FSC Daily Fishing Report - Tuesday, August 18, 2026
First-time guests from Washington State landed three chrome salmon on an evening Campbell River fishing charter, the best a 15-pounder, trolling hoochies off the green can in Discovery Passage.
Conditions Report: Tuesday, August 18, 2026
The strait was easy on us. Air temp held at 14°C with a light north wind at just 2 knots, scattered clouds overhead, and a clean 10 km of visibility. Any fog banks the morning might have carried had dissipated near noon, leaving us a bright, calm evening to work.
Seas ran 1 metre or less, closer to a light ripple where we fished in Discovery Passage. We timed the trip into the building evening flood, climbing toward the 8:57 PM high of 13.0 feet after the 2:42 PM low of 9.0 feet. Seymour Narrows was running hard on the flood, so we stayed south in the Passage where the current pushes bait without the churn. The waxing crescent moon at 26% and the major solunar window earlier in the afternoon had the day rated Good, and the fish agreed.
The Catch
We kept it simple. Trolling hoochies — plastic squid lures — behind flashers, downriggers set between 80 and 120 feet, working the green can. Water temperature read a warm 18.1°C, which kept the fish active and willing to chase. Aboard the 27' Boston Whaler Conquest, Captain Jason put first-time guests Susan and Kevin, up from Washington State, right on the fish. Three chrome Chinook came over the rail, the best a solid 15-pounder, all inside the summer slot and all in fine bright condition. Big grins, a straw hat tipped to the sunset, and two folks already talking about coming back.
What's Running in August
Mid-August is prime time in Campbell River. Chinook are the main event, running mostly 12 to 16 pounds this season with an outside shot at a trophy 30-plus pounder for the patient angler. Under DFO Area 13 rules through August 31, it's one Chinook per day within a 62 to 80 cm slot, so anything over 80 cm goes back to keep the run strong. Coho begin to fill in as summer rolls toward fall. The evening flood tides right now are producing well, and the warm water has fish holding shallower than usual.
Book Your Trip
If a golden-hour troll and chrome salmon sound like your kind of evening, we'd love to have you aboard. The Boston Whaler Conquest carries groups up to four in comfort, with a heated cabin, private washroom, and Starlink WiFi. View our salmon fishing charters and Check rates and availability at fishingstoriecharters.com. Summer dates are filling fast.
Weather: Scattered clouds, 14°C, light N wind at 2 knots, warm evening light | Water: Light ripples, blue-green water, 1 metre or less seas
