Canada BC, salmon fishing resorts, any recommendations?

[Hilltop123]

Now that Canada has lifted its vaccine mandate, it's time to start planning a trip north. My wife and I, have done Port Hardy and was looking for something a little more remote, this time. Somewhere that has just as good bottom fishing as salmon fishing. Anyone have any recommendations?

[JBG]

I cant speak to the bottom fishing but Bamfield on Barkley Sound is pretty remote.  It is remote enough that the wife doesn't want to go back due to lack of amenities. 

[baker5150]

Campbell River is a family favorite of ours. 

[Hilltop123]

I cant speak to the bottom fishing but Bamfield on Barkley Sound is pretty remote.  It is remote enough that the wife doesn't want to go back due to lack of amenities.

Did you stay at the Barkley Sound Lodge?

[CP]

There is a church run fishing camp on Copper Island in Barkley sound.  Private boat access only, so pretty remote.  You missed it for this year but it isn't too early to book for next year. 

[Taco280AI]

Any reason for Canada over Alaska, eh?

[wadu1]

Gold River can have some good fishing and it's remote. Don't know if they have any lodging? Our relative's from Cambell River go over there when the fishing gets slow. I think they still require you to use the online program "Arrive Canada" before you go into Canada. We just got back, and it was a trip from hell with all the covid regulations. 

[Hilltop123]

Any reason for Canada over Alaska, eh?

Nope, that would work as well. Just didn't think to add it.

[fishngamereaper]

I'm finally able to go back to nootka..
At least for now.....

Look into critters cove....it's an absolute blast....

[twolabs]

I'm finally able to go back to nootka..
At least for now.....

Look into critters cove....it's an absolute blast....

I second Critters Cove it's a blast and remote hope to get back up there myself.

[JBG]

I cant speak to the bottom fishing but Bamfield on Barkley Sound is pretty remote.  It is remote enough that the wife doesn't want to go back due to lack of amenities.

Did you stay at the Barkley Sound Lodge?

No we stayed at the Imperial Eagle Lodge.

[Longfield1]

I did Langara Fishing lodge (Canada) when i was 12 and had a blast. The resort is nice and there is a helicopter ride which is fun also. Little pricey but it still remains as one of my favorite fishing trips.

[Fidelk]

Any reason for Canada over Alaska, eh?

Nope, that would work as well. Just didn't think to add it.

Or LaPush or Neah Bay.......Canada seems to be more expensive than WA State......tourist prices?

[Widgeondeke]

I did Langara Fishing lodge (Canada) when i was 12 and had a blast. The resort is nice and there is a helicopter ride which is fun also. Little pricey but it still remains as one of my favorite fishing trips.

This is a Top Shelf trip - starting at $4,700 per person
I have fished with Langara a hand full of times. Staff, food, fishing were all top notch

[JBG]

Any reason for Canada over Alaska, eh?

Nope, that would work as well. Just didn't think to add it.

Or LaPush or Neah Bay.......Canada seems to be more expensive than WA State......tourist prices?

My impression is Canada has much more lax retention rules and more liberal bag limits.  Last i was there it was 4 kings and 6 or 8 coho for a 3 day trip, no worry about fins, and far far fewer people. Hali is typically open as well as other bottom fish.  I dont think our US ports offer that kind of opportunity. 

[Stein]

 

I think their shrimp limit is 125 vs our 40.  Many, many more days open as well.  I think you would be hard pressed to compare the opportunity in BC to anywhere in this state.

[Fidelk]

Any reason for Canada over Alaska, eh?

Nope, that would work as well. Just didn't think to add it.

Or LaPush or Neah Bay.......Canada seems to be more expensive than WA State......tourist prices?

My impression is Canada has much more lax retention rules and more liberal bag limits.  Last i was there it was 4 kings and 6 or 8 coho for a 3 day trip, no worry about fins, and far far fewer people. Hali is typically open as well as other bottom fish.  I dont think our US ports offer that kind of opportunity.

I was thinking that a person could go to a place like LaPush or Neah Bay (or both) or even Westport, spend several days there, pay for 2-3 tips on a 6-pack type boat (or larger) and come out ahead in money and time than you would invest in a Canada trip. Of course, I've thought about fishing Canada but prices like that $4700 (per person) quoted above scared me off and that's a $9400 + fishing trip for husband and wife.

[Stein]

Apples and oranges.  A couple 1/2 day trips on a party boat and hotel in Westport isn't the same as fishing several days in an incredibly scenic area with a lodge, people cooking you great meals and wide open fishing for whatever you want to chase.  It is less expensive though.  Not better or worse, just a much different trip.

[Fidelk]

Again, at the Canadian prices to fish their waters, I'd be thinking of a plains game hunting trip to Africa (or a trip to the fish market)......and leaving the wife at home.......too many snakes and crocodiles.

[fishngamereaper]

I fish Canada with a couple buddies for 5 days for less than 1k per person.

[JBG]

I fish Canada with a couple buddies for 5 days for less than 1k per person.

That's about what we found.  I've done the $5k lodge and thats fun but def not required. 

[Hilltop123]

Again, at the Canadian prices to fish their waters, I'd be thinking of a plains game hunting trip to Africa (or a trip to the fish market)......and leaving the wife at home.......too many snakes and crocodiles.

I understand your opinion. But there's something to be said for being pampered for a few days. It's nice to not have to worry the small stuff, like towing the boat, cleaning the boat, tackle, bait, cleaning and storing your catch, meals, sleeping arrangements. It's nice to just sit back and watch your wife, catch the biggest fish of her life and not have to run the boat, tend to downriggers and other gear. Just sit back and watch the show. JMTCW    

[grade-creek-rd]

Ok, I'll chime in...I fish Nootka (Esperanza) every summer and also Neah Bay, Westport, Astoria...and it is no comparison. Sure you can catch fish at WA/OR locations but always have the regs change on you (even mid-trip) but up in Nootka you can fish inside or outside, see more wildlife than any of the WA/OR spots (this summer we were catching kings mere feet from black bears roaming the coastline) and the fishing is way better...yup, I said it, and have fished both/all. The bottom fish limits are lower in CAN but the salmon limits and even the chance at 2 hali's and 6 lings make up for it. As for where to go, throw a dart and see which "town" (or lodge or fish camp) is closest, and go try it! I need to explore more and try Barkley as well as Port Hardy, when I find the time. For now, I will continue to hit Neah Bay and Westport on the openers but will always find myself up in Esperanza in summertime...then back to Sekiu in Sept!!!! and out of all of my trips (that are DIY) Esperanza is the "cheapest"/ Like reaper said, I can do the 5 day trip for less than a $1,000...that's 5 days of fishing, travel, etc. and an experience way better than WA/OR and I don't have to worry about WDFW closing it down the day after I get there like they did in Neah for some this past summer.

Grade

[jamesfromseattle]

I worked on the docks at a sport fishing lodge up in Haida Gwaii that is no longer in business. Not sure what the best lodges are up there now, but Haida Gwaii is an incredible area in terms of scenery, wildlife, fishing, etc.

Something worth figuring out up front is if you want to do a self-guided trip or a fully guided trip.

A lot of the lodges in central and northern BC provide small rental boats and instruction, but not a guide. These tend to be floating lodges close to the fishing grounds. Really a fun way to do it. If I had the time and budget, I'd do this type of trip every summer. Langara, Hakai Pass and Milbanke Sound come to mind. Or if you really want to land a big salmon but are ok with slower fishing, Rivers' Inlet has the biggest Chinook in the world.

And obviously others provide full guide service on bigger boats. This is more typical on Vancouver Island, where the lodges are in the inlets and a longer run from the fishing. Never done this type of trip, but I'm sure it'd be a different experience than the self-guided floating lodges. It's easier to get a permit to guide up there, so these tend to be smaller boats that the 6-pack charters and party boats down here.

Also think about how much travel time you're ok with. Some lodges have direct flights from Lake Washington or Lake Union. Others you take a couple flights from Vancouver. And there are some pretty remote spots on Vancouver Island you can drive to (Like Kyuquot) if you're not thrilled about taking a small plane.

[knighttime25]

@grade-creek-rd I tried to send you a PM but your inbox is full...