FSC Daily Fishing Report - Saturday, June 6, 2026
A Campbell River fishing charter morning at Cape Mudge delivered six Chinook releases and a hatchery coho on June 6, 2026. First-time guests from San Diego experienced Discovery Passage at its early summer best.
There's a particular kind of morning on Discovery Passage that experienced anglers learn to trust. Grey skies, no wind to speak of, the kind of flat overcast light that eliminates surface glare and puts fish at ease. June 6th was that morning. Captain Bruce had the Boston Whaler Montauk out of Coast Marina A Dock early, and Cape Mudge was the destination.
Conditions on the Water
Air temperature was 14°C — cool enough for layers, comfortable enough to enjoy the crossing. Northwest winds held at 6 km/h with light gusts to 14 km/h, and the marine forecast for Johnstone Strait and Discovery Passage called for seas at 1 metre or less. That's exactly what we found. Light chop on the run south to the tip of Quadra Island, calm enough that the Montauk barely noticed. Visibility was 10 km across the passage — no fog, no haze, just a clean grey morning. The tidal rhythm set the schedule: low tide at 6:30 AM rising through the early hours, with the significant drop to 4.1 ft arriving at 3:22 PM. The key window for the morning session was the slack before ebb at Seymour Narrows — 10:01 AM — and we were positioned at Cape Mudge to take advantage of it. Water temperature read 15.4°C, warm for early June and a strong indicator of active fish.
The Catch
The Army truck hoochie pattern — a plastic squid-style lure trolled behind flashers — was the choice for the morning. Trolling in the 80-150 foot summer depth range, working the southern Quadra Island shoreline where bait was stacking on the tide change. The 10:01 AM slack aligned with the day's minor solunar feeding window at moonrise (10:29 to 11:29 AM), and the fish responded. Six Chinook salmon were hooked over the course of the session — all released in excellent condition, swimming back strong. Then the hatchery coho came over the rail. Chrome bright, healthy, and clearly well-fed in these 15.4°C waters. That fish was retained — confirmed as a hatchery fish — and was reserved for dinner at the Rip Tide Pub. Today's guests were first-timers from San Diego, experiencing Cape Mudge and Discovery Passage for the very first time. The look on their faces when the first Chinook ran the line said everything.
What's Running in June
Early summer in Campbell River means feeder Chinook in the 12-16 lb range working the Cape Mudge corridor and through Discovery Passage, with a genuine chance at a trophy 30+ pounder on any given tide. Coho begin showing up alongside them as June progresses, chrome and active in the warming surface waters. DFO Area 13 regulations are in effect — Chinook retention rules apply, with the 62-80 cm slot limit coming into force July 15. Right now, we're in the window where conditions and regulations align well for a productive day. Water temperatures are trending warm and fish are holding at accessible depths. The Army truck and similar hoochie patterns in chartreuse and green have been consistent producers.
Book Your Summer Trip
Captain Bruce runs three departures daily aboard the Boston Whaler Montauk — 6 AM, 11 AM, and 4 PM — with free parking at Tyee Plaza and departures from Coast Marina A Dock. The 4-hour intro trip is the perfect entry point for first-timers or anyone who wants to experience Discovery Passage without committing to a full day. June and July dates are moving. View our salmon fishing charters and check rates and availability at fishingstoriecharters.com — tight lines.
Weather: 14°C, feels like 13°C, overcast skies, wind NW 6 km/h gusting to 14 km/h, visibility 10 km, rain held off | Water: Light chop, calm seas under 1 metre, green-grey coastal water
