Jwood 456
08-16-2012, 08:35 PM
Hey, I would like to tell about a fishing trip of a lifetime I had out while out in Port Renfrew B.C
On July 6th, my fishing partner and I left for this awesome trip and stopped overnight in Valemount. We had no choice but to have gas station snacks for supper as it was late and no restaurants were open.lol The next day was about an 8 hour scenic drive through the mountainous and forest filled B.C. terrain all the way to the coast. From there on, we boarded the Vancouver ferry to and finally arrived in Sooke on Vancouver Island at dark.
http://i1151.photobucket.com/albums/o632/Jwood_456/DSCN2745.jpg
This is a pic of us entering the highly scenic B.C. coastal mountains.
http://i1151.photobucket.com/albums/o632/Jwood_456/DSCN2812.jpg
This is an evening shot of one of the many Gulf islands while we travelled on the ferry.
After that we finally arrived in Port Renfrew!:sHa_shakeshout:
On day 1, We explored botanical beach near Port Renfrew and explored most of the tide pools that were there. There we found loads of mussels, clams, anenomes, urchins, odd types of sea weed, crabs and even small fish in the pools! The beach looked prehistoric as large vertical rock walls with massive cedars, douglas firs and hemlocks on top bordered it. The walk there and back was also scenic as we went through the lush rain forest.
http://i1151.photobucket.com/albums/o632/Jwood_456/P7101822.jpg
http://i1151.photobucket.com/albums/o632/Jwood_456/P7101933.jpg
http://i1151.photobucket.com/albums/o632/Jwood_456/P7102002.jpg
Over the other 8 days, we fished for all sorts of species of fish. The salmon fishing was pretty slow inshore, even for the guides, but we did manage to land 1 12lb chinnok, and 3 other bites over the days. 2 got off the line early in fight and the third one wrapped the line around the down rigger cable and broke the 40lb leader as if it was sewing thread!:sign0176::shark:
Even though the salmon fishing was slow, the black rock fish in the area would pick at the salmon gear on a regular basis and I found that these fish on average would be bigger and fight harder pound for pound than walleye and when fried in batter, were a treat!
On one of the days, we fished a known halibut spot, but didn't catch any halis. We did mange to catch a few rock fish and decided to move after we caught 4. The mortality rates of caught rock fish are high when these fish are caught due to an expanding air bladder as they get pulled up from the deep water and they are sensitive to overfishing. Later that day, we trolled for salmon and right away, it was fish on! The first fish screamed the drag on my fishing partner's setup in short furious bursts. As the fish neared the boat, my fishing partner lifted the down rigger cable out of the water and netted the 12lb Chinook which is small for a Chinook, but still a pretty big fish in my opinion! Afterwards, I caught a 4lbish coho salmon and released it. After catching the coho, the black rock fish were relentless at picking at the bait until we ran out.
Close to the end of the trip, we attempted to jig for Hails again, but couldn't get our lures deep enough as the tides were flowing pretty strongly that day. Instead of heading off we decided troll with the down riggers. As soon as one of lines was lowered, it popped off the rigger clip and we pulled a dogfish in(a species of small shark). As soon as the lines went down again another dogfish was pulled in. After consistently cranking 10lbs up from 260FOW with a manual down rigger and no food on board,lol, we decided to head near shore where we jigged for ling cod. Long story short, the action the whole time was non stop for ling cod averaging 5lbs that would even jump out of the water to attack our lures, black rock fish averaging 4lbs, kelp green lings, the odd assortment of other rock fish species and the really whacky looking cabezon. Since the fishing was only in 30fow the rock fish could safely be released without the air bladders over inflating.
On our final day we fished early in the morning where unlike the other days it was overcast and there was none of that typical daily fog occurring. Within 20 minutes of setting up, it was fish on! and these were chinooks! As I was gaining very little line my fishing partner was losing line from the fish running! As my fishing partner gained line, the fish got off, however, my fish was still on and when I got the fish near the boat, I could see a large silvery flash in the water. As I got the fish near the boat, I was at the same time frantically trying to reel the down rigger ball up out of the water. The fish continued to make long runs quick runs. My fishing partner coaxed me just to focus on reeling the fish in. Big mistake! The fish made a run towards the rigger cable and wrapped the leader around the cable broke the bait leader and was gone.:scared0015::sign0176::(
Overall it was an epic trip, and am very grateful that I am one of the lucky few that gets the opportunity to fish such a scenic place that has such great fishing. Now I should start looking forward to the summer of 2013!
http://i1151.photobucket.com/albums/o632/Jwood_456/P7081746.jpg
Bald Eagle sighting near the cabin we were staying at.
http://i1151.photobucket.com/albums/o632/Jwood_456/P7081722.jpg
Black Bear and her 2 cubs near Port Renfrew on the day we first arrived there.
http://i1151.photobucket.com/albums/o632/Jwood_456/P7091803.jpg
Heading out to the fishing grounds!
http://i1151.photobucket.com/albums/o632/Jwood_456/P7091799.jpg
Heading to our big water fishing machine at the marina.
On July 6th, my fishing partner and I left for this awesome trip and stopped overnight in Valemount. We had no choice but to have gas station snacks for supper as it was late and no restaurants were open.lol The next day was about an 8 hour scenic drive through the mountainous and forest filled B.C. terrain all the way to the coast. From there on, we boarded the Vancouver ferry to and finally arrived in Sooke on Vancouver Island at dark.
http://i1151.photobucket.com/albums/o632/Jwood_456/DSCN2745.jpg
This is a pic of us entering the highly scenic B.C. coastal mountains.
http://i1151.photobucket.com/albums/o632/Jwood_456/DSCN2812.jpg
This is an evening shot of one of the many Gulf islands while we travelled on the ferry.
After that we finally arrived in Port Renfrew!:sHa_shakeshout:
On day 1, We explored botanical beach near Port Renfrew and explored most of the tide pools that were there. There we found loads of mussels, clams, anenomes, urchins, odd types of sea weed, crabs and even small fish in the pools! The beach looked prehistoric as large vertical rock walls with massive cedars, douglas firs and hemlocks on top bordered it. The walk there and back was also scenic as we went through the lush rain forest.
http://i1151.photobucket.com/albums/o632/Jwood_456/P7101822.jpg
http://i1151.photobucket.com/albums/o632/Jwood_456/P7101933.jpg
http://i1151.photobucket.com/albums/o632/Jwood_456/P7102002.jpg
Over the other 8 days, we fished for all sorts of species of fish. The salmon fishing was pretty slow inshore, even for the guides, but we did manage to land 1 12lb chinnok, and 3 other bites over the days. 2 got off the line early in fight and the third one wrapped the line around the down rigger cable and broke the 40lb leader as if it was sewing thread!:sign0176::shark:
Even though the salmon fishing was slow, the black rock fish in the area would pick at the salmon gear on a regular basis and I found that these fish on average would be bigger and fight harder pound for pound than walleye and when fried in batter, were a treat!
On one of the days, we fished a known halibut spot, but didn't catch any halis. We did mange to catch a few rock fish and decided to move after we caught 4. The mortality rates of caught rock fish are high when these fish are caught due to an expanding air bladder as they get pulled up from the deep water and they are sensitive to overfishing. Later that day, we trolled for salmon and right away, it was fish on! The first fish screamed the drag on my fishing partner's setup in short furious bursts. As the fish neared the boat, my fishing partner lifted the down rigger cable out of the water and netted the 12lb Chinook which is small for a Chinook, but still a pretty big fish in my opinion! Afterwards, I caught a 4lbish coho salmon and released it. After catching the coho, the black rock fish were relentless at picking at the bait until we ran out.
Close to the end of the trip, we attempted to jig for Hails again, but couldn't get our lures deep enough as the tides were flowing pretty strongly that day. Instead of heading off we decided troll with the down riggers. As soon as one of lines was lowered, it popped off the rigger clip and we pulled a dogfish in(a species of small shark). As soon as the lines went down again another dogfish was pulled in. After consistently cranking 10lbs up from 260FOW with a manual down rigger and no food on board,lol, we decided to head near shore where we jigged for ling cod. Long story short, the action the whole time was non stop for ling cod averaging 5lbs that would even jump out of the water to attack our lures, black rock fish averaging 4lbs, kelp green lings, the odd assortment of other rock fish species and the really whacky looking cabezon. Since the fishing was only in 30fow the rock fish could safely be released without the air bladders over inflating.
On our final day we fished early in the morning where unlike the other days it was overcast and there was none of that typical daily fog occurring. Within 20 minutes of setting up, it was fish on! and these were chinooks! As I was gaining very little line my fishing partner was losing line from the fish running! As my fishing partner gained line, the fish got off, however, my fish was still on and when I got the fish near the boat, I could see a large silvery flash in the water. As I got the fish near the boat, I was at the same time frantically trying to reel the down rigger ball up out of the water. The fish continued to make long runs quick runs. My fishing partner coaxed me just to focus on reeling the fish in. Big mistake! The fish made a run towards the rigger cable and wrapped the leader around the cable broke the bait leader and was gone.:scared0015::sign0176::(
Overall it was an epic trip, and am very grateful that I am one of the lucky few that gets the opportunity to fish such a scenic place that has such great fishing. Now I should start looking forward to the summer of 2013!
http://i1151.photobucket.com/albums/o632/Jwood_456/P7081746.jpg
Bald Eagle sighting near the cabin we were staying at.
http://i1151.photobucket.com/albums/o632/Jwood_456/P7081722.jpg
Black Bear and her 2 cubs near Port Renfrew on the day we first arrived there.
http://i1151.photobucket.com/albums/o632/Jwood_456/P7091803.jpg
Heading out to the fishing grounds!
http://i1151.photobucket.com/albums/o632/Jwood_456/P7091799.jpg
Heading to our big water fishing machine at the marina.