Ucluelet Fishing
Reel Reports

 

Today, the Canadian Princess closes for the winter season. Although the shore side accommodation will be open through October 5^th and the Wikaninnish Restaurant the 25^th of September, the restaurant, whale watching, fishing, and the Canadian Princess will be closed untill next year.

 

The summer of 2011 has been an amazing season. From opening day on June 2^nd through September 18^th, the resort has been buzzing with activity. Although the weather started out wetter than average, the main summer months including September have been spectacularly clear and sunny.

The fishing exhibited incredible peaks throughout the season with intermittent slower periods typically after heavy rains or extreme tides. Overall, the fishing was on par with previous years and we had some amazing records. Our biggest salmon for the season was landed by David Washington with a beautiful weight of 35 lbs. We were also able to welcome one Masterfisherman to the club. Congratulations to Dale Neubeker for catching the season high halibut of 101 lbs.

From a staff perspective; I look around the resort and no longer see co-workers but fellow peers that I was able to work alongside with. It is going to be difficult to say goodbye to the Canadian Princess and the west coast of Vancouver Island as my path takes me south. Many of the staff however will be here again next year and are in anticipation of yet another action packed summer. 

If you made it out to see us this summer, I want to thank you on behalf of the Canadian Princess for your fishing action and stories that make the Canadian Princess Resort a truly unique place.

On behalf of myself, I’d like to thank all the fellow crew and guests that I was able to work with. It was an honor and privilege to work beside you this year. Ucluelet is a special corner of the world and is easily realized after only a short time. I will miss it greatly and it will be with me always. Wherever this may find you, I hope it finds you well throughout the remainder of your year. Until next summer!

 

The last time from the bridge,

 

-Chris White

It was the final day for the Ucluelet Pricess today. Skipper Harvey and deckhand Jaquline were excited to have finished another season at the Canadian Princess and are looking forward to some wake-up times later than 4:30. Of course they are both egger to come back next year and do it all over again.

            This year I was introduced to a unique celebration that takes place on the Uclulet Princess called, “the virgin salmon.” Every time someone catches a salmon for the first time, they are to eat the heart. Of course this is for fun so it is not required, but a lot of people do take part in the time honored tradition. Today, Sage Wright was jigging from the bow of the Ucluelet Princess when a Coho snapped at her line right at the surface. With some effort, she was able to pull the fish aboard making it her first salmon ever! The entire boat gathered as Sage was presented the salmon heart. With a little lime juice to follow, Sage threw it back to hoots and pats on the back of congratulations. After getting it down, she said it was not half bad. Who knew?

            The Canadian Princess operates nine sea going vessels all with a unique crew that functions almost as an independent family. So weather you have been here before or not, if you get on a boat you’ve never traveled with before, be prepared for a unique, new, and exciting experience.

 

From the bridge,

 

-Chris White

 

 

This season, I have held open the invitation for fellow employees to write to me with words or stories that they might like to share with a wider audience. I received a hand written letter yesterday from Don Schmidt who wrote to me about his year with the Canadian Princess. I'm happy to forward his message along as we start to wind down our season here at the Canadian Princess Resort.

 

Letter by Don Schmidt

 

This year has been fantastic, being hired was an opportunity I really did not fully appreciate until now, the end of the season. September 11^th 2011, I went on my last fishing trip for the season. I actually was saddened when I realized I was down to my last two shifts of work at the Canadian Princess. As the boat slowly left the harbour, you could tell that the day would be spectacular. The sun rise coning up over the mountains in the background was a beautiful orange glow. We began by traveling south out of the harbour. There were thirteen guests including myself. The chatter amongst the others was all about fishing. Ucluelet was hosting the finals of the Ucluelet Salmon Ladder Derby and the buzz was all about the leading catch of a Chinook over 40 Lbs.

As we approached our first location, everyone put on their game face. Soon over the P.A. we heard the words of the skipper saying, “lines in the water folks when you’re ready.” “Splash!” went the infamous lures, not all at the same time, but close. We all fished as the sun continued to rise. The water was like glass where ripples were only seen from our lures entering the water. We fished for about 30-40 minutes with no results when again the P.A. broke the silence, “lines up, we are going to move to find some fish.” Although, no one had caught anything, the boat’s mood was still positive. How could one not be happy on such a beautiful day?  

            I started a conversation with a guest and found out he was a returning guest and had already been here this season a few weeks back. He indicated that on his first trip, he had wished to could extend his visit and he too, was a little sad that the season was coming to an end. He added that he would be returning for certain the following season.

            The day progressed and the skipper worked hard to put us on some fish. We had some luck, but not nearly as much as back in July and August. I felt my spirit drop a little after the full day of fishing had passed and I heard the skipper say, “lines up everyone, time to head home.” Although it was my last trip for this season, I plan to do my best to make this season my first.

            I want to thank Dave Martin for hiring me and giving me the chance at this amazing experience and to wish all the guests and other staff a fond goodbye and safe rest of the year. I truly hope to get the opportunity to return next year for another fantastic summer and to see the same friendly staff and guests once more. I now fully understand what some people mean when they say, “If you truly love your work, it doesn’t feel like work.”

 

Don Schmidt

Bus Driver/Night Watchman  

It was an amazing weekend for the Ucluelet Salmon Ladder Derby and Festival. The event started with a three day fish off that ran from Friday until Sunday. Each day began with a jump start as Lisa Brisco sounded the air horn at 7am on the fuel dock as boats raced out to begin the day.

            Each boat with a yellow flag indicated a contender with over 40 participants taking part in the event. We were lucky enough to get some contenders from the Canadian Princess into the fish off as well as a boat on the water. All three days saw sunshine and our warmest temperatures of the summer yet! Brian Dowell was able to reel in a 34Lb. 9 Oz. Chinook on one of the Princess boats. What a Tyee!

            The event ended this afternoon with Richard Allen taking first place with a 41.9 Lb. Salmon. The event finished off with the Salmon Festival where fresh salmon was served up all afternoon and could be heard and smelled sizzling for blocks in any direction. Live rock music and a beer garden complimented the afternoon barbeque. A Bounce O’ Rama, a dunk tank and many other stands were also present to support our local Thornton Creek Hatchery. All in all, it was an amazing event and a lot of fun. If you’re thinking about coming next year, you may want to consider overlapping with the Salmon Festival.

 

From the bridge,

 

- Chris White

I walk into the bridge and suddenly the Canadian Princess lives once more. I am transported back to an age where the bridge acted as the brain of this historic ship. Decisions were ordered and relayed, the bell sounds on the bridge and the lever signaling “forward” and “all stop” informs the engine room of new intent.

            But the ship is still docked and not moving anytime soon. The Salmon Ladder Derby staff on the other hand is busily cruising full steam ahead. The Salmon Ladder Derby began this morning and is in the first day of a three day fish off ending on Sunday afternoon with the Salmon festival where awards are to be handed out with first place taking home $10,000 dollars in cash and prizes. For those not taking home the grand prize or looking to just enjoy the festivities, there will be song and dance along with a salmon barbeque from 2-6pm. I’m heading out tomorrow to catch some of the action and look forward to seeking out the moment when the big salmon is reeled in. There was talk of a 38 Lb. Chinook today, will it be beat?

 

From the bridge,

 

-Chris White 

As we’re getting into September here, the late summer heat is really creating a July feel for life on the west coast. I was talking to some travelers yesterday who were enjoying this recent heat spell we’ve been having. They said it must be like this all the time and that the rainforest here on the west coast is a smoke screen to keep the secret for the locals. I could only smile and nod for when it is sunny here, there are no bugs and the temperature is just right. Everything is green and before us are the mountains meeting the ocean. It is a beautiful sight and therefore makes for one of the more special times of year here on the west coast. As we get into later September and October, the great Grey whale migration of over 25,000 animals will once more be underway. From the Bearing Sea to the Sea of Cortez, they are about to begin the longest mammal migration on earth for the second time this year. We are running whale watching trips through September 18^th and with %25 discounts on both rooms and whale watching tours, it could make for the perfect late season get away.

            If you can’t make it out to stay with us before the 18^th, don’t worry. The lodging side of the resort will be open until the 5^th of October. Enjoy a peaceful evening in one of our shore side rooms and make sure to get out to the lighthouse on the tip of the Wild Pacific Trail, just five minutes from the Canadian Princess to see these magnificent creatures heading south. Here till October myself, I find myself loving September life on the west coast.

 

From the bridge,

 

-Chris White

As the sunrise came over Mount Ozzard, one could tell it was going to be another beautiful day. The pastels splashed over the water like paint finding a white canvas. Half an hour through our journey, I once again had already felt as if I had got what I came for.

            The atmosphere of the morning as it continued was jolly and upbeat. When someone would yell fish on, others would join in the quire. When fish landed on the boat, people would slap the rod holders with open hands making a distinct popping noise. A fish would hit the deck and I would hear “plop, plop, plop.”

            I met James Zolty today and watched him as he caught his 2^nd halibut ever; the first being yesterday. It gave him a fight to remember and every time he would get it close to the surface, the fish would run on him. He was all smiles though when he got it in the net and tells me afterwards that he himself is now hooked. Looks like we’ll be finishing the season here with a bang!

 

From the bridge,

 

-Chris White