Why we catch & release Tyees

Chinook salmon, AKA Tyee, King or chub, are one of the biggest fish around the island. They are certainly a special kind of fish. Their flesh varies in color from white to pink and even deep red. They change colour as they get closer to their spawning zones, becoming darker and red around the fins. They are quite big for a salmon, and they are also known to be piscivorous, meaning that they can be seen eating other fish. Just imagine the size of these monsters. The sport caught world record stands at 44.11kg kilograms (97 pounds!). That’s what we call monster fish.

Escott Sportfishing offers a once in a lifetime opportunity to catch one of these monsters. We provide our customers the full experience of catching and releasing Tyees around the coast. We know; we know… some people don’t find it as fun to catch a fish and see it go back to the wild; but Tyees are not very popular as meals. They tend to be like a box of chocolates, you never know what you´re going to get. Those with pale meat might taste great, but darker hues might have an off-putting flavor for some.

But fishers love going after these beauties of nature, both because they offer a good fight, and because there is a record to break! However, we encourage our visitors to let these monsters go after they catch them. It will help keep the population healthy and give chance to other anglers to come and enjoy this awesome sport.

As fishing experts, our team is in complete knowledge of what to do before, during and after catching a Chinook. Many people believe that even when a fish is released, it will have a certain death, but this is not the case. After decades of research and experience, we now know that Chinooks have a 90% chance of survival after release. It has been discovered that the hook is of paramount importance. With a barbless hook and proper handling, we can ensure our catch goes back peacefully to its waters.

We also recommend our visitors to play and release as rapidly and gently as possible to avoid unnecessary injury. The fish should not leave the water for extended periods of time. The hook must be removed quickly but gently. And fish should only be handled with bare and wet hands. Here at Escott Sportfishing, we take care of our prized Chinook to guarantee that there is plenty to catch here in the Haida Gwaii, and award our visitors with a once in a lifetime experience.

Speaking of awards… Our Escott Sportfishing family is happy to let all our visitors know that once you get the opportunity of catching a Chinook, you earn your golden ticket to the Tyee Club of British Columbia. We take this very seriously because Chinook are very hard to catch. Just imagine fighting a feisty 57 kilograms fish! Anyone who wants to test their fishing skills is welcome to give it a shot. Just think about it, the worst thing that can happen is getting a little wet and going home with a great story.

Know all the details as to how to book a visit to our installations and many more activities on our website http://www.escottsportfishing.com/m/index.html

Come See What’s Cooking!

Photo by Owen Perry

You can’t spell fishing without food; well, technically you can… but, you get it. Escott Sportfishing makes sure to wrap up your ultimate fishing experience with the best West Coast cuisine in the area. There is nothing better than having your catch for dinner, and we will make sure you enjoy every bit and every bite of your fishing experience.

Although West Coast cuisine is often undermined because of alleged ‘lack of authenticity’, it has proved to resist the test of time; not because of staying the same, but because of adapting and adopting the perfect ingredients for every time and season. The most worldwide known cuisines have been product of fusion. The cultural exchange the Queen Charlotte Islands have had with both western and eastern cultures, and the native heritage has given it its appreciated uniqueness. The islands have been used as ports for commerce and trading spots for centuries, so people from all over the world have left a little something from their culture that we have taken to our kitchens.

First Nations and Inuit people took advantage of the lands and collected what the earth and sea provided. Today, we keep doing this, we just turned it up a notch. We emphasize the use of local and fresh ingredients provided by our growing farming community, and the different types of freshly picked fish and meats; the perfect combination of herbs and seasoning could make a big difference in the quality of your dish. Our Executive Chef, Adam Perrier, will prepare the most exquisite dishes for you and those who will join you in this fishing getaway of a lifetime. Do not leave the islands before trying our "k’aaw", which is a herring roe on kelp. K´aaw is part of the Haida Gwaii, but has become a prized dish in many parts of the pacific. We also have been gifted with salmon, lots and lots of salmon. This of course, has made them part of our menu since day one. Make your special request beforehand, or trust the experience of our chef and enjoy what West Coast has to offer.

Imagine going fishing early in the morning, and having some onboard lunch when the bites are too good to go back. Then, at the end of the day, your best catch will be cooked by our amazing chef using only the best of ingredients and that Haida Gwaii flavor. That’s what we at Escott Sportfishing call a perfect day. You can gather around and share the stories (and exaggerations) from your fishing day with your friends or family while you all enjoy a meal to remember.

Our team at Escott Sportfishing is committed to make sure your stay is 5 stars all the way, and that includes top meals. However, reading about it is just not enough; you have got to try it. No matter how you like your cooking done, trust Escott Sportfishing to open your eyes and taste to a new world of flavor. Contact us now, by phone at 1-604-818-5106 (Direct) or 1-250-626-5555 (Lodge) or via web by browsing around our website http://www.escottsportfishing.com/m/index.html and book your visit to the incredible Haida Gwaii.

Get Your Fishing Face On!

Photo By Owen Perry

Once again we post about the amazing experience your stay in the Queen Charlotte Islands would be; we strive to keep being your number one fishing and outdoor adventuring site. Now that you know almost everything there is about the island itself and the activities to do, get to know what Escott Sportfishing requires from you to make your fishing dreams come true, and also get familiar with a few other pleasant surprises in our packages.

Well, this won’t surprise you: you need a license to fish. We do not provide you one and require you to have it at hand to enjoy the excitement of fishing in Haida Gwaii.

You need a B.C. Tidal Waters Sports Fishing License which allows you to fish on Salt Water and are provided by the government of Canada. This one is different from the Non-tidal Angling License, which would only allow you to fish in fresh water and is issued by the British Columbia province.

The cost varies, depending on how many days you will be fishing, and it can go up if you´re not a Canadian resident, so make sure you visit their webpage for updates. The juvenile license for kids under 16 years of age is always free.

You also need to get your Salmon Conservation Stamp affixed to your license if you want to catch any kind of Salmon with us. This stamp is valid for a year, starting April 1st of each fishing season. Make sure you get your license and salmon conservation stamp at the same time so they print it directly on your license.

The Escott Sportfishing team provides transportation to and from the Masset airport, so you can scratch that off your to-do list. But you must remember there is a luggage weight limit of 25 pounds per person with the fishing gear included.

Climate here changes without warning, so we highly recommend our guests to be prepared for everything; bring enough warm clothing, because it is mostly cold in the islands. We will supply the essentials for your fishing trips such as rain boots and rain gear. 11 hours of fishing per day plus 7 hours on arrival day next to the experts will surely satisfy your fishing needs. Our accommodations on their own are an experience you won’t want to miss out on; we are able to fit a total of 15 guests at the time and the lodge is perfectly arranged to harmonize with the incredible surroundings.

Photo by Guy Kimola

Turns out we have even more to offer; on our website you will find many other interesting facts and requirements. Remember to book your room with enough time and have your valid passport to get your trip started. Rates are available in our website’s Rates and Dates section, or you can give us a call at 1-604-818-5106 (Direct) or 1-250-626-5555 (Lodge). Contact us for quotes on customized packages. It’s never too soon to plan the getaway of your life, contact us and start packing! The Escott Sportfishing family will be waiting for you.