Request - Info on fishing to the N in Aug/Sept

Hogmaster · 03-31-2005, 01:18 PM

NOTE: I edited the title based on the feedback so far. Thanks!

I have seen a few posts about this, but searching was less than sucessful.

My brother in law, his brother, and one of their brother's in law all want to take their 80 year old dad on a fishing excursion toward the end of the summer.

They have a boat they would be towing from Oregon, something like a cab-over 22'er, but would like to find a place that they could stay reasonably and eat meals out. In other words, not camp, but rustic lodging would be OK.

They have limited budgets, so fly-ins are out of the question. They are targeting about 4 days of fishing and a day or so of travel each way.

They want some good fishing, obviously Coho are probably in order.

SThere are some parameters.

Soooooo...

Who has experience with this that can offer tips on where to go?

Thanks,

Hog

blacktail519 · 03-31-2005, 01:22 PM

Whats wrong with one of the best rivers in the West??? The Columbia!! There will be plenty of action too go around on kings and silvers during that time, and its close to home

Troller · 03-31-2005, 01:30 PM

I fished the past two years in port hardy on the north end of the island. The first year my 80 year old father went the second he didnt. The ride was long and to much for him. I take about 12 hours to get their from seattle witch includes a $150.00 us each way ferry ride. Cambell river is closer but much more populated. Their are quite a few places along the way on the east side of the island. Once you leave campbell river it gets remote. Their are also many places on the west side but you should take into consideration that the water is likely to be alot rougher out their. That said not counting meals eating out and beer. last year it cost us under $500.00 each for six days of fishing and two days of travel. Their were five of us that split the cost. Do a search for port hardy or pm me and I can give you more details.

garyk · 03-31-2005, 01:39 PM

I think you can actually have better fishing down in Astoria, and save two days of travel, but if they want to go to Vancouver/BC, check out Telegraph Cove - it meets your criteria and is located about 2 hours north of Campbell River, good roads all the way, a marina for the boat and historic cottages for about ~$150 Canadian.

Hogmaster · 03-31-2005, 01:44 PM

Thanks for the tips so far. I think they want to go farther just to make it more of an adventure, though staying in Seaview and fishing out of Ilwaco is not a bad choice either.

How far (tow hours) is it from Vancouver to Campbell River? Take the ferry to Vancouver?

Fish_N_Russ · 03-31-2005, 01:58 PM

Went to Chilliwack BC November of 03, its about a 6 hour drive depending on traffic......only about 20 min over the border but you are right next to the Fraser River and many great tributaries are less than 1 hour drive. I can give you more info if that sounds interesting, pm me
Russ

garyk · 03-31-2005, 02:01 PM

Yes, you take the Twassen (sp?) ferry , which is like ~15 minutes from the Peace border crossing - over to Nanaimo and then drive north. Be sure to make reservations for the oversize load as space is limited.

We drove from Telegraph Cove to Scappoose, trailering a boat, in about 13 hours total time.

On the way up, we stopped one hour south of Campbell River at a town whose name I have to look up... (Parksville)

Hogmaster · 03-31-2005, 02:08 PM

Wow! That is a lot farther than I thought. Not sure about them going that far. They are from all over the state, as far as Medford.

Maybe they should be encouraged indeed toward the B-10 fishery.

What about Puget Sound or say up toward the San Juans that time of year?

5-Cents · 03-31-2005, 02:10 PM

Gary have you looked at the new issue of STS... there is a story just about this in there!

Hogmaster · 03-31-2005, 02:13 PM

Got it Shane, but the only article I read (so far) was a fly-in camp. Out of budget for their trip.

Sounds like fun though! Wanna go? :grin:

5-Cents · 03-31-2005, 02:17 PM

YES! :grin:

I am pretty sure there is one in there about a do-it-yourslef trip too, sounds like great fishing and can be done for cheap. I bet they should get on it pretty quick and reserve a slip. The article had all the contact numbers in there too!

Rubber Robin · 03-31-2005, 03:30 PM

The article that Shane is referring to is Ucluelet. It is on the NW side of Barkley Sound which is on the west side of Vancouver Island.

An annual trip that we do is to Haggard's Cove. The fishing is in Barkley Sound. The waters are protected and calm. The fishing is fantastic!

You put in at Port Alberni and then it is about a 45 minute boat ride to Haggard's Cove. This is a protected inlet that has excellent dock facilities. They cater to people that bring their own boats. It is a small lodge and the food is amazing. We do a 4 day package. 3 nights lodging.
The cost is about $475/person if you bring your own boat. Very reasonable. You can fish as long as you want or hang out in the lodge if you don't want to fish.

PM me if you need any other info.

garyk · 03-31-2005, 03:47 PM

Lots of choices...

I think the salmon fishing and especially the bottom-fish/rockfish fishing is much better on the westside than the eastside.

But the weather is better on the eastside. On the west you can have a week of relentless rain in August -- I'll testify to that. On the eastside the storm would be reduced to showers.

Finally, a good portion of those salmon will be coming down to rendevous with us at Astoria. So you can drive to the fish or let them swim to you.

garyk · 04-01-2005, 11:15 AM

5-Cents, I glanced at that article. I was surprised by the surf-breaking-on-rocks pic that the author used...nobody in a trailerable boat was fishing outside THAT day.

I also got a chuckle where the article mentions the mixed-stock fishery and how you could catch a Rogue or Nestucca hog; but didn't mention you're much more likely to catch a big 'ol Tule that Oregon and Washington propagate to support the troll and rec fisheries up there.

KChookem · 04-01-2005, 02:19 PM

Before I took on a June commitment, I used to go to Pacific Playground Campground every year. This is on the Oyster River, about 12 miles south of Campbell River. You fish in the Strait of Georgia, so the water is better than on the west side, or way up north, although it is not uncommon for it to blow enough to keep boats off the water. But even if you can not fish the Strait, there are other places to fish, or just to sightsee. British Columbia is a great place.

Pacific Playgrounds had/have a few nice rustic cabins on the river, but also an area for motor homes, and tents. The cabins could handle 3 or 4 people as I recall. Not sure how the fishing is now, but 8 years ago Coho, Chinook, Pinks, bottomfish were plentiful, the species available depending on the time of year.

We drove it in a day, and it is a nice scenic trip. BC has fantastic ferries, and you can eat or nap on them.

If you cross into Canada, the Blaine-Truck Route crossing will get you in and out much faster than the Peace Arch.

Hogmaster · 04-01-2005, 02:21 PM

Thanks for all the help everyone!