Dock Talk

Every week our Marine Activities Manager Dwayne Mustard provides us with a fishing report. Are you wondering what the tides will be like? Curious where people are catching fish? Or maybe you're just looking for some good fishing stories. If so, you've come to the right place. Here is Dwayne's latest entry:

I don’t know if you have ever noticed that big tide swings always seem to coincide with nasty weather but it was certainly that way over the weekend. Thirty knot winds and sideways rain make fishing difficult at the best of times, but when you add in a weed-filled seven knot tide rip it can become an exercise in frustration. But that didn’t deter our guide Russ Lim from taking his mom Jan out for for their traditional Mother’s Day fish. Russell (as his mom calls him), his fiance Jen and mom Jan all bundled up against the elements and bounced off south toward the Lighthouse. They are perhaps the most fishing crazed trio of angler’s in our fair city and they were gonna let a little foul weather spoil their fun, dammit. An hour later they returned from the Lighthouse, wetter than a crab at high tide, with a nice spring salmon in tow. So the fish are there, it is just a matter of getting to them.

This Victoria Day long weekend should see some more favourable fishing conditions. Environment Canada is calling for nice weather and while you can’t always rely on Environment Canada, you can rely on the Government of Canada tide tables and this weekend will see some fairly light tides. Your best salmon tides of the weekend will be fairly early in the morning, so don’t stay up drinking all night. But midday will see minimal tide movements on Friday, Saturday and Sunday so it might be a good time to see if there are any halibut hanging out at the Hump or off Shelter Point. Send down your salmon gear and who knows? That next big strike might just be a barn door hali!

Until next week,

Tight lines and keep on fishin’

Dwayne

This year’s Spring Fling Salmon Derby has been running for the last week and the fishing has been great. Both Painter’s Lodge and April Point have been reeling in loads of fish and this is just the beginning. The derby runs until June 8^th, so there’s still lots of time to get in on the action.

Our savvy guides seem to know exactly where the fishing is good. So far this year the hot spots have been south of Campbell River at Shelter Point and The Hump, with most of our boats returning from there with one or two fish.

Part of my job as Marketing Coordinator is to take pictures of all the catches. It’s amazing how just catching one fish can make someone’s day. Whether it’s a 7 pounder or a 17 pounder, people are all smiles when they get back to the dock with a fish. Even those that don't catch seem to enjoy themselves, with tons of wildlife on display while they’re out on the water.

There have been some pretty impressive fish brought back this week, but so far our derby leader is Philippe Blondel, who caught a 20.8 pounder. That’s a tough number to beat, but with 28 days still to go we could very well see a new leader before things wrap up.

So besides all the fish and all the fun, why should you join in? Because we are offering some great prizes! The person who catches the biggest fish during the derby will win a 4 day/3 night fishing package for 2 at Painter’s Lodge. Second prize isn’t too shabby either, with the runner up receiving a 3 day/2 night adventure package at April Point Resort & Spa, including your choice of two of the following: A 4 hour fishing trip, a whale watching adventure, a $200 spa credit or 18 holes of golf at Storey Creek. There are also daily prizes at both Painter’s Lodge and April Point for the biggest fish caught that day. On top of all of that, everyone who catches a Chinook is entered to win our bonus prize: A 3 day/2 night fishing package at the Canadian Princess Resort in Ucluelet.

So what are you waiting for? If you haven’t booked your fishing trip already then now’s the time! We’re offering a special Spring Fling Derby Package: $329 for two nights accommodation and two guided fishing tours. I’m looking forward to taking pictures of more people holding giant fish. Who knows? Maybe my next picture will be of you!

Catch you later,

Travis

April Point is known for its beautiful location and fantastic views. With wildlife virtually everywhere you look and the ocean right outside the dining room it’s a fantastic place to go for a leisurely lunch or a romantic dinner. Now, you have one more reason to head over to Quadra Island for your next meal.

New executive chef JD Runnells has created a brand new menu that promises to have something for everyone. With a fantastic selection of seafood, steak, chicken, fresh salads and more, we promise you won’t be disappointed.  And don’t fear sushi lovers, sushi is still available and is as delicious as ever.

If you’re not interested in dealing with the ferry, simply drive to our sister resort, Painter’s Lodge. From there you can catch the free water taxi to April Point. You may even see some seals, sea lions or orcas along the way.

With Mother’s Day this Sunday, now is the perfect time to give our Dining Room a try. Brunch will be offered and we’ll be pulling out all the stops. Our chefs are working hard to take this year’s brunch to the next level, so we hope to see you there. Reservations are recommended.

Catch you later,

Travis

With opening day less than 24 hours away, the Painter’s Lodge and April Point Resort & Spa crew are working furiously to get things ready. The gardeners are putting the final touches on the grounds, the kitchens are perfecting their menus, and everyone is pitching in to make sure these two resorts are in pristine condition.

It may only be our first week, but we already have lots on tap. The 8^th Annual Photographers at Painter’s kicks off on May 3^rd. Some of British Columbia’s premiere photographers will be descending upon Painter’s Lodge to participate in presentations, panel discussions and more. It’s the perfect event for aspiring photographers or anyone interested in the art of still photos. Passes are still available, so register today before it’s too late! Call 1-800-663-7090 to order.

Brunch will also be available at Painter’s Lodge this weekend on both Saturday and Sunday, so locals are encouraged to come by for a meal. A breakfast buffet will be held from 8 am to 10 am, followed by full brunch which will be served until 2 pm. After sampling some of the food today I can assure it’s worth the trip. Reservations are recommended.

Those who are looking for a unique dining experience are encouraged to take the free water taxi from Painter’s Lodge to dine at April Point. The Quadra Island resort features a new menu created by executive chef JD Runnells that’s sure to have something for everyone. It’s the same great location with some fresh new twists, so be sure to check it out.

Finally, our Spring Fling Derby will be held from May 2^nd to June 8^th. Every Chinook (Spring) salmon caught at Painter’s Lodge and April Point will automatically be entered to win a prize. The angler with the biggest Chinook each day will win a prize, and at the end of the derby we’ll tally up all the catches and award some huge prizes, including a trip for two to Painter's Lodge. Special Derby Packages are available (go to http://www.painterslodge.com/lodge/events/spring-fling-salmon-derby/ for pricing) so don’t miss out on all the action.

Painter’s Lodge and April Point Resort & Spa are officially open at noon tomorrow, so I hope to see you there.

Catch you later,

Travis

Crew orientation for Painter’s Lodge and April Point Resort & Spa was held today. New and returning crew arrived on site and everyone was buzzing with anticipation. I could tell I wasn’t the only one exciting about working here this season.

After an informative presentation by resort managers Christine Fleming and Matthew Arnott, the kitchen staff provided a delicious lunch for all the employees. Then, everyone broke into their departments and was given a tour of the property. Overall, the day was a huge success. All the crew were in a great mood and it looks like this year’s group is top notch!

With opening day on May 2^nd, all the departments are wrapping up their preparation for the new season. After being here for the last week and meeting all the new crew I know this is going to be another great year for Painter’s Lodge and April Point.

Make sure to check back with me next week for information on the Spring Fling Derby and Photographers at Painter’s.

Catch you later,

Travis

Hey there! My name is Travis and I’ll be keeping you up to date on all the happenings at Painter’s Lodge and April Point Resort & Spa throughout the 2013 season.

Before I go any further, let me just congratulate last year’s Resort Marketing Coordinator, Joanna, on the upcoming birth of her new baby! Everyone at Painter’s Lodge and April Point wishes her the best and she will be sorely missed. While Joanna is enjoying the wonders of motherhood I will be working hard to fill in for her this season. She is not someone who is easily replaced, but I will try my best to live up to her high standards.

I grew up right here in Campbell River, making me well acquainted with the local scenery and history. I worked at Painter’s Lodge for a number of years in a variety of different positions before moving to Vancouver to pursue a career in marketing. However, after a few years and many great experiences in the big city, the desire to move back across the water was too strong. Simply put, nothing beats Vancouver Island! I am so glad that the wonderful people at Painter’s Lodge and April Point have welcomed me back and allowed me to continue my career in a place I love. I’ve renewed some old friendships and met many new faces, but everyone has been equally friendly and I’m sure this will be another great season.

We have so many exciting events planned for this year, including the 19^th annual Painters at Painter’s, the Women’s Fishing Derby and many Live and Learn programs. Of course, these events are in addition to our guided fishing, adventure tours, and fine dining experiences that are offered throughout the season. There’s no shortage of action at Painter’s Lodge and April Point, so make sure to check back here often so you don’t miss out on all the fun!

Catch you later,

Travis

Check out a new promotional video for the Cape Santa Maria Beach Resort courtesy of Noelle Nicholls - The Domestic Tourist. Keep in mind, now is great time to make your bookings to "Escape to the Cape!".

We've been busy at Cape Santa Maria Resort in the Bahamas and we are gearing up for a great season at our BC Resorts!

We want to share all our latest news with you and our Winter/Spring Coastal Currents is hot off the press!  (download the pdf. version)

Thank you everyone - It was a GREAT Season! 

We want to share the highlights with you and invite you to take a look at our latest newsletter.

Our Fall/Winter Coastal Currents is hot off the press!

click to download the pdf. version

Click for more photos

What a week it was at April Point!

On Friday afternoon guests began arriving for the 3^rd annual food and wine celebration ‘Tastes of April Point’.  The event commenced Friday evening with a wine and cheese tasting with presenter Jason Hyde, Vancouver Island Sales Manager of Peacock & Martin Ltd. New and return guests of ‘Tastes’– all equally cheery to be present– sampled locally made wine and cheese while mingling and eventually became distracted by the classic Quadra Island sunset. The tasting was held in the Salons which open onto the Dining Room deck. Unsurprisingly, this is where the majority of guests found themselves by the end of the night! I found myself saying time and time again of the sunset, “Yep, this is normal!”

The first events scheduled for Saturday were the Morning Tea Sessions.  Jennifer Gidora, General Manager of the Marina Restaurant in Oak Bay, educated guests on a variety of teas from around the world that she had available to try.

Throughout the afternoon guests split into groups and took turns visiting more seminars. Stefen Soltysiak, Director of Education at Rodney Strong Vineyards, hosted the Biodynamic Wine Seminar which was highly educational and engaging. Chef Brandon of Gordon Food Services lead visitors through the flavours of hand-selected olives direct from small scale artisan olive farms in the Mediterranean. The olive tasting was originally planned to be held under a tent on Discovery Lawn but was moved beside the tent so guests could soak up the September rays. No one complained. Adjacent to the Spa was another tent which was the site of the Bean-to-Bar Chocolate and Dessert Wine Pairing. Together, Sommelier Lesley Brown of Mark Anthony Brands and Janice James of Cook Culture in Victoria made sure their presentation surpassed everyone’s expectations.

Once the seminars were finished the individual groups gathered together to sip bubbly and sample freshly shucked oysters (when I say fresh I mean they were shucked right in front of us!) before indulging in a five course wine pairing dinner in the dining room. April Point Executive Chef Stephanie Dykes and her whole team outdid themselves once again and made everyone feeling like kings!

After sleeping in, guests packed their bags and took the water taxi to Painter’s Lodge for Sunday brunch to cap off a magnificent three days. The sun shone the entire weekend and temperatures bordered on record-breaking highs hitting 26 degrees! I had the fortune of seeing the event from more of a guest eye view versus that of a crew member and couldn't help but think of how great it would be to share with my family and friends.

‘Tastes’ is a bittersweet event for the April Point crew because although it’s one long celebration it also means the season has come to an end. We had a memorable summer and made many new friends that we look forward to seeing again and again (that goes for guests and fellow crew members.) We have the official water taxi number, too! 66,098 persons rode our free water shuttle to and from the resort this year. If we didn't see you on the dock we sure hope to next spring!

'Til next time,

Joanna

PS. To see even more photos from ‘Tastes’ and around April Point I recommend visiting us on Facebook.