By David Y. Wei and Suzanne L. Clouthier, Vancouver Sun
B.C. is the place to get hooked on some of the world’s finest fresh and saltwater sport fishing.
Boasting the world’s longest saltwater coastline, anglers in B.C. can fish for all five species of Pacific salmon, bottomfish like halibut, ling cod, sablefish, and a remarkable selection of colourful rockfish. Along thousands of kilometres of rivers and streams and in thousands of lakes, enthusiasts can wet a line for over 80 varieties of freshwater species like rainbow trout, lake char, Arctic grayling, kokanee, northern pike, walleye, burbot, or the true heavyweight of all freshwater fish, white sturgeon. And in every corner of our province, you’ll find a fishing lodge with accommodations, meals and service to meet your budget.
THE LODGE AT GOLD RIVER
The lodge is set on two level benches of land overlooking the river. The 15-acre grounds hold a main lodge building and separate, luxuriously appointed guest cabins. In the main lodge, constructed from massive scribed spruce and pine logs, guests can relax in overstuffed armchairs with a book and a drink beside a massive stonework fireplace. Paintings of the outdoors, sculptures of bird and fish, and mounted trophies – all naturally lit with a wall of floor-to-roofline windows – complete the classic fishing lodge decor.
Each vaulted-ceiling guest accommodation has two queensized beds, with comfy armchairs in front of a stonework fireplace. Each room also accesses a long, sheltered veranda overlooking the river.
Wood carvings of salmon and masks by local First Nations artists, adorn the formal dining room. Guests savour gourmet meals featuring the freshest local seafood and specialty game meats, and fine wines.
There is excellent freshwater fishing available on the Gold River and other nearby streams and lakes, but the lodge specializes in heli-fishing adventures to rivers at the heads of the most remote inlets on the mainland and Vancouver Island. For saltwater fishing, the lodge maintains a fleet of three Grady-White sport fishers to take anglers salmon fishing in the waters of Nootka Sound.
Three-night, all-inclusive, fully guided fishing packages start at $2,275 per person.
From Campbell River, drive to the lodge at Gold River via Highway 28 West. Guests arriving by air at Campbell River will be greeted there by lodge staff.
thelodgeatgoldriver.ca, steelhead@thelodgeatgioldriver.ca, (250) 283-2900.
The Lodge at Gold River features a main lodge building and separate, luxuriously appointed guest cabins. [David Wei]
SONORA RESORT
Offering access to the turquoise waters of Bute Inlet and more turbulent currents of the Discovery Islands, the area surrounding Sonora Resort has long been renowned for its abundant marine life and great sport fishing opportunities.
Saltwater fishing charters at the resort use both Sonora fleet of Grady White vessels operated by in-house fishing guides, as well as highly experienced, local contract guides, who operate their own boats. All contract guides’ boats are 22 feet or larger, cruiser-style vessels equipped with a private marine washroom, protection from the elements and a comfortable layout for fishing.
Services provided include fish cleaning, vacuum packing and flash freezing, as well as safety equipment and top quality fishing gear. Rates start at $170 per hour with a four-hour minimum. Advance booking of fishing trips is highly recommended.
Sonora Resort is also known as a world-class B.C. spa resort and wellness retreat, with a setting as peaceful as it is luxurious. Each of the resort’s rooms, suites and villas offers spacious rooms with comfortable queen-or king-sized beds, luxurious linens, goose down duvets and Molton Brown amenities.
Accommodation rates include all gourmet meals, liquor and wine and beer as well as complimentary wireless Internet and unlimited worldwide phone calls. Also included is the use of all resort amenities including the outdoor heated pool, roof top hot tubs, mineral pools, movie theatre, nine-hole putting green, virtual golf, fly-fishing ponds (equipment supplied), saunas, fitness centre, shuffleboard, pool and Xbox. Rooms start at around $715 per night.
The resort is accessed by float plane or helicopter from Vancouver, or from Campbell River by water taxi.
sonoraresort.com, 233-0460 or 1-888-576-6672.
CRITTER COVE MARINA RESORT
Critter Cove Marina Resort is strategically located at the confluence of Tahsis, Muchalat, and Tlupana inlets. It lies in the heart of historic Nootka Sound, and offers healthy populations of baitfish. The protected waters of the sound attract salmon runs making their way down Vancouver Island’s west coast or returning to the Conuma River Hatchery. Anglers can enjoy excellent trolling throughout Tlupana Inlet to the fish-holding, rocky pinnacles off Yuquot, Maquinna, Burdwood, and Escalante points, at the edge of the Pacific. Calm weather allows forays to more exposed spots, like Beano Creek or Bajo Reef, for bottomfish as well as salmon.
Catering primarily to anglers with their own boats, the resort offers moorage at $30 per night.
Accommodations include ondock cabins, suites, and lodge rooms, or land-based cottages and beach houses with kitchenettes. Prices range from $161 to $550 per night, including moorage. The marina has a licensed on-dock restaurant, fuel, a gift and tackle shop (with bait and ice), and a cooler for storing guests’ catches. Critter Cove offers guided fishing tours for groups of four to six aboard their newly acquired nine-metre Mako sport cruiser; learn about the history of renowned places like Friendly Cove, Bligh Island, and Resolution Cove while waiting for the big one to bite. Limited rentals of 6.5-metre aluminum sport fishers are available to qualified anglers.
crittercove.com, info@crittercove.com, (250) 283-7364.
MCKAY BAY LODGE
McKay Bay Lodge is located on Bamfield Inlet’s western shore, on the former site of the McKay Pioneer House. The newly expanded 18-room lodge (along with two guest cottages) is run by the fifth generation of McKays in Bamfield.
Boasting more than 130 metres of private dock-space for boaters, the lodge offers packages starting at $150/day/person. This covers moorage, double-occupancy ensuite rooms, all meals, and care of catch (including vacuum-packaging, blast-freezing, and storage). The lodge has its own fuel dock as well as tackle shop.
These services overcome almost all of the major hurdles that anglers with their own boats face when accessing the exceptional fishing on Vancouver Island’s remote west coast.
Non-boaters pay the same package rate, but instead of moorage, have the use of a variety of non-motorized watercraft. From Port Alberni, these guests can either take a scenic cruise down Alberni Inlet aboard the M.V. Frances Barkley to West Bamfield, hire a water-taxi to the lodge’s dock, or drive the logging road to East Bamfield for pickup by the lodge.
McKay Bay offers fully guided fishing packages at $950 per day (for up to four people) in each of their two custom-crafted 8.5-metre aluminum sport fishing boats.
Fishing can take place within the protected waters of Barkley Sound, or on fish-holding banks offshore. The lodge’s boats are also available for eco-sightseeing tours of the Broken Group islands in world-renowned Pacific Rim National Park Reserve.
The kitchen prepares a wide variety of dishes, but specializes in fresh West Coast seafood. A stroll to ruggedly beautiful Brady’s Beach is an enjoyable way to work off any mealtime excesses.
mckaybaylodge.com, mckaybay@island.net, (250) 728-3323.
LANGARA
Langara Fishing Adventures offers several salmon and halibut fishing venues on the north end of mystical Haida Gwaii, two of them at Langara Island.
The land-based Langara Island Lodge offers a bit more luxury and is fully guided, while the Langara Fishing Lodge is a floating lodge offering a variety of self-guided and fully guided packages to suit the needs of clients. Both offer heli-jet service to and from the lodge and both are well known for their abundant variety of gourmet meals.
Anglers are not given a set dining schedule, which allows them to fish from dawn until dark if they wish or to relax and enjoy the amenities at the lodge whenever they choose.
Clients can also choose the size of boats they wish to fish from, including some with washroom facilities, making the trip more enjoyable for lady anglers.
Everyone who visits Langara Island is there for the awesome salmon and halibut fishing, but there is much more to see and do. The rugged coastal scenery viewed from a helicopter on the way to and from the island is magnificent in itself, but it will be each individual’s personal experience while out in the boats fishing, which will affect their soul.
To find out more, including hundreds of photos and videos, check out their website at langara.com or dial toll free 1-800-7544.
Langara Island Lodge is a luxurious lodge offering guided fishing, whale watching, gourmet dining and relaxing spa treatments. [Handout photo/Vancouver Sun]
NOOTKA MARINE ADVENTURES
Nootka Marine Adventures operates three resorts: One land-based, at the head of Nootka Sound, and two floating, one in Nootka Sound and the other in more remote Esperanza Inlet.
Moutcha Bay Resort: The main land-based resort provides a drive-in option for all three operations. Moutcha Bay’s spectacular main lodge has spacious high-end suites, while luxurious yurts and chalets dot the expansive property. Some of the rooms have full kitchens, but most guests prefer to use the licensed fine-dining restaurant.
Visitors with recreational vehicles can park at fully serviced sites. Anglers who have towed or arrived in their own boats will find ample moorage and a large, full-service marina. For anglers without boats, the resort provides a premium selection of rental boats ranging from six to eight metres in length, along with all tackle and gear.
Fully guided fishing is also available. A three-night package for a group of four staying in a waterfront yurt, with three days of fishing from an eightmetre Grady-White rental boat, gourmet meals and fish processing (cleaning, portioning, vacuum-packaging and flashfreezing in the resort’s government-approved fish-processing facilities), starts at $1,344 per person (excluding fuel charges).
Nootka Sound Resort: In secluded Galiano Bay at the heart of Nootka Sound, it is only accessible by float plane or boat. Large groups (up to 40 guests) can reserve the resort for their exclusive use.
There is excellent salmon fishing right off the resort’s doorstep, and throughout the sound’s Tlupana Inlet. Hot spots like Camel Rock and “The Wall” are minutes away.
A three-night stay – with two full and two half-days of fully guided fishing for a group of four, fish processing, transfers from Moutcha Bay Resort, comfortable accommodations, and meals with fine wine and beer – starts at $2,147 per person.
Newton Cove Resort: New for 2015, Newton Cove Resort is a five-star floating lodge anchored in a sheltered private cove, only a few hundred metres from ruggedly beautiful Esperanza Inlet. The luxuriously appointed resort can accommodate up to 44 guests in 22 double-occupancy rooms with ensuites.
Anglers have access to some of the west coast of Vancouver Island’s most consistent and productive inshore and offshore waters for salmon and bottomfish. During late August and early September, thrill-seekers can experience the explosive runs and dogged battles of albacore tuna far offshore.
A three-night stay – with two full and two half-days of fully guided fishing for a group of four, transfers from Moutcha Bay Resort, deluxe accommodations, gourmet meals accompanied by fine wine and beer, and fish processing – starts at $2,332 per person.
Nootka Marine Adventures is also offering custom-tailored four-day, three-night tours of Nootka Sound, Tahsis Inlet, and Esperanza Inlet, with overnight stays at each of three resorts.
For newcomers, this is a wonderful way to explore and fish Nootka Sound. You can decide what parts of the tour you want to access – boat and professional guide are at your bidding. The tour for a group of four, including accommodations at each resort, fishing, fish processing and all meals, is priced at $2,280 per person.
Guests can charter a float plane from Campbell River or Gold River to any of the three resorts, though most drive to Moutcha Bay Resort. Take Highway 28 West from Campbell River to Gold River, and continue onward toward Tahsis. Moutcha Bay Resort is situated 43 kilometres north of Gold River, and six kilometres past the Conuma River Hatchery.
nootkamarineadventures.com, info@nootkamarineadventures.com, 877-337-5464.
Nootka Marine Adventures offers some of the finest salmon fishing. [Nootka Marine Adventures]
WEST COAST FISHING CLUB
For more than 25 years, The West Coast Fishing Club has operated in British Columbia’s beautiful Haida Gwaii.
There are three separate highend properties in the club. Each offers a slightly different adventure, but all have one thing in common – convenient proximity to some of the world’s best ocean fishing experience.
The Clubhouse on Langara Island: The flagship property (ranked No. 1 on TripAdvisor) is great for sport fishing because the pristine habitat produces huge schools of herring and other baitfish to hold over migrating salmon as they ferociously feed in preparation for the journey to their spawning grounds. It is the same reason that halibut fishing and other bottom fishing is so excellent here. The Langara Island marine ecosystem offers a rich abundance of nutrients for all levels of the food chain.
The Outpost: On the farthest western edge of Haida Gwaii, no other property in the region is more remote – or more serene. Surrounded by untouched wilderness, guests will find tranquillity in this private, luxury oasis. They will also find prolific runs of salmon, halibut and other ocean catch.
North Island Lodge: North Island Lodge is a floating facility literally on top of a feeding ground for millions of salmon, halibut and other ocean catch.
Each of the lodges is suitable for private or corporate groups, from two to 42 people looking for a classic fishing adventure complete with service-oriented staff, professional guides or, if you prefer, self-guided fishing and hearty, delicious food.
Prices begin at $4,090 per person for three nights and four days.
Packages include: Return flights from Vancouver (private charter and helicopter), luxury accommodations, guided fishing, gourmet dining, host bar including beer, liquor and wine, custom fishing equipment and weather gear, and fish cleaning, freezing and packaging for the travel home.
Packages do not include tax, fishing licences, gratuities, beer on boats and custom fish processing.
westcoastfishingclub.com, 888-432-6666.
OLE’S
The Hakai Lúxvbálís Conservancy, British Columbia’s largest marine protected area, lies some 400 kilometres north of Vancouver.
It features a broad archipelago criss-crossed with protected channels that lead to secluded lagoons, white-sand beaches, and wave-formed tombolos. Amid this spectacular natural beauty and outstanding salmon and bottom-fishing sits another gem – a well-appointed floating resort at Hakai Pass.
During its July-August summer season, Ole’s takes advantage of the best holding spots for mature salmon on their spawning migrations within the pass’s “fish highway.”
When these runs are at their peak, the lodge is stationed in the lee of Barney Point, a renowned fishing hot spot. Other prime salmon fishing areas (like the Race Track, Odlum and Bailey points, and bottom-fishing spots in the pass or Fitz Hugh Sound) are only a few minutes farther away.
Guests fish from the lodge’s fleet of six-metre aluminum boats powered by reliable 40 hp, four-stroke motors. While all fishing is self-guided, the lodge’s fishing masters give full instruction on how to rig herring baits and “motor-mooch,” these lures effectively. All guests’ catches are cleaned and boxed for transport.
After a day of fishing, guests can relax with a drink in the open-concept recreation/dining room, or take in the splendid seascapes from outside decks. Starters of fresh-from-the-sea sushi are followed by mains of sumptuous barbecued seafood or steaks (with fine wine), and delectable desserts. Mealtimes are staggered to accommodate the best fishing tides – even delayed for unpredictable “hot bites.”
Each guest room has its own ensuite bathroom with shower. The rooms are furnished with single beds, twin beds or, for couples, double beds.
Four-day, three-night, allinclusive fishing packages, with direct charter flights (via Seair Seaplanes from Vancouver non-stop to the lodge), start at $3,475.
ole.ca, fish@ole.ca, (250) 287-8303.
Ole’s Hakai Pass features secluded lagoons and white-sand beaches. [Handout photo/Vancouver Sun]
OAK BAY MARINE GROUP
Oak Bay Marine Group owns and operates resorts in the South Island region of British Columbia and in the South Bahamas to offer extreme fishing experiences year-round.
Salmon and halibut fishing, wildlife adventures, whale watching, kayaks, fine dining and an Aveda Spa await guests who visit these Oak Bay Marine Group’s B.C. resorts: Canadian Princess Resort, Ucluelet-Long Beach: Experience open-ocean fishing and the camaraderie and teamwork that come with fighting salmon and halibut on the party-style cabin cruisers.
The resort offers a variety of onshore accommodation starting at $79 per night.
Painter’s Lodge, Campbell River: Located in “the salmon capital of the world,” this Vancouver Island fishing lodge has lured new and seasoned anglers for decades. Experience four-hour guided fishing trips through the salmon-rich waters of the Discovery Passage. The expert guides have unparalleled knowledge of the area and share your enthusiasm for sport fishing. Three-day, two-night packages with two fishing excursions start at $379.
April Point Resort Spa, Quadra Island: Just a 10-minute boat ride from Painter’s Lodge, April Point on Quadra Island is a B.C. fishing resort steeped in the area’s rich tradition of salmon fishing. Explore the beautiful Discovery Passage on a fourhour fishing trip with an experienced guide. Fishing equipment and all-weather gear is provided. Fishing package rates for April Point start at $319 for a package that includes two nights’ accommodation, one fishing trip and an Aveda spa treatment.
Pedder Bay RV Resort Marina, Metchosin: Located in the sheltered waters of the Juan de Fuca Straight, Pedder Bay RV Resort Marina is a great place for seasoned and new anglers alike to find success in the waters.
The region features a strong halibut fishery and year-round salmon fishing. Stay for a while in the brand-new RV Resort, with rates starting at $36 a day. Guided fishing charters and boat rentals are available.
obmg.com, 800-663-7090.
PEREGRINE LODGE
Peregrine Lodge is a luxurious, land-based resort located on the northern coast of Graham Island in Haida Gwaii. Situated on an expansive property in Naden Harbour, the all-inclusive resort accommodates up to 38 guests in very comfortable single, double or couples’ accommodations. The dining room serves gourmet suppers accompanied by fine wines. After dinner, you can relax in front of the well-stocked complimentary bar. The more active can use the separate sports lounge, TV room and gym.
All fishing is fully guided, with up to 10½ hours on the water during each full day at the lodge. Two anglers and a guide fish from covered, eight-metre Edgewater or Bayliner Trophy cruisers. Fishing is exceptional throughout the summer, since all five species of Pacific salmon pass by northern Graham Island on their spawning migrations to the Nass, Skeena and more southern river systems. There are also abundant halibut and other bottomfish.
A four-day, three-night fishing package starts at $3,995. Packages include air transportation from Vancouver to Masset (via Jazz Dash 8 charter) with Helijet transfer to the lodge, licences, all meals and liquor, and guided fishing using top-quality fishing tackle. Your catch is flash-frozen, vacuum-packed, and boxed for your return trip to Vancouver.
peregrinelodge.com, info@peregrinelodge.com, 800-663-0992.
RUGGED POINT LODGE
Fifty kilometres west of Kyuquot Sound, a pod of feeding humpback whales push baitfish to the surface while blackfooted albatross skim gracefully over big ocean swells. Warm currents off the northwestern tip of Vancouver Island also bring slab-sided ocean sunfish and predators like blue, salmon and even mako sharks. This is where Rugged Point Lodge’s fleet of brawny, eight-metre Grady-White sport fishers brings guests to fish for albacore tuna from late August into September.
Earlier in the summer, guests of the lodge can enjoy terrific angling much closer to shore. The protective Barrier Islands and underwater plateaus and seamounts are ideal habitat for baitfish, attracting halibut, ling cod, and all five species of Pacific salmon. Low islets are favourite pullouts for Steller’s sea lions.
A family-run lodge, Rugged Point prefers smaller groups to give more personalized service. The main floor of the lodge holds a lounge, dining area, and openconcept kitchen where guests can watch chefs preparing freshfrom-the-sea suppers and irresistible desserts.
Fully guided, all-inclusive fourday, three-night fishing packages start at $2,600 per person. Guests can charter a float plane to the lodge, though most drive Highway 19 north, then take the Zeballos turnoff to Fair Harbour for pickup.
ruggedpointlodge.com, info@ruggedpointlodge.com, 1-866-964-5220.
SHEARWATER RESORT AND MARINA, DENNY ISLAND
Shearwater Resort and Marina sits within B.C.’s Central Coast archipelago. The “Gateway to the Great Bear Rainforest” region is rich in First Nations lore, natural beauty and history.
The rugged shoreline of the Central Coast provides ideal habitat for vast shoals of baitfish. There are countless nooks and crannies from which mature salmon can ambush anglers’ bait or lures, while deep pinnacles and gravel banks are home to legions of rockfish, ling cod, and halibut.
Pairs of guests are assigned fully equipped 5.5-metre fibreglass Hourston runabouts, with 25 per cent of their trip guided. Fishing, safety and foul-weather gear are provided, along with fish processing (including vacuumpackaging, blast-freezing, and boxing). Guests may also opt for fully guided packages, or upgrade to a larger guided craft.
Onshore in Shearwater Lodge, guests share spacious doubleoccupancy rooms with private bathrooms. The dining room boasts chef-prepared gourmet meals accompanied by fine wines and irresistible desserts.
Four-day, three-night fishing packages start at $3,295, which includes a charter flight from Vancouver direct to Shearwater Resort’s own airstrip. Shearwater is also accessible by private boat, and BC Ferries from Port Hardy or Bella Coola.
shearwater.ca, fish@shearwater.ca, 800-663-2370.
Shearwater Resort and Marina offers charter flights from Vancouver to the resort’s own airstrip. [Handout photo/Vancouver Sun]
TRAILHEAD RESORT
Trailhead Resort sits atop a promontory overlooking Port Renfrew Harbour and pretty San Juan Bay. Anglers in groups of four or more are housed in spacious, deluxe two-storey chalets with big bedrooms on each floor.
Fishing is about 30 kilometres to the west at Swiftsure Bank, a submarine plateau that acts as a bait-and fish-magnet at the entrance to the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Although angling is only permitted over a small portion of the bank, there is excellent trolling for salmon, and drift-jigging for halibut.
At $1,400 per person, the most popular fishing package (for groups of four aboard each of Trailhead’s three brawny, 10-metre Silver Streak sportfishers) includes two full days on the water with three nights’ accommodation.
trailhead-resort.com, info@trailheadresort.com, (250) 647-5468.
WESTCOAST RESORTS
The Lodge at Englefield Bay, Haida Gwaii: The well-appointed, 46-guest floating lodge is only minutes from sheltered, all-weather fishing holes or open-ocean hot spots. Best of all, the location is so remote that guests enjoy virtually exclusive access to the region’s excellent fishing, with terrific odds of hooking a tyee-sized chinook salmon weighing over 13.6 kilograms (30 pounds).
The Lodge At Hippa Island, Haida Gwaii: The five-star 48-guest floating lodge features a central bar and lounge, hot tub, fitness facilities, and sauna. Newly renovated, the resort showcases many upgraded amenities, along with incredible cuisine. Discriminating adventure seekers will always remember the area’s exceptional fishing and rugged wilderness beauty.
The Lodge At Milbanke Sound, Central Coast: The Lodge at Milbanke Sound can accommodate up to 58 guests, making it an ideal choice for family getaways, corporate retreats, private groups, or events like fishing tournaments.
Three-night all-inclusive fishing packages at Englefield Bay Lodge and Hippa Island Lodge start at $2,995 per person. Packages start at $2,695 per person at Milbanke Sound Lodge. These include round-trip air transportation from Vancouver.
westcoastresorts.com, info@westcoastresorts.com, 800-810-8933