The southeasterly weather systems that have prevailed so much this summer gave way to some welcome westerlies this week.  Guests and especially the staff are enjoying the sunshine that comes with it!  A change in the winds comes along with a new push of bait into the fishing grounds so we’re seeing massive schools of herring and needlefish in many different locations.  Guides are happily scooping up giant 12-inch herring and prepping them for bait.  So the salmon are happy too!

 Over the past week QCL anglers have divided their time between the east and west sides of the fishing grounds; some of them fishing Cape Edenshaw for their first time.  Edenshaw did not disappoint and produced solid numbers of both salmon species as well as reliable catches of halibut.  This week we’ve focused largely on the waters off Cape Naden, Bird 2 and Shag Rock, which has been a real hotspot on the flood tide.  We’re seeing more Chinooks in the 20-plus pound class this week and the Tyee bell has been getting a good workout each evening!  Anglers are finding equal success with herring, anchovies and spoons, generally fished down 35-45 feet in 90 to 125 feet of water.  As we approach the full moon this weekend the increasing tide range will have more influence on the fishing so anglers should plan accordingly.

 Looking ahead to the weekend we’re expecting light variable winds over the grounds and maybe some more sunshine!