First-Time Anglers, First Chinook — 15lb

There's fishing, and then there's watching a grandfather, a father, and a son land salmon side by side for the first time. That was this morning aboard the Boston Whaler Conquest. David, Mike, and Mo came up from Washington State for their first day on the water in Campbell River together — three generations, one charter. Captain Jason had them off Coast Marina A Dock at first light and pointed south to the historic Tyee grounds off Cape Mudge. Conditions were kind. Overcast skies, 13°C, and just a whisper of NNW wind at 3 knots. Discovery Passage delivered flat calm to light chop, comfortable running all morning. That soft grey overcast light is exactly what salmon like. We trolled hoochies behind flashers with downriggers set at 180 feet, and the bite ran steady on the tail of the morning ebb after the 6:54 AM slack at Seymour Narrows. Six salmon in the box, eight released, with the best Chinook hitting 14 lbs — chrome bright and right in the Tyee-season pocket. Coho joined the party too, silver and full of fight. The Conquest offers a heated cabin, private washroom, Starlink WiFi, and room for up to four — perfect for family trips like this one. September is Tyee season, and spots are filling fast. Book your charter at **hidden content**

Some mornings the strait hands you everything. Today was one of them. Captain Bruce ran the 6am trip on the 17' Boston Whaler Montauk with Gian, visiting from Saint Louis for his first crack at Campbell River Chinook. We rolled out under clear skies, 14°C, calm north wind, and 10km of visibility — you could see the mountains clean across the water. The forecast promised northwest wind later, but the seas we fished were flat, one metre or less, glass in every direction. We worked the historic Tyee grounds off Cape Mudge, trolling Tomic plugs on the downriggers between 80 and 120 feet. The flood tide built through the morning toward the 10:16 AM high, moving bait and turning on the bite. Water temp held warm at 16.8°C, so the fish were up and eating. The day gave up five Chinook — one kept, four released. The keeper was a chrome bright 17-pounder, thick and fresh with sea lice still on her. The rest were solid feeders in the 12-16 lb range, sent back to keep the run healthy. The look on Gian's face told the whole story. The Montauk is nimble and perfect for one or two anglers who want an intimate, hands-on day targeting specific spots with a veteran guide. Solunar rating was Good today and September's Tyee season is running strong. Spots are filling fast for September. Book your trip today at **hidden content**

A bluebird Sunday on Discovery Passage, and a full-day salmon charter that delivered. Captain Jason ran the 27' Boston Whaler Conquest out to Grant's Reef with a crew of five from Winnipeg — a father and son among them, and first-timers on our water. What a way to spend a day with Dad. Conditions were about as good as September gives you. Air temp 16°C, light ESE wind at just 2 knots, scattered clouds and 10km visibility. Flat calm seas, a metre or less, and warm water at 16.5°C had the fish active and feeding. We trolled Tomic 602 plugs 80 to 120 feet down at 2.5 knots. The morning tide did the rest — Seymour Narrows slack before ebb at 8:13 AM, with the building flood pushing bait through the passage. The bite ran hot. Chinook and Coho both, chrome bright and mostly 12-16 lb feeders, with the best fish of the day going 17 pounds. Solunar forecast rated good, and the fish agreed. The Boston Whaler Conquest is built for days like this — heated cabin, private washroom, Starlink WiFi, and room for a group up to four. Ian, Chris, Marshall, Chris and Rick got the full Campbell River Tyee season experience. September is prime time. No slot limit now, so there's a real shot at a trophy Chinook. Spots are filling fast. Book at **hidden content**