June delivered consistent fishing and plenty of excitement on the water. From steady Chinook action close to the lodge to the first signs of our offshore Coho fishery taking shape, it was a rewarding month for guests and guides alike.
Chinook Salmon: Close to Home and Consistent Action
Most of our Chinook held within a comfortable 10 to 25-minute run from the lodge this month, which meant less time travelling and more time with rods in the water. That is always a winning combination, and June proved that to be true.
Our largest fish of the season so far tipped the scales at 36 pounds, but the real story was the consistency. Retained Chinook averaged in the low 20-pound range, the kind of fish that give you an exciting battle and make for a memorable day. Of course, the ones that reach the boat are only part of it.
A handful of anglers added their names to the list of “the ones that got away,” with tales of powerful salmon winning the battle just before reaching the net. Frustrating in the moment, but these are usually the stories still being told long after the trip is over.
Chinook retention closed on June 23rd, right on schedule, which shifted our focus offshore toward Coho.
Coho Salmon: The Offshore Fishery Takes Shape
Early-season Coho are often farther offshore, so the last stretch of June meant longer runs in search of productive water. Locating schools takes some patience this early, but the effort can be worthwhile. During the final week we started finding encouraging numbers of Coho offshore, averaging between 7 and 9 pounds, with the odd larger fish already coming to the boat. The action has been promising, and we expect those numbers to build through the summer.
As is often the case when fishing offshore, the weather has played a role in our success. A fair bit of wind moved through in the latter part of the month, creating some challenging conditions on certain days. The fishing stayed productive, but a good set of sea legs was an asset when heading out for Coho.
We also ran into a significant number of Chinook while targeting Coho, averaging between 10 and 25 pounds. With the season closed, those fish were carefully released. There is something rewarding about turning the hook alongside the boat and watching a healthy salmon swim away to continue its journey back to its spawning river where it can contribute to future generations.
Halibut and Bottom Fishing
Bottom fishing was excellent all month. Halibut stayed active, with many guests bringing fish to the boat approaching the 112cm size limit. We also successfully released several large halibut estimated at over 100 pounds, which gave anglers a real battle while leaving those fish to carry on for future generations.
Lingcod fishing was just as productive. Most of our lingcod averaged between 8 and 15 pounds, with plenty of fish over 65cm landed. These great eating fish have been a welcome addition to guests’ boxes and continue to be a favourite target when conditions allow.
Wildlife
Beyond the fishing, wildlife viewing has been exceptional. The humpbacks have started arriving in greater numbers as part of their annual summer feeding migration, and watching them surface, breach, and feed around our fishing grounds is always a highlight. Bears have been a regular sight along the shoreline as well, often foraging the beaches at low tide. It is a good reminder of the ecosystem we are fortunate to fish in.
Looking Ahead
As we turn the page to July, we’re excited to see the Coho fishery keep building while we keep an eye on the ongoing salmon migration. If June is any indication, there are plenty more notable catches, hard-fought battles, and stories worth sharing.
Tight lines,
Jonathan Beaty