Great Pacific Salmon Lodge Road Trip '13 *Pic Heavy*

[FisherGrrrl]

Since March 2013 I have been anxiously waiting to make my way up to Prince Rupert for my first time fishing for Salmon and Halibut on the Ocean. When I walked up to Jamie Hunts booth at the 2012 Mayfield Sportsman Show and saw all the pictures of his lodge and the huge Chinooks I knew I had to get myself up there. I have only experienced Salmon fishing in rivers so fishing in the ocean was going to be a whole new world for me. Brad, Stefanie, Claudio, Deb, Dan and I got together, picked a date in July, and headed west! While everyone decided to fly out to the Lodge, Dan Mosier (RockyMTX) and I decided to leave the Friday night and make the road trip to Terrace B.C to get a few days of river fishing in. The rest of the crew met us at the lodge the following Monday and we fished the Pacific Ocean on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.

Here is the report:

Part One - Getting There

July 19/20th

Mazda fuelled up, oil changed, cameras charged, I was packed and ready by 9:30pm to get my 2 hour sleep before meeting Dan at midnight to make the 13 hour drive to Terrace B.C. I took the first driving shift as my 2 hours of rest was more effective then Dan’s big “0” and then we were off! By the time we were in Jasper the sun was making its way over the mountains and the drive remained sunny and scenic until we made it to our destination by 3:00pm.

First stop, Fish Tails Tackle store for Salmon tags and both our Freshwater and Saltwater licenses, then straight to Ferry Island Campground to meet up with Montec and Mked at there campsite. Montec and Mked had been fishing the Skeena area for the past week and a half and bragged about nonstop action with springs, pinks, chum, and the odd Coho. Within ten minutes from pulling in we were in our waders with rods in hand and headed down to the Kitimat River. Dan hooked into a Chum off his second cast while I managed to get skunked the rest of the evening. Just my luck!

Dans Chum

Fly Fishin


The four of us fished until sunset then headed back to camp for an early night to be ready for an early morning fish.

July 21

Up at 4:00am, a buddy whose local to the area, Darren, was waiting with “The Flying Finn” to take us to one of his favourite spots located on a secret coastal river. We launched the jet boat on the saltwater and for an hour we skimmed the edges of the channel. The tide was down and left a ten foot wall of barnacles and slime along the rock walls. The sea air was cool and smelt like kelp and the suns morning angle was blinding off the ocean waves. I couldn’t help but soak it all in.




Before heading up the river we made a quick stop to drop two crab traps in about 20 feet of water. We were planning to have a fresh crab feast that night!

Setting up traps


We then got to the tributary and Darren guided his jet, winding with the river around hidden boulders and sweeping trees. The river was a sanctuary with bald eagles crossing the sky, glaciers sparkling between the coastal mountains, and a huge waterfall crashing the mountain wall. The pools were stacked with pinks and cohos and when you jigged the jig just perfect, you were bound to hook up nearly every cast. The entire day the five of us had paradise all to ourselves.

Fish On!

Big Pink

Mked Coho, Chinook


Amber Coho

Montec Coho, Pink, Chum



Dan Pink

[FisherGrrrl]

Darren Coho

Fish on

Amber Coho


Before making the drive back to the marina we checked our crab traps and took back 18 Dungeness crabs that we cooked up that night. With our crab leftovers we walked around Ferry Island and shared with other campers and the campground hosts.

Pulling up the traps

You cant tell from this picture but I was terrified for my fingers!
Happy Crab Trappers


This was another early night since the next day we were finally going to be arriving at the Great Pacific Salmon Lodge.

Part 2 – The Great Pacific Salmon Lodge

July 22

The sun was bright in the morning which made for a picture perfect drive to Prince Rupert. If anyone hasn’t done the short drive from Terrace to Prince Rupert I’d put it on your bucket list! It winds around the pine covered mountains along side the Skeena River all the way to the ocean. Deep valleys, steep cliffs, tall waterfalls, and teal rivers escorted us the entire way. It is gorgeous!! Once we got to Prince Rupert we went straight to the Ferry Terminal where I parked my car for the next 3 days. Dan and I carried our stuff down to the marina and waited for Jamie to come pick us up in his new boat the “Ribbit”.



Straight out from the marina we scooted over to Dodge Cove out on Digby Island. On the dock there was two golf carts waiting for us and I noticed about ten wheel barrels parked on the dock. No cars or stores are on this island. The little community reminded me of the Hobbit villages on Lord of the Rings! Everyone was so friendly, smiling and waving while pushing their wheel barrels filled with groceries down the narrow paths lined with raspberries and huckleberries. I envied the simplicity of this lifestyle and imagined the peaceful quality of life residents shared on this island.

The Lodge



Few minutes later we pulled up to the lodge and got the grand tour. As soon as Dan and I walked through the lodge doors we were eagerly welcomed by Jamie and his family, the most amazing cook Sandy, and the guides Shae and Don. I already was feeling like a queen and I had barely introduced myself! The lodge was spotless and gave me a relaxing, homie feeling. Upstairs was 4 bedrooms with either 2-3 beds, I picked my accommodation then headed back down. Brad, Steph, Claudio, and Deb were already there sitting on the deck mowing down on coconut shrimp appetizers and sipping glasses of red wine. Within the hour the dinner bell rang and my glands salivated at the massive ribs, thick steaks, steaming potatoes and asparagus. It was mouth-watering! Dinner was followed by desert then an early night to bed... well for most.



July 23

At 4:00am bed alarms were going off all over the lodge and we all geared up… into rain gear! It was pouring rain out but that didn’t stop anyone. Jamie hooked me up with some stylin yellow PVC coveralls and polka dot rubber boots since I left my waders on the mainland. I was happy to be dry! We then packed our coolers and headed down to the dock. Claudio, Deb, and I hopped on the boat guided by Shae and sat in the cabin sipping coffee while we smashed against the ocean waves under the twilight. Brad and Stef fished together with there guide Don while Dan took off on the “Ribbit” with Jamie. When we got to our spot, Shae set up the Islander Mooching reels on his TFO rods and clipped on the downriggers. He dropped two lines down with herring and flashers to about 50-60 feet of water and we trolled alongside the islands. In no time at all one of the rods starts twitching and Shae runs over, sets the hook, and hands it over. Coho! Until the tides switched over around 8:30 we were pulling in Coho after Coho with the odd Pink. Non-stop double headers. No Chinooks on our boat yet so Shae guided us to another spot. We trolled again when all a sudden one of the Islanders starts screaming and line is being ripped off! This was no *tick tick tick* on the rod tip. It was a Chinook and there is no stopping a strong, fresh Chinook in the middle of the ocean. For about ten minutes Deb fought this fish until finally it surfaced just enough to decide if it was going to be a 30lb Tyee! It splashed its tail then plunged back down into the depths of the sea and the fight went on. Finally it got close, Shaes steering the boat, Claudio grabs the net, Debs holding the rod high, I’m snapping pictures and the fish gets lifted onto the boat! Mission Accomplished! The adrenaline these acrobatic fish can give four people on a boat is intense!
Next Chinook was mine and when the reel started screaming I grabbed the rod and held on! I kept the rod high, jammed the rod butt in my gut, and let the Chinook pull his share of line until it was my turn to show him up. After a vigorous battle I turned the fish towards the boat and Claudio grabs the net. The Chinook does one kick and the rim of the net pops the barbless hook from the fishes mouth. “Nooooo!!” And gone lol. Claudio took the brunt of the loss, “Sorry Amber, Sorry Amber!! Rookie Mistake!” and I didn’t let him live it down for the rest of the trip haha.
Before noon I had noticed several boats had disappeared from these spots and the fishing died down. Now we would head to the deep and try for some bottom fish.

[FisherGrrrl]

Shae rigged up three 5 foot Halibut rods on Penn casting reels and we dropped down fresh salmon parts on a spreader with a heavy weight. We let the baits drop down 200 feet until we felt a solid thump, and knew we had hit bottom. We reeled up a foot and let the waves do the jigging. Since Claudio and Deb had caught a few Halibut the day before, the first hit was mine and I had no idea what to expect. *Tick Tick Tick* I see a rod bouncing and Shae runs over and grabs it and hands it over to me. I nearly loose the rod as the weight of the fish 200 feet down starts pulling. I jam the butt of the rod in my stomach again until it started to hurt, then jammed it in my thigh till that started to hurt too lol. I came up with some armpit trick where I wedge it in my armpit and use my bicep to pin the rod against my body then reel with my other hand. That got tiring too haha. I could not stop laughing and my posture was bent right over. I gave everything I had to land my first Halibut and with time it finally surfaced! Shae grabbed the gaff and scooped the fish under the gills and into the boat! First Hali!!






After getting a feel of the rod for the smaller Halibut we were catching we decided to move spots to try finding the Monster Halibut. We went out to 250 feet of water and Claudio hooked into a heavier fish. We knew it was going to be something big so we set the timer and let the fight begin. He said it was heavy and I could tell the guide was hiding a smirk but I wasn’t sure why. Thirty minutes later the massive fish shows itself! It was definitely no Halibut! It was like a kite being lifted up through the water. It looked like a massive sting ray with a wing span of 6 feet! I learnt it is called a Skate. No wonder he couldn’t pull it up. The wing span on this bottom fish was like a pulling a 6 foot wind sock through the water if there was no hole in it! Haha we had a good laugh and he dropped a new line down.

We kept bottom fishing and continued bringing up Halibut after Halibut until it was time to head back. Jamie’s son spent the day setting up and checking crab traps and surprised us with a Dungeness Crab Feast that night! Fresh crab and bright pink Coho salmon meat were on our plates that dinner. We were treated like kings and queens out there! The excitement and surprises just would not stop!

Crab Feast


July 24

5:00am


Same game plan for the morning except now Claudio, Deb and I went on Dons boat. Now that the three of us were pretty much ocean fishing professionals we started doing everything on our own from attaching the bait, clipping the downrigger clip to our lines, and dropping the cannon balls down to the depths. Then when a fish took the bait, I would take it from the rod holder, reel down to the fish, then pull back, pop the clip and set the hook! This trip was my first time using a downrigger and trolling with herring and sardines. Claudio taught Deb and I about the “sexy roll” which is a nice slow spiral that you want the plug cut herring to do in the water. If we didn’t think it was sexy, then neither would the big Chinook!  This day again was non stop Coho, Chinook, and Pink action. Before the tide even changed the cooler was filled with our limits. “Don... You need a bigger cooler” was really our only complaint. When the tides changed and the salmon moved on, we went back out to the deep and hooked into more Halibut.



We each set up and watched our own Halibut rods rock up and down with the waves of the boat, watching the rod tip hit bottom half way through the jig then bounce back up again. If anything changed, we had a fish.
I watched my rod rock with the boat when the short rod tip starts pulling down. “This is gunna be a big one!!!” as I struggle to take the rod out of the rod holder. I reel down again and pull the rod back arching the rod with all I got to set the hook. I tried all my rod holding tricks, jamming the rod butt in different parts of my body, and then the armpit trick, until I placed it back in the rod holder and kept on reeling. Making sure there was always an arch. From 250 feet of water my ocean monster showed itself. I screamed “what the (hay) is that!!!” Don runs over with the gaff and I back off still holding my rod. I knew his next move was going to use two arms to launch this beast over the edge and into the boat… right where I’m standing! I do another girly scream and jumped over the edge of the boat and stood on the motor deck until it got a good knock to the head.




This was my first Ling Cod and at 37 lbs it stands as my largest fish I’ve ever caught!

[FisherGrrrl]

Back at the lodge everyone comes back with bragging rights. Whether it’s a personal best or a personal first. Brad and Stef both found the monster Chinooks this day. Brad landed another Tyee to add to the bragging board and I landed my Ling Cod (a “Sea Dragon” as the locals called it).
From the other boats here are some pics:







July 25

Last day. Dan and I took Don’s boat and Brad and Stef went on Shaes. First morning that it wasn’t raining. There was a layer of fog covering the islands and the ocean was dead calm. The sun lit up a blanket of fog and clouds and it looked like we were fishing under a roof.



Dan and I did well again hooking into salmon. Brad and Stef held up there Chinooks from the boat over. Two Humpback whales were blowing water and smacking there fins in the distance. I was trying to convince Dan to do one of his “whale calls” to bring them in a little closer.  No dice though. Finally around 11:00 the sun came out! The water was still calm and the sun was hot. We sat out in the middle of the ocean jigging for Hali’s for one last time.
Again my rod tip starts going and so does Dan’s, but Dan’s goes slack. I’m excited I get to fight another fish so I start reeling up. Arms tired I pull up my first Yellow-Eyed Red Snapper! While unhooking the fish we notice that Dans hook is also in its mouth but I had to do all the hard work haha! He was probably reeling up 10 feet behind my bait.


Eventually all fun has to come to an end. Back at the lodge we packed up and headed back to Prince Rupert. I told Dan on the way to the dock that we should try and find a way to get stuck on the Island. We came up with a few good ideas but none that were easy or that we wouldn’t get into trouble for. All of our fish we kept was being cut, packaged, and froze by Rupert’s Meats. We each took home our 50-60lb coolers of fresh fish and made room in the hatchback.



In 16 hours we were back home...

It was an incredible trip! Non-stop excitement! Amazing company all the way through with incredible fishing, beautiful sceneries, delicious food, and gorgeous Lodge.

The Great Pacific Salmon Lodge created a memory of a life time for me. If anyone hasn’t made it out to the ocean I would add it to the bucket list. If you can, make the drive up, I would again. It’s paradise country up there in Prince Rupert. Thank you Great Pacific Salmon Lodge for having me. 

[Lefty-Canuck]

Great thread kiddo! Looks like one heck of a time!

LC

[DiabeticKripple]

Nice feeesh (and crabs)

[New Hunter Okotoks]

Awesome story and pics!! What an awesome trip you guys had.

That's one heck of a Ling Cod you got there! In my opinion, they are the best tasting fish going.

Congrats on another awesome trip. Thanks for sharing.

[FisherGrrrl]

Originally Posted by New Hunter Okotoks

Awesome story and pics!! What an awesome trip you guys had.

That's one heck of a Ling Cod you got there! In my opinion, they are the best tasting fish going.

Congrats on another awesome trip. Thanks for sharing.

I got it in my freezer and have yet to try it! If anyone has any good recipes throw them at me!

[FisherPotch]

Hahaha good stuff!!
You keep meeting the right ppl and putting your time in. You'll have a show of your own in no time

I think toldyaso's may be in order haha

[OneGirlWolfPack]

Wow! Loved the story and pics! That ling cod looks creepy as all get out. I would've jumped the rail too. Lol! Looks like all of you had an amazing time! I've heard so many great things about Jamie. Going to have to look into a trip there. Thanks for sharing!

[iliketrout]

Looks like an amazing trip! Congrats on your monster ling! Pan fried in garlic butter or beer battered are my favorite ways to cook it.

[huntsfurfish]

Wow, awesome pics and story. Looks like a great trip.

[JohninAB]

Awesome trip and report. Congrats to all on some great fish.

[Kurt505]

Awesome pics! Look like ya'll had a great time. Thanks for sharing.

[Clgy_Dave2.0]

My God FisherGrrl, that has got to be THE finest trip report EVER!!!!

Fantastic description of the trip, the people, the food, the experience!! The pictures are absolutely amazing. You could put this thread alone onto a brochure and Jamie would have the finest advertisement for his place.

Absolutely LOVE it!!! I'm going to go back and read it all over again, slower this time, and enjoy it again and again.

PM sent.

[Speckle55]

Trip of a Lifetime !!! awesome story and pictures Amber

Thanks for sharing

David

[Rockjockey]

Shhhhh, stop telling people about this place! Jamie's head is going to swell with all this praise about his awesome lodge!

Isn't it an spectacular fishery? We were there the days preceding you and had a great trip once again (2nd year). Our boat with Shae had a double header 40lb hali and 35lb ling while trolling for salmon, that was entertaining, good thing we had the level winds rigged and not the islander or it would have been an arm wrenching experience. The last morning we went out we needed 6 Springs between the 4 of us we ended the trip with an 8, 12, 20, 23, 26 and 38lbs springs in the boat. Did I mention that we caught and released Coho till our arms got sore.
Would it not be a blast to vertical jig those coho with a spinning rod, jig and anchovies when they are piled up hitting the bait balls.

[Lefty-Canuck]

Originally Posted by Rockjockey

Shhhhh, stop telling people about this place! Jamie's head is going to swell with all this praise about his awesome lodge!

Isn't it an spectacular fishery? We were there the days preceding you and had a great trip once again (2nd year). Our boat with Shae had a double header 40lb hali and 35lb ling while trolling for salmon, that was entertaining, good thing we had the level winds rigged and not the islander or it would have been an arm wrenching experience. The last morning we went out we needed 6 Springs between the 4 of us we ended the trip with an 8, 12, 20, 23, 26 and 38lbs springs in the boat. Did I mention that we caught and released Coho till our arms got sore.
Would it not be a blast to vertical jig those coho with a spinning rod, jig and anchovies when they are piled up hitting the bait balls.

Next time take an 8wt or heavier fly rid with a salt water reel and troll a needlefish imitation or a yellow over white deceiver pattern 30-40 feet behind the boat where the prop wash settles down.....and wait for some fun with surface cohos to ensue! I did this last week and it was a hoot. Rule for next year is we have to catch our coho limit on the fly rod

LC

[blackpheasant]

AWESOME!! thanks for sharing loved it...

Looks like Jamie is running a truely fine operation up there

[AppleJax]

What an amazing trip report Amber! Let me know if you need help smoking those salmon!

[the local angler]

sounds like it was an incredible adventure, awesome pics and congrats on the great success on the fishing trip. so jealous.

[hughblue]

Great trip report, made me miss fishing and LIVING OFF THE LAND as my da would put it! Next time take me with you :P

[fluxcore]

Don't forget this one! Love the pink jig.

[1bluZebec]

Just AWESOME picks and story. Great job forsure and hope one day I can take my small family out for a trip on the ocean. Congrats to you on your trip

[Garry B]

Awesome post and pics Amber. I marvel at all the places you fish and variety of fish you catch. You surely are a master maniac angler!

[Badback]

Originally Posted by new hunter okotoks

awesome story and pics!! What an awesome trip you guys had.

That's one heck of a ling cod you got there! In my opinion, they are the best tasting fish going.

Congrats on another awesome trip. Thanks for sharing.

x 2

[Bound2Fish]

Originally Posted by Garry B

Awesome post and pics Amber. I marvel at all the places you fish and variety of fish you catch. You surely are a master maniac angler!

x2. Great job Amber. Love reading your posts and looking and your pics, thanks for sharing. And thats a great looking Ling. I bet the crabs tasted amazing too.

[pikeslayer22]

Awesome! Jealous! Thanks for posting

[Nakoda boater]

Wow, don't you hate it when go and or come across a place and fall in love and never want to leave it?

I truly think costal people are blessed

[50/50]

Nice pictures. That island community is a special place. Living there full time is a lot of work , but it does have its rewards.