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Thread: Vancouver Island in August

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    West Sacramento
    Posts
    80

    Default Vancouver Island in August

    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!

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    Carmichael
    Posts
    129

    Default Stamp river


  3. #3
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    citrus hieghts
    Posts
    90

    Default

    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
    If you see a family struggling in a store or public place with their child's strange or disruptive behavior don't judge, the child could have autism, like my daughter.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    Yuba City, Ca.
    Posts
    2,229

    Default Try Campbell River

    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
    TONY BUZOLICH
    Feather River Fly
    Yuba City, CA.
    (530) 790-7180

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Oct 2005
    Location
    PNW
    Posts
    1,193

    Default

    go to tofino!!!!! jays feather and fly guide service!!!!! spent the last summer there and it was amazing

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    Sacramento
    Posts
    100

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by chapmag View Post
    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.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Campbell River, BC.
    Posts
    3

    Default

    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

    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.


    A beautifully spotted stream resident Cutty.

    Stillwater Rainbow.

    Gorgeous Elk Hair Caddis fooled Cutthroat.

    Dolly Varden Char.

    Another pretty Cut.

    Stillwater Brown.

    A stillwater hawg brown.

    One of my favorite beach fishing companions.
    Last edited by Huw Davies; 01-24-2009 at 04:44 PM.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    West Sacramento
    Posts
    80

    Default Thanks for the replies

    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)!
    Greg

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    PNW
    Posts
    2,934

    Default

    heres a report I posted back in sept. from campbell river area.

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

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Campbell River, BC.
    Posts
    3

    Default

    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

    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

    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.

    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

    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!

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