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.

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.

Biggest Salmon Ever Caught!

The world's biggest documented salmon ever was a 97 pound 4 ounce monstrous salmon caught in Alaska, in 1985 by Anderson.  There are also many undocumented huge salmon like a 99,1 pound salmon that was caught in Skeena River by a German tourist and many other 100 pound salmons in Elwha River.

Not a 99 pounder, but still a great catch!!

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.