I used to keep lots of salmon. The thought process was fill the freezer. Now I feel the exact same way as Brendan. I take more pride in releasing the big fish than anything. You could see B was actually sad they couldn’t release that 30. So was I. But sometimes you have to take what the salmon gods give you. 😊
Nice fishing boys!!! Looks like Brendan's very first fish on every slammin rod! LOL Nice to see a guy get excited about sport fishing and equally respectful on releasing! 2020 season fast approaching...good luck ol'Devil!!!
I hauled my 30ft Grady White from Los Angeles to Port Hardy ten years ago. I had just lost an eye in an accident and wanted to follow a dream. I rented a slip at Quarter Deck. I rented an apartment for three months. I hired local head of fisheries to teach me area. I also hired a commercial fisherman to show me spots north of Port Hardy. On occasion I pulled my boat and went across to the West coast of the island. I fished daily 99% by myself. One week I went north to Rivers inlet. I mainly fished at the head of the inlet. No fish story I caught in 5 days over 30 kings. Ten over 40, five over fifty largest 57. All on downriggers. The trip to Port Hardy I stopped counting Kings I caught at 100 that summer. That was me personally. The head football coach at UCLA came up for a week with a friend . They caught another 20 fishing Port Hardy then going on the other side West Coast. I could write a book. I love Canadians but many of the local guides did not appreciate me coming in and catching more fish than them. Lucky I hired the local fisheries guy . If you ever go back let me know I know a few places where the fish hold . That trip alone I caught Six over 50. Only one near Port Hardy the rest by Rivers inlet.
Hey Patrick, thanks for sharing your super fun experience ! I'm Retired and have never fished that far north , but this coming summer I'm going to do something similar to you in my 24' Monaro. If you can offer any specifics on locations you personally experienced, and people in the know to reference too, I'd be so appreciative. Many in the business are not willing to share info :( . email me if your a little more generous with sharing ? thank you ! : metcalfe.ron@gmail.com
@@Ronsgonefishing I’d be happy to help . With 24 ft you’ll need to plan it. Find places to stay along the way . Also how long you are gone . I trailered my boat all the way to Port Hardy. Rented an apartment for 3 months and used that as a base to go north. Think about these questions 1. How long gone? 2. Is it for fishing as have many spots 3. I went north from Port Hardy and stayed in fish camps and marina. I can give you a map but my trip was from LA , stopped in Portland Oregon, drove to Vancouver and took ferry across. Drove to Port Hardy fished around there for a month then went North. The only problem is a stretch just north of the island going across open ocean but basically your following the cruise ships up the inland passage Here’s my email pwartist55@aol.com
Hey BMo longtime Canuck fan and islander myself. Port Hardy is awesome I see you've been to Tofino. Tried Winter Harbour? It's west cost not super far from Port Hardy but on the west/ocean side.
Calm water you want to be inside somewhere protected. The inside of the island like Parksville would be great. Or you can do somewhere in the broken island group like Barkley Sound or Bamfield but just make sure they are fishing on the inside at the time you choose to go.
That boat's worth what, a quarter mil? The truck's what, another hun? 120? Lets be "Reel-istic" here; the common guy can't afford this kind of fishing.
To be honest, if its ypur passion, its affordable. I am currently in port hardy on a yearly fishing trip with my dad, and a couple of our friends. We are from Salmon Arm, in the interior. We bring one truck, the boat, and between the four of us, total, we pay around 1500 for a one week trip. The truck we bring is a 30k$ 2013 dodge 1 ton, and a 2017 Hewescraft ocean pro 2550, so there was that sort of hefty initial cost. But way back 20 years ago when we started these trips, we had an 80's 16 foot lund aluminum with an older evinrude, a mid 90s chevy 1500 and camping gear and we caught amazing fish still, and made a lifetime of memories. Dont be jealous of the guy with the Kingfisher boat and the fancy pickup. Enjoy the fact that he is out fishing and making memories like us normal people do.
Them their fish are not big, 45 and up are big, which are hardly caught anymore. The unregulated netting of the river systems buy natives have killed off the stocks, we have to go to Argentina to get genetic stock back and stop the river netting it would take years to get them back
I like fishing but catch and release is cruel in my book. How would you like a hook in your mouth. It is one thing if it is not the proper size but... Human is the only species that taunts and plays with the food.
