You're probably familiar with the old cartoon of the ever-embellishing fisherman, arms thrust open as widely as possible, bragging about the day's catch to his sceptical yet secretly envious cronies. But, what everyone may not know is that there is actually a place in the world where 70lb king chinooks aren't the stuff of hyper-masculine tall tales (or tails, depending on your appreciation for fishing puns). Yes, British Columbia's Vancouver Island is a world-class fishing destination, as confirmed by Conde Nast Traveller magazine – who declared it the "Top North American Island" for fishing seven years straight – as well as plenty of other publications and several seasoned fishing aficionados from the writer's extended family. This sterling reputation has spawned (there I go again) plenty of fishing charters, fishing lodges, accommodation, tackle shops and boat rentals around the Island, making it easy to plan a sport fishing getaway.

Five species of salmon, rockcod, lingcod, rainbow and cutthroat trout, steelhead, and scale-busting halibut are just some of the varieties anglers come from far and wide to reel, wrestle, eat, and of course, photograph to wave in the faces of disbelieving friends back home.  Vancouver Island's diverse and rugged coastlines are home to vibrant ocean ecosystems which support myriad fish, shellfish and crustaceans, not to mention the whales and sea lions often spotted along the way. Also, the island's countless rivers and lakes are hot-spots for fly fishing, with plenty of untouched shores on which to take in the famous scenery or stash a beer cooler (but please take your empties with you when you leave).  

Saltwater Fishing

Many Islanders would concur that you haven't truly experienced the West Coast until you've spent at least one early September morning shivering over a thermos of coffee, trolling rods quivering to the hum of the swaying boat's motor as the peach-tinted sun rises over a distant mountain range, finally providing relief from the bone-chilling sea air.  Of course, the less poetic types who are more interested in the sport itself would probably prefer to recall the rush of adrenaline when the rod jerks to attention and somewhere deep below the surface, a desperate salmon runs for its life.  If you're fishing in the Campbell River area or northwards (like Rivers Inlet, Port Hardy, Alert Bay, and Port McNeill), there's a good chance it could be a Tyee on the end of your line––not just your average sized chinook or spring salmon, but one that weighs in at over 30lbs––earning you a coveted spot in the famous Tyee Club.  Of course, wrestling these beasts is not for the faint of heart or faint of bicep, so be prepared for a fight.  Halibut anglers also enjoy success around Vancouver Island's central and northeast coasts, with some catches weighing in at well over 100lbs.  

Southern Vancouver Island's coast also enjoys a great reputation for its saltwater fishing spots, such as Crofton, Chemainus, Cowichan Bay, Ladysmith, and Maple Bay. Though they probably won't match the size found in the northern waters, many claim the flavour of the smaller varieties is better than the heftier ones that win the weight contests.  Likewise, the Pacific Rim - Vancouver  Island's open ocean west coast––boasts great salmon, lingcod and halibut fishing as well.  

One word of advice at this point: it's always best to familiarize yourself with the season's most current regulations, as fish populations are monitored on a constant basis and there are limits on particular species, number of species caught per person, minimum size, etcetera.  New limits or restrictions may be introduced mid-season or a run may be closed early in order to prevent overfishing and straining the ecosystem.

Freshwater Fishing

With all this talk of Tyee and hundred-pound halibut, one might wonder why anyone would bother with fly fishing.  Well, maybe those people have never tasted a fresh-caught-that-day rainbow trout roasted over the open fire.  If that's not enough to convince you, machismo factor can be significantly boosted by way of an actual or imaginary bear sighting, and perhaps an afternoon of hunting or cliff diving thrown in for good measure. Also, fishing the lakes and rivers of Vancouver Island can be much more affordable than saltwater fishing (you don't necessarily need a boat) and quite possibly more comfortable if you're prone to chills and seasickness, as the weather and swells on the Pacific Rim side can be particularly robust.  Freshwater fishing can be done year-round on Vancouver Island, with trout running continuously and other varieties such as salmon and steelhead making an appearance through the autumn and wintertime depending on the location. 

One especially notable inland fishing spot is the Cowichan River, the "Fly Fishing Capital of Canada", where rainbow, cutthroat, brown trout, salmon, and winter steelhead abound.  Other popular areas include the Sayward Forest lakes on Northern Vancouver Island; the Stamp/Somass Rivers near Port Alberni; Campbell River; several central island spots like Englishman Rivers Falls Provincial Park and Spider Lake; and Gold River on the island's west coast, revered province-wide for its steelhead.

Additional Information

A fishing license is mandatory for both saltwater and freshwater fishing, and can be bought at tackle shops and sporting goods stores, or online at the BC Government's fishing website.  Life jackets are required by law, and people operating a motor-powered boat in British Columbia must provide proof of competency (such as a pleasure craft operator's license, Intermediate Power Boat Standard, etc). 

By Deanna Ladret, My Destination British Columbia
September 2011