BC fishing lodge Archives - Page 2 of 18

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

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

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

We left at first light, heading out of the harbour with the morning sunrise peering up over the horizon.

A bit of fog laid over the fishing grounds as we ran out to the lighthouse to begin fishing for Chinook. We drop lines, begin to troll with the wind at our back and I turn on some tunes to set the vibe for the day. The first bite of the morning is a good one, taking line which then got everyone on the boat involved. I’ve got one guest holding the net and recording the fight on my GoPro while the other plays the fish. When we get it into the boat, high fives are shared all around. It’s a mid teener, a great start but we’re now looking for something bigger.

A few missed bites and some small fish released conclude the morning as we head to the Driftwood for lunch. I take the time while my guests are eating on the DW to clean the boat and plan the afternoon – We’re going bottom fishing for Halibut, Lingcod and Rockfish at the Pinnacles, where the fleet has had success recently. After getting the radio call that my guests are ready for pick up at the Driftwood, I swing by and we continue with our day!

We drop in and get a keeper Halibut right away, along with a ping pong paddle sized one we throw back. A couple of drifts later we have our two Halibut and are now focusing on Ling/Rockfish on the rocky shelf nearby.

The first drop doesn’t go as planned, with both guests hooking the rock I have to cut one of the lines while snapping the other. After a quick pep talk about what bottom feels like and how important it is to keep the lures off bottom when fishing a rocky outcropping, we start to have success. One Rockfish and a medium sized Ling were the result of some coaching and now my guests have a feel for it. We rinse and repeat 4 or 5 drifts and limit out on Lingcod, with a few Rockfish mixed in.

It’s time to finish the day offshore to find some Coho or Chum for the bonus salmon species but after two hours we’ve had enough and head in. Heads are held high knowing that we’re bringing an assortment of species back!

QCL Guide, Tommy G

Tides have been turning on the top side of Haida Gwaii.

With salmon migrating into our fishing grounds, whales and large pods of orcas have been spotted frequently. Life is becoming prevalent below the surface, signaling good things to come! Many boats have found some more sizeable Chinooks inshore with many coming off of quick snap bites. Things seem to be shaping up.

Coho are also starting to move inshore along with the very large tides we’ve been experiencing. Reports of many bites have come off the top portion of the water column in the past week. An example of this would be some boats finding fish along Green Point at the start of a flood tide, 75 ft of water, 37/47 on the riggers.

Whales have been feeding and are now giving off what seems to be a bit of a show at times. With both Humpbacks and Orcas around, you’re in for an incredible wildlife experience.

Bottom fishing at times this past week has been difficult due to the strong and large tides but large Halibut are definitely around.

Keep ’em tight, let ’em fight!

QCL Guide, Ryan Green

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

Summer is almost upon us, and with summer comes first class fishing trips and fish you can turn into delicacies. The warm weather of the summer calls for our chef’s salmon burgers, to be enjoyed on the patio with friends. Don’t forget to tell them how you brought this one into the boat, among your other fishing tales!

Materials

650g of skinless salmon *This is a great way to use salmon scraps
2 shallots, finely diced
1 lemon, juiced and zested
1 egg
50g Breadcrumbs
10g Pickles, chopped
15g Capers, chopped
2g Fresh Dill, chopped
5ml Worcestershire sauce
5ml Tabasco sauce
S+P to taste

Method

Place salmon in a food processor or chop by hand. Pieces should be small, but not fine as you want to have chunks.
Mix chopped salmon and all other ingredients together in large bowl.
Scoop small spoonful of mixture in small pan with a few drops of oil and cook to taste, adjust seasoning and taste again
Form salmon patties on small squares of parchment paper to ease transfer to cooking pan
Heat large pan with natural oil of choice, sear both sides, and cook salmon patties until desired doneness.
Serve on warmed bun with topping and sides of choice.
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

The fishing scene is starting to heat up!

Chinook salmon are stealing the spotlight, ranging from 10 to 15 pounds, these beauties are keeping anglers on their toes. With the occasional 20+ pounder adding excitement to the mix and cheers in the Bell Ringer. Coho and Chum salmon are also making appearances, adding variety to the catch. Despite intermittent rain during the week, the weekend has brought clear skies and sunshine, perfect for a day out on the water.

As the annual Kingfisher Derby unfolds, anticipation is high among anglers vying for the winning hog and its coveted prize. Popular fishing points such as Klash, Eagle, Green, Naden, and Edenshaw are bustling with activity as enthusiasts try their luck. With the weather on our side and the fish biting, it’s shaping up to be a memorable season for fishing enthusiasts.

QCL Guide, Mackenzie Adam

The Kingfisher Derby is our annual fishing derby, hosted by QCL. With competition and spirits high, it always makes for a great trip at the Lodge. Inquire with our Sales Executives about 2025’s derby, entrance fee and more by calling now | 1-800-688-8959

Welcome to the 2024 Season, It’s a Guide’s Life, blog series.

A little different than our Kingfisher Report, this blog will provide insights into what a day in the life of a guide at Queen Charlotte Lodge entails! Whether it be a big fish, amazing wildlife or just a great day with guests having fun. For this first entry I wanted to share what my favorite part of the day is and surprisingly it happens before even hitting the water.

Each morning, the excitement of every angler and guide on the dock is truly amazing – No matter the weather or the misfortune of a lost fish from the day prior.

Every day is a chance at the fish of a lifetime. The enthusiasm and optimism is what keeps bringing me back.

I look forward to seeing you all, every morning, and talking about what spot we are headed to! Keep an eye out for all the fishing tales coming your way over the course of our first class fishing season.

Lead Guide, Ryan Kelly

Whether this will be your first visit to QCL, or your tenth, we know this time of year brings anticipation of a productive fishing and incredible memories.

Our Concierge team is working to connect with each group lead to ensure that your QCL Experience is planned to a tee. Let us worry about the details – arrive as you are and enjoy all the we have to offer.

As you await your trip, spend some time familiarizing yourself with common fishing terms and our Angler Orientation video. The below terms are frequently used on the boats and are a good starting point for those new to fishing to ensure you understand some of the basics upon arrival.

Right Rod to the Rock | When there are multiple boats fishing one particular point, we like to fish “right rod to the rock.” Meaning a boat that has its starboard side or has its right side of the boat closest to the shore, has the right of way to fish closest to the structure/kelp bed/shoreline. This helps to keep boat traffic moving smoothly while trolling and helps prevent boats and anglers from cutting each other off while trying to fish the inside pass.

Trolling | Trolling is a method of fishing where the boat is moving at various slower speeds while towing fishing lines. Most commonly to target salmon on our fishing grounds, your fishing lines can be attached to a downrigger or through the use of weighted rods in a style of fishing called mooching, to fish various depths.

Mooching | Mooching is a style of salmon fishing where lead weights, typically 4 to 10 oz’s., are attached to the fishing line, above the leader, to get the bait/hooks down to a desired depth. Mooching does not use downriggers and typically a cut plug herring is used as bait.

Back Rod | A back rod is used in the stern (back) of the boat as an additional or extra rod while trolling. Not attached to a downrigger, your backrod will have a banana weight or sliding weight attached to the fishing line above the leader. Commonly fished in the top 10 or 15 feet of the water column.

Jigging | A method of fishing used primarily for bottom fishing. A weighted lure, known as a jig, is dropped to the ocean floor , while attached to a fishing line, and is moved up and down by the angler using a fishing rod, to entice a bite.

Dummy Flasher / In-line Flasher | A flasher is a piece of fishing tackle used to attract salmon while trolling. A flasher can be used as a dummy flasher, where it’s attached to your downrigger line or downrigger cannonball, using swivels and a few feet of thick monofilament or a flasher can also be used “in-line”, where the flasher is attached to one end of your fishing mainline and the other end attached to the leader line.

Pop the Clip | “Pop (or popping) the clip” refers to the motion of pulling your fishing line to release it out of the downrigger clip. There are a few methods to do this but the most common would be to reel your fishing line and rod tighter to the downrigger and while holding onto your fishing reel (to prevent line from spooling off of it), you lift the rod upwards to either set the hook on a fish or to bring in the line.

Let it go/Let it run/Hand off | Commonly said by QCL fishing guides, while their guest is playing a fish, these terms are used when a fish, most often a salmon, is trying to swim away from the angler and to prevent the line from breaking, one will take their reeling hand off of the reel, allowing the salmon to take line while still being hooked, which will tire the fish out. It should be noted that it is VERY important to still hold onto the fishing rod with your non reeling hand. “Let it go” does not mean let go of the rod.

Cut Plug | A presentation for salmon fishing using a herring as bait, where the head of the herring is cut off at certain angles, roughly 45 degrees and the ‘guts’ are removed. There are various ways to attach your hooks to a cut plug, but the cut plug herring will imitate a wounded baitfish moving through the water.

Tyee | Tyee is most commonly a term for a Chinook salmon which weighs 30 pounds or more. Any guest at QCL who catches a Tyee, released or kept, rings the Tyee bell at the Bell Ringer, and later presented a celebratory pin.

As these are only a handful of the terms used when fishing, please let us know if there is anything else you want to learn!

We’ll see you at the Dock!