Reel Reports

Your favourite OBMG resorts are ready for summer. It started May 3rd at Painter's Lodge and April Point Resort & Spa and the Canadian Princess Resort opens its doors on May 17th. Your great fishing adventure awaits at the MV Charlotte Princess, starting June 6th. Looking for an adventure on wheels? Pedder Bay RV Resort & Marina is now fully open for the 2012 season.

The Victoria OBMG office is now back to normal. Phones, computers and reservation systems are all working!

OBMG's Victoria office now has power and computer functionality, but phone systems are still not operating. We'll update when our phones are back to normal. Thanks for your patience!

The OBMG Victoria office has been experiencing a power outage due to the current high winds. Our phone systems, reservation system and computer systems are not functioning, so please have patience. We will try to respond to our emails and messages as soon as possible.

Check out these fabulous articles written by David Webb for Western Sportsman and Outdoor Edge! To make your own fish stories come try, visit an OBMG Resort.

In a guest editorial for Helijet's In-Flight Review, Bob Wright, CEO of Oak Bay Marine Group, looks back on 50 years of business, developing world-class fishing and adventure resorts, marinas, tourist attractions and restaurants in three countries. 

Fifty Years of Fishing

Oak Bay Marine Group celebrates 50 years in business

Lately I find myself asking this question:   How is it that a gumboot fisherman originally from the Prairies is celebrating 50 years in business this year?

My schooling was not something I would write home about.  Tasked with guiding me in the right direction, my teachers tried their best.   In grade three my music teacher loaned me a violin.  After three weeks she took it back and suggested I should perhaps concentrate on art classes.  After about a month, my art teacher told me that I might actually be a natural in sports.  I spent the remainder of the year warming the bench.  And so it went.  Many years later I decided to try my hand in business… And I’ve been here ever since.

It’s hard to believe that it was 50 years ago that the Oak Bay Marine Group began with one small Marina and some very big dreams.  If someone had told me then that by 2012 we’d have 21 divisions in three countries I would have laughed them out of the room.

 It never ceases to amaze me how things sneak up on you.  Some might say the success of the Oak Bay Marine Group is due to perseverance over time.  Some might use the term “dogged determination.”  I say, it’s a combination of timing, luck, and sure, maybe the odd good idea and the tenacity to see it through, against all doubt and odds.

Primarily though, it comes down to people.  Without a dedicated, passionate team this company would not exist as it does today.  The energy, enthusiasm and pride of our staff members who are spread far and wide is difficult to comprehend – but is, without any doubt, the key to long term success. 

As we operate in far-flung destinations like the majestic  Haida Gwaii, the white sandy beaches  of Long Island in the Bahamas,  Newport Oregon’s historic  Cannery Row, and of course, the many coastal resorts, restaurants and marinas on Vancouver Island, it’s obvious that our overall success comes down to our people who run these businesses like they are their own.  They don’t just do “what’s required,” – they do everything they possibly can.

I am often asked by customers and friends how on earth I find such great people to hire.  From the first point of contact in our Victoria Reservations office to our front desks, restaurants, spa, and fishing guides, we receive so many compliments about our staff and service.  I truly believe that each and every one of our Crew, in Canada, the United States, and the Bahamas are the reason we will continue to succeed long into the future.  Ours is a complex business with many moving parts, and without such a dedicated team surrounding me I would still be selling fishhooks for a nickel a piece.

View it in Helijet's In-flight Review Magazine here.

Seasons Greetings from the crew at Oak Bay Marine Group

Looking for the perfect gift this holiday season but struggling for ideas?  Purchase a gift certificate from Oak Bay Marine Group and give the gift of fishing and outdoor adventures and holiday relaxation.

Call 1-800-663-7090 to purchase your gift certificate.

We'd like to say a special congratulations to Mr. Bob Wright, the founder and owner of Oak Bay Marine Group. Bob was just selected to enter the Canadian Tourism Hall of Fame.

Congratulations Bob!

To read Bob's article, visit http://bit.ly/rH5zYK

Click for more photos

Many of  you may not know that Oak Bay Marine Group owns the award-winning Marina Restaurant located at Oak Bay Marina in Victoria, BC.  The restaurant, with its sweeping views of Mt. Baker and the Straits of Juan de Fuca, hosts many events throughout the year and recently hosted 'Dinner at Vatreight Farms'. 

Jennifer Gidora, Manager of the Marina Restaurant, dreamed of hosting a dinner event in a farm and approached Kathy McAree from Taste late last year to make to the dream a reality.  The idea, well it was simple really, to bring guests to the place where their food was picked.

Who, even Jennifer and chef Matt Rissling, could have imagined the spectacular event that unfolded. Guests and staff were welcomed with clear blue skies, a light warm summer breeze, straw hats, delightful wines from Mission Hills and delicious food, much of which was handpicked by the wonderful staff at Vantreight Farms. 

Rebecca Baugniet from Eat Magazine who attended the event wrote, "Each course prompted groans of audible delight, from the spot-on-soft-boiled eggs with orange yokes mirroring the evening sun in miniature on our salad plates, right through to the moist lemon olive oil cake, onto which we piled fresh berries, whipped vanilla creme fraiche and lavender syrup."

The communal style seating create a warm family dinner feeling with the guests. They chatted and laughed, enjoying the sunset over the farm.  This is one event that will not be forgotten!

To view the article by Rebecca Baugniet, visit Eat Magazine.com

For Larissa Johnston's article, visit  Times Colinist.com