News From the Top Deck


(Photo courtesy of Lee Gallagher, of himself) Hailing from Metchosin B.C on Vancouver Island, Lee Gallagher got his start working at a marine boat rental shop in high school, which solidified what he always knew – that he wanted to work on the ocean. After high school, Lee enrolled at Camosun College in Victoria, and … Continued

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Chinook Fishing with Shaun and Lyndon Strobel

August 29, 2023

(Photo courtesy of Shaun Strobel. Shaun and Lyndon Strobel on the Eldorado boat) This summer marked a big moment in the Strobel family — both our sons, Oliver and Lyndon, now have their faces on the salmon labels of fish they caught while fishing with their dad, Shaun! The idea for Skipper Otto was born … Continued

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Smokehouse with Tseshaht Fisher Les Sam

August 8, 2023

(Photo courtesy of Sonia Strobel. Les Sam smoked salmon) If we’ve learned a thing or two, it’s that fishers know the very best ways to eat and enjoy their catch.  On a past trip up to Port Alberni in 2021, Sonia and Chris paid a visit to the Tseshaht Nation, and one of our indigenous … Continued

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Introducing Dave Martynuik our new halibut fisher!

August 2, 2023

(Photo courtesy of Dave Martynuik, of himself) Fishing can be unpredictable, and from year to year, we do our best to plan what seafood is plentiful as well as what our members love to eat, and next to salmon, that favourite is halibut! So when we were introduced to Haida fisher, Dave Martynuik, earlier this … Continued

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Fishing Adventures with Shaun and Oliver Strobel

July 31, 2023

(Photo courtesy of Shaun Strobel. Oliver Strobel on the Eldorado boat) My oldest son, Oliver, has been going out fishing with his dad, Shaun, and his grandpa, Otto, since he was 5 years old. It seems like just a couple of years ago that little boy was begging to go out fishing for the first … Continued

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(Photo courtesy of Ritchie Shaw. The Surf Isle boat at the church in Smith Inlet circa early 1960’s) Along the coast of British Columbia, there is rich history of the fishing industry and with it come tales of the boats lovingly bought and restored by fishers and boat enthusiasts. A boat mechanic in his early life, … Continued

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Baby on Board – Fishing is a Family Affair!

May 24, 2019

Pilar Martinelli, one of our lingcod fishermen, sent us this story about fishing as a family. Pilar describes the joy of including her toddler on their commercial fishing journeys! I find that most people are puzzled, worried, or shocked by the idea of taking a toddler on a working commercial fish boat, but for the … Continued

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Operation Pomfret

May 10, 2019

Pilar Martinelli, from one of our lingcod fishing families, sends this report from their ongoing lingcod fishing trip this month. This month’s story depicts the journey of a school of Pomfret fish along the Klaskino Inlet. Fishing is fishing. Day in, day out, there isn’t much variance outside the seas, winds, and weather. Some days … Continued

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Gerry

Member since 2015

"The salmon was amazing. Thanks to you and the entire Skipper Otto crew for what you do and how you do it. We are blessed to have you in the community."