Take Home One Chinook 62-80cm: August's Trophy Season Is Open

What You Can Keep Right Now

Good news to lead off today's report: Chinook retention has been open since July 15, and guests are heading home with fish. The rules are simple and worth knowing before you step aboard — one Chinook per angler, per day, with a minimum size of 62cm and a maximum of 80cm. That slot puts plenty of quality salmon on the table, and right now the fishing is backing it up. No urgent DFO changes to report, so we're fishing under those steady, guest-friendly regulations all week.

Today's Conditions on Discovery Passage

We've got a comfortable morning out of Campbell River — 14°C with partly cloudy skies and a light NW wind at just 8 km/h. The water is laid right out at roughly 0.0m of wave height, which makes for easy running and clean presentations. We're working the morning slack into the flood, and that tide change is exactly the window we want for putting rods over.

What's Running and Why

Chinook are still biting hard through Discovery Passage. Most fish are landing in the 12-16 lb range, but this is the season's best stretch for tangling with a true trophy — a 30-plus lb Tyee is a very real possibility right now. On top of that, Coho are peaking, running a typical 12-16 lbs with the year's best odds at a giant in the 30-35 lb class. Pink Salmon round out the mix, so this is arguably the best month of the year for sheer variety off Campbell River.

Techniques and What to Expect

On a calm flood like today, we're fishing anchovies and glow spoons at depth along the passage edges, adjusting our gear as the tide builds through the morning. The soft NW breeze keeps the boat controlled and the bait swimming naturally. Expect steady Chinook action through the slack-to-flood change, with Coho and Pinks keeping the rods bent between the bigger bites. Bring a camera — with Tyee-class fish in play, you'll want proof.

Book Your Seat

With retention open, Coho peaking, and trophy Chinook on the table, August is firing on all cylinders. Whether you're chasing a keeper for the cooler or hunting a wall-hanger, the window is right now. Spots fill fast this time of year, so lock in your morning on Discovery Passage before the calm-weather dates disappear.

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.