BC fishing Archives - Queen Charlotte Lodge

It is truly amazing how fast 3 months can fly by in Naden Harbour, it feels like just yesterday we were arriving for a week of training.

As we head into the final stretch of the season, big smiles are still to be found all around.

August has recently brought some sunny weather, and fishing has seen a great improvement after the extremely large tides experienced by the supermoon. During these large tides, the bite windows were smaller but anglers still managed to capitalize on opportunities, filling their boxes with both Chinook and Coho.

The majority are staying between Yahtze Bay, Bird 2 and Parker these days. It’s a welcomed change seeing boats find success at the inshore points again. Common depths inshore are between 25 and 45, depending on which spot you are at. Today a lucky angler was able to wrestle a large Chinook salmon at Parker Point and released it after being taped out to 40lbs. We love to see the big ones get to swim away!

Those fishing offshore for Coho, the Pinnacles, at common depths of 55 and 67, are working great. Even down as far as 100 can produce offshore Chinook and Coho. The odd especially big Coho, of 12+ pounds, are showing up and we’ve seen a few 14/15 pounders arrive at the Dock.

It will be sad to wrap up the 2024 season, it’s come and gone so quickly, but it’s been one for the books and even after a decade (plus) I still love every minute of it.

Can’t wait to see you all next year for more fishing first class.

QCL Lead Guide, Ryan Kelly

We’re nearing the tail end of the 2024 fishing season in Area 1. Following a bout of strong Northwest winds, the final weeks have shaped up with calmer seas and a welcome touch of sunshine.

Inshore Chinook fishing has been a bit challenging, but patience and the right timing have occasionally paid off with some impressive catches. Despite the slow pace, this “Hogust” has still yielded some notable fish, including a 45-pounder, a 37-pounder, and a 36-pounder, with a few others inching towards the Tyee range.

On a brighter note, larger Coho in the 10lbs+ range are becoming more common offshore. So, while inshore action might be slow, there are still plenty of opportunities for a memorable fishing experience.

Here’s to making the most of the remainder of the 2024 season. Tight lines and cheers to a fantastic end of summer!

QCL Guide, Sebastien Archambault

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

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

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

There are days in a guide’s life that stand out, and today was one of those days.

The sun rose over a flat calm sea, casting a golden glow on the water’s surface, promising perfect conditions for a memorable day of fishing.

I decided to head to Yatze Bay, drawn by the big ebb tide that always seems to bring in the fish. The anticipation was palpable as I set up our gear. I stripped out my back rod, carefully placing the bait in the water. Before I even had the chance to get another bait ready, the reel started screaming!

The sound of the line peeling off the reel is music to any angler’s ears, and today it was especially thrilling. I quickly handed the rod to my 13-year-old guest, his eyes wide with excitement and a hint of nervousness. This was his first ever salmon, and the battle was on.

He handled the rod like a pro, despite it being his first time. The salmon put up a good fight, darting and diving in an attempt to shake the hook. But my young guest was determined. After a tense few minutes, he finally brought the fish to the boat – a beautiful 21-pounder.

QCL Guide, Darian Mant

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!

Over the years we’ve welcomed many faces to QCL and while we are grateful for our returning guests, we are also grateful for those that are visiting for the first time. In honour of all of you, we’d like to reintroduce you to who we are and what magic lies behind the QCL Experience.

Tucked among the lush oasis of old growth forests and rich waters is a luxury fishing lodge – QCL, a private haven for our guests to escape and explore for more than 30 years. Welcoming guests since 1991, we have created a place where modern day adventurers can enjoy the northwest wilderness perfectly blended with the comforts of warm, attentive hospitality in understated luxury lodging.

After changing ownership 20+ years ago, QCL has grown with new standards of business operation that started the Lodge on our current path.

First and foremost, we are a fishing lodge that strives to provide our guests with the ultimate first class fishing experience. Designed to take full advantage of the unrivaled fishing opportunities available in Haida Gwaii, our fishing grounds offer vast populations of bait fish for productive fishing anytime throughout our season. Our fishing grounds are among the world’s premier fisheries for salmon and halibut, with other species available.

Our guests range from fishing novices to seasoned veterans, and we offer a full range of services to meet these needs. Our boat fleet is specifically designed for performance and safety, allowing our guests to choose to fish on their own, self-guided, or benefit from the assistance of a professional guide, guided. Our fishing program is designed to offer even more flexibility with variable start times for guests who are eager to hit the water at dawn, or for those who prefer a slower start to their day.

The QCL Experience does not end once our guests return to the dock – with an elevated standard of hospitality across property, our accommodations, dining services and amenities are among the cornerstones of QCL’s luxury.

Upon booking, guests have the choice of accommodation (based on availability); each room and/or venue offering something for everyone. For those looking for the finest in what QCL has to offer, our private houses are the perfect off the water experience, with a private hot tub, chef, and hostess the QCL experience is tailor-made for you. And for those looking for constant adventure, we have limited spots available on our MV Driftwood.

Guests immediately feel at home in the comforts of the stunning Main Lodge, made from lodgepole pine, as it is the centerpiece of QCL. Upon returning from the water, guests find their way to the Lodge to sip a craft cocktail by the crackling fire in the great stone hearth, take in the setting sun views from the hot tub or sauna, or share stories around the harbourside firepit.

Serving as the hub of our Food and Beverage programs, the Dining Room is located on the second floor of the Main Lodge. Guests looking for an espresso and fresh baked pastry, an afternoon bite or 3 course meal and extensive wine selection, this is where you’ll find it. Our menus emphasize the local seafood, nod to a classic steakhouse, and honour the flavours of the West Coast. Alongside the Dining Room, our guests often find themselves recharging in the Angler’s Club Lounge. Located on the first floor of the Main Lodge, this is home to our wine cellar, main bar, and pool table.

For those in search of a lively location to start or end the day, we have the Bell Ringer – a simple concept that is often imitated but never replicated. Located on the dock, this is the spot to grab a coffee before heading out on the water, and sharing stories of the days catch while you wait for it to get weighed.

Not to be confused with the MV Driftwood, our on the water dining experience for all guests. For those looking for break to their fishing day the DW offers a lively lunch location with tales of the morning and views of the rugged landscape.

Over the years, QCL has learned what best inspires the dining experiences that create irreplaceable memories and from this inspiration we have created two quintessential dining experiences – he Bell Ringer, and the Buoy dinner. Available for a fee, they create a semiprivate dining experience that cannot be rivaled in our remote wilderness.

We understand that the definition of adventure and luxury varies from person to person, and we strive to provide each of our guests with a personalized experience. You can anticipate this personalized experience from the moment you book your trip, to arriving at the lodge, whether they are on the water or in the dining room. Among other amenities such as our spa, fitness center, hot tubs and saunas – the staff is truly the hallmark of your trip. The QCL Crew is always present to ensure your visit to QCL is truly an unforgettable memory.

It is worth noting that while we do our best to share the QCL Experience with you here, there is nothing similar to the feeling you get from stepping off the helicopter after a scenic ride across Haida Gwaii.

Thank you for booking your first class fishing experience with us, we cannot wait to welcome you!

There is something special about bringing your fish home from your first class fishing trip, cooking it and sharing those memories while creating new ones. Though this is one of our favourite ways to hold onto a summer adventure, we also know that it can be easy to move through your delicious catch and for those moments where you’re in need of West Coast seafood there is our Taste of B-Sea program.

QCL has sourced the finest quality fish and shellfish available – all caught right here in British Columbia. These products are Ocean Wise and come from some of the most sustainable fisheries in the world using the most eco-friendly fishing methods. Perfect for hosting during the upcoming holiday season, or to tide you over until your next QCL visit!

All the favourites are on hand – Albacore Tuna loins, Lingcod and Halibut portions, Sablefish (smoked & regular) as well as Spot Prawns and Dungeness Crab. Pick a few, or try a sample pack!

Check out our ready to ship menu below, and place your order to keep your freezer stocked. To order, contact our team | 1-800-688-8959

Keep in mind for 2024 that products can be taken home direct from the airport,upon your return from the Lodge.

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

Older Posts

Kingfisher Report | August 31, 2024

Kingfisher Report | August 27, 2024

Kingfisher Report | August 18, 2024

Kingfisher Report | August 8, 2024

Kingfisher Report | July 29, 2024

It’s a Guide’s Life

Beyond the Tides | The Living Rainforest

Reintroducing the QCL Experience

Taste of B-Sea | Current Opportunities

Kingfisher Report | August 26, 2023

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!

QCL Signatures Series | Tom Yum Baked Lingcod

QCL Signatures Series | Seared Scallops with Romesco

Thank You | QCL Crew

A Wrap on 2024

Kingfisher Report | August 31, 2024