Need Advise on WCVI Trip June / July

sir-vivor

sir-vivor

Well-Known Member
Hi Guys and Gals,

Well this year I have decided I am going to take that trip, just me my boat and the west coast.

I am taking my "new to me" 21' Striper 2100WA with a 200HP (and kicker) and putting it in at Port Alberni and then spending a few days at China Creek and then I dont know ???? and would like to get some suggestions from you .

I will be taking the last two weeks in June and first week in July, I have fished the inlet for 20 years but never ventured past Bamfield.

Areas to go and stay would be greatly appreciated (as well as where to stay clear of), if you want to PM me with the "where to stay away from"thats ok to.

Thanks in advance to all that reply and when on the trip I will be trying to report daily.

Clint
PS; will want to stay onboard overnight.
 
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Hey Clint, at Poets Nook you can get bunkhouse rates, shared cooking space/bbq area. pretty cheap and you can stretch out. Stop in Parksville on your way thru for a Lucky or 3
 
Critter Cove in Nootka Sound is one of my favourite spots on the West Coast, Cam and Catherine do a fantastic job, started going there a year after they opened and it gets better every year, all amenities, a first class operation! Perhaps time to consider moving a little further North......
 
If you haven't fished Nootka Sound I highly recommend it. You've got lots of fishing options and overnight moorage options as well (Critter Cove being at the top end of the scale, you won't be disappointed). You can get out fishing even on the worst weather days and hide behind San Carlos or a plethora of other sheltered areas. Lots of people on the site know it better than me and will share their experiences. We've had good productivity ever time over the last 5 years we've fished there. You can fish off shore, (your boat is fine, I do it in a 21 ft CC), just make sure you've got GPS, redundancy if possible, and radar is recommended. What ever you decide, keep us posted on your final outcome. Good to hear of more mainlanders venturing to the West Coast of VI....
 
It sounds like you are committed from starting at Alberni. I would head to the outside in late June/early July. You could fish the beaches from Barkley down to Renfrew, stay overnight in Renfrew for a few nights, take in a trip or two to Swiftsure Bank. You could fish back up the same beaches then overnight in Bamfield. Run from there out to Big Bank then head over to Ucluelet and Tofino doing the same thing...fish the beaches and offshore. You would see lots of country, fish some awesome grounds and not get bored at the same scenery and boats.
 
Wow thanks everyone !

Now I am really pumped, might have to think seriously about Nootka from all the positive threads ... But then again ....

If anyone has more suggestions keep em commmin ...... I am sure there are lots of other guys and gals drewling over the suggestions tooo

Clint
PS; Thanks for the invite Jeep09 :)
 
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NOOOOO! PLEASE!!!!!! Don't go to Nootka!!!!! It's crowded, expensive, no place to stay, no fish, and the weather is terrible. The wind comes up every afternoon so you have to go in, have a nap, eat, and go back out till dark. If I hadn't just finished booking my four Nootka trips next summer, I wouldn't be going! Don't go! Trust me, do not go to Nootka!!!!!!!!! Just ask HOLMES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
holmes said:
no place id rather be, seriously, there are tons of places to go in this province but ive spent a lot of time in and around nootka and it has a special place in my heart, i absolutely love it and wouldnt want to live anywhere else....holmes*
Click to expand...

I second that !

I have fished PA to Bamfield for 25 years and never ever get tired of it and every year I say , hey maybe I will try another area but back to the inlet I go, thats why its so great to be here ........ it never gets " O humm " !

Agree we are some lucky SOB's out there thats for sure !

Clint
 
Hey Guys how is the hwy (28) from CR to the water front at Gold River (ie ; highest climb ?, are there lots of hills ?, is it a good hwy ?) ?
Where can a guy leave his truck and trailer safely for 10-14 days (how much ?)
Anyone tell me something about the run from pavement end (hwy 28 to Nootka) ? (looks like a ferry route so must be well travelled)
Any fuel availability along the route ?
What about lodging (anything other than Rodgers , as nice as it is which I might take in a couple of nights ) I woud love to just moore up some place ?
Anyone thinking of doing the run out and maybe we could do it the same time (or even a group of us , that would be kewl)?

To me it looks like if I can do the Port Alberni to Bamfield (30 miles), Nootka is very doable at 25 miles , I figure ......

Clint
 
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Highway 28 from CR to the Gold River ramp is excellent, paved all the way. The only hill of any consequence is right when you leave Campbell River. Once you get to the boat launch you can either park at the native parking lot, or on the road at the ramp. I have always paid to use the native parking. The guys who run the ramp and parking lot are great guys. I have been going there for the past 5 years without a problem. If you are referring to the road from Gold River to Tahsis (pavement end) it is usually in good shape but there are a number of 18% grade hills. You can buy gas in Gold River but remember that there are no stations between Campbell River and Gold River. This time of year, I think the only place that might have fuel on the water is Moucha Bay, but I suggest you call ahead if you are going. And check the weather carefully. It is very desolate and the weather can be unforgiving this time of year. From June through the end of August, Critter Cove has fuel, as does Moucha Bay.

ps I'm trying to catch up to Holmes in the postings race. Think I can do it?:D
 
In addition, if your are you looking at the Esperanza area. There is government docks and public moorage in both Tahsis and Zeballos. Westview Marina has all comforts of home. If you stay (or gas) there, they will even provide a van to get around town (e.g. grocery and liquor store). You have year around fuel at Tahsis (Westview Marina), Esperanza Fuel Dock (cheapest), and Zeballos. They also have year around moorage available, also – highly suggest prior contact and reservations. I have trailered, launched, and stayed at both Tahsis and Zeballos many time over the years. Both have several nice places to stay and neither is that bad to trailer, but there is a couple of those steep grades going into both. I have also stayed overnight on the inside of the Esperanza gas dock and both government wharfs. My preferance there – Westview Marina. The only disadvantage staying at any is the time and miles you have run, just getting to the fishing grounds:
Westview Marine

There are several Lodges around. Rodgers and Newton’s Cove are the closest to the fishing grounds. They both have fuel for their guests. All the lodges are starting to get a little pricey these days, which are the real reason I went to hanging on the hook. You can justify that additional cost by closer to the fishing grounds and all meals provided. If you can’t justify that cost, take a look at Flynn’s Cove, which I also highly recommend. Less expensive choice, which provides rental cabins and dock.
Rodgers Fishing Dodge
Newton Cove Lodge
Flynn’s Cove

Then there are docks, floats, and rental cabins around Nuchatlitz Island. ALL is private property owned by individuals who most live there year around. Prior contact and approval would by very highly suggested. The cabins are solar powered, with generator backup. All have gas refrigerator/freezers. A couple are smaller, nice and reasonable, while a couple are very nice and more expenive. They all have their own dock access. I won’t post their names publically; however they can be contacted by email, just drop me a PM if you want information on those.

If staying at Flynn’s Cove and Nuchatlitz (anywhere else for that matter) you can make arrangements for groceries and gas to be ferried by either the Uchuck III out of Gold River, or more remotely by contacting Cathy at Westview Marina. She can arrange both groceries and fuel ferried out of Tahsis to dropped anywhere you want. FYI... The fuel will be via 55 gallon drums, so make sure there is a pump!

Want to hook it? There are way too many protected places to anchor in that area to mention them all. Popular spots are Queen Cove, and the backside of Catala and Rosa Islands; basically, just find a nice protected spot and drop it. One of my favorite spots is Mary Basin, behind Lord Island, which is the closest very protected spot to Ferrer Point. If you need the coordinates, let me know?
 
Wow, thanks everyone.
Especially Charlie & his52 , for details and further help if need be !!!
I need a couple of days to just diegest all this .... AGAIN THANKS
Clint
 
Going to be at critter cove in June. I will be keeping a close eye on the Nootka reports for sure!:)
 
If you want to stay on the hook Queens Cove is excellent well protected and shallow. Another favorite as I see it being used all the time from Rodgers is Bebans a logging dock also Known as Port Eliza well protected and has a big FREE dock you can tie up to, go through birthday channel you will see it on the Port Side just into Port Eliza Inlet opposite Queens Cove great place to have a fire and you could even tent but BE BEAR AWARE!. Their is also a protected bay behind Centre Island which is very close to Flynns Cove. Another great spot is the bay behind Ferrer Point which is a favored fishing area and has. If you go up Port Eliza to the end there is another small logging dock called Wiesel Creek. All these areas are very close to the prime fishing grounds. Just a few ideas.

Cheers ME

ps Ill be in the area starting March 1 and in Camp fulltime May 1 and I am always monitoring the vhf
 
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Sounding better all the time , Thanks !

Hey ME, are you or anyone from your lodge going to be represented at the Vancovuer Boat Show in Feb ??

Clint
 
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