Ukee? or Bam?

[NorthStar]

This year ventured North of the border and thanks to some helpful tips from the guys on here, had a great time fishing Sooke to Renfrew(other than getting a bunch of expensive stuff stolen off the boat in Sooke). Got some hali's to #45 and trip limits of "Springs" to #25 with lots of Pinks at the Cannery (that stuff is great smoked and canned!) and a few hatchery Coho's. Starting to plan next years trip considering limited accomodations. I would like to explore more of that fantastic place so I am Thinking about either Ucluelet or Bamfield. Will be towing my 24 Skagit Orca up there. Does anybody have a preference and why?

Thanks in asvance!

NorthStar Out!

 

[Charlie]

Sorry Millys,

It would be Ucluelet, without a doubt… More fish, more opportunity!

 

[Charlie]

Here, better than that? Let me give you this and you make your own decission?

 

[NorthStar]

Thanks Charlie- Looks like some good data but which areas are what numbers? Looks like Ucluelet is 23? do more trips/anglers go out of Ukee?

 

[The Fish Assassin]

Big surprize.. I disagree with Charlie! I've fished from both places, but I prefer Bamfield. Out of Bamfield you can fish 5,7,12, Big Bank and Swiftsure isn't too far away. I usually never make it past 7 mile though. There's enough Halibut and springs around you don't need to go all the way out most times. If you like fishing stay on the inside.. If you like catching venture offshore.

Take only what you need.

 

[ratherbefishing]

Here is an even bigger surprise (to me at least)...I agree with FA. I think Bamfield offers more opportunities...inshore and offshore. Far easier to fish the Bamfield area when the weather gets nasty. IMO.

 

[gamechanger]

I'm with those guys, Bamfield is my choice, it's a classic coastal fishing village, that has far more character than Uke does (but far less amenities, but hey are you coming to fish or are you coming to shop?), the fishing is comparable or better, and there are way less people. Sometimes Uke can be hotter, sometimes it's Bamfield, but I think there are more opportunities on this side of Barkley for good fishing under many kinds of conditions...and not crowded like the other populated side.

 

[Slabby20]

I've been to Bamfield for many years in a row and I love the place. However, the last two or three years it seems that my normal time slot, the last week in August, has been pretty spotty fishing. Has there been a shift to the Robertson Creek fish coming back earlier, later??? FA, Millys, Rather, what do you consider your prime time frame for Bamfield??

 

[teamchachi]

I've fished both many times. For me it really comes down to your boat and where you like to fish. I love it offshore, and my boat can handle pretty big water so I prefer Ukee. I also really like fact that it is much easier to drive to, and there are far more restaurants, places to buy food, fish processing (Far West Foods) etc. And it isn't that far to get over to Effingham, Gibraltar, Swale, etc. if the waves get big.

I do like Bamfield, and it certainly does have more charm. If I had a smaller boat, then it would also be higher on my list since it does offer more protected fishing opportunities.

http://www.salmonboats.ca/fishing-boats-for-rent/ - Premium North River and Boston Whaler Rental Fishing Boats

 

[Charlie]

quote:Originally posted by teamchachi

I've fished both many times. For me it really comes down to your boat and where you like to fish. I love it offshore, and my boat can handle pretty big water so I prefer Ukee. I also really like fact that it is much easier to drive to, and there are far more restaurants, places to buy food, fish processing (Far West Foods) etc. And it isn't that far to get over to Effingham, Gibraltar, Swale, etc. if the waves get big.

I do like Bamfield, and it certainly does have more charm. If I had a smaller boat, then it would also be higher on my list since it does offer more protected fishing opportunities.

http://www.salmonboats.ca/fishing-boats-for-rent/ - Premium North River and Boston Whaler Rental Fishing Boats

X2
If you are just looking for a nice place to stay and enjoy some fishing, you would find me at... Poett Nook or Mills landing!

If you are looking to stay inside and fish protected waters, by all means Bamfield! If you are looking to catch fish... Ucluelet!

There is a reason Ucluelet is A LOT more crowded than Bamfield! I very seldom have to go farther off than Southbank. I believe Southbank holds a lot more fish than 7 mile and I have fished both for a number of years!

 

[NorthStar]

Thanks Guys- How far of a run is it to Southbank from Ukee?

 

[teamchachi]

quote:Originally posted by NorthStar

Thanks Guys- How far of a run is it to Southbank from Ukee?

The bank starts about 6 miles from the lighthouse. A nice short run.

http://www.salmonboats.ca/fishing-boats-for-rent/ - Premium North River and Boston Whaler Rental Fishing Boats

 

[teamchachi]

quote:Originally posted by smiley66

I went out a couple of years ago in the OBMG group boats in a guide salmon fishing trip.

I remember I stepped into the boat, and saw all the rods rigged with a a simple jig. Being all "cocky" because I fish, and have my own boat get really lamed out ( I thought how can I catch these things tommycod jigging). Guess what:WRONG".

We take off only a few minutes off Ukee. I put line in water, and jig for a few secoonds wham 20. Two seconds later guy behind has one, and guy in back. It was just awesome.I put line in again wham 22. It was insane that place is loaded not to mention all the black bass etc.

I can't imagine how awesome it is offshore. Isn't the Rat's nose around there is that farther down. Always here good stories around there.

Smiley66

I don't think that your experience on the OBMG boats is typical. Sounds like you were in the right place at the right time.

The Rat's Nose is around 22 miles from the light house. About as far from shore as I want to go in my boat, and we only do it when we have two boats and the sea and weather are cooperating.

http://www.salmonboats.ca/fishing-boats-for-rent/ - Premium North River and Boston Whaler Rental Fishing Boats

 

[Charlie]

I think the experience on the OBMG boats is VERY typical. They are pretty good at what they do. I have fished offshore around them quite often. If you see one (you will usually see more), it might be a good ideal to stop and fish that area? Just make sure you give them "lots" of room. They seem to find, "the right place at the right time." Just don't crowd them.

The other thing mentioning the "cattle boats"... There is NO WAY, I would plan on leaving Ucluelet during the 6:00am rush hour! Been there - done that... and running in their wake at the end of the channel, gets old "quick"! Leaving around 5:30 or 6:30, it is a LOT nicer, especially in the fog!

Both are good areas and I don't think you can go wrong with either. I have paid my "dues", in both. If you are fishing the inside at Bamfield, the Robertson Creek Hatchery does have a lot of influence there, to the tune of between 2/3 and 3/4 of the Springs. I personaly would be there closer to the second week of August? But, no one can really predict exactly when that "main" run will hit! Ucluelet and offshore, is just the opposite. Those fish are migrating down the coast with 2/3 headed to the U.S. with the bulk of the rest going to Nitinat and Fraser. That is a way larger amount of fish to target!

I have never had to go any farther then "Outer Southbank" out of Ucluelet during the first week of August? Many times you can find fish right outside the mouth of the channel, both north up to "Wya" and south to "Cree"? But, then that also depends on the time frame you are there? You very well could find fishing the best at "Big Bank"?

Southbank and Bigbank both, hold a LOT of "resident Springs" and Coho! That's were the use of the "hoochies" comes from. If you miss the run, "that fishery", itself can be very good. Here, maybe this will help you decide?

Here is a list of some of the better spots in the areas. The rating and species is only based on my experience and what I caught. The more **** only means, I personaly caught more fish there, it has nothing to do with the quality of that location.

This is what it looks like on a chart!

Oh, and "yes", I have fished everyone of those locations and this should answer the email question about my boat.