Reel Reports
Get the latest BC fishing report with our online Reel Reports – news from the front-lines of the best British Columbia salmon fishing grounds.
We update our BC fishing reports whenever possible during the fishing season, so check back often and see the top catches and hottest locations for salmon fishing in British Columbia.
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To book a trip to one of our resorts, contact our reservation coordinators today!
Rivers Inlet Fishing Update
King Salmon Resort - August 17, 2009We'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
Rivers Inlet Fishing Update
King Salmon Resort - August 16, 2009Trip 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
Starting things off with a bang
King Salmon Resort - August 13, 2009Our 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
Great start at King Salmon Resort
King Salmon Resort - August 7, 2009The 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.
Send to a FriendEarly King Salmon Resort Report
King Salmon Resort - July 24, 2009With 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!
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Langara starts with a bang
Northern BC Fishing Resorts - June 9, 2009
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
Fishing in 2009 – Bring It On!
Oak Bay Marine Group Fishing Resorts - March 18, 2009More Chinook are headed our way!
So what does the newly ratified Canada/U.S. Salmon Treaty mean for our guests in 2009? Officials believe it could allow over 50,000 more Chinook to journey down the west coast of B.C. along where Oak Bay Marine Group’s resorts are located. The 10-year agreement calls for an immediate reduction of 15% in the Southeast Alaskan Chinook commercial harvest, and a 30% reduction off the west coast of Vancouver Island. It also places a strong emphasis on conservation, stability of access for all, and sustainability of the Pacific salmon resource.
Another factor that will make 2009 a great year is the 2005 El Niño that made last year's fishing take a little longer between bites has passed. We are coming off four years of warmer ocean temperatures and have just experienced the coldest winter temperature in over 11 years. Colder water temperatures are generally more prosperous when fishing for Chinook and Coho salmon. Add to these improved numbers the reductions in commercial fishing and that means many more fish available for recreational anglers along the B.C. coast.
The Queen Charlotte Islands are in the fabled waters of the northern Pacific Ocean and are a rich environment for countless salmon runs. These fish are here in greater numbers than in the past and with fewer caught commercially; that means solid big spring fishing from beginning of season to the end. The early Chinook are from the Skeena, big northern fish with homes close by. Then, as the season moves on, there are tremendous peaks all summer long with fish feeding locally beginning to move for rivers as far south as the Columbia.
Whether it’s the MV Charlotte Princess, the MV Marabell, or the fully guided MV Salmon Seeker, the Queen Charlottes are where the fish will be and we’re ready for you—be there for the time of your life!
Located 300 miles north of Vancouver, BC, Rivers Inlet is the second biggest salmon fishing pilgrimage next to the Queen Charlotte Islands. If calm, protected, glassy water tops your list in trophy-fishing criteria, Rivers Inlet is the holy land for you. More 50 - 60 pound Chinook salmon are recorded in this 18 mile fjord-like inlet each summer than any other fishery in the province. Fishing at King Salmon Resort is also enhanced by its remoteness and the presence of numerous watersheds for spawning salmon.
Further south, Vancouver Island funnels the big brutes down its outside and inside waters, right past our Painter's Lodge and April Point Resort & Spa in Campbell River and Canadian Princess Resort in Ucluelet. Bigger numbers of these great fish will swell Campbell River's Tyee Pool. Step off the dock and fish in the calming waters of evening as the big ones come on the bite.
And did anyone mention Coho salmon? These "fight-much-larger-than they are" salmon will swarm past Island shores in large schools of fighting silvers this summer. They mingle with the big kings shouldering down the shores on the banks right in front of Ucluelet. Be there for your share of bigger numbers and bigger fish!
This years’ forecast is shaping up to be a great fishing season and we anticipate plenty of full fish boxes and smiling faces at our resorts. At all Oak Bay Marine Group locations guests can enjoy the simple life as the pace of the city is so far away both physically and mentally. This is where a night-time hot tub is the height of luxury and going fishing isn’t just about catching fish. It’s where socks and sandals aren’t a fashion faux pas, they’re survival gear, and even the rain is a blessing when it brings the fish out to play.
This is the year to get out on the water with friends and family for a trip of a lifetime. Give our friendly reservation coordinators a call at 1-800-663-7090 and let them get you hooked up for 2009!
Season Wrap Up
King Salmon Resort - October 1, 2008As the season at King Salmon Resort draws to a close it’s time to thank all the people that were instrumental in making it possible.
First and foremost, our utmost gratitude goes to our wonderful guests who will all be fondly remembered. Like Liz of the Fish’n Chicks (see story above). When Liz caught her 30 pound Chinook her arms were so tired from landing it she could only hold onto it for a few seconds and ended up laying on the dock with the fish on top of her!
We’ll remember our new friends who came for guys getaways like the iron workers group, the couples on our first-ever couples’ derby and all the guests who strove to beat existing personal records or get their first ones (like Tim McTaggart and Steve Betts with their 50 plus pounders and Rob Thornton with his 60 lb. Chinook!).
Also memorable was Mauricio and his extended Mexican family of fifteen who spent a week with us. Mauricio’s daughter Vanessa and her husband Aldo proclaimed they were not hunters and fishermen like the rest of the family and yet when they caught a halibut and tried to net it (no gaff for them!) the handle broke so Vanessa jumped into the water, grabbed hold of it and stuffed it into the boat! Fishin’ accomplished.
Honourable mention goes to hard-working Peanut, the chipmunk, who discovered early on that the mother lode of nuts exists in the lodge and spent hours waiting for an opportunity to find his way in like a little brown ninja. Also, the black bears that peeled open our freezer like a sardine can and ransacked the bread supply, offering numerous photo opportunities for our guests. Finally, thanks to the Oweekino Nation who collected all of our empty bottles for recycling and have probably retired as a result.
On a final note, we reflect on all that is King Salmon Resort: where the simple life becomes prevalent as the city life is so far away both physically and mentally; where a night time fire and hot tub are the height of luxury and going fishing isn’t just about catching fish; where socks and sandals aren’t a fashion faux pas, they’re survival gear; where the rain is a blessing as it brings the big Chinook up the inlet. The sheer beauty of this area is so magnificent that it takes your breath away and that is the experience you will take with you when you leave.
Once again, on behalf of the entire King Salmon Resort crew, thank you to everyone for a great year! We hope to see you soon.
Chief Steward Aileen and Fishmaster Matt
King Salmon Resort, Rivers Inlet
Steven Betts' 52 lb. Chinook
King Salmon Resort - August 14, 2008In case you’re not able to make it to King Salmon Resort this year, this is what a 52 lb. Chinook looks like:
Dave Webb's 43 lb. Chinook
King Salmon Resort - August 8, 2008Dave Webb was one of the anglers we mentioned in the last Reel Report. He sent in this photo of his 43 lb. Chinook.
“It is my second biggest Chinook nut the most intense fish fight I have ever had. It was a great trip, I really liked King Salmon Resort, one of the best I have ever seen. Unreal size of fish coming in from that inlet…never seen anything like it. Aside from me on that trip there was a 52, a 45, a 46 and a couple more over 40 lbs!”
Dave is the editor of Western Sportsman magazine.
