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

Port Renfrew Marina Report May 23/17

For Port Renfrew Marina fishing is similar as to last week but over the long weekend things picked up with salmon fishing. Chinook salmon at Camper Creek is being dominated by the cut-pluggers who can sit right over the reef. If you are a troller put out the smallest needle fish type spoon you have, ie: Coho Killers.  Many people were coming in the docks with one or two salmon with most in the mid teens. It was good to see and we hope that salmon fishing just keeps getting better. The weather was good, mostly calm seas. Crabbing is excellent, anyone with a good solid heavy trap was coming back with their limits.

Halibut fishing has been very good, slowed down a little with lack of ebb currents, you may have to jig your lure to get some action.

At Port Renfrew Marina work is moving along but slower than we hoped for. The work for replacing our power is about 75% done and we expect that things will be completed sometime in the first week of June hopefully. We apologize for the inconvenience, we know it's difficult when you are used to having power.

This past weekend there was a small salmon derby held at the marina. It is the Kevin Fiege Fishing derby put on by his sister and friends. The winning salmon caught by Ruth Haddad was weighed in at 26'5" not bad for this early in the year. They had many nice prizes and good weather. They raised $980.00 for the BC Wildlife Federation and $1300.00 for the Salmon Enhancement Society. Not bad at all for a small one day derby!

Coming up on July 29th and 30th the Cowichan Kinsmen will be having their annual Salmon Derby at Port Renfrew Marina. Make a note of the date so you can participate, it is a fun derby with lots of prizes and all for good causes. More info to come as we get closer to the date.

With the good weather it is the time when we see many motorcyclists out for rides. This weekend was no exception, we had probably over 50 come is for gas. Here is a photo of a group of cool "rat bikes"

Bud & Rex

Port Renfrew Marina Report May14/17

With all the work being done at Port Renfrew Marina this spring and having the power delayed, mostly due to bad weather, fishing trips have been few. We had hoped to have the power completed by opening but that was just not possible. We are shooting for another week but it may take longer. We are trying very hard to have it done by the May long weekend. The weather is still holding things up some with terrible rains more days than not. When you make your first trip to the marina you will see many changes, the first being a beautiful brand new sign at the entrance of the driveway. Please be aware in the next while to keep in mind no power means not expecting to leave food or bait behind. We did have some issues with our ATM and pay phone but they have been cleared up and both are now working. Halibut fishing is still very good. With no angling pressure for six months the first of the season always produces lots of fish of a good size. As usual the first catches of the season taste amazing!

Salmon are coming in from Camper Creel but again there are days without a boat in sight, if you like to fish quiet and without crowds this is a great time to do that. The third year net pen fish from Mill Bay will be returning this year so Woods Nose could be the place to be.

Crabbing is very good with the heavy commercial type traps out fishing all other kinds. If your trap isn't heavy then it is highly recommended you weight it with rocks or something to make sure the trap stays solid on the ocean floor and not swaying and moving with the current. The crab don't like the movement and will take off.

Important Date: This year the Cowichan Kinsmen Salmon Derby will be held July 29th and 30th. This is a great derby and grows bigger every year. It is following in the footsteps of the Davey Derby where they help various people and organizations in the Cowichan and other areas. They do great work and are a bunch of really great people. the derby is a lot of fun and they have great prizes. Stay tuned for updates and info as we get it.

IMPORTANT: If you are an existing seasonal customer at Port Renfrew Marina and have NOT contacted us yet as to your return you have run the risk of losing your spot as we have people wanting camping sites.

Bud & Rex

Port Renfrew Marina Report May 3/17

  At Port Renfrew Marina the season seems to be off to a good start. Crabbing has been very good as it usually is this time of year. Again, hard and sweet and healthy sizes. Got to love crabbing time, there isn't much like it! Halibut fishing is good also but you have to know your weather and seas as it can still be windy and rough out there. Salmon fishing is also good but they are still on the smaller size but great tasting. Lets hope that this year's fishing stays good and just gets better!

At Port Renfrew Marina the electrical work continues. We are trying hard to get it completed but the weather has not cooperated. We are working every day all day to get the lines in and the grounds back to normal. We first thought it would be done around opening dates but that got bumped to mid May. At this time we are hoping that timeline will work but it may take longer. If you are planning on coming out to set up your camp and get settled in you may want to call the marina first to check on how things are in case there are trenches near your site or other work being done there. Please take note, there is NO POWER for hook up at this time. All power has been turned off while the work is being done. If you do come out before power is restored make sure you bring only foodstuffs that can be consumed while you are there unless you have your fridge set to propane. If you went o the marina's site and found it down, it was due to a domain transfer and should be fine now.

Also at this time the docks are being put back and repair work is underway. We would like to thank Odd Johansen, Dave Mills and TJ Watt for helping put out the docks.

Right now, the marina's ATM is not working. We are awaiting a part for it. The winters seem to affect even electronics that are indoors and kept dry, etc. We should have it up and running by this coming Sat. So please be aware if you are coming before that you should have cash on hand as we are still a cash only business.

A reminder: If you are a seasonal customer at Port Renfrew Marina it is time for you (unless you have already) to contact us regarding your return. We have people who are enquiring about sites and we need to know who is keeping their spots and who may not. Please take a minute to call the marina and update us as to your decisions. Please have a look at the rates page as some things have changed.

Port Renfrew Marina would like to welcome our new caretaker, Reid Warren. He has been a huge help with the excavator work needed there and is doing so much to get the marina looking clean and organized for the coming season. Also, Knut is back for the new season as you all know him.

For Port Renfrew Marina the first derby planned so far is the Kinsmen Salmon Derby. It is scheduled for July 29th and 30th.

Bud & Rex