Howzer
Active Member
Picking up... some large springs being caught in Seaforth and lots of small to medium coho. Don't use salt ice, so can't help you there.
Bella Coola to Shearwater
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the force
Crew Member
Was chatting with a guy from work today who had a close call a couple years ago doing this trip, the seas were wild at the intersection of Burke and Dean channels, not far from Bella Coola. Taking on water, bilges couldn’t keep up, but got lucky and caught a bigger wave that they rode through. He said that’s the worst part, and got an ear full from the harbour master that you should not be traversing that area after 10am.
That’s a fair enough rule for me to abide by. Obviously conditions along the length of the channel are variable and dependant on wind. Are there other areas that are specifically prone to wind/current interaction? Any of the major intersections I suppose?
We’re sleeping on the boat, and currently planning to sleep on the hard in Bella Coola when we arrive weds evening. Curious if it is totally unreasonable to think about running out to Eucott Bay hot springs in the evening (obviously after confirming weather at the harbour)?
That’s a fair enough rule for me to abide by. Obviously conditions along the length of the channel are variable and dependant on wind. Are there other areas that are specifically prone to wind/current interaction? Any of the major intersections I suppose?
We’re sleeping on the boat, and currently planning to sleep on the hard in Bella Coola when we arrive weds evening. Curious if it is totally unreasonable to think about running out to Eucott Bay hot springs in the evening (obviously after confirming weather at the harbour)?
Rockin Johnny
Active Member
Agreed. The intersection is called “The Nose” I have also ignored the after 10am warning and had the ride of my life!!!! 8’ stand big wave 12’ apart which seemed to come straight off the rock cliff out of nowhere. Adding wind with massive currents plus tide in 1800’ of water! A complete wash machine. I was vibrating for a few hours after. It can get very extreme there. If you see white caps even if they look small turn back. Trust me. I saw what looked like small caps when we went in and once in, there was no turning back. We normally sleep at the dock and leave early. Late in the evening has worked out for me too. The Burke in general is very deep and has big current, I have seen a lot of log debris in as well. We will be out there Saturday for the week. Good luck.
the force
Crew Member
That’s the spot and the scenario. Thanks for the perspective. We plan to head back Sunday am but glad to share a report if I have service or get me on the radio, green machine likely ch 68. In a 23’ green sylvan with cuddy.
Good luck to you as well!
Good luck to you as well!
Rockin Johnny
Active Member
Just got back last night. The fishing has been slow lately with the odd tyee. Every spot is loaded with pinks. We caught some decent ho’s. I wouldn’t bother with bait, skinny gees were the ticket mostly green patterns worked best. Chainy seemed to produce most of the big fish this last week but we also did ok at Cultus and McKiness. Ice is a bit of a challlenge there in general. Franks machine broke down a few days ago but we found some at the cannery from “super Dave”. Do you know about the new regs for transporting fish? It’s a pain in the butt. Are you staying at Whiskey Cove BnB with Kerrie?
Rockin Johnny
Active Member
You bet. A little trick I started to do was I would take the big slab side and slice into the size that I would normally cut it into but didn’t cut through the skin. Then vac packed. When we got home the slabs were thawed enough to open up those cuts and cut the skin right through them re pack. We used Saran on some and wax on others but in the end none was needed.
Sharphooks
Well-Known Member
Those transport rules are tolerable for a short trip but if you’re doing a long trip you pretty much have to freeze then it becomes a PITA.
Rockin’s approach was quite a bit more elegant then mine….I froze the fillets whole then when I got home, was forced to cut them into pieces with a power jig saw….messy job and a lot of wasted meat….cutting the fillets but not the skin is a hot tip!
Rockin’s approach was quite a bit more elegant then mine….I froze the fillets whole then when I got home, was forced to cut them into pieces with a power jig saw….messy job and a lot of wasted meat….cutting the fillets but not the skin is a hot tip!
Bearded wonder
Well-Known Member
Not to derail, can start another thread, but during a trip to Winter Harbour we processed and froze all our fish into portions everyday. We just had a clear labeling format. Got stopped at a DFO checkpoint and they were very happy with our system.
Eden Island
Well-Known Member
Closest alternates would be Klemtu and Ocean Falls - but might want to call before you go.
Edit: Not Ocean Falls. I misread the PY Blue Pages - that little fuel icon is not Ocean Falls - its the legend for the page..
And its a long haul to Dawson's Landing.
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Rockin Johnny
Active Member
Klemtu doesn’t open until 8:30 am tomorrow and the phone number is +1 (250) 839-1233
the force
Crew Member
Interesting, I haven’t been stopped by DFO yet but always assume proper packaging and records go a long way. My practice is to keep one side whole (with pectoral and tail, backbone removed), cut flesh to skin as rockinjohnny stated and then freeze flat in a long fish bag. I usually cut the opposite side in half, or sometimes 3 if big enough and vac seal. If being particular I’ll put the vac sealed portions into the same long fish bag so one fish is all together. Labels each bag with date, name, area species and number of packages for completeness sake (I.e 1 of 3 or 1 of 4 etc).
Bearded wonder
Well-Known Member
For our system each portion was labeled: species, date, number for the fish, letter for each portion.
Cookie's Cutter
Well-Known Member
Ocean Falls does not have fuel
Cookie's Cutter
Well-Known Member
Ocean Falls was a large industrial town with approx 5000 people at one point. Paper Mill, Hotel, school, swimming pool, multiple bowling alleys etc
But it has not had fuel for sale for many years.
Already fueled up in Klemto and now back at Cheney. No fuel at Ocean Falls. Never has been as far as I know.
Dogbreath
Well-Known Member
Not in this century anyway.
Rockin Johnny
Active Member
Did you do any fishing while you were up there?
