Thank you skein for the complement. I concur with everything you had to say. We too love the Island and have been going up there every summer to fish and play for the last 13 years. Ucluelit in June, Port Alberni in July, and either Port McNeill or Port Renfrew in August. You will find it stunningly beautiful (wheresmybobber's beautiful picture is a great example), very laid back, lots of friendly people, and a great value for your money.
If Barb and I ever made time to do something other than fish, I think we would stay in B&Bs starting in the South and working our way North by taking the BC Ferry from Twassen to Victoria (staying on the Saanich Peninsula with Goldstream Park and Portage Inlet) and experiencing Victoria for at least a day or two. It's a beautiful old tyme 'English' city and the parks and Natural History Museum rival the best in the world.
Then North an hour to Cowichan to stay and fish the Cowichan river and Lake. Famous First Nation Sweaters, hats and other woolen stuff and big Cutts and Rainbows.
Then to Nanaimo and inland about an hour through Cathedral Grove Old Growth Forest to Port Alberni. That's the home of Sproat Lake and the Water Bombers, Somas River, Stamp River and Falls and Great Central Lake. Both the Robertson Creek on the Somas and Stamp River Hatcheries have more than two million fish returning yearly. Over 375,000 to 1,000,000 Sockeye in July and early August alone. With the salmon, you'll find fantastic Cutts and a great Summer Steelhead run that no one fishes because they're too busy fishing the Alberni Inlet. Many days you'll have 20+ miles of river to yourselves.
Off North to Cambell River, Cambell Lake and inland an hour to Strathcona Provincial Park (that's the Provincial Park Drachir mentioned). I'm not sure just how large the lake is, but you parallel it for almost an hour on your way from Cambell River to Gold River and Nootka Sound. There is a great lodge right on the lake about half way. By the way, there is also a canoe trail outside Cambell River through 12 lakes, I think. Lots of exploring and opportunity there.
On North through Woss and Schoen Lake Park, Woss Lake Park, and Marbie River Park to North Island and Port McNeill and Port Hardy. All the mentioned lakes by the way, have inlet and outlet streams/rivers that hold fish. As everyone has said, Port McNeill and Port Hardy are small quaint fishing towns basically in the forest. In McNeill you'll find Nimpkish River and Lake and in the Port Hardy area, Coal Harbor and Quatsino Harbor and Sound. The beauty of the area will take your breath away.
Then there's the West Coast of the Island with Sooke and Port Renfrew. But that's another story. The Island is probably about 500 miles North to South so, depending on the amount of time you have, just pick a portion, go explore and enjoy. You will be back. The best part of the Island is that it's only 5 hours from Portland and it's there to go back to.
As far as local fishing information while you are on the Island; find a small local store of any kind, walk in and tell them you are on 'Holiday' and ask them where they would suggest for you to go. We've had people close up and take us to their favorite local zipperlip places right then. They love to share the beauty of the Island with visitors and will remember you and welcome you back when they see you again. Hope this helps. Email if you'd like, we have lot's more.
Jean
[ 04-15-2003, 11:45 PM: Message edited by: jcarufo ]