Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum
Fishing in British Columbia => General Discussion => Topic started by: Driller on April 22, 2010, 10:08:06 PM
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Going to Langara June 5-8. Does anyone have any tips? Been over the web site a thousand times. I've fished for salmon in the ocean maybe 10 times. Not too much experience, but I know presentation is very important. I will research this thoroughly before we embark on our trip. Really excited, if anyone has gone and care to share a tip I would appreciate it.
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Worked and fished there for 18 years, get in touch and I will fill you in, have a good trip, great time for big springs.
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Trying to send you a private message but don't know how. I'd like to ask you a few questions about Langara fishing in June. Do you know how to private message? If not maybe we can e mail?
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I work in the same area...Last few years the baitfish in June have been Needlefish. Not many Herring around. Don't think they have Anchovies at Langara for bait but that is what we use in June...near or just off the bottom as the Springs will be feasting on the needfish hatch.
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We're going to be using a 19ft center console boat with a 60 HP I think. I'll have a GPS with me. IS it worth venturing out from the island to search for other fishing grounds? I haven't looked at any hydrographic maps or anything, but I heard of a couple of spots off shore. I imagine, this would be something for a bigger boat?
If fishing around the island what is the key to success? Is cohoe point the most productive area for springs? If fishing on or near the bottom, is there a particular depth we should be focusing on? I was out on the west coast a few years ago and we were fishing in 30 to 40 feet. I thought this to be quite shallow, but it worked. If needle fish are the baitfish, should we be using spoons? Or is live bait the best option. Where is a good spot to shoot for a big spring?
Thanks a lot. Look forward to going there. Hey one more thing. As far as tipping goes. The guy I'm going with is on the conservative side, where as I am a little more appreciative of good service. How does the tipping work there? Who do you tip? The guy that takes your fish to clean it? How much should one be tipping etc?
Cheers
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I'm confused, but that's not unusual, are you going with a guide or are you going in a bare boat?
If you're going bare boat make sure one of you has an operating permit.
If you're going with a guide (which is my assumption) your guide will know the hotspots and how to fish them.
It's nice to know the names of productive areas for conversation purposes as well as acquainting yourself with an area you might try solo in the future but generally most guides will work to get you into fish.
Sometimes weather dictates the fishable areas, areas that are reccommended and you might want to fish might not be a good or safe choice on certain days (it's big water up there)
but your guide's income is supplemented by tips, that's why they want you catching.
I don't know Langara Lodge or how deep your pockets are but I usually give a $20, or more, handshake (per trip not per week) and my fishing buddies do likewise, to guides when I use them and I base that on service, (is the boat clean? is the guide organized? or did he leave something important back on shore ), effort (is he working to catch fish or driving around in a circle with the same dead herring all day), and level of entertainment (Did we catch fish?If it was slow he better be amusing, friendly, informative, and a good story or joke teller).
The more fun the bigger the handshake and if I'm out with some miserable SOB he better get me into lots of fish.
Good luck have fun.
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If you are going to Langara Fishing Lodge the info they give out is pretty much self explanatory, they are there to make you have a successful trip. West side hali to 300 pounds, they offer gps's with all the hot spots for fishing the bottom fish, with the boat you have you can go around the island, weather permitting in about a half an hour. If you want a trophy fish then just sit in bruin bay, 10, 12, 14, pulls with a cut plug for your whole trip and the fish you do hook will be decent. Coho point will give you fish if you are patient, Boulder, again 10 to 14 pulls because your only fishing 50 ft. of water. Macpherson is good for bigger fish on the right tide, again the lodge has great info on areas and when to fish regarding tides, after everyday at dinner they will tell you where the fishing was best. If all else fails, follow the bigger blueboats, the guided boats and watch how they are fishing, ask questions they will offer the info to get you into fish. Cut plug is all they offer, there are no down riggers. The most common pulls are usually shallow, if I had one rod to fish then it would be 17 pulls, doesn't matter how deep the water is. Heres hoping you have a great trip, the scenery is awesome, the staff are very friendly and you won't loose weight with the menu they serve. Guided or unguided as soon as you hit the wharf you fish are weighed, marked on the board and then processed by the staff, everything is taken care of, very professional. Enjoy.
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Thanks for the replies people. Our trip is unguided, so gps 's with the hotspots for bottom fish is cool. I'm still unsure of the tipping. Do we tip the guy that takes our fish from the boat and weighs it etc? Do we tip for everyone we cross paths with? Do we tip for breakfast? Do we tip for dinner? Do we tip for the guy that delivers the 6 pack of cold beers out to our boat with a couple of sandwiches... of course we do! Seriously though, I'd like to do it right.
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In terms of tipping...At the lodge I work at ...and I assume at Langara as well...Just leave one tip either in cash or credit card. Everyone outside of the guides are in a tip "pool" so they will all shar ethe tips equally. When I have friends or family come up I suggest to them 150-250 per person , per trip for tipping. But there is no hard written rules.
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I suggest to them 150-250 per person , per trip for tipping. But there is no hard written rules.
How many days are you referring to as a trip.
How many people in a group.
If a group of 4, for 3 days, you are looking for 600 - 1000 bucks in tips.
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We are in an unguided boat. Just the two of us. For 4 days.
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If you are unguided and are wondering about the tips, it is when you leave they will give you an envelope and however the staff has treated you tip accordingly. The fish pit boys are great up there, they will take and weigh your fish, clean and vacumn pack it, they do an excellent job and don't forget that is your end product, I know that a case of beer left in the ice bin is much appreciated by the guys. Guides are separate and whastever you decide to tip is split amongst the 50 or so staff, you do the math. If your having problems hooking up like I said ask any of the guides and they will be more than happy to give you a few hints. Follow the guided boats and you will be fine, just remember you have lots of line and a motor to chase these fish, horsing them in will only result in frustration and an empty box going home, some fish will hit like freight trains, no brainers but some will give you a very light tap for a bite, watch your rod tips, missing those bites will again result in success or none. Another hint, halis prefer fresh bait, not brined, have a good one.
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That's friggen great info. Thanks!
Getting close to the date, I can't wait.
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How many days are you referring to as a trip.
How many people in a group.
If a group of 4, for 3 days, you are looking for 600 - 1000 bucks in tips.
I think that our "tipping guide" suggests 100 dollars per person per trip as a satisfactory experience. It's really up to the individual. Its not unheard of some guests to leave tips in excess of 500 dollars each and some guests leaving none at all. A average group of 4 for a 3 day trip will have spent , without guides , around 16K. Add guides and you will be closer to 20K. I know 600-1000 is a lot of money to most people....hell it is for me...but for some it's a evening out on the town.
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About the bites...
like Bobber said, they run the full gamut from trouty bites to freight trains. If you're unguided and are still at the start of the learning curve:
1) When the bite comes, take the rod out of the holder, hold onto the reel knobs, lower the rod tip to the water,and wait.
Then wait.
Then wait until you can't stand it any more.
Then wait.
Seriously, too many people are so excited about their bite that they don't allow the fish to take the bait and turn. You'll know when this happens by the fact the rod is probably bending with the top 1/3 of it in the water. When you see this happening,
2) Hold onto the reel knobs, and, as lightning fast as you can, whip the rod to a vertical position (that is, HIT IT!!!). And keep the rod tip up.
3) Let go of the reel knobs. And keep the tip up. If your drag is set properly for a new angler it should be tight, and the fish should be able to take line off the reel without creating a bird's nest. Let the fish run, and take back line when you can.
Yeah, there's more to it, and you'll catch on after some time.
and remember, this is for FUN! You'll let some fish get away- that's part of it. Let whatever happens, happen. Relax. Watch and listen. It's embarrassing for us guides, but there are times when a newbie will outfish the fleet. Don't expect it, but with a good attitude and the Kharma it brings, you just might be that boat!
Tight Lines,
Obie
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We are in an unguided boat. Just the two of us. For 4 days.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfR7qxtgCgY
Sorry, I just can't help myself sometimes. ;D
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfR7qxtgCgY
Sorry, I just can't help myself sometimes. ;D
NOW THAT'S FUNNY S@#T!
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Thanks Obie and Bobber.
Those are helpful tips indeed. I am getting really excited for this trip. 9 more sleeps!
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Driller, send me a email mli@nikka.ca i can fill you in all the info you needed for the trip..
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Yeah Driller e-mail the big guy for info, leaving for the lodge sat for the haida gwaii. talk to the big fellow and send me your e-mail, Marco knows who I am and I will give you a idea on how the fishing was. Haida Goonbah.
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Goon, heading up Saturday ?? Whats going on.. didn't you said you had enough with all the BS.. lol
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Not guiding, just helping out with the weighing and tagging, sat to tues, thats it, couldn't guide if I wanted to sold all my gear.
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OVerlooked something very important.
I don't know how to rig up for this stuff. I've fished with anchovies in the past, and spoons. Sounds like herring is the bait up there. Does one use 2 single hooks? I've been pouring over various videos on youtube to try to get familiar with the different setups. I need to know what is going to work best. I can ask for assistance up there but I'd like to make sure I am good at tying the proper knots, so that I'm not wasting one minute of time up on the fishing grounds.
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Are you mooching or using strip? Mooching one through the nose, one through the dorsal.
Strip has to be cut at an angle , but there's probably better qualified folk here to help you with that.
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They will most likely have hooks on leaders tied for you already. They will teach you how to use cut plugs and whole fish. I don't think people fish much with strips anymore.
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Driller you are going to have to calm down, cut plug is all that you will be using, they supply all the leaders and as soon as you get off the chopper you will be greeted and than have an orientation. This is not rocket science, its fishing. They will show you all you need to know, bait hookups etc, only if you listen, if you show up with the tude, like I.m from the coast and I have done this fished that way and this way and you don't open your eyes and ears than yeah this trip of a lifetime could become a nightmare. Relax, everything will be fine!!! There is guide up there by the handle Grit, tell him you have been talking to Goonbah and he will point you in the right direction. now whith all this info Driller you have to remember that it is fishing and there is no guarantee, enjoy the whales . the scenery, the food and all the bonding. later, last post, enjoy,
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Okay.
Thanks Bobber.
I do realize that it's fishing, and I am definitely looking forward to the scenery and the wildlife. I am notoriously a very well prepared person for these angling adventures, so anything that I overlook really ticks me off, hence the multiple questions. One of my buddies suggested that I go to see Dave at Highwater tackle and ask him for some tips. I can even go as far as to pre tie a bunch of the rigs. He suggested that a bunch of greenhorns are responsible for tying up these hook setups, and a lot of them are perfect, but some of them aren't and tying my own would ensure that all of the tackle is primo. At this point in time I am beginning to think that I am maybe over thinking things. I think this is the last post from me.
I'll try to talk to Grit.
Thanks boys. I'll get back with the report....unless I decide to enter another 50 or 60 posts by next friday.
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Driller, if you do have time come by Nikka and i can give you a run down of what you need and what you will be expected...
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a bunch of greenhorns are responsible for tying up these hook setups
Yes, but you'd be a greenhorn too if you haven't tied them before, and you don't have time to make them all perfect
I don't think they go in to the pub to find people to tie leaders.
Your anxious and you want everthing to be perfect, That rarely happens.
Relax and enjoy yourself.
Personally I prefer to tie my own leaders and If it fails It's my fault but in my opinion most failures happen with nicked or overused leaders.
Go see steelhead king and he'll should be able to set you straight.
It's always good to know how it should be done.
Good luck, relax, have fun!
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Driller, I'm like you and try to plan it out in advance. Its part of the fun. You would do fine if you showed up without any prep, like everyone says, but I would consider the following:
- go to Nikka. Marco and/or Calvin can tell you lots about the place and you'll feel more ready.
- I do usually bring some of my own mooching leaders. Buy the best ones you can get or make your own (only if so inclined and know you can do it well) and they will be better than what most lodges give you (sharper hooks, more reliable knots). No matter what, alway test them. Put them in the rod holder and pull hard - surprising how many the knot give way. If you test them you'll be fine even if you don't bring your own.
- If you are really ambitious buy a few sliding round weights. They are what the guides use,a dn better than the fixed mooching weights usually used by guests fishing alone. They can show you at the tackle shop, and if you feel like it you can try it up there. Again not necesary but interesting to try if you feel like it.
- Talk to the lodge staff (all of them) a lot. They are all fishing crazy and will give advise happily.
- Talk to the other guests a lot. You can get great information, find new places, things to try. Most will be happy to tell you where they cautgh the big one, what depths they fished etc,.
- Bring a GPS if you have one. Last time I was there there were no GPSs in the boats. If the fog rolls in you will be glad to have one.
- My own personal safety comment is that I always have an infalteable vest on when on the water. If I take off my survial suit after playing a big spring I still have the vest on. Know where the lefjackets are on the boats. Safety first.
I'm envious, have fun annd Good luck.
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What you need to invest in is a guided trip...especially if your saltwater experience is limited and you've never been there. If you can upgrade to a larger blue boat, do it. It's WORTH THE MONEY and trust me, you'll thank me for this in terms of fish played, comfort, etc. If you can afford to go on this trip, then you can afford the guide. If you go fishing for Halis (when is more like it depending on the time of year), you'll appreciate a larger boat as well. Also, you'll find that the guides outfish the "unguided" boats by a large margin--I know this to be true. Here's the way to look at it, you won't try to fly a plane if you've never been in one before would you? Same thing applies. If you do take my recommendation to go for a guide, get a full time senior guide if at all possible and not someone who works on the dock.
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It's amazing the amount of input I'm getting. I'm not paying for A guide because I'm not rich. I can barely afford a trip like this. What I can say is that all the info that everyone has shared with me on this post I will use as best I can, and fish my my friend off. I'll let you guys know how I do.
Cheers
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Hi there,
I go up to Langara 2-3 times a year. This year I'm starting early--next Tuesday. This being the beginning of June there aren't going to be any Coho around big enough to be interested in a cut plug--or at least that's my experience. They are still busy munching those little shrimp-like beasties that at times swarm the waters there in June. Anyone ever had any luck attracting those small Coho by dragging a red or chartreuse salmon/steelhead fly/jig?
Thanks Norman
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Driller,
Best of luck. You are getting really good advice here.
As you seem a little excited and compulsive, let me add a little more advice:
1. Trust the dock staff. They really want you to succeed.
2. Start simple. Having been there many, many, times, we fish four rods most of the time. If you are new to this, fish one rod per person initially.
3. Go to safe and/or populated places. Try Bruin Bay on the flood tide--it is within sight of the Lodge. Spend a lot of time working Coho to Andrews Point. Don't rush from point to point just because others do. Stay away from wind exposed places if you can, because along with the current the wind will challenge your boat management skills when you are learning how to mooch. The results of doing otherwise sometimes are not pretty.
4. Stay away from the West side of the island if it is open. The next stop is Japan.
5. Dress warmly. Although you will have a good padded survival suit, expect 11-12 C weather and you can still get really, really cold if you don't watch it.
6. Think about having a mid day nap (1/2-1 hour) if the fishing is slow. Sunrise is at 5:30 am and they probably will allow you out until 9:00 PM or so. You can get a lot of fishing in, even with a restorative nap.
Norman
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1. Yes, trust the dock staff for safety. However, the dock staff aren't on the water catching the fish. Talk to the guides..even better. Fish around the guides....like not right close to them, but around them and watch what they're doing, how fast they move, etc. Chances are, if they're fishing there, there are fish to be caught and they're catching fish. If you're wondering how deep they got 'em you can watch how many pulls they put out. Catching fish at Langara isn't rocket science, as a matter of fact it's downright easy provided you're doing the right things.
2. Fish 3-4 rods and space them out on the boat with as much spread between them--change the angles. Fish from 10 to 45 pulls in the stretch of Coho Point. Obviously, you're going to be 100 feet of water at least if you're fishing 45 pulls so you're further off shore. Otherwise, most guides are probably no deeper then 35 pulls at Coho Pt. Coho Point has plenty of trolling from far into Egeria Bay right past the pin. Stay out of the "bass pit" at Andrew's Point. If you get 2 consecutive fish at "20 pulls", then obviously fish a 2nd rod close to "20 pulls". Fish all rods with an 8 ounce weight (maybe a 10 on the deeper)--never mind the 4 to 6 Oz stuff. and use a 6 to 9 foot leader.
3. Bruin Bay isn't going to give you anywhere NEAR the quanity of fish that Coho Point will. Don't spend too long in Bruin unless you're catching fish pretty regularly. It's "early" for Bruin for quantity. Move with your trolling speed---these fish LIKE a good spinning cut plug, they're not lazy, they're fresh and full of fight. Take your boat out of gear every 30-45 seconds, let the lines drop to near vertical then put it back in gear. Find the bait!!! Cover some area though in your "power mooching", if the tide is pushing, and you can maintain your depths....move...you're POWER MOOCHING.
4. Lacy Island can offer some dynamite fishing this time of year. Go there only if it's calm and stay away from mid channel in the big rollers. If there are some guide boats there, chances are, you'll know why.
5. Bait, bait, bait..find the bait. Fish around or in the bait. If it's slow, fish around the bait!!!!!! Eventually some fish will show.
6. Cut your bait on the water--don't go leaving your cut bait in the brine... brine the night before. Ensure your bait has a good presentation. Don't put your bait down unless it's doing what it is supposed to do. Check your cut plugs every 15 minutes if nothing is going on and watch your rod tips. If it didn't come back after a bump, then check it. It's quick and easy to do.
7. Sharp Hooks and good leaders. Reuse leaders if they are fine. Ensure the hooks are sharp.
Tight lines!
Driller,
Best of luck. You are getting really good advice here.
As you seem a little excited and compulsive, let me add a little more advice:
1. Trust the dock staff. They really want you to succeed.
2. Start simple. Having been there many, many, times, we fish four rods most of the time. If you are new to this, fish one rod per person initially.
3. Go to safe and/or populated places. Try Bruin Bay on the flood tide--it is within sight of the Lodge. Spend a lot of time working Coho to Andrews Point. Don't rush from point to point just because others do. Stay away from wind exposed places if you can, because along with the current the wind will challenge your boat management skills when you are learning how to mooch. The results of doing otherwise sometimes are not pretty.
4. Stay away from the West side of the island if it is open. The next stop is Japan.
5. Dress warmly. Although you will have a good padded survival suit, expect 11-12 C weather and you can still get really, really cold if you don't watch it.
6. Think about having a mid day nap (1/2-1 hour) if the fishing is slow. Sunrise is at 5:30 am and they probably will allow you out until 9:00 PM or so. You can get a lot of fishing in, even with a restorative nap.
Norman
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Just got back today from the Haida Gwaii Derby, quite the trip, weather was good two out of the three days, typical, a 33 was winning the derby up until 14 minutes left where a 43 was taken at Bruin, felt bad for the poor guy, 14 minutes lost him 70,000 dollars. Biggest hali was caught out in front of the lodge at 160. Lots of feeders, 12 to 20 range, Boulder one hour before the ebb to half way through it produced fish, in tight, if not move off shore to the 200 mark and try 30 pulls. After half way through the ebb and theres not much happening move up to Mac or Andrews for the first push of the flood and after the change then fish the flood off the pin or little coho. Again nothing huge but its early in the season and you shouldn't have trouble finding fish. Weather permitting try lacy half way through the flood.
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That sounds crazy. Imagine having the derby in your pocket until the very last hour?! Not to mention the cash. I've been eyeing the weather. It's blowing like crazy up there. Glad it was alright for you for at least 2 days.
Thanks for the advice as well.
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Got back Saturday from a Tuesday-Saturday trip. Yes, it definitely was windy, but fishable. Lodge types were far more cautious about keeping areas open than ever before (perhaps because they were the only lodge with boats on the water this early). For a while we could fish Bruin Bay and the Passage and that was it. I gather that many Chinooks came in last Monday, but while we were there, up to Saturday morning, the salmon fishing was just dreadful. In contrast, for those who were into it, halibut and ling cod fishing were better than I have ever seen it.
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Just got back from our trip. We were able to fish around the entire island except for the first half day, and this morning. I've never been there before, and holy smoke do they cater to you! I was blown away by the service. No details left untouched. Boats were cleaned each time we came back, smiles. Too much to list.
The fishing was decent, but not outstanding. We did pretty well. Limited out on springs, a few double headers, one halibut each both 20lbs. Limited out on rockfish. The largest spring we caught was 18.5 lbs. We released a lot of them, hoping to get a larger one. This morning the bite came on real intense at Andrews and we landed 6 or 7 springs.
I'd love to head back, but I think next time it would be later in the season, to target Coho's.
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So thats it? I'm glad you had the chanceto have the Haida Gwaii experience, enjoy your barbeques this summer, just another adventure.
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Well Done! For a self-professed newby, sounds like you did very well! It's not the expected things that make the trip; it's the surprises- like the amazing staff, and that time when...
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Exactly. I was blown away by the experience. Took me a couple of days to get my energy levels back to normal. I have never fished so many hours in my life. It was nice to have every single thing taken care of. Coffee, snacks, thermos, mugs, sandwiches, sweets, drinks, bait, gas, boat cleaned, fish cleaned, meals prepared. It allowed for a lot of time on the water. My partner was as eager as I was, and we made the most of it. We were always one of the first boats on the water, and we were the last boat on the water. My partner has fished out of Prince Rupert a little bit over the past few years, and he claimed that the fishing was better in Rupert. I reminded him of the extra cost of travel to Rupert, the processing of the fish and transport of it back to vancouver, the extra costs such as charter, meals, hotel, extra time off work to compensate for travel days etc. If you calculate all of this I actually think going to Langara is equal, if not maybe even cheaper.
I would highly recommend the trip to anyone. Now it is time to focus on still water fishing. My Dad arrives tomorrow, and we head to the Caribou for 4 or 5 days of trout stalking.