info wanted on Vancouver BC fishing

[corona]

A friend and I are trying to plan a fishing trip to Vancouver BC. Due to work schedules, it must be the last week of May, which we know isn't "prime time". We have contacted several outfits and have received confusing info. The outfits on the East side of the island, such as the Campbell river area say they have the best fishing and great weather/water conditions in May, and that the water is too rough on the west side. The outfits on the west side, such as Tofino and Ucluelet area say that the weather is fine in May and that the east side is all dried up for fish. They say the campbell and powell rivers were great years ago, but now there are no fish on the east side of the island. Does anyone know the truth? Has anyone fished up there in May or near that time of year. I am not looking for another guide service or sales pitch...just honest information.
Thanks

[THE REEL HEY_YALL]

Totally kewl ifish name. My favorite beer. I'll see what I can find out for you if no one else who's fished up there will reply. I have a buddy that fishes in Vancouver for a week every year, but I think it's later in the year than May. Sometime in the summer. They totally crush the fish when they go, and they get some nice crabs too. I'll see what I can find out for you and welcome to IFISH.

[V. Green]

Corona,

I have been to Vancouver Island a number of times and have found that the West Side & North End streams with less access seam to have good numbers of fish, though they may not be easy to find.

If you want to fish with a guide you will probably wnat to fish the more popular water that is boatable (?), such as the Stamp, San Jaun, Cowichan, Gold, Salmon or Campbell. Most of the other rivers I have seen may or may not be floatable but a guide would know.

If you have a pontoon/cataraft you could probably cover alot of water on streams that have good amounts of water.

I have fished in April for steelhead and had a good time. The Port Alberni area has a lot of streams that are fishable from the bank or a boat, just get a map and go. You might also drive North from Campbell River stopping at any stream that looks promising as you go. I would suggest getting maps from the local logging companies (MacMillan Bloedel) and finding your own water. Do pay attention to the regs, some waters allow bait but most do not. Also all streams required a single point hook last time I was there, so no treble hooks on plugs or lures.

I hope this answers your question, have a good time when you go.

V. Green

[Hook'd]

Corona,
Welcome to the ifish board!

In the early 1990’s I fished out of Tofino, BC three different months, in three different years. I pulled my boat up there and had great fishing each time. What we caught depended on what month it was. Late May to mid-June we found the halibut fishing was great. On the nice days, we fished in 120 - 200 feet of water with our salmon rod and reel, working herring near the bottom with 8 oz of lead. On the windy days we would switch to our true halibut gear with 80 lb. Tuff-line and 20+ oz of lead. Halibut we caught have been up to 74 lbs.

Salmon fishing this time of year is for “spring” salmon. I think these are some of the Chinook that are headed for the Columbia River in August. They run 15-25 lbs. and are mainly caught mooching or trolling herring or using downriggers, flashers, and hoochies near the bottom. We would be running to an area to fish and see a ball of bait on the screen, stop and fish. This seemed to be as productive as anything else. Tide change also was important. Even though we were 5-10 miles offshore the bite seemed to pick up at the tide changes.

One year we went the first week in July and the silvers were thick. We caught a few Chinook and didn’t fish for halibut. Don’t forget to take some jigs for bottom fish… lots of copper rockfish, yellow-eye, and lings can be found on the sides of any underwater mound.

We were always able fish out in the ocean at least part of each day. There are no bars to cross as the sound just open to the ocean across many miles. The wind would occasionally run you off the ocean by afternoon but by late evening we would often just run to a near shore mound to catch some bottom fish.

I hope this helps you. I would be happy to pass along more specific information regarding where we stayed, moorage, bait availability, freezers, coordinates… etc.
E-mail me if you want more info.

Good luck if you go.
Hook’d

[Ed]

Has anyone fished the Fraser River Valley? Thinking about pulling my boat up this summer for a week or so. Also, I have a 19' DW. Will my "river boat" work on the west side of Vancouver Island in the summer say for halibut? Thanks.

[Gone Fishin]

Corona,

Welcome to the IFISH board also! I haven't fished up there myself, but I do know that the scenery is spectacular so be sure and pack your camera! http://www.ifish.net/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Fishplay]

Welcome Corona;
I've fished the Port Hardy area(northern tip of Vancouver Island) and it is an area I would recomend. May is earlier than we've fished it but the bottom fishing will be good then. Mid June has been our most productive dates for the big flatties. There are some excellent halibut and ling grounds within a 15 mile radius. The protected waters are a joy to fish. The fog is more of a concerne than water conditions. Late July is Chinook salmon time up there. The Quarterdeck marina is who you want to contact and they do have a website. If you have any other questions you can e-mail me.

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FISH!........GET IN THE BOAT!!!!!

[brshooter]

Check the regulations closely. If you are fishing in any Provincal Park, you may not be able to use lead. We vacation every year up in Jasper, Alberta and if you fish in Jasper or Banff National Parks, you can be fined if you get within 200 feet of any lake or river with lead in your posession. You can't even have lead weighted nymphs in your fly box. I have to use copper wire instead of lead to weigh down the nymphs.
Have a great trip.

Bill