FSC Daily Fishing Report - Thursday, July 23, 2026

Conditions Report: July 23, 2026

Some July days on Discovery Passage feel almost too easy. Thursday was one of them. The air sat at 24°C under broken cloud, the wind was next to nothing — ENE at 2 to 3 knots — and visibility ran a clean 10 kilometres. The sun was high and bright over deep blue-green water that barely moved.

The marine forecast called northwest 20 to 30 knots for the night ahead, but through our midday window it hadn't filled in. Seas were 1 metre or less, effectively flat calm in the main channel. Tides did the work: we fished the afternoon flood building toward the 5:00 PM high of 12.0 feet, off the morning low of 3.7 feet at 9:03 AM. Seymour Narrows was quiet, just 0.3 knots on the ebb, with slack before ebb at 3:28 PM. That building flood is what pushed the bait and turned the bite on.

The Catch

Captain Trevor ran the 11 AM midday trip aboard the nimble 17' Boston Whaler Montauk with a first-time angler celebrating a honeymoon. We ran the standard summer program — hoochies behind flashers on the downriggers, worked between 80 and 120 feet, right in the mid-channel band. Water temp read a warm 18.3°C, so the fish were active and holding a touch shallower than usual.

The rod bent, the drag sang, and there she was. A chrome-bright 15-pound Chinook, fresh from the salt, fins intact and no color on her at all. The day gave up seven Chinook in total, a couple kept inside the slot, the rest released. A First Quarter moon and a Good solunar forecast rounded out the picture. First trip, first fish, and a honeymoon to remember it by.

What's Running in July

Midsummer in Campbell River is prime Chinook time. Most fish through Discovery Passage right now run 12 to 16 pounds, with the honest chance at a trophy 30-plus pounder for the patient angler. Under DFO Area 13 rules from July 15 to August 31, it's one Chinook per day within a 62 to 80 cm slot — anything over 80 cm goes back to keep the run strong. Coho begin showing more as summer rolls on, and the warm surface water keeps the feeders active and eager.

Book Your Trip

The summer season is running well and the calendar is filling. The Boston Whaler Montauk is perfect for two anglers who want an intimate, classic open-boat experience with a laid-back local guide. View our salmon fishing charters and Check rates and availability at fishingstoriecharters.com. Some days the sea just gives — come find one.

Weather: 24°C, broken clouds, ENE wind 2-3 knots, bright summer sun | Water: Flat calm with light ripples, deep blue-green water