Bella Coola to Bella Bella

[Smileys Crib]

Thinking of heading up to bella bella , from what I have learned its about 65 miles down the inlet?? does anyone have any info on a trip like this? Just trying to be safe. we plan on boating down and finding a place wherever, in Shearwater or Bella Bella.Any replies would be apprieciated.Looking for Coho primarily.

 

[Striper Sniper]

SeaWolf and I just got back from there a couple of weeks ago. I suggest you email him and he can give you the straight goods. We rented the cabin at Whiskey Cove from Vern and Carole and it was great. Private dock, hot tub, etc.... The only thing I didn't like is that all of the fishing spots are like 20 or more miles away. SS

 

[Striper Sniper]

SeaWolf and I just got back from there a couple of weeks ago. I suggest you email him and he can give you the straight goods. We rented the cabin at Whiskey Cove from Vern and Carole and it was great. Private dock, hot tub, etc.... The only thing I didn't like is that all of the fishing spots are like 20 or more miles away. SS

 

[Dark]

Do a search of this forum I asked the same ? about a month ago lots of good info was given. I'm with you striper I logged about 500 miles on my boat on that trip. We also stayed at whiskey very nice lodging

 

[Dark]

Do a search of this forum I asked the same ? about a month ago lots of good info was given. I'm with you striper I logged about 500 miles on my boat on that trip. We also stayed at whiskey very nice lodging

 

[excalibur]

Hi to Striper Sniper;

We just got back from Bella Bella Sunday nite Aug.24. I guess nobody told you guys about Idol Point? That is only a 15 min. boat ride from Carol's place. St. John's is about 30 minutes. Both very good spots. We pulled 8 coho out at Idol monday aug.18 in about a 5 hr. period. St. John was good for 2 springs and 1 coho only. Got blown off out there and there are many resort boats
out there.
I will agree though there are many hot spots in the surrounding area that do take some time and boat gas to get to.
p.s. 3 guys shared the 1 wk. expenses (no booze $ included) of $1,900. Boat gas and groceries and we ate a lot of fish.

 

[excalibur]

Hi to Smileys Crib

I couldn't find the info. you need on the forum so here is my 2 cents worth on Bella Coola to Bella Bella.
First off, get a tide chart. It is difficult to launch a 20+ ft. boat at the Bella Coola marina if the tide is below about 3 ft. Look for a morning or evening departure as the first part of the trip seems to always be rough in the afternoon.
(please note, spelling is not my strong suite) Bella Coola to Mechachie Nose turn right into Laboucherie Channel around the nose. (20-30 minutes @ 22-25 knts.) Take Laboucherie to the Dean (also known as the upper Fisher) and turn left to travel down (SW)the Dean\Fisher. At this point you will have spent about 50 minutes to 1 hr. On the north side of your turn towards SW is Eucott Hotsprings bay. It is a good hide-out if the wind comes up.
So now you are travelling down the Fisher past MacKenzie Rock, many inlets to the north, and King Island on your left all the way. Jenny Inlet is on the left into King Island. You will pass by Cousins Inlet on your right that goes into Ocean Falls. (you could take a look but Ocean Falls is about a 30 min. detour each way) Look for Rattenbury Point on the chart. Once you have passed Rattenbury look down the channel and on the right side you will see a white marker light. That is the entrance to the Gunboat Pass. Go around the point and up about 150-250 yds. is another marker on your left. You turn left there and you are in the gunboat. WATCH FOR ROCKS and use your chart and\or GPS plotter. Once you have navigated through the narrower part of the gunboat it opens up and you will see some nav. aids and marks on rocks as you head W. Look for a light\white marker on the island at about your 11-12 o'clock position. You will need to turn left there. DO NOT CUT THE CORNER, THERE ARE ROCKS ON YOUR LEFT. From the left turn just follow the channel and make a right turn and about 20 seconds later you will see Shearwater and Denny Island. At your 2 o'clock position you will see the town of Bella Bella. Total travel time at 22-25 knts. is 2:30 hrs.
We first took this route in 1992 with a handful of charts, a handheld gps (no plotter) a tent, sleeping bags, coleman stove, and some beer using a late 60's flat bottomed 21 ft. Fiberform boat.
Hope this helps.

Den

 

[Striper Sniper]

Hi Excalibur, we were familiar with Idol Point however my fishing buddy's past experience was that the fishing was better at Cultus, Chenneye Point (St. John's), Purple Bluff, Spyder Island, Cape Mark or McInnis, all a lot further away than Idol Point or Ivory for that matter. From what I understand, the time of year we were there Idol was predominantly a Coho fishery and we were looking for slabs..... We caught a few crabs in Troup Passage however, there were many that were either female, undersized or soft shelled... We did have a good feed all the same with those that were hard shelled and legal. Glad to here you guys had a good trip. SS

 

[Smileys Crib]

Thanks Excalibur and others for info. Should be up there Thurs. aft.
Will post when we get back on how it was, smiley's crib

 

[Smileys Crib]

Back from Bella Coola and Shearwater, we boated up and moored at Shearwater which was a great home base. Fishing was slow, was hoping for Coho but all the rain pushed alot thru. Managed to get a few but was going out to Cheney point for them. Did managed to pick up a 38.5 pound Spring though in great condition, what a bonus. Was lots of wood in the water coming up the chanel from Bella Coola. Also lots of white side dolphins and whales. Overall a great trip, just didn't like the hill!!! Thanks again for previous info.