Reel Reports

After reading about all the fish being caught at our resorts in British Columbia, I thought it was time we show everyone how it’s done in the Bahamas.

Bert guided these lucky guests into this 70 lb. Wahoo, what a fight!

Congratulations to the Donahue group on their spectacular day of deepsea fishing at the beginning of May. The Belich group enjoyed the same success on their weekend getaway.

Congratulations to Wendy on catching her first bonefish, Happy Hour just hasn’t been the same since that day.

Bert introduced Brett to bonefishing and he is hooked! Pound for pound the hardest fighting fish in the world! Catch more photos from Brett’s trip on Tripadvisor.

Whether you’re fishing the reef, in pursuit bonefish, or going deep sea in search of trophy sized Mahi Mahi, our head guide Bert Adderley (also known as Lover Boy) will show you how to “rip some lips” in the Bahamas.

For more information on fishing at Cape Santa Maria, speak to your reservation coordinator or email the resort at resort@capesantamaria.com.

~ Brook “Island Boy” Castelsky
General Manager, Cape Santa Maria Beach Resort

I am one of the luckiest people in the world. In the past week my job has taken me to Langara Island where I had the great privilege of fishing Cohoe Point during an intense first-light Chinook bite, then I was off to Kano Inlet and the Salmon Seeker where I landed a beautiful 32 pound “chicken” halibut and now this week I’m back home to Campbell River and Painter’s Lodge where the Chinook fishing has been nothing short of spectacular.

This morning’s highlight was Ryan Wilson’s 29.5 pound Chinook (oh so close to the fabled “Tyee” size of 30 pounds) but nearly every boat returning from the AM tide had caught its limit. Neither guides nor guests could wipe the childlike grins off their faces.

It has been a truly great start to the year, so no matter which Oak Bay Marine Group resort is your destination, you are sure to be in store for some wonderful fishing excitement.

Reporting from all over the BC Coast,

~ Dwayne Mustard
Marine Activities Manager, Painter’s Lodge/April Point Resort
Assistant Manager, Northern Resorts

Just in time for a long weekend of out on the water, our friends at the Freshwater Fisheries Society have launched their Fishing Buddies program. They're trying to encourage anglers to introduce someone new to the joys of fishing.  Obviously we think this is a great idea.

No matter which of our resorts you visit, the one common thread is friends and family coming together and sharing some quality time outdoors.  We regularly host four generations of fishermen at once, ranging from first timers to gramma and gramps who've been fishing since 1930.

One of our biggest delights is hearing those first-timer stories.  Without exception people are surprised by how much fun they've had.  We're not surprised, but we're always delighted.

Do you have a good first time fishing story?  We'd love to hear it and maybe even publish it in the Coastal Currents.  If so, send it on to photocontest@obmg.com.

And do check out the Fishing Buddies program, and spread the word.

Have a great long weekend.

~ The Oak Bay Marine Group Crew

Physicist Niels Bohr once wrote that “prediction is very difficult, especially if it's about the future.” Very true, but that hasn’t stopped the scientists from Canada’s Department of Fisheries and Oceans from sifting through reams of data to put together their fisheries outlook for 2010. Their results will make any fisherman’s heart sing.

2009 was a fantastic fishing year, so we are really happy to announce that the fishing in 2010 is predicted to be just as good, or better. What does that mean for anglers at our resorts? Read on.

Everywhere we fish—the Queen Charlottes, west, east and southwest Vancouver Island—excellent salmon fishing is predicted. We’re coming off three years of cooler ocean temperatures, during which time salmon stocks were able to thrive. The dividends—more fish—are just starting to pay off. For both Chinook and Coho, the two premier species at our resorts, anglers can expect some of the best action in recent memory in 2010.

The good news isn’t limited to salmon. Halibut populations throughout BC are holding stable at high levels. And ten years of conservation efforts are paying off in spades as Lingcod stocks on the south coast continue to thrive.

As serious anglers, this is all great news. Great fishing means time on the water is that much more enjoyable. But it runs deeper than that. BC’s fisheries are iconic and sportfishing is a defining part of our culture. The resurgence of salmon, halibut and Lingcod in coastal BC is inspiring and exciting, and everyone will experience the benefits.

Beyond fishing, 2010 is shaping up to be a banner year. Painter’s Lodge and April Point will host a slew of great events, from the Women’s Derby to photography getaways and everything in between. The Canadian Princess is gearing up for an action-packed summer against a stunning backdrop of rainforests and pristine wilderness. Our northern resorts crew are up to their elbows in refits, making sure everything is gleaming on opening day. And down at the Cape, guests are already enjoying fantastic weather and the breathtaking beauty of the South Bahamas.

After the uncertainty and the tumult of 2009 we’re all looking forward to getting outside and sharing some exciting adventures and big fish stories in 2010. We hope you’ll join us.

~ The Oak Bay Marine Group Crew

We've officially reached the mid-way point of the season at the King Salmon Resort and could not be happier with the results our guests have turned in.

Although our 22 day season may seem short, our time here has been well spent as our guests have wrangled in plenty of Chinook and Coho salmon, as well as a 60 lb. halibut, brought in by second World War veteran Angelo Lamendola.

The recent hot weather has allowed for beautiful conditions on the water. Whether it's been fishing local hot spots; close enough to home so that they're able to grab a hot gourmet lunch by our first class chefs, or making a trip to the mouth of the Darby Channel and enjoying a BBQ feast on our floating outpost barge, our guests have experienced first class accommodations while fishing the beautiful shorelines of Rivers Inlet.

We expect our final week of fishing at Rivers Inlet to be our best yet. As the summer heat continues in the rest of the province, we are confident our guests will find the relaxing, yet exhilarating getaway they're seeking in the beautiful isolation of Rivers Inlet.

Tight Lines,
Byron Jung
King Salmon Resort, Rivers Inlet

Trip 4 at King Salmon has just ended and the biggest complaint we heard from Cape Calvert (Calvert Island): "We're not coming in, there are too many fish!"

The coho's were running rampant and most guests maxed out on halibut but left one spot open on their salmon tickets for the trophy fish Rivers Inlet is well known for. Miles Metz was not to be disappointed, landing a 38 lb. Chinook with five minutes left on their last fishing day at Marker 16. Reports were also coming in of the 50+ Chinook caught right beside him that have been recorded in that area for the past two weeks. John Zoldan, from our first trip, came up with a 48 lb. chinook at The Wall so we know the fish are at The Mouth, too.

As this report is being written, the Fishmaster has just come over the radio to announce a double header at Harold Point, across the way from Calvert Island so Trip 5 is in full swing too. Mouth trips are always recommended to guests to fill their quota of bottom fish and enjoy the fast action of the voracious Coho. Elise, Richard and James Rees know this well after Elise and James landed 17 lb. and 16 lb. Coho, respectively. They stopped at The Outpost for lunch on their mMuth trip, having heard about this beautiful spot and were not disappointed when they had the chance to experience it.

If you've ever wondered about coming to King Salmon in Rivers Inlet, our departing guests, both new and returning, can all agree that its breathtaking scenery is only overshadowed by the thrill of the fishing.

Tight Lines,
Aileen, Chief Steward
King Salmon Resort, Rivers Inlet

Our long-awaited Season at King Salmon Resort has finally kicked off and it’s started with a bang. As we await the late running Coho and Pink salmon, were having no troubles filling our freezers with monstrous Chinooks.

Being surrounded by the beautiful snow covered mountain peaks and calm glassy waters of Rivers Inlet can make it tricky to keep your eyes on the tip of your rod, but that line-peeling sound will sure get your attention when a massive King salmon torpedos away from your boat. When you need a break after an intense knuckle-busting battle, you can soak in the hot tub that overlooks fellow anglers fighting the fish of a life time.

For the competition enthusiast, this is a great place to come settle the score. Just like our good friend Arthur Hayes. Arthur usually visits us with his wife Susan, but on this trip she relinquished her spot in the boat to Arthur’s buddy, Terry Allen…and what an opportunity it was. While using the absent Susan’s lucky rod and reel, Terry and Arthur brought in 26, 28, and 42 pound Chinooks, all in one morning. Susan is sure to be green with envy.

More of Rivers Inlet’s trophy Chinook salmon are arriving daily, as the fishing heats up throughout the month of August.

Tight Lines,
Fishmaster Brad Palmer
King Salmon Resort, Rivers Inlet

The 2009 season at King Salmon Resort started off in fine fashion with John Zoldan weighing-in a 48 lb. Chinook and joining the Captain’s Club. Also joining the club with John was Ginny Schweikl and her 42 lb. Chinook, John Glover and his 35 pounder and Janice Minudri with a 31 lb Chinook. For those wanting a break from hunting for the fish of a lifetime at the head of the inlet there was plenty of action out at the mouth with acrobatic Coho and abundant numbers of Pinks.

There have been some monster Chinook taken in the inlet this year, with 74, 76 and 78 pounders weighed in to date. Just two days ago, five fish over 60 lbs. hit the dock. Marker 16 and the Slide seem to be holding most of these gigantic fish. Thirteen to fifteen pulls seem to be the magic numbers so far.

With guests set to arrive at King Salmon Resort early next month, some of the crew took the opportunity to 'wet a line' in these fish rich waters. The results...3 nice sized Coho and a whopping 102 lb. halibut!

Capt Kite and I opened the Langara fishing season today.

We were the only boat at Coho Pt and Dibrell Bay. Between 9am and noon we had three double-headers and caught our limit of halis and Springs! We were releasing 30+ lb. salmon!

Best day in many years; your predictions were correct!

Thank you.

Mike Sokolski
MV Charlotte Princess guest