All of us at Haida Gwaii Safaris are 100% committed to your fishing success!
Testimonials
Mark O
Via Trip Advisor
Without a doubt the best fishing trip of my life. I go on 10-12 fishing trips a year and NEVER have i experienced such a magical fishing experience. Valerie and her team have put together an amazing well-coordinated fishing adventure. All aspects of the trip were top notch. I booked back-to-back trips next year.

We recently visited Queen Charlotte Safaris as a family of four (two of us for the second year in a row). After having fished from Western Alaska to SE Alaska, I can say that personally this area (Haida Gwaii) has been my best fishing spot - the most / biggest: Chinook, and ling cod (we also caught halibut and rockfish). For us it's not all about the body count, but in the end we can say that we've never seen a location with such good fishing. The lodge is not as "rustic" as you might expect, it's not a camp in the forest only accessible by small floatplane, Sandspit is a small town where regular airplanes land on a typical runway. Our VERY experienced skipper Ed was a no-nonsense guide and put us on fish. We had 4 fishermen on a boat where the jet-engine cowling takes up the center of the deck, but we made it work well, and he was always polite and safety-minded. We saw black bear, deer, bald eagles, humpback whales, along with a salmon shark, and a big blue shark which followed a fish right up to the boat. We were extremely lucky when it came to flights, weather, and calm seas. And although we initially were going to shop for our own accommodations on the way in, ultimately we decided to go with the Fairmont hotel reservation in the Vancouver airport which QCS preemptively made for us as a backup, a day early (that relieved a lot of the stress; there was time for us to all fly home the same day we departed the island for Vancouver). But a big part of the credit for the success of a trip like this goes to Valerie. As a business owner myself, I appreciate her attention to detail, and organizational skills. Without her, it's just another lodge. QCS understands that it's the little things that count: comfortable beds, great rain gear and fishing tackle, tons of lunch options, hot soup waiting for us after a day of fishing, the best quality fish boxes I've ever seen for the trip home. See the photos; there's no cook, it's an amazing Chef, John from Scotland, and his crew. We can see that all the other staff members follow in Valerie's footsteps, and ultimately this somehow also results in a group of very nice guests.

Joe D
A true fishing lodge where the staff and guides offer genuine hospitality and friendliness. Knowledgeable staff, comfortable accommodations, and great food. Their boats, guides and the fishing are great. Fantastic lodge views, minutes to the marina and nearby fish processors. Would recommend to anyone.

Benjamin B

Bill G

Great lodge if you are serious about catching lots of fish of four species: Chinook Salmon, Ling Cod, Halibut, and Rock Fish. Coho Salmon are also available but both Chinook and Coho are seasonal. The lodge is comfortable and food service is great. Dinners feature a single entree with sides. Entrees this trip were salmon, dungeness crab, halibut, and steak and shrimp. Substitutions are available. Valerie and her staff do a great job. 3 days of fishing this trip on 30ft aluminum Alaska-style boat with 4 guests. Caught an estimated 750lbs of fish. Local processor cleans, vacuum packs, flash freezes, and packs to order for transport included in your lodge fee.

Marsha Petrie Su
“Let’s go fishing” is a commonly heard in our home and our favorite destination is Sand Spit, Canada. Queen Charlotte Safaris, owned and hosted by the amazing Valerie Hoperich, is the best place to fish and relax. Her staff and guides are top grade, providing an amazing fishing experience catching Salmon, Rock Fish, Ling Cod, Halibut and more. The fishing guides at QCS know exactly where the fish are running. In addition, we always have our camera ready to snap pictures of black bear, deer, whales, sunfish, bald eagles and other wildlife. The boats are comfortable and have heated cabins, plus an on board private head (bathroom)! The lunches and beverages they prepare to your request are delicious.
The lodge provides a very cozy, comfortable and very clean place to relax but truly the best part is the amazing meals provided by a terrific Chef. The outside patio is a great place to put your feet up and enjoy the gorgeous shore front, watching the native birds flying through the fresh air! And feeding the bald eagles was a very special treat. They perch and nest in the pines surrounding the lodge.
There is so much more! We have been back to fish with Valerie and her crew several times, and are planning our next trip to this beautiful part of the world.

Joseph M
The people working at all levels are wonderful. New, top quality weather gear provided along with the best fishing equipment on the boats. Kenli is a great guide and we will insist on having him again. Valerie is absolutely the best. Great area with clean air where allergies disappear. Beautiful place with wonderful people providing a great experience. Best lodge I’ve stayed at so far to include Alaska and Canada.

This is definitely a 5 star lodge. Valerie and crew are the best. My husband and I have gone 8 different years. Been on many different guided hunts and fishing trips and this is definitely #1 in our books. Going again in July. Bring home at least 150# plus fish each trip.

Chris Oneal
This was my first visit to Canada and QCS made it an amazing one. The fishing was great and our guide was extremely helpful and fun to spend time with. There was a lot to catch and he made sure we had every opportunity to get the fish we wanted. The lodge staff were also very nice and accommodating. The service was great and the food was always very good. The entire staff at QCS we’re great to be around and I would definitely recommend their charter to those looking to catch some great fish!

Mike Lee
This lodge is truly at hidden gem up in Haida Gwaii! The staff and guides were amazing and made us feel right at home. The boat ride thru the Skidegate Channel offered spectacular views on the way to the fishing grounds. The boats are well equipped and the guides were very knowledgeable of the area. The fishing was amazing! We caught everything from Salmon, Halibut, Ling cod and Rock Cod! My biggest was a 32 pound Chinook caught right at the wall. It was nice after a long day fishing to return to the lodge for a great dinner. I can’t wait to go back next year.

Mic Kelly
When Queen Charlotte Safaris moved to its present lodge, we fished with Q.C.S. three consecutive years and thoroughly enjoyed the atmosphere, the fishing, the food, the lodge and the camaraderie. We have sinced fished Ketchikan (5 years), Prince Rupert (4 years), and the Kenai River ( 1 yr) and have now returned to Queen Charlotte Safaris for the best fishing experience we have ever had.
This year we added our 27 year old grandson to our son and myself for another great time fishing. The lodge is better than ever, the new boats allowed us to arrive at the fishing grounds at the best time in the morning and the experience is even better than before. The food was outstanding and the entire trip was the best ever, with everlasting memories for a lifetime.

Dan Kelly
My dad and I have been fishing the North Pacific ocean for the past 15 years. We found Queen Charlotte Safaris due to my brother-in-law traveling there on a fishing trip with his father. The next year we booked a fishing trip Q.C.S. taking with us 3 fathers and sons. From the moment we arrived at the airport the trip was filled with laughter and great memories.
At the lodge the food was one of our favorite parts, obviously we were there for the fishing. From the staff of the lodge to the captains of the fishing fleet you can’t miss having a great time.
We have fished the beautiful waters of Mexico and way up to the North, Alaska, Sandspit and its fisheries is a beautiful area. It is a hidden jewel on this earth. I mean by this, the fishing area does not see a lot of over-fishing. We have experience less and less amount of fish going home with us over the past 10 years, so we booked QCS again. We caught more fish and were pleasantly surprised by of all the changes to improve our experience, with the addition of Valarie’s dad (Dave from Idaho always added a warm welcome to the lodge.) Dave made the coffee for everyone in the morning before breakfast and saw all of us off to go fishing. He told me that he loved everyday in Sandspit and spending time with all of us guests. Dave made the lodge feel like home. His stories are truly amazing and having dinner with Dave made it even more special.
The Kelly Family highly recommends fishing and staying at Queen Charlotte Safaris Lodge. It is a great experience for the most hardcore fisherman or a novice for the first time. Thank you Valerie and your dad Dave for allowing three generations of the Kelly family to stay and fish one of Canada’s hidden secrets.

Barbara Z.
"I had an amazing time, a much needed break from my busy schedule. Our guide was so knowledgeable, food was yummy, owner, staff and guests were delightful. My two friends and I brought home so much fish and only three days of fishing. So many beautiful eagles. Looking forward to returning!"

Hanne Mintze
Three fishing vacations at Valerie’s Queen Charlotte Safaris have convinced me that EVERYONE should experience this first-class lodge at least once. Valerie is hospitable, organized and smart. The lodge is run like a family resort – warm, friendly and welcoming. Staff is superb; rooms are cabin-like and comfortable. The food is prepared by graduate chefs making each meal an adventure. And you can’t beat the company of bald eagles perched in the trees outside the lodge. Fishing boats are first rate with skilled skippers, first class tackle and personal attention and who can argue with return baggage of 150 lbs of gorgeous salmon, halibut, cod and snapper? Valerie is the best!

Art Pearce & Donna Lenherr Kinney
Year after year we choose to return to Queen Charlotte Safaris because of the success we have each and every year. Valerie and her staff are so much a part of our wonderful outdoor experience that they seem like family to us. It feels like a family reunion for us each time we return. The accommodations are excellent and the food, without question, is fit for a “King”. I have been fishing the West Coast of British Columbia for many years and know that the areas we fish with Queen Charlotte Safaris are among the most beautiful and productive anywhere on the West Coast. We are treated to the thrilling catch of Tyee Salmon, Coho Salmon, Cod, Snapper, and Halibut. Their boats are well maintained and captained by very helpful, knowledgeable and experienced West Coast Fishermen with excellent tackle for landing the big one! I would recommend Queen Charlotte Safaris to any fisherman, from the beginner to the most seasoned angler. Good Luck and may all your lines be tight lines.

Stu Holmes
If you are looking for a world class fishing adventure, I recommend, and without hesitation or reservation, Queen Charlotte Safaris. QCS is a family oriented lodge located in the Haidi Gwaii (the Former Queen Charlotte Islands), British Columbia.
I have fished many other lodges in Canada and Alaska, and QCS, bar none, remains at the top of my list. I just completed my fifteenth year fishing in Cartright Sound as a QCS guest. Valerie and her staff will stop at nothing to make your stay at QCS the memory of a lifetime. Valerie can control everything except the weather and the fishing, and as to the latter, the fish are always there. Even when the weather (read wind) is tough, the guides can put you into wind sheltered inlets. You will catch fish.

Joyce & Dennis Smith
For our wedding anniversary, Dennis and I were going to go to Hawaii until we were talking to Valerie in Las Vegas at her booth for QCS. Her excitement about the fishing safari won us over…we dropped our plans for Hawaii…and we are so glad we did. The experience fishing with QCS was amazing.
Valerie and her Director of Sales & Marketing, Sharyl ensured our trip was the best ever, making sure every accommodation was perfect, and it was. In fact, we got to fish with Sharyl and her fiancee Dan…Sharyl and I are now known for the ‘Fish Dance’. Additionally, the staff at QCS are professional and friendly…couldn’t have had it any better. We highly recommend everyone to experience fishing with QCS…we will definitely do it again. Thank you Valerie, we love you!
