Aug 18 – 21
Late August fishing continues to be outstanding in Haida Gwaii. Though the weather is beginning to feel a bit more like autumn, the fishing is red hot. The momentum of an incredible season has carried us towards a terrific ending to the year. As the guests of our 18th trip of the season would say, now is certainly a great time to visit Peregrine Lodge.
A number of large fish were caught on this three-day trip. The largest of the group, a 38-pound hog, was landed by Al Nelson. Al and guide Rick Mattson started their day off Snake Rock, together with a number of other boats. But as the morning drew on, and few boats seemed to be having much luck, Al suggested that they pull up their lines and head over to “the dark side” – Cape Edenshaw. So, Rick and Al relocated. As soon as they put their lines back down, they found themselves in the middle of some of the best fishing of the day. Alone at Cape Edenshaw, they were immediately hammered by bites. One of these bites ended up being their trophy fish. Another bite ripped the line out of the downrigger clip and took off – this one ended up not being a tyee, but a perfect 25lb halibut.
Al’s halibut was big, but it wasn’t the biggest of the trip. That honour went to Katherine Fyfe. Katherine was fishing the halibut grounds with Carl Larson and guide Johnny Williams on Tuesday when she hooked into a big fish. Though recent regulations have stipulated that the biggest halibut be released, our halibut grounds have been stellar this year, producing countless good-eating fish. Katherine’s catch is a perfect example – it tipped the scales at 52 pounds. Johnny also found a gorgeous 35-pound hali for Carl.
Sheldon Vedlitz and Ron Warren of Texas also had a memorable day on the water on Monday. Sheldon and Ron were fishing Yats Bay, and had the spot to them. Guide Sean Conway knew it was going to be a good morning. And, sure enough, not long after dropping their lines, they were slammed with a double header of tyees. In keeping with our conservation ethic, both fish were released; Peter released a 30-pounder, and Sheldon released a thick 36-pounder. What a great day at Yats!
Sean Killoran and Saralee Wallis also caught tyees this trip – they both landed 30 pounders. And massive coho are still passing through our waters. David Hennes, visiting us for the first time from Washington, tied the season record with a feisty 15-pound coho landed on Tuesday.
Clearly, the fishing in late August is as good as it gets. Whenever you visit us here at Peregrine Lodge, you can count on having the opportunity to hook into a massive spring, a hog halibut, and a bunch of spirited coho. You can also count on our trademark customer service and luxurious accommodations. This, our 18th and final trip of the season, was just yet another example of our many memorable fishing adventures of 2013. We know the guests of our 18th trip will be back – isn’t it time you start planning YOUR next fishing adventure of a lifetime?