Port Renfrew Marina Report July 10/17

At Port Renfrew Marina Chinook fishing has taken a positive turn this past week. Not only larger fish but also the fact that the fish are coming from all the "old" favorite spots; East Point, Owen Point, Rockpile and Cullite, Camper are all producing springs. They are feeding on needlefish and baby herring so keep your bait small or run coho killers. Try fishing shallower than usual as several anglers have caught the fish right on the surface as they are putting the line in the downrigger clip. Offshore the "chicken ranch" is doing its incredible impression of a live fish market! Limit catches of Chinook, coho, and halibut are so fast the boasts are back at the dock before noon! As an added bonus there are big numbers of humpback whales putting on a show as they feed on herring and krill.

Crabbing is still going very well, some big and hard and the occasional softer one but all tasty.

Notable catches:

• Ian & Deb MacGregor  24  23  14  16
• Kristina Ledger   30.5
• Terry Van Wieren  4 springs to 20 lb.
• Leung Huang  31
• John Gordon  38.5
• Eric Echdahl  29
• Phil Rankine   30
• Ian Batty  30
• Ron Jakimchuk  30
• Bob Green  33
• Robyn Kerron  29

This past weekend Port Renfrew Marina held it's very small and quiet Hoody Derby in honor of Blair Houdayer who past away two years ago. He was a long time friend and customer of Port Renfrew Marina and had a life long love of fishing. He always fished cut plugging so that was the rule of the derby, no downriggers. The winning fish at 27 pounds was caught by Rex Coburn. the derby raised $550.00 for the Canadian Cancer Society and was donated in Blair Houdayer's name.

Coming up very soon is the annual Kinsmen Salmon Derby on July 29th and 30th. This derby was partially created to replace the now finished Davey Derby and so far it has been doing a pretty great job of doing that. The tickets are available at the marina, Bucky's Sports in Duncan, Gord's Fly Box in Cowichan and Island Outfitters in Victoria. Tickets are $50 a rod and first prize is a Yamaha 9.9 kicker. There is always many other prizes so there is a good chance you won't go away empty handed. Come out and fish and help support a great cause. The monies raised are to help fix up two children's park play areas.

Coming up later in the season will be Port Renfrew Marina's annual Labor Day Derby on September 2nd and 3rd. This derby is held to help out the local San Juan salmon hatchery and for those of you who don't know this hatchery has had little or no monies from the government since 1992. Without outside support and donations this hatchery would likely not be active. If anyone seeing this can offer to help out with donation prizes or knows of a business that might be interested please contact the marina office. As you know a successful derby relies on the generosity of donators for prizes to make a derby exciting and fun which is turn brings more anglers and then raises more money for the particular cause. More details to come. See below for our first raffle item for the Labor Day Derby.

Islander Reel

    MR 3-C Mooching Reel

                 Clear

Generously Donated by:

        Islander Reels, Victoria

     Retail value: $650.00

 Full frame construction w/one piece spool & frame

 Lg arbor, ultra light spool w/ ventilated arbor. The large

 arbor allows for 2 to 3 times the retrieval rate of a standard arbor

 A huge 2-7/16 drag surface using Islander’s proven graphite impregnated cork material

 Converts right to left hand retrieve in seconds

 Lg contoured palming rim & handles

 Buttery smooth sealed stainless steel bearings

 Lg sculpted drag knob

          Tickets: $5.00 each or 3 for $10.00

                Draw Date: Sept. 3^rd

        @ PRM Labor Day Derby

Tickets sold @ P.R.M. Attendance not necessary to win

Coming up at the end of Port Renfrew Marina's season will be the annual Coho Derby. This is an extremely popular derby. There has been some debate over the date of the derby and after much thought we have finally come to the conclusion that it will be Sept. 30th and Oct.1st. More info to come later.

As most everyone knows by now the marina now has it's power pretty much completed. It was a big job and took longer than expected but things have settled down, everyone is pleased to have power and water at their sites. The power sites are going fast as not all sites have it. We hope to expand the number of sites with power next year.

Bud & Rex

Port Renfrew Marina Report July, 4/17

At Port Renfrew Marina Chinook fishing has definitely improved since our last report. The beach has been very good though you may want to avoid Camper Creek as the seal situation is out of control. Some anglers, mostly cut pluggers, are losing 2 out of 3 fish to the seals. East Point has finally produced some fish, so the smaller boats can still fish if the wind is up. Notable catches:

• Matt Kelly  30
• Wes kelly   31
• Brad Monti  32
• John Strolger  30

The "Chicken Ranch" is still on fire for spring salmon, "Lemon Meringue" hootchies, one of the ones some are preferring,  100' to 160' down is the ticket to success.

Crabbing is still the best we have seen. Big hard purple beauties are making everyone with a trap very happy!

Upcoming Event: Coming up on July 29th and 30th is the annual Kinsmen Salmon Derby. The tickets are now available at Port Renfrew Marina and are $50.00 a rod. First prize is a 9.9 Yamaha kicker and all the proceeds go to an assortment of needy causes. This has always been a fun derby in the past and is sure to be one again this year. Come have a weekend of good fishing and support the fundraiser.

Later upcoming event: Port Renfrew Marina will be having its 20th Labor Day Derby on Sept. 2nd and 3rd. This derby is a great way to celebrate nearing the end of the season and help support the local San Juan fish hatchery. More info to come later on.

In case you haven't heard the power is now for the most part done and up and running. many sites have both water and power now. Most everything is back in place and things are looking more normal now.

 Bud & Rex

Port Renfrew Marina Report June 21/17

In Port Renfrew and Port Renfrew Marina there is little fishing pressure right now, as there are as few as four boats at Camper Creek during the week days. If you don't like crowds and having to work around other boats this time works for you. Spoons seem to be best for Chinook right now, 30' to 40' on the downrigger trolled fairly fast. Good news the salmon have arrived at the "Chicken Ranch." Easy limit catches are to be had if the weather lets you get out there. Future forecasts for the coming week or more seems better.

Halibut has slowed down, not sure if it is because of the longliner that has set gear out there for a month or the lack of good ebb tides.

Notable catches:

• Ken Jamison     29
• Randy Goertzen   31.5   17

VERY GOOD NEWS: We are very happy to say that the marina has completed the installation of the new underground power and it is now working. Most sites now have their own power post and water source.

Coming event:  Coming up on July 29th and 30th is the annual Kinsmen Salmon Derby. The tickets are now available at the marina and at Bucky's Sports in Duncan, Gord's Fly Box in Lk. Cowichan and Island Outfitters in Victoria. Tickets are $50.00 a rod. First prize is a Yamaha 9.9 kicker. Come out for a weekend of fishing and support a great group that helps out many needy causes.

PRM Labor Day Derby: Port Renfrew marina will be having the annual Labor Day Derby this year on Sept 2nd and 3rd. More details will be coming as the summer goes by.

Bud & Rex

Port Renfrew Marina Report June 11/17

At Port Renfrew Marina fishing is on the upswing somewhat. Cut pluggers at Camper Creek are the real hotshots right now with multiple fish per day right along the kelp beds, though they are losing 1 in 4 to the seals. Hole in the Wall at NitNat has been very good for trollers at slack tide. Preferred bait is anchovy in the 12 pack but anything needle fish look alike will work to catch springs. Crabbing is still very good, hopefully that will last well into July.

The "Chicken Ranch" at Swiftsure should be turning on any day now. Halibut fishing is still good.

Notable Catches:  

• Bob Hall & Charlie Hill  35
• Glen Wilson  25
• Matthew Jones  30
• Eric Eckdahl & friend    4 springs up to 28

For those who haven't been to the marina yet you will be happy to know the launch area has been paved with asphalt for a smoother and easier launching of your boat.

The all important question, is there power yet? Unfortunately, not quite, we have been assured that it shouldn't take more than one more week. Finding a trade who can get up there and stay there is very difficult. We apologize for the delay and are really trying to get the job finished as soon as possible. The water is now hooked up and a go, so no more having to haul your containers to the water truck.

Important Date: Coming up in about 6 weeks will be the Kinsmen Salmon Derby on July 29th and 30th. This is such a nice derby, great prizes, and for an assortment of very important causes. If you can be in Renfrew that weekend consider participating and help them raise funds for them. You can enjoy fishing and at the same time help our needy causes and maybe win a great prize.

Some people have been inquiring as to the Labor Day Derby. It is going to be held this year on the Labor Day weekend which will be Sept. 2nd and 3rd. We have already started with inquiries to donations for the prizes as it takes all summer to acquire them. If you can make a donation through business or personally or know of someone who would be interested and willing to make a donation please contact us in the office and let us know. A derby's success and fun is largely based on prizes and to make this derby a success as it has in the past we count on the generosity of people to help out.

 Bud & Rex

Port Renfrew Marina Report June 5/17

At Port Renfrew Marina salmon fishing is typical for early June, hot for a few days then slowing down for a few days.One fisherman hooked nine springs on Sat. kept three and then none on Sunday. Bigger fish have showed up, one 24 pounds, a couple others in the twenties and two in the 30's. The usual spots, Camper Creek, Cullite and Logan Creek are all holding areas for Chinook. Farther west "Hole in the Wall" past NitNat can be on fire! Needle fish hootchies and Coho Killers fished close to the bottom is the ticket.

Halibut fishing remains good though you have to pick good ebb currents. The "Chicken Ranch" at Swiftsure Bank will be urning on anytime soon. It always takes until mid June for the fish to show up there.

Crabbing is still very good, some people come back with only a couple while others limit out completely. Make sure you have good bait, salmon bellies are very good and anything stinky! Also make sure your trap is sitting solid on the ocean bottom and not moving and shifting with the current.

So, as we are sure all of you are wondering, "Is there power yet?" Unfortunately, not quite, we are getting closer and it won't be too much longer. One good thing, of all 110 posts all have running water now. People seem to be managing one way or another without the power, like the old days! When you come you will see some other nice improvements, the launch area has had some asphalt laid and it is a great improvement.

Upcoming event: Coming up in July 29th and 30th the Kinsmen Salmon Derby will be held at Port Renfrew Marina. This derby was started after the Davey Derby ended and does similar good work donating to many wonderful and needy causes. They always have great prizes and if you like a fun relaxed derby then this one is for you.

Bud & Rex