OP Report: Swell Start, Strong Finish – June 13

We’re off and running at The Outpost for the 2025 season. Bit of a rocky start weather-wise, lots of west swell and wind keeping the boats close and the guides grinding hard. Not much offshore yet, but when there’s been a break in the weather, the crew’s taken full advantage and started to put some real fish on the dock.

First off, a few new faces around the lodge. Shaun Roy’s stepped into the Guest Services role, and she’s joined inside by Amy Browning and Lynn Arneson. Back in the kitchen is Executive Chef Stjepan Balen after a year abroad, has teamed up with new sous chef Jacob Cantor. Solid team all around.

Fishing’s been up and down depending on what the weather’s doing. We’ve mostly been working Danger Bay and Brock, those have been the go-to spots with the swell keeping us pinned to the inside. The Arnold group managed to put up seven fish in the 24–28 lb range in a single day. Solid showing and a reminder that it doesn’t take long for things to turn on out here.

And just like that, we’ve got our first tyee of the season – landed by guest Peter Bratney fishing with guide Brook. Nice fish - what we’re hoping is the first of many to be caught and released this season.  

Bottom fishing’s been steady too. Not much time offshore yet, but when we get out there, we’re picking up some nice halis and lings. Good eaters and good numbers when the weather allows.

Wildlife? Of course. Humpbacks, eagles, orcas, dolphins – same deal every year and just as good as ever. If you’ve been here before, you know. If you haven’t, well, you should come see for yourself.

What’s next? If past seasons are anything to go by, June can break wide open fast. Those offshore spots at the head that we haven’t hit yet have lit up this time of year before. We’ve seen it go from quiet to chaos in a matter of hours. Could be tomorrow. Could be next week. That’s the deal out here on the west side.

But that’s what makes this place what it is. You can look at the forecast all you want—truth is, no one knows what’s coming next. Every tide, every drift—it’s a coin toss. And that’s why we’re here.

People throw around words like remote, but until you’ve stood at the end of the dock here and realized there’s nothing behind you but trees and sky and in front nothing but water, you don’t really get it. This place is different, and very special. And we’re just getting started.

More soon. Stay tuned

Tight lines,

Shawn Crawford

General Manager, The Outpost