2008 was a blustery year up at a Langara Island but that didn’t stop our guests from landing their fair share of Masterfisherman class Chinook (over 50 lbs.), Coho (over 20 lbs.) and halibut over (100 lbs.). In actual fact we temporarily ran out of the champagne and “MF” hats we use to celebrate these incredible catches.
The biggest news of the season came from Cohoe Point, where Eric Bruener won an epic battle that lasted two hours and produced a spectacular 65 lb. Chinook. Throughout the season we saw some truly magnificent salmon tip the scales on the Marabell’s dock.
The halibut fishery continues to grow here at Langara Island. The introduction of Bully Braid line was a contributing factor in the large halibut that have been landed by MV Marabell guests. One doesn’t have to travel far to land a nice, big fish: Jay Sweeney picked up his 133 lb. halibut just round the point from the resorts at Cox Island.
Guests come up to our MV Marabell as individual fishermen and depart as new-found friends and for many one trip just isn’t enough. Our friend Kevin McKibbin joined us for six trips in 2007 and matched it again in 2008. He joined our Masterfisherman club this year by catching and releasing a Chinook that was at least 52 lbs. Fishmaster Ken Beatty was alongside for the verification and release of that beautiful specimen. With luck it will make it up stream to pass on its great genes and allow future generations of anglers the chance to become a Masterfisherman.
We had a mostly-new crew aboard this year and they forged a team brimming with skill, courage, ambition, honour and luck. On behalf of the MV Marabell and MV Charlotte Princess crews, thank you to all for a good season.
Captain Andrew Schappy
MV Marabell
Langara Island, Queen Charlotte Islands