FSC Daily Fishing Report - Saturday, September 12, 2026

Conditions Report: September 12, 2026

Some mornings you know before the first line goes down. Saturday broke clear and warm — 24°C air, a light north wind at just 3 knots, and a blue sky that ran unbroken to the horizon. Visibility stretched a full 10 kilometres. We left Coast Marina A Dock in the early light, sunrise at 6:52 AM, and Discovery Passage lay glassy and blue-green ahead of us.

The marine forecast held seas at a metre or less, and it kept its word. Environment Canada flagged northeasterly outflow winds to 20 knots through the mainland inlets, but out in the main channel between Vancouver Island and Quadra Island the water stayed flat calm. The tide did the heavy lifting. A morning high at 6:02 AM gave way to a building flood through Seymour Narrows, which peaked near 8 knots. We worked that push through the Passage, and it delivered.

The Catch

The method was simple and lethal. We trolled Tomic 602 plugs on downriggers set to 180 feet, running steady through the channel. Water temperature read a warm 16.4°C, and the fish were active and feeding. It didn't take long. The rods loaded up one after another — chrome bright Chinook in the 12 to 16 pound class, with the best fish taping out at a solid 16 pounds, and silver Coho showing up thick right alongside. A new moon and an Excellent solunar rating had the fish switched on from first light, well ahead of the midday feeding window. By 10:30 in the morning the box was full: eight Chinook and eight Coho. The day belonged to Shane, who brought his parents out from Alberta for a full day on the water. Yvonne, Dan, and Mom each felt a rod bend hard, and the smiles said the rest. Some days you earn it. This one came easy.

What's Running in September

September is Tyee season in Campbell River, and it's one of the finest windows of the year. Under DFO Area 13 regulations, Chinook are open at two per day from September 1 with a 62 cm minimum and no maximum size — meaning the door is open for a trophy fish should one come to the net. Most Chinook this time of year run 12 to 16 pounds, honest, hard-fighting fish, with a real shot at a 30-pound-plus Tyee. Coho are running strong and silver, two per day when open. Warm water keeps the fish feeding shallower and more aggressive, exactly the pattern we saw today.

Book Your Trip

Days like this are why we do it. If you want to be on the water while the run is on, now is the time. Our Boston Whaler Conquest comes with a heated cabin, private washroom, and Starlink WiFi, comfortable for groups up to four. View our salmon fishing charters and check rates and availability at fishingstoriecharters.com. The fish are here. Come get your line in the water.

Weather: Clear sky, 24°C, light N wind at 3 knots, 10km visibility | Water: Glassy calm, blue-green, 1 metre or less seas