Resident Chinook Are Moving Into the Passage Right Now
Resident winter Chinook in the 8–15 lb class are feeding through Discovery Passage, with calm mornings and deep glow spoons producing consistently.
Winter Chinook Have Settled In
Mid-October on the east coast of Vancouver Island means one thing for local anglers: the resident winter Chinook are here and feeding hard. Right now we're seeing a solid class of fish in the 8 to 15 pound range pushing through Discovery Passage and holding in the inside waters off Campbell River. These aren't migratory fish racing through to spawn — they're local residents that stay and feed through the cold months, which makes them reliable, aggressive, and a whole lot of fun on the rod.
Typical Conditions for This Time of Year
Weather this season runs cool and often grey, with morning air temperatures in the single digits and water hovering around 8 to 9 degrees. Expect the usual October mix — overcast skies, the occasional passing shower, and light northwest winds that tend to lay down flat first thing in the morning. Those calm dawn windows over glassy water are prime time, and the tide swings through the Passage keep the bait moving and the Chinook actively feeding.
How We're Targeting Them
The name of the game for winter Chinook is fishing deep and slow. We're running glow spoons and anchovy in teaser heads down between 100 and 150 feet, working the current lines and structure where the bait balls are stacking. Resident fish sit tight to bait through the winter, so once you mark them on the sounder, it pays to stay on that depth and keep your gear in the strike zone. Flashers with UV and glow finishes are earning their keep in the low morning light.
What Guests Can Expect This Week
With the resident Chinook dialled in and the weather settling into its predictable autumn rhythm, this is a great stretch to get on the water. Retention is 2 per day with a 62cm minimum, so there's real opportunity to bring home a couple of beautiful winter kings. Mornings off Campbell River and through Discovery Passage are producing consistently, and the scenery — snow starting to dust the Coast Mountains across Johnstone Strait — is hard to beat this time of year.
Book Your Winter Chinook Trip
The winter Chinook fishery is one of our favourite secrets — fewer boats, willing fish, and a genuine shot at a quality Chinook on every outing. If you want in on the action, now's the time to lock in a date. Give Fishing Storie Charters a call and let's get you out on the water.
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.
