Does anyone know the best area in the Vancouver island area for salmon fishing? Also any recommendations for the best companies to use? Thanks!

Well I really don't know, but I would start looking around the Campbell River area. I believe Bob Hope and/or Bing Crosby used to fish there a lot. Also check out April Point on Quadra Island.

Vancouver Island is a large place,there are all kinds of options available. <BR>generally the 'outside',or area facing the open Pacific,is your best bet,and roughest water. <BR>start at www.sportfishing.bc.ca for more info. <BR>if you have specfic Q's about timing,weather,salmon runs,certain charter operators,etc.,feel free to e-mail me.

Try Painter's Lodge and the Campbell River site-- best fishing and a great experience---more lowkey and less classy try the Dolphins also in Campbell River

FWIW Campbell River should be a person's LAST choice. <BR>fish vacated the area around CR 10+ years ago,very little left except memories-the reasons are complex,suffice it to say they are NEVER coming back. <BR>all the infrastructure still exists,lodges,guides,rentals,but now outfits like Oak Bay Marine Group sell 'the sizzle,not the salmon',it's just a tourist hustle now,so much so that if you don't catch a fish(very few do even at $500/day)they will give you a FARMED SALMON! <BR>LOL!! <BR>(for those unfamiliar with BC,this is a gross insult to a sportfisherman) <BR>if catching fish is what you want head to West Coast Vancouver Island,if you want to listen to BS about yesteryear while going for a lovely boat ride go to CR. <BR>check out the charters on www.sportfishingbc.com

That'll teach me to open my mouth on a subject I know nothing about. Interesting though, Rod. Just out of curiosity, is any part of the west coast better than another?

do you mean for fishing? <BR>read my original response,WCVI is the best salmon fishing in BC. <BR>other locales,Queen Charlotte Islands,Hakai Pass,have bigger Chinook Salmon but nowhere are they more plentiful. <BR>as stated though 'outside' waters are exposed to the full force of Pacific weather systems,a friend was 'blown off' the ocean at Ucluelet just this past Wednesday,it happens regularly. <BR>Chinook runs are expected to be the smallest in recorded history this year,due to the presence of predatory Chub Mackarel 3&4 years ago,because of the El Nino current. <BR>these fish decimated the smolt salmon who were on their way to the open ocean,very,very few will return to spawn this year,which has resulted in unprecedented closures up&down the coast. <BR>few charter operators will tell you this however,things are always rosy in their world and the 'big'un' just about to bite(!) <BR>failing that'you shoudda been here last week/month/year'! <BR>Buyer Beware!!