Trip planning 3rd week of July......... advice wanted

Kristo

Active Member
My son is coming in from out from of province and I want to take him on a 1 week trip by boat (24 Pursuit) departing Vancouver.
Am thinking heading out JDF towards Sooke or Port Renfrew and exploring the area.
We want to angle some halis.
I am a little concerned with fog .........no radar.
Looking for some recommendations and tips for planning this trip ie destinations, accomodations/camping,weather, fishing in late july...etc
 
My son is coming in from out from of province and I want to take him on a 1 week trip by boat (24 Pursuit) departing Vancouver.
Am thinking heading out JDF towards Sooke or Port Renfrew and exploring the area.
We want to angle some halis.
I am a little concerned with fog .........no radar.
Looking for some recommendations and tips for planning this trip ie destinations, accomodations/camping,weather, fishing in late july...etc

What about boating to Nanaimo, paying someone to trailer your boat (and driving you) to Port Alberni and exploring Barkley/Bamfield/Poett's Nook. Wouldn't cost much more than a truck and trailer on the ferry each way.
 
Best fishing is out of Ukee. In that area you have Bamfield and the canal. Tofino and north is close too.
Fog should not be a problem, hasn't been for the last couple seasons.
DON'T bother with JDF. You will be hugely frustrated/disappointed/pissed off at that experience. Plus you won't have much in the freezer for your efforts.
Nice campground adjacent to the boat basin in Ukee. Lots of accomos too.
You will be full on plugs (602,158 etc) and big spoons (wonder, clendon). Drag a hootchie along the bottom for Halis. My profile pic is from that time of season. gl
 
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yup, barkley sound..worth the effort
 
Nice Cheech, slagging another area, just because its not where you fish! You remind me of the odd charter guy who when confronted by a lost customer of someone else says.....hey that guy isn't that great a fisherman and I'm free this morning so I could take you out instead and besides your here now anyway. Lots of fish in JDF and the hali's are bigger. Already one taken over 200 pounds this year.
 
I have planned to head to bamfield for third weekend of july. Jdf should be good around then aswell but me personally I like to fish up in bamfield so I can fish inside on the rough days and also head out to the bank on the calm days and fish off ukee etc. I would say you are gonna have good chance at either place to get into some great fishing but you never know what our weather is going to do so try to plan it out so that you can make the most of your trip while here!
 
There was a 212 last weekend..... so that would be 2
Besides north island, JDF is one of the best places to look for a halibut over 100lbs if that's your thing.

Plenty of good salmon fishing in JDF as well and there is actually something to do other then fishing when you're done on the water. WCVI vs. JDF is totally different experience IMO
 
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You'll be fishing in prime time all around! And if you have a week, you can mix it up, try different stuff.

To show him some off the scale fishing action, I'd aim for one of the offshore banks -- Swiftsure out of Renfrew, or I think it's Big Bank out of Ucluelet. On its day, that can be so good, it's stupid ... very memorable fishing experience. Though its usually lots of medium size salmon and halibut, rather than the big trophies. For the large springs, you'll want to be closer to shore, along the beach in Renfrew or off the points in the Sooke area. If you want to aim for the big halibut, you'll need a proper anchoring set up and know how to use it safely.

For offshore, you have a big enough boat to handle some seas, you just have to watch for fog -- typically in the am, then often clear in the pm. With a week to play with, you can pick your spots, and should be fine....you'll be able to get out there if you want to.

Not sure how you feel about pinks, but it's a pink year and forecasted to be biggest return ever ... so bring some fly rods and have some light tackle fun. Same for coho offshore, that's a gas.

Though Ukee's probably a good bet too ... a little more driving though.

If driving, another option is Nootka ... great fishing, but also great wilderness experience, really feel like you're "out there".

Good times ahead!
 
Nice to see you guys killing the breeding stock of Halis. Keep it up. Hows that slot limit treating you? Seals?
I was just trying to direct a guy NOT looking for a GUIDE to some decent angling opps.
I can understand why you JDF guys are frustrated I used to fish there too. Whole new world when you get out of that head space.
 
oh jeez...
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ya the jdf sucks , it's such a long 2-5 mile run to get into some of the best haly fishin on the coast. He was talkin haly fishin. But no matter where you go at that time of year should be great. people get there backs up when you say you won't enjoy your time in the jdf and will come home with empty coolers.

The same could be said for offshore fishing in a 5meter swell and thick fog except you'll have a cooler full.lol Each to their own. but there's nothing wrong with jdf thats for sure. Apples to Oranges
 
Trev..you got my point. he could have mentioned WC without shi!!ing on us. I fish Barkley and Nootka and enjoy the change of scenery and the good fishing there to. But he continues with slot limit, seals and killing brood stock. Well as the guy was asking about "Hali fishing" we can give him the brood stock one..as they only catch and take chickens on the WC.
 
Thanks Guys....lotsa good info here......and spirited discussion;)
I think I will take a few days in May or early June to cruise on over to JDF and learn some anchoring techniques and methods for angling large halis....
I have fished UKE a couple of times on the puker boats and want to explore the Bamfield area.
Maybe in July a week is enough time to cruise there weather permitting........looks about 200 miles one way(Vancouver to Bamfield).
Do people often make that run from Port Renfrew to Bamfield in boats of similar size to mine (24 ft) in the summer?
Thanks again for chiming in.
 
Have done that trip a few times. Best to leave early morning. I've left 5:30 ish and been in Bamfield by 9am. Easy trip in clear of foggy conditions. Simply stay in about 30 fathoms and keep the compass pinned due west. Wind is the only concern in the straits and why you want to leave early to minimize the chance of getting into any. I carried an extra 10 to 15 gallons of fuel on deck just in case I needed it. Might be a good idea to see if someone else is making the trip the same day and buddy up. Good insurance if mechanical issues arise.
 
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