CH Report: Chinooks & Whales Ever Present: A Feeding Frenzy! ~ August 18, 2015

A very wet day in here today, with a steady southwest wind and frequent heavy showers. We worked hard to stay warm and keep busy today, keeping dry was hardly an option!Over the weekend we entertained the Macquarie group, with Scott Speed and the boys enjoying a great weekend of fishing, which included Tyees for anglers Jon Awde, Geoff Gates, and David Palmer. Below is a dockside picture I took of Jon, we grabbed this fish in Boulder Bay, and as it turned out was fish of the day and won us some prize money. Top fish of the trip winning the big pot was A 31.5 lber, I believe angled in Evan's skiff, rod man Geoff! The three Tyees were within a lb of each other making for an interesting derby. The fishing was very good, with many fish in the low to mid twenties, my best day I produced 11 Chinook in the twenties for six guests. Other guides were on them as well, the dock was loaded with Chinook, although the Coho were scratchy. Guide Dustin found the bigger east side Halibut, grabbing a 55 lber for his very happy guests!

* Jon Awde and his Tyee. Craig Nelson was here angling with his son, and they grabbed a decent Tyee, and a few high twenties, fishing with Mitch. I have no pics but we had a pro photographer up for the trip so the office should have plenty pics for the web site.Below is a pic of Jollean Hancen with her high twenties fish we grabbed last week out in the downpour, excuse the rain drops, hard on the camera as well as the anglers. We were fishing Rat Bay with success and caught plenty of Chinook.

* Jollean Hancen and her mid twenties Chinook on a classic Haida Gwaii day. We have had a big release on the current trip. I have no pic but understand Steve Tennant took some exteriors for Korey Fletcher, and praying a few work. The fish measured an astonishing 51 inches long, but the girth was slight, at 30 inches. What did he catch, an eel? Korey said the fish was released and swam happily away, with a weight of 57 lbs, well done. Hopefully I can dig a name up, I do know it was a group of 4 anglers, the Onofrechuk gang. The fish was hit just off Gunia, I was close by with my lines up. My rigger cable decided to travel under my spool and wrap 30 feet of wire before exploding! Good times, I needed my whole tool box. What a time for surgery, the worst.Shawn stuck with his fav spot,Cohoe, and outlasted a sea lion, which had grabbed his Tyee. He claims the mammal grabbed the tail, and he followed it for over an hour to retrieve his slightly scarred 40 lber....this one retained. Dustin tripped over a 33 at Gunia with his guests. I heard Shawn found a 36 out at Explorer Bay yesterday...so some nice fish for sure.I fished alongside Bud in Predator 2 yesterday afternoon, deep in Boulder. I watched Bud beat the large herd of Sea Lions and slip the net around a 31 lb Tyee. Fish were biting between lion attacks, and Norm Daignault expertly angled a near Tyee in my skiff, picture below. This fish missed the mark by 6 ounces, but we were very happy with it. Another pic below shows why they were in there, look at the gulls and ducks, the bay was crammed with needlefish. Whales ever present. A feeding frenzy. Lots of boats, lots of rain, lots of lions, kept you on your toes. No easy drifts , and no prolonged fish fights, if you get your chance, bag your fish when you can.

* Norm Daignault and his near Tyee in Boulder Bay.

* Herring ball feeding frenzy. Yes, Tyees continue to roll through, although the numbers this trip have dropped off. This particular trip we are working hard to find pockets of decent fish, with the ever present mammals causing us some problems. We seem to be able to fish our favourite points sporadically, and move constantly, avoiding the inevitable showdowns. Free spooling is the norm, and sea lion stink eye the order of the day today. That said, two Tyees hit the dock today.The whale show is crazy this year, as is the abundance of sea birds....so much life in the water. I believe this would have been one of the recent all time biggest years for Chinook, if the local mammals would have cooperated somewhat. We are seeing way better size throughout August, and are counting on a great September fishery. I see a wet week ahead, but look forward to another surge of Chinook and a wave of Coho yet to pass through Dixon Entrance. Goodnight and check back soon, time for some rest.Mike Tonnesen, Head Guide, Screamer