Saturday 29 August 2015

Charles and Peggy




Charles and Peggy are as old as.....well, as old as they are nice,  which is remarkable.  They are probably bored of people complimenting them on their abilities and especially on their adventurous nature, So, we won't mention that again. 
They had a wonderful two part trip. First they stayed several days at Nanook Lodge, where their hosts Larry and Sam supported them going at their own pace. Salmon fishing was hot for chinooks the whole time, but they didn't get up early, and they made some side trips for crabbing, and hiking. 


 Then , for my part, I picked them up mid- day at Nanook and made a bit of a tour on the way down to delivering them at Steep Island Lodge. Chantal was a perfect host for them there.
 The weather was rainy and windy for the first day and they just stayed in. But the following morning was good and we got out at the crack of 10 am for a short fishing trip north of the Narrows and back for an afternoon lunch. The fishing was fairly busy for some pinks and cohos biting , but hard to hook , and no big ones. So, it was fun when Charles caught a beautiful example of a pink salmon, nearing 5 pounds, and he said he was glad to get one of that size because he was able to get it in without any help.
 That was it for fishing with me because I was booked up for the next days, but Charles and Peggy stayed on at Steep Island for a couple more days. Chantal was great, taking them to Gowland Island for a hike and over to Quadra for a look around, and indulging them relaxing at the lodge with good food and quiet time. 

Charles and Peggy are pretty special, and I'm very glad to have been part of the team.

http://nanooklodge.com/ 
http://www.steepisland.com/









Thursday 27 August 2015

Norm and Laurie


This is Laurie's introduction to salmon fishing in this neck of the woods. Norm has been here years ago and these two came wanted to join their good friends for several days of motorboat fishing and rowing in the Tyee Club tradition.  This is day one. Calm, sunny, lovely. Laurie got the fishing technique down and came up with a really nice one for her first salmon. 

This was a surprise to see a couple of Humpback whales come by in " Butlers" right up on top of the shallows as we fished in one of my favourite spots . 
I am getting used to the idea of the whales coming along more often.  The "Resident" Orcas often fish where we do in the Straits. The Humpbacks gulp herring in Georgia Strait and we are always looking for  the herring. 
 



rowing David


That is such a kick.. David struck the fish as it hit the spoon, like it was all one motion. This isn't a Tyee but it is a thrill. 


Friday 21 August 2015

Bob and Larry

Bob is entertaining his old friend Larry. Bob, from California, Larry, from Oklahoma. It is Larry's first time in this neck of the woods, and first time salmon fishing. He got the hang of this pretty quickly, and we made a team out of the jobs of steering , running the gear and playing the fish. 
We ran north on this breezy day, to the sheltered side channel. Bob had a hard time holding up his 20 pounder with his shoulder injury, but the two of them get the job done. . 
 Bob was fishing here just last month, with his son and grand daughter. ( blog post July 6 ).



 

Sunday 9 August 2015

Michael,Ted,Kevin


Michael is here with his very seaworthy yacht from San Francisco and stopping in the Campbell River's Discovery Harbour Marina with his family before doing some more cruising to Desolation Sound. That's son-in-law Ted and grandson Kevin with him, back in from a successful morning fishing. 
 Thanks to Jeremy Maynard for setting me up , and Jeremy will take them out fishing on their return pass by here. 
 We also saw humpback whales and once very close when one surprised us as it came by looking for the same herring school we were tracking. 

 

Thursday 6 August 2015

Andy's long time return


"The trip was fantastic.  We've been to a number of great spots as a family with wonderful experiences and I can say that this was the most memorable for all of us."

Andy brought his family from Illinois to experience this place, based on his memories of  fishing with me many years ago.  There certainly have been some changes.  The fishing patterns have changed . The boat is bigger, so all the family can go together. The lodge has had a change of ownership, and a different style. Even our remote lunch-stop floating lodge has new owners. We did "get out of town" and saw some new country he hadn't seen before. Of course it was all new, exotic, to Lisa and kids Alex and Gabi. They planned time in their trip for a couple of days fishing and a day for other activities. Enjoy those new memories with your salmon dinners. 


Sunday 2 August 2015

filling in at Nanook

There's JR taking good care of a double header. 
I filled in at Nanook for a day and a half, to help with their scheduling while I was in the neighbourhood.  It was good to work with some old pals. 

 




Saturday 1 August 2015

over 30 !


Over 30 !  Its been over 30 years that these fellows have been coming back for more !  It has been the G family , with business associates and friends from California, and in recent years , the second generation. Even some of the newbies have been coming for 15 years,  Scott has been the main man at this end , keeping up the great connection. Over the years some of the originals have gone to the  "happy fishing grounds", and some others are too aged or ill to continue , but those that can, do. I feel honoured to be a part of this camaraderie. The core G family will be making a second trip in a week, and the new "Committee", has already been up for a trip with his wife to fish with Scott in June. These people know what they like.