January 2009 Newsletter

Happy new year to you.... Ready to get your “FISH ON!”... ? Well, 2009 looks to be a real productive year. We are set to start this month of January now that our boats have thawed out!

As many of you know we start the season with the Seafood Safari: Fishing for Chinook Salmon, Crab & Prawns. The latest fish report we've received was on January 14, 7 hits in the morning producing 4 Chinook Salmon up to 8 lbs in nearby Barkley Sound.

2009 Should bring many fishing opportunities based on observations of an ocean cooling trend; The El Nino current ceased back in 2005 and now we are into a La Nina (cooler than normal current). Relatively cooler water temperatures (< 13°C, < 55°F)positively affects primary production of plankton and feed fish. For example; After 60 years, Sardine populations have become abundant enough to resume their commercial fishing. All of our target fish feed on Sardines as do Whales & Sea Lions and countless others species.

In addition, snow pack remained on some Central Vancouver Island Mountains by mid-summer which hasn't occured for three decades. Snow melt “run off” during spring and summer optimizes river levels and temperature in the rivers where Salmon both spawn and juvenate. Subsequent flowing to the ocean provides cooling as well as enhancing the ocean convection current favorable to primary production.

May and June are excellent times to fish both Halibut and Salmon. We often fish relatively close to shore, within 10 miles. And it is more likely to catch 40+ pound Halibut than further offshore. Chinook have been caught 30+ pounds at this time and some Coho are starting to show. This is the shoulder season when their is less competition.

The streak of 40 + pound Chinook which started in 2003 ended this past 2008 season with the largest Chinook weighing in at 35lbs caught by Ryan on August 14... Congratulations Ryan! The 3 old year Chinook returns were also very good for 2008, so we do expect many 4 year olds this season, some pushing up over 30 pounds!

The first Halibut of the 2008 season was 22 pounds caught by Dean T. on April 9and the largest by John S. on August 3^rd, a 62 pounder. This 2009 season we expect more of the same action we`ve had in years past.

The 2008 season produced the best ever sized Coho weighing as much as Dennis' 18 lb Coho on August 14^th and caught on fly gear none the less and Peter's 20 pounder on September 11th...Phenomenal! And hopefully this trend will continue in 2009.

September as usual was a great fishing month with lots of fish, sun and calm seas. On September 5^th John, Martin & Herb shared 11 bites each day at Ucluelet's door step. They even caught a 27 lbs Halibut in 50 feet of water! Really these were just as good as days as any in August!

It was the last trip of the season, October 15^th, 2008. Jean came all the way from Italy to try our deep sea fishing, wanting to “...catch just a few fish for dinner”... Well, we left the dock at 6:45 am with a S.E. gale warning for the afternoon. We arrived on the fishing grounds 8 am, trolled with a 12 knot wind for 1.5 miles and back into the wind for another half mile; Within one and a half hours we had caught 4 Chinook, 4 Halibut and 1 Lingcod! Back at the dock by noon, we avoided the gale and prepared some filets for Jean's dinner. What a great way to end the season with a catch rate equal to most summer days, eventhough it was mid-October!... How we are often pleasantly surprised. ><((((º>

“THANKS” to all who've fished with Long Beach Charters these past years from all of us guides (Mike, Bob, Brent, Al, Fil, Tad, Harvey) and Robin our office manager. We hope that you can make it back for more fun with your family and friends...

For birthdays and other celebrations we offer gift certificates. Book your fishing dates and accommodations ASAP to get your desired days. We have excellent accommodations to recommend varying from resorts to B&B’s. For more information and booking call Toll Free 1- 877-726-2878. We will be happy to hear from you.

Tight-Lines and Thank-you from Long Beach Charters,

.·´¯`·.><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·…¸><((((º>

Mike Marriott, B.Sc. Biology (Senior Guide)
Long Beach Charters
P.O. Box 638
Ucluelet, B.C., Vancouver Island
V0R3A0 Canada.

phone 250 726 3474
Toll Free 1 877 726 2878
E-mail: longbeachcharters@telus.net
Web: www.longbeachcharters.com