Trying To Plan A Little Spring/Early Summer Trip To Find Better Regs

[Thunder21]

I would wait for a weather window and run around the south end of the island. It won’t take long. The exposed run from Renfrew to Bamfield is pretty quick. Van to downtown Vic, spend the night and then head to Bamfield. By the time you run to French creek you could be in Victoria. Then you have to pay the boat mover, then run an hour from Alberni to Bamfield. Better off just running the boat around in my opinion.

 

[Rain City]

Fishing off Victoria/oak bay can be great April-june. Most likely closed for retention, oak bay marina is there with all the facilities. Thats where ill be!

Yah I'd love to check the area out but I'd like to bring home some meat as well.

Truck it to Winter Harbor!

It's an option for sure.

Just bring your rods and gear and rent a boat at Pedder and fish sooke. If you have a truck and camper you can camp at Pedder marina. Also I’m sure you would be able to find some of us to take you out. Beers after always.

Thanks man I appreciate that for sure. It's also about doing my own thing as many of you can understand. I want to spend my next 40 years cruising all over so I've gotta get out of this little pocket I'm in eventually. As beautiful as Princess Louisa and Desolation are Id really like to get some offshore time in with my own rig. Eventually get out for Tuna on her. Baby steps.

 

[Rain City]

I would wait for a weather window and run around the south end of the island. It won’t take long. The exposed run from Renfrew to Bamfield is pretty quick. Van to downtown Vic, spend the night and then head to Bamfield. By the time you run to French creek you could be in Victoria. Then you have to pay the boat mover, then run an hour from Alberni to Bamfield. Better off just running the boat around in my opinion.

If there's a window I'd love to try it. Right now the plan would be to just do it on the way back as a start.

 

[ryanb]

Just bring your rods and gear and rent a boat at Pedder and fish sooke. If you have a truck and camper you can camp at Pedder marina. Also I’m sure you would be able to find some of us to take you out. Beers after always.

Regs aren't any better in Sooke though
... but I guess there are halibut to be found.

 

[jeffywestcoast]

im new to the south island , but im 15 mins to pedder , Bring the Commander and all that fried chicken rigging im sure you can make friends fast , if we are looking at closures everywhere then Bamfield , ill follow the fried chicken up the coast .

 

[Rain City]

im new to the south island , but im 15 mins to pedder , Bring the Commander and all that fried chicken rigging im sure you can make friends fast , if we are looking at closures everywhere then Bamfield , ill follow the fried chicken up the coast .

Sounds like it'll be the Bamfield/Ukee area or a-way-up North. Considering doing a month or two moorage somewhere and making a few trips. Air BnB the boat while I'm away lol.

 

[SpringVelocity]

I wouldn't head for south personally in that time frame if your wanting to retain migratory chinooks.

Bamfield and up, or way up North would be my options. If you are OK without not retaining anything South Vic/Pedder area is great for halibut, and other salmon. The pinks and probably some migratory coho will be around.

I honestly don't know what the department is thinking but my guess would be fairly close to what we saw last year.

 

[Rain City]

I wouldn't head for south personally. It will be restricted like last year.

Yah not a chance. I think we can only expect worse not better in the near future

 

[ericl]

Sounds like it'll be the Bamfield/Ukee area or a-way-up North. Considering doing a month or two moorage somewhere and making a few trips. Air BnB the boat while I'm away lol.

Good choice. Stay fairly close to the Island to avoid Swiftsure, but give Cape Beal a mile off-shore as it can get lumpy. Have a course in the GPS in case of fog - stay SOBER!!. Winds on the strait are lightest in the morning. Starting from Sooke is better than Vic, Port Renfrew better yet. It seems Salmon are just about always caught around Cree Island all Spring/Summer, but I don't know Barkley Sound very well. If it will be mid-June to mid July, investigate fishing the Squid spawning areas; usually shallow protected water 30-50 ft deep trolling "Tofino Dog Turd" hoochies in off-white/tan colors. You can also jig your own squid & still-fish them live with trout sinkers. The Ucluelet harbor is known for jigging squid at night.

 

[SpringVelocity]

Yah not a chance. I think we can only expect worse not better in the near future

Another alternative that would be fun is take the inside of island. Head North. Malcolm/Hardy etc. You have the boat for it.

 

[Rain City]

Good choice. Stay fairly close to the Island to avoid Swiftsure, but give Cape Beal a mile off-shore as it can get lumpy. Have a course in the GPS in case of fog - stay SOBER!!. Winds on the strait are lightest in the morning. Starting from Sooke is better than Vic, Port Renfrew better yet. It seems Salmon are just about always caught around Cree Island all Spring/Summer, but I don't know Barkley Sound very well. If it will be mid-June to mid July, investigate fishing the Squid spawning areas; usually shallow protected water 30-50 ft deep trolling "Tofino Dog Turd" hoochies in off-white/tan colors. You can also jig your own squid & still-fish them live with trout sinkers. The Ucluelet harbor is known for jigging squid at night.

YES good point. The squid fishing is definitely something my wife and I are into trying. Perhaps something to plan the trip around, if anyone would give up any info on it lol.

 

[Rain City]

Another alternative that would be fun is take the inside of island. Head North. Malcolm/Hardy etc. You have the boat for it.

Totally. I don't think boat is the limiting factor here at all. The last of my concerns at this point.

 

[ab1752]

Keep me in the loop, I figure you can plow the way it will be no greater than a 1' chop for me!

There are some awesome options on the inside too. Bute for one, a June trip up that way would be awesome. Even earlier and its not that bad a run up in one shot too.

 

[RiverBoy]

Keep me in the loop, I figure you can plow the way it will be no greater than a 1' chop for me!

There are some awesome options on the inside too. Bute for one, a June trip up that way would be awesome. Even earlier and its not that bad a run up in one shot too.

i wouldn’t plan a trip relying on salmon around Bute anytime soon. The recent slide / blow out completely destroyed the Southgate River system. The entire inlet is choked with floating islands of logs, trees and debris. iLog salvage boats have been up there working but apparently it’s full of crap. can see DFO shutting it down completely. hope i’m wrong

 

[ab1752]

i wouldn’t plan a trip relying on salmon around Bute anytime soon. The recent slide / blow out completely destroyed the Southgate River system. The entire inlet is choked with floating islands of logs, trees and debris. iLog salvage boats have been up there working but apparently it’s full of crap. can see DFO shutting it down completely. hope i’m wrong

For sure, I know its a mess up there after the slide.

 

[pescador]

So I know Nootka is a bit of a drive but not much more than Ukee. Facilities and fishing are pretty exceptional and logistics are doable. Of course you're exhausted after a weekend of hard fishing/drinking and driving (not at the same time), and traveling back home, but real men from East Van can do it. Fishing starts picking up the last week of June in Nootka and of course July early Aug is peak.

1.0 Run your boat to Campbell River across the Straight.
2.0 Have a local towing company tow the boat to the Gold River Launch. https://www.chucksboatrvhauling.com
3.0 Have someone in a truck run over to the Island so you have a means of getting home if you plan to moor there for a month.
4.0 Once the boat is launched in Gold River, run up the Inlet to Critter Cove. They have moorage and for a fee you can normally leave it there for whatever time you need. https://crittercove.com
5.0 At the same time you have your buddy run your truck into Cougar Creek or one of the other drop points (Critter has one too) on the road to Tahsis. Leave you truck there as your means of transport to/from YVR.
6.0 Critter Cove has great facilities and is situated ideally to get to all key points in the Sound. Gas, gear, food and you can sleep on your boat although staying in a cabin is great.

It takes me about 7 hours towing my 8000 lb rig from leaving my home on the West Side of Van till the time I'm cracking a cold one at Critter Cove on the deck. Not towing a boat you could do it in probably 5.5 hours.

You've then got the inshore protected waters for fishing which can be like fishing on a lake for big Springs. You've got the 1 mile surf line area like Beano Creek / Maquinna which has some migrating fish as well as locals. And, you've got spectacular off-shore Hali and Ling cod fishing all within a 45 minute run from Critter.

Nootka is a pretty special place. I'm sure once you've been you'll understand. Happy to give you more info if you need it......

 

[Rain City]

So I know Nootka is a bit of a drive but not much more than Ukee. Facilities and fishing are pretty exceptional and logistics are doable. Of course you're exhausted after a weekend of hard fishing/drinking and driving (not at the same time), and traveling back home, but real men from East Van can do it. Fishing starts picking up the last week of June in Nootka and of course July early Aug is peak.

1.0 Run your boat to Campbell River across the Straight.
2.0 Have a local towing company tow the boat to the Gold River Launch. https://www.chucksboatrvhauling.com
3.0 Have someone in a truck run over to the Island so you have a means of getting home if you plan to moor there for a month.
4.0 Once the boat is launched in Gold River, run up the Inlet to Critter Cove. They have moorage and for a fee you can normally leave it there for whatever time you need. https://crittercove.com
5.0 At the same time you have your buddy run your truck into Cougar Creek or one of the other drop points (Critter has one too) on the road to Tahsis. Leave you truck there as your means of transport to/from YVR.
6.0 Critter Cove has great facilities and is situated ideally to get to all key points in the Sound. Gas, gear, food and you can sleep on your boat although staying in a cabin is great.

It takes me about 7 hours towing my 8000 lb rig from leaving my home on the West Side of Van till the time I'm cracking a cold one at Critter Cove on the deck. Not towing a boat you could do it in probably 5.5 hours.

You've then got the inshore protected waters for fishing which can be like fishing on a lake for big Springs. You've got the 1 mile surf line area like Beano Creek / Maquinna which has some migrating fish as well as locals. And, you've got spectacular off-shore Hali and Ling cod fishing all within a 45 minute run from Critter.

Nootka is a pretty special place. I'm sure once you've been you'll understand. Happy to give you more info if you need it......

This was awesome thank you.

 

[wolf]

Personally id go on a quided trip (olys) if you want your "meat" the cost to bring it over and to get to wherever you want be cheaper in the long run and they house and feed you and vac seal your catch. then if you want come to sooke in august to get more meat...its not hard and calm waters

 

[32Knots]

So much to see and explore in Barkley Sound. Good anchorages and docks around. Leave at First light and your drinking beer..I mean fishing before you know it. I've seen all tow bringing guys over when I've launched at French Creek. I read on here a few guys do it to go to Race for the Blue.

 

[wildmanyeah]

If you go all the way up the inside to Hardy in the spring you might as well go another 15 or so miles up and over to the mainland and hit the hot fishing. Some of the advantage to the spring is not having to deal with fog.