Peak Chinook Hammering Lures in Discovery Passage

Conditions on the Water

Good morning from Campbell River! We're looking at a classic June day out here — 16°C with overcast skies and a soft NW wind at 11 km/h. The water's flat calm with waves barely topping 0.1m, which makes for easy, comfortable fishing. We're working the morning slack as it builds into the flood, and that tide change is exactly the window where these fish really turn on. If you've ever wanted picture-perfect conditions to chase big Chinook, today is it.

What's Running and Why

This is peak Chinook season in Discovery Passage, and the bite has been outstanding. We're seeing solid 12-16 lb fish hitting hard, and there's a genuine shot at a trophy 30-35 pounder if you put your time in. These fish are stacking up as they stage along the passage, feeding aggressively before pushing through. A quick but important note: Chinook is catch and release only until July 15 per DFO regulation. That means right now it's all about the fight, the photo, and the release — and trust me, hooking into one of these brutes never gets old. We're also starting to see early Coho showing up on the edges, adding a nice bit of variety to the day.

Technique Hints

The fish are holding deeper through the slack, so we've been running glow and chartreuse spoons behind flashers down in the 80-120 foot range. As the flood builds, watch for the bite to fire up — that current gets the bait moving and the Chinook follow. Trolling slow and steady along the structure near the Campbell River shoreline and out toward Johnstone Strait has been producing consistent action. Keep your gear sharp; these fish hit like a freight train.

What to Expect This Week

With stable weather and strong fish numbers, this week is shaping up to be excellent for catch and release Chinook action. Expect multiple hookups on a good day, plenty of screaming reels, and the chance at that fish of a lifetime. Early Coho will keep the rods bent in between.

Book Now — July 15 Opener Coming Fast

Here's the big one: Chinook retention opens July 15, and that's a major event every year. The boats fill up fast for opener week, so if you want to be on the water when retention kicks in, now's the time to lock in your dates. Don't miss it — reach out and let's get you booked!

Ready to experience world-class fishing in Campbell River? Book your charter trip with Fishing Storie Charters today. Captain Jason and the crew are ready to put you on fish.