Trophy Chinook Building in Discovery Passage — 8 Days to Opener

Calm Seas and Big Chinook on the Move

Good morning from Campbell River! We rolled out to glassy conditions this Tuesday, July 7th — 14°C, overcast skies, and just a light 6 km/h northerly breeze. Wave height is sitting flat at 0.0m, and we're working the morning slack transitioning into a flood tide. These are the kind of comfortable, forgiving mornings that make for a great day on the water, especially for anyone new to the sport or bringing the family along.

Chinook Are Running — Catch & Release for Now

The Chinook are the headline right now, pushing hard through Discovery Passage. We're seeing plenty of fish in that classic 12–16 lb range, but the exciting news is that trophy-class fish are showing up more and more often as we build toward Tyee season. That means real shots at those 30–35 lb slabs.

A quick and important note: Chinook are strictly CATCH & RELEASE until July 15 under DFO regulations. That opener is just 8 days away, so right now we're all about the fight, the photos, and the release. Trust me — hooking into a trophy Chinook on light gear and watching it peel line is worth every second, even when it swims away.

Coho Just Starting to Show

We're also seeing the first of the early Coho starting to trickle in. It's still early days for them, but it's a good sign of what's coming and adds some nice variety to the day when the Chinook bite slows.

Technique Tips for This Week

With the flood tide building and overcast skies overhead, this is prime time to run flashers with your favourite spoons and hootchies down in the water column where these fish are holding. Slowing your troll and covering the tide lines along Discovery Passage and into the mouth of Johnstone Strait has been producing consistent action. Overcast, low-light conditions like today often keep the bite going longer through the morning.

What to Expect — and Why to Book Now

Expect steady catch & release Chinook action all week, with genuine trophy potential and a chance at early Coho. The countdown to the July 15 retention opener is on, and those dates are filling fast — everyone wants to be on the water when we can start bringing fish home. If you want a shot at a Campbell River trophy Chinook this season, now's the time to lock in your spot. Give us a call and let's get you out on Discovery Passage!

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.