Looking for some advice of where to take my Dad and a couple friends Saltwater fishing in Canada for 2009. Looking for good King and Halibut fishing that wont break the bank....I have heard some good things about the Queen Charlots and there lodges that they have there.

After fishing all over in Alaska I think this is going to be a good time to hit up the Canadian waters.

Thanks in advance!!!!!

how many times do I have to tell you guy's on this board...one word only...Port Hardy...

West of Port Hardy...........

Not to steal your thread, but I and two buddies just booked a trip with Rob out of Craig. for early July. He has some killer specials right now. We are looking for a fourth to fill our boat. If interested P.M. me. http://www.princeofwalessportfishing.com/

Out of Port McNeil, BC on the northern end of Vancouver Island, take the small ferry over to Macolm Island. Nice Lodge at Sund's, good guides and boats.

I think the guy want's to catch fish...South of Hardy isn't the place...

Coastwide,

How far out is the run for hali and or salmon out of Pt Hardy and how is the water?

I've heard it can be sloppy in that area.

Are you fishing open ocean or somewhat protected inside waters?



CNB

We run up to an Hour...max give or take
Never losta day of fishing to weather ...ever!
Ya, some day's are like any other place but remember...It's a Grady so it's never uncomfortable.
In all honesty the weather is pretty good in comparison to the west coast of Vancouver Island..

Dude, on last weeks Hawg Quest they stayed aboard the M/V Salmon Seeker. That was one of their best shows. I would frigging go there if I wasn't so cheap.

www.mvsalmonseeker.com was the link I found.

I can tell you this...
It would crazy for me to suggest that their aren't other places in BC to fish, hell I've fished pretty much the whole province.
It all comes down to what you want, time, availablility, price, what each place provides in their packages as well as what types of boat's your fishing out of...the list goes on...
Fishing in BC for salmon and halibut can be great at different times in different areas and sometimes time and weather can play a big factor.
Here's an example:
One of my corporate clients takes all his guy's to Langara because the previous year they knocked the [censored] out of the kings during June.
They fished out of the smaller open boats because it was a little cheaper and the previous year the weather was nice.
All is well...
Last year he goes back , same time, same place....
12 guy's go home with 9 kings total over 4 day's fishing and the weather was so bad they could barely fish each day...
He calls me and asks if his dates are still available and want's to come fish in Hardy again where the weather is alway's better and the fishing is more consistant....I laugh....
I explain that it's called fishing and not catching and that over the coarse of a season you can't alway's have everything work out in everyone's favor....
Anyhow...here's what I suggest...
First, find out how many individuals want in on the fishing trip.
Next, check on everyone's budget.
Third, find out what type of trip you want...that will determine what area and lodge fit's your budget.
Lastly, not all places that seam like a bargain are...alot of places are cheap in BC just because like elsewhere in the world...the global financial crisis is hitting them hard and they need to push forward.
I would be more than happy to help anyone chose other BC areas not just mine...it's all about keeping tourism healthy and bashing other outfits just isn't in the cards...
just my 2 cents!

As mentioned above, some years it's hot, some years it's not. Runs and weather are always unpredictable. If this place fits you, go for it. No customs in Port Hardy so we fly from Renton/Seattle, to customs in Campbell River, then direct to the lodge (4.5 hours in Beaver seaplanes; nice but long scenic). You can fish exposed to the ocean most of the time, or 25 minute run to acceptable halibut, or fish in coves and protected bays. Most fishing is less than 10 minutes run and out of 17' Whalers with 40 hp. Fishing is 3-5 oz with herring, very easy. Food is B grade but hot and adequate, but it's not a luxury lodge...no phones, no TV's. Mostly fish on your own because it's so simple, or one of the 2 guides can set you up (55 clients in camp at a time). Some years there are tons of kings, others it's very slow. We've caught 4 kings over 50 lbs in the last 3 years, but we fish dawn to dusk. It ain't a gimme, but there are big fish. PM if you want more info.
http://www.hakailodge.com

I am going to be fishing with coastwide in Port Hardy for 3 days just waiting to hear back from Dad on which dates. It should be a blast! Nice thing about it is the flight from Vancouver BC to Port Hardy is really quick and the fishing have us bringing home limits!

If I were going to fish Salt Water in AK I would fish P.O.W with Rob again. After working there for him I know its red hot action throughout the season!

My 2 cents, for what it is worth. Many places, including Port Hardy, Hakai Pass, Campbell River, Ketichakan, etc, are very run run-timing dependant....even at "prime time", chinook fishing in these areas can be totally dead. I prefer to take a risk on weather in a location where the fishing is generally not run timing dependant...such places would include more typical "feeding ground" fisheries like the west side of QCI, northwest coast of VI, POWI, etc. These areas also have "fall back" spots to fish if the weather is bad. We have fished the northwest coast of VI in early August for the last eight years, and have always had decent, and often exceptional, chinook fishing.

I don't want to get into a debate but "run-timing dependant" is coastwide!...
I have fished all the above mentioned places, not sure what POWI is but I'm sure I've been there.
The only thing the westcoast of vancouver island has that some of the other's are inlets to hide in...but fish aren't their all the time either.
Trust me...most of the fish that make it down to either side of Vancouver Island pass through the QCI/Rupert first than work there way down...just the cycle of life of summer run chinook.
Ya...sure Charlottes are probably better inMay early June than south but look at August and it's mostly the opposite..
With that being said...every area has it's pro's and con's and alot of places are living on past glory day's and not future fisheries...
another thing that has to be taken into account is how you fish an area and the little secrets it takes to make it pay.
Somebody above listed Hakaii Pass...great spot but when you get off the plane ask them for a downrigger and they will look at you like your crazy...
I've been up there in the past and they simply hate the "rigger boy's" cause we simply outfish them time and time again...
Wades 68lb hog last year was proof of that!
just my 2 cents

If you have a boat head to

nootka

Nootka's great...
Just so that you understand you will be wall to wall with a ton of boats each day...that's the truth...even the highway is crowded...
How about a day at friendly cove...I've personally been there and fought with close to 60 boats for a place in line...you can have it!
One thing about fishing Nootka...on the inside when the fish are there it's mostly calm and has fuel at critter cove
It can also be affordable if camping etc is what you are into...

Fished Nootka the last few years and love the place. Yeah, some areas are crowded but we always can find fish away from the crowd. Never had a bad trip to Nootka. Last year was bizzare though. Hot as hell one day, then nothing going on the next. Halibut fishing is lacking in that area though, there are fish, but not a slam dunk fishery by any stretch. I fished Hardy a few years back and had a good time. My only problem with Hardy was it was really a lot like fishing Neah Bay in terms of what you're catching and catch rate. Loads of pinks and coho, worked hard for a few decent kings. Did pick up a chart and find a good looking halibut spot. Went there, caught fish.. Did see lots of orca, that was really cool! I'd go back if my group decided that was the spot..

Nootka is primarily a king show. Never brought one home under 25, and every year had a couple in the mid 30's. this years best was a 36lb white king. For my group, we were after kings, so thats where we ended up.

We just cancelled our 09 reservatons to critter cove last week. The cost went up too much and we decided to spend less and stay closer...

I go to the north west side of Nootka (Esperanza Inlet) I put in at gold river instead of driving to Tahsis much easier trip I very rarely fight any crowds at all unless your mainly trying to fish ferrier but with the new laws making us have to fish off shore that took care of ferrier. Went there one day for pretty much a catch and release show, wow what hogs. But we caught a ton of fish with nobody around most of the time. Try to find a cabin only for rent and do your own show. that's what we do cost is pretty minimal for what we get.

All good input for those who might want to come to BC
It's nice to see a positive thread being made out of this...keep all the input coming...