It is a big fish season at Queen Charlotte Lodge and this week has been no exception.  The Tyee bell has been ringing very consistently with most anglers getting a chance to boat a nice Chinook salmon over 30 pounds.  Cape Naden, Bird Rock and Parker Point continue to turn out the lions share of trophy-sized salmon.  Anglers are having good success with anchovy & teaser head combinations as well as spoons and herring.  The fish aren t running very deep these days and the standard 31/41 foot combination is consistently productive through most of the fishing area.  Interestingly a number of these big Springs are biting on Brads Super Bait Cut Plug, a plastic lure that holds a bit of anchovy or herring inside a cavity for scent.  We re catching them on everything right now!

 
Ken Jaheny released a nice big Chinook which taped out to 48 pounds Wednesday after a rock & roll battle in a heavy tide rip at Bird 1!  Way to go Ken!  First-time guest Kasey Wilson landed her first giant salmon on Thursday morning, ringing the Tyee bell 4 times for her 42 pound prize.  And just a few days after celebrating his 8th birthday, Jordan Clough amazed his dad Rob by playing a big Chinook right to the boat.  It was netted and measured out to 51 pounds before they revived and released it.  Amazing job Jordy!  Welcome the youngest member to the exclusive 50 Pounder Club! 

Veteran QCL guide Sam Harrison had a banner day Friday, fishing with Ontario brothers Rob & Dan Hozjan at Cape Naden.  They had only been on the water an hour after their helicopter arrival at the lodge when Dan hooked up the fish of a lifetime.  A 30 minute battle ended when Sam slipped the net beneath the giant Chinook and he went to work measuring and reviving the big chrome beauty before it swam away.  A calculated weight of 61 pounds boosted Dan into the QCL Kingfisher Club with one of the season s biggest fish!  Less than 2 hours later brother Rob got his turn when another big Tyee fell for Sams anchovy teaser.  This one was also turned back after a solid fight and Sam had taped it out to 48 pounds.  Terrific work guys and thanks for letting those big fish go!

These northwesterly winds will continue for most of the next week but hopefully we ll see some of that blue sky which has eluded us thus far!  Tides are growing again and will peak early in the week.  Bring sunscreen!