BC - Quadra/Discovery Islands Input?

[garyk]

I'm scoping out places to go for this August's trip to Vancouver Island. Last year we explored the wilderness of Kyuquot Sound on the far northwest coast, and then enjoyed the comforts of the village at Telegraph Cove on the east side.

Was wondering if any of you have stayed on or around Quadra Island (across the straight from Campbell River) and how you liked it? I'm looking at the Heriot Bay Inn/marina as a possible base of operations. We'd be hauling boats up too.

Any advice?

[Bill Monroe]

The kelp flats on the south end of Quadra used to have some of the world's finest flyfishing for coho.

[Buck]

My wife and I have made a number of trips to Quadra Island and really love it. Unfortunately, it has been awhile so I don't have any updated information. I will say that trolling small cutplugs from live herring (take your portable livewell with you) for coho and mooching live herring deep for springs (chinook) has been excellent every time I've been there. Quadra Island is far enough north that you will wear yourself out getting out at 4:00am for the early coho bite and then again for the evening bite. The spring bite has always been pretty tide dependent if you're fishing with live herring. You need to let the strong tides settle down to straighten out your line angle so your live herring can swim around at 100-120' depth. Don't forget to drop a whole herring next to the kelp for some good eating bottomfish if there is a lull in the salmon bite.

[Buck]

Bill's response reminded me that we did very well on coho early in morning at the south end of the island trolling bucktail flies with a very small kidney sinker with steelhead gear. The coho in that area run a little small, but what fun to out in the open salt with the sun rising and having 3-6 lb coho slamming a fly 100' behind the boat. One warning for that area: if you see what looks like a low gray cloud directly above the horizon, consider heading back to the west side of the island. The wind can kick up something fierce off the south tip of the island. Also be aware of the squirrely tides and standing waves. The tides can really race through the narrows in certain places west of the island.

[Draggin' Bait]

We've stayed at the campgrounds just south of Campbell River twice in the last ten years, and once about two hours north of Campbell River. Some of our fishing was right around Quadra. The bottom fishing is rather poor (overfished and now very restricted), the currents are VERY FAST at full ebb or flow (no trouble at all to troll backwards about 5 mph), and we mis-timed our trips so the fishing wasn't all that great for salmon. That being said, the people are great, the scenery is even better. If you go and have a good fuel range, you MUST take a day trip into the Desolation Sound area back in behind (east of) Quadra. Be certain that you have good charts because once you are back in among the islands, it all starts looking the same after awhile. Not the same type of high-mountain scenery a little further south in the Princess Louisa Inlet area, but definitely a must-see. Desolation Sound is peculiar in that the water is very warm (close your eyes, jump in and visualize San Diego!) You have to pay close attention when boating at any speed because there are a lot of "lost" logs and deadheads at times, heavy boat and ferry traffic near Quadra, and the currents coming around some of the islands can creat 1-foot to 3-foot standing waves at the rips. At the time we were there most of the few salmon that were being caught were about a mile south of Quadra in open water, and very deep on the downriggers. Also, be sure to check the BC saltwater regs -- they have lots of relatively small management areas on the east side of Vancouver Island, with varying and sometimes short seasons. You will enjoy the trip!

[garyk]

Thanks all for your input, anyone else?

[tomictime]

I have fished N of there extensively on both sides..Inside would not be my first choise but as many have already said there are some big +++ to it, esp desolation Snd. C river has a ton of infrastructure so you are not going to get the "out there" experience but you will also not be shoe-horned in T-Cove...oh and no logging road to deal with...Let us know how you do)))

Have fun

JD