Anchovy at 45 Feet: The Spread That's Landing Trophy Chinook
Trophy Chinook season is OPEN — anchovy at 45 feet is landing 12–16 lb fish with shots at 30+ lb Tyee, plus surface Coho and Pinks in calm Discovery Passage.
Opening Day of Trophy Season Is Here
It's finally arrived — Chinook retention is OPEN as of today, July 15, and Discovery Passage is fishing as good as it gets. We woke up to 15°C, partly cloudy skies, and a light NW breeze at just 9 km/h. Wave height is flat at 0.0m, and we're running the morning slack into the flood tide — exactly the window we've been circling on the calendar for weeks. Conditions don't line up much cleaner than this.
What's Actually Working on the Water
Let's cut straight to the gear, because that's what's putting fish in the boat. Anchovy in a glow or chartreuse teaser head is the workhorse right now — set it 45 feet down on the downrigger and you're in the strike zone where the bulk of these Chinook are holding. We've been running a two-rod spread with a flasher-and-anchovy combo up top and a green glow spoon stacked deeper for the fish cruising the bottom edge. If the bait bite slows on the flood, switch to a jig and work it vertical over the ledges — the reaction strikes have been savage.
Most of the Chinook coming over the rails are solid 12–16 lb fish, but make no mistake: this is the best chance of the entire year at a trophy Tyee-class Chinook in the 30–35 lb range. Every drop could be the big one. A reminder on the rules — Chinook retention is one per day, minimum 62 cm and maximum 80 cm, so guests can absolutely take one home for the barbecue.
Coho and Pinks Rounding Out the Day
The Chinook are the headline, but the supporting cast is strong too. Coho are hammering surface gear — run your gear shallow with a fast troll and hang on. Pink Salmon are thick and provide non-stop action for kids and first-timers, keeping rods bent between the bigger bites. It's the kind of variety that makes for a full day off Campbell River and up toward Johnstone Strait.
This Week and Booking
With calm seas, light winds, and the trophy season firing on all cylinders, this is genuinely the best fishing of the year in Discovery Passage. The fleet is dialed in and the fish are here. If you've been waiting for the right time to chase a Tyee, the window is open right now. Boats are filling fast — grab your spot before the prime tides book out.
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.
