Yesterday I joined new Whaler’s Cove Lodge Captains Bob Sauerwein and Malcolm Quentin on a test fishing trip to Chaik Bay. This scenic bay has dozens of underwater spires, rocks and reefs. Venturing inside Chaik Bay requires local knowledge and a keen eye trained at the depth sounder while slowly navigating the waters.

Once past the obstacles we set up our troll in a shallow area within 50 yards of the shoreline. Baitfish jumped all around us, a sure sign of hungry salmon. Captain Bob deployed his cut-plug herring while I deployed a whole herring. Captain Malcolm took the steering duties. Half an hour into the troll Captain Bob decided to check his bait, reeled up the downrigger and then began to hand line his herring back to the boat. Luckily my eyes caught the action, as a 20 pound Chinook came to the surface and inhaled the cut-plug.

Captain Bob set the hook with his hand, then passed the rod to Captain Malcolm to give him a chance to play the Chinook on light line. The fish made four strong runs before calming down enough to release the hooks and let it go.

Twenty minutes later another Chinook slammed my F4 Piscatator Glow/Green Spatterback flasher and whole herring. We released that fish too, and enjoyed the scenery and uniqueness of the quiet bay. Unlike many fisheries, the Chinook here range from the surface to the bottom, a window of 60 feet.

Can’t wait to see what adventures today will bring at Whaler’s Cove Lodge. Today the lodge opens with the first guests arriving on Ward Air Seaplanes.

Tight Lines,
John