Category: Past Trips

Hello to everyone. Sorry my blog did not get updated from mid summer but a busy schedule and a computer crash put things on hold. Just to recap the remainder of our summer was awesome. Fishing from mid July into late August remained exceptional and we were joined by some new and some long time favorite returning guests. Thanks again to Kerry and Sue for returning and bringing Dan and Lori. Wow what fishing we had. I think I finely tired Kerry out on the halibut grounds as I heard him mutter under his breath after releasing his 15th that he would keep the next one. No shame in folding on that one Kerry nice job! Followed by the Baxter group and long time no see gang Bill , Kelly and friends the summer spend by with lots of laughs and lots of fish. On a rare open spot we managed to fit some of our kids and our 3 year old grandson Owen on his first fishing adventure. We were also kept busy doing some survey work counting and recording whales, seals , dolphins and other marine mammals. These trip lasted through out August and into September, October and November. All and all a great year for Thunder 1 Adventures and with lots of return guests already booked plus some new groups 2017 is shaping up to be another great year.

After a breezy trip on the previous outing we were happy to depart with a forecast for smooth seas and calm winds. Joined by return guests Mel and Janine, and Mel’s sister Gloria and her husband Bill we headed out with an excited crew. The water was like glass and the fish seemed to appreciate
the calm weather as well as we had some great dancing Coho hit our lines with regularity. The gals did a great job of out fishing the guys but the competition kept everyone sharp. The Halibut were on as well and we were all in awe of the the beautiful weather and great fishing. Humpback whales provided added entertainment with breaching and tail slaps all around us. The guys broke out their fly rods on a sunny afternoon and the 8 wt. rods were jumping as the Coho schooled around our boat. The last day provided the highlight as we had a double header with a 25 lb spring and a 25 lb Ling cod on the other line. Bonus!!!!

Thanks again Mel and Janine for the return business we hope that we can fit you in next year for some more spectacular July fishing,

Welcome back Danny and Koleton, how many times has it been 5 or 6, I can’t remember but we always look forward to having you back aboard. Accompanied by friends from the Waterton area of Alberta, father and son Gerry and Rob we left Rupert under a less than a sunny forecast. The great part about fishing this area is there is always a place to fish out of the weather and that is what we did cruising to the top of Dundas to avoid the forecast SE winds. With the island as our windbreak the fellas set about hooking up some awesome fish the next morning. No stranger to the gear Danny and Koleton worked the deck like old hands and soon had their friends looking like west coast fisherman as well. The wind blew the rain fell but spirits were high as the fish kept hitting the rods. Anchorages remained protected and calm at night and the wind finally subsided on the last day to give us a chance at the . With time running out Deb told us to be patient that the hali’s would come and sure enough the last hour saw all the rods bouncing and the hali’s had arrived. With nothing but smooth sailing on the way in the memories of a little rain and wind faded away and we bade good bye to our friends, but not without signing Danny up for next year where the fish will be biting and the sun will be shining. Have a great summer guys and we look forward to seeing you next year.

Early June saw us working with the Coast Guard in their continuing project to add and upgrade lights and aids to navigation on the north coast. Our crew of two included the Project Manager, Clinton and a representative from Stantec, Conner. A great professional group that saw us explore some territory to the south that the Thunder had not been before. Accompanied by good weather we visited 13 sites in an effort to improve or establish new or better aids for our marine traffic on the coast. Of course any trip on the Thunder involves a little fishing and while the guys worked diligently the Captain took the opportunity to try and hook up some dinner, with some great success I might add.

A great trip with great guys, we hope to be able to continue our work with both parties in the future.

Joined by John from Prince George and his sister Thelma from Courtenay BC we set out to fulfill a bucket list request to catch John a big salmon on the North Coast of BC. My compliments to the guests for toughing out some of the windiest conditions we have experienced aboard the Thunder. Trying to hide from the wind proved a challenge and even with the island to protect us gusts over the hill hit 40 knots. Deb did a great job on the wheel and I did my best on the back deck to keep the flashers from getting caught in the trees. Obviously no one told the salmon it was windy as we hooked into a great run of big Spring Salmon. Reels were singing and John and Thelma were hanging onto the big fish and doing a great job of getting them to the boat. Yes the salmon won a few battles but we also landed some beauties with John landing a Tyee and earning the first Tyee pin of the season from the Thunder 1 Crew. The last day the sun came out, the seas calmed and we found where the halibut were hiding adding their limit of nice fish for the drive back to Prince George. Our thanks to both John and Thelma for joining us we hope your bucket list has a big check mark.

With busy schedules our guests were able to squeeze in an early trip in May with the hopes of hooking up some halibut and the chance to land some Spring salmon. Well things worked out on both fronts as we hooked up a couple of beauty springs in the 20 lb range and found some halibut as well. Phil got ahold of a real zinger and it had the reel singing as it took numerous runs off the top end of Dundas. With the addition of some nice prawns, a great feed of crab our guests left vowing to return during the busy summer months in the not too distand future. Thanks again fellas enjoy your fish and the balance of your summer.

With four guests from Beijing and one from Vancouver acting as the interpreter we set out on our first trip May 18th. Several in the group were experienced fisherman and had brought their own rods and jigs for the ground fishing which was their primary goal. Fresh crab, prawns and some great halibut fishing kept the group busy and happy as we showed them the beauty of our north coast area. They had a great trip and who knows if the word gets out we may be seeing a few more groups from China.

Travelling with our friends Barry and Gail aboard their 65 ft Ocean Alexander “Miller Time II” we slipped through the mighty Seymour Narrows and started our 8 day cruise to Prince Rupert. With no guests aboard this year it was a nice time to relax after a busy refit month. Weather was outstanding and despite a few bumps crossing Cape Caution the trip was accompanied by smooth seas and sunny skies. Once again Deb out did us all by catching a 50 lb halibut while on the hook in Swanson Bay. While the rest of us bobbed around in the skiff trying to hook up supper Deb stayed aboard the Thunder with her usual rod outside the galley window. The radio call was urgent that she needed some help as she fought the fish with one hand and called us on the radio with the other. Scooting back I grabbed the spear and secured some fresh halibut for the crew, nice work Deb!!! Always ending too quick we motored into our usual spot at the Prince Rupert Yacht club and starting prepping for our first trip. First up this year was a group from Beijing China.

We cast off from our winter home in Victoria Harbour on May 01, hard to believe how fast the winter goes. Under calm seas we spent a few days in the Gulf Islands before motoring into Genoa Bay to start our spring refit. With the help of our long time friend and shipwright Gord Nelson we began a water tight bulkhead project that Transport Canada has requested for our vessel. With that project well underway we proceeded to Maple Bay where Phil at Cove Yachts was there once again to haul us out for paint , zincs and our annual inspection. Everything looked great and after some great visits with friends in the area we pointed the Thunder north to begin our 11th season.

With some guests all the way from Texas, our next group came from our backyard just a short drive away in beautiful Smithers BC. Welcome first timers to the Thunder Harry, his wife Clara, daughter Melissa and her husband Jason. Harry has fished every corner of BC and was happy to bring his family out to try another experience on the west coast. Thanks Harry we hope we met your expectations as we certainly enjoyed having you aboard. Salmon fishing slowed a little but not enough to dampen any spirits as the weather and halibut fishing made up for it in spades. With calm waters we had a chance to go off shore for halibut and had a spectacular day on the water about as far as you can go on the west coast of BC. Everyone hooked up some nice ones and the whales and dolphins put on a show to entertain us. With great sunsets and the eagles providing the evening entertainment it was a great trip and we hope to see Harry and his family back again next year. Hope the Company 50  year celebration went well and the salmon on the cedar plank was a hit. Thanks again

Welcome Dan and Sandra, Doug and Dolores guests from Texas who did a whirl wind tour through Seattle, Victoria and Prince Rupert via the inside passage aboard the BC Ferry. Dan had been with us before with his brother Kerry but it was awesome for him to return with his wife and friends. Great weather albeit a bit cooler than the Texans are used to accompanied us to a great start with everyone landing a salmon the first evening. The morning saw a great pull of prawns and then we were off with the Coho , Pinks and Springs all giving us great action. Halibut did not disappoint either and with many released in search of the good one we enjoyed some sore arms and great fishing on calm waters. With sunsets to die for, good company and great fishing we were sad to see our guests leave. We hope they have many great memories and stories to tell their friends at home and some great fish fry’s on the grill. Hope to see you soon, maybe even this winter.