Destination Unknown

[dingo]

I'm looking for suggestion on a fishing destination for myself and my son. I've done a couple of Charlottes trips with buddies in the past but the $$$ aren't in the cards anymore. Looking for salmon and some bottom fish lings/halis if we can. I'm more concerned with action as he will be 11 has adhd and as.

I have a 17' Whaler Montauk with new 4s power. So that's a CC and raingear , with sounders, and GPS, (thinking about getting a chartplotter).

I would like to get him excited about fishing and that means action.

It was recommended that I look at Winter Harbour? I would like to keep the expenses reasonable and would like to teach him to mooch if conditions allow. Open to any suggestions.

 

[Charlie]

What time frame?

Winter Harbour and a 11 year old? Winter Harbour can be great and if you catch the fish at the "light house" would be okay, but might have to run 5 miles offshore to get into the fish, with 12-15 foot swells being more the norm??

 

[gamechanger]

Barkley Sound would be more appropriate for you with a setup like that. Or Campbell River when there's fish.

 

[Dogbreath]

Barkley Sound or someplace like Duval Point Lodge up in Port Hardy where you could use the take-your-own boat option.It's a budget operation where you catch/clean your own fish but have use of the facilities.

Accommodation means bringing/cooking your own food but it's like a ski chalet everything else is supplied.

http://www.duvalpointlodge.com

Wherever you go make it later in the season so Coho are around, bottomfishing on the other side of Queen Charlotte Strait can be excellent.

 

[Cuba Libre]

Second what Dog Breath said-- Port Hardy ( or even Telegraph Cove/Pt McNeil) is a better choice than WH. Less chance of being blown off the water and no large swells to deal with.

20ft Alumaweld Intruder

 

[SerengetiGuide]

Telegraph is a good choice...I'd even suggest Alder Bay. Alder has a nice marine, good break water and you don't have to deal with the amount of bugs that sometimes can arise in the old Telegraph campground. Although if running a 17fter Telegraph is closer to the fishing grounds so that may alter the decision a wee bit.

www.serengetifishingcharters.com

*NEW VIDEO*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlEzuNC59ck

 

[spring fever]

I fish Winter Harbour alot and would not recommend your outfit for the job especially with an 11 year old boy. If the fish are at the light house or Cliffe point then it works-That used to be the case up until 4 or 5 years ago but increasingly if you want consistant fishing then you need to go to at least the 50 fathom line or maybe deeper. The swells can be bad and usually the wind is up by noon-so if there are no fish inside makes for a long night. Around the end of Aug start of sept there is some awsome coho fishing at the mouth of Mahatta River or Koprina harbour and in front of Marble river before the narrows. Great sport for a kid and his dad and these fish can go to 20 plus without the rough water issues.

 

[searun]

Barkley Sound would be fine...just be careful to stay clear of returning to Port Alberni down the canal in the late afternoon on hot days. Strong outflow winds kick up big waves at Nahmint.

Searun

 

[dingo]

Thanks, those sound like some great places to start checking out. Time wise I don't know yet but would prefer later in the season to get into some coho. That also adds to the chance of getting fish on the fly rod for me.

Big waves don't bother me much as long as they are timed ok. But with the kids I like to be safe. DF, thanks for the link I will check it out.

 

[J-GLOBAL]

Barkley sound has a lot of water inside, and even in the rain you can move around and find some shadows, flatwater to fish in. Depending on timing springs can be tough but the later you go the more COHO there are.



Fishin' anywhere anytime for anything

 

[dingo]

Wow mentioned it to the wife and she said looks cool! and I want go to Tofino too! I should be able to figure the work thing out in the next couple weeks.

 

[Charlie]

quote:Originally posted by dingo

Wow mentioned it to the wife and she said looks cool! and I want go to Tofino too! I should be able to figure the work thing out in the next couple weeks.

Tofino? What did I miss? That must have come from the wife!

All the places mentioned (including Tofino, which wasn't) would be a better choice for you then Winter Harbour and an 11 year old, Spring Fever is 100% correct, in my belief a 170 Montauk is a tad bit small to run that far offshore there and yes, you would be soak'n wet even if you made it? I have a Conquest 295 and there are many people who have not enjoyed that ride on my boat.

I would say YES to the chartplotter and also, ever thought about radar - at least a radar reflector? You will probably be running in the fog! There is a reason they call it "Fogust" on the WCVI!

Since you mentioned Tofino, here are some bookmarks I have in the areas. It might save you some time and they are not in any order! Also, there are "quite a few" on here... that know, live, and fish the different areas… just pick an area you are interested and start asking questions. As you see, you can get a lot of information here. You might even like the answers!
http://www.toquartbay.com/index.html
http://www.islandwestresort.com/
http://www.millslanding.com/index.php
http://www.poettnook.com/welcome.html
http://www.seabeamcanada.ca/
http://www.tofinoinletcottages.com/index.htm
http://www.weighwest.com/index.html
http://www.wickinn.com/

 

[Charter Tofino]

Ditto on the radar deflector even if your not fishing offshore. We were trolling a popular spot right out of bamfield harbour in the fog and almost got mowed down as small fiberglass boats dont show well.

Never fished tofino because i dont want to trailer my boat over suttons pass and along that shi&&y road and the run from port is to far. That is one reason bamfields so appealing. Chuck your boat in at port alberni and make a nice(nice in the morning not aft!) hour long run till your fishin.

Telegraph cove has unreal scenery and wildlife but the last few years the fishing has been spotty. Some nice halis to be had though if you run out to the bank and lots of chickens inshore.

Winter harbours awsome but as said not a great place for a 17ft CC as it blows with big water. We couldnt get outside in the 2 days we were there fishing out of a 24fter.

Port hardys a really long hual and ive never fished it but its next on my list!

 

[Jimmy]

Port renfrew can be a great spot for very good coho action in September. These fish can range from 5lbs - 20lbs and the action can be fast and ferious. You do not need to run far offshore in Sept. and the weather is usually very good that time of year. Accomodations are reasonable. There are also good opportunities for mooching. Good destination for a boat your size.

Good luck!

 

[calmsea]

Stay in Sooke and have it all combined with nice protected waters and all the opportunities for your wife!

 

[searun]

As stated, watch the outflow winds in both Nootka and Barkley Sound, they can be really rough on a small boat (3 - 6 foot waves bouncing at irregular patterns). Both places have some great fishing, and protected waters but have a nasty hitch for the ride home in a small boat after noon.

Searun

 

[dingo]

So would the wisdom be either Sooke or Port Hardy area?

 

[chris73]

Sooke is way closer and more protected for a small boat and offers much more for a non-fishing wife. A no-brainer to me.

 

[scott craven]

Agree with Chris73 !

 

[Cuba Libre]

But if you want better fishing-- then PH is it!! [8D]
But on second thought-- never mind!!!
Have a look at Daves website-- Dont expect to achieve the success listed here http://www.serengetifishingcharters.com/ , right away but spend the time and you will find some great fishing and some incredible country to explore. I would even suggest that you DO hire one of the local guides ( and there are a bunch of them that really know what they are doing) just to get a look at what the local techniques are that produce.

20ft Alumaweld Intruder