Traveling Vancouver Island end of August

Hi all, I know this may be a long shot but I'd like to introduce myself and see if I could get some help from some fellow kayak anglers. My name is Shane, I'm 22 years old and from Windsor Ontario. I'm an avid fisherman and have been into kayak fishing around the great lakes for a few years now. Anyway I am planning a trip to Vancouver Island some time the end of August and planning to travel from Nanaimo to Port Hardy to backpack the north coast trail. While I am there I would love to be able to experience some west coast fishing but unfortunately cannot afford to hire a luxury guide when I am paying for school. I was wondering if there was anyone out there with an extra kayak that wouldn't mind a fishing partner for a day or two? I am not looking to catch trophy fish by any means, just a fun experience. Again, I realize this is a lot to ask especially from a new forum user but anything would be greatly appreciated. I'll try and post some pictures tonight of some kayak fishing from around Ontario. I can't tell you how much this would mean to me.
Thanks and cheers from Ontario,
Shane

If you are up there over the month end, you might check out the tournament:

http://www.albernioutpost.com/2nd-annual-pink-salmon-kayak-fishing-derby/

If my back is up to it, I know I will be there!

Thanks for the info! Do you know if there will be kayaks or any equipment available for rent for participants?

I do not know that area well.  Heck, it will be my first Canada experience   You should be able to get info from the flyer you can find at the link I gave ya.

Hope to see ya there!

Hey shane,
 I'm in nanaimo and have an extra boat. I mostly fresh water fish but we could probably fish for the pink run Oly mentioned. Bass will still be good too. What are the dates?

BB

Thanks for the offer Backroads that sounds great I'm hoping well be able to work something out! I will know specific dates soon but I'm thinking it will be some time from the 29th to the 2nd. If you were to recommend one rod to bring what would it be?

I'll be using a 5&6 wt fly rod and/or a 7' rod rated for 6-14 lb line and 1/8-3/4 oz lures with spin reel. My reel has 20 lb braid and I usually tie on 6lb floro leaders. Anything similar will be good for trout, bass and pinks. Let me know what you've got and I'll see what I can help you with. 

Backroads, I will send you a pm within the next couple days to let you know the dates and discuss some more details. Pinks on a fly from a kayak sounds amazing, Ive caught them from a river off of Lake Superior and it was a blast! I hope the pictures worked I tried to attach. I'll keep in touch, and thanks again for the generous offer.

Shane

Turns out I will also be in Tofino for a few days before Nanaimo, any recommendations as far as just fishing from shore? Is it worth a try? Thanks for all the help so far!

Cheers

Turns out I will also be in Tofino for a few days before Nanaimo, any recommendations as far as just fishing from shore? Is it worth a try? Thanks for all the help so far!

Cheers

Funny,
I'll be in Tofino August 23-26. We're going to hit the salmon pretty heavy out of a power boat about 15 miles off shore. I'm curious how you do from the bank. I've never fished any of the river systems around Tofino but I hear the fishing is stellar in late August.
Paul


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There is also a tournament at Moucha Bay / Nootka Sound the holiday weekend the end of August.  It's a two day tourney.  Not sure of all the details but some other folks on the forum have been there and can explain better than I.  It sounds like fun too, but is farther away.

Contact tofinofishing.com.   He will help with uptodate knowledge.
T2

Hey Shane, good photos. Interesting fish, my guess is a type of gar? Where did you catch it? Hopefully we can get into some fish while your here.

I'm sure there is some fishing from shore in the Tofino area. Tofino is a small place but there are backroads to access fishing locations all over.  My experience is not in tofino specifically but from the shores of islands nearby and I have always done well just casting a buzz bomb or zzinger.

The rivers are productive too. I've fished steelhead near there. The Toquart river has some nice fish.

RR, sounds like your heading to Big Bank, I was out there a year or so ago. Amazing fishing, we had one in the 40's and a bunch in the 30's. Could keep the coho off trying to get the gear deep enough to get the big Springs. I'd love to do a mothership trip out there. Enjoy!!

I'm interested in more info about the Moucha Bay tourney. Anyone go in past years?

Moutcha Bay resort has a kayak tournament every year the end of August.  Most of the moderators from this forum have been there, and Zee won the pro division a few years ago.  You can look it up at Moutcha Bay Resort under news and events.

RR, sounds like your heading to Big Bank, I was out there a year or so ago. Amazing fishing, we had one in the 40's and a bunch in the 30's. Could keep the coho off trying to get the gear deep enough to get the big Springs. I'd love to do a mothership trip out there. Enjoy!!

Thanks BB. I'm pretty stoked. I heard the same thing about the kings out they, they get BIG.
Sweet pics btw. Is that a fly rod I see behind you? That king would be a SICK fight on a bug wand!
Paul


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