Where To Go ??

[walleyes]

It's getting to be that time of year again. The time I start to look at booking a place for the annual salmon trip. We head out In August some time for the Chinook run. As some of you know Sooke has been a regular run for me now going on 7 years. I did the Nootka thing for 2 years prior and really liked it. This year I am considering Nootka again but its just not the best place to take a family yah know.. That is the thing about Sooke its a good all round place. But those Nootka fish are calling and a guy has the option of the outside and a few bottom fish as well up at Nootka.

Maybe some help from you guys..

Nootka -- Lodges that are family friendly and accommodate bringing your own boat. Prices ?? am not a millionaire and like a reasonably priced place. Would be looking at a 5 day stay.

Sooke -- Wonder if S.S. will still be open, What is the general consensuses if any on predicted runs this year ?? good or bad.. One thing about Sooke is the wife likes it and we usually stay for 10 - 12 days so that's always a bonus gives me more time to relax out there..

Any suggestions would be good guys..

Thx..

 

[TenMile]

Do a drive in to Ucuelet. You're out fishing on the outside after the biggies -- the family can be at the beach, park, pools, spa etc. If you have your own boat, a side trip to the Broken Group is 10 minutes away for some fantastic spots to explore.

TenMile
<'((((><

 

[juandesooka]

I brought the family to Nootka 2 years ago, didn't go that well for me for a bunch of reasons. But I hope to take them there again this suummer -- this time though I plan to stay in a cabin at Friendly Cove. Expensive for the rustic cabin, but a great land-based location, so they can run around and hike while the fishing is going on, and a good base to explore from. So that's an option to consider.

Sooke: I have heard no plans to close Sunny Shores, so that should remain an option.

Ucluelet: excellent option, as long as your boat is open ocean capable. Lots to do other than fish.

Port Renfrew: a pretty good option too. Great salmon fishing a short run out, plus Swiftsure Bank if your boat can handle open ocean. You could camp at the rivermouth, nice beach right there and rivers to fool around in, can fish from shore. Excellent crabbing. If windy at shore, you can move a few miles inland and camp at Fairy Lake or Lizard Lake -- amazing how much warmer it is just a few miles away from the beach. Camping at the Marina is an option too, if you need RV hookup.

I'm sure there's good times coming, no matter where you end up...

 

[Pippen]

quote:Originally posted by TenMile

Do a drive in to Ucuelet. You're out fishing on the outside after the biggies -- the family can be at the beach, park, pools, spa etc. If you have your own boat, a side trip to the Broken Group is 10 minutes away for some fantastic spots to explore.

TenMile
<'((((><

x3!!! Great area in Ukie....and there is plenty to see and explore for the family between Ukie and Tofino. Great never ending beaches etc etc.

 

[Charlie]

quote:Originally posted by Pippen

quote:Originally posted by TenMile

Do a drive in to Ucuelet. You're out fishing on the outside after the biggies -- the family can be at the beach, park, pools, spa etc. If you have your own boat, a side trip to the Broken Group is 10 minutes away for some fantastic spots to explore.

TenMile
<'((((><

x3!!! Great area in Ukie....and there is plenty to see and explore for the family between Ukie and Tofino. Great never ending beaches etc etc.

X4!!! With family, Ukie and/or Tofino, and even Bamfield or Renfrew.
Nootka, be preparted to run offshore?

 

[tofinofish]

Walleyes,

Speaking from Tofino experience, the overall costs may be more than the other areas, but the family ammenities/restaurants are very good.

The offshore is very similar to Ukee, with a 5-8 mile travel and you are into multiple runs of Chinook and Coho.

The inshore is one of the best areas for protected water Coho fishing within 20 minutes from Town. Light rod bucktailing is a blast..

Moorage is available, as well as charters for half or full day trips.

Regardless of where on WCVI, it looks to be a hot year for Salmon.

Tofinofish

 

[Duffer]

Depends on the size of your boat walleye and cost wise wether you are camping or staying at a resort or Hotel. If your Camping and looking for moorage some places you might be interested in on the inside Browns Bay, just north of Campbell River, Alder Bay is nice by Port Mcneil cant beat the scenery and the Salmon Fishing would prob be good at either spot. If it isnt good off Alder Bay you can camp there and trailor your boat 30 mins to Port Alice and motor up 50 mins to Winter Harbour. Which is usually fantastic in Aug. West Coast theres lots of options, Bamfield has lots of nice resorts to stay at my advice would be to drive your boat from Port Alberni up the Channel its about 1 hr and do it early morning because it usually blows up in the aft. Depends on the size of your boat. Tofino and Uce are nice spots like it was said by others. Weigh West is prob about the cheapest? and its excellent service. Its all paved to get there a couple hrs past Port.You can PM me if you want Ive been around the Island a couple times in 20 yrs. Can advise you on the goods and bads about most spots and there are lots of nice spots always an adventure and guarenteed beautiful scenery and usually tight lines!

 

[juandesooka]

Our family stayed at Critter Cove, on the cabins on the dock.

Pros: clean and nicely appointed, excellent restaurant (good job Holmes!)

Cons: very limited activities for shorebound non-fishing family members (read: they were bored silly)

That's why I plan to stay at Friendly Cove next time...offers land-based adventures galore. The negative though, is they charge just as much for a bare cabin with no facilities and moorage as Critter Cove charges for their much nicer accommodations.

When it's the boys trip, with no family, we'll be mooring at the Critter's dock...fishing all day, eating at the restaurant, sleeping on the boat...now THAT sounds like fun! [8D]

 

[walleyes]

Thx everyone for the feed back I really appreciate it. I am looking into some of the places mentioned but please keep the feed back coming. As far as running off shore its not undo able for me. I run a 20' boat equipped with GPS but no radar so the fog is something I have to watch for. I am definitely skeptical of running to far but a few miles is alright. Camping is not an option I should of mentioned that. We would be looking at kitchen units.. I have fished most of the popular places on the east side of the island like Camble River Browns Bays area. Port McNeil and like I said I have been to Nootka on two previous runs so that helps knowing the area. The biggest thing for me going to a new area is just that getting it figured out. Finding the spots and so on.. Kind of scares a guy when you are limited to just a few days.

Again thx guys and keep it coming..

 

[bananas]

Go to tofino and follow tofinoguy to portland pt you will kill em.

 

[Charlie]

quote:Originally posted by walleyes

You don't have to worry about finding the spots anymore, just follow all the boats! But, in fog without radar, that might be a little hard! I wouldn't recommend following a boat in the fog, in unfamiliar areas? To easy to get into trouble. If you do need some let me know, I have most of them saved! [:0]

Here are a few places you might be interested in - based on your comments? If you would like additional info, let me know! You should find something you like in one of these?

http://www.dlastresort.com/index.html
http://www.nuchatlitzisland.com/index.php
http://www.newtoncovelodge.com/
http://www.moutchabay.com/accommodation-resort.php
http://www.westviewmarina.com/tahsis_accommodation.html
http://www.islandwestresort.com/
http://www.canadianprincess.com/
http://www.weighwest.com/index.html
http://clayoquotvista.com/location.htm
http://www.trailsnestcottage.com/index.shtml
http://www3.telus.net/gallaughers/
http://trailhead-resort.com/index.php?i=salmon_fishing
http://www.soulecreeklodge.com/home.htm
http://www.nootka.ca/index.htm

 

[Roe Bags]

Pass the Pack

 

[Tofinoguy]

quote:Originally posted by bananas

Go to tofino and follow tofinoguy to portland pt you will kill em.

I'd be glad to help out Mr Walleye jf he decided to come up this way. That's the purpose of forums like this..........isn't it Bananas?

 

[bananas]

Yup thats why i said it.Ever heard of a joke.Trust me i help more than my share.

 

[Charlie]

quote:Originally posted by bananas

Yup thats why i said it.Ever heard of a joke.Trust me i help more than my share.

I can vouch for that!
I have fished next to bananas and heard the help and advice!

 

[Tofinoguy]

quote:Originally posted by bananas

Yup thats why i said it.Ever heard of a joke.Trust me i help more than my share.

Great. Glad to hear that, Bananas. I'm the same way with the info - except for Hali spots. I used to be a lot more tight lipped when we used to be allowed to fish the rockpiles.

 

[walleyes]

Damn,, thx guys a ton of good info given.. And don't worry I will never ask for one of yer hali holes. After spending a couple days out with Wolf last spring I saw how closely gaurded those places are.. Now if ever there is one you want to "give" away well thats another story but I won't ask...

Looking into a couple of the places today just waiting for replies,, then run them by Momma and we will see what happens.. Realy interested in the cabin on Nuchatlitz Island.. Just a question though.. If a guy go's out to Esperenza he is pretty much going to have to fish the outside no,, or are there places for Chinook inside that are in decent boating range.. And speaking of bottom fish is there some decent fishing close by ??

 

[Charlie]

In the "whole" Nootka area, you will be dealing with the 77cm rule of over and under? Therefore, unless something changes you will have to go "offshore", which is only about 7 miles from the cabin's dock!

Nuchatlitz Island is “very” private, with friendly people. If you stay on the “south side” of the island, you have to watch the tides, as you cannot get in or out, with less than 2' 8" tide. Yes, I have pictures to prove that! In addition, everyone on the south side has access to the dock on the north side, which is only a short walk, which also eliminates the tide problem. I have many pictures of that area, if you would like to see.

If you are thinking that area, I would also recommend “Flynn’s Cove”. I think the family would like either, if Ann has anything available?

As far as halibut spots… I quit worrying about that years ago. Halibut migrate and are territorial. Which means, if you have a good spot and catch that halibut, another will move in and claim its territory, so the only question… is size. It is more guarded down here than Nootka due to amount of pressure put on them here.

If you really want to make your trip a little easier? Rather than hauling all your food, ice, etc by boat, you can contact Cathy at Westview Marine, give her a shoping list and have your items delivered to the cabin, to include gas. She has arranged that for me in the past.

This will give you an idea of the area you are thinking of? That is a nice cabin!

As far as fishing spots in and around Nootka Island, how many do you want? I have fished all the below, plus more. They are programed - with lat & long

Depending on time frame - you won't have any problem catching salmon, halibut, prawn, sea bass, rock fish, snapper, and a few ling. There are even a few crab early in the season (if you know where). The "crab" thing... is a much guarded secret! Locals usually won't even talk about that! [:0]