The ClubHouse Reports

August 6, 2008

Just heard a bunch of clapping and cheering in the dining room, it can only mean one thing, tyee pins being handed out like candy! I have just heard 16 sets of cheers and some very loud yelling, yes Dave lynn topped everyone with a released 52 lb chinook. This fish was taken at Coho point with Bud acting as guide, first pass on Aug 4th. Bud just rigged up a dummy flasher, under my guidance and scrutiny, and set his cable at 53 feet. Bang that fast, another happy customer. Bud had a hard time holding that monster up over the side of his predator...either a very big fish, or needs some work on that guide body haha.
 
Runner up fish just came in tonight from Boulder bay, a 41.5 lb chinook for Moh Faris. Moh was out with Jordie and grabbed this monster just before they came in fishing shallow. Jordie was all smiles too,his biggest guided fish of the season. Chris Tai released a 40.5 and Dick Beselin retained a 40lber.
 
The other notable releases were Gavin Jones at 38 lbs ,32lbs, George Fox at 35 lbs. Niles and Robert Fulwyler were guided by Brian Henry and teamed up for a 31 lb release. Well done Fulwylers, they have been releasing tyees for years up here, always fun to guide, ask any of the boys.
 
I was fishing with Dick Fritts and we managed a 31 lb chinook at Gunia, as well as a 26, but had slow chinook fishing. This fish was taken in the zone , 40 feet on the rigger right in tight. Always fun to see Dick battle these fish on a light hand crafted rod and fly reel, well done.
 
These fish were mostly caught at Gunia Boulder, and Coho point. Overall I have to say chinook fishing is spotty for the week, with no boats loading up. A couple fish appear then quickly disappear....and we are all guessing again, where are they? Lots of guides are panic fishing, soon as a few are caught we zoom off in hopes of scoring a chinook. When you grab one, they are  nicer in size, but gee, when the tub is empty, we all get jumpy. This year is a year of radio fishing and keeping one ear open always, I have been sleeping with a vhf turned on to the fishing frequencies 24/7ha ha.
 
We are fogged in tonight and it is kind of neat to be sitting in this nice warm comfy lodge looking back at last trips fishing and heros. We had only 4 tyee pins handed out for trip July 31 to Aug 3. Kevin Mcneill grabbed top dog status with a 36 lb fish, which was released, along with his 31 which was put back. How awesome, and what a good thing to do for the future of this fishery, a real example. Clive Else snuck a nice 34lb fish to the dock and Steve Michels had a 33.5. Well done everyone!
 
Well it is a bit of a grind still on the chinook front, you need to put in the time for sure. The coho are still around, but are thinning out a hair. Halibut are ever present, snagged a 140 lb fish this trip that burnt my thumb, as I had to jam the breaks on it as all my line went away and I was faced with a empty spool. Weather permitting, halibut fishing is good.
 
So we will see what the coming weeks bring in, Sometimes this later fishery gets better, and the chinook build up in numbers right into mid September. With lots of humpback whales around putting on a show daily, you should all have a great time up here. We look forward to getting you all out on the water and showing you this wonderful area and all it has to offer, see you soon.

Screamer, Mike Tonnesen
Head Guide, The Clubhouse