BC Spearing Trip: Round 3 (2008)

[Fondueset]

wow! Dorky chicks with glasses dancing! thats like my favorite thing ever!! I wanna go (I'm not kidding)

Just FYI all - a change in dates would not make me break out in a rash. Sept. is actually better for me.

[feign]

After some looking, there are positives and negatives about considering Nootka island. It looks like basically everything around the south and westerly side of Nootka island is free from any closures, as best I can tell. There is only one rockfish conservation area in the whole area, that is small and a long way offshore from the north west aspect of the island. Limits are:

Rockfish - 3 possess 6
Lingcod - 3 possess 6
Halibut - 2 possess 3
Greenling - 3 possess 6
Dungeness & Red rock crab - 6 possess 12

- from a BC info site - Fishing: The waters surrounding nootka Island offer great fishing for salmon and bottomfish, including halibut, cod, and red snapper. Fishing for salmon is best in July, August and September, and April to September for halibut, rockfish and snapper. Nootka Sound area has 7 wild salmon rivers and three hatcheries, including the large federal salmon hatchery on the Conuma River, between Tahsis and Gold River. Halibut are plentiful and generally range from 15 to 50 pounds, although halibut in the 175-pound range have been caught in the area."

There are a few options to get to the island, all of which are people and gear only, no vehicles. There are no real roads on the island:

Ferry trips from Gold river go every Sat and Wed
Water taxi
Float plane
Personal or charter boat

Tent sites or primitive cabins are available as Tyler mentioned right at the very small settlement of Yuquot, which is where the ferry lands.
Tent sites are $20/ night max 6 people.
Cabins are $120/ night. Sounds like one large room with wood stove, cooking area with stove. A few foamies. Probably 4+ people could share one.
Sites and everything is very primitive, with well water I think, no electricity or hot showers. Campshowers with boiled water could be done.

The draw to Nootka is the remoteness and the possibility for awesome virgin spearing/diving. The tradeoff would be less amenities. Travel there would be a bit longer because of the second channel to cross, but distance to the ferry port in gold river from Campbell river vs campbell river to telegraph wouldn't be a lot different. It would be nice if Lars had his G-boat by then for either destination.

[Erik]

That sounds awesome Lee, we have to consider it!

[Seacidal]

I hope not to divert this thread, but I was wondering if anybody could tell me what the diving options might be in and around Vancouver in the latter part of April? Is it too early in the season to find decent conditions?
I will be traveling to Vancouver for business, and wouldn't mind trying to get some diving in if it could be worthwhile.
Feel free to reply via PM if preferred.
Thanks,
Chip

[Pixie74]

Hi...I'm Erik's girlfriend and I will see you all there in my new Imersion suit!

[Erik]

Woohoo, can't wait Sherri!
Seacidal, there is decent diving around Van at that time of year. Spearfishing not so great as there are closures on just about everything, but you could probably still get out and hunt. Laminar and Eric Fattah are great resources for the good spots in the area- PM them- they will help you out.
Erik

[DeepRN]

Well, it's been some time Hopefully everyone is well and doing what they need to be doing lately (and having some fun adventures along the way!) I spent some time on the island a couple weeks ago, and managed to get into the water with 7/8 seals, and an octopus!!!! It was amazing & I had all the time in the world with this octopus – that I happened upon in about 6ft of water! way too cool. wayyy too cool. It was a lot of fun. I'm going to make a road trip to Vancouver this weekend with the kids Diving will not be on the itinerary, but other potentials include grouse mountain, the Newton wave pool, the Capilano Canyon Park & Salmon Hatchery, Playdium, etc.

Any good diving adventures lately? I'll have to do some back-reading to catch up. If the BC Spearfishing Trip RndIII happens, count me in. Just saw Chris' msg up there. I have the first couple weeks of Sept off too, but I will make it for any dates. Also, every five days, I have five days off, so there's lots of opportunity for getting out and about. And I'll be sure to msg if I'm going to be around for any diving on the coast or elsewhere.

Gabe

[Erik]

Originally Posted by DeepRN

Well, it's been some time If the BC Spearfishing Trip RndIII happens, count me in. Gabe

Long time no see Gabe! Hope you and yours are well.
BCIII IS happening, Aug 9-17. So do your best to come!

[efattah]

Originally Posted by Erik

Long time no see Gabe! Hope you and yours are well.
BCIII IS happening, Aug 9-17. So do your best to come!

Okay, but what is the decided destination?

[Erik]

As it stands it's still Telegraph Cove unless there's a consensus on elsewhere. Lee had mentioned all the positives about TC earlier and I agree. Exploring elsewhere would be fine if all the 'immigrants' agree, but I don't want to frighten anyone away from a sure thing

[BatRay]

I dunno, the idea of cold-water diving and camp showers doesn't appeal I like the option of getting warm! My vote's for TC.

[tylerz]

With regards to recommending a trip to the West Coast, I think options really depend on the group's need for comfort vs economy. I think all sorts of possibilities open up at either extreme. However, if the comfort level of Telegraph Cove is required, ie. showers, cars, car-camping type gear (large stoves, pots, chairs, etc.), then there is a level of comfort that requires the destination to have nights at locations near road access and domestic camping spots or cabins. This then makes most of north vancouver island's west coast out of the question, north of Tofino.

Everybody could lodge at my house in Tahsis but then we would have to arrange effective boat access and really plan out the days and locations to satisfy spearfishing interests.

Otherwise, I would consider Port Renfrew.

Thoughts?

[Erik]

I think that in the interest of attracting those from afar, we keep it at TC. Those of us who live in the West can explore in more remote locations at other times. I might be coming out in June for a week to do just that! My opinion.

[Amphibious]

so have the dates changed? I'll hopefully be popping into TC for some early season recon end of May

[DeepRN]

Hey Colin / Others

Does this interest anyone? A group of bubble blowers from Kamloops are heading to Bamfield and doing four days of diving in the Broken Islands. The dates are May16th - 20th. I'm going forsure, as I've been wanting to spend some time diving the broken islands for some time now. It will be mostly boat diving. I intend to freedive. It should be a great time. Also, after seeing your post here Colin, & depending on the dates you're thinking about, I could perhaps join you for a couple days around TC after the broken islands.

Also, I was at the mouth of the Adams recently Not too many fish yet, but it was nice to get back in there.

Gabe