Today we say a fond farewell to our opening Chef Rafael. Rafael gave of his passion for food and received many great reviews on our first few trips of the season. We wish him well as he heads home to a family emergency and hope we may once again enjoy...
Category: Community , News
Welcome Todd Greene, Kirk and Larry Erb. We are lucky to have so many guests who have become good friends over the years. Sharing not only fishing memories, but life's special moments as well. Everything from watching the kids become young adults over the years and start their careers to...
Category: Community , Decade Club
The Tyee are in Hakai Pass! Not only has Coho fishing been awesome to date, the Chinook are putting smiles on faces and Tyee Pins on chests. Guests who are being careful not to fill out their card with Coho, are keeping one or two slots open are spending time...
Category: Community , News
Can you believe how beautiful it has turned out today. A perfect day for a flight along BC's Rain Coast whether arriving or departing.... as well as a wonderful day for new arrivals first day of fishing. Tight lines to all....
Category: Photography
A very warm welcome to Steve Jones to Ole’s Decade Club, celebrating the ten years of fishing and friendship bonds forged in Hakai Pass. Over the years we have shared every kind of imaginable experience, from years of great abundance, years of rain, to seasons of draught (some years of...
Category: Community , Decade Club
What a morning, Bayley is on fire again, a repeat performance. The morning started out a bit foggy but the the optimism was high, with our fleet out in force at Bayley the fish have come in. A dejavu of last seasons abundance has kicked off our season ! Ok,...
Category: Community
As the first fishers drift in for lunch from their morning fish the activity on the dock starts to build the excitment to see everyone's morning's catch. You never know which tide is going to prove to be the best fishing or what kinds of fish fishermen will bring in...
Category: Uncategorized
Ole’s Decade club welcomes Dale Sawchuk, our 87th guest to receive the traditional “hand shaken” martini and induction to our club. Recognizing and celebrating a decade of Trips to Ole’s. Dale comes this year as our guest, not only as a thank you but also as an acknowledgment of the...
Category: Community , Decade Club , News
Rafael stepped out the door this morning and caught this beauty of a halibut being scaled. Congrats to the fishers on bringing in this beauty and thanks to Rafael for sharing with us.
Category: Community
We are ready. Our first guests arrive in 10 minutes and we are relaxed and ready. A little overcast today but brightening fast and the seas are like glass for the first day of fishing. Watch the activity on the dock on our web cams.... the weather cam refreshes on...
Category: Community
Look what we found while rigging up. Hmm I think we will hang on to it for a while. You never know...
Category: Uncategorized
The new hot tub is sporting it's new decking surface now! We'll be ready for danglers and dunkers alike with lots of room to sit around the edge of the new tub or sit right down for a soak ... things are almost ready to go!
Category: News
Wind in the face and salt spray in the air... who can resist booting it to get to their favorite fishing area in Hakai Pass.... Well, guests will be doing just that this season with the bakers dozen of brand new tiller Yamaha 4 stroke 40's we've just received.... Boatland...
Category: News
Along with the weather, and it has been hot the last couple of days here, things are really starting to heat up on the installation of the new hot tub! A few days ago a crane lifted the new hot tub into place and now the work begins installing the...
Category: News
A Baker's dozen of Brand New Yamaha 40 HP engines arrived today... They are still in their shipping boxes on their pallets awaiting set up and and being made ready to take Ole's Guests out fishing .... but that will come over the next few days!
Category: News
If you are a fan of reality TV.... there is a fairly new show that takes place in our own back yard. Called Alone, this challenge takes place at the northern tip of Vancouver Island where 10 competitors are isolated in different bays and coves to challenge themselves for a...
Category: Entertainment , News , Photography
This season we will also be welcoming Isabelle back to Ole's Summer Crew. Guests who visited Ole's during the 2012, 2013 and 2014 fishing season's will have been greated by Isabelle's ready smile and we are looking forward to having her return for another busy fishing season! Isabelle has been...
Category: Community , News
Ernie, Tammy and Holly have been off trekking on the Kettle Valley Railway Trail for a last break before the summer sets in and the busy fishing season is upon us… It is Holly’s first road trip with her new family and she is right in her element galloping along...
Category: Community , News
We are sending wishes and support to our Alberta Neighbours and guests many of whom are affected by the devastating fire that threatens to engulf all of for Fort McMurray and has already burnt more than 1600 homes and structures. We hope everyone will send thoughts of rain and and...
Category: Community , News
It seems research has gotten a little closer to figuring out the cyclic episodes of starfish wasting disease that have periodically occurred on both North American shores and been recorded over quite a number of years…. Scientists now know it is related to starfish associated densovirus because of the higher...
Category: Photography
The Global ARGO Array sounds like something from a science fiction movie doesn’t it. Well, it’s not, it’s a series of more than 3500 Robotic free floating probes deployed to monitor the changes in the oceans temperature and salinity supported a network of 30 partner nations offering worldwide coverage. Established...
Category: News , Photography
A new study brings to light the incidence of drugs and found in the juvenile chinook salmon caught in Puget sound in September 2014. Such drugs as cocaine, Advil, Prozac, Lipitor, Benedryl, and more were found present in the tissues of the tested salmon as well as sculpin that resided...
Category: News
So many opportunities are available for seasonal work but getting your resumes in early for the positions you really want is important. When you are young with few commitments you have the opportunity to stretch your wings, challenge the limits of your comfort zone and try something a little out...
Category: Community , News
Whether you look at the past and trends, the scientific information collected over many season's or buy a farmer's almanac the end result of determining the potential for each year's catch comes down to many factors, one of which is luck! Thanks to Gary and Todd and everyone else who...
Category: News
Pacific Herring have long been used for both food and bait. Over the years DFO, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, has been tracking harvest, age and roe to acertain the quality and quanity of the biomass of herring in Pacific waters. From peaks after monitoring commenced (though there have...
Category: Fishing Tips
Good new for fishers. The Blob has disappeared! No not the movie "The Blob" but the pool of exceptionally warm ocean water that has been bringing tropical species of fish into British Columbia waters and affecting the migration and health of the salmon, the feeding habits of the halibut, the...
Category: News
As everyone knows 2015 was Ernie's 20th year at Ole's and we celebrated 20 years of great crews with a photo album of each year from 1996 - 2015. We wanted to take that one step further and celebrate Hakai Pass, the fishing, the lodge and guests and the evolution...
Category: Community
A New Year has just begun with all the promise of new beginnings, a fresh start and an end to the colder weather on the horizon... (at least in the Northern Hemisphere) ..... and what better way to start out the year than to bring a new friend into your...
Category: Community
Anywhere near Denver? Come out and visit Ernie at the Colorado Convention Center at 700 - 14th Street in Denver Colorado between January 14th and January 17th 2016. Ernie is near casting pond "A" and would love to have you stop by and say hello!
Category: News
Hurry up and wait has been the situation with this year's tow south to the barge's winter home with the unseasonably early Pacific storm bringing stong winds and heavy rains the the Pacific coastal areas. But... finally the winds abated and the sea settled into a calmer state allowing the...
Category: News , Photography
Our last trip treated us to a two ended rainbow, quite spectacular as seen from the lodge. Our season began on a high note and like the rainbow ended likewise. With guests saying farewell for another year, our crew now thinking of home, school, loved ones and travel, the seasons...
Category: Community
As we welcome the first of our group of Swedish and Canadian friends, Stig, Lars and Mike into the Decade Club, we reflect on the time together. Time seems to stand still here in Hakai, so when you step off the plane on the arrival day it feels like no...
Category: Decade Club , News
What a terrific year for Chinook and what a great year for Tyee. This year I will likely need to re-order our coveted Ole's Hakai Pass pins handed out for Tyee. Last night saw 4 more handed out to Mario de Ferrari, Sam Conde Jr., Cruz Apestegui and Battesimo Palamara...
Category: Community
Every day begins with the tough decision, where to fish. With good fishing along the racetrack and some nice big Chinook coming in it is tempting. Then of course there is the unparalleled Coho fishing at Bayley. Not to mention the occasional Spring. So some choose to stay on the...
Category: Community
The crew here at Ole’s do put in long days and some late nights during the season. With guest change-over twice a week, fish processing, boxing and maintaining the Lodge at the end of the shift the crew needs to rest up for the next day. But there always seems...
Category: Community
A Little Hakai Beauty as shared by guest Sascha Daley... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4WxmxKmSfo
Category: Photography
The Ole’s crew rocks SPY Optics sunglasses. Have a look at the crew showing off the latest in SPY Optics compliments or Myrosha Daley. Myrosha was here with his bro Sascha on the last trip and as the BC rep for Spy Optics layed some on the Crew. Talk about...
Category: Community
First full day of their trip and the Dominican group has snagged the largest fish of the season ! Domingo Viyella Jr and Battesimo Palamara Hermida were in the right place at the right time this morning. Right on low slack at the Racetrack and wham, the chinook takes it...
Category: Community
We have a great mix of young and young at heart, returning and new guests, experienced and novice anglers with us this trip and everyone seems to be doing very well. Great bite on at the Racetrack, followed by another at Bayley and then Kelpie and back to the Racetrack....
Category: Community
Brothers Myrosha and Sascha are back in Hakai Pass once again, killing it at Bayley and cruising the Racetrack just like the good old days. Having grown up working on the docks at Ole’s, it is a special trip this year to visit Dad and celebrate his 20th season together....
Category: Community
What a great start to the day when we had newlyweds Ryan and Kristine Hughes pulling back into the dock first thing this morning with a Tyee still thumping in the net. Weighing in at 31.5 lbs, a terrific way to commemorate their first fishing trip together at Ole's. The...
Category: Community
By now the familiar "hand shaken" sound of a Martini being made in the dining room is a sign of only one thing. And many in the room know what it is because they have already received theirs. Who would have guessed that 10 years ago when Gary Darley, Nancy...
Category: Community , Decade Club
The fishing is great of course and rain or shine you can see the guests are always having fun at Ole's. Here is just a sample of the our current guests smiling faces, coming from across the continent with different fishing experiences and coming together at Ole's Hakai Pass, spreading...
Category: Community
Fishing at Barney Point has been terrific this last few trips and the best part is there is no one there ! So lots of opportunity for those big Chinook that come through. With everyone at Bayley Point, Barney is just not getting the love. As well there are a...
Category: Uncategorized
What’s in a name, well lots really, in fact Kelpie point is a good example, if you have ever been there at the end of the racetrack you will know because of all the kelp. But really we are going to be applying a new name to Kelpie point because...
Category: Community
The 3rd Tyee in as many days has just come in from the Racetrack. Congratulations to Perry Eastman on a beautiful fish and great job on the net to Denis Turcotte seen here right after the epic battle. More fresh fish continue to show up each day now and the...
Category: Community , News
Will you look at this, fishing at Kelpie point has been pretty good lately and the coho are a nice size. But this one takes the cake. Coho are energetic and veracious feeders and they start quite young as you can see. It does not seem to matter that the...
Category: Fishing Tips
Well the trip starts off with a Tyee for Kameron Erb ! In less than an hour on the water after arriving, we have a new member of the Tyee Club. While trolling on the racetrack with Dad an uncle Gary it wasn't long before the fight was on, and...
Category: Community
Well if you read the last blog you know the Erb boys can fish, well they did it again ! Now Kameron has 2 Tyee Pins to his credit, this time along with 3 genrations, Kameron his Dad Kirk and Grampa Larry. Once again the pressure was on the net...
Category: Community
We have a largely new crew this year and I am so excited to be working with them. Many guests ask me about the challenges of having so many new crew, all the training and pressures and what we have found is just the opposite. This crew has brought with...
Category: Community , News
Well the world is upside down now with the weather pretty much everywhere, even in Hakai Pass drought conditions have us practicing conservation. But the good news is the seasons are kinda mixed up too. With Spring here in the middle of Summer, well Spring Salmon that is ! Our...
Category: News
Mary was presented with the traditional ceremonial martini as she joined husband Doug in the Decade Club. Doug became a member last year and you may recall he had his martini for breakfast ! Mary and Doug have been fishing together at Ole's for a decade and the memories shared...
Category: Decade Club
Welcome Mike Lovell and David Codding to the Ole's Decade Club! Celebrating 10 years of fishing and friendship with a ceremonial "hand shaken' martini to commemorate the bonds developed over a decade, and honored with a free trip. Many great memories are shared each time we have new members inducted...
Category: Decade Club
We welcome our good friend and long time crew member Joel Morrison to Ole’s as our guest. There has been a longstanding tradition when the crew would relax and undwind to do so with a “sharpie stash”, and the more creative the better. So what could be more appropriate to...
Category: Community , News
At this time of year we get a lot of enquiries from upcoming trips guests about how the fishing is. Well as they say every picture tells a story and this story is all about Coho at Bailey ! We have just had a couple days on this current Trip...
Category: Community , News
Fishing has been terrific this past week and word is getting out not only amongst our guests but also in the wild. While fishing at Bailey this morning Jim and his son Connor had a nice Coho on giving them the usual acrobatic and unpredictable runs. They noticed a sea...
Category: Community
Having a father who runs a fishing lodge certainly can have it’s perks and a visit up to Ole’s Hakai Pass is one of them. When a single spot opened up on a recent Trip, Kira was invited to come and visit Dad. It does sound pretty glamerous running a...
Category: Community
Hakai Pass was truely is a sailor's delight tonight welcoming our new guests with an awesoesunset and a peacefull calm evening inviting everyone to get aquainted with their fellow fishers and enjoy relaxing on the deck or in the lounge area after a great day of fishing and a fabulous...
Category: Photography
Our season opens with a nice 42 lb Chinook ! Congratulations Matt Philipchuk and Andrew Filipchuk, keen greenhorns fishing Hakai Pass for the first time. While fishing Barney Point this afternoon Matt heard a zing and his reel suddenly took off. He grabbed the rod and started reeling and it...
Category: Community , News
After a long hard day of work setting up, the crew unwind and cool off with the annual paddle board race challenge! Racing against each other Ernie and Mitchell, Gillian and Chloe and Liam and Taylor. It was all in fun and a good way to unwind!
Category: Uncategorized
We've arrived in Hakai Pass! A beautiful morning towing into Hakai Pass at first light at 6:00 am! 6 hours later we are all tied up just waiting for the docks to arrive to begin the momentous task of setting up for the 2015 season! It looks like it is...
Category: News , Photography
The docks are now arriving and the action ramps up as the crew gets down to the heavy work of anchoring the docks to the barge and then to each other.... Once the docks are in place the work will begin on readying the boats for the season...
Category: News
The crew quarters transformation continues and it is looking awesome! Everything new from the ground (or should we say "barge") up. Comfort and elegance welcome the 2015 crew including a brand new air circulation system, all new bunks and storage space.... The cleaning begins in earnest now with Chloe and...
Category: News
Joel's own decade club, we say farewell to our best this season and wish Joel every good fortune as he makes his way on a new path. With 10 seasons at Ole's Joel went from a keen green young dock boy to top dog. Meeting every challenge with enthusiasm, there...
Category: Community , Decade Club , News
The work on board the Ole's barge continues... The new deck is now completed and the construction inside the crew quarters and work space is nearly complete. Ernie has now turned his eye sky high "literally". A new antenna is being erected with the help of a crane to ensure...
Category: News
This season we welcome Taylor McArthur aboard! Taylor grew up in Montreal and spent summer canoe tripping in the Temagami area of northern Ontario as well as pickerel fishing in Lake Nipissing near his families cottage. In 2007 on his first trip west Taylor fell in love with the Monashee...
Category: Community , News
A warm welcome to our new chef for 2015 Gisou Nourollahi. Gisou hails from Whistler, BC. She was Persian born but Gisou came to Canada, which she considers home, as a baby and spent many years in Montreal. She loves life and thoroughly enjoys cooking and creating which is evident...
Category: Community , News
For the 2015 season Ole's welcomes Benjamin Nuez to the team! Ben hails from the Comox Valley and has just completed his third year of Chem / EOS at the Unliversity of Victoria. No stranger to a kitchen Ben joins the team as Kitchen Assistant this season. Ben worked many...
Category: Community , News
Welcome aboard to Chloe Bourassa d'Estimauville who hails from Quebec and has the accent to prove it. You will see Chloe all over the lodge this summer. Chloe loves surfing, traveling and the outdoors and is currently studying nursing in Quebec.This will be her first time working at a fishing...
Category: Community , News
The work continues on the replacement deck! Much of the work that has taken place over the last month will never be seen with all the supports under the deck and the refinishing of the barge deck but the results are seen here with Ernie sweeping the new wood deck...
Category: News
A very warm welcome aboard to Mitchell Lavigne who will be joining Ole's crew this season. A native of 100 Mile House, BC, Mitchell has lived in many places and as a result connects easily with people and is ready with a joke to make you feel at ease. Mitchell...
Category: Community , News
We want to welcome Liam Richardson aboard. Liam will be joining the Ole's crew this summer. Liam hails from Comox and is currently studying Enlgish at the University of Victoria. Liam loves travelling and scuba diving and brings his enthusiasm and ready smile into everything he does. Please help us...
Category: Community , News
This season we welcome Andraya Walters to Ole's crew! Andraya hails from Black Creek, a small rural community that is about half way between Campbell River and the Comox valley where she grew up with her parents and 3 siblings but will be studying nursing at Camosun College in Victoria...
Category: Community , News
A warm welcome back to Gillian! Gillian has been working on her BA in Phsychology and will be graduating this December! When not studying Gillian likes to enjoy the beauty of Vancouver Island, hiking, kayaking and camping among other things. Guests at Ole's in 2011, 2012 and 2013 will remember...
Category: Community , News
This season we welcome Alysha Quiring to Ole's Crew! Though Alysha has been going to school at the University of Victoria working towards her BA in Psychology she originally hails from the beautiful small town of Comox. She loves being active and being close to the organic beauty of nature....
Category: Community , News
Literally! Ole's is all decked out.... The old main deck is being ripped out and a new deck is going to be constructed! Here are the crew madly working to prepare for the construction of the new deck! Do you recognize Isabelle among the crew? You'll see her during the...
Category: News
The Sportfish Guide is now available as a PDF on the Department of fisheries web site. For those who would like to review the guide before their trip ... just follow the link to the Guide.
Category: Fishing Tips , News
It was wedding bells this weekend for Sascha Porteous and Nickey Wall! Sascha and Nickey met when they both came to work for Ole's for the summer of 2011 and when they both returned to work at Ole's for the summer of 2012 it was clear their friendship had deepened...
Category: Community
Our 2014 Season has now wrapped up and we are busy with the tasks of closing down the lodge for another season. The list of things we still want to do lingers, seems like we just got started. While we go about our packing, still in our minds the fresh...
Category: Community
The fishing continues to be stellar and the first day for this group has produced not only some nice fish but also some nice smiles. Great weather, great fishing, food and friends makes for an excellent start to the trip for our new group. All the action at Bayley Point...
Category: Community
A Bayley TYEE for Sam Conde! What once was a rare occurrence of catching a chinook at Bayley has become common place this season. We have seen not just awesome Coho fishing, but also more Chinook coming from Bayley than anywhere else this season. Spending the day at Bayley with...
Category: Community
Where time goes no one knows but the memories stay! We share a celebration of a decade of fishing and friendship with Norman, Claus, Raul and Eric on their induction into Ole's Decade club. This group from the Dominican Republic has been coming since 2003 and the pics of their...
Category: Community , Decade Club
New season record Coho for Edgar "Eggy" Pichardo. Coho Fishing has been so great at Bayley, guests have the quality problem of choosing which ones to keep. On August 18th Edgar Sr. "Eggy" and Edgar Jr. headed off to fish the morning tide. Lady luck had her eyes on Eggy...
Category: Community , News
Day one, within hours of arriving at Ole's, Ernesto was heading back into the dock. After a quick trip out to Bayley and picking up a couple of Coho with Alex they head back to the racetrack and pick up another Coho. But ..... what was on Ernesto's mind was...
Category: Community
The action at Bayley has been terrific and continues to draw the crowds. Crowds of Coho and crowds of guests. This group has enjoyed great Coho fishing in spectacular weather. A great group of father/sons, husband/wives and family has generated a wonderful treasure trove of memories. Truly time well spent...
Category: Community
Wow, can you say COHO. Fishing has been nothing short of spectacular at Bayley Point this season, the Coho just keep on coming and much to everyone's surprise the Chinook are getting into the action too. Here is just a sample of the happy anglers who have enjoyed the good...
Category: Entertainment , Recipes , Techniques
GOOD Morning.....What a terrific start to the day! Quite the adventure this morning as the heavy fog made getting out to the hali grounds a real challenge. But once there, the skys turned blue and fishing was fast and fantastic. And just as we finished fishing the heavy fog rolls...
Category: Recipes , Uncategorized
First day on the water for our new group and it could not get any better, great fishing, kicking back in Hakai Pass. It was a simply beautiful and idealic day and the fishing continues to be terrific. Most of the action had been at Bayley the last week and...
Category: News
Once again the hand shaken martini ceremony is shared with another guest who has shared a decade of experiences, fishing stories and friendship. We are delighted to welcome Carol Smith to the Deacade Club as she celeberates her 10 years of fishing with Ole's with a free trip. In the...
Category: Community , Decade Club
On what can only be described as a "bluebird day", perfect in every way. Halibut fishing on the morning low and with the tide change after lunch Gary and grandson Jacob head for the Racetrack looking for Chinook. Gary has been showing Jacob how to fish Hakai, sharing his decade...
Category: News
Some folks just have a knack for attracting Chinook, seem to be in the right place at the right time and with come up with Tyee without really trying. Emily Cheatham is one of those lucky people. Check out the nice 31.5 Spring caught on the Racetrack, a last quick...
Category: Community
Congratulations to Doug Bosko on his free Trip honoring his 10 years fishing at Ole's Hakai Pass. Doug receives his hand-shaken martini with a twist from Ernie as he is welcomed into Ole's Decade Club! Doug is our 78th member and we are delighted to have had the opportunity to...
Category: Community , Decade Club
New Season record 54.5 !What a fish, what a fish story. Darold was fishing with his wife Linda who are both members of Ole's Tyee club at Bayley Point on Day two of their trip doing pretty well on the Coho. While fishing that morning one of their salmon reels...
Category: Community , News
We are thrilled to be able to celebrate the second decade with our guests Steve and Doug Price, the undisputed kings of Hakai Pass. Steve and Doug know more about fishing in Hakai than anyone and the knowledge comes from a passion for Hakai and experience on the water. Steve...
Category: Community , Decade Club
Here we have the classic case of knowing when to quit, Ken and Mike headed out to Bayley this morning with a game plan, get 6 nice Coho (3 each) and save their last slot for the day for a nice Chinook. It did not take them long, they were...
Category: Community
Wow, 16 Halibut in 24 minutes ! Fishing continues to impress, and the day starts off with a bang ! 8 boats head out this morning after Continental Breakfast for some hali fishing on day two. Oh man, we drop down and boat after boat are hooking up, I give...
Category: News
Ole's is pleased to announce our latest addition to our offering of services to our guests. With a Registered Massage Therapist on staff we now can offer the most requested service. A professional massage on the upper deck Pergola. With the Hakai Pass as the backdrop, imagine relaxing to the...
Category: News
My oh my, what a way to start of a trip. Gage Woodring fishing with his dad Robert out on their first afternoon at Bayley Point landed a nice 20.5 Chinook! Caught all by himself, no help from Dad, you can tell Gage is one proud and accomplished angler. After...
Category: Community
First day of our season and first time fishing here for Aniana Viyella and call it what you will, beginners luck, lady luck and more likely just a damn good fisher-gal. Aniana has the biggest chinook of the day and starts our season off with a bang. Big tides this...
Category: News
