Poll: Where Would You Settle Down IF You Were Retired And Just Wanted To Maximize Fishing Opportunities????

[Samnjoe]

Everywhere is a compromise. Great fishing with full seasons mean isolation. Campbell river is the best I could think of but I would still be trailering to Hardy, Winter harbor, or Nootka. Wouldn't work for me personally as family, winter sports, and my Stillwater addiction will keep me in the interior. My boat stays up in Hardy June July and most of August.

 

[baddogg]

I live in Nanaimo and it is quite central to most fishing spots on the Island. The fishing here has been strong all summer. One hour to Port Alberni where you can access Bamfield or even Uky by boat. French Creek is a short drive away and Campbell River is about an hour and a half.

 

[terrin]

Thanks for the suggestions, Gents. Very helpful! Meanwhile, I just saw this same Haida Gwaii listing last night in my search….I’m heading there next month and might go take a look …. Maybe a bit more house then I’d want and the isolation would be intense but I might go take a look just to see Robertson Island.

Haida Gwaii would def cover both my salmon and steelhead habit but I’d rather sub-contract out the Hecate Strait boat exposure thing to BC ferries….I’ve sat numerous times on the East side of Hecate looking out across to the other side and truth is, I get queasy thinking of making the run there and back alone … I know some guys on this site do that run regularly but not I (said the cat who’s burned through 8 1/2 of its lives already)

Then there’s this place….if I win the lottery I’d be all over it…I get light-headed just thinking just how amazing it would be to spend a winter out there watching the storms come in!!!

 

[Old Blue]

I would never think of Haida Gwai based on remoteness, weather, FN question marks with closures and not wanting others there and changing restrictions.

Alberni Inlet is probably the safest option for multi species openings consistently....PA, Uki, Bamfield.
Any thoughts on Westport WA? Lings, Hali's, regular salmon openings, consistent chance at albacore.

 

[Sharphooks]

I would never think of Haida Gwai based on remoteness, weather, FN question marks with closures and not wanting others there and changing restrictions.

Alberni Inlet is probably the safest option for multi species openings consistently....PA, Uki, Bamfield.
Any thoughts on Westport WA? Lings, Hali's, regular salmon openings, consistent chance at albacore.

I hear you about Haida Gwaii—it’s about as remote as you can get …I talk to people on the ferry every October who go back and forth to Rupert for stuff like eye exams and teeth cleaning…that’s a twelve hour round trip and probably a hotel room for things you and I do in our neighborhood…and yes, I’ve read some of the stories and seen the vids of FN harassment of the sport guys…it seems to be an unfortunate trend…also happening on the mainland with the Gitxsan against the steelhead crowd etc

But I keep going back there because of the remoteness…you can spend days on some of the rivers without seeing a soul… there’s a price to pay for remote locations if you live there, though…..no doubt

I appreciate the suggestion about a place like Westport though it’s a bit too busy for me. And quite honestly, I’m watching this country start swirling around the toilet bowl with the current administration and I’d be lying if I told you my desire to go north of the border is just about the outdoor stuff..

I’ve been considering PA—I really like that part of Van Isle…Grappler looks like a good spot but I get the feeling not too much real estate comes on the market up there and if it does it gets snapped up quickly.

 

[onefish]

Campbell River, best combo of fishing opportunities, size of town, weather, access to all parts of the island, amenities. Only town with a rowboat club trying to catch 30+ pound chinook. Wifes work keeps me located in Nanaimo otherwise I would move up island in a heartbeat.

 

[scott craven]

There are a couple key points that haven't really been addressed,
Price range and need for essential services. ?? (maybe the sky is the limit )
doctor/hospital proximity might be an issue with some of the more remote communities

 

[trophywife]

2 older places that are waterfront for sale in grappler atm.

love bam, but if i wanted a reset due to property values and quiet.. access to tuna etc, winter harbour would be it. i would do winter harbour for sure.