Memories of Summer Fishing: Sunshine, Salmon, and Smooth Sailing

Escott blog—WK 5 (Jan 31, 2016)

Memories of Summer Fishing: Sunshine, Salmon, and Smooth Sailing

As we’ve started to dig into our vacuum-pack salmon stores from last summer, it’s gotten us reminiscing about the stellar summer season we had last year at Escott Sportfishing.

Who else has dipped into their vacuum-pack salmon from last summer? #salmon #salmonfishing #fishingtrips #haidagwaii #haidagwaiifishing #escottsportfishing #escottlodge

A photo posted by Escott Sportfishing (@escottsportfishing) on Jan 14, 2016 at 4:00pm PST

While there’s never a bad time to take a Haida Gwaii fishing trip, there’s an undeniable pull toward those long days of summer, when the Chinooks are plentiful and so are the sun’s rays.

Haida Gwaii and Graham Island, where Escott Lodge is located, have some of the best salmon fishing in the world throughout the summer months. So, while we trudge our way through February, we’ll whet our appetites for the great season that’s to come by remembering some of last summer’s best moments.

Two 50's / 46 / 42 / 32 ..... 1 tide change / 5 hog hunters / 12 guests / 1000 memories / Escottsportfishing!

A photo posted by Escott Sportfishing (@escottsportfishing) on Jul 24, 2015 at 8:49pm PDT

It’s hard not to grin from ear to ear when you get a haul like this one. You’re looking at five Tyees—that is, salmon weighing over 30 lbs—caught during one amazing fishing trip. An epic haul, to say the least.

Pod of #killerwhales Photo Guy Kimola #localwildlife #lovewhereyoulive #explorebc #HaidaGwaii

A photo posted by Escott Sportfishing (@escottsportfishing) on Jul 17, 2015 at 10:27am PDT

Courtesy of one of our favourite photographers, Guy Kimola, this photo shows off some of the undeniably spectacular wildlife that swarms the British Columbia coast. The orcas were particularly active in Haida Gwaii in the summer of 2015. Here’s hoping they return for 2016.

When you book a salmon fishing trip with Escott Sportfishing, you get to swap your office view for ours. Not bad, eh?

Just getting started this am..... Great view from the office! #adventurehaidagwaii #mostbeautifulplaceonearth #EscottLodge

A photo posted by Escott Sportfishing (@escottsportfishing) on Jun 27, 2015 at 10:35pm PDT

There’s nothing like pulling in your first salmon, as this smile shows. Watching kids have the time of their lives on our fishing trips is definitely one of the best parts of summer.

A photo posted by Escott Sportfishing (@escottsportfishing) on Jun 19, 2015 at 10:38pm PDT

As much as we like fishing for salmon, we’re also big fans of eating it. Just looking at this spread of salmon sashimi—freshly prepared by our chef at Escott Lodge—has got us drooling in anticipation of the good eats to come in summer 2016.

A photo posted by Escott Sportfishing (@escottsportfishing) on Jun 12, 2015 at 9:39am PDT

But most of all, we can’t wait to take our Escott guests out on the summer waters of Haida Gwaii, where you really will catch fish that are this big.

Escott captains with 3 beauties!

A photo posted by Escott Sportfishing (@escottsportfishing) on Jul 26, 2015 at 10:18pm PDT

How to Dress for Sport Fishing

Photo By Guy Kimola

When you come to Masset to go salmon fishing with Escott Sportfishing, you’ll be spending every day, all day, out on the water. While we provide rain gear, rain boots, a fishing hat, and a toque for each guest, you’ll need to pack the right clothes for your fishing trip.

For those who don’t already have their own “fishing wardrobe,” there are a few basic things to keep in mind.

Like your parents always told you, the key for dressing for the outdoors is layers. Although the temperatures in Haida Gwaii stay between 0°C and 20°C year round, the weather can be unpredictable. So, whether you’re fishing in the height of summer or as winter begins to creep up, layers will allow you to regulate your temperature.

Your fishing outfit should consist of three layers: a base layer, a midlayer, and your fishing bib.

The base layer is there to keep you dry. There’s no getting around sweat when you’re out fishing for the mighty Tyee, and a breathable base layer will eliminate excess moisture. If you’re fishing adventure is booked for a colder season, then this layer will also provide extra warmth. Ideally go for a synthetic and stay away from cotton or wool; although they are warm, they hold onto moisture, which just makes you colder.

The midlayer is there to keep you warm. The air trapped between the base layer and midlayer plays a major role in this, but so does the material. Stay away from jeans and other stiff materials and go for something less restrictive, like sweatpants or cargo pants. A T-shirt or fleece on top, depending on the season, is good for up top.

You’ll also want to keep your feet warm and, more importantly, dry. Wear sport-specific socks, not regular old tube socks—your toes will thank you. Another essential item is a pair of sunglasses. Polarized is best, to help cut the glare coming off the water, but above all make sure they stick on your face, otherwise they might end up overboard.

With the right clothes, you’ll make sure you can concentrate on reeling in the fish and not on being uncomfortable.

From the Hook to the Cook: Fish Care You Can Trust

You and your friends are out on the boat in the waters of the Haida Gwaii, taking in all that the waters and the island have to offer. You spent the whole day laughing, enjoying each other’s company, regaling each other with stories, and most importantly, reeling in some of the best Tyee and Halibut around. The day is over, and now you have a boatload of fish that needs tending to. Don’t fret. We at Escott Sportfishing have you covered.

         We understand that proper fish care is imperative to preserving the quality and taste of your fish. As experienced fishers ourselves, we can’t think of anything worse than your entire stock of fresh fish going rotten because you didn’t have the proper tools and space to take care of them yourself. That’s a whole day of good fishing wasted. When travelling, it’s always important to have the proper tools and facilities with or near you to clean and store your fish. Unlike most Sportfishing and Charter fishing locations along the coast or in the area, Escott Sportfishing offers full fish care services. From the deck to the dock, your fish is instantly bled, stored on ice, cleaned immediately and vac-packed or flash frozen depending on your preference. You can rest assured that once your fish is unloaded and in our capable hands, we handle it with care and prepare it thoroughly as if it were our own.

At Escott, we offer two options to prepare your fish for the journey home. Our options include Fresh Fish and Canned Fish. The first, and more popular option, fresh fish, involves a lot of cleaning techniques that are purely based on your preference so your fish is cleaned and prepared the way you like it. We can clean the fish with the head on or off and can single or butterfly fillet it as desired. We remove stomach bones, vac-pack your fish, and even provide fish coolers. Your second option would be to have your fish canned. With canning, we can smoke it before it’s canned or vac pack it. We have three options for vac-packing, which include, hot-smoked, cold- smoked, or cut into steaks. Tons of options from which you can choose!

So, after a long day of fishing, trust our professional fish care services to take care and store your fish. We want you to not just have the memories of a great trip, but also enjoy the fish that you caught during your time here at Escott Sportfishing. Pictures are great, but they don’t taste good on the grill.

Fishy weather: The perfect time for fishing.

A good angler knows that there are many factors that can alter the degree of success of a fishing day; sometimes you can be completely prepared and still… no fish. Is there really a relation between fish and the weather? And if so, what are the best conditions to fish in?

Fish, as well as many other animals, have a great sense of the weather. Don’t expect them to know the amount of snow expected for the winter however… But there are scientific studies that show many animals have a very keen sense of the weather and therefore, react differently depending on the climate conditions. So, if you were wondering; yes, there are good and bad times to go fishing. How do fish react to different weathers?

Winter Weather:

Because fish are cold-blooded, when temperatures drop, their metabolisms tend to slow down a bit, so they don’t feed as much. That means that most fish may not be very active during this season.

Windy Weather:

The old proverb says: “When the wind is east the fish bite the least, when the wind is west the fish bite the best.” This is actually a true statement. When the winds blow from the west and south, it brings insects to the water, making smaller fish swim closer to banks where larger fish tend to eat, and making them get closer to the surface. It’s all a big cycle. So keep on the watch for the winds.

Rainy Weather:

Like humans, certain fish have preferences for rain; while some fish will go deeper into the water to escape from rain, other insect-eating fish will be nearer to the surface waiting for bugs to fall into the water. It all comes down to what you want to fish.

Warm Weather:

Contrary to popular beliefs, summer weather isn’t always the best to fish in. Some fish dislike the heat and go deeper in the water looking for cooler areas. Because of the low pressure that comes with warm weather, it is great to fish early in the morning or late in the afternoon during summer seasons.

Fishing is exciting, especially if you get good bites. Any weather can be a good one to fish in if you take the right measures. It’s helpful to remember that fish have certain preferences for different weathers, what affects one type of fish may not affect another. The best thing to do is find an expert that can tell you when, where, and how to fish to get the best bites around and go back home as a fishing hero –sort of-.

The Escott Sportfishing team really knows their fish, and we will certainly make your fishing experience the best one in your life. Contact us today and book your visit online or by phone by browsing our website http://www.escottsportfishing.com/m/index.html or calling 1.604.818.5106. Make sure your outdoor adventure is covered by the specialists.