Newbie from the North Island

Sitkaspruce · 12-15-2007, 11:12 AM

Hi

I am a new poster here on ifish and just wanted to say hi. I have been a lurker here for a bit and decided that I should register.

I live in Port McNeill, on northern Vancouver Island, and work as a forester here for the government. I was born and raised here on the island and have fished most of it at one time or another. I used to guide out of Bamfield for salmon and halibut and now guide moose, bear and Mt goat hunter in the interior of BC.

I fish out of a an 07 Hewecraft 180 searunner with a 115 and 8 ht yammy, scotties, lowrance 337 cdf and all the other bells and whistles that keep getting added on the the boat.

So, from what I have read here, all new posters are to tell a story so here is mine.

Back when I was guiding out of bamfield, I had a fish pound off the downrigger and instantly run to the surface and start cartwheeling all over the place. Then, even before the client could catch up with the line, the fish proceeded to run right towards the boat, just under the suface, so the fin was just like a shark. Whack, the fish hit the side of the boat. I thought that that should be it, but nope, it took off and went around the bow of the boat and took off again. I was getting the boat in gear when I heard a SNAP and saw the rod go slack. Damn, I thought, but decided to go see if there was any sign of the fish on the surface. Sure enough, one of the clients caught sight of the flasher going through the water just under the surface. After a short chase, he managed to get the line hooked on the gaff and lead the fish to the boat, a nice 28 lbs chrome smiley. When we got it in the boat, we got a standing ovation from the few boats around and some one videoed the whole thing for us. That earned me a big tip and all the free brews I could handle. I sure miss those days.

Anyways, if anybody is looking for info on the North Island, or comes up this way and wants a day of fishing, just give me a shout. I can always find the time to wash a few lures or teach some bait to swim.

Cheers

fishtales · 12-15-2007, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sitkaspruce

Hi

I am a new poster here on ifish and just wanted to say hi. I have been a lurker here for a bit and decided that I should register.

I live in Port McNeill, on northern Vancouver Island, and work as a forester here for the government. I was born and raised here on the island and have fished most of it at one time or another. I used to guide out of Bamfield for salmon and halibut and now guide moose, bear and Mt goat hunter in the interior of BC.

I fish out of a an 07 Hewecraft 180 searunner with a 115 and 8 ht yammy, scotties, lowrance 337 cdf and all the other bells and whistles that keep getting added on the the boat.

So, from what I have read here, all new posters are to tell a story so here is mine.

Back when I was guiding out of bamfield, I had a fish pound off the downrigger and instantly run to the surface and start cartwheeling all over the place. Then, even before the client could catch up with the line, the fish proceeded to run right towards the boat, just under the suface, so the fin was just like a shark. Whack, the fish hit the side of the boat. I thought that that should be it, but nope, it took off and went around the bow of the boat and took off again. I was getting the boat in gear when I heard a SNAP and saw the rod go slack. Damn, I thought, but decided to go see if there was any sign of the fish on the surface. Sure enough, one of the clients caught sight of the flasher going through the water just under the surface. After a short chase, he managed to get the line hooked on the gaff and lead the fish to the boat, a nice 28 lbs chrome smiley. When we got it in the boat, we got a standing ovation from the few boats around and some one videoed the whole thing for us. That earned me a big tip and all the free brews I could handle. I sure miss those days.

Anyways, if anybody is looking for info on the North Island, or comes up this way and wants a day of fishing, just give me a shout. I can always find the time to wash a few lures or teach some bait to swim.

Cheers

fishtales · 12-15-2007, 11:21 AM

Welcome this is a great resource hope you enjoy.
FT

skein · 12-15-2007, 12:04 PM

Welcome aboard!

We camped and fished for probably 15 years up on the North Island, mostly around McNeil. We would set up camp at Cluxewe and fish around Malcomb and down to Stubbs and Double Bay. We even went over to Echo Bay a couple of times and explored around. Beautiful country and nice people.

Our last couple of trips were over in Quatsino, out to Winter Harbour and around. And yes, almost every year we would take the hike to San Joesph Bay. It feels more like a tropical paradise than the typical North Island habitat.

Like I said, beautiful country and nice folks.

PS. Even my license plate reflected our love of the North Island.

Skein

The Duck · 12-15-2007, 01:38 PM

Welcome, it sounds like you fit right in. This is a place to share information and it sounds like you have a bunch to share. I've thought for a few years about heading up that way but well, last summer I didn't want to be anywhere but here. Tuna, Halibut, Salmon and Lings all within 50 miles. My kind of paradise. Someday though I'll be up there and maybe you could point me in the right direction. Again, welcome aboard.

tomictime · 12-15-2007, 06:11 PM

Welcome Sitkaspruce.

U live on an awesome rock

Some of us REALLY appreciate it and being guests there every year. here is One good reason why:

I suspect those cold ones you speak of came from the Hook & Web....

JD

No Bail · 12-15-2007, 07:50 PM

Welcome aboard. I visited Port hardy last year and will be returning for another visit this year. Great looking country up there.

Sitkaspruce · 12-16-2007, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomictime

Welcome Sitkaspruce.

U live on an awesome rock

Some of us REALLY appreciate it and being guests there every year. here is One good reason why:

I suspect those cold ones you speak of came from the Hook & Web....

JD

TomicTime

Great Picture!!!!!!

And your name is what I usually fish. We used to be Tommy Mosses "pro team" and use to test fish a lot of his new plugs and colours. It is my second most popular lure, after anchovies. I pull the pin out and fish it that way. Fav colours are 158, 232 and 602 in 6"-7".

The brews were consumed in the old Bamfield Inn, although more than a few have been consumed in the pub :shocked:

. Miss the place and hopefully will get back there, although the fishing up here is just as good, if you know where to go.

tomictime · 12-16-2007, 03:50 PM

Sitka

.stop giving away all the secrets...

this would be a 232 fish..

Hoghunter · 12-16-2007, 05:03 PM

Hey Sitka welcome aboard. I too have a fond love of your island. I've been going there 3 to 5 times a summer on fishing trips since the early 80's.

You have a very beautiful and scenic place and the people I've met are very nice.

Jim, where you been hiding? Haven't heard much from you lately.

Duckworth Dave · 12-19-2007, 07:00 PM

who knows maybe the tuna fleet would take a trip North. 2 day ride from Graibaldi & fish on the way. Dam guys what do ya think of a trip North?

Sitkaspruce · 12-19-2007, 07:44 PM

Thanks for all the welcomes guys.

Tuna would be fun and I will try them this year, if the weather cooperates and they are around. We used to go fish big bank, off of Bamfield, in a 17' whaler and boy would we get some looks from the Puker Boats (Canadian Princess) out there. That was way before the offshore fleet started out there. It was a long run, but when you are that age, you are invincible

Hope to see you on the water and maybe have a few cold ones after.

Cheers

SS

WP · 12-19-2007, 09:01 PM

Welcome aboard and my envy IS showing!

Dave (WP)

Two Fister · 12-19-2007, 09:16 PM

Sitkaspruce,
I'll be spending a lot more time up in your neck of the woods working on a cabin this coming summer. I'll shoot you a PM before heading up and we'll down a few cold ones!
Welcome to ifish!
TF