Haida Gwaii Safaris

British Columbia Fishing

Valerie Hoperich

Haida Gwaii: Reclaiming Identity and Reviving Culture in the Islands of the People

Queen Charlotte Safaris becomes Haida Gwaii SafarisIn the heart of the Northern British Columbia Coast, a profound journey of reclamation and cultural revival has been unfolding. The Haida Nation, with its rich heritage and deep connection to the land and sea, has been at the forefront of this transformation. This story begins in 1787, when Captain George Dixon surveyed the islands. He named the islands the Queen Charlotte Islands after his ship, the Queen Charlotte, which was named after Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, wife of King George III of the United Kingdom.

In 2010, the Haida restored the name Haida Gwaii, which translates to “Islands of the People.” Haida held a ceremony to respectfully return the name Queen Charlotte. Since then, an incredible transformation has taken place. The Haida reveals to the island communities and the world an ancient living culture through art, language, and place names. These all celebrate an intimacy with the lands and seas and reveal a depth of knowledge of this place collected over millennia.

Queen Charlotte Safaris is making a transition to Haida Gwaii Safaris to properly celebrate and acknowledge the people and Haida title. Honoring the lands and seas in this way, through place names, brings us closer and will continue to inspire our safaris to be the trip of a lifetime. We aim to create deeper connections to one another and this beautiful place, Haida Gwaii.

Haawa, (Thank you) for being a part of this transition with us!

-Valerie and Haida Gwaii Safaris Team

What Makes Deep Sea Fishing in Haida Gwaii Special

Haida Gwaii sits off the northwest coast of British Columbia. The ‘Misty Isles’ is a remote archipelago, home to the Haida First Nations, and features stunning mountains, rainforests, and water bodies.

Haida Gwaii fishing

You can catch salmon and bottom fish such as Pacific halibut, lingcod, and various species of rockfish in the network of fjords, inlets, channels, and rivers, but deep-sea fishing is where you want to be. So, apart from the enchanting inland features, what makes deep sea fishing in Haida Gwaii special?

Five Reasons Why deep sea fishing in Haida Gwaii is special

  1. Location

You’ll struggle to find a fishing spot that is as abundant in deep sea fish as Haida Gwaii. It sits close to the continental shelf. Cartwright Sound is the only area in Haida Gwaii that provides great fishing opportunity, yet still has a number of areas that offer protection from the Pacific winds. Because of that, one can easily fish throughout the season and never miss a day.

Take the Salmon: Haida Gwaii sits smack in the middle of the salmon migration route. That means it’s the only point where millions of salmon must pass through each year, so you can expect consistently high catch levels.

What also separates Haida Gwaii from other fishing destinations is its unique geographic location. The islands create a 200 mile long archipelago about 90 miles off the mainland, essentially forcing every salmon in the Pacific Northwest to bypass them on their annual migration. It’s important to point out that all salmon caught in the Pacific off these island coasts are transitory fish. That is, they are not the terminal fish finding their way up river in Northern California, Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia. There is a big difference in their fighting ability and, more importantly, taste and nutritional value.

Once you’re done fishing, Queen Charlotte also offers guided land tours to many locations such as:

  • North Beach
  • Nikoon Park
  • Tow Hill
  • Gwaii Haanas National Park
  • The Haida Heritage Center
  • Agate Beach
  • Crystal Cabin
  • And more…

  1. Abundance

Abundance is the name when you’re out deep sea fishing in Haida Gwaii. Millions of salmon go through the area searching for feeding grounds, while other types of fish are in plentiful supply. 

Besides, expect to find all manner of fish when you’re out deep sea fishing in Haida Gwaii, including:

  • Lingcod
  • Halibut
  • Salmon
  • Rockfish

  1. Ease of reach

To qualify as deep sea fishing, you must fish at depths of at least 30 meters. In most cases, you would have to travel extensive distances off the coast.

Not so with Haida Gwaii, as you can happily fish for many fish species approximately 20 miles offshore. It means you can start deep sea fishing in Haida Gwaii 45 minutes after leaving the dock.

  1. Service and facilities

Remote as it is, Haida Gwaii has a commercial airport in Sand Spit, serviced by daily flights from Vancouver BC. This is a Dash 8 aircraft operated by Air Canada. Private planes are welcome.

Our beautiful, modern lodge built from Sandspit Cedar trees overlooks the picturesque Shingle Bay Harbor.  We will welcome you at the Sandspit Airport to transport you to the lodge that is three short miles away.  The quaint town of Sandspit has only 11 miles of paved road, 2 stops signs and more eagles than residents.  Once you arrive at the lodge you will settle in, enjoy some delicious hors d’oeuvres, take a walk on the beach, play horseshoes, shuffleboard, or just relax. We proudly serve many dishes indigenous to the islands prepared by our seasoned chef and team.  After dinner step outside onto our spacious, relaxing deck and watch the eagles soar above you. Our guest’s rooms accommodate two people per room with private washrooms and showers.  You will enjoy the wonderful atmosphere, our friendly staff, and their attention to detail.  

  1. Seclusion

Ask most anglers what’s included in their ideal fishing destination and you can bet it’s probably be a pristine and quiet place. Haida Gwaii remains to be an untouched, unspoiled region of the world.

Haida Gwaii fishing

Seated in a remote area right on the border between Canada and Alaska, you can rest assured visitors will not outnumber fish!

There are plenty of reasons why deep sea fishing in Haida Gwaii is special. It is easily accessible and has a variety of fish and fun. Further, it’s in a great location where lots of fish congregate and migrate.

Contact Queen Charlotte Safaris today to book the opportunity to experience the exceptional deep sea fishing in Haida Gwaii.

Valerie Hoperich

 

Pacific Halibut Fishing In Canada Is Unique

Searching for a truly unique fishing experience? Don’t overlook the opportunities of Pacific halibut fishing at British Columbia’s Haida Gwaii area.

Pacific Halibut Fishing

Halibut is part of the flounder family, the largest flatfish in the Pacific. Pacific halibut fishing is one of the most exciting adventures for any angler, and it doesn’t take years of experience to appreciate.

The Pacific halibut is truly a whopper, weighing up to 200 pounds and more than eight feet long. The best table-fair halibut is under 100 pounds. That’s almost twice the size of the legendary Chinook salmon, which runs just shy of six feet long.

Canada is known for its outstanding salmon runs – but record Pacific halibut catches also take place here every year. British Columbia’s Haida Gwaii archipelago is a truly unique halibut habitat. If you’ve heard big things about Alaska halibut fishing, you simply can’t miss the chance to see what Haida Gwaii has to offer.

Three of the biggest reasons halibut fishing in Haida Gwaii Canada stands out

  1. Canada’s Haida Gwaii Gives Alaskan Halibut Season a Run for Its Money

Halibut season in Alaska runs about five months from mid-May to mid-September, but only July and August offer peak fishing. On the other hand, Haida Gwai will delight you with brisk fishing for halibut, ling cod, yellow eye, and bottom fish all through the season. There’s virtually no downtime from morning to night!

Sport fishing regulations in Alaska limit catches per day, especially for non-residents. Even if you find the best spot around – and it’s not too crowded – you will often be done for the day in just a few hours. Try halibut fishing in Haida Gwaii and it’s not unusual to bring home 50 pounds of catch a day.

  1. Haida Gwaii Halibut Fishing is Friendly for Vacation Travelers

In the summer months, Haida Gwaii is a few crucial degrees warmer than the most popular halibut fishing villages in Alaska. Plus, fish are highly active along our coastal pinnacles and reefs, so you will spend a lot less time getting to and from fishing spots and a lot more time landing the day’s Pacific halibut catch.

When you choose Haida Gwaii fishing with Queen Charlotte Safaris, you can enjoy a rich and varied landscape like nothing you’ve ever seen. You’ll spend comfortable nights and luxurious mornings at our cedarwood lodge right on beautiful Shingle Bay. Far beyond any usual Alaska hotel, our guests make memories that last a lifetime.

  1. Canada’s Pacific Halibut Fishing Means Delicious Meals

Pacific halibut fishing isn’t just about fish stories – it also means mouthwatering meals for a fitting end to a day full of adventure. Pacific halibut is the ultimate fish for anyone who doesn’t like a “fishy taste”: It’s mild and sweet while remaining satisfyingly thick and firm, ideal with bold citrus and herb seasonings.

With Queen Charlotte Safaris, visitors to Haida Gwaii will enjoy spectacular seafood delights. In addition to halibut, our guests feast on a full selection of crab, lobster, steak, and indigenous fish with all the trimmings. You will go to bed happy and wake up raring to go for another invigorating day out on the water.

Nothing Compares to Halibut Fishing in Canada – Let Us Show You Why

Don’t let Pacific halibut fishing pass you by. Alaska is classic, but British Columbia is unique. The team at Queen Charlotte Safaris is professional, sincere, and always ready to meet new friends. We’ll be delighted to show you all Haida Gwai holds in store so you can see for yourself what keeps anglers coming back.

Contact us today to discover the best Pacific halibut fishing in Canada.

 

What Makes A Unique Salmon Fishing Resort?

Just like the prizes they seek, the most dedicated anglers migrate all over the world in search of the best salmon fishing.

Increasingly, that has meant going to the ends of the Earth – the last unspoiled places – looking for a unique salmon fishing resort that lives up to the name. For many anglers, that ideal land is somewhere pristine and quiet, where crowds of people never outnumber schools of fish no matter the time of year.

Salmon fishing resorts

British Columbia, Canada, may not seem like the most exotic place on the top salmon fishing list. Take a second look, though, and you’ll see ours is truly the last frontier for salmon fishing. And at Queen Charlotte Safaris, we think we have a pretty good claim as a truly unique salmon fishing resort.

Let’s take a closer look.

The World’s Best Chinook Salmon Fishing

A unique salmon fishing resort should have unique salmon – and Queen Charlotte Safaris stands out.

The Chinook is the largest species of Pacific salmon. An adult Chinook salmon averages two feet long and 30 pounds, but record catches can grow up to 4.9 feet and 129 pounds. Chinook salmon meat is red and softer than other wild salmon meat, making it a pleasant and inviting seafood main that goes with many dishes.

British Columbia’s breathtaking Haida Gwaii Archipelago is a magnet for these salmon, drawing them from the Bering Sea each March to arrive in April. Once there, fishing season stretches seven whole months – more than three times as long as the fabled Alaskan salmon season.

Almost every major salmon run from the Skeena, Frasier, and Columbia River systems on Vancouver Island’s west coast must pass through Haida Gwaii on their annual journey. Cartwright Sound spends the whole season packed with salmon, giving intrepid anglers plenty to do day and night!

No other salmon fishing resort can promise virtually no downtime between salmon runs – because there is simply no place on Earth quite like Haida Gwaii. From beginners to experts, anyone can enjoy a salmon fishing resort where hardly a week goes by without a record catch for the year.

And what other salmon fishing resort also offers ample opportunity to catch halibut, ling cod, yellow eye, and bottom fish? Our calm coastline waters are dotted with reefs used as habitats by a diverse array of desirable fish. From May through September, visitors can catch delicious halibut – the Pacific’s largest flatfish – with no quota.

Fresh-Cooked, Chef-Prepared Meals in a Fishing Lodge You’ll Never Forget

Our lodge is your home away from home, including private washroom and shower with each guest room. Each morning you’ll wake to the view of golden sun on picturesque Shingle Bay. After a long day out on the water, a unique salmon fishing resort should offer a comfortable place to rest and tell all those fish stories!

But that’s not all: Every evening is capped with an unforgettable chef-cooked meal.

salmon fishing resort

From lobsters, clams, oysters, crabs, steak – and, of course, every variety of Haida Gwaii fish – each meal is prepared from the freshest and finest ingredients right in our kitchen. Years of experience mean every delicious dish is handcrafted to tantalize your palate. No matter what the day’s catch, you’ll never go to bed hungry!

And there’s one more thing we should mention about a unique salmon fishing resort: An all-inclusive, no strings attached experience so you can focus on fun. That’s our promise, and that’s just one more reason you’ll want to come back again and again. Discover Haida Gwaii with us. Contact Queen Charlotte Safaris today.

Not All Salmon Migrations Are Equal

Salmon Migrations

What we know about the habits and deep sea migration of pacific salmon is flawed to say the least. Salmon are relatively easy to study at the beginning and end of their amazing life cycle. It is the 1000 or so days in between that we have the hardest time deciphering. Lucky for us the shifting light for global awareness of this remarkable species. New and continued research by marine biologist on both sides of the 49th parallel are leading us towards some answers. 

Salmon migrations

Chinook Salmon

Last November I attended the Sport Fishing Institutes Annual Policy Conference in Vancovuer, B.C. During the sessions of the day I was fortunate enough to hear a talk by Scott Hinch, about just this topic! As an avid fisherman and self appointed life long learner, scientific studies like these are exactly what I love to hear about. I understand this is not everyone’s cup of tea however; the more we know about salmon behavior, the better we can predict mid and early season migration. 

All though the Hinch presentation deals with Salmon in the Salish sea, (the origin for some of the salmon we catch off the coast of Haida Gwaii) we have a lot to learn from any study of juvenile salmon. Hinch’s study dealt with V4 tagging fish and then releasing them from a fixed location to monitor the migration and selection through the Discovery Islands. 

Key Findings

Some key findings that I take away from reading this study is just how far these fish migrate everyday while on there way to and from the fishing grounds. Tagged salmon moved between 15 to 50 miles per day. That is a long way for a fish that is less than 4 inches, on its way to becoming an adult. As the salmon age and start to return to the spawning grounds we see similar distances on average. Though some species migrate as far as 80 miles per day when making a short run and an average of 25 miles per day when talking about salmon that swim deep into the interior of BC. 

What we still don’t have an accurate view of is the depth at which salmon seem to migrate and what conditions cause them to change depth in the water column. The salmon we catch are usually between 45 and 120 feet deep however; Chinook salmon have been observed migrating at depths well beyond 500 feet. The current science leads us to more questions than answers when it comes to how or why so deep but, I do know that I would be excited to haul up a spring salmon from the depths of 300 ft plus. 

That is the beauty of our vast fishing grounds in Haida Gwaii. B.C. While the majority of the salmon caught are predominantly in the water near the wall in Cartwright sound. We are learning that the old way is not the only way when it comes to the targeting and catching of west coast pacific salmon.

By George Wall-Queen Charlotte Safaris Operations Manager & Shipwright