British Columbia Spearfishing Trip

[tylerz]

Originally Posted by Amphibious

get may Dogfish in that Area Erik? only dove Tofino and Nanaimo on the island, and never saw any....

They have commercial fishing just down the inlet from where I live, for Dogfish. I couldn't believe it when I saw it. I thought the Salmon looked kind of odd, and then I realized what it was.

I see Dogfish frequently, however it is time of the year which is most important. They come to the shallows and inlets in mass quantity around the time of all the other activity associated with the change of season, ie. halibut spawning, algae blooms, jellyfish blooms, salmon migration. So, May-August is the time to expect to run into schools of them or lone individuals. Also the time for Ratfish, part of the shark family, or more specifically chimeras.

After some experiences in the Caribbean years ago, I realized I really enjoyed shark as food. Since then I was curious about Dogfish and have done a fair amount of looking into their edibility. You will find you get mixed statements from people, some saying they are great and some saying absolutely aweful, nothing in between. Why? Because the people that are saying aweful most likely ate dogfish as a curiosity and no experience or knowledge of what is entailed in eating it.

Dogfish release uric acid into its tissue almost immediately after death significantly more so than most common fish we catch due to a high concentration of uric acid in their blood. Therefore the meat is immediately contaminated if you do not handle it properly. After killing the hapless creature, you have to immediately cut the tail off and let the blood drain from the animal, then put it on ice, preferably, or in a dark and cool environment, which impedes further uric contamination. Until it is prepared it must be kept cold.

Following those procedures, it is supposedly good eating, and I suspect awesome from my experiences with reef shark.

[Amphibious]

have lost a few fish to them in the rupert area, so was curious. They are not legal to be taken on the spear in BC, IIRC. I used to eat the odd shark when I lived overseas (we fished for them a lot) but they only seemed to taste good in the winter. we processed them just like you list above.

PocoShower, if you want to see some bears by all means come along. There is no way I'm driving all the way down there without adding some coastal bear pics to my collection. I like to "watch" from 50yrds and in, better pictures that way :P but yeah, feel free to come along

[efattah]

I will try my best to make it on the trip though I won't be sure until much closer to the date. I won't be spearing and I hope nobody spears me!

[Amphibious]

Originally Posted by efattah

I will try my best to make it on the trip though I won't be sure until much closer to the date. I won't be spearing and I hope nobody spears me!

well, that depends, if you hand over the fluid goggles nice and slow no one gets hurt.....

[Fondueset]

I demand this thread be deleted immediately - it is causing me horrible psychological pain either that or send money.

[Erik]

The list is growing.... this might turn into something fun
Erik Y

[Amphibious]

and info on Accommodations?

Camping? Motels?

[Fondueset]

This is shaping up to be one of those documentary worthy trips. Be a blast to get pictures, movies etc.

I second the request for any travel/lodging info you can come up with.

[Erik]

The plan is to camp at Telegraph Cove. A cook on a boat I was on last year has a small campground and offered. I will be verifying it and throwing numbers/prices around soon. Standby amigos.
Any other reasonable options are welcome, such as sharing cabins if it's cheap.
Erik Y.

[Amphibious]

right on, I'll just be comming off a fixed income then, so can swing this trip, but anything that can help the buget will be greatly appreciated.


I will see if my will power will hold and I can save some moose steaks for at least one meal :P

[Fondueset]

I'm working this on an 'as if possible' basis Rationalized as a graduation present for my daughter (she hates me and loves it when I'm out of the house - ) - who will be coming along if I manage to pull this off. camping would be cool - I have a four person tent etc. and was planning a much more modest adventure.

[laminar]

Good thing I didn't miss this thread!!!

Count me in for a long weekend if there's room for one more! I wash good dishes, I catch crabs, shellfish and wild plants with my bare hands (amazing, I know! ) and am happy to take photos or video of anyone who catches fish.

Anyone know the driving time offhand from Nanaimo to the destination. 6 hours?

I fine with camping outside.

Looking forward to meeting many of you...

Pete

[Erik]

Glad to hear to hear you're in Pete- long time no see, my friend. It's around 5 hours or less up that part of the Island, depending on the day/time.
Peace,
Erik Y.

[Erik]

Update march 15/06:

Here's who I believe is in so far or thinking about.
Erik/Spouse
feign
Jimdoe2you
Amphibious
Icarus Pacific
tylerz
Stu (Zen Uberspearo from Ft McMurray who just bought friggin floatplane for spearfishing!)
JMD (yes you are)
Fondueset
aesop
Pocoshower/Spouse
Eric Fattah
Laminar


Awesome!
Erik Y.

[Amphibious]

Hmmm........ Sven is comming.... I will have to hit him up for a good lutefisk recipie