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July 29, 2024 Tayler Fuerst0

As Hogust looks on the horizon, we find the frequency of Chinook salmon on the slow side, though over the last few days, several of the biggest fish this year, the biggest fish in the last four years have been caught.

The tides are beginning to return to normal after a recent full moon. This has allowed anglers to target bottom fish much easier as it’s best with lower tides

Coho are quick and easy to find offshore over the pinnacles, along with Pink salmon, the occasional Chum salmon, and some elusive Sockeye salmon. Interestingly, several large Halibut have been caught recently in Hannah Bay and around Cape Naden. Additionally, several boats have had the thrill of fighting an unusually high density of salmon sharks on the grounds as even they are striking herring and fighting fishermen for as long as 2.5 hours! The coming forecast is predicting some softer winds coming from all different directions with the calmest days being Monday and Thursday.

Good luck to all incoming guests. Choose your spot and throw a couple of herring or anchovies down at your favorite point and pick up some extra-large Chinook salmon!

QCL Guide, Eric Roundhill

 


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July 28, 2024 Tayler Fuerst0

While you might come to QCL for the fishing, you’ll find that every additional aspect of your experience is unlike any other. And when it comes to our dining programs, there is an option for everyone.

Between the Main Lodge, Hook Bar, Bell Ringer, The Buoy and our Private Houses – our hospitality team creates dishes and experiences that leave you with just as many lifelong memories as your fishing will.

The Main Lodge offers an exceptional and unique dining program, featuring both buffet and a la carte style services, morning and night. Featuring globally inspired flavours and dishes, the QCL Chefs has created menus and treats that will have you asking for the recipe.

Not only do we have an exceptional dining program within the Main Lodge, but we also offer semi-private dining opportunities that allow you to experience something different.

The Bell Ringer

For those that are looking for something quintessentially QCL, we offer the Bell Ringer Seafood Boil. Introduced to the program some years ago, this dinner is by reservation only and always a crowd pleaser. Available at an additional cost per guest, this semi-private Bell Ringer Seafood Boil dinner is served on the Dock, an experience unlike any other. Casual, vibrant and mouth-watering.

The Buoy – A Japanese Experience.

In collaboration between several QCL departments one off-season, The Buoy emerged and swiftly became what it is today – a Japanese Inspired Experience. Offering an intimate and personalized experience, the Buoy is by reservation only, at an additional cost per guest. This venue can accommodate up to 8 guests, per seating, with seating’s offered at 7:00pm and 9:00pm exclusively. Contact the QCL Concierge Team to book your seat!

Aside from our evening dining programs, you can anticipate to indulge at multiple other venues throughout your stay! Enjoy some lunch onboard the Hook Bar Grill located on the M.V. Driftwood anchored in the middle of our fishing grounds. Or, when you return from fishing take advantage of our Après Peche programs including snacks at the Bell Ringer and a Sushi cart that is located at the front of the Main Lodge.

For those looking for the next level of hospitality offered at QCL, inquire about our private houses. Totem and Charlotte House are the perfect venue for a truly curated experience.

Although you might come to QCL for the fishing, you’ll leave knowing that it’s so much more.


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July 27, 2024 Tayler Fuerst2

We’re charging past the midpoint of the 2024 fishing season, and this past week has been a blast for the entire fleet.

The weather has been our ally, with steady conditions making it a breeze to navigate the kelp beds. Yet, the search for those elusive Chinooks has been a bit more challenging than expected, keeping everyone on their toes.

Offshore, the Coho fishing remains electric! Fast trolling and shallow depths mean Cohos are striking with intensity, making each catch a thrill.

The large tides and swift currents have made timing crucial for bottom fishing. But, as always, the bottom fish are there, waiting to make your day. And if you hit a slow spell, don’t lose hope—one big Chinook could turn it all around. Stick with it, roll some herring, and you might just land the fish of a lifetime.

Tight lines!

QCL Guide, Sebastien Archambault

 


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July 22, 2024 Tayler Fuerst0

Midway through the season, and there’s lots of fun to be had just outside of Naden Harbour!

 

Cohos are plentiful at the Pinnacles, eating hoochies 30-50 feet deep. The Halibut fishing has been fantastic, with plenty of “overs” being released. Lingcod fishing has seen the effects of many anglers harvesting trip in and trip out, but this trip alone saw 14 pin-worthy fish, largest coming in at 38lbs. Chinook fishing has been slow, but for those willing to put in the time, some anglers have been rewarded with fish in the Tyee class. The big story yesterday was a 58lbs Chinook caught at B2 after an hour long fight.

 

The wind has laid right down for us this past week, and should continue for this next trip. The sun has been come and go, along with some rain and fog but that doesn’t bother us. So long as the wind keeps down, we’ve got a shot at a huge Chinook salmon! 

 

Lead Guide, Liam Longacre


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July 15, 2024 Tayler Fuerst0

The past few days we have seen light winds and the weather is supposed to remain consistent well into the week. Beautiful sunny skies, mixed with some rain are forecasted – After all, it is Haida Gwaii.

Coho numbers are up offshore and tend to be hitting up higher (37, 51) with a small spoon being most productive. Larger Chinooks have been found inshore all across the grounds, as well as many medium 10-15ib Chinooks being caught offshore deeper than the Cohos.

We were also very lucky to see the two largest Chinook salmon of the season, so far, weighing in at 39 and 41lbs. Seeing salmon like this brings an excitement to the Bell Ringer like no other fish. These two Tyees were found inshore using anchovies! It’s not always the herring bringing home the hogs.

Overall, the fishing seems to have picked up across the grounds and if you put in your time you might leave with a great story and the fish off a lifetime!

Safe travels and tight lines, looking forward to seeing you up here!

QCL Guide, Cor Van Stolk


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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 25, 2024 Tayler Fuerst0

Located in the heart of the beautiful islands known as Haida Gwaii, find yourself surrounded by the beauty of the living rainforest – Our little slice of paradise.

While you may be here to experience fishing first class, you should make a point of exploring the surrounding Lodge environment. Naden Harbour hosts particularly rich ecosystems with several salmon streams, productive estuarine habitat and some impressive lowland coastal forest. The streams flowing into the harbour provide spawning grounds for 4 salmon species plus coastal cutthroat trout and Dolly Varden char.

As you walk the trails along these forest streams, it’s fascinating to consider the intricate web of life that you’ve entered. While these aren’t large rivers, most provide habitat for salmon to spawn in the fall, laying their eggs in the clean gravel. Salmon spawn only once and then they die right there in the river, providing a feast of nutrition for bears, martens, eagles, ravens, crows, gulls and many species on down to the plants. Spawning salmon actually bring back marine-derived nutrients (including Nitrogen 15) to the streams, from where all of these animals distribute the carcasses to become fertilizer. Trees benefit greatly from these nutrients – the marker for N15 is identifiable in core samples of large trees and can quantify historical cycles of feast and famine over hundreds of years!

Along the stream banks you’ll find wonderful examples of Red Cedar, Sitka Spruce and Western Hemlock that grow to massive proportions on Haida Gwaii. Red Alder is the prominent local deciduous tree that often establishes in openings cleared by fallen trees, providing a nursery environment for the giant conifers, particularly by fixing nitrogen in nodules in their root systems, which ultimately become available to all plants in the ecosystem. Growing in the moss-covered bark of these trees you’ll find the licorice fern, whose rhizomes (roots) are sweet-tasting and are widely valued by coastal peoples, including Haida, as medicine for colds and sore throats. The list of useful plant species in this forest is long and varied – best addressed in a separate post!

Along the streams you’ll also discover several bird species, some that stay year around and others that migrate with the seasons. While the eagles and ravens are prominent, look for charming songbirds like the Winter Wren, the Varied Thrush, Canada Warbler and the Golden-Crowned Kinglet! Explorers of the island forests are never bored!


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June 21, 2024 Tayler Fuerst2

For a month now guests have been arriving for the first class fishing adventure of their dreams – The 2024 season is in full swing! If you have joined us at the Lodge before, we can’t wait to see you again, and if it’s your first time, we’re excited to introduce you to the QCL experience!

In anticipation of your trip, our Concierge team will be, or has been, in contact with you to plan the finer details of your stay.

UNIQUE DINING EXPERIENCES

There will be no shortage of food during your trip, but we do have two optional dining hot spots available for our guests this summer, both available by reservation only. Don’t miss out and be sure to book your spot in advance! For those of you who have joined us before, don’t worry our chef’s have worked hard to reimagine these unique dinners.

{Reimagined!} The Buoy, a 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 | Where East and West coast mix, the Bell Ringer Seafood Boil is our popular social dining experience on the dock. Indulge in an abundance of seafood including Lobster Tail and Dungeness Crab accompanied by our Prime Rib Bones and all the fixings. Enjoy dinner with a backdrop of the Lodge and Naden Harbour with a upbeat, lively atmosphere.

TWIN CREEK SPA + FITNESS CENTRE

Did you know that fishing can be relaxing to the mind and soul, but taxing on the body? Treat yourself, or your guest, to a relaxing treatment at our Twin Creek Spa; the perfect way to complete your fishing and adventure package!

Twin Creek Spa has limited availability each day and books quickly. We strongly urge that you book an appointment prior to your arrival. You can do so online at QCL Twin Creek Spa.

Should a visit to our Fitness Centre for a quick workout or our hot tub and sauna be top of mind – don’t forget your running shoes and swimsuit to take advantage of these amazing amenities.

 PERSONALIZED EXPERIENCE

Whether you are visiting with family, friends or treating employees or clients to a fishing adventure, there are many opportunities offered to go above and beyond for them. From meeting spaces, private dinners and events, fishing derbies, celebrations, to custom apparel, our hospitality team looks forward to adding these details into your stay.

Don’t hesitate to contact us today to review your trip and any special requests that you might have.

 

 


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June 20, 2024 Tayler Fuerst0

The northwest winds are finally here!

After a long couple of trips filled with southeasts, salmon fishing is slowly but surely starting to improve. We have been seeing Chinooks from offshore pinnacles, down deep, anywhere from 120ft to 150ft on the downrigger. Pink and Coho are seen more shallow using spoons, hoochies and plugs. Of course, the boats that are fishing inshore have seen some success, though not as action packed as the offshore troll but as the NW winds continue for the next few days that should shift.

Bottom fishing has been steady, with many nice Halibut and other bottom dwellers in the mix. Proof that if you work hard and jig hard, you’ll be rewarded!

Wildlife has been plentiful – Humpbacks, orcas and of course those pesky sealions. Black bears have been seen roaming the beaches regularly, so guests have been keeping their eyes peeled between bites!

Good luck to those coming these next few trips, let’s all do a fish dance!

QCL Guide, Max Hadrich


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June 16, 2024 Tayler Fuerst0

This past trip was a rare Haida Gwaii Gem, filled with relatively calm waters, sun, and an accumulating abundance of grey whales, orcas and humpbacks as the large mammals make their migration north in anticipation of one of the largest herring runs in recent years.

Despite the ample conditions, estimated returning salmon and herring numbers, onshore fishing has been tough due to a fairly constant south easterly wind causing both epipelagic and mesopelagic life to be either blown offshore or to seek shelter in deep water rock structures to find relief from the currents. This has lead to the majority of the fleet fishing out by the pinnacles for all of their needs. Despite the atypical fishing conditions there are plenty of salmon to be caught in deeper waters, but it is most certainly a numbers game that must be played in order to get the fish you want to keep.

However, there is a silver lining. As early runs of Coho are also starting to show up in the myriad of species to be caught offshore, allowing guests seeking their full limits to achieve their goals as long as they put their hours in.

Coho and Pink seem to be more common in the upper regions of the water column while Chinook are being caught as low as 150ft on the downriggers. Beyond that and some extremely aggressive halibut start being tossed into the hodgepodge of fish to be seen at the other end of your line. Some days it feels like the 71cm Halibut is the biggest aggressor in the Pacific Ocean.

Another added bonus is deep water Lingcod seem to have realized the abundance of smaller life attempting to hide down low, and have also moved in closer to our grounds, with many boats finding their Lingcod limit, and several large 30-40lb lings being caught this past trip alone.

This upcoming trip the weather looks like it is turning in our favour, as on the 15th it is projected to swing and start coming from the northwest, and will continue to do so for a few days. This is a change we are eagerly anticipating so that larger migrational Chinook can be more efficiently targeted across our points.

Anchovies and smaller spoons, replicating sandlances, or other needlefish species, seem to be working the best, with hoochies and squid taking a close second. But if the contents of the stomachs of fish being brought up from deeper waters is an indicator of what is to come, herring will soon be the go to.

QCL Guide, Jaxon Jones