Wow!  The summer seems like it only arrived and here we are – already July!  The fishing has been amazing even if the weather has been unusually cool.  Charters have been doing well on spring salmon as well as dungeness crab.  We have managed several trips to Port Alberni for sockeye and this has been very rewarding as limits have been done every single trip over!  We have made several trips to Ucluelet as well and, except for the first one (very beginning of the run) every other one has been full limits too. 

Nanaimo has seen a LOT of big salmon around but they are continually moving so one has to figure out where they have gone each and every trip out.  Sometimes that is harder than it seems as there is a LOT of water out there!    The largest has been a 40 lbs taken off the outside of The Fingers while the average has been in the high teens.  There are a LOT of just undersized salmon in the area – including coho – and that bodes well for next year.  Prawning is starting to improve and we are back to dropping traps for these tasty bottom dwellers.  Bottom fish are also available and most trips see full limits.

We have a trip planned at the end of the month to Nootka for a couple of days (have one day available) and then off to Ucluelet for 10 days with 2 days still available for that run. 

If you haven’t booked we do have a few days left but they are filling up very, very quickly! 

Until next month…tight lines and warm smiles….

Capt. Gerry

The fishing continues to be excellent off Nanaimo with many days of full limits on both salmon and dungeness crabs.  The largest fish was a whopping  31 1/2 lbs salmon taken by guests from Alberta while the most spectacular was a double header 21 and 24 lbs that tested the endurance and skill of guests from Vancouver.  The award to the best entry into salmon fishing occured when a 15 year old visitor from Colorado - his first time salmon fishing – caught a 20 lbs in rough water and, with some coaching from his grandfather and the Captain, landed it.  He spent the next hours returning to the fish box to ensure his prize was still there and he had not dreamt it all.  Definitely a warm feeling for all involved as well as the basis for a fisherman who is now ‘hooked’ for life!    Our Sport of the Month goes to a couple from Alberta - celebrating their anniversary- who found themselves in big waves with the wife experiencing seasickness.  We made a stop in at Silva Bay to ‘find her sealegs’ then turned the rest of the trip into a sightseeing tour.  A charming couple who – despite the lack of fish – turned a potential problem into a great memory and who have already begun to make plans on returning – during calmer weather - to continue the quest for ‘the big one!’ 

The run is holding in all the usual spots and the only determining factor has been the wind which has played some games with where we could put down our hooks without having the guests experience seasickness.  Crabbing has picked up while the prawning is currently suffering signifcantly due to the commercial prawn fleet which annually wrecks havoc with sportsfishermen and their quest for the tasty treat.

We currently have some openings for June and July around Nanaimo.  As well we are booking the annual requests for trips off the BIG water of Ucluelet.  This two week window, which targets migratroy USA fish heading home to spawn, produces some very large fish and full limits but has the issue of big waves and swells.  Definitely a trip one should consider at least once in their lifetime as the show put on by Mother Nature 20 miles off BC’s shore is second to none with eagles, whales, dolphins putting on quite the show while one battles salmon that can run over 50 lbs.  This prime opportunity begins the last 2 weeks of July and carries over for the first 2 weeks of August with the shoulder season a week or two on either side.

On another note we have finished three of our normal 4 charters donated to worthwhile charities: Child Development Centre, BC Cancer, Community Kitchens as well as the BC Salmon Foundation.  This year we added another worthwhile cause: supporting our returning Vetrans and we are exceited about doing our part in helping our fellow Canadians who have fought bravely on our behalf and now need support upon their return.  We will keep you posted on the details as this event nears.

For those who are interested in a charter we do have many options available and would be pleased to discuss ways to ensure you too have a chance to experience either fishing in British Columbia or the thrilling adventure of a water tour.

Until next time…keep your line in the water and smile on you face.  Oh…and be sure to visit us on Facebook and, by adding us as a friend, you can catch timely accounts of our recent activity.

Capt. Gerry

THEY’RE BACK!  Within the last week the fishing has exploded with a massive run of red-fleshed salmon (most likely upper Fraser) showing up off the harbour.  These  fish can be found from Gerald Island right down to Thrasher Rock and have been hitting the usuals – spackleback hootchie, glow/green Coyote, Silver Horde Irish Creme as well as The Rosco  (a locally produced spoon with great action and finish).  What is a bit unusual about these fish is that they have been hitting from 68 all the way down to 225 feet which is a LONG seperation.  A frustrating part of this equation is also the amount of plankton/algae bloom – which happens every year – that is coating the fishing lines with very fiberous “gunk” and plugging the top eyelet of our fishing rods.  Too often fishermen try reeling up through this only to stress and break the tops eyes.  Remember to take a moment and clean your line – only takes a few minutes – so that either you don’t lose a trophy fish or break a valuable rod tip.  Ling cod and rock fish opened on May 1st which adds an additional focus to any day on the water.  Crabbing has been excellent with consistant limits while prawning has been significantly slower over this past 2 weeks.  Hopefull those who wished to have their supply of prawns safely tucked into the back corner of the freezer have done so as the commercial season opens in 10 days at which time the opportunity will be severely restricted until they are gone and the stocks have a couple of months to rebound.  We still have openings for a day’s fishing around Nanaimo and only a select few for our trips in July/August for off Ucluelet.  Book now to avoid disappointment.

Capt. Gerry

This past month has flown past as we continue to receive more and more bookings for this year.  In our spare time we have been putting new electronics on The Islander.  The first changeout was the chart plotter and sounder - the old unit was new last July – when we changed it out for a new HDS 10.  This top of the line unit is much more powerful and, more importantly, works with the new radar unit we ordered.  The unit took a full day to install and is currently been tweaked by the experts.  We then ordered the new  Broadband radar and it arrived without warning.  Nope…we didn’t see it coming!    This new radar is the cutting edge ‘Broadband’ which has less emissions than a cell phone and draws 1/10 the power of such.  It has been claimed by the marine writers to be the greatest technological breakthrough in the past 25 years and it will be on the vessel as soon as our third purchase arrives.  The third purchase is a state of the art radar arch which is being custom built as I write.  This radar arch will not only house the radar dome but also state of the art cockpit LED lighting which draws less than 1/10th the power of traditional halogen bulbs, does not get hot and provides a softer, kinder lighting for those early mornings when the glare of a harsh spot is not first on our list of wants while we struggle to wake.  On the front of the arch we are placing state of the art high intensity halogen docking lights for those times darkness and fishing mix.  The combination should come together by the third week of April and you can be sure we will post the results in our next month’s post.

This past month we had many charters but two that were extremely touching.  Invictus Charters does “Celebration of Life Charters” where we spread the ashes of departed as we celebrate their life with loved ones.  We had two this past month and it certainly reminds us to seize the day as nobody knows the extent of our journey.

The fishing has been improving on a daily basis and we have now had several charters where full limits of dungeness crabs, spotted prawns and chinook salmon have graced our coolers upon returning to dock.  The fish have been holding in very predictable spots and it will only get better.

Now is the time to take advantage of the opportunity to fish without having to compete with other vessels for, soon, the waters will be alive with as many vessels as fish.  Give us a shout if you wish to enjoy the bounty that Mother Nature provides in the early days of spring….

Capt. Gerry

The sound of the telephone ringing indicates spring is just around the corner as sportsfishers prepare for the oncoming season by booking their fishing charters.  Our charters this past month have been quite successful and, despite Mother Nature’s occasional attempts to keep us off the water, this past month has been spectacular.  The largest fish went to a thrilled couple from Ottawa with a 21 lbs winter spring and a full cooler of prawns and crabs.  Oh…and that fish fell to the brilliant smile of the female angler of the couple.  A group of workers from Northern Alberta proved just how tough they are with their epic battle with both salmon and seal.  A dedicated team approach saved the salmon – much to the obvious distain of Mr. Whiskers. 

The days are slowly growing longer and, as such, the fish seem to be on the bite a couple of times a day.  While the usual ‘hot spots’ have been producing, we have explored a couple of new ones and were rewarded with fish.  The fish are still hitting much faster than summer months and, as such, we cover much more territory.  The depths have been right on bottom and that has also meant the occasional introduction of my guests to Mr. Teeth (lingcod).  Pacific Cod have also been a common catch and, until you have tried some battered in Fish n’ Chips, you won’t know what you’ve been missing. 

It was a pleasure to receive a phone call from the sponsers of a charter Invictus Charters donated to a high school  The charter was auctioned off to help the school’s band travel to a national competition.  The students all thanked Invictus Charters for the donation and informed Capt. Gerry that it was not only one of the first to go but the charter was purchased by the band director as a gift to family.  Invictus Charters is pleased to donate charters to worthy causes and one cannot imagine anything more worthwhile than to those who will shape our future.  Good luck OSHS in your trip and your efforts in the competition. 

Check out Invictus Charters on Facebook and, when you add us as a “Like” you have a chance to win free charters.  Good Luck.

The season opened for halibut on March 1st and we have already been contacted for charters – both local and off Ucluelet. 

Time to pick up that phone – or email – to ensure you have the opportunity to experience the West Coast from the end of a fishing rod! 

Until next time … May the sun be on your shoulders, your journey short and your waters calm.

Capt. Gerry

Fishing has definitely turned the corner with more and more larger fishing showing up.  With the days getting noticeably longer and the weather improving it is the perfect time to take advantage of the bounty Mother Nature provides at this time of year.  This past month saw several charters with full limits of fiesty winter springs, delicious dungeness and plentiful prawns.  If you have not been out on an ‘Early Charter’ it is a must as the fish are very active and not at all shy of the gear.  The largest fish this past month touched at exactly 20 lbs with a few providing the fish story of …’you should have seen the one that got away!’ 

Invictus Charters will be doing some upgrading of both the look and the content so watch for the changes as we enter into what promises to be another stellar year for Invictus Chartes.  We will also be establishing a presence on both Facebook and Twitter. 

Capt. Gerry

Invictus Charters wishes all a very HAPPY NEW YEAR.  The fishing right now is picking up and, when the weather provides an opportunity to fish, there are fish waiting.  Also we are finding that the prawning and crabbing has finally regained its full potential and we are again limiting out on most trips.  We are thrilled to be able to say we are holding our same rates for the 5th straight year – even if our accountant isn’t thrilled about this decision.

This past month has seen multiple charters with the average winter spring in the 10 lbs range but with a couple reaching almost 2o lbs!    Our best day of prawning saw full limits for all guests and the same with dungeness crabs.

All indications are that fishing may be even better than last year and, if that were to occur, we should be in for an unbeliveable year.  Call to arrange either salmon fishing, fishing/prawning/crabbing combo or simply a boating cruise.

As part of active involvement with Community Support, Invictus Charters has donated the following charters for the upcoming season:

Nanaimo Community Kitchens

Sport Fishing Institute of British Columbia

Central High School – London, Ontario, Canada

Nanaimo Childrens Development Centre

If you know of a charity that could use such support, Please, drop us a line and we will explore the possibilities. 

Captain Gerry