Bellingham to Bamfield

[onefish]

We ran from Nanaimo to the west coast to start the troll season every year. We also ran our fish to Vancouver from the west coast many times. The worst part for us was always Trail Island to Race Rocks. That area can be nasty. In a smaller boat I wouldn't go anywhere on a south east as they have a habit of blowing harder than forecast. West wind is usually down in the morning so get an early start. The suggestion to break up the trip with an overnight at Renfrew is a good one. Don't be a hero, if it gets snotty just pull back on the throttle, you will get there in one piece that way, it may just take a bit longer.
Regarding Tuna, in September they are much closer to shore at your doorstep. Great fishing out of Greys Harbour and no customs for you to deal with.

 

[Oceanmaster]

I have done the trip many times from Sidney to Port Renfrew. If you are leaving Bellingham I would clear customs in Port Sidney it’s much easier than Victoria. Depending on water conditions the run to Bamfield should be about 4.5 hours or less, late june is generally nice weather water conditions fog and and strong afternoon westerlies kick up in mid July but as stated before best to get past Race Rocks as early as you can because you never know.

 

[Sea Cowboy]

Many years ago, I met some US guys in Bamfield that would launch at Neah Bay. Not sure if this would work for you.
my 2 cents
Stosh

Stosh,
That is exactly what we were hoping to do. The McKaw Tribe has shut the reservation down and has not allowed "outsiders" to Neah Bay since the pandemic started. I heard that you can at least anchor in the bay now but cannot tie up or step foot on the dock or land. Seiku would be the next option but with needing to clear customs (Oak Bay preferably), running seems to be the best route.

 

[Sea Cowboy]

We ran from Nanaimo to the west coast to start the troll season every year. We also ran our fish to Vancouver from the west coast many times. The worst part for us was always Trail Island to Race Rocks. That area can be nasty. In a smaller boat I wouldn't go anywhere on a south east as they have a habit of blowing harder than forecast. West wind is usually down in the morning so get an early start. The suggestion to break up the trip with an overnight at Renfrew is a good one. Don't be a hero, if it gets snotty just pull back on the throttle, you will get there in one piece that way, it may just take a bit longer.
Regarding Tuna, in September they are much closer to shore at your doorstep. Great fishing out of Greys Harbour and no customs for you to deal with.

Thanks for the details on wind and timing. I think that we are going to split the trip so we can run to Renfrew (day 1) and make the final run the following day - and maybe make a troll or 2 at Nitinat as we go by

 

[Sir Reel]

@Sea Cowboy have you been to Bamfield before?

 

[Sea Cowboy]

have you been to Bamfield before?

I have only fished Bamfield after running from Renfrew (twice and both day trips)

 

[Sir Reel]

I have only fished Bamfield after running from Renfrew (twice and both day trips)

Well it is a wonderfull place to hang out for a week. Lots of places to fish and explore.
We stay at Harbourside Lodge and sleep on the boat. Its a bit rustic but has everything you need, bait, salt ice, tackle, fuel. etc.
You can also get some accomdation there. They have a room full of freezers where you can store your catch for free. Its just inside the inlet and only 3 min to fishing the Wall.

Home | Harbourside Fishing Lodge

harboursidelodge.com

 

[casper5280]

You can clear customs in Port of Sidney or Victoria. You can fuel up in Oak Bay, Victoria Harbour or Pedder Bay, Cheanuh Marina, or Sooke Harbour. once you leave there it's Port Renfrew than Bamfield. like others have said make your run up the westside early in the morning before the wind picks up. I would over night in Vic Harbour or Pedder Bay, even Sooke Harbour. That way you have all the services a stones throw from the boat. Lots of good places to fish all the way up the west side. Take your time and enjoy its a great trip.

 

[Aces]

Learned about autopilot almost 30 years ago running at night through the inside passage. Radar and autopilot, nothing as fancy on the charting front, I think we used paper charts, and the old red green autopilot. Deckhand days.

The other option is to use one engine and go slow all night after going through customs. Taking shifts just like commercial boats. Burn half the gas and sleep well. Good practise for when you come back in September for a tuna shoot out!

The tuna fishing is way better down that way

 

[Sharphooks]

Many years ago, I met some US guys in Bamfield that would launch at Neah Bay. Not sure if this would work for you.
my 2 cents
Stosh

Pre-pandemic that was workable....now, it’s a question of which offices on the BC coast are open for customs clearance —-that’s why most people have been funneling through Victoria since 2019....the customs office never shut down

 

[Sea Cowboy]

Got the Autopilot installed and she's ready to go. Thanks for all of the input and suggestions. I plan to head to Oak Bay or Victoria the night prior and get a slip for the night (based on availability) and run early the next morning. The gas prices keep going up so the trip is getting more expensive by the week.......but it'll be worth it I've seen some charter pics on FB and it looks like there's some nice fish coming out of area 23 right now! Getting excited.

 

[BC Coast Pilot]

You will have to clear customs up and down thru Victoria.
A guide I know runs his boat up from Victoria every spring. No big deal if you pick good running conditions to make the trip.

I'm curious why you would have to clear at Victoria on the return trip or any Canadian Port at all?

 

[gone fishin]

Perhaps not if you don't touch land to buy gas or anything else, but I was told by USA customs if you so much as stop to fish on route thru USA water to Canadian waters or via versa, you must clear customs.
I know a lot of USA guys come up to fish swiftsure and go home without clearing customs.

 

[BC Coast Pilot]

We go to Barkley Sound twice a year from Sidney, 120nm about 5 hours with good weather averaging 25 knots, I try to look for a light winds West Coast South window and base my transit times on the forecasts. Preferably to be light West Coast South or a light SouthEast on the outbound trip and a bit of westerly on the return. Bucking into the NorthWest on the trip there makes a looong day not to mention additional fuel. Victoria Marine fuels is probably your best fuel price and there is a customs dock just past the fuel dock. Watch for the evening Westerly thermals off Victoria (JDF East) I prefer to travel early for that reason. Catching the beginning of the ebb off Victoria usually shaves an hour off. Good luck!

 

[Sir Reel]

We go to Barkley Sound twice a year from Sidney, 120nm about 5 hours with good weather averaging 25 knots, I try to look for a light winds West Coast South window and base my transit times on the forecasts. Preferably to be light West Coast South or a light SouthEast on the outbound trip and a bit of westerly on the return. Bucking into the NorthWest on the trip there makes a looong day not to mention additional fuel. Victoria Marine fuels is probably your best fuel price and there is a customs dock just past the fuel dock. Watch for the evening Westerly thermals off Victoria (JDF East) I prefer to travel early for that reason. Catching the beginning of the ebb off Victoria usually shaves an hour off. Good luck!

If you catch the ebb off Victoria what wind speed do you need to be concerned about to avoid stacking waves? Based on you trips when do you think fog becomes more prevalent? We went July 19th last year for a week and had beautiful weather other than 24 knot winds coming back.Luckily in a flood tide.
Are you a coastal pilot like the name suggests? I know a pilot who owns a Commander 30 like me.

 

[Sea Cowboy]

We go to Barkley Sound twice a year from Sidney, 120nm about 5 hours with good weather averaging 25 knots, I try to look for a light winds West Coast South window and base my transit times on the forecasts. Preferably to be light West Coast South or a light SouthEast on the outbound trip and a bit of westerly on the return. Bucking into the NorthWest on the trip there makes a looong day not to mention additional fuel. Victoria Marine fuels is probably your best fuel price and there is a customs dock just past the fuel dock. Watch for the evening Westerly thermals off Victoria (JDF East) I prefer to travel early for that reason. Catching the beginning of the ebb off Victoria usually shaves an hour off. Good luck!

Thank you very much for the info. I took a look at the currents from a number of stations and it looks like we may getting a little help there. Pillar Point (on 6/27) is showing that its outgoing with a slack at 11:29AM. I am hoping that helps us shave a bit of time off the trip. I think we will focus on hitting Victoria to clear Customs and get fuel. Truly appreciate the tips!

 

[Sir Reel]

As far as I know you only need to clear customs once in Canada like Victoria harbour. Obviously need a Canadian salt water fishing licence and then when heading home go to the nearest US customs office once back in US waters.
I have never heard of checking in and out. Best to ask when in Victoria though.
FYI you can pass through Canadian or American waters without going to customs( American vessels do this going to/from Alaska) but once you touch land, a dock, or anchor you are considered in that country and the next thing you must immediately do is go to a customs office. Captain only and declaring his or her passengers.
I saw a show once where an American anchored in Canadian waters and then decided to have lunch and spend the afternoon before going to customs. He was fined a few thousand dollars but could have had his vessel confiscated.
I have found both Canadian and US marine customs very courteous if you have all your required vessel and passenger information ready. I went to Roche harbour a few years ago and went up to the customs dock. The agent was the normal tense guy. He started asking me questions and then I opened my folder and said I have all
my information here what do you need. He was so happy and said it made his job way easier. Asked him if he wanted to board me and check the boat. Said no don’t worry about it have fun in Roche Harbour! Pays to be prepared.
To OP might be worth a call to find out exactly what CBP wants and what you are allowed and not allowed to bring.
Have a great trip!

 

[Sharphooks]

QUOTE

If you're travelling by a marine vessel other than a cruise ship, you must use ArriveCAN before or upon entering Canada. This is to accommodate for Wi-Fi issues on the water. Most marine reporting sites are open as of May, 20, 2022. The ArriveCAN application will be updated to reflect all open sites soon.

UNQUOTE

 

[BC Coast Pilot]

If you catch the ebb off Victoria what wind speed do you need to be concerned about to avoid stacking waves? Based on you trips when do you think fog becomes more prevalent? We went July 19th last year for a week and had beautiful weather other than 24 knot winds coming back.Luckily in a flood tide.
Are you a coastal pilot like the name suggests? I know a pilot who owns a Commander 30 like me.

I have a 305 Conquest and it's relative to comfort for me, If it's a Westerly over 15kts on an ebb (wind against tide)stacking I start to slow down, maybe ducking along victoria and using enterprise channel. Nothing wrong with a tailwind unless it's overwhelming and causing surfriding. See the attached appendice for frequency of fog. Typically, if it's foggy it won't be super windy but I'm not saying that can't happen so pick your vices. I'm quite comfortable navigating in fog, I use a dedicated radar screen and not overlay as the chartplotter operates on different principals and time delays. I also find it cluttered. Yes I am a career mariner as the handle suggests. Good catch by Sharphooks!

 

[Sir Reel]

There is a US equivlent app called CBP Roam.
Dont mean to go over OP but has anyone gone into the US (like Roche Harbour) Via boat? The CBP Roam app says at this time routine small vessel travel for pleasure during Covid is non essential and therfore restricted.