. He was a gentle sweet guy who will be sorely missed by all who knew him. Info available at the marina office.

A reminder for all fishermen. Port Renfrew Marina no longer sells fishing licenses. If you need a license you must pick one up at a store that offers purchasing such as Canadian Tire or in Victoria at Island Outfitters. The easiest and cheapest way to get one is to go online and get it yourself. Just go to Government of Canada, Fishing and Oceans Canada and look for saltwater fishing license, click on get a fishing license. If you have access to a printer its simple and only takes a few minutes.

Port Renfrew Marina is still looking for a marina truck. It doesn't need to be pretty and we are looking for one that is cheap. We are also in need of a freezer as our one last year died. Anyone knowing of either one that would work for us please contact us at the number 250 483-1878. It would be much appreciated!

For all of us at Port Renfrew Marina and for Port Renfrew in general,  we wish all our customers, old and new have a great year fishing and enjoying their summer. Lets hope the fishing is outstanding and the weather is also! As you return you will see the same old faces and we welcome Knut back and our handy guy, Eric who keeps the grounds nice. See you all soon!

Bud & Rex

April 11/15 Port Renfrew Marina Report

Port Renfrew Marina is looking for a work pick up truck. Our old one gave up the fight and had to be scrapped. We are looking for an older truck, it doesn't need to be pretty or expensive, cheap is good!  It is needed mostly for taking garbage to the dump, moving materials around the marina and such. If you know of an older truck that is in reasonable shape please contact us at 250 474-2643 and ask for Bud. The marina will be opening soon, May 1st. If you are a seasonal customer and wanting to get your trailer out please contact Desi and let him know what dates you are looking to arrive. The gate is kept locked and you will need to give him some notice. There will be someone in the office from April 24th and we are hoping to have the phone lines working by then.

We have been informed recently from Tahnee that the Salmonberry Bistro will not be at the marina this year. She is moving to an area near the Coastal Kitchen as they are not open for dinners this year. There is a possibility of someone opening a small food stall at the marina but that is not confirmed yet. If not we are hoping that the office will be able to at least make coffee available. We will know more near opening time.

Any seasonals who are NOT returning please contact us and let us know as soon as possible so we can be aware of any spaces that can be made available for new customers. We always have new people inquiring and it would be helpful to know who is coming back and who may not be.

Bud & Rex