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August 18, 2024 Tayler Fuerst0

Mid-August traditionally provides some of the most “summerlike” weather that we experience here, and this past week was no exception.

Warm sunny days on the water have lots of appeal; guests and staff alike were soaking it up with giddy smiles! The clear, full moon nights haven’t appeared to affect the fishing so much either. Chinook catches have been distributed quite evenly through the day, with some great fish taken from the Pinnacles, Parker Point, Cape Naden and Bird 2.

The small tides were certainly a factor for the anglers who love their bottom fishing, with it being easier to stay on top of your lines. Bottom fishing has been exceptional, many “chicken sized” halibut caught and guides such as Nolan and Jake have been bringing in huge Lingcod hauls. By the end of the trip most guests were pretty relaxed knowing that they had all the fish they needed and were content to just enjoy the gorgeous weather.

The weekend’s forecast looks like a mixed bag, with heavy winds from the Northwest that should bring in some fish. Tides are moderating now with small changes of 7-9 feet. All in all, shaping up for some good late season fishing.

Tight lines!

QCL Guide, Alex Ayling


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August 12, 2024 Tayler Fuerst0

With only a few weeks left in our 2024 season, fishing has been pretty exciting for the fleet of boats at QCL.

Over the past week we have had a large amount of pink salmon invade the grounds. But not to worry, we have also been seeing a slight increase in numbers of Chinook the past few days, varying in all sizes. A number of Chinook over 30lbs (what is known as a Tyee) have been found tight into shore – Hot spots such as Cape Naden and Parker Pt. seem to have the fishiest activity during a good ebb tide. Herring behind a daisy chain and anchovy behind a green dummy flashed rig have been my go-to’s!

Lots of bait has been pushed in with the flood, condensing at Bird 2 or Naden.

The weather has been awesome, days lately filled with mostly clear, sunny skies. We are in Haida Gwaii after all though, so don’t forget to pack your rain gear! Variable wind speeds coming out of the NW seem to be what we’re going to experience for the next little bit.

Whales are always around, we were pleasantly surprised by a large Grey Whale going from point to point down the west side the other day! Smaller pods of resident Orcas have been seen kicking around the 150ft line off Shag.

Tight Lines!

QCL Guide, Markus Egeland


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August 8, 2024 Tayler Fuerst0

August has burst onto the scene with a thrilling mix of sizzling weather and spectacular fishing action! The sun has been blazing in clear skies, with temperatures increasing daily. The warm air has been met with some lively Northwestern winds, making the seas a bit choppy, but these winds are beneficial for our fishing grounds. They push bait fish and salmon closer to our inshore points, igniting a salmon fishing frenzy.

As the water temperature rises, it’s not just the salmon that are active; there are semi-frequent encounters with salmon sharks that add an extra thrill to each outing. The Chinook salmon action has been nothing short of electrifying, with fast-paced bursts of bites delivering multiple fish in a short time. The trick is to be patient and stay at your hotspot, as the action comes in intense flurries. So far, the August Chinook are bigger and more abundant, living up to the legendary Hogust reputation. On August 5th, we saw four Tyees weighing 44, 42, 32, and 31 pounds.

Coho salmon are beginning to inch closer to shore, allowing you to stay inshore for those exhilarating Chinook snap bites while filling your fish box. Offshore, the Coho are still plentiful and eager, making for fantastic fishing adventures.

Halibut fishing continues to impress, with a steady stream of nice-sized chickens, some hefty overs, and even over-overs making an appearance.

Now is the perfect time to experience fishing first class at QCL.

We can’t wait to see you on the water, tight lines!

QCL Guide, Hunter Hieta


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July 13, 2024 Tayler Fuerst2

It’s hard to believe we’re already almost halfway through the 2024 season! If you’ve placed a Taste of B-Sea order for Spot Prawns give this recipe a try – Pairs perfectly with a glass of wine and a sun-filled patio!

Materials

  • 500g Spot Prawns
  • 45ml Coconut Flour
  • x3 Large Eggs
  • 440ml Coconut Flakes, Unsweetened
  • 2g Garlic Powder
  • 2g Smoked Paprika
  • 2g Kosher Salt
  • 1g Black Pepper

Method

  1. Prepare 3 bowels for dredging prawns. One with whisked egg, one with Coconut Flakes, and the last with a mixture of the Coconut flour, Garlic powder, Smoked Paprika, and Salt + Pepper.
  2. Dredge each Prawn in flour, then dip in egg, shake off the extra and finish by pressing in the Coconut Flakes.
  3. Cook with your desire method, until golden brown
    1. Air fry for 2-4 minutes
    2. Deep fry for 2-4 minutes
    3. Oven bake for 4-5 per side in an oven that has been preheated to 200 degrees.
  4. 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


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June 7, 2024 Tayler Fuerst0

Welcome to the 2024 Season, It’s a Guide’s Life, blog series.

A little different than our Kingfisher Report, this blog will provide insights into what a day in the life of a guide at Queen Charlotte Lodge entails! Whether it be a big fish, amazing wildlife or just a great day with guests having fun. For this first entry I wanted to share what my favorite part of the day is and surprisingly it happens before even hitting the water.

Each morning, the excitement of every angler and guide on the dock is truly amazing – No matter the weather or the misfortune of a lost fish from the day prior.

Every day is a chance at the fish of a lifetime. The enthusiasm and optimism is what keeps bringing me back.

I look forward to seeing you all, every morning, and talking about what spot we are headed to! Keep an eye out for all the fishing tales coming your way over the course of our first class fishing season.

Lead Guide, Ryan Kelly


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June 4, 2024 Tayler Fuerst0

Welcome back folks to another Kingfisher Report!

The season is flying along, already a handful of days into June.

This past weekend was windy with a series of Southeast fronts moving across the sound and fishing grounds. But anglers, Lodge wide, toughed it out and put some serious numbers up on the boards.

 

Solid Chinook numbers continue to hit the dock, in the 10–15-pound range, with the odd bigger one in the mix. Guests are ending their fishing days stoked and ready for what the tomorrow has in store. Cape Edenshaw, the Finger Dipper, and Green Point have all been protected points out of the weather and continue to hold fish. Bottom fishing out at the Pinnacles and the Peanut continue to be on point, with big hali and ling hitting the dock and rewarding anglers the chance to ring the Tyee bell!

 

As conditions persist into this week, our guests are demonstrating great determination.

We look forward to seeing you all here this 2024 season. Tight lines!

Lead Guide, Jake Hillier


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May 1, 2024 Tayler Fuerst0

The 34th season of operation for QCL is swiftly approaching and soon the doors will be open, reels will be screaming and smiles will be plenty.

Every season we welcome guests from around the world for the fishing adventure of a lifetime. From opening day to closing, our guests are in constant awe of the thought and consideration that goes into their vacation. Beyond the rich waters, that offer some of the best fishing grounds in the world, QCL is known for incredible hospitality.

With May 24th just around the corner now, the months of working behind the scenes, both in our Richmond Office and on-site at the Lodge, will soon come to an end. Like every year, our team has been implementing your suggestions and bringing continued improvements to life.

We’re excited to share with you a few updates taking place at the Lodge – new boats, exciting programs (new and revised), and on-going upgrades to our infrastructure.

In 2023 we saw the addition of 10 boats to our fleet, and this year will see an additional 3! Partnering with Bridgeview, we have added to our premium vessel class with one 26” Cabin boat, and two 22” Centre Consoles.

As a testament to the high standard of client care and satisfaction that our guides provide on the water, this year will also see our largest guide team to date!

Without a doubt, one of the most exciting program additions this year is the introduction of our new Tyee Release Club! Designed to promote sustainable fishing by encouraging our guests to engage in salmon conservation, QCL will make a donation towards Salmon Enhancement for each Tyee released.

With our on-water program only a portion of your QCL Experience, the Lodge has seen updates across property.

Continuing to put an emphasis on sustainable choices across the whole property, don’t forget to pop your head into the Kingfisher Gallery or Pro Shop to see the new additions to our retail program. Our team has worked hard to partner with sustainable brands that continue to offer the best in the industry.

Now in the final push, Operations is in the midst of refinishing logs, replacing walkways, and updating finishings. Among these smaller projects, we have also seen completed larger projects – namely replacing the roof on the Main Lodge, and cosmetic changes to select guest rooms. Whether these changes are small or large, the Operations team works alongside the Hospitality team, ensuring guest rooms are well-appointed and comfortable after a full day of being on the water.

Although, these are only a handful of the noticeable updates happening at QCL this year there are plenty that we are anxiously awaiting to share. Together, we are certain that this season will be the best season yet.

With just under a month until Opening Day, we cannot wait until your helicopter lands.


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August 26, 2023 Bre Guolo0

With the sun gleaming over Naden Harbour, guests and guides start the day keen on finding Chinook and Coho salmon. With these northwest winds, the fish and bait have been pushed into Cape Naden and the Mazarredo Islands – Where most of our fleet has been tacking hard on each tide putting guests into action. Guides have been running hearing and anchovy to entice the fish in to their gear.

Today for Boat 99, the sun was shining and though the wind had died down the swells were strong; forcing us to start our morning at the top of Cape Naden. with the flooding tide we had no issues running a cut plug on one side and a whole herring on the other, 23-39 ft on the rigger and 8 pulls on the back rod.

10 minutes into our first tack at Naden our deep rod goes off!  My guest Tyson jumped up and ran to the rod not knowing what to expect! 25 minutes later we landed a beautiful Chinook salmon, tapped out to 42 pounds! Tyson made the decision to release this Tyee. Thanks for letting this big one go!

It was a team effort –  From pulling gear to holding the net. Guests Lyndon and David, also onboard, played a large role in successfully getting this fish to the boat. This is how memories are made!

Tight lines and don’t forget to keep your tip up,

Guide, Karly Skakun

 


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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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June 10, 2023 Bre Guolo0

This past trip was distinguished by four excellent weather days with calm seas, two full days of sunny skies, and no precipitation – Haida Gwaii summer vibes all around! Fishing was good overall with most guests picking up their limit of Chinooks and most had two halibut plus some assorted bottomfish.

Halibut fishing is also heating up and while much of our halibut are caught inshore at present, the favourite offshore haunts are starting to produce predictably. FJ H released a 74-inch halibut (215 pounds), caught on salmon gear while trolling towards Green Point with guide Johnny Moonshine! James F released a 120lbs halibut and Lorne released a 65!

Salmon fishing inshore was well distributed from Cape Edenshaw and Cape Naden, around Bird 2 and Parker Pt., all the way through Yatze and Klashwun Point, and out to Green – all sections producing. Chinook action seemed most productive at Cape Edenshaw, Green Pt., Bird 2 and Eagle Rock.

We’ve also seen several Coho, Chum and Pink hit the dock – All found offshort at 35-50ft depths.

The Kingfisher Derby weekend is officially here and with over $90,000 in prize money up for grabs and the , we’re in for an exciting for few days! Best of luck to all Derby participants!