Glow Hootchies Deep, Anchovy Shallow: Dialing In Trophy Chinook

What's Working on the Water Right Now

If you want the short version: get your gear down and keep it in the strike zone. We're running anchovy in glow teaser heads at 45 to 60 feet on the downriggers, and that's been the money spread for the bigger Chinook moving through Discovery Passage. When the fish push a little deeper on the tide, we swap over to glow and green splatterback hootchies behind a flasher and drop down to 80 or 90 feet. Both patterns are drawing solid grabs, and the mix keeps us flexible as the bite shifts through the morning flood.

Today's Conditions

It's a beauty out there. We've got 18°C, clear skies, and light NW winds at just 9 km/h, which is laying the water down flat — wave height is basically 0.0m, so it's a glassy morning start. We're working the tail end of the morning slack rolling into the flood, and that transition is exactly when the Tyee-class fish tend to wake up. When the water's this calm, precise gear placement matters more than ever, and it's paying off.

Who's Biting and Why

Trophy Chinook are the headliner. Retention has been OPEN since July 15, so guests can keep and take home a fish — the limit is one per day, minimum 62cm and maximum 80cm. Most fish are running 12 to 16 lbs, but this is genuinely the best window of the year for a Tyee-class 30+ pounder, so keep the drag set and the net ready. Alongside the Chinook, Coho are hitting surface gear hard right now, and Pink Salmon are around in good numbers to keep the rods bent between the bigger bites. It's about as busy as the fishing gets around here.

What to Expect This Week

The forecast looks stable, and with light winds and clean water, conditions are lining up for excellent fishing off the Campbell River shorelines and into Discovery Passage. Early mornings on the flood are the prime window, so we push off at first light to make the most of it. Bring layers for the cool start, because it warms up fast once the sun's up. If Johnstone Strait firms up later in the week, we'll chase the Coho where the surface action is hottest.

Book Your Seat

This is the best fishing of the year, plain and simple — trophy season in full swing with retention open. Spots on the glassy morning tides are going quickly. Give us a call and let's get you on the water while the Chinook are firing.

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.