Fishing Vancouver Island B.C.

Uno · 07-06-2009

I'll make this a mini TR to save those not interested in angling. Because this was my first trip to B.C. and one of my dream angling adventures, I feel I must share it.

A 20 hour road trip from Eugene, Oregon. USA to Rodgers Fishing Lodge, Port Eliza Inlet, BC Canada.

http://rodgersfishinglodge.com/

4 guys, a loaded down SUV, and a 20' open hull jet boat. Head north at 4:00 pm June 30th.

Our route (as we think we understand it.)

Uno · 07-06-2009

All went as according to plan. Up the US west coast, across the border into Canada around midnight, and to the ferry terminal to cross to the island. A quick nap in the truck before loading in the morning.

Uno · 07-06-2009

A few Ferry images.

Uno · 07-06-2009

A very unusual phenomenon where waters meeting together from different sources refuse to mix. (Notice the change in water color out the window.) Normally caused by differences in temperature, saline, or material content. I have never had the chance to see this in person before. It's quite spectacular. It splits the water way in the middle and runs north and south as far as you can see.

Uno · 07-06-2009

After arriving on the Island "The Rock" we head north up the east side toward Campbell River... then west to Gold river... then over the mountains via gravel logging road to Tahsis. That's as far as we can go by road. The next (and last leg) is a 16 mile run through water ways and passages to the lodge.

I should mention here that 4 guys and a couple hundred pounds of gear is "just a touch heavy" for a 16 mile run. But off we go...

Uno · 07-06-2009

The Crew.

Jimmy M. Part time River Guide and captain of the boat.

Scotty "White Fish" Professional River Guide with 20 years experience.

Steve M. Part time open water guide.

Me! Someone who up until this moment actually thought he knew something about fishing!

Uno · 07-06-2009

United we stand. Divide we fall.

After several miles of heading farther and farther away from civilization, one by one we start doubting our knowledge of where we are. I'm on the map and am POSITIVE I know. (I think) Scotty has the written directions and he is SURE. (he thinks) We ALL agree that (Maybe) we don't know where we are. But we are sure enough to try. Mainly because we're doomed if we're wrong.

We round the final corner and hope for the best...

HOORAY! It's time for a beer! We KNEW we were right!

Prettiest thing I've seen in a long time...

Mogley · 07-06-2009

I can hear the dueling banjos in the background. Get on with it!!

Rissask · 07-06-2009

Thanks Dana, Don is enjoying this. I didn't realize you were on the island, I thought you were up north on the mainland.

Hey, you may have been overloaded but at least you didn't capsize an overloaded boat like they did moving to their fishing camp in early June!

That is pretty cool about the water!

Keep it coming.

Uno · 07-07-2009

Okay back to it. After unloading and meeting the the owners we did a quick tour of the lodge. This is the bunk house, that is the galley, this is the dock. There you have it. The grand tour in 10 seconds.

No, it's not a luxury lodge. Just couple of floating buildings tied together in a cove. No cell phones, TV or radio. Generator shuts down at 10:00 pm. ending electricity for the day. What you are left with is amazing hospitality with small family like feeling. Radio is replaced by friendly conversation. TV is replaced by wildlife and beautiful views. It takes a day or so to adjust. Then it's pure heaven.

A nearby outcropping of rocks had upwards of a dozen Bald Eagles fighting over salmon scraps at any given time. Sea otters lazily floating on their backs were often a source of entertainment. Seals, gulls, deer, elk, bear, and HUMMINGBIRDS dozens of hummingbirds. Absolutely amazing.

Sea otters having an oyster lunch.

Uno · 07-07-2009

To the fish stories...

We spoke with guides about where to fish before heading out and we were surprised to hear that our boat "was like bringing a knife to a gun fight." Most of the big fish were had not moved into the inlets yet and our low sided open hull would be suicide out on open water.

We decided to head out and get "close" to the mouth and give it a run. The fishing was great for Coho's! 10 to 15 pounders just fighting to get to our hooks. By the second morning, we had our Coho limits for the entire trip. Every Coho after that was catch and release just for fun.

Beach Lounger · 07-07-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by UnoMasMezcal

That is some big fish!!
My husband would love to eat some of that.

Sounds like you had a great man trip. We all need time away at times.

Uno · 07-07-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beach Lounger

That is some big fish!!
My husband would love to eat some of that.

Sounds like you had a great man trip. We all need time away at times.

Yep, some fun! And (these) are the small ones.

Uno · 07-07-2009

Trying to find the Kings...

After we had our limits of Silvers we had to look for other species to go after. The Chinooks (King Salmon) and Halibut were just too far out to go after. So a day in a guide boat was the only option. 6 miles out in some pretty big water was where we were headed. In a nutshell, not a good day of fishing.

One nice Chinook: 25 lbs, One nice halibut: 70 lbs, some assorted rock fish.
Another guide boat that day had some great luck. They picked up 4 Chinooks! 2 of which were in the Tyee class!

That's a Chinook salmon weighing over 30 lbs. WOW.

This is the lucky Tyee angler in his guide boat. Sorry. no fish pics from today as my camera batteries quit.

Uno · 07-07-2009

Afternoon lounger fishing...

In the afternoons, we would grab some beers and snacks and head out to the inlet for some R&R fishing. No particular rush... No particular idea. These times were in the end the most fun. You just never knew what you were going to reel up. More Silvers, rock fish, little halibut, and Dog fish. Lots and lots of dog fish.

07-06-2009	#1 (permalink)
Uno PROUD RANDOMITE Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Oregon Posts: 18,950	Fishing Vancouver Island B.C. I'll make this a mini TR to save those not interested in angling. Because this was my first trip to B.C. and one of my dream angling adventures, I feel I must share it. A 20 hour road trip from Eugene, Oregon. USA to Rodgers Fishing Lodge, Port Eliza Inlet, BC Canada. http://rodgersfishinglodge.com/ 4 guys, a loaded down SUV, and a 20' open hull jet boat. Head north at 4:00 pm June 30th. Our route (as we think we understand it.)

07-07-2009	#10 (permalink)
Uno PROUD RANDOMITE Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Oregon Posts: 18,950	Okay back to it. After unloading and meeting the the owners we did a quick tour of the lodge. This is the bunk house, that is the galley, this is the dock. There you have it. The grand tour in 10 seconds. No, it's not a luxury lodge. Just couple of floating buildings tied together in a cove. No cell phones, TV or radio. Generator shuts down at 10:00 pm. ending electricity for the day. What you are left with is amazing hospitality with small family like feeling. Radio is replaced by friendly conversation. TV is replaced by wildlife and beautiful views. It takes a day or so to adjust. Then it's pure heaven. A nearby outcropping of rocks had upwards of a dozen Bald Eagles fighting over salmon scraps at any given time. Sea otters lazily floating on their backs were often a source of entertainment. Seals, gulls, deer, elk, bear, and HUMMINGBIRDS dozens of hummingbirds. Absolutely amazing. Sea otters having an oyster lunch. Last edited by Uno; 07-16-2009 at 11:43 AM..

07-07-2009	#11 (permalink)
Uno PROUD RANDOMITE Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Oregon Posts: 18,950	To the fish stories... We spoke with guides about where to fish before heading out and we were surprised to hear that our boat "was like bringing a knife to a gun fight." Most of the big fish were had not moved into the inlets yet and our low sided open hull would be suicide out on open water. We decided to head out and get "close" to the mouth and give it a run. The fishing was great for Coho's! 10 to 15 pounders just fighting to get to our hooks. By the second morning, we had our Coho limits for the entire trip. Every Coho after that was catch and release just for fun. Last edited by Uno; 07-07-2009 at 02:03 PM..

07-06-2009	#2 (permalink)
Uno PROUD RANDOMITE Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Oregon Posts: 18,950	All went as according to plan. Up the US west coast, across the border into Canada around midnight, and to the ferry terminal to cross to the island. A quick nap in the truck before loading in the morning.

07-06-2009	#3 (permalink)
Uno PROUD RANDOMITE Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Oregon Posts: 18,950	A few Ferry images.

07-06-2009	#4 (permalink)
Uno PROUD RANDOMITE Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Oregon Posts: 18,950	A very unusual phenomenon where waters meeting together from different sources refuse to mix. (Notice the change in water color out the window.) Normally caused by differences in temperature, saline, or material content. I have never had the chance to see this in person before. It's quite spectacular. It splits the water way in the middle and runs north and south as far as you can see.

07-06-2009	#5 (permalink)
Uno PROUD RANDOMITE Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Oregon Posts: 18,950	After arriving on the Island "The Rock" we head north up the east side toward Campbell River... then west to Gold river... then over the mountains via gravel logging road to Tahsis. That's as far as we can go by road. The next (and last leg) is a 16 mile run through water ways and passages to the lodge. I should mention here that 4 guys and a couple hundred pounds of gear is "just a touch heavy" for a 16 mile run. But off we go...

07-06-2009	#6 (permalink)
Uno PROUD RANDOMITE Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Oregon Posts: 18,950	The Crew. Jimmy M. Part time River Guide and captain of the boat. Scotty "White Fish" Professional River Guide with 20 years experience. Steve M. Part time open water guide. Me! Someone who up until this moment actually thought he knew something about fishing!

07-06-2009	#7 (permalink)
Uno PROUD RANDOMITE Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Oregon Posts: 18,950	United we stand. Divide we fall. After several miles of heading farther and farther away from civilization, one by one we start doubting our knowledge of where we are. I'm on the map and am POSITIVE I know. (I think) Scotty has the written directions and he is SURE. (he thinks) We ALL agree that (Maybe) we don't know where we are. But we are sure enough to try. Mainly because we're doomed if we're wrong. We round the final corner and hope for the best... HOORAY! It's time for a beer! We KNEW we were right! Prettiest thing I've seen in a long time...

07-06-2009	#8 (permalink)
Mogley añejo Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 9,631	I can hear the dueling banjos in the background. Get on with it!!

07-06-2009	#9 (permalink)
Rissask Canada Dry Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Saskatchewan, Canada Posts: 49,641	Thanks Dana, Don is enjoying this. I didn't realize you were on the island, I thought you were up north on the mainland. Hey, you may have been overloaded but at least you didn't capsize an overloaded boat like they did moving to their fishing camp in early June! That is pretty cool about the water! Keep it coming.

07-07-2009	#14 (permalink)
Uno PROUD RANDOMITE Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Oregon Posts: 18,950	Trying to find the Kings... After we had our limits of Silvers we had to look for other species to go after. The Chinooks (King Salmon) and Halibut were just too far out to go after. So a day in a guide boat was the only option. 6 miles out in some pretty big water was where we were headed. In a nutshell, not a good day of fishing. One nice Chinook: 25 lbs, One nice halibut: 70 lbs, some assorted rock fish. Another guide boat that day had some great luck. They picked up 4 Chinooks! 2 of which were in the Tyee class! That's a Chinook salmon weighing over 30 lbs. WOW. This is the lucky Tyee angler in his guide boat. Sorry. no fish pics from today as my camera batteries quit.

07-07-2009	#15 (permalink)
Uno PROUD RANDOMITE Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Oregon Posts: 18,950	Afternoon lounger fishing... In the afternoons, we would grab some beers and snacks and head out to the inlet for some R&R fishing. No particular rush... No particular idea. These times were in the end the most fun. You just never knew what you were going to reel up. More Silvers, rock fish, little halibut, and Dog fish. Lots and lots of dog fish.

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