Kingfisher - Questions and Anwsers with Mark Pendlington


	“Why can finding big tyees on the Pacific be challenging and what is your favorite artificial technique”

	Bait is the key ingredient for big feeding Chinooks to be in any geographic location, any trophy waters are subject to this very important ingredient. I would study five of the top rated locations each year and plan your fishing trips accordingly. For example, Canada’s Department of Fisheries and Oceans (ADD LINK) or (Add USA LINK) can provide catch statistics and cycle year information to add to your research on potential locations from information gathered from lodges angler yearly catch research figures to determine hot spots. I have seen high producing locations in the past get very slow due to lack of herring or needlefish in the area. I believe that the bait is the key and whether it is offshore or inshore you just have to find where the concentrations of bait are and understand that the ocean acts like a river with tides and bait builds up at leading points in the kelp and underwater structure depending on which way the tide is pushing. Also, watch birds crashing down and feeding while fishing is slow as this gives away bait location every time. My favorite artificial technique when using my downriggers is a Luhr Jensen chrome dodger, 4-5 ft of 25-30lb leader, light green hootchie rigged with two Gamakatusu #4 octopus hooks. I fish the downriggers at 35- 37 feet when fishing in tight inshore conditions in around 70 to 100 ft of water.

	“Is it possible to take salmon on the dry fly in open saltwater and can you point me in a direction for success”

	Yes, the best spot in the world to fly fish for silver Coho salmon using dry foam baitfish type patterns on the surface is near BC’s Prince Rupert at Dundas or nearby Xayas Island. I have never found any spot as consistent as it seems this area holds big numbers of feeding Coho salmon for longer periods during July and August. Safety is priority number one in these areas due to the fog that can happen very quickly so make sure to have depth finder, GPS and radar with correct Navionics charts as I have been caught out in this area in another guides boat that had broken electronics and in fog you are a sitting duck for land pinnacles and passing ships.

	“What is the best steelhead bait to use in low and clear river conditions?”

	When fishing low and clear water conditions and regulations allow, I prefer a small spawn sac rigged with size 2 or 4 Gamakatsu red octopus hooks and reduce to 8lb Ultra green leaders to finesse light biting steelhead.

	“What was your biggest Tyee and where and how was it caught”

	My biggest ocean caught Tyee was around 50lbs was landed at McPherson Point in BC’s Queen Charlotte Islands while mooching cut plug herring. My second biggest fish I remember was landed in Camano sound and it was over 50lbs on cut plug herring with downriggers. My biggest river caught Tyee was plug pulling on the Kitimat River with guide Justin Gyger at around 50lbs. I think I may have been close to the 60 lb range at times, but as I release all the fish when filming I am going by guides’ expert opinion.

	“Do you always fish in BC or do you go anywhere else in North America”

	“My favorite RV'ing and sportfishing winter location is the California Baja which is breathtaking for the 1,500 km drive from San Diego to Cabo San Lucas. My second favorite North American destination is the Florida Keys and the best part is you can drive to these locations and as I enjoy RV’ing with the family, these are two of the best options for me. Both these locations provide unlimited sportfishing opportunities and a relaxed atmosphere that one has to experience to believe. My 2525 Kingfisher Pro Series behind my RV let’s me fish anywhere from BC’s Queen Charlotte islands to the Florida Keys, it’s a great boat that does not limit my sport fishing adventures when traveling!”

	“Where is my best bet in BC’s Interior to catch a large Kamloops rainbow trout?”

	“If I had to produce a 6-10lb fish…I think May and June at the Corbett lake Country Inn in Merritt BC or Stoney Lake on the Douglas Lake Ranch for private fisheries. For public lakes Dragon Lake in Quesnel in September/October before ice on with a black leech on a type 6 super fast sink line double anchored in 12-15ft of water on the shoal and casting 70 ft into 25-35 feet of water slowly stripping the leech up from the bottom toward the boat.

	“I would like to try plugging for Chinooks. What gear, line and plugs do you recommend”

	“These can be huge fish so if I have two other persons in the boat I use three Fenwick HMX 90MXT 9’0” 15-30lb MH power which are rigged with Abu Garcia Record 60 with High line Capacity spools loaded with 25lb Maxima Ultragreen as the main line straight to the pink or orange magnum Wiggle Wart with fast change clip. I fish 3 rods on the front, one left, one center and one right and keeping plugs within 30-40 feet of the boat.”

	“I am taking up fly fishing what fly lines do I need and how many different rod weights are necessary”

	“For still waters and small rivers a 5wt is all you need with a dry line, intermediate and type six full sink lines will cover all the options. For open saltwater and big rivers an 8wt with a dry line, 225 drain 24 ft tip, a intermediate clear line and a 350 grain 24-30 ft tip will cover most applications you will ever come across in BC!”

	“Where is my best chance of hooking the Tyee of a lifetime?”

	“There are several good locations, but my top picks would be BC’s Queen Charlotte Islands and Prince Rupert with a guide for a weekend or week in July or August.

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