2023 Winter Harbour Reports

[Reel_Restorations]

We just cut the tentacle portion off just in front of the eyes, pull that little ball out in the centre of the tentacles. That’s the beak, then good to go. The rest of the squid, just slide your knife up inside to the tip to open up, scrape the guts out, and the plastic looking piece of cartilage, and it is good to go as well.
We vac sealed about 15 good sized feeds, and froze! The other couple hundred were served as appies for a couple nights in a row! They were a hit amungst everyone in both sides of the double floater. Good Luck, and report back.

Great info, thank you. Looking forward to getting up. Fingers crossed the winds cooperate.

 

[BigBadBrad]

We just cut the tentacle portion off just in front of the eyes, pull that little ball out in the centre of the tentacles. That’s the beak, then good to go. The rest of the squid, just slide your knife up inside to the tip to open up, scrape the guts out, and the plastic looking piece of cartilage, and it is good to go as well.
We vac sealed about 15 good sized feeds, and froze! The other couple hundred were served as appies for a couple nights in a row! They were a hit amungst everyone in both sides of the double floater. Good Luck, and report back.

Curious if the squid were around all day there or was it better at night? Definitely wanna target some when we are up July 11th. Might be gone by then though.

 

[After Hours IV]

Curious if the squid were around all day there or was it better at night? Definitely wanna target some when we are up July 11th. Might be gone by then though.

There was always a few stragglers around if you looked for them in the day, but evening, night time, and first thing in the morning was thick. They go to the bottom during the day.

 

[Captain PartyMarty]

Some pics from my first charter this weekend! Springs are thick pretty much everywhere at the moment. Got a massive haul of bait too!

 

[the force]

View attachment 94125

Oh man I’m jealous! I made a point of buying some squid hooks for our trip and then got lazy (sore arms by evening lol) and didn’t use them. Didn’t realize they would be right in the harbour. Nice haul!

 

[Macdeep]

Good to see the squid are around in good numbers and that the fish seem plentiful!

Any one know what fuel prices are up to this year in WH?

I should be out that way in at few weeks.

 

[oilslick]

Does anyone know if Qualicum Rivers is selling ice and are they pretty consistent with availability??
Fuel dock hours?
Thanks in advance

 

[Sea Surfer]

Does anyone know if Qualicum Rivers is selling ice and are they pretty consistent with availability??
Fuel dock hours?
Thanks in advance

Qualicum had ice a few weeks ago no issues. Fuel dock I believe was 1-6

 

[oilslick]

Qualicum had ice a few weeks ago no issues. Fuel dock I believe was 1-6

thank you

 

[Captain PartyMarty]

Mickie’s also has ice!

 

[Gong Show]

Mickie’s also has ice!

Any reports on the ice selling competition?
Showing up with the family on the 15th!
Triple generation Gong Show!!

 

[Reel_Restorations]

Good to see the squid are around in good numbers and that the fish seem plentiful!

Any one know what fuel prices are up to this year in WH?

I should be out that way in at few weeks.

Just fueled up there today, believe it was $2.25/litre

 

[sly_karma]

Mickey will have ice in a tote. If he's not there, you fill your container and leave appropriate cash. (Yes, tiny town BC is still cash, you should bring some). There's a baggie for the cash with pricing. His place is a metal shed directly up the hill from Qualicum.

 

[Macdeep]

Just fueled up there today, believe it was $2.25/litre

Awesome! I was worried fuel might be north of 2.50 or worse, getting close to 3$

Fuel prices are high enough in town!

 

[Capt_Ed]

Just fueled up there today, believe it was $2.25/litre

Is that all in or plus gst

 

[Nugget]

Heard the inshore fishing has slowed down in a big way. Hopefully another wave comes in.

 

[Vek]

You find those herring inshore? We've not been up since before Covid...it's nice to see some feed that's larger than the tiny stuff that was around in 2018/2019. We'll be up July 27 - Aug 3...if anyone wants to compare notes or buddy up for a run to the Brooks or the Cape (or tuna? too early?), look for the tin boat moored on the gov't dock with the crew of towheaded kids.

 

[trophy fisher]

Heading up on Monday for the week. Staying at The Outpost. Encouraging to see good numbers of all fish.

 

[bpsuls]

Its that time of the year again where my son (who is now 8) and I are doing our annual trip and this year we are doing the last sound (and from what i've heard the best) that we have not yet seen, Quatsino. Started this when he was 3 (desolation sound) and worked our way up to Kyuquot last year and had lots of fun though the fishing was problematic weather wise. We will be launching out of Coal Harbour on the 22nd of July and will be cruising around doing fishing, exploring and sleeping on the boat for the week. Having never been there before I am interested in some information on places to fish and interesting things to see/explore. We don't generally do offshore as he doesn't like the big swell but I am particularly keen on knowing if there is any Halibut or ground fish fishing on the inside (or at least in the mouth of the sound) so I can get him on as much fish as he'll tolerate! Any of you Quatsino veterans that would be willing to share I'd appreciate a PM to further discuss my plans! Thanks and tight lines.

 

[Flashman]

Its that time of the year again where my son (who is now 8) and I are doing our annual trip and this year we are doing the last sound (and from what i've heard the best) that we have not yet seen, Quatsino. Started this when he was 3 (desolation sound) and worked our way up to Kyuquot last year and had lots of fun though the fishing was problematic weather wise. We will be launching out of Coal Harbour on the 22nd of July and will be cruising around doing fishing, exploring and sleeping on the boat for the week. Having never been there before I am interested in some information on places to fish and interesting things to see/explore. We don't generally do offshore as he doesn't like the big swell but I am particularly keen on knowing if there is any Halibut or ground fish fishing on the inside (or at least in the mouth of the sound) so I can get him on as much fish as he'll tolerate! Any of you Quatsino veterans that would be willing to share I'd appreciate a PM to further discuss my plans! Thanks and tight lines.

That's awesome. I have great memories from West coast trips at that age.

This covers a lot of the most popular areas.

Quatsino Sound – Salmon University

salmonuniversity.com