BC Spearing Trip: Round 3 (2008)

[JPPLAY]

Originally Posted by feign

Will do. I have managed to talk to a few people who have spent some time up there and trying to get whatever info I can. The best thing I have heard is about a sand beach...where the crabs are in absurd abundance for hand picking.

It might be worth while talking to the conservation officer in that area. Find out how the lay of the ocean and if we need a boat to dive. We could kayak or swim if the distance are managable. Anyone have an idea how fast weather changes in that area?

Since we are targeting really only one species of fish that hook and line fisherman target which is lingcod we should maybe find out about their population size and if the fishy might ever close in the near future.

Anyone got an idea on dates? It looks like the last two weeks of the months are the only ones that would work for me. Though I can't confirm making the trip yet.

[Amphibious]

Originally Posted by JPPLAY

Anyone have an idea how fast weather changes in that area?

.

instantly


I'm tryting to get in touch with a dive charter that runs trips to the QCi on his sailboat, friend of a freind thing. he;s spearo friendly.

[Erik]

2nd week of August was discussed as it worked better for some of the US troop.

[cdavis]

I just did a bit of google research on the QCIs and am a little puzzled. The north end of the islands is all sand beach, very open, especially to the north, no sign of rocky shores or protected fiords that should be good freediving sites. There is plenty of that further south, but getting there looks difficult and expensive. Looked like the accomodations were either very primitive or not close to what looks like good diving.

What's the plan?

Connor

[JPPLAY]

Originally Posted by Erik

2nd week of August was discussed as it worked better for some of the US troop.

Okay then I can't make it because of other commitments. If you guys need any information I can get my hands on easier since I live on the west coast, for instance nautical charts let me know.

[Erik]

It's still not written in stone though Jimmy.

[BatRay]

Originally Posted by cdavis

I just did a bit of google research on the QCIs and am a little puzzled. The north end of the islands is all sand beach, very open, especially to the north, no sign of rocky shores or protected fiords that should be good freediving sites. There is plenty of that further south, but getting there looks difficult and expensive. Looked like the accomodations were either very primitive or not close to what looks like good diving.

What's the plan?

Connor

Good questions. Any input?

[JPPLAY]

Originally Posted by BatRay

Good questions. Any input?

I agree that we want to fish around rocky areas but we also want to spearfishing around high current locations not in protected areas that barely get any current around them. Though from what been said this may have to be a boat trip.

[feign]

I have wanted to spend some more time on research of the coastiline, underwater terrain and get nautical charts of the area. I just haven't had time lately. If anyone can obtain info, please do.

lee

[JPPLAY]

Originally Posted by feign

I have wanted to spend some more time on research of the coastiline, underwater terrain and get nautical charts of the area. I just haven't had time lately. If anyone can obtain info, please do.

lee

Where in the Queen Charlottes are you thinking of as then I will take a look at charts around that area?

[Erik]

This looks promising, and it's near the ferry landing in Skidegate too.


Rennell Sound is the only point on the west coast of the Islands that is accessible by road. However, the decent to the beach has a 24% gradient, making it one of the steepest roads in North America! Check your brakes before heading down what is known as “The Hill”, and leave large campers and trailers at home. Once there, camping can be found at the Cone Head Forest Service Recreation Site, and the Rennell Sound Forest Recreation Service Site. Bonanza and Gregory Beaches provide excellent beachcombing and hiking opportunities. Try the Riley Creek Trail, found nearby the campsites, to explore some of the untouched rainforest. For scuba divers, shore dives are plentiful along the coastal road, and you can charter a boat to take you to more great sites on the west coast of the Islands. A boat launch is also found here for fishermen and kayakers.
Yakoun Lake



Other campgrounds near the Village of Queen Charlotte include those found at Haydn Turner Park, located at the west side of the Village of Queen Charlotte, and Kagan Bay Forest Service Recreation Site, just west of the city


Niho - Queen Charlotte City

[cdavis]

There is one scuba company that runs trips to Rennell Sound, Emerald Seas Sail and Scuba. I emailed their contact but haven't heard anything yet. Check out their web site, www.qcislands.net/emeralseas/ (click on "diving" at the bottom of the first, blank, page) Rental SUVs are available in the town of Queen Charlotte, where the ferry lands. The drive is supposed to be about an hour. Local advice is "take two spare tires." hmmm. Campgrounds aren't well described, but sound primitive. The closest airport is a short ferry across the local inlet. The description of the area sounds like just what we are looking for, water temp may not be as bad as feared, but the logistics sound a bit challenging to a Florida boy (read that, "wimp").

Connor

[Erik]

Great stuff Connor.
I've thought a bit more, talked to a few people, and the Queen Charlottes might be too much/too far/etc for people coming from far away. What I'm thinking is that maybe we go to the west side of Vancouver Island. It's about the same as going to Port Hardy and Ling is open all the way along the coast. Tyler Z would be a great resource here- I'll try to get hold of him if he doesn't respond on this thread. Tyler lives in Tahsis, and there are lots of inlets and bays on that side of the island. What do you guys think? Will you be more inclined to come in that case? I want this to be a social gathering, not just fishing, so the more the merrier, as long as we can fish too.

[Fondueset]

It is a stone's throw - all depends on the numbers. I like shore diving - though I have no problem with boats either. TC was nice because both were right there.

[Erik]

I'm sure there'd be great shore diving on the west coast of the island, and we could get hooked up with a boat too if we liked.