Rivers Inlet Trip

[huntnphool]

Anyone interested, there is a group of boats/people making the trek to fish Rivers Inlet this year in August. We made this trip in 06 and had a great time. We end up taking the ferry to Vancouver Island and trailering our boats up to Port Hardy, the north end of the island. From there we launch at first light and head up the inside passage and into the inlet, from there we found a nice place to camp on the shore and spent 5 beautiful days fishing and camping. For those that are not familiar, the inlet is famous for its huge King salmon (Tyee) as the locals call them, and they average in the 30# range with 40 and 50#ers common and 60+ caught every year. Its 6 months away so I thought I would send this out in case anyone was interested and could plan for it, fuel is obviously your biggest cost.

[Skyvalhunter]

Sounds like a great trip. Yea fuel is not getting any cheaper. Well that cost and the fact I don't have a boat doesn't help either!!

[huntnphool]

Well when we sat down and discussed it we took into account the price if we went to the lodge, http://www.riversinletresort.com/prices.htm with 4 people per boat we divided the costs and it was very reasonable for everyone that went. I will try to get some pics on here when I get a chance. Obviously its not as pampered as a lodge but we had a great time camping. We had cook stoves, a generator, microwave and sat around a campfire drinking J. Walker Green Label, Crown and whatever else we managed to sneak across the border. There are floating towns up in there as well, they have most everything you need should you run out, including fuel. You can go to www.bcmarina.com and check out the area, on the left look for Dawsons Landing and also Rivers Inlet.

[Bearhunter]

Wish I had my customweld Id try and hook up with you guys on the trip.  I used to go to Tofino, and launch there and camp out on the boat and fish, pretty dang good time.  If anyone needs to fill a seat on the trip let me know, I love adventures like that.  Lets see those pictures, Ill try and drag some of mine up.

[washingtonmuley]

Huntnphool,
Are you guys planning on staying at the lodge this year? If not what are you looking at per person? Just give me a ballpark figure. I no longer have the boat so if someone needs to fill a seat let me know. I have all my own gear and have quite a bit of experience fishing salmon in Alaska and the northwest.
Take care,
Tim

[huntnphool]

We are planning on making a camp on shore somewhere again. Dawsons landing and Duncanby Landing have cabins for rent, you can see them here, http://www.duncanbylodgemarina.com/

They are not cheap however but do give the people that need more than a sleeping bag and tent a second option. I will let you know if we have extra space to hitch a ride, your gear would be the same as any camping trip, keeping in mind that its about a 2 1/2 hour boat ride at 35-40 mph to get up in there, weather permiting. Another very important thing to consider is the weather. Crossing the passage can get nasty, particularly with small boats, 21'-24'. Because of this we cant head out or head back if there is a big storm. The posibility of getting stuck up there is remote but it is there. Make sure you can afford to stay an extra day or two until weather clears just in case. By afford I mean not pissing work off, or spouses "Sorry honey, the weather is too bad to make the crossing today, we may be here a couple more days till it clears" For some reason some spouses don't take that so well

[washingtonmuley]

Huntnphool,
I lived on Kodiak for 6 yrs and did several flyout hunts so wife knows what to expect. I have no problem sleeping in a tent. I have a cabela's guide model with a large vestibule.

[popeshawnpaul]

I might be game with my dad.  We have a 25 foot fishing boat.

We ususally go to Tahsis.  The halibut isn't great out of there though.  The kings average 27 lbs. 

Are there any halibut in rivers inlet?  I'm sure there is, but is it easy to limit?  If so, I'm definitely in.

Shawn

[cohoho]

Sounds like an extremely fun trip, quite interested for sure. What dates are you looking at for one, what do you believe the trip is if divided between four per vehicle and boat. When I went to Vancouver Island a month ago for hockey it was RT $147 for my truck over 22 feet with four passengers, not too bad I guess but without trailer. What kind of gas quantities is needed for the boats, (inboards)?  How long is the trip up the inside passage, does anyone run a radar besides GPS? Is the fishing out of boats, back bouncing eggs, Kwick Fish etc... or park and shore type fishing?  I, well kid has a Hockey camp 11-17th of Aug in Okaganogan, which were running to also for kind of a family vacation.  But if it is after that, or before would be a possibility.  Sounds like alot of fun, especially with a group that has been there before?  I got a 23 foot Thunder Jet with Hard top that would be in for that kind of trip too....  Tent camping will be it for me , also I have a geo design 4 -season tent, comfort enough for a couple weeks.   Mike

[huntnphool]

We have not tried for Halibut Shawn but its not that far of a boat ride to get into them according to the folks at Duncanby. You might try that link and email them or call them to ask. We did hear of some halibut picked up right in front of Rivers Inlet Resort so I know they are in there. It was expensive for the ferry, if I remember it was around $230 each way. My boat burns about 8 gallons an hour at 3400 rpms, we planned for 10 gal/hr. its a 6.0litre inboard jet. A prop boat with an outboard would be better. The fishing is done up in the inlet for the most part, the mouth does have some productive spots too though. Pretty much all trolling but mooching would probably work in spots too. The fish are very shallow, you fish large herring about 8 to 10 pulls behind the boat and trolled slow. Fish right next to shore, it drops off very rapidly to a couple hundred feet just 5 yards off the rocks. There is no limit to how many rods you can use, we say guys in 8-10' livingstons trolling by themselves but had 4 rods in the water. There is a weight limit though once you get to the markers, I think its 3 or 4 ounces, dont remember which, no downriggers past that point. We use downriggers outside that point sometimes so if you have them bring them. Lots of ling cod as well. We had fresh caught salmon, rock cod and ling cod every night for dinner, cooked different ways so not to get tired of it. Crab and abalone are there as well, just depends on the season Since we are all divers, picking them up for a snack may or may not have happened A good camera is a must, we got within 10 yards to several wales and got some beautiful pics, eagles everywhere as well, not to mention bears along the shore. It really is a boring trip

[wackmaster]

OK I am defanatly interested if I do not get drawn for Wyo.I have a 21 custom weld sled.also do you use divers.

[wackmaster]

Also should I bring diving gear

[huntnphool]

No divers, the fish are in the top 20 feet of water. The 3 ounce weights are enough to get them to the fish, you troll slow enough to keep them in the zone, and with only 8 pulls of line out they take them right out of the prop wash.

[MuleySniper]

That would be a fun trip. Im not sure about an 18' Tiderunner though. What kind of water is it? Could you relate it to Seiku or Neah Bay? Ive been to Tofino too, but Im more of a Puget Sound guy if you know what I mean.. What days in August are you going? My only stipulation would be my anniversary is on the 1st and my kids birthday is on the 22'nd. Do you fish with herring? I have a hookup there. I used to fish commercially in area 11 and 13. I also have another friend who is a skipper of another herring boat. I'd sure love to hook up with a few thirty plussers!! It sounds like a fun experience too.
MS

[huntnphool]

Actually my boat is on the small side 22'. We use large herring soaked in a green brine. We are heading out August 8th and the water from Port Hardy to the inlet is BIG water. Rollers are no big deal but if they start breaking you want a bigger boat with a sturdy top.