The 2023 season was another incredible year at Quatsino Lodge! It was wonderful to see so many familiar faces and meet first-timers who became new friends. Thanks for booking with us!

This year the fishing was full-steam! We also saw several upgrades and changes at the lodge. Both Quatse boats were put to the test this summer and proved to be hardy West Coast Ocean vessels, and the new processing facility keeps up with our demand without a hitch. We hope you were all able to enjoy the increased quality of our fish this year, and if you need some ideas for cooking up your catch; check out the recipes on our website.

We are beyond proud of the Quatsino Lodge crew, and each team member works so hard to ensure your fishing vacation is always a trip of a lifetime. Whether you joined us for a father/son trip, a reunion with buddies, or a quest to land a trophy fish, we hope you made memories you’re still talking about.

Hope to see you in 2024!

Spring in September – We caught Spring (Chinook) salmon right up until the end of the season in mid-September. This is not always the case, as some years the September rains send them up the rivers for spawning early.

Tuna – Fishing for tuna is always a thrill, and this year we put up a fight with plenty of large ones. The average size was 25 lbs (11 kg).

Early August Tuna

These two found a few halibut just under the slot size.

On July 16 our General Manager, Breanna, and Head Guide, Mike, welcomed baby Brooke Elisabeth Wadsworth into the world. She spent most of her summer at the lodge, hard at work greeting guests and keeping the staff busy. It is no surprise that she’s already a fishin’ fool. You can expect to see her at the lodge again next year!

Quatsino Sound has an abundance of marine life: whales, sea otters, seals and sea lions, dolphins and porpoises, and bears on the shoreline. This year was especially impressive for humpback whales, with sightings during the month of June almost daily offshore and several times right in front of the lodge, making for extraordinary dinner shows.

As for bears, there was one individual we affectionately nicknamed “Grubby” that became a regular visitor to the property during peak season. At the end of the year when all was packed up and done, we also had a visit from a mother bear and her 2 cubs checking out the deck (watch the video here on our Facebook page).

Although the bears are exciting to see, they can be unpredictable and we would rather be viewing them from the boat and miles away from the lodge rather than tromping through the front yard. So, for 2024 we plan to have a new lodge dog filling the shoes of old Tyee and keeping the bears away.

Momma bear on the front lawn in September.

1. Position the sun behind or to the side of the photographer so the natural light is on the subjects.

2. Frame pictures with scenery in the composition to document the location as well as the moment.

3. Take several shots from different angles. You can always erase extra photos later.

4. Don’t take too many pictures of the angler holding the fish and looking directly at the camera, experiment with different angles and poses.

5. Include the boat, guide, and even other anglers in the shot to tell the story behind the catch.

6. Use a fill flash to freeze the action and add additional light to the angler’s face. It also brightens colors on the fish.

7. Hats and visors should be tilted up or removed to allow light on the subject’s face. Remove sunglasses as well.

8. Just prior to taking a picture, dip the fish in the water or lightly spray it down. This adds drama, action and life to the subject.

9. A bright-color hat, bandanna or shirt adds vibrancy to an otherwise bland scene. Toss a red hat or bright shirt in your gear bag and wear it for a few pictures to add some color to your shots.

* From Salt Water Sportsman; for the full story click here.

Let us know what you think! We would love to hear your thoughts on the upgrades and changes at Quatsino Lodge this summer and other comments on your experience. You can send comments to Breanna at GM@quatsinolodge.com, message us on Facebook, or post a Google review or Tripadvisor review. Also, we would love to see your fishing trip photos! Feel free to send them to tyee@quatsinolodge.com, tag Quatsino Lodge on Facebook, or #thequatsinolodge on Instagram.