2010 Scandia West Fishing Trip

[Ed Caffrey]

Yesterday Cindy and I headed out on vacation. Jim and Bev Clow invited us, along with Dana and Sandy Hackney to their fishing lodge in Quatsino BC.

Cindy and I decided to fly out this year, and since it was MUCH cheaper, we flew out of Calgary AB.

We met Jim, Dana, and Sandy in Port Hardy BC, and took the short drive to Coal Harbor and then the 20 min boat ride to the lodge. Since we arrived so late in the day, all we did was check the crab and prawn traps....but we ate like kings!










Tomorrow I hope to have fish pics, but for today we ate like kings and had a great time with dear friends!

[john smith]

Looks great, have fun relax and enjoy, I'm jealous.
Hope you get in to the fish and have calm waters.

[MLAZYB]

Looks like a feast fit for kings. Have fun and keep us posted on the catch.

[Ed Caffrey]

Day 2.... Well really our first day out of the water. We where up and headed out by 6am...and headed directly for the "open water". Things were a little rough, so we hurried up and caught a few "bottom fish" before the swell and the waves ran us out. Here are some pics of today's happenings....












Lots of fun with great friends....now it's time for a shower, and an early bedtime! I'm pooped!

[cdent]

What a haul, that could make the whole trip. Wonder what you'll latch on to if you don't have to hurry.

Great pics, Craig

[Ed Caffrey]

Today fishing was a bit slow, we caught a total of 5 "Snapper", but Dana hauled in the biggest one the any of us have seen yet..... 14 1/2lbs!


We stayed "inside" because the water on the open ocean was ROUGH....


Looking for a better day tomorrow, and we'll gona head out early and run to the "meat hole" out on the open water.

Here's Dana with his 14 1/2lb Snapper....


And a Bald Eagle who was watching us....

[J. Doyle]

Looks like a great trip so far, Ed. Thanks for showing the pics.

From the clothing you guys are wearing, I'd say you're not getting the close to 100* temps we've been having here!

Your timing of the trip worked good for you. Have fun and catch more fish.

[Ed Caffrey]

Today we were on the water by 6am. We boated the 18 miles to the "Open water" (the open ocean) and went to work trying to land some "bottom fish". We managed to have a good day as far as numbers a quality of fish.

Like a dummy, I wore sneakers and by 8am I was wet up to my knees....Cindy was getting a little cold too.

We fished until about noon, and then decided to head back in to warm up and get dry.

Cindy landed the only Halibut today, and Dana got all the Salmon.

Here's a pic of Cindy with her Halibut, and me with a couple of nice Ling Cod


Dana and Sandy came in a bit later and had this super nice catch.....


Here's a pic of Dana with his biggest Salmon....


Jim made a whole batch of knives for fishing this year, and they work as good as they look!


Jim really makes short work of cleaning fish....beside him I feel like a slow, clumsy kid!





It was another wonderful day! I can't thank Jim and Bev enough for inviting us to share their little Paradise on Earth!

If you want to have a wonderful vacation fishing, you REALLY need to contact Jim about Scandia West Fishing Club!

[jim poling]

Ed, Good friends, Beautiful setting, fresh air and good eats; I don't think you can ask much more for a vacation. Enjoy Buddy, We'll be watching

Jim

[Ed Caffrey]

We're taking the day off from fishing today...well, sorta. Jim had to get the boats serviced today, so we went into Coal Harbor and while Jim was getting the boats serviced, the rest of us got fuel....Because the only fueling site is about a 20 mile boat ride away, Jim brings fuel in 5 gallon cans (lots of them) to coal harbor, then we drive into Port Hardy and fill them, then bring them back to the dock at Scandia West lodge.

We also had to do some grocery shopping (I'm gona make everyone to sausage, biscuits, and gravy for breakfast tomorrow morning)

We MIGHT do a little fishing this evening.....but with the salt air and everything, it's easy to get really lazy and just lie around.

If we do go out and land anything, I'll be sure to post pics later.

[Burke]

Ed I am so jealous that I can hardly see. Have fun and think of me here in the heat.

[ddushane]

Good looking fish Ed, Looks like yall had a great time! God is Good!!!!!

Dwayne

[Kostoglotov]

Nice work! Looks like your guide is doing a good job putting you on fish

[Ed Caffrey]

I didn't get a chance to update everyone on the last couple of days of our trip. We went out fishing one more time, and had a load of fun! We spent the day Saturday traveling. We flew out of Port Hardy BC, to Vancouver BC, then caught a plane to Calgary AB. Cindy and I got a shuttle ride back to the hotel, picked up the car, and traveled the 5 hour drive to Great Falls. Another wonderful memory, all thanks to Jim and Bev Clow. Cindy and I can't thank them enough for their friendship and hospitality! If anyone every wants to have the fishing trip of a lifetime, you need to contact Jim Clow at Scandia West Fishing Club!

Dana and Sandy with some monsters!


Cindy working hard for a fish...


And coming up with a 20lb Ling Cod!


Dana landed a HUGE Ling Cod here....If I remember correctly it was 34lbs!


And this is Jim, showing what the business end of that thing looks like...


We also saw a few whales on the trip....not a very good picture....but to see it in person is an awesome sight!


And finally, our chariot home.....well, more like our "sardine can", but it got us to Vancouver, plus it was fun looking out the front glass, and seeing what the pilots see....


Cindy and I made it home last night around 10pm. Dana and Sandy headed down Vancouver Island and are suppose to be home Tuesday evening. What a great vacation! I sure hope we have the good fortune to do it again some day!

Thanks Jim and Bev! You folks are the best!!

[tomh]

welcome home, you haven't missed much