Shore fishing opportunities around Gold River.

U.k salmon fisher said:
Thanks, all good info to help me plan! It's a fine balancing act...keeping the wife happy while getting some fishing done!
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One thing about people trying to get you to throw down large @ Moutcha Bay-there is exactly zip all else to do in the area apart from fish and that road in isn't in any way an enjoyable drive; you might see the Elk herd but you're much more likely to end up in the bush/ditch.

Also rental vehicles generally aren't allowed on unpaved roads (it's debatable if the Tahsis road qualifies as paved) -so if you ditch the car you're paying not insurance.
 
Thanks, I'll look into the car rental details. I'm hoping the roads aren't worse than Southern Patagonia where we used to live.... A 100km drive to the nearest supermarket on unmade roads was quite the norm and believe me the trucks wouldn't slow down for anything! And that's not to mention the various river crossings without a bridge😁. Fingers crossed the roads around Gold River will be slightly better. We will only have three days in Gold river and one of those days we are booked on the Uchuck for a trip to Friendly Bay. I'm hoping we can avoid the crowds of the East coast and see a different side to the island. The rest of our trip we are in fairly touristy areas so hopefully we'll get a bit of contrast. Thanks for the heads up though👍
 
U.k salmon fisher said:
Thanks, I'll look into the car rental details. I'm hoping the roads aren't worse than Southern Patagonia where we used to live.... A 100km drive to the nearest supermarket on unmade roads was quite the norm and believe me the trucks wouldn't slow down for anything! And that's not to mention the various river crossings without a bridge😁. Fingers crossed the roads around Gold River will be slightly better. We will only have three days in Gold river and one of those days we are booked on the Uchuck for a trip to Friendly Bay. I'm hoping we can avoid the crowds of the East coast and see a different side to the island. The rest of our trip we are in fairly touristy areas so hopefully we'll get a bit of contrast. Thanks for the heads up though👍
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My suggestion would be to book a charter early on in the trip with Jason Storie out of Campbell River who runs small whalers in addition to his larger boats, they're much more affordable and will scratch the itch early on. Doing so will take the pressure and expectation off the rest of the trip while also allowing the opportunity for some additional fishing when possible along your travels.

Trying to avoid tourists during tourist season on one of the most heavily visited areas in the country without a truck for backroads or boat for the water is ambitious to say the least. It doesn't mean there isn't solitude to be had but there's a reason the locals camp, fish, etc during the shoulder seasons!
 
U.k salmon fisher said:
Thanks, I'll look into the car rental details. I'm hoping the roads aren't worse than Southern Patagonia where we used to live.... A 100km drive to the nearest supermarket on unmade roads was quite the norm and believe me the trucks wouldn't slow down for anything! And that's not to mention the various river crossings without a bridge😁. Fingers crossed the roads around Gold River will be slightly better. We will only have three days in Gold river and one of those days we are booked on the Uchuck for a trip to Friendly Bay. I'm hoping we can avoid the crowds of the East coast and see a different side to the island. The rest of our trip we are in fairly touristy areas so hopefully we'll get a bit of contrast. Thanks for the heads up though👍
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I know I was one of the ones to warn about the road condition in to Tahsis, and Dogbreath makes a good point about the rental car rules/insurance - but if you're used to driving on the types of roads you describe its not really that bad. It is basically just a logging road and easily done in a 2WD vehicle. The main hazards are loose gravel/rocks, some pretty gnarly hills to climb and descend in terms of % incline (but most of those sections are paved), and some soft shoulders/washouts that could suck you into the ditch if you get to close. Flat tires are common, though I've been over it 4 or 5 times and have yet to have one. I just mentioned it earlier to be clear that it is not just an extension of the highway that goes to Gold River - which is paved all the way.

All that said, if you are going on the Uchuck you will be passing right by Nootka Sound and up to Esperanza, which are two of the main saltwater salmon fishing destinations I and others have been urging you to check out. You'll no doubt see lots of sportfishing boats on the water as you pass - it will probably be painful not to be able to join in! But at least you'll get to see it.
 
U.k salmon fisher said:
Thanks, I'll look into the car rental details. I'm hoping the roads aren't worse than Southern Patagonia where we used to live.... A 100km drive to the nearest supermarket on unmade roads was quite the norm and believe me the trucks wouldn't slow down for anything! And that's not to mention the various river crossings without a bridge😁. Fingers crossed the roads around Gold River will be slightly better. We will only have three days in Gold river and one of those days we are booked on the Uchuck for a trip to Friendly Bay. I'm hoping we can avoid the crowds of the East coast and see a different side to the island. The rest of our trip we are in fairly touristy areas so hopefully we'll get a bit of contrast. Thanks for the heads up though👍
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how long does the Uchuck stay at friendly cove? one of my best spots is in 20’ of water right along the cobble beach at Friendly Cove. you can EASILY cast that from shore. just under the old church, the cobble beach runs into a rock outcropping/ bluff. target that on a flood tide if you can. big fish can stack in there especially during a squid spawn.
 
RiverBoy said:
how long does the Uchuck stay at friendly cove? one of my best spots is in 20’ of water right along the cobble beach at Friendly Cove. you can EASILY cast that from shore. just under the old church, the cobble beach runs into a rock outcropping/ bluff. target that on a flood tide if you can. big fish can stack in there especially during a squid spawn.
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I can second that. Fun little tack. We’ve pulled more than a few beauties from that exact spot 👍. Easily within casting range from those rocks. Just watch the swells if you’re perched on the rocks.
 
Good point about the rental car rules. Me and a buddy drove to Cougar creek in his 2wd Nissan 2010ish Versa hatchback and made it fine. It was july and everything was dry. Road was paved all the way to gold river. The info booth teenager attendant said the take the "good dirt road" heading to Thasis and turn off at the sign to cougar creek where it turns into a "bad dirt road". We found the road to Thasis not that bad at all even in a little city/ecobox front wheel drive car with regular all seasons. That road passes by Moocha bay and seemed doable without specialized tires or 4 wheel drive.
 
Great thanks, that's reassuring about the roads around Gold River... I really can't imagine them being any worse than Tierra Del Diego (Chilean side).We only have an hour in friendly bay unfortunately, however I did manage to reserve a boat for a day at Moocha to go out salmon fishing. Thanks for the useful advice, the trip is coming together nicely. This might sound a bit like a weird question but does anyone still drive a manual car in BC? I prefer a manual rather than automatic. I managed to rent one three years ago in Toronto but it seems that all the companies in Vancouver only rent automatic.
 
It's pretty much impossible to rent a manual now (no rentors want them anymore).

I rented every month to 6 weeks for ages and saw them disappear from the market-not just because of rentors but because the prices went up and who wants a fleet of expensive cars no one knows how to drive.
 
U.k salmon fisher said:
Great thanks, that's reassuring about the roads around Gold River... I really can't imagine them being any worse than Tierra Del Diego (Chilean side).We only have an hour in friendly bay unfortunately, however I did manage to reserve a boat for a day at Moocha to go out salmon fishing. Thanks for the useful advice, the trip is coming together nicely. This might sound a bit like a weird question but does anyone still drive a manual car in BC? I prefer a manual rather than automatic. I managed to rent one three years ago in Toronto but it seems that all the companies in Vancouver only rent automatic.
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Just FYI, unless they have stepped up their game the tackle you get with the rental boat at Moutcha is pretty bare bones. A couple flashers and teaser heads and that about it from what I can recall. The downriggers and rods/reels are fine, but you probably want to plan to bring some of your own tackle with you. Unless you plan to fish bait exclusively.
 
U.k salmon fisher said:
Good advice... we'll be bringing spinning rods. I'll pick up some lures and buzz bombs in Vancouver I guess.
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Those would be good for shore fishing, or jigging from the boat I guess but if you're in a rental boat in Nootka you'll probably want some stuff to troll on the downriggers, which is by far the most common way to do it and what the boat will be set up for.
 
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