Special Salmon Enhancement Derby Newsletter

Special Salmon Enhancement Derby Newsletter

Yes, even in these changing challenging times the continuing funding of the Volunteer Hatcheries, on going Stream & River rehabilitation projects as well a the collaborator fish rearing programs with the local federal Conuma River Hatchery all must go forward. Why? Because the Fabulous, Productive & FUN (FPF) Fishing/Catching here in our local waters of Nootka Sound and Esperanza Inlet is a direct result of the past 16 yrs of this Salmon Enhancement Fund Raising.

Every event related to this 2020 derby will be held outdoors.

Karl Williaume with his 1st Tyee EVER 32.5lb caught just off Esperanza Inlet June 29, 2020 

History: Through the period of 1998-2000 the local mill slowly closed. The Mill and the Village were, at that time, the primary support system for our local Tahsis and Leiner River hatcheries both financially and volunteer man/women power.

In 1999, 2000, 2001, and 2002 the Fishing remained GOOD! In 2003 there was a dramatic turn down in returning salmon to these rivers. It did not take long for the local fisher to figure out that without the local Volunteer Hatcheries efforts Fishing/Catching would not do well. Hence the reopening of the local hatcheries funded by the 1^st Salmon Enhancement Derby in 2004. A mere $2,800 was raised but, it was enough to fund the ability of the volunteers to net & milk the 2004 spawning stocks.

Yes a merge start but it worked. By 2008 fisher could count on GOOD returns and $17,600 was raised. From there everything GREW exponentially. In 2019 the Volunteer Derby Committee with Westview raised $60,363 & had long before then have reached out throughout our region with funding assistance to other Enhancement efforts. 

So there you have it - a thumbnail sketch as to how we got to where we are.

The Smithson crew. While drift Halibut Fishing/Catching on the Kyuquot gravel bar Limited on Halibut. The largest 61lb/125cm & Caught 5 bright Salmon as by-catch. How did they do that? Answer! By drifting a Coho Killer on a Mooching Rig with a banana weight while bottom bouncing for Hali. Great Fun & Very Productive!

The Happy Lachkovic Family from on Island Joe 2nd from left put the trip together for his Cousin, Uncle & Grandpa 1st time they all fished together on their own boat. Chinook limits ALL around!!! One very Happy Family Group.

Joe again with the largest of the boat’s daily limit 25 lbs. Joe is the 3M corporate rep in BC - Way to Go Joe!

Beszedes group, all hail the halibut! They wanted Great Eating Chicken Halibut. The Smiles say they are happy with their Catching results & future Fish n Chips.

Guide Ray with a very happy South Vancouver Island Couple. All smiling because in mid August the Halibut regs changed so you can keep 2 Hali per day under 90cm or Still 1 up to 126cm. SO YES, Your Possession limit in one Fishing/Catching outing.

The Franko Family - Fathers & Sons Group. They Limited on Salmon, Halibut, Lingcod in early August while fishing with Westview’s Captain Wayne. They may have been having some fun with the scale. Their 27.5 lb Chinook gained weight to 43lbs LOL Fun, Fun, Fun!

NOW we have a COVID 19 season! What to DO???

Answer from many volunteers, beneficiary of funding & FISHERS. Forge on being mindful of C-19 health/safety guidelines.

So here is the 2020 Salmon Enhancement Derby PLAN:

Dates Friday & Saturday August 28 & 29

Weather Forecast 15-21* C, Dry, Sunny, Warm, winds 4-14khr,

Tides 8/28 High 6:50am 10ft, Low 1:15pm 3.5ft a Two fish Tide Day

Tides 8/29 High 8:10am 9.7ft, Low 2:10pm 4.1ft another Two fish Tide Day

Buy your ticket by calling 250 934 7672 or emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. at the fuel dock 6am-8pm. Tickets are $100 CA/$70 US Per person. It is a GREAT way to support the Salmon Enhancement efforts if you fish in the derby or not! We accept all Credit Cards for payments. Each ticket purchasers name will be put in a draw for a brand new Suzuki 6 hp four stroke out board motor (retail value $2000) no matter if you fish or not.

Somebody is going to win a $2,000 motor for buying $100 derby ticket! The odds of winning are way better than ANY Lottery Ticket. Will it be YOU?? So make sure we have you contact info when you purchase your winning ticket!! Again, it’s a GREAT way to Support this Regions Salmon Enhancement. Thank You!!

We can sell as many tickets as we wish because those who are fishing will be out on the water with their circle of friends & family Fishing/Catching!!

Weigh IN:

Mac Easton, our former creel survey guy for many years, who now works for DFO in a head recovery program research data gathering position, has once again agreed to Manage the Weigh IN on his days off.

Anabel Jar, who for many season was a senior wait staff person here, now works as a resources manager for the Nuchatlaht band, will be teaming with Mac to lead the efforts of weight in. Weigh in begins at 10am each day & ends at 6pm daily. Aug 28 & 29 If you wish to volunteer your efforts in the weigh in process please email mac at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Strict social distancing will be in play at the weigh in station at the Marina. Be Kind, Considerate & SAFE!

Friday Events:

2-6 pm

Silent Auction - Lots of GOOD stuff. Fishing Gear, Pottery, Tools, Mystery Tool Box & Bags with Good Stuff inside always worth more than posted value, much more! It’s a Great Deal for you & help the FISH!

Buy NOW table- Buy at a 15-20% off Gift Certificates value from Campbell/local restaurants, tire shops, lodging Comfort INN CR, Coastal Mt. Fuel 100 lt. fuel certificates, Fish Processing pkg by Tahsis Fish Processing, etc.

5-8pm

Grilled Salmon Dinner or Beef Brauts w/choice of 3 salads.

Dinner is free to Derby ticket holders. Another Good reason to Buy a Derby Ticket.

50/50 buy Tickets. 1=$5 or 5=$20  ½ to the salmon enhancement fund ½ to Winner

Happy Hour drink specials!!

6-10 pm

Live entertainment featuring ”Sean Hogan” Juno winning, song writer/performer, heard often on Sirius Radio plays his favorite county/rock tunes  Fun, Fun, Fun

COVID Capacity enforced 50 persons. Derby ticket holder & Derby working Volunteers will have preferential setting- Make sure your on the ticket or Volunteer list.

Saturday Events:

2-6 pm

Silent Auction - Lots of GOOD stuff. Fishing Gear, Pottery, Tools, Mystery Bags with lots of GOOD stuff inside, Fish Packaging by Tahsis Fish Processing, much more! It’s a Great Deal for you & help the FISH!

5-8pm

Grilled Salmon Dinner or Beef Brauts w/choice of 3 salads.

Dinner is free to Derby ticket holders. Another Good reason to Buy a Derby Ticket.

50/50 buy Tickets. 1=$5 or 5=$20  ½ to the salmon enhancement fund ½ to Winner

Happy Hour drink specials!! Live entertainment – “Kenny Shaw Show” featuring Kenny/Brian/Lori- Always a Great & Funny Show!

8-9pm Award Ceremony & Live Auction - Shock Wave Seats Dave Smith/Vancouver’s Is. Catholic Bishop Gary Gordon Co-Host

Prizes: Scotty Marine fishing equipment by Scotty & Greig’s Seafoods, Weber BBQ by Super Store, Colman BBQ + power tools by Canadian Tire & Home Depot + much more

Kenny Shaw Live Auctioneer extraordinaire! Shock Wave Seats, 1/2hr Helicopter ride with E & B Helo., Get West Day Adventure Trip on Uchuck lll for 2 x 2, Nootka Air mail run flight Gold River to Kyuquot return for 2, 1 day fishing Charters with Shawzy for 5

& Ray’s Fishing for 4, Nootka Is. Lodge 4 days 3 nights Fishing Pkg. for 2 persons, Critter Cove cabin and moorage 4 nights, 3 days for 2 persons. 

9-10pm Kenny Shaw's Comedy Hour “A fun safe rewarding event that raises MUCH for regional Salmon Enhancement- Thank YOU All! Participates & Volunteers!

Every event related to this 2020 derby will be held outdoors.

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COVID Capacity enforced 50 persons. Derby ticket holder & Derby working Volunteers will have preferential setting Make sure your on the ticket or Volunteer list.

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VIP Salmon Enhancement Board results to date:

26 Donator a total of $12,952 that is an average of nearly $500 per donator.

Way to GO!!!

List of donors: VIP Salmon Enhancement Board

 $100 Platinum, $101- $250 Silver, $251- $2500 Gold every $$ Counts

 To Donate to VIP Board please call 250 934 7672 Thanks

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We Thank You ALL & the Fish Thank You!!!

To the MANY business, persons & organizations who donated this years prizes and cash

To the volunteers at the Derby events & at ALL the Hatcheries activities

To the Staff at Westview Marina & Lodge for ALL their extra efforts

“IT Still is Really ALL About the FISH”

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250 934 7672 or 800 992 3252 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Fish ON John

John Falavolito   250-934-7672 or 800-992-3252

Westview Marina & Lodge/Serving the Vacationing, Cruising and Fishing Public for 27 Years

We sell salt water         fishing licenses!