First Salmon, First Trip: Evening Chinoo

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**

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**