Your preferred place to live on Van Isle for sport fishing?

[chille51]

We moved from Langley to Nanaimo (Cinnabar Valley area) almost exactly 1 year ago. I chuckle at the comments about the traffic here having been in the LML my whole life. But I guess it’s all in perspective. When you’ve sat in traffic for 1 - 2hrs one way for days in a row 40min is nothing. I can get to the boat launch in 15min vs an hour plus to McDonald beach and that’s on a weekend morning. Almost the same time to the Ladysmith launch which is also decent. The fishing spots are also closer. I can easily fish after work which I couldn’t do previously without ditching early. Having only crossed over to this side to fish a few times when I lived there the fishing here is fantastic. Way better than I imagined. The Brechin launch is excellent and you can’t beat $6 a day. From here we can easily drive North or South to explore new areas. Tried Bamfield for the first time this year and we have a stay at CC in Nootka every summer. Moving here has increased my opportunity 10 fold. On the non fishing side. Real Estate - we sold our house in Langley for $300k more than we bought for but our house now is 35yrs newer and 50% larger. The people here are great and very friendly. The pace is much slower, Island time really is a thing. You also can’t beat finding parking at Costco even on a Saturday Lol. People often talk about the homeless issue here which certainly exists but we had plenty of that in Langley and other places are worse. I feel a lot safer here with my stuff being left out and cars not getting broken into. When my wife and I do have to travel over for work we can’t wait to get back here and leave the mainland behind.

That would make is neighbors. We're also in the Chase River/Cinnabar Area.

I can't contribute a lot to this conversation, as I only bought a boat and got into salt water fishing in a serious way in the last 3 years or so. Never experienced trying to do it in the Lower Mainland but lived there for 20 years before coming here, and still back there for work almost every week. Nanaimo is great for current life commitments with all the positive attributes mentioned. When I hit retirement age, it'll probably be to parts north of here though.

 

[Blue Hewes]

That would make is neighbors. We're also in the Chase River/Cinnabar Area.

I can't contribute a lot to this conversation, as I only bought a boat and got into salt water fishing in a serious way in the last 3 years or so. Never experienced trying to do it in the Lower Mainland but lived there for 20 years before coming here, and still back there for work almost every week. Nanaimo is great for current life commitments with all the positive attributes mentioned. When I hit retirement age, it'll probably be to parts north of here though.

Hey there you go. Only been fishing salt for the past 6 years and still learning. Would love to get together for a fish sometime! My wife says I’m becoming obsessed and I need to find more fishy friends Lol.

 

[chille51]

Hey there you go. Only been fishing salt for the past 6 years and still learning. Would love to get together for a fish sometime! My wife says I’m becoming obsessed and I need to find more fishy friends Lol.

Mine says the same thing, haha. She also demands to go on vacations that are not related to fishing. Why, I don't know.

 

[EstevanPoint]

Tough to beat Campbell River. Possibly the most central location on the Island. Provides quick access to the West Coast through Nootka Sound. North end of the Strait of Georgia at your doorstep. If you want to fish North Island, you're only 2-2.5 hours away. South Island 1.5-2.5 hours away. It's also warm, unlike Soggy Foggy Sooke. That place is frigid even compared to Renfrew and Bamfield. Good access to river fishing as well.

 

[Bobloblaw]

Nanaimo. We love it here. 5 minutes from boat launch, lines down in 30 minutes from house. Many days back with fish in under an hour.

Also perfectly located to access everything north and west. I cruise the forums to find the places killing it, then hitch up and head directly there- Winter Harbour, Port Hardy, Kyuquot, Conuma, Nootka, Ukee, Tofino, Bamfield...

All is in easy touching distance for a day's fishing. Some of those days might need to start at 2 or 3am, true... but totally worth it.