Fog and a 1 km/h Breeze Set Up a Glassy Chinook Morning

Today's Conditions on the Water

We woke up to a classic Campbell River November morning here at Fishing Storie Charters — 6°C, thick fog rolling across the water, and barely a breath of wind out of the northwest at just 1 km/h. The wave height is sitting at a mere 0.2 metres, which means the surface of Discovery Passage is about as glassy as it gets. Add in a morning slack tide building into a flood, and you've got the kind of setup that puts winter Chinook on the chew. The low light from the fog keeps these fish comfortable and feeding higher in the water column, so we're expecting steady action once that tide starts to move.

What's Running and Why

Resident winter Chinook are the name of the game right now, and they're feeding hard in Discovery Passage and the surrounding inside waters. These aren't your summer migratory fish — they're local residents in the 8 to 15 lb range that hold in our protected waters all winter long, fattening up on bait. The flood tide pushes schools of herring and needlefish through the passage, and the Chinook stack up right behind them. That slack-into-flood window this morning is exactly when the bait concentrates and the bite flips on.

Technique Hints

With this flat, foggy weather, we're running gear slow and deep. Anchovy in a glow teaser head is a reliable producer, and glow hoochies work well in the low light too. Fish your gear in that 90 to 120 foot range and keep an eye on your sounder for bait balls — where the herring are, the Chinook won't be far. A slow troll along the structure in Discovery Passage lets you cover ground and tempt these feeding fish into committing.

What Guests Can Expect This Week

The calm, settled weather pattern is holding, which means comfortable, protected fishing close to Campbell River. Remember the retention rules: two Chinook per day, minimum size 62 cm. No DFO changes to report today, so it's a straightforward day on the water. Dress warm for the fog and chill — once the sun burns through, the scenery out toward Johnstone Strait is something else.

Book Your Winter Chinook Trip

Winter Chinook fishing in these glassy conditions is a hidden gem, and the boats aren't crowded this time of year. If you want to get in on steady resident Chinook action, now's the time. Give us a call or book online and let's get you on the fish.

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.