Drop Glow Hoochies to 100-120 Feet for Feeding Chinook

What's Working on the Water Today

Let's get right to the gear, because that's what's putting winter Chinook in the box this week. We're running downriggers down to the 100-120 foot zone where these resident fish are holding and feeding. A glow hoochie behind a flasher has been the steady producer, and when the bite gets picky we're switching over to a glow or army-truck spoon worked with a slow, deliberate troll. Keep your speed down and your gear in the strike zone — these winter fish don't chase hard, so presentation matters more than covering water.

Conditions in Discovery Passage

This morning we're looking at 4°C and overcast skies over Campbell River, with northwest winds at a gentle 6 km/h. Wave height is sitting at a flat 0.0m — glass water, the kind of conditions that make downrigger fishing a pleasure. We're working the morning slack transitioning into the flood, which is prime timing to get your spread in front of fish as the current starts to move bait through Discovery Passage.

Why the Chinook Are Here

Right now the target is winter Chinook running 8 to 15 pounds. These are local resident fish that stay in our inside waters through the colder months, feeding on bait schools that stack up in Discovery Passage and the surrounding channels. Because they're resident fish, they're less about the big migratory push and more about consistent, daily feeding — which means when you find the depth and the bait, the action stays steady. Retention is 2 per day with a 62cm minimum, so we're looking for quality keepers.

What to Expect This Week

With calm winds in the forecast and that reliable slack-to-flood window each morning, this is a solid stretch for winter Chinook. Dress warm — early mornings on the water in October have a bite to them — and let us dial in the downrigger depths for you. If the bite shifts, we'll adjust depths and swap between hoochies and spoons until we find the pattern. Johnstone Strait and the inside waters are fishing well, and these glassy conditions make for a comfortable day aboard.

Book Your Seat

Winter Chinook fishing in Campbell River is one of the best-kept secrets on the coast — fewer boats, feeding fish, and flat water. If you've been thinking about getting out, now's the time. Give Fishing Storie Charters a call and let's put you on some chrome.

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.