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chapmag
01-21-2009, 12:24 PM
I'll be traveling to Vancouver Island B.C. this August. Any suggestions on species and rivers for late summer on the island? I'm planning to get a guide (or several) and I'd like to stay within two hours drive of Victoria.

Thanks!

jerry from sac
01-22-2009, 09:23 AM
Just something to look at.
http://www.fishinginternational.com/location/canastamp.htm

charles
01-23-2009, 02:02 PM
Back in the 90's, I think it was 95 I visited my uncle in Naniamo. That place has so many rivers that are full of trout. The river (I don't know the name of it) by my uncles house has about 20' of visability. It was full of fish 6-14 inches and had many harder to catch fish in the 20" class. I don't know what it is like now but back then you could catch 100 fish in a day easy.

Hope this helps,
Charles

Tony Buzolich
01-23-2009, 02:37 PM
I used to fish the Campbell River regularly back in the 70's+80's and it was loaded with fish during August. Most folks there fished out in the straits for King salmon but I preferred to fish the actual river and it was never crowded. From the dam downstream to the actual town of Campbell River is very short and as a results becomes loaded with all kinds of sea-run fish that want to come upstream and spawn.

In August there you can have regular steelhead, humpies (pink salmon) silvers, sockeye, and I believe cutthroat and dolly varden steelhead as well all at the same time.

Just a short drive out of town along the river there was a beautiful campground, maybe a Provincial Park where we stayed. I can't remember the name but it's easy to find. We'd usually stay there a week at a time and have BBQ'd salmon for lunch and dinner almost daily.

Without giving out too much detail try egg-sucking leech patterns and bounce the bottom.

Geez, got me to thinking again. That really was a great place.
TONY

TaylerW
01-23-2009, 05:22 PM
go to tofino!!!!! jays feather and fly guide service!!!!! spent the last summer there and it was amazing

bonish
01-23-2009, 11:50 PM
I'll be traveling to Vancouver Island B.C. this August. Any suggestions on species and rivers for late summer on the island? I'm planning to get a guide (or several) and I'd like to stay within two hours drive of Victoria.

Thanks!

My wife and I were outside of Victoria a couple of years and hired a guide. My advice would be to make sure you have plenty of communication with the guide before your trip to clearly outline expectations. Our guide, who came with all sorts of "accolades", spent at least half the trip fishing on his own, which seemed to be the accepted norm there.

Huw Davies
01-24-2009, 04:27 PM
Hi there, Chapmag

You are going to have a great time! August is a beautiful and fish-rich month on the Island. I live in Campbell River, and Mr. Buzolich wasn't kidding - the fishing can be good in this neck of the woods.

The farther north one goes on Vancouver Island - in general, the better the fishing gets. There is some good fishing on the south Island - and the Stamp/Somass system over on the west side (Port Alberni) gets some of the largest returns of any river on the Island (Coho and winter Steelhead, especially) - but its the one river on the Island that I won't fish - because it gets the crowds and dozens of jet and drift boats.

Not at all my scene. I prefer the rivers of the mid and north Island - where there are far more bears, elk and cougar - than there are other fishermen. August is a great month for Pink Salmon (Humpies) in the rivers of Van Isle. Following the Pinks up to feed on the eggs are the Sea Run Cutthroats. In a few special Island rivers, the first of the Summer Run Steelhead will be coming up the rivers (which will take a dry fly, and are a blast on a 6 or 7 weight!).

As for guides - the only one I have personally met is Courtney Ogilvie. I've never fished with him - but he gave my girlfriend a fly casting lesson and he seemed like a nice guy - and seems to have a really good knowledge of local conditions, the rivers and accesses. He specializes in fly fishing for Salmon off the beaches - and August is a great month for that - with Chinook, Coho and Pink (as well as Cutthroat) staging off the beaches ready to run up the rivers.
Nile Creek Fly Shop (http://www.nilecreekflyshop.com/nilecreek_8047.html)

If I can be of any more assistance, just ask - and I think you are going to have a great trip!

Huw.

PS. I should also have mentioned that there is some outstanding resident stream and stillwater Cutthroat, Brown and Rainbow fishing to be had, at that time of the year, as well. Talk to your guide about it, though - as its the out of the way places that have the best fishing, of course!
I'll add a few pictures to whet your appetite! These are all fish from last season and all caught on the central and north Island.

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s237/Doubletap_2007/Camping/Cutty7.jpg
A beautifully spotted stream resident Cutty.
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s237/Doubletap_2007/Camping/blackw.jpg
Stillwater Rainbow.
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s237/Doubletap_2007/IMG_3693szed.jpg
Gorgeous Elk Hair Caddis fooled Cutthroat.
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s237/Doubletap_2007/DV.jpg
Dolly Varden Char.
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s237/Doubletap_2007/Cutty6.jpg
Another pretty Cut.
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s237/Doubletap_2007/brown3.jpg
Stillwater Brown.
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s237/Doubletap_2007/IMG_0510.jpg
A stillwater hawg brown.
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s237/Doubletap_2007/bear2.jpg
One of my favorite beach fishing companions.

chapmag
01-25-2009, 01:56 PM
I really appreciate the help from everyone who has posted so far. This will be my first significant out-of-state fly fishing trip.

Huw, those are awesome pictures of many species. How much time does it take to drive from Victoria to the central and north island? And are there activities in that part of the island for my wife who doesn't fly fish? Nice motels, restaurants, etc?

I am excited (and still have 6 months to wait and plan)!

jbird
01-25-2009, 03:36 PM
heres a report I posted back in sept. from campbell river area.

http://kiene.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14509

Huw Davies
01-26-2009, 01:26 PM
Hey Greg,

Victoria to Campbell River, via the Inland Island hwy - is about three hours. Campbell River to Port Hardy, which is pretty much the tip of the north Island - is another two and a half / three hours (staying withing 10kph of the speed limit).

Once you are north of Campbell River - you are definitely away from people, and there are only the small settlements of Sayward and Woss until you get up to Port McNiel - which is two hours north of CR.

Nothing but rivers and logging roads - ha ha!

In my estimation, there is a fair bit for non-fishers to do around here (depending on their interests).

The CR museum is small - but pretty well represents early native settlement - up through CR's history as a sport fishing destination (Rodrick Haig Brown and the Tyee Club).
CR Museum (http://www.crmuseum.ca/)

Just west of town, on the way to Gold River on the west coast of the Island - is the Islands largest park - Strathcona. Lots of hiking, wildlife viewing - lots of Elk and Bear (and great fishing should you pack along a 3 weight!) in really gorgeous surroundings. Its one of my favorite places to spend a day.
Strathcona Park (http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/strath/)

Just east of CR are the islands of Quadra and Cortes (both accessed by ferry from CR). Lots of sightseeing, hiking and local artisans. Great grub and views at the Harriot Bay Inn (especially if you like fresh sea food).
HBI - Quadra island. (http://www.heriotbayinn.com/seaside_dining_heron_restaurant.html)

Campbell River itself has good accommodations - and some really good dining - again, especially if you like fresh seafood. One of my favorite places to eat during the summer is Painters Lodge (and don't miss it's salmon skin bar and mounted twin 76LB Chinook). The Sunday buffet there is unbelievable! They also offer whale watching - zodiac trips through the whirl pools of Discovery Passage - and old skool rowed fishing for Tyee (Chinook salmon 30lbs or larger) in the Tyee pool at the mouth of the Campbell River.
Painters Lodge (http://www.painterslodge.com/)

OK - I think I thats quite enough from me - man, I sound like a tour guide - ha ha!

My best advice is contact a guide early, let him suggest the kinds of fishing available at the time you will be visiting - make a plan based on what sort of fish and fishing you wish to do (because there will be a fair choice, I think) - then let him look after the arrangements.

That leaves you free to make arrangements regarding accommodations and keeping the non-fishers amused!

JayDubP
02-27-2009, 11:17 AM
I have fly fished wading in saltwater with Courtney Ogilvie and recommend him. Small world.

Huw Davies posts are dead on.

If your wife wants a little more luxury or if golf comes into play look at area around Parksville and Qualicum Beach. Lots of B & B's plus couple of reasonably priced resorts.

www.vancouverisland.com is great site to start for the entire island. I think its part of BC Tourism. Has links to a few guides.

Contact several guides to see if they do what it is you want. And make sure you are specific about what it is and when you want to do.

chapmag
08-16-2009, 03:26 PM
I fished for three days last week with Courtney Ogilvie. Landed four species: coho and pink salmon, sea-run cutthroat, and steelhead.

First day was at the mouth of a river on the north shore of the island past Sayward. We hooked several pinks on the swing/strip using bright pink and green sparse flies. We also saw some monster chinooks jumping 1/4 mile out into the strait.

Second day was on a river on the north island swinging for steelhead. Tested my reel drag with a few coho and the steelhead in the picture. Hooked an even larger steelhead on a pink fly that jumped once and broke off. I'd see the pink fly swim by every 15 minutes or so.

Third day I fished on my own on the Campbell River. Landed lots of pinks and a cutthroat.

Great fishing in a rural place. It was lots of fun to fish very near the ocean, or in the ocean, for salmon on a fly.

My wife spent a few days in Vancouver then ferried over to the island and we went wine tasting and spent the night at a B&B.

Thanks for all the help in the posts.

Ned Morris
08-18-2009, 12:46 PM
I am so jealous! Vancouver Island this time of year is so pretty. Did you have a chance to go to Gold River for some summer runs? They aren't big but they are sure fun up there. Want to go for the big guys in winter one day. So glad you had fun up there.

chapmag
08-18-2009, 01:42 PM
I didn't get the chance to go to the Gold. There was a massive fire on the river and the guide was not sure we'd be able to get in and out.

I can't imagine how much fun the big winter steelhead would be. I hope you get a chance to go.