King Salmon Resort Reel Reports

Rivers Inlet Fishing Update

King Salmon Resort - Oak Bay Marine Group — 2009-08-17

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

Rivers Inlet Fishing Update

King Salmon Resort - Oak Bay Marine Group — 2009-08-16

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

Starting things off with a bang

King Salmon Resort - Oak Bay Marine Group — 2009-08-13

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

Great start at King Salmon Resort

King Salmon Resort - Oak Bay Marine Group — 2009-08-07

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.

Early King Salmon Resort Report

King Salmon Resort - Oak Bay Marine Group — 2009-07-24

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!

Season Wrap Up

King Salmon Resort - Oak Bay Marine Group — 2008-10-01

As 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 - Oak Bay Marine Group — 2008-08-14

In 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 - Oak Bay Marine Group — 2008-08-08

Dave 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.

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Fantastic Fishing in Rivers Inlet

King Salmon Resort - Oak Bay Marine Group — 2008-08-07

The fish are here!

Yes, we are finally landing fish on both sides of the inlet! With seven new Captain’s Club members, five of which were in the 40 pound range, plus one Master Fisherman, trip 8 was a huge success.

With the weather on our side, two Mouth trips to Calvert Island produced a steady flow of Coho and one big Chinook. The old theory of having one in the boat to get things started was proved right.

With a forecast of rain again for the next couple of days, I’m expecting the fish to stay around in good numbers for some time yet.

We will continue hitting the Slide, Whale Rock and McPhee Bay (minutes from the resort) on a more regular schedule to get the fish that, as predicted, are coming up on our side of the inlet.

My congratulations to Steve Betts and wife Courtney, who got the fish of the trip. Also to Bob Bidner for his 18 pound Coho. To all the other big fish anglers—Gary Hughes, Dave Webb, Joel Sitts, Dave Novak and Archie York—well done to you all and welcome to the club!

Hope to see you all back next year to better your pounds.

‘til then, keep your eyes on your tips and your lines tight.

Fishmaster Matt
King Salmon Resort, Rivers Inlet

57 lbs. of Rivers Inlet Chinook

King Salmon Resort - Oak Bay Marine Group — 2008-07-31

My prediction of the 28th being the start of the big fish may actually have been right!

With a 23 pounder caught by Fred Horsley on the first afternoon of the trip our feelings were positive for a great five days on the water. With the migrating of boats from down the inlet to here at the head I was sure all the other resorts were thinking along the same lines. That said, with strong winds and the inset of some ugly weather, day two was less productive than hoped.

With the fish being most active in the mornings and the low tides being great for the north-side points (Marker 16, McAllister Point, etc) the 29th was a good one with some nice Chinook brought in (including a 48 pounder caught by Bill Stanley).

The 5th and final morning of the trip was a slow starter until the final call in for boats was made and Tim McTaggart and his wife Jean landed a big 57 pounder (trip and resort record for the season so far—well done to our newest Master Fisherman!!) to leave with a great fishing story. I expect the north will be the productive side for the next 4 or 5 days until we start to see them come in at Whale Rock and The Slide. But the fish are definitely here!

It was a slow start to a good finish. The weather was not kind at all and the outlook is for more of the same (at least for the next three days), though the large amount of rain its been bringing is always good for the fishing days to come.

Well done to all the anglers for putting in the time throughout the bad weather and congratulations to the ones who landed the big ones. I hope to see you all back soon.

‘til then, keep your eyes on your tips and your lines tight.

Fishmaster Matt
King Salmon Resort, Rivers Inlet