Nootka Sound-Critter Cove Trip for Sale

[Salmon Fisher]

Fish Nootka Sound at Critter Cove!
If you’ve always thought about it, but haven’t done it yet, now is your chance to fish where the big ones are, in your own boat, in protected Nootka Sound!

I am offering my 5 nights at a Critter Cove cabin from July 19-23, 2011. I usually arrive the day before and stay at the moorage float on July 18, fish the morning of the 19th and then move into the cabin.
Each cabin includes:
Bunk beds (double on bottom, single on top), with no linens.
Sink, table and chairs.
Small washroom with a toilet only.
Access to the common wash and shower house ($2 a shower)
Picnic table and deck space.
Moorage (for a 30 foot boat or less in length)
Cabins are designed for either two fishermen or a small family. Please bring your own linens and towels. You are welcome to bring a propane barbecue (briquettes not allowed) or camp stove to set up on your picnic table if you would like to cook at your room.

I am fishing closer to home this summer, but I still want to keep my week at Critter Cove and go another time. So you simply pay my price, $868.00, for an unforgettable fishing vacation.

Here is the link to Critter Cove for more information:

http://crittercove.com/

Of course, I will share all the "local knowledge" and logistics for the trip up north.

Thanks,

Patrick

[starcrafttom]

how many does it sleep?

[Salmon Fisher]

The cabins have a bunk bed. Double size on the bottom and twin on the top. I have slept on the floor on an air mattress, last year in the 22 cruiser since I upgraded from the 17 Arima I had.

[hardee]

Wow, that is enough to make me want to be a fisherman. Beautiful place.

Harvey
SleepyC[/i]

[Salmon Fisher]

Yes, it certainly is. You would think it was a lake early in the mornings. There is virtually no current, the water just rises and falls.

We can troll within 20 feet of the shore and the water is 75-100' deep in some spots and the trees seem to grow out of the rock. Bald eagles are pretty common and you will see the occasional sea otter.

The open ocean is only 9 miles away and you can run there through very small tree covered islands.

Pretty cool indeed. Just google Nootka Sound fishing for some neat videos.

[C-Dawg]

Patrick,

Did you trailer your boat over, or did you just make the run up the coast? If you trailered, what's the cost these days?

I'd be willing to join a couple other guys and split the costs. And I'm willing to make the run from Neah Bay or Sekiu instead of trailering, if it's feasible.

[Salmon Fisher]

Rick,

It is definitely a trip by road to Gold River then 18 miles down the inlet. Last year, about $250 each way on the BC Ferry from Tsawwassen to Nanaimo. The run up on the outside is just not practical from a standpoint of weather, time and other factors. There is 34' Coastal Pursuit that does it, but that's a big boat!

Our budget, including everything, was approx $2,000. Split that three ways and you have a pretty affordable trip that is unforgettable.

You might want to PM Starcraft Tom for a possible fishing buddy.

Keep in touch.

Patrick

[Jazzmanic]

Wow Patrick, that sounds like a fun trip. Caryn and I have been planning to go to the Broken Group around that time but hadn't looked at the cost of towing the boat from Tswassen to Nanaimo. $250 each way? Really? I could've sworn it was about $150 each way when we looked into it a few years ago. Hmmm, we might have to make new plans. Maybe a fishing trip instead.

Peter

[Andrew]

Quick check of fares at BC ferries indicates the Tsawwassen run costs
13.75 per adult
45.75 per vehicle up to 20 feet
5.15 per foot for trailers
and .15 cents Port authority fee

As of April 1st last year, overheight is the same price...

so 13.75 + 45.75 + say 25ft (boat trailer) X 5.15=128.75 + .15==188.40 plus tax=around $213
Add another adult and we are up to around $228
and this is one way...

http://www.bcferries.com/fares/

Andrew

[Jazzmanic]

Thanks Andrew. Those pretty much match my calculations. I had no idea. We were thinking of asking you to hook us up with the dealer in Port Alberni to store our truck/trailer in July but I'm not so sure we'll be making that trip now. On the other hand, it's not like the price will go down in the future.

Oh well, I guess I need to make some decisions...

Peter

[journey on]

When we took Journey On to Vancouver Isle a couple of years ago, the BC ferry had a summer special which saved a bunch of money (~20%). And remember that's in Canadian money, so the price depends on the exchange rate. There is an American ferry from Anacortes to Vancouver Isle which also had a special when we were coming back. The Americans measure your length and the Canadians take your word.

That trip is a great one and it's certainly worth the time and money. The whole west coast is packed with fisherman and their trailerable boats. We spent a night at Critter Cove, on the inside of their log boom, packed with boats that were fishing. The cabins in the back that Salmon Fisher is talking about, were full. We talked to some of those people and they'd been coming for years. The cabins are full and if you quiver about renting one or miss a week, you're off the list. However they will make room at the boom, as we proved. The fishing is right across the inlet from Critter Cove, and we launched at Gold River.

Nootka Sound, itself is wonderful.

Boris

[Ron on Meander]

Ah yes the cost of the BC Ferries. In Dec 2010 they changed the way they calculate vehicles over 20ft. If your vehicle/trailer combination is over 20ft they charge you $5.15 per foot for the entire combined length.
Not, first for the vehicle and then $5.15 for the length of trailer.
For example.
Truck 20ft.
C-dory 22 on trailer 30ft. (total length of trailer, tongue, motors etc, your total length may be different)
That totals 50ft x $5.15 per foot =$257.50 plus $13.75 ea for driver and passengers.
Thats about $280 for the combination with the driver and one passenger.

I know quite a few RV owners that if they are towing a second vehicle they will unhook it and one of the couple drives the RV on to the ferry and the other drives the car. The car get charged the regular under 20ft rate and RV is charged $5.15 per foot for its length. I works out cheaper for them to split them up. It seems cumbersome but it can save $20 or more for a trip. Stupid. It still takes just as much or more room on the ferry. Doesn't work too well with a boat though. It makes it pretty expensive to use the BC ferry to get over to Vancouver Island.

[Salmon Fisher]

BC Ferries seem pretty high, but there's an alternative.

Go Washington State Ferries from Anacortes to Sidney. In the summer they have 1/2 Fare Promo to battle with BC ferries. It applies to Recreational Vehicles and Buses. I am pretty sure if you are towing a boat you are considered a Rec. Vehicle, but best way is to call WSF and find out.l

Next time I will probably do that, much less, like $150 each way.

Either way, if you check out fishing charters in BC or anywhere for that matter, big $$. Way cheaper to take your boat, buddies and groceries.

Fish as long as you want to each day, flexibility, too. We have done it for around $2,000 total for 3 guys, pretty cheap when you consider fishing for 5 days and that is everything, ferry fare, fuel, launch, parking, beer and groceries, fish storage, a night out in the restaurant at Critter Cove and a couple of nights pie and ice cream.

[C-Dawg]

I can bring homebrew, so that saves on both beer and groceries.

[Salmon Fisher]

Just wanted to let everyone know, the trip to Critter Cove for 2011 has been sold to a fellow C Brat.

Thanks for everyone's interest.

Patrick