Campbell river B.C.

FROGGY · 02-01-2004, 10:52 AM

Anybody ever fished up there. Looking for a good spot for a fishing, I mean family vacation. I have seen some sites for a couple of lodges up there, but I want to go cheap. If anybody has any experiance with that area, please share!
Thanks

HOGTIDE · 02-01-2004, 03:19 PM

There is a Provincial Park just north of town which is nice for camping. The southern section of Town has a place called Ferndale Park which is a trailer sight, but allow tent camping. About 8 miles south of town is a nice moderately priced resort called Salmon Point which caters to campers. If you hit the CR Chamber of Commerce website you will find about 4 moderately priced motels right on the highway, right across from boat ramps.

July & August are the months you'll probably want to go to fish salmon. You will need a stable boat. EEven though the waters are fairly prtected, tide changes there are huge and the currents and eddys are extremely swift at the change.

Len Spesert · 02-01-2004, 03:23 PM

The town of Campbell River is located at the mouth of the river. It is a town of about 20,000 population. There are a number of inexpensive motels and restaurants, including many of the fast food places that we are familiar with.

There is a really good sporting goods shop located on the bank of the river in the town of Campbell River. It is: River Sportsman, Ltd. (250) 286-1017. They are easy to talk with and can give some great advice about the river and guides, etc. The river is easy to fish from the bank.

flop eared mule · 02-01-2004, 03:28 PM

I took a week vacation there last year with my 10 yo. Take all your gear with you except tent if you camp in that park north of town. I got my reels, lanterns and other stuff stolen after a day of fishing with a guide. Campbell river is loaded with pinks and are definilty fun on a fly rod. Anything pink and in their face and wham. Pink jigs work great, pink flies etc.. They use this slip bobber combination with the flies. However, that was last year so I think it will be the following year since I hear they run every other year. There should be a half dozen or so campbell river guides at the sportman's show. Thats how I got hooked up.

GutshotApe · 02-01-2004, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by FROGGY:
Looking for a good spot for a fishing, I mean family vacation.....I want to go cheap.

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helvetica">As you approach Campbell River from the south on Hwy 19, about 3 miles from town, there is a cheap motel called The Big Rock Motel on the left, across the road from a big house-sized rock on the gravelly beach, and there is a boat rental/boat launch business right there by the rock. Boats w/motors rented by the hour or day.

Great salmon fishing right in front along the kelp line...or, take your chances and run across the narrows to fish Cape Mudge and the big reef there. The tide rips should be avoided in the narrows. :shocked:

Jonah's Revenge · 02-01-2004, 07:08 PM

Just south of town there is a nice campground that is within walking distance to the beach. LOTS of sand dollars for the kids to play with. The family enjoyed the playground and beach while I was fishing.

If you are not going with a guide I would definately get more info from the guys who have been up there before. The tide can make some dangerous conditions but are avoidable.
I have a relative that is up there and they take their 12' boat out of C.R. often. They also know what to look out for up there.

As far as fishing gear and stuff, I (along with other ifishers) can probably set you up before you go. Just let me know.

cphatts · 02-01-2004, 07:34 PM

I was there a few years ago and camped at a public camground just a few miles upstream from town. The camprground was located right where s smaller river dumps into the Cambell (I believe its called the Quinsam but I could be wrong). It was mid Sept and I flyfished for Pinks, the river was absolutely loaded with them. Also lots of 'nooks down in the tidewater areas. Great place and great people up there. Good Luck!

FROGGY · 02-01-2004, 09:14 PM

Thanks for all the tips. This sounds like a good family trip. I will keep my eyes open at the sportmans show for area info. Thanks again

Mark Mc · 02-01-2004, 10:32 PM

Ditto on Quadra Island...

Take the ferry across. Just north of the bay where the ferry landing is, there is a very protected bay called Gowlland harbor. We stayed at a place called Seascape Waterfront Resort.

http://www.seascapewaterfrontresort.com/

It is not "white linen tablecloth" fancy, but the price is very reasonable. Self-contained cottages, playground, private docks, very quiet. We rented their 17 ft Boston Whalers by the hour, zoomed out in the sound, caught salmon & rockfish. I'd go there again for sure!

Another plus is you can drive across Quadra, and take the next ferry to Cortez Island, which is very remote & beautiful.

corkyking · 02-01-2004, 11:04 PM

My wife and I stayed here three summers ago.

I just checked their rates and it seems that the exchange rates are not as good as they were then.

At any rate we had a marvelous time and didn't feel that we had wasted our money. Meals were brought to our cabin by very friendly folks. Our guide showed is a good time.

Be sure to visit that fishing store talked about earlier/ The river runs right next to it and you can walk to the fishing.

We had a great time. Hope you do as well.

kenai · 02-01-2004, 11:05 PM

There are quite a few campgrounds in the area,just north of CR. I especially liked camping at Quadra Island. There is a ferry to it from Campbell River.

TillamookChinook · 02-02-2004, 12:33 PM

I will second (and third) the recommendation for camping on Quadra Island. The local tribe operates a campground there on a bay. Our family enjoyed our stay there about 20 years ago.

And the best news for you is that I won't be there. I can put the bite down on a major regional fishery just by showing up, as I demonstrated on our trip to Quadra Island. I fished the main channel off Campbell River for four days without a bite, and none of the other thousands of fishers was catching anything either. So I told the family I would be more sociable and skip fishing on the last day. We went on a drive and picnic, finding a deadend road to an abandoned mill. A zodiac boat came up to the dock and the guy had a huge grin on his face. He said, "I don't get it. I fished all week without a bite, and now today I can't keep them off the hook."

There is also a nice museum of First Nation's history and art there.

TC

GutZ · 02-02-2004, 01:35 PM

A few years ago, we camped at the park just north of town and then would drive up to Browns Bay for very cheap boat rentals. http://www.brownsbayresort.com/index.html
We fished the North side of the narrows (Tide rippin canyon, can't remember name). So search for Browns Bay!

Oh yeah! Seymour Narrows. The site of the biggest conventional explosion of all time. There was a rock in the middle that was a ship eater. They blew it up with something like 1000 trainloads of Dynamite! Here's the story! http://www.vancouverislandabound.com/tamingof.htm

[ 02-02-2004, 03:00 PM: Message edited by: GutZ ]

corrirod · 02-02-2004, 02:29 PM

Brown's Bay is beautiful but don't spend the night there on your boat during the summer. The cruise ships take that passage and there is nothing to dampen the wake before it hits the marina! :shocked:

I woke up in the middle of the night to my boat being slammed against the dock and another boat. The docks were rising and falling about 3-4 ft. and making a terrible moaning racket and I thought the world was ending! :shocked:

Talked to the marina owner the next day and he said, "Oh, I forgot to tell you about the cruise ships that come thru at night."

[ 02-02-2004, 03:31 PM: Message edited by: corrirod ]

shalom · 02-02-2004, 04:13 PM

i LIKED CAMPING ON QUADRA ISLAND you can get away from alot of people that way .
Be sure and go to the Sportsmen show .You will find all kinds of info .If you are there on Wen. i will be in the OREGON BASS AND PANFISH BOOTH at 6:30 pm till closeing .Booth number # 419 .

Get Bit · 02-02-2004, 05:37 PM

First,the border crossing is not what it used to be. Be prepared for lines. Maybe plan to cross in the night? Second,be sure to take the provincial ferries. My vote would be the one from Tswassen. Much cheaper and nicer. Thumbs up on Quadra Island also.Unfortunately, alot more development in the last few years. Fishing can still be very good.I would also recommend the campground Tillamook Chinook talked about.
Heres another thought.... If you have some time, I would head further north up around Port McNeil or Hardy. Alot less people and just as many fish. There is a great campground in Port Hardy called Quatse River that is second to none.If you want more info let know. Vancouver Island is an absolute paradise!

Get Bit

steelydan · 02-02-2004, 06:57 PM

I agree with get bit, Port Mcniel and Port Hardy are two awesome areas. I have only been up there once, but what a sight. The hospitality was awesome too eh. You know what I mean?

eh.

flop eared mule · 02-02-2004, 07:28 PM

I don't want to dampen anything about quadra island but according to these local guides I had, that place was the drug capital of vancouver island. Thats just what they told me.

tyeecoho · 02-02-2004, 08:54 PM

I have fished there for many years. I was last there two years ago, Rustic Motel has a clean, large 1-bedroom cabins with kitchen on the Campbell River for $50 CAD per night (north end of the city limits). Also there is a beautiful RV park called Ripple Rock at Browns Bay (10 miles north of CR). The RV park has it's own ramp, dock, cleaning stations, club-house, and all the hook-up for $28 CAD per night. The view is unobstucted of the inland passage. Look them up at www.brownsbayresort.com

There is also a great guide at Browns Bay: Randle Worthington of Hook & Reel charters, http://oberon.ark.com/~hookreel/ Browns Bay also has a well protected marina for your boat. Cost me $90 CAD per week to tie-up the boat.

Springers, Silvers, Pinks, and Sockeye all in the water at the same time. Some times it is hard to get down to the Chinooks. Hope this helps.

FROGGY · 02-02-2004, 09:07 PM

Wow! Thanks again for all the info. You guys are great.
My wife didnt want me to use all my vacation time fishing from my boat this year. I guess I will have to rent one up there

:grin:

Noah II · 02-03-2004, 07:57 AM

Froggy
I too would recommend a vacation on quadra Island. The Ferry ride is only like 5 minutes from the mainland. We also stayed at Seascape Resort. If you investigate the link posted above you will find some excellant low cost packages. Ours, included a half day guided fishing trip and then three days use of a boston whaler for self guided fishing. We had a great time, caught fish and even borrowed the owners crab pots and caought a few crabs right out front. As noted, the cabins are very basic, but they were very clean! They have freezers to keep your catch until you go home.
There was no Coho season that year so our time was spent chasing Chinook (Columbia River according to our guide) using down riggers at about 200 feet.
Be sure to allow at least 1/2 day for the wife to shop in Victoria. The Canadians love the American tourists and bargains (favorable exchange rate) abound.
We spent the first night in a B&B just north of Victoria with a wonderful couple, and drove in the next morning.
If I can help you with any additional info, shoot me an e-mail
NoahII
Jim

Noah II · 02-03-2004, 08:00 AM

Froggy
I too would recommend a vacation on quadra Island. The Ferry ride is only like 5 minutes from the mainland. We also stayed at Seascape Resort. If you investigate the link posted above you will find some excellant low cost packages. Ours, included a half day guided fishing trip and then three days use of a boston whaler for self guided fishing. We had a great time, caught fish and even borrowed the owners crab pots and caought a few crabs right out front. As noted, the cabins are very basic, but they were very clean! They have freezers to keep your catch until you go home.
There was no Coho season that year so our time was spent chasing Chinook (Columbia River according to our guide) using down riggers at about 200 feet.
Be sure to allow at least 1/2 day for the wife to shop in Victoria. The Canadians love the American tourists and bargains (favorable exchange rate) abound.
We spent the first night in a B&B just north of Victoria with a wonderful couple, and drove in the next morning.
If I can help you with any additional info, shoot me an e-mail
NoahII
Jim

[ 02-03-2004, 11:44 AM: Message edited by: Noah II ]

Abalone · 02-03-2004, 08:11 AM

Are you the same Froggy that works at FMS Oregon City ?

FROGGY · 02-03-2004, 06:20 PM

Another Froggy out there? No Im not the same one, but Im there often I could be mistaken :smile:

crittergitter · 02-03-2004, 08:25 PM

Campbell River is a very beautiful place indeed. I lived up in that area for the better part of a year and had a blast. Quadra island is a good camping location. Don't forget the clams and oysters either they are great. If you are driving up there I would suggest skipping the border crossing at Blaine unless you want to see the peace arch. It can usually be much faster to go accross at the truck customs crossing. Then up the highway to tsawassen, just out of Vancouver. You can cross over to Nanimo and drive up the island from there. Especially if you are towing a boat the ferries are alot larger. Oh yeah and the fishing is great during July and August.