QCL anglers are revelling in some of the best weather of the summer and finding that they have fantastic fishing to match!  These past few days have been fairly typical for August with very steady Chinook fishing, especially along the traditional shores between Cape Naden and Klashwun Point.  While it often tends to be hot and cold, Parker Point seems to be the single most productive spot out there, turning out nice Tyee-class fish every day.

At this stage of the season we generally find that the bulk of salmon are off shore a little, in 120 to 180 feet of water and found at a full range of depths, from 90 feet right up to the surface.  This is the case off both the Bird Rocks shore as well as the north shore beyond Klashwun Point.  Anchovy/flasher combos are catching loads of salmon but many of the larger fish are falling for herring, fished “wholly roller” style in close to the kelp beds.  There always seems to be a few of those big ones hiding in the kelp!  Glen Matys chose to release a 40 pounder there last trip, fishing with guide Matt Brown.  Well done Glen!  Vince Parker picked up a 44 with guide Sam Johnstone, Mitchell Wolfe turned back a 34 and Russ Carter released a 37 pounder with guide Ryan Kelly.  First timer at QCL, Bobbie Ence landed a stunning 39 pounder with her guide Dakota Kitchen on Monday.  Our special congratulations go out to Holly and Vince Morelli who chose to celebrate their wedding anniversary with us and did so in fine fashion, boating a matched set of Tyees on their first day of fishing!   So lodge guests are still getting a decent shot at landing a big salmon, right into the last days of summer!

Coho fishing has been pretty crazy with huge quantities of beautiful chrome fish found throughout the grounds, particularly up topside between Green Point and Klashwun.  The sizes are still very mixed but we are seeing some of those awesome 15-18 pound Northerns on the dock every night.  It’s worth noting that we’re also seeing well above average numbers of sockeye at the lodge this month, maybe something to do with the huge projections for the Fraser this year!

Our awesome halibut fishing is still the big story of the summer with lodge guests catching / reporting way more larger-sized halibut than we’ve ever had before.  A new approach to halibut fishing at the lodge is providing lots of excitement and very happy anglers at the Bell Ringer in the evening!  Perhaps most notable are the number of 100 lb. plus fishing being released.  Dale Johnson taped out 2 giants last week, a 107 and a 124 with guide Emmo Scharnberg – way to go guys!  Larry Schultz turned back a 105 with Lucas Grayson and Murray Olson battled a huge fish to the side of Nick Mercer’s Grady White where they measured it out to score 220 pounds!  That’s 4 fish over 200 this summer!  Amazing fish!  On the keeper side, Breauna Hatecke’s 60 pounder was one of many super fish to come to the Bell Ringer this week!   Well done!

Heading into the Labour Day weekend, traditionally the final trip of the season, we expect the weather to switch to moderate southerlies, retaining the nice calm seas we’ve enjoyed but switching to liquid sunshine rather than the nice warm stuff we’ve gotten quite accustomed to lately!  Moderate tides with changes in the 8-12 foot range should help keep the action pretty steady throughout the day!  Fingers crossed for a big finish to an excellent season!