One Chinook to Keep Per Day: Trophy Season Is Live in Campbell River
Chinook retention is open — keep one per day (62–80cm) as trophy Tyee-class fish move through Discovery Passage on a glassy flood tide.
Retention Is Open — Here's What You Can Take Home
Let's lead with the news everyone's been waiting for: Chinook retention is officially OPEN as of July 15. That means you can legally keep and take home a trophy-class Chinook right now. The DFO rule is straightforward — one fish per angler per day, with a slot of minimum 62cm up to a maximum of 80cm. Know your measurements before you drop the net, and we'll help you keep it clean and legal on board.
Conditions on the Water Today
Monday morning is about as good as it gets out here. We're sitting at 14°C under clear skies, with light NW winds at just 9 km/h and wave height barely registering at 0.1m. That glassy surface makes for easy running and comfortable fishing all morning. We're working the tail of morning slack into a building flood, and that tide window is exactly when Discovery Passage comes alive.
What's Running and Why
This is the best fishing of the year, plain and simple. Trophy Tyee Chinook are the main event. Most fish crossing the deck are running 12–16 lbs right now, but this is the season where a genuine 30–35 lb Tyee-class fish becomes a real possibility. Every drop could be the fish of a lifetime. Alongside the Chinook, Coho are stacking up and hitting surface gear hard, and Pink Salmon are around to keep the rods bent for everyone in the boat.
Technique Notes
Focus your effort on the flood push through Discovery Passage. Anchovy in a glow or chrome teaser head down around 45 feet has been the go-to spread for the bigger Chinook. For the Coho, bring your gear up shallow and run faster — they're chasing bait near the surface and love an aggressive presentation. Working the Quadra shorelines on the tide change has been paying off consistently, and Johnstone Strait is worth a look when the fish push through.
What to Expect This Week
Stable weather, light winds, and prime tides mean the bite should stay strong through the week. Early morning is your best window, so plan for a dawn launch. With retention open and Tyee-class fish moving through, there's never been a better time to get out here.
Trophy season doesn't last forever, and the best mornings book up fast. Lock in your spot with Fishing Storie Charters and come put a trophy Chinook in the box.
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.
