Sept.11 Port Renfrew Marina Report

Port Renfrew Marina as many of you may know has been in the news lately regarding the bear mauling that happened on Sept.9 around 5:00 that evening. We would like to take this opportunity to express our deepest thanks to everyone that helped us with this terrible event. A very personal thank you to the  brave people who helped with trying to get the bear off the man: Bruce Miller, Jared Gagen, Bud, the fellow's friend Steve, Art Unruh and Ed Stirling. Also a very special thank you to David Pope who is an advanced life support paramedic (so very lucky he had all his equipment with him) and his mother Cindy Pope who is a nurse who came to the man's rescue to care for his wounds. In the 22 years that the marina has been in business and the 12 years of our ownership there has never been an incident like this and we pray there never will be again. At last report the man is in the hospital and stable, which is a relief, all things considered. What a great feeling to know that we live in a place that when a fellow human being is in extreme distress that there are others that will come to his rescue regardless of the risk of death or injury. Without this help the man would have almost surely died. To the fellow that was so badly injured we all wish him a very speedy recovery. To everyone there that day that helped a VERY BIG thank you!! Fishing at Port Renfrew Marina in the past week has been very slow. There are still a few springs around and a few Coho showing up. Hopefully in the following week we will see an improvement and have more Coho's showing in real numbers. The seas have been very calm with beautiful weather for the most part but with some fog.

Notable catches of Springs:

  • Thelma Mattson             34
  • Hugh Hamar                  32.5
  • Dale Exley                      36
  • Dave Maitson                 36
  • Blair Houdayer                32
  • Clayton Wright               31
  • Trevor No Banana's        33

Halibut fishing is still good at the Swiftsure Bank. The fish are on the smaller side but are the best for eating.

Important Dates: Port Renfrew Marina's Coho "Winner Take all" Derby will be held this Sept.27th & 28th. The cost is $20.00 a rod and the rules are dawn to 6:00 p.m. on Sat. the 27th and dawn to 1:00 on Sun the 28th. All fish are expected to be caught within the legal fishing areas. The fisheries rules for Coho are: Two wild Coho can be kept if caught inside the whistle buoy. Hatchery Coho can be retained in or outside the bay. Up to four Coho in total may be kept. For more information, see these links:

Port Renfrew Marina will be closing on Oct.12th 2008. Please make arrangements for taking your unit and boat home unless previously arranged for storage. 

Bud & Rex

Sept.4 Port Renfrew Marina Labor Day Derby Weekend

Port Renfrew Marina saw late August fishing to be as poor as the weather. There had been hopes the pick up would last but low pressures and lots of rain coupled to make Chinook fishing one of the slowest in recent years. There were some great catches topped off by Dave Mills with a 56 pounder to win a place in Island Outfitters "King Fisherman Contest." Congrats Dave! Catches of Notable Springs:

  • Adrian Woods                     32
  • Mike Dugan                        32
  • Dan Peters                          39
  • Sandy Kent                         32
  • Liam Veigh                         38
  • Grant Graver                       31.5
  • Craig Martin                       35
  • Amber Murray                    33.5
  • Rex Coburn                        36
  • Wilf Hoban                         34.5
  • Shane Kapralik                   34 37
  • Kirk Combs                        36
  • Kit Tsoi                              42
  • Daniel Massy  13 years      32
  • Jess Hydes                         31.5
  • Noel Atkin                         36
  • Trevor of No BananasCharters   31
  • Jared of No Bananas Charters  33 34 36 38
  • Brian Willmon                    40.5
  • Dave Mills                   56

Coho's have been showing up in the bay with hatchery fish hitting the 17 pound mark. This could be the beginning of a good season.

Halibut is holding in there. Typically they diminish around this time. Stay on channel 06 to hear where they are. Most fisherman are still finding their limits.

Port Renfrew Marina's Labor Day Derby winners:

  • First Place:                             Ron Jakimchuk 35.2
  • Second Place:                         Terry Van Weiren 33.10
  • Third Place:                            Milt Combs 33.8  (sorry no picture of fish available)
  • Ladies Biggest Fish:                Stephanie Aikenhead 28.8 giving her the right to wear the shirt titled "The best Hooker in Port Renfrew" passed on by Frieda Fielding
  • Girls under 16 Biggest Fish:    Bailey Wright 23.13

Port Renfrew Marina held it's 11th Annual Labor Day Derby this past weekend and it was another big success. Weather leading up to the weekend had many of us worried but it cleared up nicely and seas settled. Fishing was slower than past years but there was a lot of optimism and the overall feeling was of everyone enjoying themselves. This year the marina sold 272 tickets so the turn out was a huge success. We had astounding amount of wonderful donations and we give thanks to all who donated. None of which any of this could really happen without their generosity. A special thanks out to:

  • Rona of Colwood
  • M & M Marine
  • Island Outfitters
  • Redl
  • Trudy Ammann
  • Judy Eilertson
  • Sue Coleman
  • Kelly Wagner of Gizmos

Private Donations were given by:

  • Ron Jakimchuk giving $500.00 of his winnings to the Salmon Enhancement Society for our local fish hatchery
  • Mr. & Mrs. Wayne Schiffner of Ferndale, Wash who are seasonals of the marina $150.00
  • A donation of $1000.00 from the Davey Derby held in July with Audie Williams' amazing work
  • A combined contribution from some of the charter guides of $100.00 each
  • Shawn & Steph Aikenhead of Quarter Tide Charters
  • Bruce Miller of Miller Time Charters'
  • Mark Perkins of Ace of Kings Charters
  • John Rogers of Jolly Roger Fishing Adventures
  • John Wells of Hindsight Charters

 Port Renfrew Marina raised monies for the local fish hatchery with 4 separate raffles $3680.00 and 3 auctions $725.00 and 3 silent auctions $175.00. Bringing in a total of $4580.00.

The Bullhead Derby for children under 12 was also a lot of fun and excitement for the kids. The winners with the most bullheads were:

  • Boys:  A tie with Tristan Claxton and Nick Ree
  • Girls:  Makayla Styba

The Labor Day Derbywas a huge success even with a power failure that evening just as the announcing was to start. So with generators going the derby went on with many prizes being given and a great dinner thanks to Andrew Hoffman of San Juan Bistro and after, a live band called Able and Willing where many danced until late.

Upcoming event:Port Renfrew Marina will be having it's Coho Derby on Sept.27th and 28th. The entry fee is $20.00 for a chance to be the Winner Take All.Last years winner was Mark Kloss with winnings of $9,800.00 with a catch of a Coho weighing 14.9 pounds.

Marina Closing Date:Port Renfrew Marina will be shutting down on Oct.12th 2008. Please remember to get your unit and boat out on time or make arrangements about storage. Also all seasonals must contact us regarding keeping their site for the upcoming year before May.1st 2009.

Bud and Rex

Aug.22 Port Renfrew Marina Report

Port Renfrew Marina was having a run of great fishing but has seen a decline in the Chinook fishing over the last couple of days. The weather brought a winter type low pressure which brought on severe rain and a very large west swell. This had a negative effect on fishing to the point that on Thursday morning most fisherman who tried to go out, turned back. Later that day things settled down and it will improve over the next couple of days as the weather gets back to the more normal conditions in August. There is a front expected Sun and time will tell if fishing is affected. Logan Creek still seems to be best though Camper and East Point have less fishing pressure. The list of notable catches will be missing many fish over 30 pounds as we were so busy last weekend that they just didn't get recorded, so the list is as follows. If you have caught a fish over 30 pounds let the office know and your name will be posted. Notable Catches of Springs:

  • Shawn Melinchuk: 31
  • Blais 36,36
  • George Cuthburt 31
  • Debbie Gilmore 41
  • Don & Carol Wardlow 35
  • Brad Wiksyk 41.5
  • Al Teng 33
  • Harold Cronk 30
  • Blair Houdayer 37
  • Gerry Hamilton 38
  • Steve Downs 34
  • Allan Jane (Jackson & Tyson) 32
  • Craig Martin 32
  • Desi Hatchard of www.viviousfishcharters.com 36, 39
  • Trevor of No Bananas Charters 46
  • Dan of www.islandoutfitters.com 41.5

Halibut fishingcontinues to be very good with some feeder springs showing up at Swiftsure Bank. Spoons and plugs are the lures of choice.

Coho are still found out at Swiftsure but not shown up onshore yet and are probably a couple of weeks away. Mid to later September seems to be the time when Coho's make a more solid appearance.

Important Dates:Port Renfrew Marina is having it's Labor Day Derby on Aug.30th and 31st.First Prize $1000.00 second prize $500.00 and third prize $250.00. Tickets sold at the marina only. Also it is confirmed that the Port Renfrew Marina Coho "Winner Take All" Derby will be Sept. 27th & 28th with a $20.00 entry fee.

Bud & Rex

Click on the photos below to see the large image

Port Renfrew Marina Fishing Report

What was shaping up to be one of the slowest John B and crew with a Swiftsure haulAugust Spring fishing for Port Renfrew Marina in recent memory has finally turned the corner. We are now seeing normal Aug numbers with 60 to 90 Chinooks a day hitting the docks. Many 30 pounders and on average a 40 pounder per day being caught. The bulk of the Springs being in the mid to high 20's. Anchovies are still the first choice with some fisherman preferring the clear, glow green or red/gold teaser heads. Most of the fish seem to be getting caught at Camper and Logan.

Notable catches of Salmon are:

  • Milt Combs 34
  • Dave Hoban 36 38
  • Bill Johnson 36.5
  • Syd Spooner 37.5
  • Michelle Gammie 33.5
  • Shawn Stebbins 42
  • Allan Erickson 38
  • Don McRae 32
  • Ron Jakimchuk 31
  • Hugo Boshman 30
  • Carol Wardlow 30
  • Milco Pinalski 30.5
  • Merv Pywell 40
  • Ian Batty 30
  • Mark Gagen 32
  • Ken Cutting 30
  • Freida Fielding 42
  • No Bananas Charters 34
  • No Bananas Charters 45
  • Jared Gagen (No Bananas Charters) 35

Coho fishing is excellent out at Swiftsure Bank. Some hatchery fish are already in the 10 to 12 pound range. Hootchies and spoons are the lures of choice.

Halibut Fishing continues to be very good with most fisherman bringing in their limits.Gagen\'s 32Jared 35Shawn Stebbins 42No Bananas 45

Note: for those people that are new to fishing at Port Renfrew Marina please note that the tides need to be at a 3 foot depth to launch your boat successfully.

Important Dates: Port Renfrew Marina will be having its 11th Labor Day Derby this year on Aug.30th and 31st. Tickets will be available in the office a few days before the derby. Tickets are $50. a rod and includes dinner, beverage, Port Renfrew Marina t-shirt and we will be having a live band on the 31st. Anyone wishing to contribute a donation can contact the office. All proceeds will go the to the local fish Hatchery in Port Renfrew. Port Renfrew's Coho Derby is tentatively set for Sept.27th and 28th. Date to be confirmed in the near future.

Bud and Rex