halibut Archives - Queen Charlotte Lodge

We’re back with another Signatures Series recipe to wow your family or your guests. Our Back of House team has done an excellent job creating dishes that are easy to prepare and worth adding to your dinner lineup. This Ginger Soy Lingcod is a great addition to any plate.

Materials

Lingcod Fillets | 4 x 170g
Ginger Slices | x4
Cooking Oil | 60ml
Honey | 30ml
Shallot, finely minced | x1
Garlic clove, finely minced | x1
Soy Sauce | 125ml
Fresh cracked black pepper

Method

In a wok, heat oil.
Add ginger slices to the wok, lightly fry then discard.
Place Lingcod in the same wok and sear for 5 minutes on each side. Remove the fish and keep warm.
Add shallots and garlic to the same wok and saute slightly. Add honey and soy sauce and reduce until syrup. Pour over fish.
Pour the sauce over the fish, paired with your choice of sides. Serve and enjoy!

Don’t worry if you’ve moved through your supply of QCL caught fish already, our Taste of B-Sea program runs year round. The finest quality fish and shellfish, these products are Ocean Wise and come from some of the most sustainable fisheries in the world using the most eco-friendly fishing methods.

To learn more and to place your order, contact us | 1-800-688-8959

Last year, on World Water Day, we announced a new conservation initiative for 2023 – The Guest Water Bottle program.

Each guest was gifted a QCL water bottle for their use at the Lodge, and on the water, with the intention of reducing our plastic consumption. Paired with this was the addition of water bottle refill stations across the property. This program was developed, as most of ours are, by listening to our guests’ needs and suggestions.

There is no doubt that the creation of plastic bottles has a significant impact on our environment. With plenty of natural resources consumed, and pollution produced, we agreed that our consumption was out of balance with our values.

Proud to continue this initiative into 2024, we are excited to share with you the impact we saw in the 2023 season and adjustments we’ve made to better our conservation efforts this upcoming summer.

With 20oz bottle, our collective usage, by both guests and staff, saw a reduction in plastic bottles by over 65%!

Looking to better this number, we have increased the Guest Water Bottle size to 25oz. Additionally, you’ll notice that when on land, we no longer offer plastic bottles but rather will provide a glass or jug of water for your use.

We appreciate each of you in supporting our initiatives to better support the environment we all know and love.

We are looking forward to another exciting season of providing you continued excellence, known only as the QCL Experience.

Most anglers have their favourite fishing gear; special vest, best rod, lucky lures, killer flies, and the list goes on. But one item that seems to be high on the list of essentials is their fishing hat. And judging by the number of hats we see at the Lodge, we can confirm that is often the case!

For as long as QCL has operated, our guests have received an annual QCL Hat. Sporting this upon stepping off the helicopter has become a welcome tradition. While this tradition is not unique to QCL, we find ourselves excited when our guests love their new fishing hat.

Now, 33 years in, we’re still cooking up new ideas and fresh looks for the QCL cap. Obviously, the logo features prominently on any design and we’ve moved through a few variations. The original logo in 1991 was a beautiful Kingfisher, styled in a Haida design by Pat Wesley. It was front and centre on all Lodge hats until 2002 when we moved to a new logo design that featured the “hooked QCL” which was later simplified to the “hooked Q” that we often use today. Colour is always important; we’ve used various hues of blue, green, chestnut brown and shades from white to black.

Coming up with a hat that appeals to everyone is a daunting task. But every winter we go on a mission to design something fresh, in hopes that most everyone will love it. Thankfully, we’ve had our share of winners – in shapes and colours that fit just right with the times – and perhaps some that were loved a little less. It’s our good fortune that most guests are pleased to receive this unique keepsake and are happy to take it home with them. There’s no feeling quite like walking down the street, or across the world, and seeing the familiar Q.

As we always say, fishing is a pastime full of story and tradition, with maybe a touch of superstition involved there too. One tradition that many of our guests may not be aware of is what to do when your new hat blows off your head while out on the water. Of course, this happens more often than you might think. Keeping it protected from the breeze as you fly over the water is a timeless trick that needs perfecting. But of course, the proper procedure to follow is that as soon as your hat leaves your head, is to immediately turn the boat around and retrieve it before it sinks! And, doing so properly means pulling the hat straight from the water and putting it right back on your head, drips and all.

Our 2024 hat is well on its way to the Office, ready to continue the loved tradition. We cannot wait to share it with you all, you’ll only have to wait a little bit longer. For now, here’s a little teaser.

The New Year is officially in full swing and we’re here to bring you another QCL Signatures Series recipe.

Straight from our Chefs to you, the Herb Crusted Halibut. This recipe is nostalgic for us, as it was featured on our Main Lodge A La Carte menu, many years ago. Who remembers it?!

Change up your weeknight dinner routine with this Herb Crusted Halibut – Pair it with your favourite side dish and a glass of white! A quick, easy and delicious meal made with your QCL catch.

Materials

4x 170g Halibut Fillets
65g Panko
20g chopped Parsley
15g chopped Dill
15g chopped chives
15ml Olive Oil
5g Lemon Zest
6g Salt
2g Ground Black Pepper

Method

Preheat the oven to 375° F.
Line baking sheet with parchment paper.
Mix all ingredients, except the halibut, together.
Pat dry halibut and lay out on baking sheet.
Generously spoon the bread crumb mixture fillets and lightly press.
Bake in the oven until crumb topping is lightly browned and fish flakes easily with a fork, approximately 10 to 15 minutes.

Serve and enjoy with your loved ones!

Don’t worry if you’ve moved through your delicious catch already, our Taste of B-Sea program runs year round. The finest quality fish and shellfish, these products are Ocean Wise and come from some of the most sustainable fisheries in the world using the most eco-friendly fishing methods.

To learn more and to place your order, contact us | 1-800-688-8959

The days are shorter, the air is cooler, and the holiday season is right around the corner! It’s the time of year where we are reminded to slow down, reflect on the last 12 months, and to spend time with the ones that matter most.

As with everything in life, the holiday season is different for everyone. Whether you’re jetting off somewhere warm or cozying up by the fire amongst snowfall, celebrating with lots of festivities or relaxing with quiet nights in, there is always something to look forward to.

The QCL team looks for the perfect gift to pair with the quality time the holidays allow and when it comes to the anglers in our lives, we might know a thing or two! Let us help you spread some cheer this holiday season!

UNDER THE TREE

– Surprise everyone with this year’s feature hat. Usually reserved as an on-season exclusive, we’ve decided to give everyone one last chance at grabbing the 2023 fan favourite. Perfect for those who visited this past season but might have lost theirs to the wind and sea!

– Our Taste of B-Sea program is the perfect, unexpected gift for those that like to host or the seafood lovers in your life. QCL sources the finest quality fish and shellfish available – all caught right here in British Columbia. These products are Ocean Wise, sourced from some of the most sustainable fisheries in the world using eco-friendly fishing methods. Connect with Reservations Coordinator, Maria Wong to arrange | mwong@fishqcl.com

– Anyone who loves to fish for salmon would be thrilled to unwrap an Islander Reel and is a sure way to turn a hobby into an obsession. The Islander MR3 Mooching reel is available in 5 colours. Connect with Retail Administrator, Zoe Zahri to arrange | zzahir@fishqcl.com

A FIRST CLASS FISHING EXPERIENCE

– QCL is more than a fishing trip, it’s a luxurious adventure rooted in passionate hospitality. Go above and beyond and surprise your loved one with a first class fishing experience they’ll never forget. Connect with our Sales Executive team | 1 800 688 8959

TRIP ADD-ONS

Know someone that is booked for a trip to QCL in 2024? Treat them to the following on-site amenities to ensure their summer fishing adventure is above and beyond. Connect with Reservations Coordinator, Maria Wong to arrange | mwong@fishqcl.com

– Book them in for a treatment at the Twin Creek Spa. After all, is there a better way to end a day on the water than with a massage?

– Treat them with an exclusive dining experience at the Buoy or Bell Ringer.

- - The Buoy, Japanese Inspired Experience | This space is a perfect opportunity for guests looking for a one-of-a-kind special experience. Sit back and enjoy not only amazing eats and first-class service, but amazing forest views. Inspired by Teppanyaki, this semi-private dinner features our chef’s take on the traditional Teppanyaki meal with a West Coast twist.
  - The Bell Ringer Seafood Boil | One of the most attractive outdoor dining experiences in Haida Gwaii, but with propane heaters, the Bell Ringer has become a crowd favourite amongst QCL guests. The Bell Ringer isn’t your average floating dock… to be able to sit and watch sea lions & orcas playing in the harbour with a drink in hand, incredible food in front of you and amazing company is something to behold. Where East and West coast mix, the Bell Ringer Seafood Boil is QCL’s take on the traditional meal.

– Surprise them with an upgrade!

- - Platinum Package | Defining fishing first class, the Platinum Package elevates the guest experience by considering some of the most important elements and wrapping them into one all-encompassing bundle.

The best part of bringing your catch home is treating your loved ones to a delicious meal but we know cooking fish the same way can become tiresome. For that reason, our chefs’ have put together a new blog series for you! Learn mouth-watering ways to prepare your catch or Taste of B-Sea purchase.

Check out our signature Cedar Plank Salmon recipe below, and be sure to check back monthly for new featured recipes!

MATERIALS

Food Grade 16″ Cedar Plank
1-2 Chinook/Coho Salmon Whole Filet
1-2kg Tamari Gluten-Free Soy Sauce
1500ml Heavy Dark Maple Syrup

METHOD

Submerge your cedar plank in water overnight.
Combine syrup and soy sauce. Stir and reserve.
Leaving skin on, portion cut your salmon filet into 60g portions. Try to ensure each are roughly the same size and dimensions.
Submerge cut salmon into syrup/soy marinade, cover and refrigerate overnight.
One hour prior to cooking, remove salmon from the marinade and set on cooling racks placed over a baking sheet to allow fish to air dry and excess marinade to slough off.
Preheat BBQ to high.
Arrange portioned salmon on cedar plank, leaving small gaps between each piece.
Place on hot BBQ slats, close lid and reduce heat to a minimum.
Cook covered for 6 minutes, and check fish for doneness; look for medium moist, with a slight gradient from outside to center.
Take cedar planks off BBQ once cooked and serve.
Enjoy and create new memories around the dinner table!

To learn more and to place your order, contact us | 1-800-688-8959

There is something special about bringing your fish home from your first class fishing trip, cooking it and sharing those memories while creating new ones. Though this is one of our favourite ways to hold onto a summer adventure, we also know that it can be easy to move through your delicious catch and for those moments where you’re in need of West Coast seafood there is our Taste of B-Sea program.

QCL has sourced the finest quality fish and shellfish available – all caught right here in British Columbia. These products are Ocean Wise and come from some of the most sustainable fisheries in the world using the most eco-friendly fishing methods. Perfect for hosting during the upcoming holiday season, or to tide you over until your next QCL visit!

All the favourites are on hand – Albacore Tuna loins, Lingcod and Halibut portions, Sablefish (smoked & regular) as well as Spot Prawns and Dungeness Crab. Pick a few, or try a sample pack!

Check out our ready to ship menu below, and place your order to keep your freezer stocked. To order, contact our team | 1-800-688-8959

Keep in mind for 2024 that products can be taken home direct from the airport,upon your return from the Lodge.

While we are known for our access to some of the most sought-after salmon fishing grounds in the world, what QCL offers doesn’t stop there. Our fishing grounds are also home to rich bottom fish populations, offering our guests a multitude of fishing adventures all within one day.

In order to grasp the appeal to our bottom fishing grounds, you need to first know what makes bottom fishing “good”.

When targeting bottom fish – Halibut, Lingcod and Rockfish for example – anglers use topographical charts of the ocean floor to predict where fish are likely to live. These charts illustrate plateaus, troughs, and pinnacles (underwater mountains); which are what we refer to as structures. These structures are prime living locations for a variety of the bottom fish we target at QCL.

Our Fishing Grounds sit on the edge of an underwater shelf. At the edge of the shelf, depths drop rapidly from roughly 350ft to depths that plummet well below 700ft. This creates a concentration of bottom fish that venture onto the shelf for easier access to food sources and in turn, allow us the opportunity to fish these large numbers of fish. Additionally, this shelf allows for plentiful fishing without needing to travel extended distances or out into the open ocean; often the case when searching for good structure. Our grounds offer the ability to catch bottom fish from as close as the shoreline to a few miles offshore. Due to this, we often see Halibut and Lingcod being a bycatch when targeting salmon in shallow waters close to shore.

The structure of our fishing grounds also creates the unique ability to specifically target different bottom fish. For example, Lingcod are often found living amongst large rock formations and pinnacles, but Halibut are known to frequent large sand plateaus where they can easily camouflage themselves. Both locations offer ample opportunity to cross paths with both species but on our grounds, there are areas which support both types of bottom structure which results in precise targeting of each species.

An added benefit of our fishing grounds is that we have seen a steady increase in food sources such as herring and squid. They congregate around the underwater landmarks that Halibut, Lingcod and others are often found. Where there’s food, there’s always something around to eat it!

Behind each angler is a knowledge and passion for the sport they are partaking in, and we hope that with this knowledge your passion is ignited for your upcoming trip to QCL.

Every day fishing in Haida Gwaii is a totally new adventure!

We were off the dock at 7am. The wind was blowing from the northwest and the tide was ebbing. On the way out we encountered some 6-7′ waves but by the time we dropped in on the west bay of Bird Rock 1 all was good as we drifted with the waves.

Running a black gold inline flasher with a green hootchie on the port side… A green inline flasher with a spoon on the starboard… 3 Coho were in the boat by the time we drifted to the east bay of Cape Naden. As we rounded the the point, the port side the rod took a serious dip and the reel started to scream out line! 10 minutes later we had a beautiful 21lb Chinook salmon in the net! We rounded out the day with 3 more Coho and 1 more Chinook salmon. It was a fantastic day on the water.

Guide, Clint Lundie

If the 2023 fishing season will be remembered for any one particular thing, it’s very likely to be the shear abundance of fish! From the early masses of needlefish we’ve encountered inshore since May and the dense schools of herring now over the pinnacles and halibut grounds, it’s no wonder there are so many salmon around! Throughout the first half of the season we’ve been awash in feeding Chinook and Coho. These early fish have been smaller than the migratory version we’re more accustomed to, but they’ve more than made up for it with their aggressive nature and persistent hunger for whatever we put in front of them! Translation… our guests haven’t been sitting down much!

Now that we’ve passed the mid-point of the season, we’re seeing more of what we expect in July, with strong numbers of beautiful, chunky, 20-something Chinooks and those summer Coho are getting up into the 10 pound-plus class. The Tyee Bell is tolling every evening at the Bell Ringer in celebration of memorable catches… for larger salmon, halibut and lingcod.

Another observation is the interest that our guests are showing in all things ocean and fishery related. Whether it’s speculation on why so many “feeders” are inshore this summer, to questions about kelp beds and sea urchins, or the difference between resident and transient orcas… there’s a new level of awareness in the air. And it’s a good thing… we all have a role to play in protecting the health of the oceans and marine life and it starts with being interested. There’s much to learn and to understand and it’s exciting to share all of this with our guests who come to enjoy the QCL Experience every summer!

Duane Foerter

Older Posts

QCL Signatures Series | Ginger Soy Lingcod

World Water Day

With 20oz bottle, our collective usage, by both guests and staff, saw a reduction in plastic bottles by over 65%!

The QCL Hat

QCL Signatures Series | Herb Crusted Halibut

2023 Gift Guide

QCL Signatures Series | Cedar Plank Salmon

Taste of B-Sea | Current Opportunities

The Fishing Grounds | Bottom Fishing

In order to grasp the appeal to our bottom fishing grounds, you need to first know what makes bottom fishing “good”.

Kingfisher Report | July 27, 2023

Kingfisher Report | July 20, 2023

First Bites | A Sneak Peek at our New Menus

QCL Signatures Series | Ginger Soy Lingcod

World Water Day

Curating the QCL Experience

QCL Signatures Series | Chili Crab