My husband will celebrate his 60th birthday this year, and his wish is to visit Canada and fish. I am looking for a place to stay that has spa facilities and where he could do float trips and maybe even a fly-in fishing expedition. The timing would be September 08. Any help is appreciated. There would be 2 couples, with the guys fishing and the girls looking for other activities. Thanks.

Sam_Salmon is the poster you want for fishing in British Columbia waters - hopefully he'll see your message and respond.

What I can offer is that your budget is really going to determine which resort you choose. I have two relatives who get comp'd trips at luxurious fishing lodges each year in B.C., one in the Queen Charlottes (I can't remember the name, I think it was the Queen Charlotte Lodge) and the other on Sonora Island at www.sonoraresort.com. There are many, many fishing lodges whether on land or floating, in BC waters. For the ideal BC fishing experience, I'd say go for something remote but that leaves the women with either joining in the fishing or nature viewing or having a spa treatment.

If you decide on something urban, you could stay in Vancouver, the guys could drive to Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver, rent a boat and motor maybe 10 minutes or so off Cape Roger Curtis on Bowen Island, and fish off there. You women could do the city stuff while they're away.

I'd first decide whether it's ocean or lake fishing, pick a province, pick a price-point and then start to google and read about the numerous fishing lodges/experiences available.

Here is a website to check out
http://www.obmg.com/ They have many different resorts for fishing I think it is just what you are looking for. September is an excellent month for fishing here. Even I have caught a 34lb spring. The weather is usually excellent in Sept as well. Enjoy and good luck!!!

Thanks for all your replies thus far. At least I have a baseline from which to start. Hopefully Sam_Salmon will see this post and have suggestions.

If your budget is generous, you might consider something like the Wickaninnish over in Tofino. There are fishing trips available from the area although it's not the main focus as it is at some other lodges like Painters. But there's lots of other things to do in the area so that's a plus for the non-fishers!

April Point is nice (although Quadra Island is pretty sleepy)--I'd choose that over Painters.

The fleshpots of Tofino are your best bet--fishing on the ocean will be winding down but the area offers what you're looking for-without the flyin trips.

For those I'd look at
http://www.nimmobay.com/ but there is nothing else to do @ that lodge for non fishers except a possible Bear watching trip somewhere in the 'hood.

There's an off chance of combining a stay @ Painters with a mainland side heli trip and then some early fishing for hard fighting Chum Salmon in Browns Bay north of Campbell River but I'd investigate thoroughly-it can be quite weather and tide dependent.Another possibility is staying there but fishing the West Coast of the Island-not all that far away.

<u>Don't</u> for any reason use any guide from Painters instead talk to the Manager from http://www.tyeemarine.com/ and ask for a recommendation he has all the latest info and knows the most reliable and established operators.

He can also advise as to whom to use for a Fly out as well-not cheap!




Thanks for the kind words Linda- I do my best.

Clayoquot Ventures does offer fly-in trips from Tofino--but I'm not into fishing so I can't speak from personal experience as to the caliber of the trips.

http://www.tofinofishing.com/