FSC Daily Fishing Report - Sunday, August 23, 2026

Conditions Report: Sunday, August 23, 2026

A proper summer afternoon on Discovery Passage. The air sat at 21°C under broken clouds, with a light ESE breeze of just 3 knots and 10km of visibility. The water was blue-green with a light chop on the surface, reading a warm 17.7°C — the kind of temperature that keeps Chinook active and holding higher in the water column.

We worked the flood tide as it built toward the 4:34 PM slack before ebb at Seymour Narrows. The Cape Mudge table showed a high of 12.3 ft at 5:05 PM against a morning low of 3.6 ft, and that afternoon flood did its job — pushing bait ahead of the tide change and bringing the fish with it. The marine forecast had northwest wind building to 20 knots overnight, but through the afternoon the Passage stayed friendly and fishable.

The Catch

Captain Bruce ran the afternoon introductory trip aboard the 17' Boston Whaler Montauk. The method was classic Campbell River — trolling Tomic plugs down the downriggers at 80 to 120 feet, roughly 2.5 knots along the Hump. The 602 pattern earned its keep.

The fishing was steady. Ten Chinook came to the boat over the afternoon, most in the honest 12-16 lb range, chrome bright and fresh from the salt. The best of them pushed 17 pounds. It came up silver, fought hard, and stayed hard all the way to the net. One fish kept for the table and nine released strong. Kevin, over from Revelstoke for his first shot at Discovery Passage salmon, got the full show — rod bent, drag running, fish there. Not a bad way to learn. The waxing gibbous moon at 82% offered a fair solunar rating, but the tide carried the day.

What's Running in August

Late August is peak Chinook time in Campbell River. Feeder and returning fish stack up through Discovery Passage, most running 12-16 lbs with a genuine chance at a trophy 30-pounder. Under DFO Area 13 regulations through August 31, Chinook are one per day inside a 62-80cm slot — anything over 80cm goes back, which is why our bigger fish get released to keep the run strong. Come September 1, the limit opens to two per day with no maximum, the start of the Tyee season and a shot at truly big fish.

Book Your Trip

The fishing is on and the season is only getting better as September approaches. The Montauk is nimble and perfect for one or two anglers who want a classic, intimate day on the water with a veteran guide. View our salmon fishing charters and Check rates and availability at fishingstoriecharters.com.

Weather: 21°C, broken clouds, light ESE wind at 3 knots, 10km visibility | Water: Light chop, blue-green water, clean and bright