May 24, 09 Port Renfrew Marina Report

The 2009 fishing season is underway at Port Renfrew Marina.Spring salmon fishing has been the best anyone can remember for early May. Last week slowed somewhat as the bait appears to have moved east down the straits. Needlefish is the feed right now so small anchovies and spoons are working well. John Rogers of jolly rogers adventures  has been the hot boat with limit catches daily of springs to 27 pounds. Halibut fishing continues to be spotty. Some 30 to 60 pound range coming off the lighthouse but the barndoors are not there yet. Calm seas and light winds continue to make fishing quite nice. Although there was a 110 pound and two others in the bigger size caught today.

Crabbing is still spectacular! They are getting harder and so sweet. What a treat.

The road to Renfrew from Sooke is better, it is still bumpy and each year the wear and tear of the seasons takes it's toll but the worst parts have been repaired.  Be prepared for the small area just past Sombrio part of the road washed away and there is only one lane for about 100 feet.

Please Note:If you are a seasonal customer and haven't contacted us you will very likely be losing your spot. We have had many new inquiries and spots are going fast so please if you are returning, contact us and let us know.  Sorry for any inconvenience with our new ATM. It has been down and we are working as fast as we can to get it up and running. It should be in a weeks time. Some of you may have noticed there is clearing being done at the marina. We are creating more parking for vehicles and boat trailers and also we are getting chain link fencing with heavy lids to go around our garbage cans to help reduce the bear activity this year at the campground. we have also completed another 100 feet of new dock and are maxed out with dock space. For those of you interested we now have a new feature, it is a Seasonal Launch pass with unlimited launches for the 09 season for $100.00.

Bud & Rex

May,4 2009 Port Renfrew Marina Report

Port Renfrew Marina is now open for the 2009 season.  Things have been busy out there with cleanup and new and old customers bringing in their units for the year. Our new caretakers, Wayne & Gwen Coleman are now out there and have been busy helping us. For those of you who were there last year you will recognize Knut. He is returning this year and will be working for the summer. Expectations are running high for a great Chinook return and if the last few weeks are any indication we would have to agree. Lots of limit catches coming from the can bouy from 40-85 feet deep on any needle fish pattern. Catches include:

• Gary Candy   4 spring in the teens to 22 pounds
• Dave & Gilles   7 springs up to 22 pounds
• Kerry Rawlick   29 19
• Desi Hatchard  8 10
• Glenn Wilson   22 23

Halibut fishing is very good with quite a few in the 80 pound range and a couple even larger. The weather is still a problem this early in the year so leave prepared and informed of sea conditions. 

Crabbing is the best we've seen!! Limit loaded traps are the norm right now. Fresh and sweet, the first of the year can't be beat!

A reminder: if you haven't confirmed your seasonal site by May 15th you may lose it. There are many new inquiries so please don't delay and let us know.  Gas and bait are now available 

Please note: We have an ATM machine to help customers with our cash only policy.

Bud & Rex

March 20th Port Renfrew Marina Report

Port Renfrew Marina's 2009 season is close at hand. Today is the first day of spring and we now have winter behind us. We are all looking forward to having the weather improve and getting things organized and having a good year fishing. It is going to be great to see all the people that we have grown to know and like at the marina, sharing fishing stories around campfires. Halibut limits will continue at 1 a day with a 2 day possession.

Chinook outlook is very positive. The Columbia System is expecting a huge return which could provide us with another unbelievable July fishery.

No predictions on the Coho stocks as yet.

Crabbing at the marina area has been very good this March and should continue in to June at least.

Port Renfrew Marina has acquired new caretakers this year. Noel and Pat Atkin have moved to Duncan and our new caretakers are Wayne and Gwen Coleman, long standing Port Renfrew Marina campers. Wayne and Gwen are great people and will certainly be a big help with us getting up and running this year. They have great energy and look forward to helping out. We will also have Knutt Haensel returning to help out in the office and around the marina.

A reminder to ALL past seasonal customers that you have until May 15th, preferably sooner to confirm you site from last year or it may be occupied. Failure to contact us will be assumed you aren't returning so please make sure to e-mail or call us.

Note: The road from Jordan River to Port Renfrew is in horrible shape. If you are towing your rig in we would recommend you consider coming in through Lake Cowichan. Also a reminder that we only deal in cash but we now have a ATM cash machine for customer convenience. The marina will have gas and diesel as of May1st.

At the close of last year in October we were inquiring as to how our bear attack victim, Blaine Pharis was recovering and he told us he is doing quite well all things considered. He explained how the trauma center was such a big part of his recovery and we discovered that the hospital is in the midst of fundraising to build a new and more comprehensive unit. It was at this time that we at Port Renfrew Marina decided it would be a worthwhile cause to make a donation to it in the marina's and Blaine's name.  We made a donation of $1,000.00. The hospital needs $2 million for emergency equipment and to date has raised $513,000.00. Anyone interested in making a donation can contact the Victoria Hospitals Foundation at 250 414-6688.

Looking forward to seeing old and meeting new customers at the marina this season,

Bud & Rex

Oct.16 Port Renfrew Marina Report

Port Renfrew Marina's 2008 season is over and each year seems to go by faster and faster. We closed officially Oct 14th. It was a pretty smooth year other than the terrible bear attack on Blaine Pharis. We managed to get more docks built which were snapped up early in the season and the new area for seasonal boat trailers was filled quickly. For next year we are hoping to expand that area and hopefully make more room for camping and build a small amount of dock space which at that point will max us out for usable dock area. For those of you who met Knut, our new guy in the office, he will be returning next year to help us out again. This year saw some of the best Halibut fishing in recent years with lots of "barndoors" hitting the docks. The largest on caught was 197 pounds caught by Kevin McKenna followed by a 186 caught by John Rogers of Jolly Rogers Fishing Adventures, and many more.

Chinook fishing was very slow after the August rains, ending what proved to be a disappointing season in general especially since this area in Renfrew is known for being predictably hot.

Coho fishing never did pick up although at the beginning the signs seemed promising but unfortunately they never panned out.

The good news is the San Juan Enhancement Society hatchery got their 1 million eggs and report a very strong natural spawn in the system. Lets hope that following years will show signs of that.

Oct.14th was the marina's closing date so please be aware and make sure you have come for your boat and or unit and have settled up your business for the season.  For seasonals please remember that you must contact us before May 1st 2009 to confirm keeping your spot, otherwise it will be assumed you are not returning.

We look forward to seeing all our customers again in the coming year and we wish all of you a safe and happy winter.

Bud & Rex

Oct.3 Port Renfrew Marina Report

Port Renfrew Marina held its annual Coho Derby this past Sept.27th and 28th. Fishing was a lot like this past season has shown us and unfortunately was slow. This didn't stop 398 optimistic fisherman to show up and try their luck. Weather conditions were excellent, warm, dry and with calm seas. There were approximately 30 Coho brought in over the two days with most of them in the 12 to 17 pound range. The 20.5 pound winning Coho was caught on Saturday and held up through the final weigh in at 1:00 Sunday. Jason Armstrong won the $7,880.00 prize money.

Coho fishing should improve till closing, Oct.13th as they usually show up in Oct though the weather could become a problem for boating.

One bright note is the Chinook return to the San Juan River system. The hatchery easily got the one million eggs they were hoping for. They also report a very good natural spawn with possibly 5000 fish in the river. Great news!

Please Note: Port Renfrew Marina will be closing for the season on Oct.13th. Please make sure you arrive in time to remove your boat and or unit before that date unless you have made arrangements for storage. Storage must be arranged with management and Noel. Please take note that in the next month we will be revising and posting a new rates page.

New Caretaker: This winter will be Noel and Pat's last year with the marina and they will be moving on with their retirement. The marina is looking for a caretaker to fill in. Please contact us if you happen to know someone who would fit this position, details can be discussed with anyone seriously interested.

Bud & Rex