North Island Logdge Reports

July 24 - 28

The trip started with a change in the predominant weather and fishing patterns around Langara Island. Blue skies and warm temperatures gave way to more traditional Charlottes fare - low clouds, mist and occasional showers. Larger chinook, including Dave Easter's 50 pounder on the first afternoon, set an optimistic tone for the week. Huge numbers of coho continued to keep everybody busy. Several of our guests took full advantage of this opportunity and enjoyed great sport, trolling bucktails on fly rods. Chinook in the 20 to 35# class are appearing in the area but seem to be constantly on the move. Both our staff and guests thoroughly enjoyed the company of two very enthusiastic, first-time visitors, six year old Katelyn Feir and her four year old sister, Laura. Both earned tyee pins on our first-ever "Relative Tyee Day". As I prepare to return home, this past week has served well to remind me of the pure pleasure of enjoying good fun, good fishing and great hospitality with family and friends, albeit vicariously! Thanks to Chef Walter and the great staff and crew at North Island Lodge. Welcome back, Kevin!

Randy Lee
WCFC Client Services

July 21 - 24

It's great to be back at Langara Island again for my annual visit as "Guest Host" at North Island Lodge. General Manager, Kevin McAughtrie, is enjoying a well-deserved mid season break. Near-perfect fishing conditions greeted us on Friday with mild temperatures, partial cloud and calm seas. Large numbers of coho in the 8 to 14 lb. class are present in virtually all of the popular locations and offer non-stop action. Green Point and the "river" produced the most consistent catches of chinook during the early part of last week although guests have been finding success at Gunia Point and Boulder Bay over the past few days.

Randy Lee
WCFC Client Services
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July 14-17
The fishing conditions continue to vary, day to day. Over this three-day trip, part of each day would be quiet. Then for several hours, the “bite” would come on, and most people “tubbed” out on Salmon. Folks who worked their favorite spots where frustrated, as the Salmon seem to be gathering around the ‘River’.

At the “River’, the depth is only 80’. Coho and Chinook, where being caught at 12-to 15 pulls. Interestingly, Halibut, cod, and Lings were rising up to cut-plugs, in these shallow waters. It is a melody of fish our guests are taking home.

Weather was awesome…little winds, and few clouds! Trip ended with a most spectacular display of Nature’s awesome power…a small group of transient Killer Whales, killing, and eating, a Minke Whale. The whales ended up leaving a pool of red water in their wake. Some of our self-guided guest’s noted that they observed seals beaching themselves, to avoid the on-slot coming from Nature’s most organized killers.

Kevin McAughtrie
North Island Lodge Manager

July 10 - 14

This trip saw the return of the Manville, and Crown and Cork groups. The lodge was delighted to welcome back our friends, and we all had a great time. Weather continued to be challenging for first several days. High winds and rain create expected challenges. Everyone “duked” it out, and were rewarded with Chinook and Coho. Due to winds, the Halibut were tough to fish. Yet, Halibut were caught on Salmon gear at Gelina River.

I have been commenting in last few reports about lack of larger fish…it all changed yesterday when Brian Gregg caught a 40lber, and Jarrod Doherty caught a 63lb Chinook! Both were caught at Boulder Bay. The 63lber was caught on shallow rod, in twenty feet, with a chrome spoon. It goes without saying, the lodge is still buzzing! Great to see, and what a bright, beautiful fish it is.

Hope it continues this week…I’ll keep you posted

Kevin McAughtrie
North Island Lodge Manager

July 7 - 10

Trip started off with gale force winds Friday afternoon, and built to Storm force over night. Although we were tucked away here in Beale Cove, the winds howled overhead. Saturday saw the winds drop from storm, to gale force. This made fishing extremely challenging. There was a good bite on, and lots of fish were there for those who toughed it out. Sunday brought light to moderate north westerlies and sunny skies and plenty of fish…it was payback for the previous two days! The humpback whales continued their incredible display of graceful feeding, and the Killer whales visited the lodge.

The fish continue to favor herring, and the needlefish have shown up. Guides have switched over to spoons to target Chinook through the Coho. Again this trip, the tyees were elusive, however, eleven-year-old John Marsh picked up his fourth tyee, in as many trips continuing his streak! Lets see what you get next year, John.

Kevin McAughtrie
North Island Lodge Manager