The ClubHouse Reports

August 28, 2008

Just stomped up the hill, rain, 25 knots of wind from the south, blustery. Good news though, a few fish just blew into Coho point after several tough days of weather, and a slower than usual chinook fishery. My highlight was seeing first time angler Jen Hall, fishing with Kimberly Grange, and guide Clifford Young weighing in a beautiful 33.5 lb tyee. Wow, Jens first salmon ever, and a cracked knuckle to prove it haha, the girls were beaming.
 
I was fishing with Mike Throne and Bob Berto, Bob visiting from Alaska. We pounded Coho point for three hours, registering our first bite at 11 am, a tyee of 31.5 pounds. A great battle on a rain soaked Islander reel, with a sticky drag, we dragged the fish 20 feet off the  bottom on the downrigger. We then pounded two more hours for a 23 lb chinook, grabbed at 12 55 pm. This fish was taken at 85 feet on the cable in 120 feet of water. Three hours later Mike nailed a 23 lb chinook at 85 feet as we were about to pull the plug on a wet blustery day. Now 5 pm  and me ready to return to the lodge, Mike grabbed his final fish, a spring in the low twenties, and commented a bite is coming on. I scrambled to pack up the gear or we would still be out there. Bob ended up taking 4 chinook, and two coho for the trip, Mike the same, so well done boys!   
 
Also fishing on the Mike Throne trip was Dewayne Kimbrough, who while out with guide Brendan grabbed a 35 lb tyee and later with Chris Dunne, a 31 lb tyee. This was his first visit up to the Clubhouse, and salmon fishing! This 35 lb  fish was taken out in 180 feet of water well off Coho point. We are now fishing deeper on the downriggers, and in deeper water when the fish are not on the beach. Try 90 feet, has been good for us guides.
 
Bud had a nice fish with Jeff Kaltenegger, a 34.5 first pass Lighthouse, but Bud said no fish were backing up the bite, so he moved back to Coho point. Other tyee, I heard about was Sheldon Weinberg with a 33 lber, Ted Walter with a hard fought 32 lber, Thomas Slipsager grabbing a 31.5 lb tyee, and fish of the trip, David Franks 38 lb tyee, well done all.
 
I have to add Tuesdays weather was about as hideous as it gets, 45 to 55 knots from the south east. I had the duty with Brendan to fish Coho point and it was a gong show, short heavy chop in a 10 foot sea, like fishing in a washing machine. We had lunch on the water, if you can believe it, and the soup my guests attempted to swallow was all over their cruiser suits, it was ugly haha. White caps in the thermos! Every wave was in the face on the way back, crazy water and only one chinook in the boat. I am still pulling line out my kicker!
 
Our previous trip saw seven tyees, Aug 21 to 24. I was fishing with Brad Nelson, and we always seem to have the luck together. Brad had top fish of the Pcl gang, a released 41 lb chinook. We took this monster at the fallen tree, on a weighted rod, standing straight up in the holder, 15 pulls. The reel screamed so hard on the rocket launcher, it was metal to metal contact as the line peeled. Brad a a crazy fight on his hands, we cleared out little Coho point. Everyone was awesome at clearing lines and turning boats, well done. A couple great photos and the fish was released to carry on to the spawning grounds. We also had a 30.5 in the boat from Noname point caught by Paul Dunstan. Other tyees for the Pcl boys were Paul Schmalz with a 30 lber and Bill Longden with a 30 ! We did manage to find a limit of chinook for Brad, and some great coho too. Some of these fish were taken deep well off Coho, I had four Coho at 150 feet on the rigger.
 
Top fish of the trip was David McComb at 43 lbs. Runner up was a 37 lber for Rick Bell. I think the bigger fish was a Gunia tyee.Nice fish David.
 
The fish seemed to return tonight, but a tough couple days for sure. The weather was trying, but soon forgotten when a chinook was on the line. Bait and whales are still here and in good numbers, lots of humpbacks, always fun to observe froma safe distance for you and the whale. Give them lots of space, they need to feed and migrate south without boats buzzing them. I see the weather outlook is light winds, hmmm, liking that. Hope to see you all soon and continued decent fishing, as the fall season is just around the corner. On behalf of the guides, we look forward to showing you the area and getting you into some great fish.

 Screamer, Mike Tonnesen
Head Guide, The Clubhouse