Port Renfrew Marina Report July 5/15

Fishing in Port Renfrew this last week has slowed right down after the weeks before fishing frenzy. Biggest tide changes of the year coupled with the huge full moon put the breaks on what had been great Chinook fishing. We expect the catches to improve by next week when things mellow out. There are some springs coming from the beach but pinks, Coho and Sockeye make it hard to keep your gear in the water. AT this time there is not an opening for Sockeye in our area but you can keep 2 Coho if they are hatchery. If you find you are going through the anchovies try considering Baitrix for a change and cut down on your loss of bait. Offshore, Swiftsure Bank is producing small spring salmon and halibut but the weather has put a damper on the number of boats who are comfortable going out there. Moderate, short interval swells combined with a huge ebb current have made for dangerous conditions. Again, this will improve next week as tides die down.

Crabbing makes up for slow salmon fishing. Still many out there and very sweet.

Notable catches:

• Eric Eckdahl   31
• Terry Van Wieren     30
• June 27  Adam Walters   34
• June 27  Shane Morse      34
• June 27  Andytolj Ander   32
• June 28  Brad MacDonald  34
• June 28  Ruth Haddad   31
• June 28  Theron Keel  33
• July 1  Eric Eckdahl  30.5     As you can see those few days were HOT for big springs!

Upcoming Events for the season:     Coming soon on July 18th and 19th will be the Kinsmen Spring Derby at Port Renfrew marina. Tickets for this derby are $50.00 a rod. Details of the derby are posted at the marina with start and end times, etc. There are many prizes to be won and it's all for a good cause. This year they are fundraising to improve a children's play area in Lake Cowichan that has some unsafe issues at this time. Fishing in a derby gives you a chance to win a great prize and also help out a needed charity. First prize is $1800.00, second prize is $800.00, third prize $400.00 and a hidden weight for $200.00

July 25th is a special one day derby in tribute to Blair Houdayer who passed away last fall from cancer. He had a long brave battle and didn't let it stop him from doing what he loved most, fishing. For those who knew him we lost a great friend who was generous and an all around great guy. This derby is a memorial in his memory and is going to be a fun day. No required entry fee but donations are excepted and will go to the Canadian Cancer Society, only requirement is to fish by cut plug as he did. He only used a downrigger once that we know of and he, with his usual sense of humor, put a box over his head with eyes cut out so he could see but no one would know it was him! There will be a small trophy for the biggest spring.

Aug. 1st Port Renfrew Marina is calling all fishermen to bring their unwanted or surplus fishing gear and related items for a big garage sale. Might find some unusual new stuff or old stuff you can't find. Should be interesting and if you are fishing maybe get a friend or wife to run your table for you. The marina has tables for use and it will be held in the long house.

Aug. 8th and 9th Port Renfrew Marina is having their second annual Spring Derby. Last years was held in July but with the Kinsmen Derby we have moved it to Aug. This derby is a simple one with first prize being 50% of net take, second prize 30% and third prize 20%. Tickets are $30.00 a rod with $5.00 of each ticket going to the San Juan Hatchery. Check with the office for start and end times and other details.

Sept. 5th and 6th will be Port Renfrew Marina's 18th annual Labor Day Derby. This one is a long time favorite of everyone. Tickets are $60.00 a rod and include a Port Renfrew Marina t-shirt and on Sunday a dinner that will be catered by Wayne and Gwen Coleman, the couple who are doing the small new cafe at their site called the KISS Cafe (more about that below.) beverages, the prize ceremonies and then a live band in the evening. First prize is $1000.00, second prize $500.00 and third prize $250.00. There is hidden weight prizes, raffles, silent and live auctions and other types of fundraising. Each year on the Sunday morning we have the children's Bullhead Derby for kids 12 and under. They love this and all entrants get a goodie bag.

And last but not least Port Renfrew Marina will have its annual Coho "Winner Take All" derby on Oct, 3rd and 4th. This derby is $25.00 a rod with $5.00 going to the San Juan Hatchery  and there is al almost everyone knows only one Winner and he or she gets the pot of money. Previous years winners have won anywhere from $5500.00 to as much as nearly $14000.00!! All cash. This derby is extremely popular and no wonder, who can go fishing for a weekend and possibly come home with something in the ball park of $10,000.00?! Far better odds than the lottery!

As many know the marina no longer has the Salmonberry Bistro on site but Wayne and Gwen Coleman have opened a small cafe called The Kiss Cafe and offer a very simple menu with amazing prices. A person can get coffee, only a $1.00! an egger sandwich, burgers, hot dogs, fries and if ordered the day before a lunch to take on the boat. Ask at the office if you are unsure as to the cafe's location. At this time she is only open Friday, Saturday and Sundays, this could change if she gets busier. Word needs to get out that they are there and it likely won't take long once people see how reasonable the prices are and the good food.

At this time Port Renfrew Marina is still allowed campfires. This could change if this season continues as it has so far. Please keep fires to a minimum and always in a fire ring and keep a watchful eye on them. If you smoke please be extra careful with disposing of your butts and make sure they are out and not where there are combustibles.

There have been a few people asking about getting fishing licenses at the marina. A reminder that fishing licenses need to be done online, Port Renfrew Marina is no longer a fishing license vendor. If you want, you can do inquiries with places such as Canadian Tire, Island Outfitters, who will print you a license for a small fee but it is completely possible and easy to do one in your own home as long as you have the computer AND a printer.

Bud & Rex

Port Renfrew Marina Report June 24/15

  Port Renfrew Marina is seeing the awesome fishing we have come to expect out here! Everywhere there are being springs caught. East Point to hole in the wall are all giving up limit catches of Chinook well into the 30 pound and plus range. Herring, anchovies and spoons are working well. There is the odd Coho and Sockeye being caught as well but only hatchery Coho can be kept. Time to get out and get fishing!

Offshore the reports are the best fishing ever seen! The "chicken ranch" is producing limit catches of both halibut and springs by 9:30 in the morning! Tons of bait, whales and schools of Coho really make the trip and with no fog so almost all boats can take part in that fishery. Hootchies and spoons fished 120 feet to 160 feet deep will hook the spring and spoons on the bottom will quickly get the halibut.

Crabbing remains very good as is usual for this time of year. It may slow down soon so get your traps out while you can.

Notable Catches:

• Ron Jakimchuk   31.5
• Terry MacDonald   38.5
• Rex Coburn   31
• Eric Eckdahl  32

Upcoming Event: Coming up will be the Kinsmen Derby on July 18 and 19th. Tickets are $50.00 a rod proceeds go to the Cowichan elementary school playground upgrades which are in dire need of safety work. The Kinsmen do all kinds of great charity work around the area so come support their efforts and have a fun weekend of fishing. Setails on derby available at the Port Renfrew Marina office.

Port Renfrew Marina now has a small ongoing little cafe available for customers staying at the marina. So far it is only weekends but the office will now sell coffee when we open. Wayne and Gwen Coleman are running the little cookshop and it is very basic, with burgers, fries, hot dogs, breakfast egg muffin and coffee so far. Prices are from 1970!! You can order lunches for trips but they need to be done the day before.

For those wondering what all the excitement is out at the bank check these photos out! Must be tons of feed out there for all those birds and the whales to show up, what a great experience to see it all! Thanks to Paul Ricard for sending them on to us.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: We have just heard that the two people we count on to help out to pick up donations in the Duncan to Nanaimo area for the PRM Labor Day Derby are not able to help this year. We are very much in need of a few volunteers to help us out. If you live in the area and can spare a few hours we would be very grateful if you could come forward and help us out. This help is critical if we want to get the level of donations we have had in the past to make the derby successful and to raise the monies we usually do for the hatchery. With this dry year we are having it seems even more critical that the hatcheries have even more work cut out for them to keep the numbers up for some years to come. We need to look to the future for ourselves and our children and theirs. If you can help with even just a couple places please let us know. All help is deeply appreciated.

Bud & Rex

Port Renfrew Marina Report June 18/15

For Port Renfrew Marina onshore fishing continues to be fair to moderate. Fish are there one day and gone the next. The Logan Creek to Walbran Creek stretch seems to be a bit better than most if the beach. As usual small anchovies and small spoons such as Coho Killers are the best lures. Farther up the coast "hole in the wall" past Nit Nat has been the only consistent hot spot. You can troll right on the bottom as it is sand and loaded with needle fish. Offshore the "chicken ranch" has come on again which is typical for mid June. The guides are reporting limit catches of springs and halibut. Spoons and hootchies are always favorites out there. Watch the fog as the ranch is right in the middle of the Freighter traffic lane!

Inshore halibut fishing remains slow at all the usual spots, though we would expect it to improve shortly as the pressure is off now that fish are at the bank.

Notable Catches:

• Ken Evans   31

Upcoming Event: As many of our regular customers know Blair Houdayer, a long time fisherman who had been coming to Port Renfrew Marina for more years than anyone can count, passed away a few months ago. In honor of his memory Port Renfrew Marina is hosting a one day derby on July 25th. This derby is called "The Houdy Memorial" and is for cut pluggers only. If you don't fish that way why not give it a try that day? The derby entry is by donation only and all proceeds will go to the Canadian Cancer Society. There will be a small trophy for the biggest spring caught that day. More details to come. 

Upcoming Event: Port Renfrew Marina is offering all the fishermen a chance to sell and or trade old and unwanted fishing gear under the Longhouse this coming Aug.1st, Saturday only. We will have tables up and you can come and sell your items and buy new ones maybe find old treasures of long ago discontinued items or have a chance to sell off all the multiples of things you felt you needed at the time! Time is not set yet but approximately 10:00 to 2:00 may be a good timeline. All we ask is that when you are done you remove your items and leave the area as clean as when you arrived. Any questions or suggestions see us in the office.

Another Upcoming Event: Port Renfrew Marina will be holding it's second annual "Spring Derby"on August 8th and 9th. This is the derby we quickly put on to help fill the gap of missing the Davey Derby which had been cancelled. Guess nothing lasts forever but it sure was great while it lasted!! This derby will be to raise funds for the San Juan salmon Hatchery and will be $25.00 a rod with $5.00 of each ticket going to the hatchery. The winnings will be cash and will be 50% of the net ticket sales to first place, 30% to second place and 20% to third place.

IMPORTANT REQUEST: Coming up in September Port Renfrew Marina will be having its 18th annual Labor Day Derby. We all know and love this one with prizes, raffles, silent and live auctions and lots of fun stuff like the kids bullhead derby and the adult one! At this time we are asking for anyone who lives in the Duncan, Cowichan, Chemainus, Cobble Hill, Nanaimo or Ladysmith area to be kind enough to volunteer some time and do some canvassing for donations in their local area. If a few people come forward and do this we can see that each person has only a half dozen to maybe ten businesses to go to and this doesn't leave one or two people doing it all. With new faces we may be able to come up with new ideas and businesses to approach. One person who did Nanaimo for us is unable to help this year so we are in need of extra help. We have Sooke, Colwood and Langford and a few places in Victoria covered. Any help will be much appreciated and it is recommended that whoever is willing that they start now before fishing season gets busy and also so the businesses have time to consider a donation and contact the powers that be to get them approved. As everyone knows a derbys success and fun value depends very much on its prizes.

Bud & Rex

Port Renfrew Marina Report June 8/15

The spring and halibut fishing has only been fair this week. East Point was actually one of the most consistent spots though the cut pluggers at Camper Creek are doing well but have to deal with the seal problem. It is still an ongoing issue, they seem to have multiplied in numbers. Halibut fishing has been slow, though the weather has been kind of rough to travel far too far. The "chicken ranch" at Swiftsure Bank should turn any day now.

Port Renfrew Marina will be putting on it's second Spring Derby this coming Aug. 1st and 2nd this year. Tickets are $30.00 a rod with $5.00 of each ticket going to the local San Juan hatchery. Winnings will be 50%, 30% and 20% of total pot going to the top three fish. The Hoody derby in memory of Blair Houdayer who passed away this last January, is to be announced. It will be a 'cut plug' only fishery in his honor. No downriggers! Should be a fun way to pay tribute to one of our best fisherman and a wonderful gentle person who will be sorely missed for his winning smile and easy going personality.

Notable catches:

• John Gordon   31

Well, as we have mentioned the Salmonberry Bistro is now gone and so the marina was left with no hot food for those fishermen who don't want to bother with making their own breakfasts or dinners. Luckily, Wayne & Gwen Coleman have come to the rescue on that front! They will have a very simple menu to be found at their campsite. It is called K.I.S.S. Cafe for keep it super simple! They will be offering Egg burgers with bacon, sausage or ham, Hashbrowns, Hot Dogs, Hamburgers, Coffee, French Fries and possibly a couple other items. They will only be open Friday, Saturday and Sundays, the hours yet to be decided. There first weekend opening will be this coming one June 12th 13th and 14th. Prices are amazingly fair and reasonable!

Please, if anyone can help with a donation to our annual Labor Day derby coming up in Sept, let us know. We struggle with donations since we are at the end of a fishing season so to speak so the sooner the better if anyone out there can help whether it's personal, business or a suggestion. Volunteers to work the derby are also appreciated, every dollar we can save means more goes to the local San Juan Hatchery for the conservation of salmon stocks.

Things are looking up at Port Renfrew Marina as our ATM and the phone system are still up and running well! Please remember that we are a cash business so if you are coming to stay with us bring cash, we do NOT accept credit cards. For those who have not been to the marina we have boat gas, car gas and diesel, ice, tackle and bait. We NO LONGER are a fishing license vendor. If you need a license you must go online to Fisheries and Oceans Canada. Their email is fishing-peche@dfo-mpo.gc.ca or call 1 877 535 7307 for general inquiries. Licenses can be obtained online at home or at a business that offers access to the website. All you need is a computer and a printer and it's done.

Bud & Rex

Port Renfrew Marina Report May 30/15

At Port Renfrew Marina this week hasn't seen much improvement in the halibut fishing. The usually good spots out west are hit and miss. If you land on them you can load up but most are on the anchor for hours with pretty slim results. It will change as halibut fishing is usually a constant out there. Spring fishing has been very good but slowed a bit today, Saturday. Anchovies in the 12 pack and the always popular coho killers are the answer right now. "Hole in the Wall" at Nit Nat has been very good for some time. For those who can't or don't want to run that far Camper Creek has been good but be prepared to be "sealed," they are the worst ever this year. Logan and the rock pile are a better choice as a fish you catch there you will probably land.

Crabbing is still very good, yum yum!

Notable Catches:

• Hugh Hamar   25
• Desi Hatchard  35
• MillerTime  30
• Mike Styba  29
• Wally Brouse  27

Port Renfrew Marina is still looking for a inexpensive work truck. If you know of one that may be for sale please contact us at the office. As stated before, pretty is not necessary but reliable is. For those who come to the marina and need to access cash we have our ATM up and running now and it seems to have all its little quirks fixed. The phones are also up and running and we can now access voice mails left for us. It's just great when modern technology finally works!

This year Port Renfrew Marina will be having its Labor Day Derby on Sept.5th and 6th. We are posting this early to give our customers the heads up to see if they are able to make a donation either personally or through their work or a business they know. As derby's go ours is one of the last ones of the year so we tend to get issues with businesses being tapped out so we have decided to ask earlier each year. Donations are what make derby's successful so we count everyone to pitch in. Please contact us at the office for info.

Bud & Rex