A Vancouver Island Fishing Extravaganza?

Last summer, I spent a lot of time yak fishing the Puget Sound Salt, and caught a couple nice fish. Then I went to the Moutcha Bay derby and caught a ridiculous amount of huge fish.

I know it took a while to get up there, and cost a fair amount, etc., but I'm thinking of trying to spend more time catching fish this year and maybe more time up there.

Here's the theory, if the fishing really is that much better in some spots on Vancouver Island, why not drive up there once, fish, then leave my car with its kayak stuff locked up on it in Victoria for a couple weeks or a month.

Then, on the weekends, I could take the high speed Victoria Clipper ferry up there (three hours, $50 round trip with a coupon), and fish to my hearts content (I don't need my car at all during the week).

Is is worth it? Are there other great fishing spots closer to the south end of the island? Anywhere reasonable or free to park in Victoria for a week at a time?

Anyone want to to do this with me?

- Matt

I like that idea.  Can I put a kayak on your car?

-Allen

I agree with Pole.  You could even rent out your car and kayak.  Kind of like a time share just a little on the trashy side!

Interesting idea MattK. You sure would end up w/ some good fishing on the cheap. BTW, where can I get some of those coupons?? 

Z

 :D

Sorry about the one letter.  I hit something and lost my post.  Will try again later.
The storage idea is a Great Idea.

<bump?

I'm doing some more research into this idea. I think it holds promise... I just need to figure out specific spots I'd want to fish (Sombrio looks fun)... and something about parking.

As for the 50% off Victoria Clipper coupons, they used to be in the Entertainment book, but I couldn't find it. So I just bought one off ebay and hopefully when I get that I'll know where/how to track down others. I'll share the details.

- Matt

Matt,

Where to fish over there?  Going out from Victoria on Hwy 14 along the south end of the island....

French Beach near Sooke will work really well for day trips.  It's a provincial park and perfect for non-motor boat launches from the beach and the kelp is near by.  Also look for Muir creek further out.  There's a tiny area for parking on the west side of the creek and then it's about a 1/4 mile paddle to the straight, kelp right to the west.  I've seen it littered with a few salmon skeletons before and so I know that they come in there at least a little.  Sombrio makes a great multi day excursion, but not less cause of the long drag back up the hill with your gear, but a kelp bed maybe two miles long.  Lots and lots of cheap car camping over in Port Renfrew and you can intersept the silvers heading up the river in late September, but it's at least a two mile paddle out to any other good fishing in the sound.

There's probably that many spots again along that hwy, but those are the ones that I know.  So plenty of fishing.  It's the parking that I think will be the buggaboo for your idea.  Parking is already outrageous in Victoria, and it's worse the closer you get to the ferry terminal (the tourist area).  You might be able to put together a plan where you rent a site somewhere along the bus routes going out of town, but you'll want it on the INside of some fencing because of theives.  Snag-a-but lives right over by the ferry terminal, so I'll rouste him up and see if he has any ideas for you.

Fishin-T