Salmon Numbers Strong on the West Coast
Experienced anglers looking to find a consistent sweet spot to fish for wild West Coast Salmon and Halibut know of a little, out of the way spot called Ucluelet. This small town with a population of little more than 1800 has a word of mouth reputation on a world-wide scale that is beginning to supersede even the heavy advertising dollars of Alaska. Anglers looking to find that “new” or “rare” wilderness fishing experience make Ucluelet their first stop and then find that the pull to return to this place is irresistible. Wonder, beauty and great fishing can be found each time they go.
Ucluelet may be a little off the beaten track, but it is smack dab in the middle of prime fishing territory, especially during the summer months from May to the end of September as Salmon migrate in larger numbers to feed off of thick and teeming balls of krill, herring, sardines and tasty squid. Ucluelet is known all along the coast of British Columbia as the world-class fishing destination most able to deliver on multiple accounts: easily accessible by road and surrounded by the beauty of the Pacific Rim National Park, and privy to non-stop action only a very short distance out of Ucluelet’s deep harbor. Ucluelet also offers great opportunities to combination fish for both Halibut and Salmon. Out here, anglers can depend on being able to catch their limit, as well as take advantage of the fact that this area has not seen a decline in limits. Why? Simply stated; here the fishing remains good. The waters both in and offshore from Ucluelet are nutrient rich and provide a “perfect haven” for fish to feed.
According to locals who have grown up and lived most of their lives here, as well as local charter operators, Ucluelet has always been a great place to fish. On an international scale, however, people are only just starting to find out about it. Sam Vandervalk of Salmon Eye Fishing Charters states that he has come into contact with many anglers who have made Ucluelet their top choice after many fishing treks which took them up the whole coast of BC and into Alaska. The quality and large sizes of each days catch are most evident when viewed through first-hand reports and picture fishing blogs such as given on the website for Salmon Eye Charters which is continually updated: www.salmoneye.net/blog/.
Although fishing is a significant part of Ucluelet’s international appeal, it is also known for the rugged beauty of its rainforest trails and sharp rocky coastline. Ucluelet spreads itself finger-like out into the Pacific Ocean, with multiple beaches, coves and outcroppings abundant with land and sea-life. Even an untrained eye could snap incredible shots of sunsets painting the sea and clouds with a variety of orange and pink hues. Or one could explore the sand and pebble beaches for marbled shells and interesting pieces of driftwood. Ucluelet’s Wild Pacific Trail has numerous entrances, enabling the visitor with a taste of exploration to choose the length of the adventure. Possibilities span from the wind-swept beauty of Amphitrite Lighthouse all the way through Hitinkis Park with its rainforest ferns and hanging mosses, to Big Beach’s spectacular display of sea-spray on the rocks and another several kilometers along the coastline to finally meet up with the paved biking trail winding its way along the road leading out to the highway.
All of this word of mouth publicity leads to the idea that these claims are worth checking out in person. Thankfully, although it is small and hidden away, Ucluelet is also surprisingly close to the borders of Washington and thriving metropolitan areas such as Vancouver and Victoria. Both the 1.5 hour ferry and three hour drive from Vancouver through Nanaimo along the Alberni Highway to Ucluelet are lovely and scenic, making time fly by along the way. With so much to recommend it, there is no wonder that Ucluelet has made its way onto the world-wide stage. Strong Salmon numbers are just a part of the overall picture: Ucluelet is the place to be.
Author: Amy Randall
Acknowledgements:
Sam Vandervalk, Salmon Eye Charters www.salmoneye.net
