recreational halibut season may be winding down, but at least two Vancouver residents will remember it with fondness — and maybe a few aching muscles.
Gordon Webb, the owner of the Deep Bay RV Park, reports that the two men, Shawn Kirkpatrick and Kevin Perry, were fishing for Chinook salmon with a hoochie and a flasher at the mouth of the Little Qualicum River recently when they hooked onto something big — really big.
It took a titanic struggle to land the fish, a halibut, because they were using regular salmon trolling rod at the time.
They persevered however and managed to land the whopper, which they later found out weighed in at 68 pounds.
• The final tally is in and the French Creek Marina Fishing Derby, sponsored by Save On Foods raised $1,500 for the Mariion Baker Fish Hatchery.
The event was such a success, say organizers, they are hoping to make it an annual event.
• Sea Cadets and Navy League members are once again preparing to welcome a new batch of recruits.
Navy League SLt. Carol Calder reports that her group will be holding a special registration event next week, welcoming newcomers at Parksville Elementary School on Monday, Sept. 12, starting at 6:30 p.m.
Navy League is designed for children aged nine to 12 years.
The RSCC Esquimalt Sea Cadets held their registration on Wednesday, Sept. 7.
Calder said Navy League teaches sportsmanship, leadership, teamwork and discipline, as well as sailing and camping skills.
“There’s a lot that they learn,” she said. “They also do a lot of fun activities.”
Both groups meet one night per week, unless they are doing special activities.