Campbell River Suggestions

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I am going up to the west coast of lower British Columbia the week before labor day to camp and fish with my 17 yo son Nick. Fishing for salmon, ? clamming.

Any suggestions?
Locations, tecniques, contacts?
Has anyone rented a small boat up there?

Thanks ifishers,
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[chuck 'n' duck]

I used to go up there an fish with my dad every summer, until the fishing turned to sh*t. We used to stay at one of the RV parks (I think it was called Salmon Point), just before you get into the town of Campbell River.

As far as fishing, you can rent small runabouts from a few places along the highway just before town. Then I would suggest trolling either along the kelp beds, or go out towards the island (I forgot the name). Just out from the lighthouse and at the green can used to be productive spots (at the island). You can also buy some zingers, buzzbombs, or other jigs and mooch these same areas. I don't know if the pinks are running right now, but they will return en mass to the Cambell River and Oyster River. You can intercept these fish by flyfishing on the beaches because they run very close to shore. One year, they were so thick that they were actually schooled in the Salmon Point Marina (on their way down the coastline to the Oyster River).

Also check up at the Campbell River hatchery. If the pinks are in the feeder creek, you used to be able to fish for them below the hatchery a ways.

BTW, I just reread your post, and Campbell river is on the east side of Vancouver island, not the west. (although I understand the fishing on the west side of the island is much better)

Hope this helps.

CnD

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CnD-

Thanks very much for all the info.

Has anyone done any clamming aroung there?

-here fishy fishy, X2

[chuck 'n' duck]

Sorry, I forgot to mention the clamming. It is was very good. We used to go down and clam on the low tide in the morning, and have steamers for lunch. MMMMMMMMMMM, Good.

CnD

P.S. I have also seen some nice halibut taken from the area.

[DaleDor]

The BEST source is:

http://www.bcadventure.com/cgi-bin/b...opics&number=2

1. Search for "pinks island"
2. Also post questions.

[DaleDor]

If you want to go the the WEST side of Vancouver Island then right in Alberni Inlet (I'm talking about w/in 2 miles of China Creek campground) the last week of August or so can be great for Kings. A "small" boat would work, if not too much wind.

The secret we found for Kings was to use the small pink hoochies behind a flasher. For some strange reason the best bite, by FAR, is from 6:30 AM to 8:30 AM...so fish hard then. One old-timer doesn't even bother fishing much outside of that window period in Alberni Inlet at that time, since at times it's no good at all. 30lb. Kings are fairly common then. They are heading to the Stamp River hatchery (I think) and it's reported to be one of the most productive salmon hatcheries in the world (at least it was in the 1990's when we fished Alberni Inlet.) I bet there were over 300 boats in sight on a weekend in late August near China Creek.

Barkley Sound, which is maybe 15 miles west of China Creek areas is a different fishery, I understand.

If you go to Campbell River (east side of Vancouver Island) some of the currents in the "narrows" just north of Campbell River mouth can reach INCREDIBLE speeds (I just bought a chart to that area today.) Be careful there and even at the end of Quadra Island.

[DaleDor]

A great Campbell River contact seems to be: River Sportsman Limited, 2115 Island Hwy, Campbell River, BC V9W2G6 (250) 286-1017 (250) 286-9767 (fax) (800) 663-7217 (toll-free.) I've talked to them a few times and they seem quite knowledgeable. Also, doing a search on the BC yellow pages for the town of Campbell River they seem to be about the best fishing source, probably. Their store is "on" the river, and they seem to know freshwater and saltwater.

Fishing the beaches for pink salmon is the most productive fishing you'll have at that time, but pinks are not "trophies" like chinook or coho.