Westcoast Fishing Club
Rick and Brian
It was at this time exactly 25 years ago, Rick Grange and his business partner Brian Legge, (pictured above) were fine-tuning their summer plans to host many of their firm’s top clients at the best salmon fishing region in the world.
Westcoast Fishing Club
We are only days away from the start of the 2013 fishing season!
The Clubhouse manager Terry Cowan and guest services manager Stephanie Beachy are hard at work preparing for the first guests of this 25th anniversary season, who will be arriving June 2. North Island Lodge made its five-day voyage safe and sound from its winter berth in the Fraser River. Now a mere five minutes from Cohoe Point, one of the most action-packed fishing areas that surround Langara Island, lodge manager Todd McIntyre and his crew have the lodge securely anchored and are finalizing preparations for a sold-out first week. Meanwhile, down at Port Louis, The Outpost has a new management duo, Mark Reid and Justine Dart, who are looking forward to a great season on the spectacular west side of Graham Island, beginning June 10.
Anyone who has fished with us in the early season knows that June has frequently been one of the most productive months of the season at Haida Gwaii, especially for vast numbers of Chinook salmon. In many cases the numbers of Chinook caught surpasses July and August dates.
The only dilemma is that space is now at a premium. As of today, we are mostly booked for June with only a couple select dates remaining. The good news is the remaining June dates are, for the most part, available as part of our Short Notice Club special pricing See SNC prices here.
But you'll need to act fast as most of the remaining dates at all three Haida Gwaii lodges for the entire 2013 season are now in short supply and going fast. We have experienced a stronger then expected rebooking for 2013 season so please don't delay inquiring about your trip if you have already done so.
2013 Fishing Outlook
Best of all, it appears that both the Chinook and Coho salmon will be cooperating for the upcoming silver anniversary season. According to the annual Preliminary Outlook Report from Fisheries and Oceans Canada, 2013 will be a mixed year for Chinook and Coho returns in some regions of the BC coast, but a very promising year for returns at Haida Gwaii. The report predicts “at target” or “abundant” returns for both species in the waters surrounding Graham and Langara Island. In addition, it appears that halibut have already returned in great number to the Continental Shelf. There are some changes to retention size of halibut for 2013. Please see the Department of Fisheries (DFO) announcement online or inquire at the lodge.
West Coast Fishing Club Celebrates our 25th Anniversary
It was at this time exactly 25 years ago, Rick Grange and his business partner Brian Legge, (pictured above) were fine-tuning their summer plans to host many of their firm’s top clients at the best salmon fishing region in the world. Back then, they had two Boston Whalers, a savvy guide named Mike “Screamer” Tonnesen, and a burning ambition to ensure their guests had an adventure far beyond anything ever before envisioned on the BC coast. Although it would be another two full seasons before the North Island Lodge was put into service, and three years before the Clubhouse welcomed its first guests, it was at this very time – the spring of 1988 – that The West Coast Fishing Club was founded.
We are making sure that the upcoming 25th anniversary season will be a memorable one. We thank you for your continued years of friendship and fishing with West Coast Fishing Club.
SNC June Salmon Derby
We are once again kicking off the upcoming season with the SNC Invitational Shootout Derby. For 2013, the tournament has been renamed the "Two Dave's Beatdown" in honour of Dave Akins and Dave Bowyer, who have teamed up to claim first prize two years in a row. They're looking for the three-peat in June!
Get in on the action and join us June 2 to 6 (Sunday to Thursday) at The Clubhouse. We currently have four more spots available, so give us a call now to reserve your entry in this great special event. Besides daily prizes, the angler who records the biggest Chinook of the trip will win a return trip for two on any SNC trip during the 2013 season. Email Randylee@westcoastfishingclub.com for more details.
Short Notice Club
As previously indicated, the only bad news is that all three lodges are close to being sold out for 2013. So if you want to join us for what is already shaping up to be a particularly unforgettable fishing season, you’ll want to act fast – please contact Randylee@westcoastfishingclub.com to join the Short Notice Club and receive updates on last minute cancellations. You can also check out the Short Notice Club list on-line.