FSC Daily Fishing Report - July 31, 2026
A first-time angler from Sweden lands a chrome bright 16 lb Chinook on a grey summer afternoon. Read the full Campbell River fishing charter report from Discovery Passage, featuring Chinook and Coho salmon on Tomic plugs.
Conditions Report: July 31, 2026
Some days arrive quiet. Friday came in overcast and soft, 18°C, a low grey ceiling sitting over the treeline of Quadra Island. The wind barely stirred — 4 knots out of the NNE, the kind of breath that ripples the water without ever troubling it. Visibility held around 10km, and the light stayed diffused all afternoon, no sun to burn through.
The marine forecast for Johnstone Strait and Discovery Passage called for light wind becoming southeast 5 to 15 knots, seas one metre or less. On the water it read as light chop over green-grey water. High tide came at 6:28 AM at 11.5 feet, dropping to a 3.9 foot low at 1:08 PM, with the next slack before flood at Seymour Narrows at 1:49 PM. Seymour itself was running hard — over 20 knots on the flood at peak — so we stayed in the main channel and let the moving water do the work.
The Catch
We fished the midday introductory trip aboard the 17' Boston Whaler Montauk, one guest — Roland, over from Sweden and holding a salmon rod for the first time in his life. We trolled Tomic plugs at 125 feet on the downriggers, working the channel between Vancouver Island and Quadra Island at roughly 2.5 knots. Water temp read 18.5°C, warm and lively, and the fish were willing.
The underfoot feeding window fell between 12:46 and 2:46 PM, lining up neatly with the midday slack. That's when it happened. The rod loaded, the drag gave, and a chrome bright Chinook came up silver against the grey water. Sixteen pounds. Roland's first ever. He held it up and grinned like a man who'd found something he didn't know he was looking for. Eight fish to the boat by day's end, Coho in the mix, several released.
What's Running in July
Late July is a good stretch in Campbell River. Chinook are the headliner, running mostly in the 12 to 16 lb class this season with an outside chance at a trophy 30-plus pounder. Coho are on now too, adding a scrappy silver bonus to the day. Under DFO Area 13 rules through August 31, Chinook run a 62 to 80cm slot — anything over 80cm gets released, which keeps the run strong for the seasons to come. We were glad to send a few back.
Book Your Trip
August is prime time, and the Montauk is a nimble, classic open boat built for one or two anglers who want a captain who knows the water. Whether it's your first cast or your hundredth, Captain Trevor will put you on fish. View our salmon fishing charters and Check rates and availability at fishingstoriecharters.com.
Weather: Overcast, 18°C, light NNE wind 4 knots, soft grey light | Water: Light chop, green-grey water, 1 metre or less
