North Island Lodge Report: July 5, 2009

To keep you updated, last trip the fishing did taper off but we are still seeing some Tyee roll in. A total of 5 Tyee were caught, with once again a female angler taking top prize. Joanne and Edward Hedges took advantage of a small break in the weather deciding to head west in pursuit salmon landing Joanne the largest Chinook of the trip at 35lbs, taken at Lacy Island. Most anglers were able to hit a few Chinook during our last trip but it was generally slower than our previous June fishery.

I was finally able to sneak out on the water this morning so I have a real-time report for you, though I’m ready for a nap after my morning shift. I forgot how much work it can be out there. I felt a little out of tune getting used to being in the boat again and maneuvering through the boats trying to hold my tack while shaking our fair share of pink salmon. We definitely had to work for the fish this morning.

The Orcas were scattered around the east side of Langara putting a dent in the fishery. We did manage to scrape up a couple of small Chinook and Coho, but the highlight of the morning was our encounter with an Orca. After our relatively slow start we managed to connect with a solid Chinook. Instantly, the Chinook ripped past the boat, its back half out of the water with an Orca in hot pursuit. This salmon was definitely more afraid of the Orca than us, heading directly for our boat and looking for cover. We watched the Orca make quick work of our salmon just 8-10ft under the boat leaving behind a large swirl of green water. We all just froze in shock and disbelief. The force of the whale grabbing the fish loaded the rod with such force that when the line parted the rod tip separated from the butt section shooting it 25ft in the air. The rod tip eventually landed back in the boat missing all of us by a narrow margin…Quite the circus.

As I type this most of the guides headed south for the afternoon in order to avoid competing with the Orcas. I am hearing reports on the radio that Boulder Bay is seeing some Chinook, most fish in the teens and a few coho mixed in among them.

We now are at the home stretch of the Spring Salmon Challenge which will end tomorrow. Never say never, but it is looks like Michael Peck’s 50.9lb Chinook puts him in the driver’s seat for the remaining hours. I’ll let you know if he seals the deal!

Todd McIntyre