Trophy Chinook Building in Discovery Passage — Opener 13 Days Out

Conditions on the Water

Good morning from Campbell River. We've got a classic West Coast summer day out here — 13°C with rainy skies and a light southeast wind at 18 km/h. Seas are calm and comfortable at about half a metre, so it's an easy ride through Discovery Passage. We're working the morning slack into a building flood tide, which is prime time to get your gear down and in the strike zone.

What's Running and Why

The Chinook are here, and they're putting on a show. Right now we're seeing plenty of fish in that 12 to 16 pound range moving through Discovery Passage, with trophy-class fish showing up more and more often as we roll toward Tyee season. That's the exciting part — every rod down could be a 30-pounder these days. A friendly reminder that Chinook are strictly catch and release until July 15, so we're releasing these beauties to fight another day. Trust me, watching a big Tyee-class Chinook peel line off the reel and then swim away strong never gets old.

On top of that, the early Coho are just starting to trickle in. It's still early, but we're getting the first taste of that fast, acrobatic Coho action that Campbell River is famous for.

Technique Hints

With the flood tide building, we're running glow and green-spatter flashers paired with anchovy in a teaser head, trolling the tide lines and current seams where the bait stacks up. Getting down to the right depth is everything — the fish are holding deeper on the bright water, so a slow, deliberate troll with the downriggers dialed in is the ticket. Our guides know exactly where the fish are moving through the Passage and into Johnstone Strait.

What to Expect This Week

Expect solid catch-and-release Chinook action with a real shot at hooking into a trophy fish. The bite has been consistent on the tide changes, and the numbers are only building. If you love the pull of a big Chinook, this is the week to get on the water.

Book Your Trip

Here's the big news — Chinook retention opens July 15, just 13 days away. Boats are filling fast for opener week, so if you want to be out there when we can finally start bringing fish home, now is the time to lock in your date. Give Fishing Storie Charters a call and let's get you into the fish of a lifetime.

Ready to experience world-class fishing in Campbell River? Book your charter trip with Fishing Storie Charters today. Captain Jason and the crew are ready to put you on fish.