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SNAPFisher
07-22-2015, 08:16 AM
Took my dad to Langara Island with the West Coast Fishing Club. No guide. I ran all the boat and the riggers.

The weather last Friday when we got there was pretty crappy. The plane landed at Sandspit instead of Massett due to fog. So we were late and lost some fishing time. Once we did get out there was limited area to fish due to strong West winds. I tried some of the bigger water but you really couldn't stand much and it was pretty intimating until you get your legs. We still managed to land 4 salmon - 2 coho and 2 pinks.

Saturday the weather wasn't as windy but it did rain all day. I think we released about 15 pinks in the morning. Later in the afternoon things were really slow so we decided to fish a new area. It paid off! Lost a nice Chinook at the boat but managed to boat a 2nd one. Also picked up some coho and 2 nice halis.

Sunday we woke to perfect weather. We put in a nice long day and I was very busy on the rods. Lost count on how many we actually landed and released a lot. Kept 12 or so fish. Just a freakin awesome day! The only thing that we had happen is a huge male sea lion took a large Chinook when I was fighting it. I was using my own spoon and it was fishing hot so I wanted it back. The seal was well over 1000 lbs and maybe a couple of feet short of the 19 foot boat we were in. So a real monster. When something that large grabs your fish and heads off at full speed, you better watch that reel or you will have the handle embedded in your hand. Reel screaming uncontrollably is a good way to describe it. Wasn’t long before 3 more joined him in tearing the fish apart. I saw one of them swallowing some of the fish and figured my hook was gone and thought about cutting the line then. I didn’t quite give up though and pulled back one more time. The head of the salmon popped up with the hook! I reeled with everything I had as I watched head and hook come across the surface with 3 sea lions following. I know they could have taken it but they didn’t and I got my hook back. Examined the size of the Chinook head and I would estimate 20-22 lbs.

Final day on Monday they only gave us 2 hours to fish from 6-8 a.m. I missed 3 hits in the first 10 minutes and then starting nailing them. We got a nice coho and then I managed to go out further and land right amongst the Chinook. Lost 2 at the boat. Then landed 2 nice ones about 16 lbs each. We had one salmon spot left to fill and my dad finally hooked into his first Chinook of trip. He was having an epic battle and we both knew this was a large one. Then, ole monster sea lion showed up. Then, a 2nd one too. We both knew this was pretty much over. He tried moving the fish to the other size of the boat but it was just too big to control. The bigger sea lion dived and grabbed it. The reel was screaming and my dad handed it to me. I tried for a while but we were quickly running out of line and cut it...never saw the fish but knew it was likely close to tyee or bigger. Crazy good action for 2 hours of fishing.

The sea lions are a real problem for the first time up there. I guy from Calgary was 0 for 7 to sea lions on one day. The guide we talked to said he was losing 3 to them for every 1 landed. They are smart too and will only take coho and Chinook. Chinook being their favorite. They will not touch a pink on your line...

The scenery was spectacular. The fishing off the charts. Saw countless grey whales and some humpbacks. Saw a sideways breach of a big grey whale. Had some pass 20 feet from the boat. The eagles up there are as common as magpies here. Truly amazing place!

Pics:

18 lb hali
http://i59.tinypic.com/14cb39e.jpg

One of the better chinooks
http://i58.tinypic.com/29vgr49.jpg

Awesome Sunday weather!
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http://i62.tinypic.com/ops091.jpg

Smokin good day!
http://i57.tinypic.com/4zuwqt.jpg

http://i57.tinypic.com/v6lpqt.jpg

Best fish on the last day
http://i61.tinypic.com/245eqoh.jpg

Enemies spotted!
http://i60.tinypic.com/21dgdfo.jpg

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Just a poser...
http://i60.tinypic.com/2cf9yl1.jpg

SNAPFisher
07-22-2015, 08:17 AM
When I wasn’t fishing, spent a lot of time perfecting the beer taps....
http://i59.tinypic.com/2nrehkg.jpg

Our ride
http://i57.tinypic.com/xf0plj.jpg

http://i60.tinypic.com/2ylploy.jpg

Our ride out
http://i61.tinypic.com/5002l1.jpg

Big Bull
07-22-2015, 08:35 AM
Looks like a great trip! My brother-in-law, RJ, is flying up there for Heli-Jet, did you happen to fly with him?

Stratos
07-22-2015, 07:11 PM
Awe North Island Lodge... I have been there many times... Always a great time up there. Glad to see you had a successful trip.

SNAPFisher
07-22-2015, 07:43 PM
Looks like a great trip! My brother-in-law, RJ, is flying up there for Heli-Jet, did you happen to fly with him?

Not sure. The guy who flew us up there had an Australian accent. I didn't talk to the one who flew us back.

rookiemoosehunter
07-23-2015, 10:35 AM
Very nice pics.

I have been up there at Langara Lodge....Unreal fishing experience.

I have had many Chinook lost to sea lions, Our guide would move to a new spot once one was spotted. They would follow the boat as we trolled, nothing worse than fighting a huge Chinook for 30 minutes and have the fish stolen right at the boat...LOL