Chrome Chum on the Flood Tide

A crisp, clear fall morning on Discovery Passage and the Narrows came through. RYOMA traveled all the way from Japan for his first Campbell River salmon experience, and Captain Bruce put him on a chrome bright chum right in the morning window. Conditions were about as good as fall gets. Air temp around 10°C, light W wind at just 6 knots, clear sky, and clean 10km visibility with the sun lifting over the mountains. Environment Canada had seas at 1 metre or less, so the 17' Boston Whaler Montauk sat comfortably on the water. We timed the trip around the morning, getting our fishing in before the NW winds built for the evening. We trolled hoochies behind flashers down 80 to 120 feet, working the current seams off Seymour Narrows. Best action came as the tide eased toward the 11:07 AM slack before flood, which lined up with the Good solunar feeding window from 9:20 to 11:20 AM. The chum hit hard and fought well. The Montauk is nimble and built for exactly this kind of fishing, slipping into specific spots and running a classic open-boat experience, perfect for one or two anglers. Captain Bruce brings a wealth of local knowledge and a calm, patient hand, which makes him ideal for first timers. October is prime for chum and feeder Chinook around Campbell River, and the morning bite has been reliable. Spots are filling fast for October. Book your trip at **hidden content**

Two first-timers from New Orleans got the full Campbell River welcome this morning. Kirk and Shu had never salmon fished before, and by the time we ran back to the dock they had a chrome 15-pounder in the box and were already asking about next year. Conditions were kind. Overcast skies, 12°C, and a light NW breeze at 2 knots kept the water calm — one metre or less across Discovery Passage. Good visibility, no fog, and easy, comfortable fishing for two newcomers finding their sea legs. We stayed off Seymour Narrows while it ebbed and worked the red can instead, trolling 603 Tomic plugs on the downriggers between 80 and 120 feet. Water temp was a warm 16°C, so the Chinook were up and eating. We landed a bunch — 6 released and 2 kept — with that 15-pounder the standout. Most fish this time of year run 12 to 16 lbs, with a genuine shot at a trophy 30-plus pounder. September is Tyee season, so there's no size limit and you can keep the big ones. We fished from the 27' Boston Whaler Conquest — heated cabin, private washroom, Starlink WiFi, and room for up to 4 guests. All gear provided, no experience needed. If Kirk and Shu can go from never-fished to first Chinook in one morning, so can you. Tyee season spots are filling fast for late September. Book at **hidden content**

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**