Ever met someone you instantly like and your friendship grows over the years even though you only see them once a year. We did. His name was Corey Hayes. We met Corey sport fishing out of Winter Harbour almost 10 years ago. [This was the first time sport fishing for me in BC] He was regarded by his peers as unique in his trade. He was an honest man and a hard worker. In order to facilitate his clientele he had just bought a second boat. His boat, his pride and joy, was named the “Silver Lady”. Corey passed away last year from natural causes after having caught the biggest fish ever while on holiday in Australia.

He had talked to us about a young kid he liked who was guiding for one of the bigger sport fishing companies in Port Hardy. Corey took him under his wing and they worked together off season on Corey’s diving business. I think they hung out a fair bit too. This young man is Mike Pearson. Mike misses Corey and to honor him he has bought his own boat he runs out of Port Hardy under “Silver North Charters”.

We had a few options for fishing this year ~ not go at all or go with one of the bigger outfits or go with Mike. We opted to go with Mike. Guess there never was any doubt what we would do.

We fished for two days with Mike and he did an excellent job. On our first day he hit waves that were, he figured, about 15 – 18 feet. He managed to get his boat to the fishing grounds and because we were the only boat in the area he decided to get us to more sheltered waters so we could enjoy the fishing. The salmon fishing was poor so we went after halibut and look at what we landed!!

Our second day was much better on the water and we did get our limit for spring salmon and coho.

Mike is very professional for someone so young and we think we can see what Corey saw in him. He is almost the same age as when we met Corey.

…sandy & bill chapman