Fishing the Portland canal

[Mr. Smithers]

Just wondering if anyone has fished the Portland canal and has any advice for a guy who wants to check it out. I've spent loads of time on the Douglas channel and out of Rupert but never launched my boat out of Stewart. I figure that we are probably too late for any chinooks up there but maybe a few coho might still be around. If anyone has any experience around the area and wouldn't mind sharing, I'd appreciate it!
Thanks!

 

[Fireweed]

I looked into Stewart as a possible alternative this year too. When up there for work I checked out the launch, high tide only which could be a pain. There is apparently a better launch on the Hyder side though if you feel like bringing along passports in case you get hassled coming back into Canada, but there is no US customs to pass thru going into Hyder. Sounded like the runs to Hali grounds were no shorter than those out of Kitimat or Rupert, and salmon runs are smaller and shorter time window as you just get fish headed to Bear river on our side or Salmon river on the US side. If you time it right I'm sure the chinook or coho fishing could be great but I certainly was not sold on the idea.

 

[Gunsmith]

Everyone I know from Stewart boats out to the Dixon entrance. There is some fish in the canal but not as hot as the entrance. Work channel should be starting for coho and there is some good hali fishing in the area. I think it is 80nm or so from Stewart to the entrance.