Trip Report - We went fishing to Great Pacific Salmon Lodge - Pic Heavy!!

[FallAirFever]

I just hung up the phone from Jamie with Great Pacific Salmon Lodge and it's official my best friends and I are going salmon fishing!!!!

This is going to be an amazing trip to celebrate our 40th birthdays. The four of us have been friends for about 28 years. We have stayed in touch over the years and these guys are the best men you could hope to be friends with. In high school we used to skip class to go grouse hunting or find a little stream to fish for grayling south of GP. After high school we all stayed in touch (two of the guys are brothers) but all had pretty busy lives with school, jobs, wives and kids. About 8 years ago we decided we should make some time for the four of us and we have been doing an anual hunting trip every year since, until last year. Our one buddy couldn't make it as his wife had just had a baby, it sure was not the same without him, he was sorely missed. We started talking about a fishing trip, one of the reasons being because our missing buddy liked hunting but really loved fishing.

We kicked around the idea of doing a trip this year but were having a tough time pulling things together there were worries about timing and money, it looked like the fishing idea was not going to happen. Thats until our fishing loving buddy decided to take charge and make the trip happen! Through his generosity and planning he got us booked in with Jamie for 2-3 days of fishing at the end of May!! We are driving out to Rupert (Road trip!), spending a couple days at the lodge and on the water and driving back after having the trip of a lifetime.

Can't wait. Jamie thanks for being so accomodating to help us pull this together.

I have never been on this type of fishing trip so if anyone has some tips or suggestions I'd love to hear them.

[Luxor]

Awesome way to celebrate your 40th.
You will have memories for a lifetime.
Be careful Salmon fishing is great fun and has been known to be very addicting:)

[Lefty-Canuck]

Ask Jamie if the coho are around....if so bring a fly rod and "buck tail" out the back....just past the prop wash (close enough to see your fly)....let the fun begin!

LC

[Davey Boy]

Hope you guys have the best trip ever. Catch lots of fish.

[Trophychinook]

Sounds like a great group to hang out with for a couple days! Im jamies head guide and you guys will be well looked after. Sorry no coho around this time of year we will be targeting monster trophy chinook and halibut as i always do! Eat your wheaties boys!

[The Fisherman Guy]

Great news FallAirFever! You will definitely have a fantastic time, and be well taken care of out there.

The deals Jamie is offering are incredible, good to see that AO folks are getting in on the deals while they last!

Looking forward to your trip report, good luck and tight lines!

[Sooner]

Sounds like a great trip. After talking to Jamie at the show I would sure like to try out his lodge one day. Take lots of pics.

[Ken07AOVette]

Sounds like a great group to hang out with for a couple days! Im jamies head guide and you guys will be well looked after. Sorry no coho around this time of year we will be targeting monster trophy chinook and halibut as i always do! Eat your wheaties boys!

Wheaties? Are we arm wrestling the head guide this year??? :sHa_shakeshout:

We did catch a couple coho last year may 18.

[Rockjockey]

From my experience with Jamie and the gang you're in for a treat. Thunder Elk Hunter and I have been going out to the lodge for the last 2 years and have seen a Tyee pulled into the boat on both trips. We have two trips booked for this year the first is May 25 the second is the first week of July.
Hopefully we can break lodge record for Chinook.

Tyee from last year (38lbs)
91057

[Trophychinook]

One more step closer to the other boat big guy! Lol
Just kidding, yes there were a few coho around early last year but they dont usually show up in numbers until mid june.
Thanks for hacking my very first thread see you at the lodge....

[Ken07AOVette]

One more step closer to the other boat big guy! Lol
Just kidding, yes there were a few coho around early last year but they dont usually show up in numbers until mid june.
Thanks for hacking my very first thread see you at the lodge....

I'm bringing 4 flyrods! :sHa_sarcasticlol::fighting0030:

[rybak]

Wow, sounds like you have an awesome trip planned for your 40th birthday!
Make sure to post some pics of the trophy fish! :)

[Jamie]

Fall.. So very glad you guys chose us to come out with. I am sure it's one of many "once in a life time trips" with us.

We will do our best to make this as memorable for your group as possible.

We get so many A/O members at the Lodge, perhaps we should change the name? Lololol

To all of you who have come or have booked in for this summer...Thank you.
To those that haven't booked (Yet!) I am sure we will see you soon and eagerly await those magical days on the water with like minded people.

Rupert is one of the best places in the world to come fishing, lets see you up here soon.

Jamie

[omega50]

I just hung up the phone from Jamie with Great Pacific Salmon Lodge and it's official my best friends and I are going salmon fishing!!!!

This is going to be an amazing trip to celebrate our 40th birthdays. The four of us have been friends for about 28 years. We have stayed in touch over the years and these guys are the best men you could hope to be friends with. In high school we used to skip class to go grouse hunting or find a little stream to fish for grayling south of GP. After high school we all stayed in touch (two of the guys are brothers) but all had pretty busy lives with school, jobs, wives and kids. About 8 years ago we decided we should make some time for the four of us and we have been doing an anual hunting trip every year since, until last year. Our one buddy couldn't make it as his wife had just had a baby, it sure was not the same without him, he was sorely missed. We started talking about a fishing trip, one of the reasons being because our missing buddy liked hunting but really loved fishing.

We kicked around the idea of doing a trip this year but were having a tough time pulling things together there were worries about timing and money, it looked like the fishing idea was not going to happen. Thats until our fishing loving buddy decided to take charge and make the trip happen! Through his generosity and planning he got us booked in with Jamie for 2-3 days of fishing at the end of May!! We are driving out to Rupert (Road trip!), spending a couple days at the lodge and on the water and driving back after having the trip of a lifetime.

Can't wait. Jamie thanks for being so accomodating to help us pull this together.

I have never been on this type of fishing trip so if anyone has some tips or suggestions I'd love to hear them.
Congrats.
It will be an epic dream trip. This has got a feel good vibe to it.
I think it would be a trip report that would appeal to a great many on AO. Hopefully, you find time to post both stories and pics.
I am already picturing amazing pics of Salmon in your smoker sometime later in the summer.
Now-Try to wipe that smile off of your face:sHa_shakeshout:

[Thunder Elk Hunter]

Fall this is an addiction it is like Lay potato chips. Bet you can just go once! Welcome to the dark side. It starts at once a year and now RJ and myself are going twice this year. So beware. The next thing you know we will be going a third time in the late summer for Coho. My wife hopes that I don't get like Jamie and buy my own lodge:sHa_sarcasticlol:

Don't forget your appetite the food is great at the lodge and the fishing if it is like the last two years it will be amazing. Good luck and have fun.

12 more days and then look out Tyee!! Time to fire up the new smoker.

[Jamie]

Fall this is an addiction it is like Lay potato chips. Bet you can just go once! Welcome to the dark side. It starts at once a year and now RJ and myself are going twice this year. So beware. The next thing you know we will be going a third time in the late summer for Coho. My wife hopes that I don't get like Jamie and buy my own lodge:sHa_sarcasticlol:

Don't forget your appetite the food is great at the lodge and the fishing if it is like the last two years it will be amazing. Good luck and have fun.

12 more days and then look out Tyee!! Time to fire up the new smoker.

Welcome to the Dark side.
Thunder speaks the truth.

It's getting close my friend! I am out of here in a few hours. Shea and Jason are almost in Terrace. First boat hits the water in the AM.

Jamie

[FallAirFever]

Guys thanks for the kind words and encouragement, but honestly hearing everyone tell me how awesome this is going to be just makes me want to hit the road.

We havent even made the trip yet or know how we are going to like it, but we all assume it is going to be amazing and that we will love it and are kicking around when to do the next one. :sHa_shakeshout:

I will be posting a story and pics when we get back.

[Jamie]

Ahhhhh
Out on the water right now.
No time to even think about fishing, but it's warm out.

Jamie

[FallAirFever]

Well less than an hour til I hit the road and start the drive to Rupert!
Chinooks beware.
Story and pics to follow.

[Lefty-Canuck]

Well less than an hour til I hit the road and start the drive to Rupert!
Chinooks beware.
Story and pics to follow.

Enjoy!

LC

[crownb]

Well less than an hour til I hit the road and start the drive to Rupert!
Chinooks beware.
Story and pics to follow.

Good luck, you are taking the trip I have always dreamed of, keep us posted!!

[omega50]

Safe journey!!
Hope we get a trip report:)

[FallAirFever]

Well after 2 pretty solid days of driving we made it.
Checked into the lodge had an awesome meal and just relaxing before heading to bed. Up at 4 to chase salmon and Hali's.

Jamie wish you were here:
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m125/fallairfever/AA6C64A9-AD65-499F-B4FF-4F4BE3A62050-14890-000014BAFEB65315_zpsdd45f98f.jpg

Pics of fish tomorrow. Man I hope the weather holds its beautiful here!!

[50/50]

nice view of Rupert ..but any fish?

[Thunder Elk Hunter]

Here is a couple of pictures from our trip from earlier in the week. Fishing was slow but we still had a great time. They call it fishing not catching, sometimes the weather is not your friend. If that happens you just have to make the most of the trip anyway.

Killer whales surfacing 10 ft from the boat to check us out is something that our crew will remember for the rest of our lives. The calves just had to have a close up of us. Seeing a hump back whale was also very neat.

Looking forward to the 4 day trip in July with the wife and some good friends.

TEH

[Jamie]

Well after 2 pretty solid days of driving we made it.
Checked into the lodge had an awesome meal and just relaxing before heading to bed. Up at 4 to chase salmon and Hali's.

Jamie wish you were here:
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m125/fallairfever/AA6C64A9-AD65-499F-B4FF-4F4BE3A62050-14890-000014BAFEB65315_zpsdd45f98f.jpg

Pics of fish tomorrow. Man I hope the weather holds its beautiful here!!

I wish I was as well. I am sure everyone is taking great care of you guys.
I will be out tomorrow morning.

See you then.
Jamie

[Rockjockey]

Here are a couple more pics from earlier in the week. As Thunder said it was slow but with the weather that was in late last week the fish just went deep and closed their mouths. They were there as you could see them on the sonar, just not interested in anything we threw in front of them. You know it is slow when I can't catch a rock cod......they don't call me the "Cod Father" at the lodge for nothing.
91860

91861

91862

[Jamie]

Post the video boys... I am still laughing about it.

Jamie

[Rockjockey]

Post the video boys... I am still laughing about it.

Jamie

Here you go Jamie. There is a bit of swearing in the video so viewer discretion is advised.

http://youtu.be/lzso_GyYFTM

[Thunder Elk Hunter]

Here are a couple more pics from earlier in the week. As Thunder said it was slow but with the weather that was in late last week the fish just went deep and closed their mouths. They were there as you could see them on the sonar, just not interested in anything we threw in front of them. You know it is slow when I can't catch a rock cod......they don't call me the "Cod Father" at the lodge for nothing.
91860

91861

91862

You did your self proud the last day on the rock fish trolling for salmon. The one you caught in 220 ft of water that was just bigger than the anchovy was a talent that most others do not have. You did keep the rest of the boat crew entertained and laughing. You did catch the biggest hali and salmon, must have been all that practice rod time catching little rock cod :sHa_sarcasticlol:

[omega50]

Trip report?
Was it everything you hoped for?:sHa_shakeshout:

[FallAirFever]

Well it's been a couple days since we got back from our fishing trip. When I last posted we had just arrived at the lodge, the weather was beautiful!
We had a beer on the deck, got settled in, met the staff and had a great meal.

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m125/fallairfever/P1012895_zpsa71f80f2.jpg

Shea, our guide, asked us if we there to fish, we said "of course" and his response was "be on the dock before 5". Oh boy!

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m125/fallairfever/P1013021_zpsa8fe7287.jpg
It was a nice morning, a little early, but very beautiful.

A quick run out to our spot and we were on the hunt for Chinooks! It didn't take long to get our first fish.
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m125/fallairfever/P1012934_zpsd766c73c.jpg

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m125/fallairfever/P1012935_zps9b91454f.jpg
Not the Chinook we were hoping for, but hey a nice Halibut will do just fine!!

The weather was amazing and the Salmon started to co-operate.

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m125/fallairfever/P1012953_zps67996dee.jpg

Then we got into the Salmon!!!

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m125/fallairfever/P1012941_zpsb93ef599.jpg

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m125/fallairfever/P1012949_zpsaf38d88e.jpg

Everyone in our grou boated a Salmon but me, I was the KING OF THE ROCK COD!!!
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m125/fallairfever/BB731CE1-4BBA-470C-87DC-A82B137D7852-238-00000029B5717B10_zps1524b1cf.jpg

The Salmon bite slowed so we headed to hit some bottom fish. We caught all kinds of cool fish.
A Snapper.
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m125/fallairfever/P1012985_zps45bb6f98.jpg
Caught 2 nice snapper, one was 16lbs.

A Dog Fish:
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m125/fallairfever/P1012983_zpse38dee2a.jpg

and some more Halibut, caught our limit!
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m125/fallairfever/P1012958_zps78ce3ac6.jpg

Then back on to the Salmon, caught one more, 4 for the day, 4 halibut, 2 snapper and a handful of rock cod. A wonderful mixed bag.

We took a little break to feed the eagles, really cool sight to see.
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m125/fallairfever/P1012960-A_zpsec750b5d.jpg

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m125/fallairfever/P1012963-Copy_zpse0061786.jpg

We spent 16 hours on the boat that day, our guide was nothing short of amazing. Man can he bait a line in a instant and saw strikes that I missed when I was staring at the rod while he drive the boat. Shea thank-you for making our trip awesome!
Then it was back to the Lodge for a feast of crab and bed, we were exhausted.

[FallAirFever]

Day two was another early start. The wind was picking up a little so we hit another spot for Salmon. Unfortunatly the fish did not co-operate, the wind slowed and it was time for some bottom fishing.

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m125/fallairfever/P1012981_zpsa5a56fc5.jpg

Another limit of Halibut:
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m125/fallairfever/P1013040_zpsd0a38bba.jpg

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m125/fallairfever/P1013031_zps1ee41cd7.jpg

And a nice Ling Cod:
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m125/fallairfever/P1013036_zps6c0776ac.jpg

Our guide out-did himself again with having us on the water for 12 hours and working his butt off to put up with us newbies and trying to get us more salmon, but as happens sometimes the fish didn't agree with our plans.

We had an incredible trip, it was a whirlwind with a lot of driving and a couple of epic days on the water.
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m125/fallairfever/P1013055_zps13b51ae7.jpg

We came home with a great haul of Halibut, and a nice mix of Salmon, Snapper, Rock and Ling Cod. First meal this weekend is going to be some Halibut on the BBQ and as soon as I have time I am smoking up some Salmon baby!!

I think someone warned that this can be addictive, well it sure can, my buddy is already tossing dates around for next year. Thinking of a little later in the year when the Chinooks are running a little thicker and the maybe the Coho have started. Anyone thinking of taking a trip like this should give Jamie at Great Pacific Salmon Lodge a call, he was very accomodating to make our trip happen and we couldn't be more happy with the way it went.

It's been very tough to focus since getting back and I sure am looking forward to getting back on the boat with Shea!

REEL, REEL, REEL, REEL...!!!!!!
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m125/fallairfever/IMG_1795_zpsa38e2d5c.jpg

[Safety D]

My buddies are in Rupert heading out right this morning. Is the fishing on ?

[FallAirFever]

My buddies are in Rupert heading out right this morning. Is the fishing on ?

The should be into the fish pretty good!
Our guide was saying the fishing would just keep picking up from now until around the third week of June, for the Chinooks anyways. The Coho haven't really started yet from what I understand.

Hope he has a great time, who is he fishing with?