HALIBUT SEASON TO OPEN MARCH 1
Rob Alcock, Martin Paish and Marilyn Scanlan met with Keith Ashfield, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and his key staff today in an 11th hour discussion regarding a new halibut allocation policy.
At the onset of the session we learned that the Minister has indeed been presented with a suite of options as potential solutions from the Randy Kamp process and that Minister Ashfield was looking to understand more clearly the primary interests of our industry and the key elements that are important to us. The Minister would not reveal the “options” but his staff assured us that all options are on the table.
After a brief overview of the industry profile, we clearly identified the need for “Stability and Certainty” in our sector referring to the need for a full season February 1 to December 31. We explained (as we have to all of his staff in prior meetings) what drives our sector and the pre planning involved with the consumer buying process. We also amplified the value of the early and late season halibut fishery as well as no ability to tolerate or recover from “in season closures”.
We reiterated the quality of fishery and its associated bag/possession limits required to keep the industry viable and profitable. Time was also well spent on discussing the failures of the experimental recreational quota fishery and why a private market quota system doesn’t work for the public fishery or its service providers.
The “Fixed Number” solution ratified by the SFAB is the solution we raised (again) and discussed in detail with him. We believe the Minister understood our message and the drivers behind it.
Our team turned a twenty minute opportunity into a fourty five minute clear and concise conversation on what didn’t work and why, and what will work. It was clear to us that there were some elements that he and his eastern staff did not fully understand prior to our conversation, but we assure you we fixed that.
Minister Ashfield informed us that the 2012 Halibut Season will open on March 1 and indicated that an announcement regarding the new policy could be made as soon as early next week.
In these final hours it is not too late for you to make a difference. We urge you to call your local MP and B.C. Caucus reminding them how important the recreational fishery is to you and the province of B.C.
As always we will keep you posted and let you know as soon as we here on the new policy.
Video highlights from the 2011 fishing season, with Hindsight Fishing Charters, out of Port Renfrew BC. Skipper John Wells and his trusty deckhand Quinn MacDonald guided their clients into some great fishing this year on Swiftsure Bank … once again, southern Vancouver Island’s waters delivered the goods.
No Port Renfrew fishing to report, everyone is too busy Christmas shopping!
Something else to consider … if you’re interested in learning more about halibut fishing, there’s a seminar on Saturday February 18th, 2012 from noon until 4pm, at the West Shore Ballroom at the Four Points Sheraton (located behind Costco).
The seminar will explain what’s involved in a successful and safe halibut fishing trip from start to finish. Speakers will be from outfitter stores talking about gear and anchoring safely, local guides for fishing tips, and a chef on how to prepare tasty halibut meals from your catch.
Capacity is 200, at $35 per ticket … likely to be a sell-out, so get your tickets! All proceeds from the seminar will go to the Charters River Interpretive Centre and Hatchery.
No fishing reports from Port Renfrew lately … everyone is hunkered down, avoiding the rain!
In the meantime, here’s a video with underwater footage of a crab trap. It would be fun to film the action in San Juan Bay in Spring, when the crabbing is at its best. The Dungeness crabs would be fighting it out to see which can get into the trap.
As we move info Fall, Port Renfrew’s fishing has mostly switched from Chinook to Coho salmon. Though there’s still the odd Spring salmon around, like this 31 pound beauty caught with Hindsight Fishing Charters last week.
There are coho salmon in the San Juan Bay now, with lots of jumpers right at the river mouth. However, not too many reports of people hooking into them there. Most of the coho catches are out by the Can Buoy and beyond into the deeper water. Jolly Rogers Fishing Charters reports that the coho aren’t huge, up to 10 pounds or so, but there’s plenty of action. You are allowed to keep 2 hatchery coho caught outside the Bay, and 2 wild coho caught in the Bay, for a maximum daily limit of 4 salmon. Here’s a map that explains the salmon retention opportunities.
Port Renfrew Marina is holding its annual coho salmon derby on Oct.1/2. It is $25/rod, with $5 to the San Juan Enhancement Society and the rest winner takes all. Always a good time, a great way to end off the season.
As August comes to a close, Port Renfrew’s fishing remains excellent.
Kelly from Last Chance Fishing Charters says “Salmon fishing has been very consistent on Swiftsure Bank, and there have been plenty of halibut for those who take the time to anchor for them. Shoreline fishing for springs has recently slowed down a bit but should pickup on the next set of flood tides! Stay tuned for some of the biggest fish to pass through Port Renfrew this time of year!”
Craig Adamson with Jolly Rogers Charters
Jolly Rogers Fishing Charters reports that Chinook salmon have been biting better in the mornings lately, with halibut after. He figures salmon fishing should remain good through September.
Port Renfrew Marina also reports the recent trend is fewer salmon caught, but larger — just like in 2007, the best season in recent years, with the majority of the large chinook salmon coming in the first two weeks of September. The Marina’s reports that most of the action is coming from Logan and Walbran Creeks, but also that pink salmon abound everywhere. Anglers are regularly catching 30 pound salmon at Swiftsure Bank, which is a bonus. As well, halibut catches have been good and the crabbing is excellent. But if you want halibut, you better get out there before the September 5th closure! Just a few days left…
All in all, September can often be the nicest month of the year for salmon fishing in Port Renfrew, with all salmon species passing through. The weather is often very nice too, before the winter rains set in. So if you’re looking for some fishing action, get out there soon!
Some great fishing reports coming out of Port Renfrew. this week. Here’s “HL” with a beauty spring salmon, caught by casting a fly at porpoising springs. A great fight!
Kelly from Last Chance Fishing Charters reports “Fishing on the Swiftsure Bank was damn good for Spring salmon, hot hot hot, quick limits, several north of 30. Halibut was fair in close, but the usual anchor holes are getting pummelled, time to think outside the box guys! PM can be scratchy on the bank, best bet is first light, with weather like we have been having, run right out there and get ‘em!”
“Hootchie Bob” had a good trip too “Two days of big slab action at Camper Creek, out at first light and our limit by 8:30. 1- 40lber, 2-30lbers and a scrappy 28lber to round it out. Out to 600 ft of water to bag a sockeye and three pinks and back in to dry land by noon. Next day first light and another four slabs in the boat. 1-35lb , 1-30lb, a 26 and a 22, with a 24lber released for good Karma. Fresh run came through on the tide swing. Smaller fish, but super scrappy and shiny bright. Out to 100 feet of water for two quick double headers of pinks and the fishing was done. Probably my best trip of fishing… ever! Lot of soft hits,especially at first light. Had to watch the lines like a hawk as a subtle tic was enough to maul the bait. Most hits were preceded by a tic on the line, with a good rod pump as much as twenty seconds after, so dont be quick to pull up if you think you had a strike. Ebb fishing at it’s finest!”
So there you go … clearly some pretty good Port Renfrew fishing to be had right now.
The Port Renfrew Marina is holding its 14th annual Labor Day Derby on Sept 3rd and 4th. Proceeds to the San Juan hatchery. Tickets $55 at the Marina, includes a t-shirt, dinner, beverages and a live band.
Also a Port Renfrew Coho Derby “Winner Take All” will be held this Oct. 1st and 2nd.
Anthony Norman, with a 41 pounder, caught between Logan & Camper on anchovy
A report from Trevor at N0 Bananas Fishing: “Best day of spring fishing i’ve had in almost 20yrs of guiding. Put the rods in at logan at around 630 and it went off, we pulled the plug around 1230 and played over 25 springs. Non stop action all day! Largest was just a tad over 30 and most were 22 to 25lbs. 27- 30ft was the magic depth. Offshore was still firing on all cylinders with the boys getting quick limits of springs , coho and halibut.” You can’t beat that … the Port Renfrew magic fishing continues.
Here’s two videos of a fun day’s fishing with Blair from Swell Time Charters. Good times!
Reminder: Coming up in Port Renfrew on July22nd to the 24th is the 11th annual Davey Derby. Think about entering into this derby as it is a lot of fun with fantastic prizes and all proceeds go to a variety of worthwhile charities. First prize is a Yamaha T9.9 high thrust kicker complete with the controls which has once again been kindly supplied by Linda Slader at The Mortgage Centre-Duncan and Brad and Deidre at Monti’s Boat Sales-Duncan. Tickets are available at the Port Renfrew Marina and also at the Info Center in the town of Port Renfrew.
“Wow just when you think fishing can’t get any better it did! Unreal Unreal Unreal”. That Facebook post from Trevor of “No Bananas Fishing Charters” about says it all. He adds “I didn’t think the fishing could get any better then today happened lol! 7 miles of Spring salmon non-stop all morning and the average size was up in the mid 20′s range. Left the river at 6am back at the dock tied up at noon with 10 springs all over 20 as well as many let go and 5 chicken halibut. Flat calm water as well. Got all our fish on 7 inch plugs and apex lures down anywhere from 100ft to 220ft.”
Pictured from earlier this week is Marty Chomik with a Swiftsure Bank Chinook, his first tyee (30 pounder)!
Tim Street, 36 pound Chinook salmon
Also pictured is Tim Street with a 36 pound beauty, caught off Camper Creek. They were fishing “Renfrew style” with a broken Scotty manual downrigger tied down with string. But it worked beautifully, and nothing was stopping them … overcast day with no wind, calm seas and a feeling of big fish. They caught this salmon with a Green & Gold Flasher with anchovy 28 ft down in 60 ft of water by the waterfall just before the beach at Camper. A 30 min fight with lots of power on a shimano mooching reel and berkley roughneck rod with 12 lb test line. Also caught and released other chinook and coho over that day and next.
Needless to say – if you have the ability to get out to Port Renfrew, now’s the time to do it. This is the best fishing in years – if you love fishing, you owe it to yourself to experience Swiftsure Bank at its peak. The only negative being that old expression … how will you go back to fishing the old trout pond back home once you’ve seen just how good it can get.
