The ClubHouse Reports

July 5 - 15, 2007

Wow.....the big chinooks returned this week , with too many success stories to mention everyone and all the big fish. July 6th to the 8th saw some incredible tyee fishing, topped by a catch and release 51 lber reeled in by Ross Henderson. This fish was taken at Cohoe Point, off the downrigger deep, a very nice tyee!
The area known as Rat Bay by the clubhouse guides was going off, with some heavy chinook fishing and many happy guides and guests. I have to thank Kuiama, lodge brother and guide fishing for North Island Lodge, for putting us on them. A great VHF radio call that paid off for all of us. The PCL boys were up and timed the trip perfectly getting in on the big fish. Lucky angler Dave Filipchuk had a trip of a lifetime, grabbing a 46 lb tyee fishing with guide Dan Acherman, then jumping ship and taking a 38lber with this guide they call screamer, and somehow managed a 70 lb halibut guided by Bud Stafford. Archie Roberts snuck a 34 lber out of the kelp bed right off the hot corner that put a huge smile on his face.

Korey Fletcher was guiding the Baileys and finished the trip off in style coaxing a 34 lber out of the kelp right in tight to Macpherson Point. Korey has this tack down, and I find he hits them in 60 to 80 feet of water, mooching his cut plugs through the needlefish. Try to get in there, and if you get a chance cut him off for me, so we can get in on the action! Fish 40 feet to 50 on the rigger or mooch 13 to 25 pulls. There are many big Boston Whalers working this piece of water right now, if you need some peace and quiet slide over to Cohoe Point, less boats and some big tyees as well. Jack Finkelstein, guided by Dave Nickerson did a great job grabbing a 39 lber here, and Steve Chutter scooped a nice 39 lber as well with the Mcadams! A lot less traffic and some big monsters - well done boys!

As I write this report, Tuesday July 10th, this run appears to be moving through! We are still hitting some tyees, but not as hot as the 6th to 9th. Could be whale related as the Orcas gorged on their fair share of chinook, a big part of an Orca whale’s diet. The sea lions a causing havoc as well, actually pounding the hooked chinook hard. We have video footage of a lion grabbing the net and a nice chinook out of a guide’s hands, and heading to shore for a lunch. Amazing footage for sure, and some stunned guests and guide.

On the hali front the fish are there weather permitting, with guides Bud Stafford and Matt Anderson leading the way. If there is such a thing as Superman, these two are it. What a show they put on with Bud releasing another 200 lber yesterday! Bryan Pitkin battled a 197 with Matt this week, and I am amazed at how consistent these two boats are on the grounds. They are anchoring up and cleaning house, with plenty of nice 30 to 70 lb fish and huge smiles on all their guests faces!

All the guides are pumped right now with these huge Chinooks in the Langara area, and we look forward to a tyee encounter with all of you. These are special fish and this is an incredible chinook fishery. We can all do our part to conserve these huge chinook over 40 lbs with some great incentives, from the club. I have always enjoyed the 18 to 25 lb fish for eating; the meat is firm and the portion size perfect. What a thrill to release a tyee, so we can enjoy this fishery for a long time. On behalf of all of us at The Clubhouse - see you all soon and bring those cameras.

Screamer, Mike Tonnesen
Head Guide, The Clubhouse