From Coho to Chinook: The Many Salmon of Haida Gwaii

Photo By Owen Perry

Located on the West Coast of Canada, the Haida Gwaii of British Columbia have some of the best salmon fishing in the entire world. The reason the fishing is so good is because the island chain comes early on in the fish’s migration from the Arctic southward. Escott Lodge, which sits on the northern tip of Graham Island, is in the middle of all this frantic salmon activity, with the sportfishing season running from early May until the end of September.

Though they all pass along the BC coast, there are five different Pacific salmon species that inhabit the waters Escott trawls, and each salmon has its own season, behaviour, and appeal.

Chinook

The main salmon people come to come to Masset to land is the Chinook. Also known as the King salmon, the Chinook grows to the largest size of all the species—hence its royal nickname. These fish live the longest (up to 9 years) and can weigh in at over 100 lbs, although most average closer to the 20 lb mark. Anything over 30 lbs is classed as a “Tyee”—the ultimate trophy for any fishing trip. Chinooks start appearing around Haida Gwaii in early May and stick around until mid-August.

Coho

Another fish that lures anglers to the BC coast is the equally mighty Coho. It doesn’t match the Chinook in size, coming in at an average 10 to 15 lbs, but many prefer the more mild taste of Coho (a.k.a. Silver salmon) for eating fresh. Easy to identify by their hooked upper jaw, the acrobatic Coho are in season from early July until the end of September.

Chum, Sockeye, and Pink

Though Chinook and Coho are what many sport fishermen are after, the most abundant salmon in the Pacific are Pink, Chum, and Sockeye. Pink salmon are the smallest of the bunch (4 to 6 lbs) because they have the shortest lifespan, living 3 years maximum. Chum and Sockeye share the same long and thin profile, but while Sockeye average 7 lbs, Chum grow to up to 25 lbs.

No matter what salmon ends up on the end of your line, Escott Sportfishing will make sure it’s properly prepared for your table or released back into the ocean to continue on its way south.

Some Good Old-Fashioned Knowhow: Successful Fishing Techniques

Capt. D. Escott using some good old-fashioned knowhow

You can be outfitted with the highest quality reels, the best fishing vessel, and the flashiest tackle around—but that doesn’t necessarily add up to a successful day of fishing. The surest thing to bring in a great haul of salmon? Some good old-fashioned knowhow.

Not only does catching that Tyee mean knowing when and where to look for it, but it also means knowing what fishing techniques to use for any given set of conditions. Will it be whole herring or cut-plug for bait? Or maybe a hoochie or a spoon lure is the surest bet to get a fish on the line. Then you need to ask yourself: Is it time for trolling (drawing the fishing line behind the moving boat) or is it time for mooching (slowly drifting through the water on the current)?

After nearly two decades of coastal fishing, Captain Danny Escott has an answer for all of the above—as does each one of the Escott guides, who each train extensively under Captain Escott.

Every Escott Sportfishing outing uses all the top-of-the-line stuff: Grady White boats, Abel reels, Grade A bait, the latest radar technology, and more. But it’s the skill and knowledge every expedition is led with that makes for a cutting-edge fishing experience. Being on the waters of Haida Gwaii every day means we can watch baitfish movement and salmon feeding patterns, which means we know where to go to start reeling them in, and what exactly is going to catch their eye.

When technique, tools, and knowhow combine, pulling that first Chinook into the boat or catching that first Coho with a saltwater fly is just the beginning of a great fishing trip.

INSIDE FISHERMEN: BUZZ RAMSEY

Four o’clock in the morning, and while the world is sleeping you’re loading your equipment and supplies and getting ready for another fishing day. A moment later, you’re watching the sunrise in the front row. All calm and quiet around you. Preparing the bait while the breeze hits your face and after a short (or long) wait, you have a beautiful salmon in your hands. What better way to spend your life than doing what you love?

Salmon. / Source: Escott Sport Fishing Instagram account @escottsportfishing.

The Pacific Northwest region is one of the best places in the world for fishing. It offers an extraordinarily rich and nurturing location for salmon, but you can find many more species while enjoying the most beautiful sunrise and is the favorite location for recognized salmon anglers like Buzz Ramsey.

Ramsey has been the image of Northwest salmon and steelhead fishing for many years. Born in Toledo, Oregon, raised in Portland and being a Fisherman´s son, he has spent a lifetime fishing and you actually can watch him upstream and downstream the West Coast all year round.

Buzz Ramsey at the Tiller. / Source: Outdoorlife.com

Buzz is a cold-water sport fishing expert specializing in sport fishing for steelhead and salmon. Also he’s a regular columnist in Salmon Trout Steelheader, Northwest Sportsman and Alaska Sporting Journal’s magazines. Throughout his career, Buzz has conceived and authored several  how-to-fish fishing reports offered by companies like Luhr Jensen and Pure Fishing, and the more recent Know How Reports offered by Yakima Bait Company of which he is Brand Manager.

He has helped design and market many fishing baits and related products and is now a brand himself. Among many others, The "Buzz Ramsey" name and image have been used to promote and brand the Berkley's Buzz Ramsey designed Air IM-8 Graphite fishing rods, the Luhr Jensen K-11 X Kwikfish, the Berkley Gulp! Sand Shrimp, and the Gulp! Salmon Egg Cluster. Lures design and testing are a large part in Ramsey’s legacy.

Fishermen use many methods to catch salmon, but Buzz offers many tips and additional tricks to salmon anglers. From his experience and years in the water, he has come up with his Basics for Buoy 10 (one of the most productive salmon fisheries in Oregon).

Buzz is also a hall-of-famer for The Association of Northwest Steelheaders and The National Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame. His lures are among the most popular in the market, and are incredibly fun to use.

We get excited when people come to Haida Gwaii just to try one of his renowned techniques for fishing silvers. We must thank all of our local fishing celebs for their continual support of our beautiful sport.

Dreams come true. So if yours (like mine) is fishing, find a rod and bait and go ahead!

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

Welcome to the Tyee Club

The word Tyee originates from the beachfront Indian dialect and signifies "The Chief" or "Awesome Leader." The term is utilized to portray Chinook or Spring salmon that measure 30 lbs. then again more. Fishers who manage to catch a Tyee can become members of the Tyee Club of British Columbia.  Anyone who is eager to test their ability at sportfishing is welcome.

What’s Biting!? Discover the Escott Experience

Photo By: Guy Kimola

Looking to plan your next great fishing trip? Well, look no further! Located on the scenic northern tip of Graham Island, Escott Sportfishing provides a true fishing experience unlike any other that can be found. Haida Gwaii, also popularly referred to as Queen Charlotte Island, is home to an assortment of saltwater fish, beautiful views, and top of the line accommodations for all.

The serene, blue waters are home to two excellent types of fish, Salmon and Halibut. Our waters are teeming with the best Chinook and Coho salmon, which makes our property so well known and highly sought after for fishing excursions. The deep blue waters offer some of the healthiest, strongest salmons (30-90 pounds) that can be easily found while feeding on Herrings within minutes from the lodge. Due to our great location, it’s easy to catch large amounts of salmon migrating up stream, heading to the British Columbia coastline.

And what an excellent location it is. In fact, the Queen Charlotte Islands are well known for such natural beauty and a great emphasis on First Nations culture. Everywhere you look, you can find signs of the land’s rich history, from totem poles to ancient carvings. It’s no wonder this area attracts visitors from all parts of the world, year-round.

No matter your interests or thrill level, there is always something for you to do. Whale watching, hiking, biking, and trail walking (just to name a few activities) are some of the many excursions and activities that are available for you to enjoy and really take in the nature. While you’re out exploring, make sure you take in all this land has to offer and visit many of the other towns scattered across the island. Each town offers something unique and exhilarating to make your trip special and truly exciting.

Escott Sportfishing offers top-notch accommodations for all guests. Cozy, scenic rooms that overlook the water, and 5 star dining services guarantee a simply amazing and comfortable experience for you. This lodge is spacious, making sure everyone is accommodated without feeling as if everyone is right on top of each other. The grounds offer an outdoor fire area, hot tub, and each room comes with its own private bathroom. The amenities, décor, and beautiful scenery help to create a feeling of community where many people share their fishing tales and trip experiences. It’s definitely something you won’t want to miss.

There really aren’t any words to accurately capture the essence that is Haida Gwaii and all she has to offer. This land is rich with culture, life, and a good time to be had by all. So when looking for your next fishing excursion and nature trip, look no further than Escott Sportfishing.

Salmon

Photo By Guy Kimola

Haida Gwaii is one of the best places in the world for sports fishing. Situated on the northern Pacific Ocean, this group of islands is home to a great many wonders in marine ecology. Also known as Queen Charlotte Islands, the archipelago is a great place for water sports.

Haida Gwaii are considered to have the best salmon fishing grounds in the world. This area is considered the starting line for salmon migrating southwards beginning May.

Chinook Salmon (or King Salmon) and Northern Coho Salmon (Silver) are the two types of salmons found near the islands. From May to October, thousands and millions of spawning Herrings pass through the islands. As a result, the waters around the island are brimming with salmons feeding on the Herring as they prepare their bodies to be strong enough to endure their long journey down the British Columbia coastline towards the rivers. As a result, you will find a number of salmons that are over 30lb in size. These salmons are called Tyee.

Chinook Salmon, which start arriving as early as the first week of May, feed on the abundant schools of spawning Herring right at the harbour in Masset which is just 5 minutes from the lodge.
These salmon can be anywhere between 15lb and 50lb. However, the number of fish heading south increases as June approaches, and this is when the Chinooks grow rapidly both in terms of number and size. This makes the six-month period a fantastic time for sport fishing. In June, Chinook grow enough for our sport fishing expedition to catch a 30+ Chinook Salmon, or Tyee, daily. These waters are known to have Chinook salmon of up to 90 pounds, our record is a massive 73 pounds.

Northern Coho Salmon are another salmon showing up near Masset in late June. All through the season, the size of the Coho increases at a rate which is noticeable from week to week, due to their rapid feeding on the Herring. In September, they go into a feeding spree and there are plentiful Cohos in the water, 15lb to 20 lb in size, for as late as October. These fishes are a handful as they are brimming with energy, dancing along the water, testing your skill level and are great on light tackle. You will not find a fresher and tastier fish than these chrome beauties. Our lodge record Coho is 20 pounds.

Pinks, Chum and Sockeye are also available in these waters. However, sport fishing is for the brave and strong and why aim for anything simple. So, lets prepare our lines for the catch of a lifetime, bait up, and take our salmon fishing adventures to the extreme. Your first bite may very well be a Tyee.