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February 14, 2024 Tayler Fuerst0

As the winter months pass us by, we are back with another QCL Signature Series recipe. This time featuring Smoked Salmon, Beets and a Goat Cheese Dressing – A salad perfect for lunch or in addition to dinner.

Materials

  • 3 Beets, medium sized
  • 90ml Olive Oil
  • 115g Goat Cheese
  • 60ml Buttermilk
  • 15ml White Wine Vinegar
  • 5g fresh chopped Dill
  • 200g sliced Smoked Salmon
  • 150g Arugula
  • ½ Avocado, sliced
  • 2 Green Onions, sliced
  • ½ Lemon

Method

  1. Preheat oven to 400 F
  2. Rub beets with 30ml of Olive Oil and Salt + Pepper
  3. Once seasoned, place beets on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil and roast in oven for 40 mins
  4. Remove from oven, peel and slice (or dice) to your liking
  5. In a food processor combine Goat Cheese, Buttermilk, White Wine Vinegar, Olive Oil, half of the Dill, and Salt + Pepper to taste. Mix until smooth.
  6. Separate slices of the Smoked Salmon and sliced Avocado
  7. Dress Arugula and Green Onions with dressing. Place on bottom of serving dish
  8. Place Smoked Salmon, Beets, Avocado and remaining Dill on bed of Arugula
  9. Drizzle with more Goat Cheese Dressing, to your liking, and finish with a squeeze of fresh Lemon

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


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February 8, 2024 Tayler Fuerst0

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.


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November 20, 2023 Tayler Fuerst0

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.

 


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September 6, 2023 Tayler Fuerst2

“And when we hear the call of the geese in the harbour, we know that it’s time to wrap it up for another season…”  That time has come!  We sent off our final group of guests yesterday, followed by a large portion of our crew.  Wow!  Is it ever a different place when they’re not here!

Our 33rd season at QCL was pretty epic.  We were able to welcome back quite a number of guests who’ve missed us over the past 4 years, as well as many newcomers who wanted to know what this place was all about. Our core group of QCL guests, whom we’re very fortunate to see almost every summer, were thrilled with many of the tweaks, both large and small, that we implemented this year.

Certainly, our new Coho Class of boats had to be a highlight for many, combining great functionality and performance with lots of comforts and convenience – for both guided and self-guided anglers.  New menu features and hospitality treats balanced out the program when our guests returned to the lodge at the end of the day.

Conversations among the guide team this past week were consistently positive about the fishing.  Huge volumes of feeding Chinook and Coho were present through the first half of the summer, and as the number of migratory salmon increased, the Tyee Bell was ringing more frequently every trip.  In short, it was busy on the boats!  Bottom fishing for halibut, lingcod and rockfish always balances out the fishing experience and provides a tasty variety of filets to enjoy at home.

But we have to say, at the end of every trip, and at the end of every season, what our guests always go out of their way to speak with us about, is essentially the QCL Experience.  That’s the very special combination of this amazing place and what people are able to do here, fully enveloped in the enthusiasm of our wonderful staff and the hospitality that they provide. That’s what puts a smile on everyone’s face up here.  We’re very thankful for the efforts of each of our team members and the continued support of our awesome guests.

We can’t wait to get back up here again next season and see you all again!

 


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August 17, 2023 Tayler Fuerst0

Ah yes… it’s August!   Later starts, but still long days on the water; the warm summer weather has us in t-shirts as much as in fleece.  Some morning fog is typical, adding lots of atmosphere, as boats quietly tack around the fishing points; the sounds of voices seem amplified when you can’t see the speaker. Commonly, a feeding Humpback will pop up in the middle of it all, blowing a breath that smells slightly fishy, yet strangely sweet. These are memories that stick with you.

These days we’re spending as much time offshore as we are in along the kelp beds.  Large schools of migrating Coho salmon are gorging on needlefish as they move in from the open sea on their way to the rivers.  We’re finding them just away from the shoreline in water depths of 120 to 250 feet and are catching them consistently from the surface down to 90-feet or more.  Spoons and hoochies, trolled with the help of flashers, are extremely effective on these fish and anglers can put a few in the box in short order.  The 5-6 pounders we were seeing inshore in June are now 8-12 pounds and growing every day.  There’s lots of excitement in the boats while these Coho are around!

Larger Chinooks, on their way to a river somewhere, tend to move inshore to lurk among the kelp and rocks.  It seems the early bird anglers enjoy the best success with these, working their favourite points and bays around Parker, Naden and Klashwun on the turn of the first tide. Cape Naden is an especially popular hangout, for both salmon and anglers, though for obviously different reasons. As the tide flows around this particular head of shoreline, the currents create conditions perfect for hungry salmon to get out and feed on the swirling schools of baitfish.

QCL guests are getting those perfect-sized Chinooks in the 16 to 26 pound class these days, finding them either inshore along the structure or offshore down deeper.  Lots of Coho out there ensure anglers are never bored while searching for the fish they want!  Fortunately, our halibut and lingcod fishery is very reliable so pulling up a couple of “white” fish is always part of the plan.  We can retain the halibut possession limit in a single day now, so that makes it easy to get the job done on a single visit offshore.

With only a few weeks left in the summer season, we’re already seeing changes out there.  Many of the seabirds are losing their breeding plumage and look different. The juvenile eagles are now joining their parents in the hunt for food which is pretty entertaining to watch!  Northern resident Orcas are passing through regularly and many of the Humpbacks have come back in from offshore to top up on all the needlefish hatched out this summer.  It’s certainly a time of plenty and we’re constantly amazed at how productive this very special place can be!  You need to experience it at least once!

Fishmaster, Duane Foerter

 

 


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July 31, 2023 Tayler Fuerst0

As the Northwest winds start to settle down this week, the fishing continues to thrive.

With the odd kelp line rolling through being our biggest obstacle, the inshore Chinook fishing has been consistent, and with Coho still being caught at most points. Keeping your hooks in the water, as much as possible, has been key around the kelp beds at slack tides, while hog-hunting for the big one. Most anglers don’t need to travel far to get bites but weeding through the Pink salmon looking for Chinook continues to keep all anglers busy!

The slow moving flood tides give anglers plenty of opportunity to get out bottom fishing for longer periods, allowing most guests to get all of their halibut done in one trip offshore.

Outlook for the week – Overall we’re expecting light W to NW winds, mixed skies with sunny period with some of the largest tidal range of the year over the Tuesday full moon (.4 to 18.7ft).

With July in the rearview, the excitement continues to build as step into August. Here’s to incredible fishing and unforgettable memories!

Lead Guide, Chris Manning

 

 


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July 31, 2023 Tayler Fuerst0

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.

 


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July 20, 2023 Bre Guolo0

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


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July 2, 2023 Tayler Fuerst0

And just like that, we’ve had another trip of first class fishing.

While salmon fishing the past week has continued to be consistent, we’ve seen success throughout our fishing grounds. Fish have been found at Green Point, all the way east to Cape Edenshaw. Weather has been the primary factor when choosing a spot, which we will see continue into the next week. Although fishing has been quite good throughout the day, the mornings have been noticeably more productive. If you’re not afraid of an early start, some incredible Chinook action has been found just as the sun has been rising. Enjoy the sunrise and the reason we are all here – tight lines!

Anglers have seen success with anchovies producing nice fish, likely due to the abundance of needlefish and sandlance spread throughout the grounds. If you find one of these bait balls, spend some time trolling anchovies and skinny G style spoons over top of it. No need to fish too deep, 27-37 feet has been the sweet spot.

The bell continues to ring as Tyees find their way onto lines and into nets. This weekend we saw a 39-pound Chinook for our young guest, Freddie M! Congratulations Freddie, what a thrill – Thanks for letting that big one go!

When it comes to bottom fishing, the big tides have created less than ideal conditions, but if timed properly at either end of slack, bottom can be found with not too much back trolling required. The flood tide has seemed to be most productive for halibut and lingcod. A herring tipped mud racker is all you’ll need to hook either.

Lead Guide, Jake Comrie


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June 22, 2023 Tayler Fuerst0

Waking up to the vibrant sunrise in Naden Harbour always ensures the day starts out just right. As you pass through the Narrows, on your way to the fishing grounds, you might see a Humpback feeding or playing in the nearby shallows. An assortment of sea birds fly past the boat as you run towards your desired destination to begin your fishing adventure.

Over the past few days, we’ve seen a northwest wind causing a slight delay in travel time. While your day takes a bit longer to start, we haven’t seen any guests deterred because the fish are here! There has been bait pushed inshore from the sustained wind and the fish have followed suit. Getting your second rod into the water can be difficult before the first rod gets a fish on – A great problem to have! We are seeing a lot of fish in the 10-12 pound range, but don’t let them fool you, they will take you for a ride as smaller fish are fresh and fight much harder than you might expect.

Spend time playing and you’re very likely to get into a larger chinook. In the span of 90 minutes today there were 7 Chinook over 25 pounds caught between Yatze Bay and Parker Point, including a minimum of four Tyees.

Despite having two pods of Orcas joining in on the feeding frenzy, the fishing was incredible. If Coho is your focus, head out slightly offshore and drift east, you should find them midway through the water column. The halibut grounds were choppy, but if you stick it out through the run out there and drop some lines to bounce the bottom, they are more than willing to take your herring, after which you’ve got the task of hauling up a piece of plywood off of the bottom of the ocean!

After a full day out on the water, exhausted from fighting fish all day, relax, and enjoy the ride back to the lodge, waving at the other anglers as you pass them by, toss a wave at the whale near the narrows too as Timmy the humpback is often there. Pull up to the dock and look forward to a mean Margarita in the Bellringer as you wait to weigh your catch of the day!

Another trip of great fishing is in the books!

 

Guide, Tommy G